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Local News
Memorial service honors longtime Independence art teacher
By Kelly White Palos School District 128 honored the life of one of its beloved educators with a Memorial Service. The service at Independence Jr. High School, 6610 W. Highland Dr., Palos Heights, May 24 honored the legacy of longtime art teacher, Mike Maholland, of Hickory Hills, who passed away on February 18. “Mike Maholland……
Oak Lawn Chamber to sponsor Restaurant Week
By Bob Bong More than a dozen restaurants have signed up to take part in the Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural Restaurant Week in June. “This is a new endeavor for us,” said Anne Fritz, chamber executive director. “This will be our unofficial kick off to summer.” Fritz said the chamber’s marketing committee came……
One-in-a-million blue-eyed cicada found in Orland Park
By Jeff Vorva Kelly Simkins is an aspiring musician and someday she just might hit the stage and perform a Frank Sinatra song. Meanwhile, the Crestwood resident is partnering with another “Ol Blue Eyes” for a little fame. So, start spreading the news… Simkins, who owns Merlin’s Rockin’ Pet Show, was in Orland Park looking……
Summit looks to replace aging pedestrian bridge
By Carol McGowan Generations of Summit residents have used the 74th Avenue pedestrian bridge and village officials are now getting ready to replace the aging structure. Village Engineer Tim Klass from Novotny Engineering recently discussed replacing the bridge with a crowd of about 75 people at a community meeting on May 15 at Graves School.……
Flagg Creek golfers will pay more for greens fees
By Steve Metsch It will cost more to play at Flagg Creek Golf Course in Countryside this summer. The Pleasant Dale Park District, by a 4-1 vote, recently approved a rate increase that had been unanimously approved by the Countryside City Council in April. The park district and city are co-owners of Flagg Creek. The……
McCook fire hydrants to be sandblasted and painted
By Steve Metsch Decades of paint – some three-quarters of an inch thick – will be sandblasted off most of the fire hydrants in McCook this summer. “For 30, 40 years we’ve been painting over them. They’ve never been sandblasted. It’s well overdue,” Mayor Terrance Carr said during the most recent board meeting. “What I……
Woman sentenced in 2003 murders of newborn twins
From staff reports A 44-year-old woman, charged in the 2003 deaths of her newborn twins following an extensive cold case investigation by Cook County Sheriff’s Police, has been convicted of murder. On May 8, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced that Antoinette Briley pled guilty to murder at the Bridgeview Courthouse and was sentenced……
McCook approves ‘preventive’ rodent control program
By Steve Metsch The McCook Village Board earlier this month approved what Mayor Terrance Carr calls “preventive maintenance.” The board on May 6 unanimously approved paying Rose Pest Solutions $12,000 for a 10-week rodent control program throughout the village. It’s not that the McCook now has a rat problem, Carr said. It’s that officials do……
Summit, property owners discuss apartment inspections
By Carol McGowan Nearly 75 people attended a community meeting last Wednesday evening in the multi-purpose room of Graves School to learn about changes coming to the village. Three topics highlighted the meeting. Rental property inspections, lead line replacement, and replacing the 74th Avenue pedestrian bridge. Mayor Sergio Rodriguez tackled the controversial rental property inspection……
Tollway to hand out free transponder stickers in Justice
By Carol McGowan Earlier this year, the Illinois Tollway began phasing out the plastic I-Pass transponder and introduced a sticker tag that goes on your vehicle’s windshield. If you’re still using a transponder, or want to get a new sticker, the Village of Justice is the place to be on Saturday, June 8. Rather than……
Neighbors
Students show off their strength at Stagg powerlift meet
By Kelly White Powerlifting shows your strength. The sport that consists of three attempts at maximal weight on three lifts: squat, bench press, and deadlift. Male and female Stagg High School students showcased their lifting talents with a Powerlift Meet at the high school, 8015 W. 111th St., Palos Hills, on February 26. “What I……
Standing with Ukraine
While the Southwest Side’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine appeared to be limited to prayers in churches last weekend, one Southwest Side elected official, 15th Ward Raymond Lopez, joined retired 11th Ward Ald. James A. Balcer and a handful of military veterans in a display of solidarity in the Loop. “Chicago must stand……
Rush anti-lynching bill passes House
Inspired by Emmett Till’s 1955 murder From staff reports A bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-1st) that would — for the first time in history — designate lynching as a federal hate crime passed the House of Representatives earlier this week by a 422-3 vote. The bill (H.R. 55) is called the……
Head in the stars, feet on the ground
‘Astro Joe’ brings astronomy to the people By Kelly White When Joseph Guzman was a child, he used to swipe his father’s binoculars and lie out in the backyard, exploring the urban skies with great fascination. The young boy did not know what he was observing, but he felt a strong attraction to the……
Don’t get sidelined by sports scams, BBB warns
By Better Business Bureau staff When shopping for a team jersey or other sports memorabilia, watch out for fakes. Scammers know that authentic game-used and/or autographed items can fetch big bucks – especially for items commemorating big games. When shopping online, it can be hard to trust that a seller or product is genuine. Follow……
St. Bede girls are volleyball champions
Members of the St. Bede School’s varsity girls volleyball team pose for a photo after their triumph last month as champions of the Scottsdale Park volleyball league. In a nine-team league, the Blue and White went 7-1 and prevailed in the championship match over St. Richard, 23-8 16-14. In recent years, St. Bede has been……
Dolly Foster says goodbye after 15 years as park horticulturalist
By Kelly White Oak Lawn Park District said goodbye to a beloved employee last month who helped to beautify the city for more than a decade. Master Gardener Dolly Foster who worked as the park district’s horticulturalist for 15 years, left her role in January to pursue her graduate degree in Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois.……
St. Rita tops Homewood-Flossmoor, vying for first sectional title
By Steve Millar Correspondent St. Rita’s Morez Johnson knows how deflating it is for an opponent when it plays strong defense and forces the Mustangs into a missed shot, only for Johnson to grab the rebound and score. “Those second-chance points hurt the other team a lot,” Johnson said after St. Rita defeated Homewood-Flossmoor in……
Orland Park police chief heading to Wilmington
By Jeff Vorva Orland Park Police Chief Joseph Mitchell is stepping down and has accepted the chief’s post in Wilmington. He spent 27 years on the Orland Park force and was named chief in September 2020. But he cited wanting a change of scenery and his last day in Orland Park will be March 25.……
East Avenue, 55th Street, Joliet Road intersection project to begin Monday
From staff reports The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Friday that intersection improvements on East Avenue at 55th Street and at Joliet Road, in McCook, Hodgkins and Countryside, will require lane closures beginning, weather permitting, Monday, March 7. The $16.8 million improvement project involves reconstructing and realigning the existing intersections, installing modernized traffic signals, ADA-compliant sidewalk……