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Capitol Cast: Three Weeks to Go
Local News
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Softball | Marist will play for state title for fourth straight season
Spread the loveBy Randy Whalen Correspondent Marist returned to the state title game for the fourth straight season with a 7-1 victory over Mundelein in the semifinals, held June 7 at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria. The Mustangs (36-2) were making their first appearance at state since 1996. “We have a core group of returners,”…
![dvn 6-10-24 mccook inspector retires Terrence Hickey is retiring at the end of June after working 18 years as a building inspector for the village of McCook. (Photo by Steve Metsch)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/dvn-6-10-24-mccook-inspector-retires-1024x955.jpg)
McCook building inspector retires after 18 years
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch After 18 years of inspecting buildings, be it a modest bi-level house or a sprawling multi-million-dollar warehouse, Terrence Hickey is retiring from the village of McCook. His retirement takes effect June 28, Mayor Terrance Carr said during the June 3 meeting of the village board. “I’m jealous,” Carr said. “(He’s…
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New Summit Girl Scout troop off and running
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan There’s a new Girl Scout Troop in Summit, and they have been busy. Troop 56615 is made up of girls from Summit School District 104 from first-grade to third-grade, and between 7-9 years old, making them Brownies in the scouting world. They have 10 girls so far, and Troop Leader…
![RedStars-Penelope Hocking Chicago Red Stars player Penelope Hocking signs autographs before the team's match against Bay FC on June 8 at Wrigley Field. Photo by Xavier Sanchez](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/RedStars-Penelope-Hocking-1024x768.jpg)
Record crowd sees Bay FC top Red Stars at Wrigley Field
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Historic Wrigley Field hosted its first professional women’s sporting event in 80 years when the Chicago Red Stars hosted Bay FC on June 8. An NWSL-record announced crowd of 35,038 came out on a cool, rainy evening on the North Side and saw the expansion team from the San…
![Marist softball OBrien-Lyons Marist seniors Caroline O’Brien (left) and Camryn Lyons hold the Class 4A state runner-up trophy after St. Charles North defeated the RedHawks, 7-2, in the championship game on June 8 in Peoria. Photo courtesy of Marist High School Athletics](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Marist-softball-OBrien-Lyons-e1718077484327-1010x1024.jpeg)
Softball | St. Charles North rides big inning over Marist for Class 4A state title
Spread the loveBy Randy Whalen Correspondent The final game was in doubt until the late innings but, in the end, Marist came up short in its bid for a second consecutive state championship. St. Charles North (25-6) broke open a tied game by scoring five times with two outs in the bottom of the sixth,…
![BEN BROWN York's Ben Brown, shown getting ready to serve against Marist in the state championship on June 1, is the son of Chris Brown, who helped Oak Lawn finish fourth in the state in 1993. Photo by Jeff Vorva](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/BEN-BROWN-1024x678.jpg)
Brown family legacy continues in world of Illinois boys volleyball
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Brown family’s legacy continues in the world of boys volleyball. Twins Chris and Eric Brown helped Oak Lawn finish fourth in the IHSA volleyball tournament in 1993, the second year the boys state tournament took place. Though the twins graduated that year, that season served as a springboard…
![AUSTIN Two-time national wrestling champion Austin O'Connor, a St. Rita graduate, won his MMA debut on June 9 in Texas. North Carolina photo](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/AUSTIN.jpg)
Don’t sleep on grappling great | St. Rita grad Austin O’Connor starts MMA career with a win
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The “Irish Nightmare” was not about to be put to sleep. Austin O’Connor, a four-time IHSA state wrestling champion during his years at St. Rita, made his professional MMA debut on June 9; and despite some pre-match taunting from opponent Camden Fontenot — who claimed he would put O’Connor…
![LT Assessor Patrick Hynes Lyons Township Assessor Patrick Hynes at his office in Countryside. (Photo by Carol McGowan)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/LT-Assessor-Patrick-Hynes-768x1024.jpg)
Lyons Township Assessor saves taxpayers big money
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan Property taxes. Just the mention of them can fire up a conversation quicker than you can start a nice one in a fire pit on a cool night. Many understand them, but some have no idea where their money is going. A lot of people think that the town, village…
Neighbors
![dvn 6-24-24 countryside commish honored for 20 years Tina Grotzke chats with Countryside Mayor Sean McDermott after he presented her a certificate of appreciation for her 20 years on the zoning board. (Photo by Steve Metsch)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/dvn-6-24-24-countryside-commish-honored-for-20-years.jpg)
Countryside zoning commissioner honored for 20 years on board
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch For the past 20 years, Tina Grotzke has had a say-so in every development that’s come to Countryside. Grotzke was appointed to another term on the city’s the plan commission zoning board of appeals during the city council’s meeting on June 12. Mayor Sean McDermott noted Grotzke’s two decades of…
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Nuccio bids farewell to Indian Springs SD 109
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan After 25 years of serving the area, 22 of those at Indian Springs School District 109, Dr. Blair Nuccio is set to retire. Dr. Nuccio was the assistant superintendent at District 109 before becoming superintendent in July of 2017. Prior to that, he spent three years as the superintendent at…
![dvn 6-24-24 lyons boxer2 Dario Lemus, Jr., of Lyons, demonstrates the moves that helped him become an Illinois Junior Olympic boxing champ. (Photos by Steve Metsch)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/dvn-6-24-24-lyons-boxer2-669x1024.jpg)
A real knockout
Spread the loveLyons boy, 10, heads to boxing nationals By Steve Metsch Dario Lemus Jr., has yet to knock out an opponent in the boxing ring. Give him time. After all, the 10-year-old Lyons boy has only been boxing for 18 months. “I’ve dropped two kids, but not like a knockout,” Dario said with a…
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New Middle Eastern coffee shop opens next to Bridgeview courthouse
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Coffee connoisseurs take heart, Bridgeview Court Plaza’s newest addition, The Qahwa, is now open. Prepare to be captivated by a truly unique Middle Eastern coffee experience, nestled in the heart of Bridgeview’s “Little Palestine.” The Qahwa, with its one-of-a-kind Middle Eastern coffee blends and inviting atmosphere, is a haven for…
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Temps were hot, but golfers were cool
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . The weekend of June 22/23 started with temps in the 90s, a high humidity both days and the threat of rain loomed throughout the weekend as well. This is not unusual for the third week…
![reporter 6-27-24 ol parade shriners Shriners entertain the crowd at last year's Oak Lawn Independence Day Parade. (File photo)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reporter-6-27-24-ol-parade-shriners-1024x698.jpg)
Oak Lawn Fourth of July festivities
Spread the loveCelebrate Independence Day at the Village of Oak Lawn’s annual Fourth of July Parade at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 29! This cherished community event brings together families, friends, and neighbors to honor the spirit of freedom and patriotism. Parade will step off at 95th Street and Lacrosse and head west on 95th…
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District 230 names Director of Safety and Security
Spread the loveFrom staff reports The Consolidated High School District 230 Board of Education approved Dr. Mary Pat Carr as the district’s first Director of Security. She will move from her current position as Assistant Principal of Activities at Stagg High School to the Administrative Center on July 1. Her duties as Director of Safety…
![3 The Worth Public Library, 6917 W. 111th St., hosted its annual celebration on June 1 to bring patrons of all ages out to sign up for its summer reading program. (Supplied photos)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/3-1024x771.jpg)
Worth Public Library kicks off summer reading program
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Patrons at the Worth Public Library welcomed in the summer season earlier this month. The library, 6917 W. 111th St., hosted its annual celebration on June 1 to bring patrons of all ages out to sign up for its summer reading program. “We love any excuse to celebrate reading with…
![regional 6-24-24 UFC Gym Orland Mall fire3 Fire hoses line the parking lot outside of the UFC Gym last Thursday. (Supplied photos)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/regional-6-24-24-UFC-Gym-Orland-Mall-fire3-1024x739.jpg)
Fire knocks out Orland’s UFC Gym
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A fire last Thursday afternoon practically destroyed an Orland Park gym and knocked out neighboring businesses, as well. Orland Park firefighters received a call at 2:31 p.m. June 20 for a reported fire in the UFC Gym located at 66 Orland Square Drive Unit C. Multiple 911 calls were received for a…
![reporter 6-24-24 cr fire chief retires Retiring Chicago Ridge Fire Chief William Bonnar (at left) is congratulated by Mayor Jack Lind, who also presented him with a proclamation, at the June 18 Village Board meeting. (Photo by Dermot Connolly)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reporter-6-24-24-cr-fire-chief-retires-1024x764.jpg)
Chicago Ridge Fire Chief Bonnar retires
Spread the loveStarted his 50-year career as Orland Park cadet By Dermot Connolly Chicago Ridge Fire Chief William Bonnar officially announced his retirement from a nearly 50-year career at the June 18 Village Board meeting. Mayor Jack Lind made the announcement “with great regret,” joking that “he doesn’t have the age to retire but he…