Daily
Joliet
Saturday, December 13th, 2025
Good morning, Joliet. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 13th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Joliet community remembers Maxine Boykin, the department's first Black female officer, who died Nov. 26 at 90. Family+ colleagues recall her as a determined mentor who built trust with residents+ leaving a lasting legacy. Herald-News
- ➤ Joliet kicks off its holiday season with the Santa Send-Off and the Festival of the Gnomes. Today at 10 a.m.—Santa leads a motorcade from Woodruff and Draper to Ridge and Caton Farm while the gnome festival starts at 1 p.m. at Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre. Herald-News
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Tribute artist Dean Z will perform his Elvis-themed show on Saturday, Dec. 20 at Rialto Square Theatre. The award-winning entertainer will lead his band and a large vocal team through classic rock ’n’ roll and holiday hits with ticket prices starting at $35. Herald-News
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Minooka Community High School inducted new National Honor Society members on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at the Central Campus Performing Arts Center — the ceremony recognized many outstanding students selected for their academic achievements. Herald-News
- ➤ Valley View job coach Jennifer Cooper was nominated for the national RISE Award on Thursday, Dec. 11 + her 22 years at the Secondary Transition Experience Program in Bolingbrook have helped special needs students gain vital life skills; she is one of two Illinois nominees chosen to advance vocational education. Herald-News
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Local experts report a housing gap in Will County—young adults and seniors face steep costs, with one-bedroom apartments priced at $1,500 to $1,800 and many homes too large for recent graduates. Community leaders propose diverse developments to boost affordability and meet the needs of all residents. Herald-News
- ➤ Will County residents can use a new online calculator to check if their income meets the home affordability threshold, part of a three-part series that examines local housing access (and shows how geography and policy shape opportunity). Herald-News
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Mendota and Hall will face off for the championship today at 7:30 p.m. at Hall High School in Spring Valley after Mendota edged IVC 67-60 and Hall beat Fieldcrest 61-52 in overtime Friday. Herald-News
- ➤ Herald-News named the 2025 All-Area Girls Volleyball Team featuring top players from local schools in Lockport, Joliet West, and Providence (including Noelle Aprati and Bridget Ferriter) after record-setting kills and digs during the season. The list recognizes strong performances by standout athletes. Herald-News
- ➤ Friday Night Drive announced its 2025 All-CCL/ESCC football team, honoring top players from all 24 member programs for their impressive season performances. The award recognizes standouts such as Montini’s Israel Abrams and Mount Carmel’s Emmett Dowling, who helped lead their teams to state titles. Herald-News
- ➤ Romeoville's girls basketball team lost a game (42-33) on Dec. 11 at Joliet West and still seeks its first win; photos by Laurie Fanelli (Shaw Local News Network) captured the key moments. Herald-News
- ➤ Timothy Christian's senior Marc Gamble joined the 1,000-point club (with 20 points and 13 rebounds) in the Chicagoland Christian Conference opener as the Trojans beat St. Edward 54-32 in Elgin on Friday night. Herald-News
- ➤ Lockport’s Bridget Ferriter was named Herald-News Girls Volleyball Player of the Year after leading her team to a second straight third-place finish in Class 4A. She accumulated 351 kills this season (earning First Team All-State honors) while weighing her college volleyball options. Herald-News
- ➤ Joliet Catholic secured its first ESCC win with a 72-68 victory over Marian Catholic on Friday at home, as Donavyn Simmons and Jayden Armstrong each scored 17 points to boost the team’s record to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the conference (ESCC). Herald-News
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It's A Wonderful Life In Concert
7:00 PM — Rialto Square Theatre — $30.00 per person — Experience local talents bringing the Christmas classic to life while enjoying a scenic bus trip.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.
~ Jim Rohn
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