dvn mccook sign

McCook to get new ambulance in 2026

In a few years, the village of McCook will have two practically new ambulances.

The village board unanimously approved a purchase agreement on Oct. 7 with MacQueen Equipment LLC, to buy a new ambulance.

The price is yet to be determined.

“This ambulance won’t be here until 2026. At that time, we’ll pay for it. All this motion does is authorize us to purchase it,” Mayor Terrance Carr said.

When it arrives, it will replace a now 23-year-old ambulance. It will join a newer ambulance used by the fire department.

That means that in 2026 the village will have in service a new ambulance and one that is just four years old, Carr said.

Why does McCook, a village of fewer than 300 residents, need two ambulances?

As Carr noted, the village’s population grows well over 15,000 each day.

That’s due to the large influx of workers at various companies in the industrial park west of First Avenue and other sites around the village.

Fire Chief David DeLeshe said it will be the first time the McCook Fire Department has two Advanced Life Support ambulances on duty at the same time.

“Now, we’re getting a true reserve,” DeLeshe said.

Local News

CRR_NH

Clear-Ridge Reporter and NewsHound November 6, 2024

Oak Lawn Hometown Middle School took to the polls during a mock election. The event, held on Monday, Nov. 4, engaged all 1,100 students and staff in a hands-on experience of civics and democracy. (Supplied photos)

Oak Lawn-Hometown students back Trump in mock election

Oak Lawn Hometown Middle School took to the polls during a mock election. Even though they were too young to actually vote, students at Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School participated in a mock election. The event, held Monday, Nov. 4, engaged all 1,100 students and staff in a hands-on civics and democracy experience. “I liked that…

Daniel Schmidt

Man arrested for battery at Orland Park polling place

A 24-year-old man was arrested on multiple charges, including aggravated battery, after causing a disturbance at the Orland Park Township Office on Sunday. Around 11 a.m., Orland Park police were dispatched to the polling location at 14807 Ravinia Ave. following reports of a man disrupting the voting line. Upon arrival, officers found Daniel Schmidt restrained…

Michaela Weaver sings the National Anthem at the beginning of the Veterans Day Observance in Worth Sunday morning. (Photos by Joe Boyle)

Cloudy skies fail to dampen Veterans Day tribute in Worth

Under overcast skies and a brisk wind, Worth Mayor Mary Werner joined a crowd Sunday morning to honor veterans at the town’s annual Veterans Day Observance. The ceremony at the Eternal Flame Memorial on 111th Street and Harlem Avenue brought together local officials, Scouts, and community organizations to pay tribute to veterans from all eras.…

evergreen park logo

Evergreen Park cops nab suspects with license-plate reading camera help

Commendations are in order for members of the Evergreen Park Police Department who recently made a series of arrests that may have prevented major crimes. A license-plate reading camera alerted Evergreen Park police to a vehicle wanted by Markham Police for fleeing and eluding officers. Police found the vehicle parked at Aldi, 2541 W. 95th…

Students and staff at Argo Community High School are mourning the death of Jaydin Bahena, a 16-year-old junior who was killed in an act of violence over the weekend. (Photo posted on GoFundMe.)

Community grieves after 16-year-old Argo High student fatally shot

Students and staff at Argo Community High School are mourning the death of Jaydin Bahena, a 16-year-old junior who was killed in an act of violence over the weekend. Bahena, remembered for his vibrant personality and kind heart, was fatally shot in Summit on Nov. 1, leaving the school and community grieving his sudden loss.…

Carmen Casillas, 18, a Reavis High School student, had a painting on display Friday night at the Acorn to Oak Studios in Oak Lawn. An open house and art sale was held at the studio. (Photos by Joe Boyle)

Acorn to Oak studios highlight young artistic talent in Oak Lawn

The organizers of Acorn to Oak Studios in Oak Lawn aim to celebrate all things art. The studio was founded in November 2022, with an initial information event held in the north wing of Pilgrim Faith Church, 9411 S. 51st Ave. The first official session took place on Feb. 5, 2023. Andrea Zumhagen, a co-founder…

Owners Holli and George Gaitan hold the ribbon while their children, Kai and Quinn, cut it during the grand opening on Oct. 31 for the Ancestral Oven and Sourdough Bakery and Cafe in Oak Lawn. Just behind George and to his right is Mayor Terry Vorderer and Trustee Ralph Soch (6th). (Photos by Joe Boyle)

Loaf at first sight: Oak Lawn gets its first sourdough spot

The Village of Oak Lawn welcomed its first sourdough bread bakery and cafe last week, and judging by the reception, it couldn’t have come a moment too soon. The grand opening of Ancestral Oven Sourdough Bakery and Cafe, located at 4616 W. 103rd St., took place the morning of Oct. 31. The owners are the…

Fate Richey (from left), Kendra Scott Foundation, Nuray Kavustuk, Lyle School Principal, Rea Culafi, Lyle School Librarian,
Allan Woodrow, children’s author,
Sierra Nelson, Kendra Scott Foundation, Katie Morlan, Kendra Scott Foundation, Crystal Skoczylas, Indian Springs District 109 Superintendent,
Dr. Christine Baldwin, Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Kelly Hernandez, Lyle Instructional Support Services. (Photos by Carol McGowan)

Lyle School Library Wins Prestigious Kendra Scott Award

Lyle School in Bridgeview received a transformative boost on Oct. 30, with a $2,000 gift certificate from First Book to enhance its collection of multicultural and diverse books, and an additional $1,000 for literacy enrichment from the Kendra Scott Foundation. The initiative, part of the Little Yellow Library program, aims to support Title 1 schools…

football-stock

IHSA football playoff scoreboard

With records and seedings in parentheses Note: Classes 8A and 7A are seeded 1-32. All other classes are seeded as two 1-16 brackets. First round Class 8A Glenbard East 49, Curie 0 Stevenson 31, Sandburg 14 Marist 42, Glenbrook South 14 Lyons 38, Joliet West 0 Class 7A Fenwick 12, Brother Rice 7 Quincy 49,…

Neighbors

football-stock

Mike Walsh’s Football Top 10, Week 12

1. LYONS (11-0) Last week: 8A, Beat Downers Grove South 63-20 This week: vs. Naperville Central, 7 p.m. Friday Comment: Two playoff games with 101 total points for the thriving Lions. 2. ST. RITA (9-2) Last week: 7A, Beat Willowbrook 21-9 This week: vs. Quincy, 3 p.m. Saturday Comment: Quarterback Steven Armbruster has a program-record…

st. laurence logo

St. Laurence reaches Class 4A quarterfinals, but wants more

Making the state quarterfinals is a nice accomplishment.  But after finishing second in the state in Class 4A last season, St. Laurence wants more. The Vikings took another step in the process on Nov. 9 as they defeated Wheaton Academy 26-14 in a Class 4A second-round game in Burbank. Next for St. Laurence (8-3) is…

Logo-Chicago Christian

Chicago Christian advances to state quarterfinals for first time since 2007

In his first season, coach CJ Cesario has helped Chicago Christian make some history. With a 24-14 victory at Tri-Valley on Nov. 9 in the second round of the Class 2A state playoffs, the Knights are in the quarterfinals for just the second time in program history. The Knights’ other quarterfinal berth came in 2007…

Father Bill Killeen

Retired St. Patricia pastor cleared of sexual abuse allegation

The Archdiocese of Chicago has cleared retired Father William Killeen of allegations of sexual abuse following an investigation. Father Killeen, who served as an associate pastor at St. Patricia Parish in Hickory Hills from 1982 to 1989, had been accused of abusing a minor over 40 years ago during his time at the parish. The…

dvn 11-8-24 la grange park district

LaGrange park district improvements advance with voter support

Voters approved a $13.86 million referendum for the Park District of La Grange on Tuesday, with 74 percent voting in favor. With 10 of 12 precincts reporting, 5,340 yes votes were recorded, compared to 1,898 no votes, according to the Cook County Clerk’s website. “We’re very excited,” said Jenny Bechtold, executive director of the Park…

A blue ribbon flutters lightly on a tree outside West Lawn’s Hubbard High School in honor of slain police officer Enrique Martinez, a neighborhood graduate. The ribbon, a symbol of fallen police officers who died serving their community can sometimes be seen with a black background representing mourning. The color blue represents the “thin blue line” officers are sworn to defend, according to memorialribbon.org.

Slain West Lawn CPD Officer Martinez shooting suspect charged

A 23-year-old man has been charged with the shooting death of Officer Enrique Martinez, a Hubbard High School graduate and West Lawn resident, who was killed in the line of duty on Chicago’s South Side. The fatal encounter has reignited citywide concerns over rising gun violence and its toll on both residents and law enforcement.…

Oak Lawn Park District hosted its annual Howl-O-Ween on Oct. 19 at the Wolfe Wildlife Refuge, located at 109th Street and Laramie Avenue in Oak Lawn. (Supplied photos)

Oak Lawn’s Howl-O-Ween Brings Thrills, Chills, and Family Fun

On a crisp October evening, the Wolfe Wildlife Refuge transformed into a magical, spooky wonderland as families gathered for Oak Lawn’s annual Howl-O-Ween celebration. Laughter mingled with the rustle of leaves, while costumed children raced from one activity station to the next, collecting treats and creating memories under the twilight sky. The Oak Lawn Park…

Jill Stein’s suburban campaign stop in Orland Park. (Photos by Julius Allen)

Presidential candidate Jill Stein advocates for People Power at Green Party Forum in Orland Park

Nonprofit organizations Al Hub and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) co-hosted a Q&A forum on Wednesday, Oct. 16, featuring Green Party presidential candidate Dr. Jill Stein. Held at an office building in Orland Park, located at 16101 S. 108th Avenue, the event showcased the Green Party’s focus on community-driven activism, branding itself as a…

The Oak Lawn girls volleyball team won the SSC Red title for the second year in a row. (Photo courtesy of Oak Lawn Community High School)

Oak Lawn girls volleyball repeats at SSC Red champs

The Oak Lawn Community High School girls volleyball team opened the season steamrolling the competition. In fact, they repeated as champions at the Fenton Bison Blast-off Tournament, and didn’t even lose a single set before heading into their own Spartan Classic in late September. They finished fourth there, but they learned how to react when…

Wolniak Funeral Home has erected a huge Day of the Dead altar. (Photo by Kathy Headley)

Wolniak Funeral Home celebrates Day of the Dead

The 102-year-old Wolniak Funeral Home has served generations of families throughout the years. Sitting on the southwest corner of 57th and Pulaski, the Polish Funeral Home is reaching out with what they are calling a “legacy of love to the community.” Respecting the traditions and heritage of the Hispanic members of the community, the folks…