Bike Night kicks off 4-day Oktoberfest in Manteno

From song and dance to Harleys, llamas, lizards and a former Chicago Bear, the Manteno Chamber of Commerce's 16th annual Oktoberfest Celebration will offer a wide range of entertainment, starting Thursday.

The four-day run kicks off with Bike Night on the village's main street and the debut of the Righteous Hillbillies band. And getting those two groups in place should settle the nerves of first-time event coordinator, chamber director Staci Wilken.

"I just came on in April, so there's a lot to learn," she said. "And all I can say so far is that this looks like a great year ... and I owe so much to all of our wonderful volunteers."

Those llamas, lizards and some other unlikely animals will be on display Friday, when the annual pet parade steps off at 6 p.m. The night's entertainment continues with the Showcase of Bands, starting at 7.

View the original article here

Manteno car builder strikes gold in Reno

In what would have to be considered the all-star game of custom car shows, Manteno's Troy Trepanier just sent some of the nation's top builders back to their drawing boards.

His NASCAR-inspired version of a 1969 Ford Torino recently won the Hot August Nights car show, held in Reno, Nev. It was sponsored by the internationally-known Barrett-Jackson Auction Co. and offered a first-place prize valued at more than $25,000.

"This is the biggest [event] in the industry. It was a heckuva honor to win it," Trepanier said. "The idea came from the car owner George Poteet, of Memphis. He's been a longtime client, and he loves NASCAR.

"He found the Ford Torino GT, and we talked about making it like a vintage racer."

But the 44-year-old Trepanier, owner of Rad Rides by Troy, hasn't built his reputation by taking on simple challenges. He and Poteet decided to turn the car into a vision of what those aerodynamic racers of the late 1960s and early 70s might look like with the influence of today's technology.

View the original article here

Kankakee teen, 19, gets 59 years for murder of Manteno man

Michael Wilson, 19, the teen convicted of killing an unarmed Manteno man during a botched robbery attempt in December 2008 was sentenced Thursday to 59 years in prison.

"You are a very dangerous person," said Kankakee County Circuit Court Judge Kathy Bradshaw-Elliott, before handing down the sentence. "You don't care who you hurt. You don't care what the rules are. You don't care who makes the rules.

"Because you won't abide by the rules."

Wilson was 14 when he and another Kankakee teen, Byron Moore, lured Ryan Graefnitz, 23, into the vestibule of an apartment building promising that they could score him crack cocaine.

Moore, who was 17 at the time and facing similar charges, agreed to a 29-year sentence if he testified against Wilson. He told a jury that Wilson pulled the trigger. However, the gun — most likely a .22 caliber revolver — was never found.

View the original article here

Manteno Elementary School's new spaces ready for students

Maybe fall-like temperatures and a chance to explore a new building addition will ease the pain somewhat, but Manteno Middle School students got the official notice Wednesday.

Summer vacation is over.

An open house and get-acquainted session with teachers, students and parents was held at the middle school first, and two more events are set for tonight in the growing pre-K through high school district. Teachers will have a full day of preparation Aug. 19, and students return Aug. 20.

"It was great to meet with parents and start to build relationships again," said new district superintendent Lisa Harrod. "The buildings come alive again, when the children return."

Tonight's sessions will be held at the high school and the newly-expanded elementary building. A dedication event was held in June for what is now referred to as the Early Childhood Center, but tonight students bring school supplies and parents visit their classrooms.

View the original article here