Will County News

Manhattan, Illinois will celebrate its 17th Irish Fest March 4th and 5th. Manhattan Irish Fest will have activities for all age groups: CHILDREN AND YOUTH: ll Children's and Youth Activities will be held at the Manhattan Park District Recreation Center 397 S State St. Scheduled Events: Friday March 4 -- 6:00 - 7:00 -- Stormin' Norman (DJ) 7:00 - 7:45 -- Street Worthy (Band) 7:45 - 8:30 -- Stormin' Norman (DJ) 8:30 - 9:00 -- Street Worthy (Band) 9:00 -10:00 -- Stormin' Norman (DJ) Saturday March 5 --   9:00a -- Noon    Warming Station Operation Care Package will be selling Hot Chocolate and Coffee. 12:00 noon-5:00p:  Games & Prizes: Carnival Games-- Big Mouth,Frog Hop,Star Darts, Boom Blasters, Shuffle Bowl, Teen High Striker, Fat Cats, Skee Roll, Tip-A-Troll, Rock Band, Flip Books, Wax Hands and Sand Art. 12:15-12:45: Bag Piper - Interactive 12:45-1:00 Irish Step Dancers 1:00-2:00 The Magic Dentist 6:00p - 9:00p 6:00 - 6:45 -- Stre...

Program on Dutch Oven Cooking Sponsored by Forest Preserve District of Will County "Dutch Oven Cooking," a free, adult program sponsored by the Forest Preserve District of Will County, will be Sunday, March 6, 10:00 a.m., at Riverview Farmstead , in Naperville.  Registration is required. Dutch oven cooking is a traditional way to cook outdoors.  This program will offer various methods and uses for Dutch oven cooking, provide some historic background, and demonstrate different techniques and recipes. This program will take place outdoors over uneven, natural terrain. Riverview Farmstead is located on Book Road between 111th and 119th Streets, in Naperville. For information and registration, call 815-886-1467.

by ann baskerville The Rev. Jesse Jackson is speaking now at the Homegoing Celebration for Civil Rights Leader The Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton. Watch online now:  http://www.mtzionjoliet.org/MZBC_TV.html Jesse Jackson came to Joliet to honor Singleton, a man who marched with Dr. King.  Jackson came from Madison, Wisconsin where he participated in labor rallies and is headed back to Madison to speak to a group of Madison East High School students tomorrow. Jackson honored The Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton and his tireless work for justice. Here is a historic photo of the Revs. Singleton and Jackson from 1974. Jackson said of Singleton, "he never missed a chance to fight for justice.  It's not enough to say he fought the good fight....cuz, really, it ain't finished...This is a comma, not a period.  Tomorrow we get up on our journey to keep the Singleton dream alive." "We thank God for the life of the Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton....For every picket line he walke...

The Homegoing Celebration for local Civil Rights Leader the Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton will be held today in Joliet at 6pm at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Joliet.   Update: New Online Streaming Site for The Rev. Dr. Singleton's Homegoing Celebration: Singleton's funeral services will be available to be viewed online at:  http://www.mtzionjoliet.org/MZBC_TV.html Singleton was the pastor at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Joliet for over 40 years.  Prior to becoming pastor at Mt. Zion, Singleton served the Russell Street Church in East St. Louis, IL and the Colette Street Ch urch in Danville, IL.   Under Singleton's leadership, Mt. Zion's membership grew from 100 to 2,000 members. Singleto n was the founder and past president of the  Joliet Affiliate Rainbow/P.U.S.H. Coalition   and he served as the religious coordinator for the Illinois Rainbow/P.U.S.H. and iNational Board Member.   Update: View Rev. Dr. Singelton's Homegoing  Program and Booklet...

The group Warehouse Workers for Justice, a group in Will County that meets at Sacred Heart Church in Joliet, has released a press release, read the entire press release: "Temp warehouse workers take action over missing wages Reliable Staffing workers demand improved conditions FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  February 18, 2011 Press contact:   Abraham Mwaura, Warehouse Workers for Justice: 312.775.2154  abe@warehouseworker.org Chris Williams, Attorney WHLC: 312.795.9115  cwilliams@workers-law.org Who:   Employees of Reliable Staffing agency, local clergy and community supporters What:   Employees of Reliable Staffing agency will attempt to collect billing and pay records from the temp staffing agency.  Workers have complained about problems with their pay to the company and delivered written requests for records from the company but have not received records they are entitled to by law.  A community delegation will be there to support...

Long-time pastor and Civil Rights leader the Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton died on Thursday, February 10, 2011 in Joliet, Illinois, where he served for over 40 years as pastor of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church and fought for Civil Rights and Justice . According to the Mt. Zion Baptist Church Website , funeral arrangements are as follows: Funeral Arrangements Body will Lie in Repose for Viewing Sunday, February 20, 2011 from 3pm to 9 pm Monday, February 21, 2011 from 10am to 6 pm Homegoing Celebration Monday, February 21, 2011 at 6pm Internment Tuesday, February 22, at 10am Singleton's funeral services will be available to be viewed online at:  http://www.mtzionjoliet.org/MZBC_TV.html You can also watch The Rev. Dr. Singleton's final sermon "Route 66" on this site.

The Rev. Dr. Isaac Singleton--who served as pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Joliet for over 40 years and was currently serving as pastor emeritus at Mt. Zion--passed away February 10, 2011.   Funeral arrangements are pending, according to the Mt. Zion Baptist Church website. According to the Mt. Zion Baptist Church website , Rev. Singleton marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the struggle for Civil Rights.  Singleton worked tirelessly to help people find jobs, homes, and re-gain their rights. Singleton spread the gospel throughout the world.  Prior to becoming pastor at Mt. Zion, Singleton served the Russell Street Church in East St. Louis, IL and the Colette Street Church in Danville, IL.   Under Singleton's leadership, Mt. Zion's membership grew from 100 to 2,000 members. Singleton was the founder and past president of the Joliet Affiliate Rainbow/P.U.S.H. Coalition and he served as the religious coordinator for the Illinois Rainbow/P....

Bitter cold moved into the Joliet area after Wednesday's blizzard, as evidenced by the steam coming off the Des Plaines River Sunset after the Blizzard of 2011 Drifting snow around a farm building in Manhattan, Illinois Cows explore a snow drift in Manhattan, Illinois

Will County rural roadways were covered with large snowdrifts after a night of blizzard winds.  Here are two photos of Gougar Road, just south of Manhattan, Illinois. Blizzard 2011, Manhattan Township Blizzard 2011, Manhattan Township Thankfully, Manhattan Township plows were out in force and had the road clear before noon:

Cattle eat morning feed during the Blizzard of 2011 Snow drifts along a Will County Barn Cow drinking water during the Blizzard of 2011.  Thankfully, the electricity stayed on, allowing electric heaters to keep the water from freezing Farmer's footprints through a snowbank along the barn. Will County Farmers contended with blizzard conditions as cows were fed this morning Snow continues to fall and drift as farmers complete morning chores during the Blizzard of 2011 Cows eat hay during the Blizzard of 2011 in Manhattan, Illinois