![LauraOrtegaColor2022 Laura Ortega](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/LauraOrtegaColor2022-912x1024.jpeg)
Laura Ortega
Greetings from your new columnist
By Laura Ortega
Your correspondent in Greater Ashburn
4214 W. 82nd Place • (773) 627-6679
I’m excited to become the new correspondent for Greater Ashburn (covering the Wrightwood, Ashburn, Parkview and Scottsdale neighborhoods).
Please allow me to introduce myself to you. I work full-time as a finance professional, specializing in state and local tax for the past 16 years. I am a mother of three teenagers (keep me in your prayers) whom I love and adore.
I was born and raised in the Gage Park neighborhood where I lived for 20 years. I’ve been in the Scottsdale neighborhood for 20 years, and I attend and serve St. Bede the Venerable Church.
![Greetings from your new columnist 1 LauraOrtegaColor2022](https://www.southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/LauraOrtegaColor2022-267x300.jpeg)
Laura Ortega
I’ve attended many great events in the Greater Ashburn area and hope to share useful information with you and your loved ones.
I look forward to attending the Laff-Jam Comedy night mentioned below. Feel free to say hello. I promise I won’t bite (unless it’s a full moon)!
Mark your calendars for these:
- The Laff-Jam Comedy Night is set for Friday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.) in the St. Bede Church hall, 83rd and Kostner.
Comedians set to perform are Anthony Bonazzo and Marci Deloney (Laugh Factory) and Anthony Fuentes (Kelly Clarkson Show). Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. There will be a DJ, cash bar, raffles and split the pot. You must be age 18 or older. Buy your tickets at the school or rectory. For more information call the rectory at (773) 884-2000 or email stbedeathletics@stbedechicago.org.
- A bunny hop and fun run is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 9 at Durkin Park, 8445 S. Kolin. Activities include a one-mile fun run, bunny hop and photo with the Easter Bunny. The fee is $7 for both the bunny hop (for children ages 3-5) and fun run (children ages 6-12). All participants will receive a swag bag full of goodies. Top three winners in each age group will receive a medal and an Easter basket. There is limited space for 30. Pre-registration is required at chicagoparkdistrict.com.
The following events are for 18th Ward residents only. For more information, please call Ald. Derrick Curtis’s office at (773) 284-5057 or visit derrickgcurtis.com/events.
- The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office staff will be at Transformation Church, 7711 S. Kedzie, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday March 24. At this event, you may renew/correct of your driver’s license, your state ID, and renew your license plate registration.
- An Easter egg hunt is set for noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 9 at Rainey Parkm 4350 W. 79th St. There will be games, snacks and an Easter basket giveaway.
- Eighteenth Ward Ald. Derrick G. Curtis will host an Earth Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 14 in the north parking lot of 8329 S. Pulaski. Sponsors may include Lowe’s, ComEd, Peoples Gas, ITI Intermodal, Oak Street Health, the Chicago Department of Streets & Sanitation, United Fidelity Bank and more.
- A paper shredding and electronics recycling is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 7 at the parking lot of Oak Street Health, 3348 W. 87th St.
- A pet health fair is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 25 in the north parking lot 8359 S. Pulaski. Staff from Chicago Animal Care & Control will be on hand with 100 free vaccines (rabies, FVRP, DA2PPL). There also will be free microchipping, ID fags, pet food & supplies. Sign up to receive a “curb your dog” lawn sign.
If you have any news you’d like to see in this column, please call me or send an email to editor@swnewsherald.com. I’ll do what I can to include it in this column.
Well, that’s all for now. Remember to make someone laugh this week!
Local News
![GSWNH_Drifting59Western_051724 Surveillance footage shows the takeover of 59th and Western just after 3 a.m. Sunday, May 5. Guillermo Caballero’s black Honda Accord is at the right of the circle. --Supplied photo](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GSWNH_Drifting59Western_051724-1024x480.png)
Hunt killer in ‘drifting’ slaying
Spread the love. Police seek witnesses, video of 59/Western . By Tim Hadac Police are appealing to the public to help find those responsible for the slaying of a 20-year-old West Englewood man during a takeover of the intersection at 59th and Western at 3:21 a.m. Sunday, May 5. The victim–identified as Guillermo “Memito” Caballero…
![CRRNH_AntoinetteBriley_051524 Antoinette Briley](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CRRNH_AntoinetteBriley_051524.jpg)
Mom gets 20 years in babies’ murder
Spread the love. Stuffed her newborn twin boys in an alley garbage cart . By Tim Hadac The books closed this month on a double murder that shocked and sickened many in the Garfield Ridge area more than 20 years ago. Antoinette Briley, 44, pled guilty on May 7 to murdering her twin baby boys…
![CRRNH_DerbyBonnetsSeniorCtr_051524 CRRNH_DerbyBonnetsSeniorCtr_051524](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CRRNH_DerbyBonnetsSeniorCtr_051524-1024x768.jpeg)
Ladies lead the way to stylish Kentucky Derby fun
Spread the love As a tip of the cap–so to speak–to the Kentucky Derby, acclaimed chef Gloria Hafer (second from right) visited the Garfield Ridge Satellite Senior Center last week to cook a burgoo (a thick stew traditionally popular in the South). For an added bit of fun, the center had a derby contest. Among…
![MaryStanek Mary Stanek](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/MaryStanek-768x1024.jpg)
New mural may be coming to viaduct
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . We are now half way through May. I hope the month is treating everyone a-May-zing! The CAPS Beats 822/824 meeting was held on May 7. I did not attend because I had just…
![PeggyZabicki Peggy Zabicki](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PeggyZabicki-1024x768.jpg)
The big airport with the neighborhood vibe
Spread the love. By Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . Happy 98th Birthday to Chicago Midway International Airport. Back in 1923 it was called Chicago Air Park with one runway. The city of Chicago leased it on May 8, 1926 and officially dedicated it as Chicago…
![kathyheadley2021 Kathy Headley](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/kathyheadley2021-869x1024.jpg)
Good golfing is par for this course
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . As indicated by the full parking lot and adjoining parking spaces along Mann Drive, the Marquette Park Golf Course is open for the season. The unique, 36 par course with elevated trees, greens and fairways…
![IMG_E0188 An open house on May 11 at the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant in Cicero gave participants a chance to see the circular settling tanks where millions of gallons of filtered water ends up each day--the last step before release into the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. --Greater Southwest News-Herald photo by Dermot Connolly](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IMG_E0188-1024x634.jpg)
‘Anything that gets flushed’
Spread the love. MWRD shows how it treats wastewater . By Dermot Connolly What better activity for a sunny spring day than touring the world’s largest wastewater treatment plant—which many people did during the open house held Saturday at the MWRD’s Stickney Water Reclamation Plant in Cicero. To celebrate Chicago Water Week, the Metropolitan Water…
![CRRNH_GetREALID_051524 CRRNH_GetREALID_051524](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CRRNH_GetREALID_051524-1024x638.png)
Giannoulias urges REAL ID signup
Spread the love Flanked by TSA Illinois Federal Security Director Jim Spriggs (left), Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is launching his office’s “Get Real Illinois” campaign to encourage Illinoisans to obtain a REAL ID. The campaign will raise awareness about the May 7, 2025 deadline and encourage residents to apply early to avoid problems…
![CRRNH_Alberto Rosas_051524 CRRNH_Alberto Rosas_051524](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CRRNH_Alberto-Rosas_051524.png)
Charge Garfield Ridge man with March murder
Spread the love. From staff reports . A 29-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with murder in connection with a slaying that occurred back in March. Alberto Rosas, of the 5200 block of South Central, was apprehended May 7 in the 6800 block of West Archer. Police said Rosas shot and killed 27-year-old Gustavo Suarez…
![BBBlogo2021 BBBlogo2021](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/BBBlogo2021.png)
Beware, piano lovers, BBB says
Spread the love. By Better Business Bureau staff . If you’re in the market for a piano, then you know that the instrument can cost a hefty price and is not easy (or cheap) to transport. Scammers are targeting music lovers, businesses, schools, and churches with a new scam that claims to offer a piano…
Neighbors
![Illinois child tax credit: who gets it, how much is it? Illinois child tax credit: who gets it, how much is it?](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ctc-calcArtboard-1-4x-1001-t2mth2-1024x682.jpeg)
Illinois child tax credit: who gets it, how much is it?
By ANDREW ADAMS Capitol News Illinois aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com In the final hours of their spring legislative session, Illinois lawmakers approved a tax credit of up to about $300 for families with young children. The credit is available to Illinoisans with children under age 12 who qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC. Although…
![Illinois’ ban on ‘bump stocks’ remains in place despite U.S. Supreme Court decision Illinois’ ban on ‘bump stocks’ remains in place despite U.S. Supreme Court decision](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/240614-PRITZKER-AA1-ViOzVJ-1024x682.jpeg)
Illinois’ ban on ‘bump stocks’ remains in place despite U.S. Supreme Court decision
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – An Illinois law banning the sale and use of “bump stocks” and other devices that increase the firing power of semiautomatic weapons remains in place, at least for now, despite a U.S. Supreme Court decision Friday striking down a federal ban on such items. “Illinois law…
![Another Choate Mental Health Center employee indicted for abuse of resident Another Choate Mental Health Center employee indicted for abuse of resident](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/240610-CHOATE-CHARGE-OPT1-FB1xpE-1024x503.jpeg)
Another Choate Mental Health Center employee indicted for abuse of resident
By BETH HUNDSDORFER Capitol News Illinois bhundsdorfer@capitolnewsillinois.com Another caregiver at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna is facing charges for abusing a patient. A grand jury indicted Joseph A. Clark, 24, of Grand Chain, on a felony charge of aggravated battery and a misdemeanor charge of battery. Clark pinned a Choate resident to…
![State highway shootings decline as critics sue over ‘dragnet surveillance’ State highway shootings decline as critics sue over ‘dragnet surveillance’](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/FLASHING-LIGHTS-SQUAD-POLICE-00971-ilpWzw-1024x682.jpeg)
State highway shootings decline as critics sue over ‘dragnet surveillance’
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois jnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois State Police say an automated license plate reader program has helped the agency identify witnesses or suspects in 82 percent of highway shooting cases this year, including all eight that resulted in a death. But as the state looks to further expand its network of more than…
![Illinois’ ban on ‘bump stocks’ remains in place despite U.S. Supreme Court decision Illinois’ ban on ‘bump stocks’ remains in place despite U.S. Supreme Court decision](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/240614-PRITZKER-AA1-ViOzVJ-1024x682.jpeg)
Illinois’ ban on ‘bump stocks’ remains in place despite U.S. Supreme Court decision
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – An Illinois law banning the sale and use of “bump stocks” and other devices that increase the firing power of semiautomatic weapons remains in place, at least for now, despite a U.S. Supreme Court decision Friday striking down a federal ban on such items. “Illinois law…
![Just weeks before Republican National Convention, Illinois GOP chair announces resignation Just weeks before Republican National Convention, Illinois GOP chair announces resignation](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/TRACY-06741-bRYaAc-1024x682.jpeg)
Just weeks before Republican National Convention, Illinois GOP chair announces resignation
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Halfway through the 2024 election cycle and just a few weeks away from the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Illinois GOP Chair Don Tracy on Wednesday announced his resignation as head of the state Republican Party. Tracy, who’d held the job since February 2021, explained his resignation in…
![Pritzker signs bill creating new Department of Early Childhood Pritzker signs bill creating new Department of Early Childhood](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/IDEC-3-gA9lr0-1024x682.jpeg)
Pritzker signs bill creating new Department of Early Childhood
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Tuesday creating a new cabinet-level state agency dedicated to early childhood education and development. The new Department of Early Childhood, which will become operational in July 2026, will take over programs currently housed across three state agencies, including funding for preschool…
![Speaker Welch rebuffs lawsuit from would-be staff union as ‘forum shopping’ Speaker Welch rebuffs lawsuit from would-be staff union as ‘forum shopping’](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/1024-EXEC-JN-WELCH-BURDEN-STAFF-09191-Jd97ud-1024x682.jpeg)
Speaker Welch rebuffs lawsuit from would-be staff union as ‘forum shopping’
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch is urging a Cook County judge to dismiss a lawsuit members of his staff filed against him last month seeking to force recognition of their union. In a new filing Monday, attorneys for Welch argued the Illinois Legislative Staff Association has no…
![Advocates say SCOTUS ruling paves way for law ensuring abusers have guns confiscated Advocates say SCOTUS ruling paves way for law ensuring abusers have guns confiscated](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/scotus1-N8hYn7-1024x768.jpeg)
Advocates say SCOTUS ruling paves way for law ensuring abusers have guns confiscated
By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois hmeisel@capitolnewsillinois.com After the U.S. Supreme Court last week upheld a federal law that bars those under domestic violence-related restraining orders from owning guns, victim advocates say Illinois lawmakers should pass a measure to ensure firearms are actually confiscated in those situations. The legislation has been stalled for more than…
![Communities, commission push Pritzker admin for more prison plan details Communities, commission push Pritzker admin for more prison plan details](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/240611-COGFA-SOTO1-AsGWYO-1024x682.jpeg)
Communities, commission push Pritzker admin for more prison plan details
By DILPREET RAJU Capitol News Illinois news@capitolnewsillinois.com Jimmy Soto spent more than 42 years wrongfully imprisoned in Illinois Department of Corrections facilities. In 2020, he was moved to the “F-House” at Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet, a condemned unit, not because he was being punished, but because it was where the facility was housing individuals…