Posts by Jeff Vorva
Director tells city council in-person programs are back at Palos Heights Library
By Jeff Vorva In-person programs started back at the Palos Heights Public Library this month. Library director Jesse Blazek spoke at the May 3 city council meeting to give an update after Alderman Don Bylut questioned the lack of in-person programs at a council meeting in April. “Our plan was to have in-person programming in…
Read MorePekau says Orland Park is trying to fix Triangle ‘disaster’
By Jeff Vorva It’s almost like Oliver Hardy turning to Stan Laurel and saying, “Well, here’s another fine mess you’ve gotten me into,” in the old movie comedies. Whenever progress on the Orland Park Main Street Triangle is made, Mayor Keith Pekau can’t resist taking shots at previous village boards for what he says is…
Read MorePro Soccer Report: Cup runneth over — Red Stars v. Washington postponed because of exhibition tourney
By Jeff Vorva Staff writer SeatGeek Stadium was empty the night of May 7. The NWSL game between Washington and the Chicago Red Stars that had been scheduled was postponed, and will be played at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 8. The reason? It wasn’t weather related. It was a cool but dry night. A decent…
Read MoreCollege Report: Illini football names scholarship after former Orland top cop Tim McCarthy
By Jeff Vorva Staff writer Many area residents know Tim McCarthy as the former longtime police chief of Orland Park. Those who know history know McCarthy was a U.S. Secret Service agent who took a bullet for President Ronald Reagan during John Hinckley Jr.’s assassination attempt in 1981. Not as well known is that McCarthy…
Read MoreArea Sports Roundup: Lyons eyes back-to-back state gymnastics titles
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Time will tell if the Lyons boys gymnastics team can win its second straight IHSA state championship. But the Lions have taken a good first step in achieving that goal. Lyons won its own sectional May 5 with 149.3, nearly 10 points better than runner-up Naperville North. Senior Randy Yonan…
Read MorePalos Heights delays decision on bushes and fence at Community Park
By Jeff Vorva Discussion. Debate. Disagreement. But no decision. A longtime issue that has bounced around like a ping pong ball between four committees saw the light of day at the Palos Heights City Council on Tuesday when Alderman Heather Begley (3rd Ward) presented a motion to approve removal of a split-rail fence and 16…
Read MoreRossi sworn in as Orland Park’s top cop
By Jeff Vorva There was a heavy police presence at Monday’s Village of Orland Park Board of Trustees meeting, but it had nothing to do with controversy over a hot-button issue, which usually brings the men and women in blue to meetings. No, this gathering of cops both young and old were to witness the…
Read MoreArea gamers participate in historic IHSA state tournament
By Jeff Vorva Oak Lawn and Stagg took seconds in the first. The inaugural Illinois High School Association eSports State Tournament took place Saturday at Bloomington High School and area gamers had a chance to play in the historic event. Oak Lawn and Stagg both had second-place finishers in the tournament and Stagg added a…
Read MoreArea Sports Roundup: Brother Rice learning from lull
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer No one thought Brother Rice’s juggernaut, nationally ranked baseball team was going to go undefeated, even though they looked unbeatable through the first 17 games this season. High school baseball in Illinois relies on deep pitching depth, and with the IHSA instituting pitch counts in recent years an attempt to…
Read MorePro Soccer Report: Red Stars catch lightning in season-opening win over Louisville
By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The Chicago Red Stars had not won a season-opener since 2015, and the prospects for beginning the 2022 campaign with a ‘W’ were not at their most promising. The Stars had never beaten their Game 1 opponent, Racing Louisville, a franchise that was an expansion team in 2021. Tierna Davidson,…
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