What’s the Going Rate For a Lawn Service in Will County?

As part of our new Smart Spending series, Patch wants to uncover the true going rate for various goods and services in town, so you'll know exactly how much you should pay for what you need. Help us out by replying in the comments.

This week: How much do lawn services cost? How much do you pay for your lawn service? And what does that cover? Just mowing, or does it cover weeding, pruning, planting? Please share in the comments below — we promise we won't judge you! And if you've got a lawn service you love, tell us that too. Here's a sampling of a some lawn-care services companies in Will County: Four Seasons Lawn Care Eternally Green Lawn Care Arbor Care Bill's Lawn Maintenance Noga's Lawn Care Brookside Lawn Corporation Knollcrest LandscapeDesign Smith Brothers Garden Center CNC Lawn Care Quality Cut Lawn Maintenance Mid America Tree & Landscape, Inc. Jim Melka Landscaping & Gardening Center This is the first of an ongoing series, "What's the Going Rate for..." …

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Skunks: Why So Many?

This is the first in a five-part series that looks at why the stinky critters are so prevalent and what you can do to protect your property and pets.

Skunks: Why So Many?

This is the first in a five-part series that looks at why the stinky critters are so prevalent and what you can do to protect your property and pets.

Skunks: Why Are There So Many?

This is the first in a five-part series that looks at why the stinky critters are so prevalent and what you can do to protect your property and pets.

-Story by Dawn Aulet If you live in Will County, you've probably noticed that pungent smell at least a couple of times already: Skunk. It's a sure sign of spring, and chances are very good that the skunk population will be higher in 2013 than it was in 2012. Proof is anecdotal at this point -- "I would say we don't have a good comparison until it's warm," said Sarah Gimbel, of Joliet Township Animal Control -- but it's there. "I was doing some checking around and it seems like, in general, the skunk population is increasing and it has been increasing for several years," said Bob Bryerton, facility coordinator for the Will County Forest Preserve District's Plum Creek Nature Center in Beecher. Part of the reason is skunks have few natural …

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Will County Weighs Spending Options: Roads vs. Roofs

Public safety and economic sustainability are two of the key considerations in this debate.

Roads vs. Roofs: Will County Weighs Spending Options

Public safety and economic sustainability are two of the key considerations in this debate.

What’s more important? Up-to-date public buildings or roads? The Will County Board is now faced with this question after a recent study identified a $441 million need in county public building improvements and a $1 billion need in infrastructure improvements, the Sun-Times Media reports. Either project would be funded by Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) tax money. It was originally designed exclusively to pay for road improvements, but legislators have since allowed the money to be spent on public safety as well. There is currently about $45 million in the fund according to Will County Finance Director Paul Rafac. County officials have been delaying a decision on significant public building improvements since the late 1990s. Now, …

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Wind Chill Advisory in Effect Overnight

Wind chill values are expected to fall as low as 25 degrees below zero during the night.

The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued a wind chill advisory for Will County from 6 p.m. Jan. 21 to 10 a.m. Jan. 22. Wind chill values during the evening and overnight are expected to fall as low as 25 degrees below zero. Such low wind chill values can cause frostbite to skin within 30 minutes of exposure. Anyone who must venture outdoors during the night is advised to wear a hat and gloves. Like New Lenox Patch / Mokena Patch / Frankfort Patch on Facebook

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Burglar Steals Debit Card Out of Car: Frankfort Police Blotter

Frankfort Police reports, Nov. 28-29 • Burglar Steals Debit Card Out of Car • Manteno Man Arrested for Outstanding Warrant.

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 28 A vehicle burglary and credit card fraud was reported at 12:30 p.m. on the 7900 block of Pineview Lane. The victim told police that a debit card was stolen out of her unsecured vehicle and used to make unauthorized purchases. Like the Crime-n-Shame Facebook page for tales of mischief and woe from all over the Chicago area. THURSDAY, NOV. 29 Timothy B. Bitner, 45, of the 100 block of E. 5th Street in Manteno, was arrested at 10:45 p.m. on the 20600 block of Lincoln Way Lane on an outstanding Will County arrest warrant for failure to appear in court. Bitner was released on bond. His court date is Dec. 21. Police report information is provided by the Frankfort Police Department, Will County Sheriff's Office and other law …

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Uncle Jesse

4:19 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012

This Unsub must be stopped! #SpencerReidToTheRescue   more ›

State Extends Local Elections Filing Deadline to 5 PM Dec. 26

The Illinois Senate amends its election code so that candidates in local elections—from City Council to School Board—can submit nominating petitions until 5 p.m. on the day after Christmas.

Unemployment Report: Will County Jobless Numbers Down From October 2011

Although unemployment is down from this time compared to last year, numbers in Will County slightly increased from September 2012 to October.

Unemployment rates in Illinois increased slightly from September 2012 to October, but are still down compared to 2011, according to new figures released last week.  October local unemployment rates fell in every metro area compared to last year, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. In Will County, unemployment rates fell by 1.4 percent, from 9.5 percent in October 2011 to 8.1 percent in 2012. However, rates did increase by .4 percent in October 2012 compared to September. "Falling unemployment rates across our state and the lowest October rates since 2008 show that that our steady economic progress continues," IDES Director Jay Rowell said in a news release. "We now …

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