By Steve Metsch A water study that McCook’s village board approved in March is paying dividends just two months later. Mayor Terrance Carr said that a dozen leaks have been found in the city’s water system, which had been losing 5 million gallons each month. “We found 12. We fixed all 12 of them. We […]
Author Archives: Steve Metsch
A familiar face takes the reins in Indian Head Park
By Steve Metsch A new chapter in the history of Indian Head Park began at last week’s village board meeting. Amy Jo Wittenberg – who served two terms as a village trustee – was sworn in as the new mayor. Wittenberg, 59, who works in marketing for a printing company, lost re-election as a trustee […]
Baste becomes first Arab American on Bridgeview Village Board
By Steve Metsch In the newly decorated board room at the Bridgeview Village Hall, in front a standing room only crowd of family and friends, Kalid Baste became part of history. He was sworn in as the first Arab American to serve as a village trustee in Bridgeview. Baste was given the oath of office […]
Slice Factory makes a big debut in Lyons
By Steve Metsch Norberto Cisneros Jr., smiled after tasting the pepperoni pizza at the new Slice Factory in Lyons. “I like it,” he said. “It’s a big bang for your buck.” Cisneros, an administrative aide in the Lyons Village Hall, wasn’t kidding. “Each slice,” restaurant owner Domenico DiDiana said, “is about the length of a grown man’s forearm.” […]
Fired by Countryside for refusing vaccine, woman wants her job back
By Steve Metsch A woman who lost her job with the Countryside Police Department in November 2021 – because she refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine – now wants it back. After the Countryside City Council meeting of April 26, Julia Torres said she should be rehired because of a recent ruling which has Chicago […]
Youth charged with attempted first-degree murder in fight at Lyons Township High
By Steve Metsch A juvenile has been charged with attempted first-degree murder in connection with a May 1 beating outside the north campus of Lyons Township High School that left one juvenile “injured severely,” La Grange Police said in a news release late Wednesday. The juvenile arrested on Wednesday was also charged with aggravated battery/great […]
Countryside Police Chief Joe Ford to retire in May
By Steve Metsch After 10 years as Countryside Police Chief and 40 years in law enforcement, Joe Ford has decided it’s time to retire. Ford, 62, said his last day as chief will be May 13. Mayor Sean McDermott announced Ford’s plan to step down during the April 12 meeting of the city council. “Forty […]
Countryside extends timeline to develop old city hall despite residents’ concerns
By Steve Metsch Six residents tried to fight city hall. They lost. After hearing their impassioned objections to a proposed development that includes a gas station for trucks, the Countryside City Council voted in favor of giving the developer a six-month extension to present his plans for the land where the city hall once stood. […]
Bridgeview hires Novotny Engineering; finds new deal for insurance
By Steve Metsch The village of Bridgeview has a new engineering firm. At its meeting held on April 5, the village board unanimously approved hiring Novotny Engineering. Robinson Engineering formerly worked with Bridgeview. “Our specialty is municipal engineering. That’s all we focus on,” said Tom Brandstedt, vice president of Novotny. “The mayor reached out to […]
McDermott and allies sweep in Countryside
By Steve Metsch In the end, it all came down to hard work, Countryside Mayor Sean McDermott said Tuesday night. “Hard work. Eight years of hard work,” he said when asked how his Countryside Leadership Party was able to post a clean sweep of six seats on Election Day. “The people recognized we have a […]
