Worth Police Chief, Tim Denton, and Worth Mayor, Mary Werner, enjoyed coffee together during last year's Cop on a Rooftop in Worth. (File photo)
Police to hit the roof at Dunkin’ Donuts for Special Olympics
By Bob Bong
Police departments across the south suburbs are gearing up for another high-flying fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois.
Police will be hanging out at more than 325 Dunkin’ Donut coffee shops across Illinois starting at 5 a.m. Friday, May 19, for another edition of Cop on a Rooftop. They will be collecting donations until noon.
Anyone who donates will receive a coupon for a free donut. Anyone who donates $10 or more will also receive a coupon for a free medium hot or iced coffee.
This will be the 20th year that Dunkin’ and the Law Enforcement Torch Run have partnered to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics athletes in their local communities.
Since 2003, the event has raised more than $7.6 million for Special Olympics Illinois.
Special Olympics athletes, their families, and special guests will join law enforcement officials to show their support for Special Olympics Illinois.
In honor of Special Olympics athletes and the law enforcement officials participating in this annual event, Dunkin’ will donate $15,000 to the Law Enforcement Torch Run to benefit Special Olympics Illinois.
Locally, Orland Park police will be busy prowling the roofs at three locations: 11309 W. 143rd St., 14461 S. LaGrange Road, and 15615 S. Harlem Ave.
Palos Heights coppers will be on the roof at 11849 Southwest Highway and at 12807 S. Harlem Avenue.
Palos Park officers will be collecting at 13029 S. LaGrange Road.
In Hickory Hills, officers will be at the Dunkin’ Donuts at 7847 W. 95th St.
Worth officers will be at the Dunkin’ at 6707 W. 111th St.
Oak Lawn police will be patrolling the roofs at 10801 S. Cicero Ave., 10301 S. Central Ave. and 8940 S. Cicero Ave.
Palos Hills donations will be taken at 10340 S. Harlem Ave.
In Homer Glen, donations will be taken at 14135 S. Bell Road
Bridgeview officers will be at the Dunkin’ at 7949 W. 79th St. in Bridgeview.
Burbank police will patrol the roof at 8049 S. Harlem Ave. in Burbank.
In Brookfield, officers will be collecting at the Dunkin’ at 9208 Ogden Ave.
In Countryside, officers will again be on the prowl at the Dunkin’ at 5500 S. La Grange Road.
In Hodgkins, officers will be collecting donations at the location at 9400 Joliet Road.
Justice police will be at the Dunkin’ at 7801 Archer Road.
In McCook, officers will be at 8147 W. Joliet Road and in the intersection as well.
Summit’s finest will be out and about at the Dunkin’ at 6144 S. Harlem Ave.
In Forest View, officers will patrol the Dunkin’ at 4501 S. Harlem Ave.
Willow Spring’s finest will be at 8424 S. Willow Springs Road
In Chicago, the men and women in blue will be at 5615 S. Harlem Ave.
Chicago Ridge police were not approved to take part this year, but they are selling shirts and hats at Village Hall and at the Police Station to raise money.
Officers will also be at Berger Station, 10236 Ridgeland Ave., from 5-8 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, to help raise money for Special Olympics Illinois.
For a full list of participating locations, visit coponarooftop.com.
Local News
Cool customers: Chicago Christian snaps losing streak with tight win over Shepard
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Chicago Christian’s players acted cool after the game. No yelling. No jumping around. No histrionics. It was a subdued celebration after a 44-40 road victory over Shepard on Jan. 26 in the Battle of Palos Heights. The Knights acted like they had been there before, even though the…
Setting the standard: Sandburg seniors show underclassmen how it’s done
Spread the loveBy Randy Whalen Correspondent Erin O’Connor has a nose for the ball. The determination of O’Connor was demonstrated on one play midway through the second quarter in Sandburg’s 46-45 win over Lockport on Jan. 27. The Eagles had just missed a shot and the ball looked to be going out of bounds. But…
A long time coming: Oak Lawn wins first conference title in 39 years
Spread the loveBy Steve Millar Correspondent After a 39-year wait and some near-misses in recent seasons, Oak Lawn is finally bringing home a conference championship. The Spartans sealed their first South Suburban Red title, and first conference championship of any kind since winning the SICA West in 1982-83, by pulling out a dramatic 48-45 road…
Trying to see the sunny side of life
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com Hi everyone. I hope you’re doing well. Coming up is one of my favorite months, and it’s not for the reason you think. Yes, Valentine’s Day is special, but I like the fact that I see more sun, more daylight…
Newman backs Starbucks unionization
Spread the love U.S. Rep Marie Newman (D-3rd) recently stood with those who support unionization of Starbucks workers, outside its shop in nearby La Grange. She called unionization “the moral, correct and right thing to do.” Workers are attempting to organize under the banner of Chicago and Midwest Joint Board, Workers United, an affiliate of the…
A new look for an old friend
Spread the loveBy Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 The West Lawn Branch Library, 4020 W. 63rd St., is finally open. I visited on their re-opening day. The library has a more open and airy feel. It is fresh and clean. The walls have been painted and there is new carpeting. The…
So long, and see you around
Spread the loveBy Karen Sala Your correspondent in Gage Park (773) 471-1429 • karen.sala@hotmail.com Baby, it’s cold outside. It’s almost the end of January. I am so ready. I can’t wait for spring to get here. The only good thing about winter is when it’s over. However, I do like cooking and baking in the winter.…
It truly is a small world
Spread the loveBy Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 I have been attending St Rita Church for many years now. In that time, I have come to know many people who are now or have been a part of the parish. Some I knew because…
Jobs opportunities abound
Spread the loveBy Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 284-7394 “Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho, it’s off to work we go…it ain’t no trick to get rich quick,” as the dwarfs sang in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. If you are looking for employment, there seems to…
Clearing carjacker/kidnapper still at large
Spread the loveSenior citizen forced into her own car, loses $1,200 By Tim Hadac More than three weeks after an elderly woman was carjacked and kidnapped in Clearing, police have not made an arrest in the case. The crime occurred at about 4 p.m. on New Year’s Day. A 75-year-old Clearing woman was clearing snow…
Neighbors
Palos Heights tax preparer convicted of Covid-relief fraud
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A Palos Heights tax preparer who operates a business in Bridgeview has been convicted on federal charges for fraudulently assisting customers in obtaining loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The jury in U.S. District Court in Chicago on June 10 convicted Hadi Isbaih, 42, on all…
Renovations begin on Shepard High School theater
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Shepard High School, which prides itself in the fine arts, will soon have a beautifully reconstructed theater right on its Palos Heights campus. The Community High School District 218 Board of Education recently unanimously approved funding for the renovation of the Fine Arts Center at the high school at 13049…
Young Spiderman fan wishes students a great summer
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Spiderman-kid bids farewell and wishes a beautiful summer break to students of Glen Oak Elementary in Hickory Hills. Since the summer of 2023, when he discovered the movie “Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse,” a story about multiple Spidermen from different dimensions, 6-year-old Ribhi Gaber has been more than just a fan…
Worth finalizes rules for open burning in village
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle After several discussions over the past month, the Village of Worth has new guidelines for open burning by businesses and in residential areas. Mayor Mary Werner mentioned during the Worth Village Board meeting Tuesday night that a discrepancy in an ordinance regarding open burning had a 10 p.m. deadline. However,…
Orland Township event focuses on mental health
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Orland Township is taking the time to focus on mental health. Residents were invited out to join Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady for an event called, Minds Matter 2024, on May 16 at Orland Township, located at 14807 S. Ravinia Avenue in Orland Park. “This was an excellent opportunity to…
Bridgeview shooting not related to Summer Smash
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Bridgeview Police Chief Ricardo Mancha on Monday wanted to emphasize that a shooting in the village Saturday night had nothing to do with the Summer Smash music festival that took place over the weekend at SeatGeek Stadium. “It was an isolated incident,” he said. “Completely unrelated to the Summer Smash…
Summer jobs available for youths through Lyons Township
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The summer jobs program offered each year by the Township of Lyons is up and running. The program for high school and college students “is designed to give young individuals an opportunity for summer employment,” Trustee Donna McDonald said at the township board’s June 11 meeting. The jobs program started…
Proud mayor grandpa hands out candy bars at meeting
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch It’s a tradition for new fathers to hand out cigars after the birth of a child. The cigar’s wrappers are blue for a boy and pink for a girl. If they’re non-smokers, new dads have been known to hand out bubblegum shaped like cigars. Sometimes, proud grandfathers get into the…
Pair busted for Summit phone store robberies
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Two Chicago men have been charged with robbing two phone stores in Summit earlier this year. Jacari Franklin and Austin White are charged with robbing the T-Mobile store at 5640 S. Harlem Ave. on March 28 and the AT&T store at Archer and Harlem avenues on April 18, police said.…
Car enthusiasts crowd annual Father’s Day show in Lyons.
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Held under sunny and warm skies Sunday, the annual Father’s Day Car Show in Lyons was deemed a smashing success by participants and visitors. Not only were car lovers able to admire the four-wheeled beauties, some owners spent quality time with Dad or a spouse. Don Raschka, 80, of Central…