The Monee Monitor: January 3, 1975
“Court Appearances January 15 in County Drug Raid”
“Preliminary hearings are set for January 15 for four persons arrested December 20 in what narcotics agents have said is the biggest seizure of amphetamines in Will County. Of the four arrested, three are out on bond. Those arrested include: James Dipert, 21, Crete; James Purnell, 19, Sauk Village; Lee Newlon, 18, Sauk Village; and Newlon’s wife, Janet, 17, of the same address.
“Formal charges were filed December 20 in Will County Circuit Court for possession of a controlled substance and possession of cannabis. The estimated street value of the drugs is about $50,000.
“The arrests and seizure occurred at a house in Park Forest South, with a P.O. Box mailing address in Crete, according to police. Metropolitan Area Narcotics Squad (MANS) agents, on a search warrant, recovered 14 pounds of amphetamines, one pound of marijuana, hash oil, four guns, a quantity of cocaine, paraphernalia – such as pipes and cigarette papers, and an assortment of capsules containing an unknown substance.
“According to MANS, the investigation began when quantities of amphetamine tablets were traced from Indiana to the Park Forest South area. Agents say [there was] periodic surveillance of the Park Forest South property, where it was believed traffic of large quantities of amphetamines has taken place during the past two months.
“During these surveillance periods, said MANS, several telephoto pictures were taken of subjects frequenting the Western Avenue residence. These subjects were then followed and later identified. Aerial photos also were taken during this period. Crete Police Chief Richard Lueder believes this raid will solve most of the drug problems in the area.”
“January in Illinois a Century Ago”
Here’s an idea of what young adults did to meet prospective partners way before the Internet and dating apps, from Illinois State Historical Society, Old State Capitol, Springfield excerpts…
“In January a hundred years ago, Illinoisans had some customs that have been abandoned. A selective check of the more than 100 newspaper files for the period in the Illinois State Historical Library shows the tradition of making New Year’s Day calls was statewide and well observed.
“The ‘Chicago Inter-Ocean’ explained: ‘It is a reception day with the ladies and calling day for the boys.’ The ‘Rock Island Union’ suggested ‘The table need not be lavish, but it should be tasteful…The average table, however, still shows a goodly array of sandwiches, pickled oysters, sardines, cake, jellies, fruit, and confectionery.’ (Interesting choice of food – pickled oysters and sardines?????)
“Under the heading of ‘Come and See Us,’ the ‘Inter-Ocean’ published ‘lists of ladies who will receive calls today.’ The paper also advised that ‘it is proper for gentlemen to begin their rounds as early as 9 a.m. and allowable to continue as late as 10 in the evening.’ The list ran for nearly three columns of small type and contained more than a thousand names. Statistics on the results of these preparations were seldom mentioned, but the ‘Rock Island Union’ did say ‘many of the ladies received between 200 and 300 visitors.’ “
The Monee Monitor: January 10, 1975
Oh, how things have changed…
“New Garbage Rate on Current Billing”
“Village treasurer Barbara Jasin said the new rate for garbage collection in the Village of Monee per quarter is $6.75. On this billing there is $1.50 added to cover the October increase.”
“Board Considers Crete Elementary Renovation”
“The possible renovation of Crete Elementary School was discussed again at the January 6, meeting of the 201-U School Board. This subject was discussed at the December meeting, when it was suggested another report be prepared to provide more details on the proposal.
“Willard Helme, superintendent of buildings and grounds, had been asked to prepare a floor plan and cost estimate, which was studied and discussed at Monday’s meeting. The plan included utilizing the original building for office space, storage, faculty workrooms, conference rooms, and corridors to the new learning center and physical education areas; demolishing the cafeteria building to allow construction of needed facilities; retaining the gymnasium and remodeling the stage area; and remodeling the two-story portion for central office space. Cost estimates for the proposed changes amounted to $803,750. This estimate did not include remodeling of the two-story portion.
“The issue of remodeling that part was left open. Superintendent John Savage said he believed its use as a central office would not be practical because of problems with traffic, visitor parking, and the proximity to an elementary school building.
“The subject of increasing the seating capacity at the Crete-Monee High School football field also was considered. At the present time, the seating capacity is 1,876. There was an average of 1,963 in attendance at 1974 home games. The board believes, if any changes are to be made, action should be taken before May so work could be completed before September.”
The Monee Monitor: January 17, 1975
“The Recession – How Bad Is It?”
“‘Things are bad,’ but not all over. That about sums up the economic picture in eastern Will County. A survey of major employers and plants in the area turned up some interesting, but spotty, indications of stability.
“Although there are pockets of unemployment and reduced hours for many who have been used to bringing home hefty overtime paychecks, the situation is by no means altogether bleak. Hardest hit appear to be the auto steel and housing industries. The Ford Stamping Plant in Chicago Heights, probably the largest single employer in this area, has some 800 hourly workers laid off, plus some salaried personnel.
“The remaining 3,020 production and skilled trades employees returned to work Monday after a week-long plant-wide shut down. More such plant closings for a limited period may be in the offing, as production is scaled down to match sales. The plant, at one time, employed 4,400 hourly workers.
“Layoffs at Ford are based on seniority, with production workers laid off whose employment dates to May 1969. In skilled trades, those hired as long ago as 1964 are finding themselves temporarily out of work.
“Elsewhere in Chicago Heights, the picture looks somewhat brighter. Thrall Car went back to work December 19 after a strike, losing a few employees at that time. They anticipated hiring about two-to-three hundred workers in the following 60 days.
“Flintkote has had no layoffs in about a year and is not anticipating any at present. However, when raw materials fail to come in on time, a shift may be shut down, though Flintkote officials do not term this as a layoff. Calumet Steel is not planning any layoffs, but they’re going slow on filling vacancies. There have been some layoffs at Allis Chalmers in Matteson for workers with low seniority, and more are possible.
“Many workers in Steger, which has a large number of carpenters, have been hard hit by the housing slump. Normally, 10-to-15 percent of the Carpenters Union members are idle at this time of year, but a spokesman estimated that number is closer to 30-40 percent this year. The wet spring and cement drivers’ strike and tight mortgage money market combined to make 1974 a bad year for the carpenters, and forecasters see nothing really promising on the horizon until late summer. There’s some remodeling work going on, but many of those who are working are down to three or four days a week.”
The Monee Monitor: January 24, 1975
“New Junior High Progress Slowed by Many Problems”
“Small and large problems impeding the completion of Deer Creek Junior High School were heard when the 201-U School Board met Monday night.
“Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds Willard Helme reported the storm water problem now has been solved, with New Community Enterprises agreeing to connect to the sewers on the school property as soon as possible, and noted, ‘We were within inches of being flooded during the past rain.’ The drain system work may not be completed until June, Helme reported.
“A letter from contractor’s Frederick Quinn Construction Company told, among other problems, of losing 14 of 39 days because of freezing temperatures, rain, and snow. They said there was 30 inches of water at the loading dock at one time causing delays. They also claimed some standing in the driveway leading to the future parking area in preparation for blacktopping had sunk into the mud because of the water.
“A letter from the architects reported they failed to see justification for additional cost to the district. NCE has furnished no storm sewers, they reported, which has resulted in delay. They added that accessibility to and from the site is the contractor’s responsibility.”
“PFS Juvenile, 13, Takes Car, Rams Trucks in Monee”
“A 13-year-old juvenile from Park Forest South created considerable havoc in the parking lot of Kochel’s ’66’ Service Station at Rt. 50 and Court Street, Monee, Saturday afternoon, January 18.
“According to Monee Police reports, the youth had taken the family auto without parental permission, caused considerable yard and shrubbery damage in that village, then drove the vehicle to Monee and apparently missed the stop sign at the corner of Court and Rt. 50. He attempted a left turn onto Rt. 50 and lost control of his auto, eventually striking two trucks in the Kochel parking lot. He was taken to the Monee Police station by officers, where he was released to the custody of his mother.
“Park Forest South Police issued him a ticket as an unlicensed driver. No tickets were issued by the Monee department, and there were no injuries. A juvenile hearing is scheduled concerning this case.”
Happy middle of January – Life is Good!!
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