Scan_0018

Richard A. Dolejs, owner of Dolejs Realty and Property Management dies

Richard A. “Dick” Dolejs, 81, of Burr Ridge, passed away suddenly on December 17.
Mr. Dolejs was a well-known Realtor-property manager.
He was born January 10, 1929 in Chicago to Andrew M. Dolejs and Marie Jungvirt. He attended Farragut High School, Millikin University, Northwestern and John Marshall Law School.
He served in the Army as a special agent during the Korean War, stationed in Japan.
As an active community leader, he served on the boards of civic, fraternal and Czech organizations.
He was the recipient of numerous awards and commendations for his tireless commitment and dedication to his Chicago and suburban communities.
As the creator of the name “Little Village” in Chicago in the early 1960s, he spent many hours, days and weeks promoting the successful change over from South Lawndale to Little Village.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia (Baumruck); daughters Donna Klecka, Kristine (David) Bisset, Andrea (Ed) Studzinski, Sheri Dolejs (Ted) Gerber; son Richard M. Dolejs; 13 grandchildren; five great grandchildren; niece Glenna Colton Foster and two great nieces.
Celebration of his remarkable life services pending. Interment private.
Donations to the Shriners Hospital for Children Chicago can be mailed to 2211 N. Oak Park Ave.. Chicago, IL 60707.

Local News

CRR_NH

Clear-Ridge Reporter and NewsHound November 20, 2024

Palos Lion Herb Schumann checks out the Christmas trees at a previous tree sale. (File photo)

Area Lions clubs ready to sing ‘O Christmas Tree’

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means it’s time for local Lions Clubs to hold their annual sale of Christmas trees to raise money for the wonderful causes they support during the year. The Palos Lions will get the tree sales rolling early this year because Thanksgiving falls so late, Nov. 28. The club…

Keith Pekau, shown in 2022 with area hockey star Kendall
Coyne Schofield, is running for his third term as mayor of
Orland Park. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)

Pekau, Dodge to duke it out in Orland Park

At one time, Keith Pekau and Jim Dodge were on friendly terms. Pekau said he even supported Dodge for Illinois treasurer in the 2018 election.  But things went sour during their time on the village board with Pekau being the mayor and Dodge a senior trustee and the two frequently locked horns until Dodge declined…

hickory hills police patch

Hickory Hills discusses police tech, community events, and infrastructure plans

In the absence of Mayor Mike Howley, Alderman Scott Zimmerman led discussions on new public safety technology, successful community events, and upcoming infrastructure improvements at the Nov. 14 Hickory Hills City Council meeting. Police Chief Jason Bray announced that the city had received grants for the Flock Camera system and retail theft prevention, which will…

Kathy O’Sullivan, of Oak Lawn, holds her No. 22 ticket that was drawn in the Park Lawn
Queen of Hearts Raffle on Nov. 13 while At the Office bar owner Tim Newsome holds
the 2 of Hearts that he unveiled under that number. (Photo by Dermot Connolly)

Park Lawn Queen of Hearts picks a winner – finally

After two years with no winner and a jackpot exceeding $2 million, Park Lawn’s longest-running Queen of Hearts raffle will conclude with a draw-down that was scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at At the Office sports bar, 4901 Cal-Sag Road, Crestwood.  An exceptionally large crowd turned out for the Nov. 13 drawing, where…

 Hickory Hills Police walking in for Veterans Day presentation. (Photo by Nuha Abdessalam)

Hickory Hills honors veterans with annual ceremony at Veterans Park

As the sun set on Veterans Park Thursday evening, residents, city officials, and veterans gathered to honor the strength, dedication, and sacrifices of those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. The annual Hickory Hills ceremony, held in celebration of Veterans Day week, paid tribute to veterans and the values they fought to protect.…

Tracy Curtis never imagined she would become a voice for survivors of domestic violence. (Photo by Kelly White)

Surviver shares life-saving secrets to escaping domestic abuse

Tracy Curtis never imagined she would become a voice for survivors of domestic violence. After enduring three years in an abusive relationship, she now uses her story to inspire and support others. “I was stuck in a trauma bonding relationship,” said Curtis, the Community Education and Outreach Coordinator at the Crisis Center for South Suburbia…

The OLCHS swim team made up of Izzy Romero, Klaudia Turza, Klaudia Latocha, Noemi Castillo, Juliette Campos, Mya Orozco, Alie Gabriel, Amelia Fudala took second place in the talent show for their choreographed dance routine. Photo by Kelly White.

Oak Lawn High students dazzle in talent showcase

Laughter, applause, and a showcase of creativity lit up Oak Lawn Community High School as students transformed the stage into a vibrant celebration of talent during their school-wide show last week. “Dancing with my friend is what I liked most about the show because I was able to show my skills off in two different…

The Palos Lions Club will be hosting its annual Christmas tree sale in the south parking lot of the Old National Bank building at 12650 S. Harlem Ave., right in the heart of the Palos Heights community from Nov. 23 until Dec. 15. (Supplied Photo)

‘Tis the season: Palos Lions Club kicks off Christmas tree sale Saturday

Thanksgiving is falling late on the calendar this year, but there’s no need to delay your holiday cheer—Palos Lions Club’s Christmas tree sale opens for business on Saturday. Since the early 1950s, the Palos Lions Club has hosted an annual Christmas tree sale in the south parking lot of the Old National Bank building at…

Mayor Kelly Burke is about to present a certificate to Bianca Yepez, who was selected as "Employee of the Quarter" during the Evergreen Park Village Board meeting on Monday night. Yepez is an employee at The Barn. (Photo by Joe Boyle)

Evergreen Park food pantry expands Thanksgiving aid

As families prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, volunteers from the Evergreen Park Food Pantry are stepping up to support those in need. Evergreen Park Trustees Carol Kyle and Mark Phelan have been leading efforts to collect food and clothing for residents facing hard times. They are joined by the Village Pantry Coalition, established in 1981 by…

Neighbors

basketball stock

Southwest Regional Publishing basketball roundup, Dec. 4-5

Dec. 5 Boys TF North 67, Argo 52: Kassam Saleh scored 15 for the Argonauts (2-3, 0-1 South Suburban Red). Girls Reavis 49, Tinley Park 25: Emily Grochola scored 13 points to lead the Rams (4-2, 1-0 South Suburban Red) past the Titans. Shepard 52, TF South 49: Jessica Manley’s 21 points helped the Astros…

With his mom Nicole at his side, Richards running back Myles Mitchell made his college commitment to North Dakota State official on Dec. 4. Photo by Mike Clark

Richards’ Myles Mitchell signs with North Dakota State

Myles Mitchell is one of the state’s premier running backs, with a bright future with one of the nation’s best FCS programs. But the path hasn’t always been easy for the Richards senior, who made his college commitment to North Dakota State official during a signing ceremony on Dec. 4. “Eighth grade was kind of…

Brad Johnson Jr. scored a game-high 19 points to help Curie rally past Lane 48-46 on Dec. 5. Photo by Mike Clark

Brad Johnson Jr. finds range, leads Curie past Lane

Facing what was literally a tall task against Lane on Dec. 5, Curie was in serious need of a spark. Brad Johnson Jr. provided it. Led by 6-foot-10 Penn recruit Dalton Scantlebury, Lane is one of the area’s biggest teams. Curie was undersized by comparison in the Public League Red Shield opener and trailed by…

An inflatable Santa waved to the crowd from the back of a flatbed truck. (Photos by Nuha Abdessalam)

Orland Park Christmas parade lights up the season

“Even in the cold, this parade warms your heart,” said Cathy Garner, an Orland Park resident who joined her twin daughters in Sunday’s Christmas Parade. With temperatures hovering at 25 degrees but feeling like 15 due to the wind chill, residents bundled up in blankets, winter coats, and hats for the beloved tradition. The parade…

23rd Ward Ald. Silvana Tabares

Chicago poll a ‘North Star’ amid 2025 budget disputes, local aldermen say

Change Research conducted an online survey of 801 general election voters from Nov. 18-21, focusing on Chicago’s budget negotiations. The city-wide poll was conducted to discover residents’ opinions about various topics such as politician and group favorability, property taxes, city spending, Chicago’s sanctuary city status and more. The majority of poll respondents identified as Democrats;…

basketball stock

Southwest Regional Publishing basketball roundup, Dec. 2-3

Dec. 3 Boys Andrew 72, Argo 50: Darron Greer Jr. led the Argonauts (2-2) with 14 points. Evergreen Park 70, U-High 58: Keshaun Vaval had 25 points to lead the Mustangs (3-1). Lonnie Mosley added 17 points and Camryn Dandridge grabbed 14 rebounds. Lemont 65, Stagg 35: Omar Barakat scored 17 for the Chargers (0-4).…

football-stock

Football signing day: Local recruits

Here is a list of football players in the Southwest Regional Publishing coverage area committed to Division I schools. Please email additions or corrections to mikeclarkpreps@gmail.com. Brother Rice Tyler Lofton, RB, Illinois State Jimmie Maxson, WR, North Dakota Charlie Stec, Edge, Western Illinois Lyons Tyler Chambers, OL, Northern Illinois Travis Stamm, WR, Illinois State Marist…

CRR_NH

Clear-Ridge Reporter and NewsHound December 4, 2024

Junior Michael Oliver Jr. will be counted on for scoring and leadership for Curie this season. Photo by Mike Clark

Michael Oliver Jr. offers veteran presence for new-look Curie

There are a lot of new faces at Curie this winter. Gone are the five senior starters from a 31-3 team that won the Public League title and lost by two points to eventual Class 4A champion Homewood-Flossmoor in the Elite Eight. But veteran coach Mike Oliver is back and so is his son, junior…

Argo's Kassam Saleh tries to split defenders on his way to the basket for a layup against Plainfield South on Nov. 27. Photo by Xavier Sanchez

Boys basketball notebook: Kassam Saleh, Argo aiming high this season

Kassam Saleh is ready to set the tone for Argo. “As time goes on you gain the most experience on the team and become that leader for everyone else,” said Saleh, a senior guard. “They follow you.” The Argonauts finished runner-up in the John McBride Classic at Stagg, falling 50-44 to Plainfield South on Nov.…