Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Manhattan resident charged after gunfire in Taco Bell drive-thru
Spotted on the Manhattan calendar: Explore Nature: Join the Be a Trailblazer Experience

Hello Manhattan! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☕️️
Before we get to what's happening, a big thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Manhattan PatchAM possible. Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
- Surf Internet — (833) 544-2979
- Orland Painting and Decorating Service LLC — (708) 415-2290
- Will County Children's Advocacy Center — 815-774-4565
- Meals on Wheels for Northern Illinois — (312) 207-5290
- LiquidBooks - Used Bookstore, Print & Shipping Center — (815) 263-8369
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
Hosting an event in Manhattan? Let Patch get the word out for you. Post it to the Patch calendar.
In today's newsletter:
- Manhattan resident charged after gunfire in Taco Bell drive-thru
- See which Manhattan driver is chasing $10,000 at Coles County
Also on today's calendar: Explore Nature: Join the Be a Trailblazer Experience and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call a one-legged Big Foot? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: Fog in the morning, with a high of 77 and low of 60 degrees.
- Wednesday: Cloudy, temps: high: 72, low: 66.
- Thursday: Humid with rain, with a high of 69 and low of 57 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Manhattan Man Fires Gun During Disturbance In Taco Bell Drive-Thru: Police (patch.com) — A 23-year-old Manhattan resident was arrested after police say he fired a gun from a vehicle leaving the Taco Bell drive-thru in Morris early Sunday morning. Officers stopped the car on I-80, reviewed surveillance footage, and ultimately charged him with unlawful use of a weapon and reckless discharge of a firearm; no injuries were reported.
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• Entry List: 2026 Road To The Dome At Coles County Speedway (floracing.com) — A major dirt racing event at Coles County Speedway is drawing top drivers from across the country, including defending winner Mike Spatola of Manhattan. The 40-lap Rural King Road to the Dome pays $10,000 to win and grants the champion an automatic spot in December's Gateway Dirt Nationals in St. Louis.
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📸 Around Manhattan
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Manhattan
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Explore Nature: Join the Be a Trailblazer Experience →
Forest Preserve District of Will County, Sugar Creek Administration Center, 17540 W Laraway Rd, Joliet
9:00 am - Dark Arts & Oddities Market →
Soundgrowler Brewing Co., 8201 183rd St, Tinley Park
12:00 pm
Wednesday September 30
Saturday October 3
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- DPVC XC Conference Meet →
Manhattan IL
1:00 am - Blind Taste Test Challenge Drop-In →
Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District, 240 Whitson Street, Manhattan
3:30 pm - Boys Volleyball vs. Summit Hill (Home)
Manhattan Junior High School, 15414 Smith Rd, Manhattan
4:00 pm - Cross Country vs. Conference Meet
Round Barn Farm Park, FX2X+37J, 24115 US-52, Manhattan
4:30 pm - Halloween Wreath →
Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District, 240 Whitson Street, Manhattan
5:30 pm - Manhattan Tech Time →
Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District, 240 Whitson Street, Manhattan
11:15 am - Storytime →
Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District, 240 Whitson Street, Manhattan
10:00 am - Stay and Play →
Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District, 240 Whitson Street, Manhattan
10:30 am - Board & Card Game Hour →
Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District, 240 Whitson Street, Manhattan
1:00 pm - MEN WHO COOK for the Will County Children's Advocacy Center →
Joliet Junior College Event Center, 1215 Houbolt Rd, Joliet
6:00 pm
Wednesday September 30
Thursday October 1
Friday October 2
Saturday October 17
📣 Manhattan Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
🪧 Patch Classifieds
- Hospital bed, hoyer lift
Drive electric hospital bed with barometric mattress/standard drive mattress, medline hydraulic Hoyer lift with straps. $400 bed,$150 lift (More info)
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Raising Cane's posted a job opening for Customer Service Associate - Dinner/Close Shift in New Lenox. Apply here.
- Constellation Energy posted a job opening for Senior Reactor Operator in Elwood. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Manhattan here.
🗞 Nearby News
New Lenox
- Local Event: NL VFW Tue Bingo Up to $23,575 in Prizes -$100 Bingo Prizes*, $500 Coverall** Public Welcome! (patch.com)
- Teen Dies Suddenly from Complication of Rare Genetic Condition on Night of School's Homecoming Dance (people.com)
Frankfort
- How much were the 10 most expensive home sales in Will County in the week of Sept. 14? (shawlocal.com)
- Best Biking Trails in Will County Forest Preserves (news-usa.today)
- Shirley Bags $56,000 In Jackson 100 Score (speedsport.com)
Joliet
- Catalytic Converter Heist At Troy School District: Criminal Charges Filed Against These 2 Men (patch.com)
- 12 People Running For Joliet Mayor, City Council So Far In Spring 2027 Elections: Here's Who They Are (patch.com)
Ok Manhattan! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Hop Squatch! (Thank you Terri R. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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