Local News

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Worth to honor victims of 9/11 tragedy

Worth public officials will mark a couple of events honoring veterans and will remember the tragedy that took place on Sept. 11, 2001. Mayor Mary Werner mentioned that the Marrs-Meyer American Legion Post 991 will take part in the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Veteran Wall on Thursday, Sept. 5, in Monee. “Members of the post will…

Francisca Renteria

Missing woman’s body found, service set for Saturday

A missing 85-year-old woman who had been missing since September 1 was found Wednesday afternoon deceased. Chicago police said Wednesday Francisca Renteria’s body was found after a massive search through the Garfield Ridge area. Sources said her body was found by Cook County Sheriff’s Police near an industrial building at 51st Street and Meade Avenue.…

Rhine Post Commander Charlie Johnson (left), and Auxiliary President Mike Maruszak (right) join the corn roasting crew. (Photos by Carol McGowan)

Annual Rhine VFW Post picnic called a success

The annual post picnic at Rhine VFW Post in Garfield Ridge took place on September 1. Post Commander Charlie Johnson says it’s a big hit every year. “We have 125-150 people come every year. It’s our annual picnic for our members, their families, and our auxiliary. “We are one of the best VFWs in the…

The 31st annual A River Thru History – The Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous will be returning once again this year to Columbia Woods Forest Preserve in Willow Springs. (File photo)

Step Back in Time: 31st annual River Rendezvous returns to Willow Springs

The 31st annual A River Thru History – The Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous will be returning once again this year to Columbia Woods Forest Preserve in Willow Springs for a weekend filled with historic facts, recreation and fun. Taking place at the intersection of Archer Avenue and Willow Springs Road, the event focuses on the…

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Football | Steven Holmes runs for 4 TDs as Argo defeats De La Salle

Last season, Argo made the state playoffs in consecutive campaigns for the first time in program history On opening night in Chicago’s Bronzeville community, they Argonauts took their first step toward securing a third straight postseason berth, defeating De La Salle 45-0 in a non-conference matchup at Parente Field. Argo senior running back Steven Holmes…

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Football | Late TD pass lifts Nazareth over Kankakee on opening night

A balanced ground game and the play of Logan Malachuk led Nazareth to a comeback victory over a familiar foe on opening night of the 2024 season. Malachuk threw for 359 yards and two touchdowns, including a redemptive game-winning score with 3:46 to play, and the Roadrunners topped Kankakee, 37-30, in a non-conference matchup in…

Mahyoub Dawabsha, 26, of Orland Park.

Orland Park man charged for shooting tow truck, taking victim at gunpoint

A 26-year-old Orland man was arrested last week after he fired shots at a tow truck driver and took another person hostage at the auto repair shop where he worked, Chicago Ridge police said. Mahyoub Dawabsha was taken into custody on Tuesday, August 20, by Chicago Ridge officers who responded to a call of shots…

Chicken Wire Empire was the third of four bands at Countryside’s Bluegrass and Brews. (Photos by Steve Metsch)

Popular Bluegrass and Brews will return to Countryside next year

There will be a fourth Bluegrass and Brews in Countryside next year after this year’s third edition drew a big crowd to Countryside Park. “Absolutely,” Mayor Sean McDermott said when asked if there will be another concert in 2025. “I thought it was wonderful,” he said of the August 24 event. “I think it gets…

Hodgkins Public Works employee Andrew Salerno uncovers the Larry Rice Way sign. (Photo by Rodney Cummings)

Larry Rice Way unveiled at Hodgkins Fest

A crowd gathered during the annual Hodgkins Fest for the unveiling of Larry Rice Way on August 24. Longtime Hodgkins Trustee Larry Rice passed away at the end of July, and Lyons Street in the village now bears his name in his honor. “More than 100 people were there just for the street naming,” said…

Brian Gaspardo was appointed as the interim clerk on the Orland Park Village Board. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)

Orland puts annexation on hold; appoints interim clerk

Annexations of three areas of Orland Park will likely become a reality, but there will be some time for residents to soak things in and to ask questions. The village board voted on Aug. 19 to postpone annexing the 1455-14567 S. 82nd Avenue area, the Silver Lake Drive property and the Silver Lake Dells area.…

reporter 8-30-24 worth park district logo

Worth Park District rejects Homerding Park bids

The Worth Park District Board of Park Commissioners voted during their Aug. 15 meeting to unanimously reject the bids received for the Homerding Park Improvements Project. “As a board, we felt this was the best direction at this time,” said Mike McElroy, president of the park board. “We could have moved forward with the project,…

Mrs. Julius (left) with recipient Sandra Mizinski. (Supplied photos)

82 Argo students earn Seal of Biliteracy

Eighty-two students at Argo Community High School completed the last school year with a Seal of Biliteracy. Al Hasan, who is assistant division chair and EL director, and Jennifer Julius, chair of the World Languages Department, are very proud of all of them. At the end of the last school year, a breakfast celebration was…

Kathy Headley

Lopez helps officers stay hydrated during Democratic convention

I’m guessing many of us watched parts of the Democratic National Convention or perhaps caught some reviews on the local news stations. When it was over, you probably heard some general accolades given, acknowledging departments and their heads for contributing to the outcome. As you know, there are lots of behind-the-scenes people and groups who…

Mary Stanek

Remember to honor working men and women on Labor Day

And just like that – its September. Happy Labor Day to all. Thank you to our laborers as we honor the American Labor Movement this Monday, Sept. 2. Some of the residents of the Beat 822 community put on their rubber gloves, grabbed a heavy-duty garbage bag, and cleaned up 55th Street near Central Park…

The Ancora Choir will perform Saturday with Foreigner at the Credit 1 Amphitheater in Tinley Park.  (Provided by Oak Lawn Community High School)

OLCHS Ancora choir to sing Saturday with Foreigner

The Oak Lawn Community High School advanced choir, better known as Ancora, will perform live this weekend with Grammy award-winning rockers Foreigner. At the beginning of April, Ancora teacher Samantha Elliott submitted a video audition to 97.1 The Drive’s radio contest for local choirs to sing with the band. They collaborated on an “I Want…

reporter 8-21-24 HH carnival

Hickory Hills gears up for annual carnival

Hickory Hills’ seventh annual carnival will be here this weekend for local families and friends to partake in the city’s final stretch for a sunny summer-ending hurrah. Angel Sanchez, the Hickory Hills Park District Recreation Manager for the past 12 years, and his dedicated team members have been tirelessly curating diverse activities for everyone to…

Anthony Calderon

October hearing next for man charged with Bridgeview murder

Three months to the day after Arturo Cantu Jr. was shot to death outside his Bridgeview apartment, his alleged killer was back in court. Anthony Calderon, 20, of Bedford Park, appeared in Room 101 at the Bridgeview Court House before Cook County Circuit Court Associate Judge Margaret M. Ogarek for a status hearing. Unlike his…

Terri Dodds

Palos School District 118 names Dodds assistant director of student services

Terri Dodds, an administrator in Palos School District 118, has been promoted to Assistant Director of Student Services starting in the 2024-25 school year. In her new position, Dodds will be assisting in the management of the Student Services Department which identifies and provides supports to students with unique individual learning needs. She will also…

Returning tennis players volunteered to work the Athletics and Activities Fair for Freshman Day at Shepard High School. (Supplied photos)

Shepard welcomes Class of 2028

Few experiences created more anxiety for young teenagers than the first day of high school.  So long ago staff from District 218 chose to create a warm, welcoming, and friendly opening event – Freshman Day – for new students. In addition to smiling teachers and administrators, freshmen at Shepard High School encountered returning students who…

Richards students shoot hoops at the Back to School Bash. (Supplied photos)

Richards welcomes kids back with school bash

It’s that time of year. Students are heading back to the classroom. Richards High School, 10601 Central Ave., Oak Lawn, welcomed incoming freshmen with its fourth annual Back to School Bash on August 9. “When I think back to my first day of high school, I was terrified,” Debbie Swanson, math teacher and Richards’ activities…

Illinois News

East St. Louis forum to tackle persistent childhood poverty

East St. Louis forum to tackle persistent childhood poverty

By MOLLY PARKER  Capitol News Illinois  mparker@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois has the potential to eradicate childhood poverty, but it will require a concentrated, sustained effort in partnership with families and disadvantaged communities, says Tasha Green Cruzat, president of Children’s Advocates for Change, a Chicago-based nonprofit focused on childhood wellbeing. This hope drives the focus of the policy…

Federal judge rejects Illinois’ bid to end court oversight of disability programs

Federal judge rejects Illinois’ bid to end court oversight of disability programs

By MOLLY PARKER & BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois mparker@capitolnewsillinois.com bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com A federal judge on Friday denied Illinois’ request to end court oversight of its disability services. Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman, with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, agreed with legal advocates who argued that the state still hasn’t met its…

Coroner’s affidavit shows as many as 800 human remains could have been misidentified

Coroner’s affidavit shows as many as 800 human remains could have been misidentified

By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com As many as 800 families across the country who patronized a Carlinville funeral home may never know if the remains on their mantles belong to their loved ones, according to an affidavit signed by Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon. The affidavit was filed in a lawsuit pending against…

State law banning concealed carry on public transit ruled unconstitutional

State law banning concealed carry on public transit ruled unconstitutional

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com A federal judge in Rockford has declared a state law banning concealed firearms on public transit systems unconstitutional – at least as it applies to four individuals who challenged it in court. But the law remains in effect for everyone else as the parties in the case consider…

Capitol Briefs: Secretary of state enlists high schoolers to encourage organ donation

Capitol Briefs: Secretary of state enlists high schoolers to encourage organ donation

By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – The secretary of state’s office is launching a new program to enlist Illinois high schoolers to promote organ donation. The organ and tissue donation registry, a voluntary database administered by the secretary of state, catalogs peoples’ wishes regarding organ donation after death. On Tuesday, Secretary of…

Longtime Harris supporters do victory lap for their candidate at DNC

Longtime Harris supporters do victory lap for their candidate at DNC

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – On a cold morning in late 2019, Illinois state Sen. Mattie Hunter, D-Chicago, boarded a bus bound for Iowa to knock doors for then-U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris in her bid for the presidency. At one particular door – one of many she visited in “mostly white…

Illinois Democrats see abortion rights as ‘fundamental’ issue in 2024

Illinois Democrats see abortion rights as ‘fundamental’ issue in 2024

By PETER HANCOCK & JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – Illinois delegates to the Democratic National Convention focused their attention Tuesday on reproductive rights, which some leaders say could eclipse the economy as a defining issue of the 2024 election campaign. “We want to be able to take care of our families. We…

DNC brings thousands of pro-Palestine protestors to Chicago’s streets

DNC brings thousands of pro-Palestine protestors to Chicago’s streets

By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com CHICAGO – Protestors in Chicago this week have shut down streets, broken through security fencing, clashed with police and interrupted events associated with the Democratic National Convention.  Rallies and marches have focused mainly on the war in Gaza and reproductive health care. Most protestors remained peaceful, but a…

Report shows Illinois union participation declining despite growth in new petitions

Report shows Illinois union participation declining despite growth in new petitions

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois  jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com  SPRINGFIELD – Overall participation in labor unions has declined in recent years in Illinois, although the state has seen an increase in successful unionization efforts for the second year in a row.  That’s according to the State of the Unions 2024 report, the latest installment in an annual…

Capitol Briefs: Stateville workers picket as relocation begins; flag redesign contest to open next week

Capitol Briefs: Stateville workers picket as relocation begins; flag redesign contest to open next week

By PETER HANCOCK & ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com  Union workers planned to picket outside Stateville Correctional Center Thursday to amplify their concerns about how the planned closure and reconstruction of the maximum-security prison could affect their jobs and the state’s prison system as a whole. Calling for “No Chaos, No Layoffs,” members of…

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