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Palos Hills Amends Fireworks Code, Honors Police Achievements

On Oct. 17, Palos Hills trustees unanimously approved stricter penalties for fireworks violations, increasing mandatory fines. Under the updated ordinance, violators—including individuals, businesses, or corporations—will face a mandatory fine of $500 per offense. The new code also specifies that “each day that the offense continues will be treated as a separate offense, resulting in a…

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Hickory Hills council approves liquor license for St. Patricia Polish Festival

During the Hickory Hills October 24 meeting, the City Council approved a St. Patricia Polish Festival liquor license, scheduled for Saturday, November 9, 2024. The event will be held at St. Patricia’s Parish Center, 9050 S. 86th Ave., celebrating Polish heritage with traditional food, music, and dancing. Mayor Mike Howley initiated the motion for license…

Mayor Mike Howley, Mary Esposito, and City Clerk Joe Stachnik accepting the City Awards at Argonne National Laboratory.

Hickory Hills earns EV readiness recognition from Metro Mayors Caucus

The City of Hickory Hills has been recognized and awarded for completing the EV Readiness Program. The Program involves government initiatives that streamline EV guidelines, expand for EVs, and accommodate best charging practices. Mayor Mike Howley and city Clerk Joe Stachnik brought home several plaques from the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Ceremony, held on Friday, August…

A youngster flies a kite at Altman Park. (Supplied photo)

Worth Park District has big plans after acquiring Altman Park

Upon the recent acquirement of Altman Park, the Worth Park District has big plans in store for its future. Altman Park is located at West 115th Street in Worth and is just shy of 21 acres of open fields.  There is an outlying building that has restrooms, concessions and a baseball field. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago owned…

13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn

New ordinance requires rooftop safety measures for firefighters

A new ordinance, spearheaded by Ald. Marty Quinn (13th), will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025, mandating rooftop safety measures to protect firefighters. In the event of a fire, light shafts, light courts, and skylights present grave danger to firefighters. These openings often lack guards or parapets, preventing firefighters from falling. The new ordinance requires…

When Martin Atilano walked up to the library on Oct. 18 he did not know he could access FEMA help to repair his home, he told the Southwest News Herald. (Photos by Robin Sluzas)

July Chicago Lawn tornado victims can get repair help from FEMA

By 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 18, a Saturday morning, the Chicago Lawn neighborhood on the southwest side, home to many Latino residents, was already bustling with energy along Kedzie Avenue near the intersection of 61st Street. It would be hard to believe that just three months earlier, on July 15, an EF1 tornado swept through…

Young runners take over the front of the Howlin' Through the Hills starting line. (Photos by Xavier Sanchez)

Young runners shine at 9th annual Howl Through the Hills 5K

Runners of all ages took to the streets of Hickory Hills for the 9th Annual Howl Through the Hills 5K Run/Walk last weekend. The event, which began at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, started at Hickory Hills City Hall and unfolded on a beautiful, brisk fall day. Hickory Hills partnered with North Palos School…

Ryan Kelly, president and CEO of Kelly Nissan, is ready to cut the ribbon to celebrate the grand re-opening of the Oak Lawn auto dealership on Oct. 18. He is joined behind the ribbon by (from left) Natasha Miller Williams, president of the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce; Trevor Kelly, sales manager; Oak Lawn Mayor Terry Vorderer, and Tyler Kelly, the general manager. (Photos by Joe Boyle)

Oak Lawn’s Kelly Nissan dealership celebrates renovation, grand opening

Ryan Kelly, president and CEO of Kelly Nissan in Oak Lawn, said the dealership is entering a new phase for the 21st century. Kelly Nissan, located at 4300 W. 95th St., underwent a complete renovation over the past year. While Kelly acknowledged that the process brought “some headaches,” he believes the overall outcome is positive…

Robert Peplowski, owner of Peppo's Great Sub Sandwiches, cuts the ribbon to mark the grand opening in Orland Park on Oct. 23. He was joined by family, work associates, and members of the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce. Located just behind Robert Peplowski is his father, Jim Peplowski, the founder of Peppo's. (Photos by Joe Boyle)

Peppo’s subs stays true to family roots with new Orland Park shop

Robert Peplowski believes that a great sub sandwich can be enjoyed everywhere in the southwest suburbs. And why not in Orland Park? Peplowski felt it was time to do just that, opening the newest Peppo’s Great Sub Sandwiches at 9836 W. 159th St., at the corner of 94th Avenue, near the Orland Park Mall. The…

Co-Chairs of McCord's 2024 Gala, Arlene Adams, Gala Co-Chair and Vice President Board of Directors of McCord Gallery & Cultural Center and Carol Trzcinski, Executive Director of McCord Gallery & Cultural Center. (Supplied photos)

McCord Gallery throws a 20th anniversary party

McCord Gallery & Cultural Center knows how to throw a party. The gallery, 9602 W. Creek Road, Palos Park, hosted its 20th annual fundraising Gala themed, For the Love of Arts – Tapestry…McCord Woven in Time, on Saturday, Oct.5 at Midlothian Country Club, 5000 W. 147th St #1, Midlothian. “Seeing all the enthusiastic guests and…

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‘These bruises won’t heal’

CPS kids back in school, but bitterness remains By Tim Hadac Teachers who walked off the job in the new year returned last week after the Chicago Teachers Union rank and file voted to accept Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s offer of increased safety measures at schools. But it was a divided vote, with just 55.5% in…

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Smooch from a pooch

Mutts of the Midway volunteer John Shaker smiles as he gets a smooch from Burt, a 5-year-old American Pit Bull/Boston Terrier mix. Shaker works as a transporter, driving dogs to and from veterinarian appointments. The 37-pound Burt was rescued by the non-profit Mutts of the Midway from a shelter in Texas. For several months, he…

The Clear-Ridge Little League is scheduled to start its games in April, but signup is occurring now. --File photo

Here’s a sure sign of spring

By Joan Hadac Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com Hi everyone. How have you been surviving January? This is one month I always hope flies by. If the sun is out, the temperatures are, or feel like they are in the subzero range. If it’s cloudy, which is most of the…

Justice Police Chief Kraig McDermott (from left), Justice Police and Fire Commissioner Don McGuire, Justice Police Officer Kady Sassenger, and Justice Mayor Kris Wasowicz. (Photo by Carol McGowan)

Justice swears in new police officer

By Carol McGowan The Justice Village Board approved the recommendation of the Justice Fire and Police Commission to hire Police Officer Kady Sassenger at its January 10 meeting. Her move from the Coal City Police Department to Justice is considered a lateral move, which means the officer transfers from one department to another for the…

Michael Medeisis chats with village Trustee Norma Pinion after the board promoted him
to the rank of fire battalion chief. (Photo by Steve Metsch)

Medeisis promoted to fire battalion chief in Bridgeview

By Steve Metsch The Bridgeview Fire Department has a new battalion chief. Michael Medeisis, 55, was promoted from the rank of lieutenant at the Jan. 5 meeting of the Bridgeview Village Board. “Hey, hot diggity dog, we’ve got a great guy (promoted),” village Trustee Michael Pticek said. Trustee James Cecott said the promotion was due.…

Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty congratulates Steven Karasek after he was sworn in Jan. 4 as a commissioner on the village’s Zoning Board of Appeals. (Photo by Steve Metsch)

Retired village employee appointed to Lyons ZBA

By Steve Metsch The Karasek family has a long history of working for the village of Lyons dating back decades. And that history is getting a new chapter. Steven Karasek, 60, who two years ago retired after 36 years in the public works department, has been appointed by Mayor Christopher Getty to serve on the…

Diane Merrion (from left), CCFB Ag Literacy Coordinator, Eva Manzke, Teacher of Year Runner-Up, Kevin Dougherty, IL AITC Education Director. (SUpplied photo)

Walker teacher Eva Manzke honored by farm bureau

By Carol McGowan School District 104 teacher Eva Manzke was recently honored by the Cook County Farm Bureau for her work with teaching students about agriculture. Students at Walker Elementary in Bedford Park, and Manzke herself were surprised when Principal Amanda Venegonia said they were gathered to honor Manzke, as she had been selected as…

Argo graduate Tom Diaz at junior college nationals in the final straightaway about 50 meters from the finish line. (Supplied photo)

Moraine Valley’s Tom Diaz earns All-Conference honors

By Carol McGowan Tom Diaz is a freshman at Moraine Valley Community College, and is making big strides with their cross country team. Diaz is also a 2021 graduate of Argo Community High School, and is the first Argonaut to earn All Region honors while pursuing his cross country career. MVCC’s Men’s an& Women’s Cross…

Summit native Flip White is a member of the Harlem Globetrotters. (supplied photo)

Summit native marks decade with the Harlem Globetrotters

By Carol McGowan Saul White Jr., better known as Flip White to basketball fans, has been with the famed Harlem Globetrotters for just over 10 years, and has no intention of stopping the entertainment he provides for his fans. White, who grew up in Summit, attended Wharton School and Graves Junior High (now Heritage) in…

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A heavenly sound

In what is arguably the most ornate and beautiful house of worship on the Southwest Side—St. Joseph Church in Back of the Yards–the Polonijna Orkiestra Chicago played liturgical music selections last Sunday. Founded in 2011, the orchestra is designed to teach young musicians Polish music and culture. St. Joseph parishioner Konrad Pawelek served as conductor…