Manhattan 2021 Year In Review: Big Changes In A Small Town

MANHATTAN, IL — The Village of Manhattan and its residents saw some significant changes and growth in 2021. While the town promises to continue to grow in 2022, the place and the people never lost the small-town feel that makes Manhattan special.

Here's a look at some of the top stories from 2021 to get you all caught up for what 2022 might have in store. Be sure to click on the links to read the full stories. Happy New Year, Manhattan!

Manhattan Mayor Envisions Economic Growth With Population Growth

There's been some change in the Village of Manhattan recently: A new mayor took office, the village has a new police chief and a long-anticipated Dunkin' is scheduled to be up and running later this year.

Manhattan is a town on the rise, and Mayor Mike Adrieansen said he hopes that economic opportunities follow that rise.

The village was recently named the No. 8 fastest-growing cities in Illinois by Home Snacks, a regional infotainment company that provides rankings for cities, neighborhoods and counties across the country.

"That feels a little overwhelming at times, but I think we're prepared for it," Adrieansen said. "I think the previous administration was fiscally responsible, and we're ready for that growth."
Adrieansen said the Village is focused on "the right development that services our community," including such services as a pharmacy, themed and fast-food restaurants, and an auto parts store.

"I love this town," Adrieansen said. "It has a lot of great potential. It is a great town, a great community. I like to be involved and give back whatever I can."

Fable Farm In Manhattan Is Where Animals' Stories Come To Life

Every animal at Fable Farm has a story to tell. Some are rescue animals, while others have been adopted into the Fable Farm family. It's a place where those animals can live out their days in a well-nurtured environment, and children and families can come and share in the farm-life experience.

Kayla LeVine, a resident of Joliet, started Fable Farm in March with two rescue horses. The farm sits on the property of Chris and Lisa Miller at 23754 S. Cedar Road in Manhattan.
"We started with just a big empty barn and our two girls," Levine said.

Today Fable Farm is home to approximately 50 animals, including horses (full size and minis), goats, pigs, chickens, rabbits, ducks and a sheep. And the farm keeps growing; one of the big pigs, Ethel, recently gave birth to seven healthy piglets.

"Everybody likes to come," she said. "We have quarter machines for corn and feed, and all the kids get to feed the goats and the sheep. We sell the horse treats to feed the horses. [Children] will chase the chickens and ducks around.

" … Being on a property like a farm is the definition of simplicity for those who are coming to enjoy it. It's very tranquil, it's very serene. I think everybody likes to come down and put the busy life behind them and slow down for five minutes."

Dunkin' To Open In Manhattan

Fans of Dunkin' coffee and doughnuts will soon be able to get their fix in Manhattan, as the Village Board approved at its Aug. 3 meeting a special use permit and plans for a drive-thru at the site where a currently-vacant restaurant sits at 535 W. North St.

The current building will be updated to include a Dunkin' sign on the front of the building, along with additional signage along the sides of the building and updated landscaping, according to the Village.

Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen, through a news release, welcomed the addition of Dunkin' to the community, stating, "the more we promote our Village, the more economic development and sales tax revenues we will receive. This will help us grow the community and keep taxes lower for our residents."

The Dunkin' is scheduled to open toward the end of the year, according to Village Administrator Kevin Sing.

4-Way Stop Coming To Cedar, Baker Roads Intersection

The Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee approved Tuesday The Village of Manhattan's request for a four-way stop at the intersection of Cedar and Baker Roads, according to Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen, who spoke at the meeting on behalf of the Village.

"Hopefully this will helps residents in and around Manhattan from getting in major accidents," Adrieansen told Patch.

The four-way stop is expected to be installed within two to four weeks, Adrieansen said. There are currently stop signs on Baker Road for both eastbound and westbound traffic at the intersection.

"I just want to thank all the board members," Adrieansen said. "They listened right away and put it to a vote, and the vote was unanimous."

The Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee will also recommend to the Will County Board that the speed limit on Cedar Road at and near that intersection be reduced to 45 mph from the current 55 mph, Adrieansen said.

The Village installed sets of rumble strips on Baker Road Sept. 24 to further help reduce the risk of accidents at the intersection. The Village previously installed "Stop Ahead" signs with red flags Sept. 13 at the intersection.

Ex-Teacher Gets Prison For Sexual Conduct With Underage Boy: Feds

A 53-year-old woman will serve more than five years in prison after federal authorities said she engaged in sexual conduct with an underage boy and told him to send her sexually explicit photos of himself.

Dayna Chidester, of Manhattan, pleaded guilty earlier this year to receiving child pornography. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Chidester "engaged in sexual conduct with the boy on numerous occasions" in November and December 2018.

Chidester previously worked as a teacher at Reed-Custer High School in Braidwood, but resigned a day before her arrest in the wake of an unrelated investigation, the Chicago Tribune reported in 2019.

She was arrested at her Manhattan home in January 2019.

Authorities said she was aware the boy was 14 years old. He was not a student at her school, officials told Patch in 2019.

Last week, U.S. District Judge Jorge L Alonso sentenced Chidester to five years and four months in federal prison.

Chidester's offense "was not a one-time lapse in judgment, but an ongoing pattern of criminal activity," Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley A. Chung argued in the government's sentencing memorandum. "Knowing full well that what she was doing was both reprehensible and criminal, (she) repeatedly victimized a child who trusted (her)."

Manhattan Selects New Police Chief

The wait is over for a new chief of police in the Village of Manhattan. Jeff Wold was unanimously approved by the board Tuesday night and sworn in during the meeting.

Wold had previously served as chief of police for the Village of Channahon. He retired from that position in 2017. He will take over for Brian Zarnowski, who has been serving as the interim chief.
Wold is expected to officially start his duties in Manhattan Aug. 19, according to Village Administrator Kevin Sing.

Manhattan Roadside Flower Stand Cultivated With Care

One of the benefits of living in an area with an abundance of farm land is the opportunity to purchase fresh produce and other plants right from the side of the road. Residents of Manhattan may have noticed on their commutes around town a roadside flower stand, Lowen's Flower Farm, located at 14615 W. Bruns Road.

The stand is owned by Kristy Genis, and the the flowers come straight out of the farm on her parents' property there.

Genis said she quit her job to be a stay-at-home mom but found that she still needed something more to do.

"My parents have all this land, there's got to be something I can do," Genis said. "So I've always been an outdoorsy person. I just came across flowers, and I thought, 'That would be awesome.' And here I am."