Posts by Steve Metsch
Bridgeview buys new digital radio system for police
By Steve Metsch Bridgeview is spending $250,000 for a state-of-the-art radio system that Police Chief Ricardo Mancha said will be a vast improvement for the department. The village board at its March 2 meeting unanimously approved the purchase of 45 portable digital radios and accessories from Motorola Solutions. “Doing this is going to save us…
Read MoreLyons hits jackpot with gaming machine fee hike
By Steve Metsch The village of Lyons stands to benefit greatly from a new state law that allows non-home rule communities to charge higher annual fees for the gaming terminal licensing fee. The state previously had a cap of $25 on the fee, Mayor Christopher Getty said. That’s been boosted to $250. At its March…
Read MoreBridgeview, Burbank police ready for Polar Plunge
By Steve Metsch Bridgeview Police Officer Josh Brander and some of his colleagues can’t wait to go swimming Saturday. No, it’s not in the warm comfort of a YMCA swimming pool or a local hotel. This will happen outside. On March 5. In Northern Illinois. It’s not exactly swimming weather, which is why it’s called…
Read MoreDenys steps down as finance director in Lyons
By Steve Metsch Lyons is looking for a new finance director. Citing more demands with other municipalities he works for, Dan Denys has stepped down from the job in Lyons, Mayor Christopher Getty said. Denys, of Naperville, was not in a full-time position in Lyons, but has been the finance director since May 2009. Denys…
Read MoreInternational soccer tournament coming to Bridgeview
By Steve Metsch Thirty-two soccer teams from North, Central and South America will be at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview this summer, vying for their share of a $100,000 prize. Copa Mariachi Chicago will be played at the stadium June 4 and 5. The winning team will get $80,000, and the second-place team pockets $20,000, Copa…
Read MoreCountryside crowns queen for St. Patrick’s Day Parade
By Steve Metsch Catherine Ramicone fondly recalls watching the Countryside St. Patrick’s Day Parade each March and seeing the queen waving from a convertible. “I never imagined being queen, but I am now,” Ramicone said. “I’m so proud to be queen because I’ve lived in Countryside my whole life,” The Lyons Township High School senior,…
Read MoreActing no more, Jennings named Bridgeview Fire Chief
By Steve Metsch After a year on the job, John Jennings can remove “acting” from his title. Jennings, 53, was officially named fire chief by the Bridgeview Village Board at its Feb. 16 meeting. The vote was unanimous. “I’m very proud to be the chief,” Jennings, 53, said. “I work with a bunch of great…
Read More10th La Grange Restaurant Week kicks off Friday
By Steve Metsch For the 10th straight year, folks are invited to visit old favorites and try unfamiliar places during the La Grange Restaurant Week. “It’s a healthy way of building the community, getting people to try new things,” said Zach Molokie, culinary director for Cloud 9 Hospitality, which owns Barrel House Social. “I think…
Read MoreLyons too much for Argo in regional championship game
By Steve Metsch Correspondent Going into the Class 4A Proviso East Regional title game, Lyons knew it had to keep close tabs on Argo sharpshooter Apple Guerrero. The 5-foot-10 junior is Argo’s top threat and for the second consecutive season finished runner-up in the voting for South Suburban Conference Player of the Year. Despite the…
Read MoreLyons Township to co-sponsor St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Countryside
By Steve Metsch The annual Countryside St. Patrick’s Day Parade is getting a boost from the Township of Lyons. The township board unanimously approved a $1,000 sponsorship for the city’s popular event. “We have traditionally sponsored this event,” Township Supervisor Christopher Getty said at the board’s Feb. 8 meeting. “Although we have not participated in…
Read More