Posts by Jeff Vorva
Running couple races to victories at Orland Park Turkey Trot
The husband-and-wife team of Andrew Bowman and Sydney Devore-Bowman won their first race together at the Detroit Free Press Marathon in October. “Before that, it never happened,” Bowman said. “We both won the marathon in Pittsburgh, but in different years.” They enjoyed winning together so much, they did it again. The Ferndale, Mich., couple won…
Read MoreArea roundup: Mother McAuley named No. 1 in IHSA volleyball
To almost no one’s surprise, Mother McAuley was named as the state’s top girls volleyball program in the first 50 years the Illinois High School Association sponsored the sport. The IHSA compiled the list and for McAuley, the numbers have been staggering: 26 state trophies, including 17 state championships. The Mighty Macs have enjoyed four…
Read MoreOrland Park Seasons 52 opens in time for Thanksgiving feasts
Seasons 52 Fresh Grill and Wine Bar opened a new restaurant in Orland Park in early November, just in time for Thanksgiving. The restaurant, located at 15610 S. LaGrange Rd., is preparing to serve feasts for customers dining in or taking meals home. Thanksgiving is the eatery’s second busiest holiday after Mother’s Day, and its…
Read MorePekau, 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…
Read MoreLyons swimmers sign and swim to fifth place in the state
It was quite a week for Lyons senior swimmers Audrey Cavaliere, Lauren Jablonski and Ella Jean Kelly. On Nov. 13, the trio put pen to paper to ink national letters of intent to continue their athletic and academic careers with Cavaliere heading to Illinois, Jablonski to Bowling Green and Kelly to Iowa. Three days later,…
Read MoreOrland Park Mayor Pekau criticizes state comptroller as village works to file late audits
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza has called on the Village of Orland Park to address its financial reporting delays. Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau responded by suggesting Mendoza should focus on her own office’s reporting shortcomings. The village has yet to submit its 2022 and 2023 audits. Pekau attributed the delays to changes in auditors and…
Read MoreArea sports roundup: Red Stars fall to eighth seed, will face Orlando
The Chicago Red Stars are heading into the NWSL playoffs with a three-game losing streak and will face the regular season’s best team. The eighth-seeded Red Stars visit top-seeded Orlando at 7 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals. The Red Stars had a 1-1 draw at Orland on March 29 and lost 1-0 in Bridgeview on…
Read MorePostseason roundup: McAuley wins 44th straight volleyball regional
The streak is up to 44. Mother McAuley won another regional championship in girls volleyball on Oct. 31 and that brings its total up to 44 straight regional or district championships after a 25-12, 25-14 victory over Stagg to win the Class 4A Stagg Regional in Palos Hills. Excluding the 2020 COVID-19 season, the Mighty…
Read MorePalos Park debates local grocery tax to counter Illinois repeal
Illinois lawmakers have voted to eliminate the state’s 1% grocery tax in 2026, prompting officials in Palos Park to consider a local version of the tax to offset potential revenue losses. In May, Gov. J.B. Pritzker described the grocery tax as “regressive” and expressed his support for its removal. “If it reduces inflation for families…
Read MoreArea sports roundup: Stars to get the ‘Red’ out; SXU falls again
Starting in 2025, the Chicago Red Stars will tweak their brand. The team will be known as the Chicago Stars Football Club and will have a new logo. They are getting the “Red” out. “As the stewards of this club, Laura Ricketts, the ownership group and the leadership team believe it is time to evolve…
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