Local News
Summit Officer Earns National Honor, New Police Officer Joins Force
Summit Police Officer Armando Dominguez received a standing ovation at the Summit Village Board meeting after being named National School Resource Officer of the Year, an honor presented at the National School Safety Conference. The award recognizes school resource officers who have made specific and significant contributions to their local communities or school districts. “Getting…
Worth to honor victims of 9/11 tragedy
Worth public officials will mark a couple of events honoring veterans and will remember the tragedy that took place on Sept. 11, 2001. Mayor Mary Werner mentioned that the Marrs-Meyer American Legion Post 991 will take part in the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Veteran Wall on Thursday, Sept. 5, in Monee. “Members of the post will…
Missing woman’s body found, service set for Saturday
A missing 85-year-old woman who had been missing since September 1 was found Wednesday afternoon deceased. Chicago police said Wednesday Francisca Renteria’s body was found after a massive search through the Garfield Ridge area. Sources said her body was found by Cook County Sheriff’s Police near an industrial building at 51st Street and Meade Avenue.…
Annual Rhine VFW Post picnic called a success
The annual post picnic at Rhine VFW Post in Garfield Ridge took place on September 1. Post Commander Charlie Johnson says it’s a big hit every year. “We have 125-150 people come every year. It’s our annual picnic for our members, their families, and our auxiliary. “We are one of the best VFWs in the…
Step Back in Time: 31st annual River Rendezvous returns to Willow Springs
The 31st annual A River Thru History – The Des Plaines Valley Rendezvous will be returning once again this year to Columbia Woods Forest Preserve in Willow Springs for a weekend filled with historic facts, recreation and fun. Taking place at the intersection of Archer Avenue and Willow Springs Road, the event focuses on the…
Football | Steven Holmes runs for 4 TDs as Argo defeats De La Salle
Last season, Argo made the state playoffs in consecutive campaigns for the first time in program history On opening night in Chicago’s Bronzeville community, they Argonauts took their first step toward securing a third straight postseason berth, defeating De La Salle 45-0 in a non-conference matchup at Parente Field. Argo senior running back Steven Holmes…
Football | Late TD pass lifts Nazareth over Kankakee on opening night
A balanced ground game and the play of Logan Malachuk led Nazareth to a comeback victory over a familiar foe on opening night of the 2024 season. Malachuk threw for 359 yards and two touchdowns, including a redemptive game-winning score with 3:46 to play, and the Roadrunners topped Kankakee, 37-30, in a non-conference matchup in…
Orland Park man charged for shooting tow truck, taking victim at gunpoint
A 26-year-old Orland man was arrested last week after he fired shots at a tow truck driver and took another person hostage at the auto repair shop where he worked, Chicago Ridge police said. Mahyoub Dawabsha was taken into custody on Tuesday, August 20, by Chicago Ridge officers who responded to a call of shots…
Popular Bluegrass and Brews will return to Countryside next year
There will be a fourth Bluegrass and Brews in Countryside next year after this year’s third edition drew a big crowd to Countryside Park. “Absolutely,” Mayor Sean McDermott said when asked if there will be another concert in 2025. “I thought it was wonderful,” he said of the August 24 event. “I think it gets…
Larry Rice Way unveiled at Hodgkins Fest
A crowd gathered during the annual Hodgkins Fest for the unveiling of Larry Rice Way on August 24. Longtime Hodgkins Trustee Larry Rice passed away at the end of July, and Lyons Street in the village now bears his name in his honor. “More than 100 people were there just for the street naming,” said…
Orland puts annexation on hold; appoints interim clerk
Annexations of three areas of Orland Park will likely become a reality, but there will be some time for residents to soak things in and to ask questions. The village board voted on Aug. 19 to postpone annexing the 1455-14567 S. 82nd Avenue area, the Silver Lake Drive property and the Silver Lake Dells area.…
Worth Park District rejects Homerding Park bids
The Worth Park District Board of Park Commissioners voted during their Aug. 15 meeting to unanimously reject the bids received for the Homerding Park Improvements Project. “As a board, we felt this was the best direction at this time,” said Mike McElroy, president of the park board. “We could have moved forward with the project,…
82 Argo students earn Seal of Biliteracy
Eighty-two students at Argo Community High School completed the last school year with a Seal of Biliteracy. Al Hasan, who is assistant division chair and EL director, and Jennifer Julius, chair of the World Languages Department, are very proud of all of them. At the end of the last school year, a breakfast celebration was…
Lopez helps officers stay hydrated during Democratic convention
I’m guessing many of us watched parts of the Democratic National Convention or perhaps caught some reviews on the local news stations. When it was over, you probably heard some general accolades given, acknowledging departments and their heads for contributing to the outcome. As you know, there are lots of behind-the-scenes people and groups who…
Remember to honor working men and women on Labor Day
And just like that – its September. Happy Labor Day to all. Thank you to our laborers as we honor the American Labor Movement this Monday, Sept. 2. Some of the residents of the Beat 822 community put on their rubber gloves, grabbed a heavy-duty garbage bag, and cleaned up 55th Street near Central Park…
OLCHS Ancora choir to sing Saturday with Foreigner
The Oak Lawn Community High School advanced choir, better known as Ancora, will perform live this weekend with Grammy award-winning rockers Foreigner. At the beginning of April, Ancora teacher Samantha Elliott submitted a video audition to 97.1 The Drive’s radio contest for local choirs to sing with the band. They collaborated on an “I Want…
Hickory Hills gears up for annual carnival
Hickory Hills’ seventh annual carnival will be here this weekend for local families and friends to partake in the city’s final stretch for a sunny summer-ending hurrah. Angel Sanchez, the Hickory Hills Park District Recreation Manager for the past 12 years, and his dedicated team members have been tirelessly curating diverse activities for everyone to…
October hearing next for man charged with Bridgeview murder
Three months to the day after Arturo Cantu Jr. was shot to death outside his Bridgeview apartment, his alleged killer was back in court. Anthony Calderon, 20, of Bedford Park, appeared in Room 101 at the Bridgeview Court House before Cook County Circuit Court Associate Judge Margaret M. Ogarek for a status hearing. Unlike his…
Palos School District 118 names Dodds assistant director of student services
Terri Dodds, an administrator in Palos School District 118, has been promoted to Assistant Director of Student Services starting in the 2024-25 school year. In her new position, Dodds will be assisting in the management of the Student Services Department which identifies and provides supports to students with unique individual learning needs. She will also…
Shepard welcomes Class of 2028
Few experiences created more anxiety for young teenagers than the first day of high school. So long ago staff from District 218 chose to create a warm, welcoming, and friendly opening event – Freshman Day – for new students. In addition to smiling teachers and administrators, freshmen at Shepard High School encountered returning students who…
Illinois News
Latino Caucus lays out undocumented immigrant protection agenda
By SARAH MANSUR Capitol News Illinoissmansur@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus laid out a policy agenda Thursday that includes bills to strengthen protections for immigrants among several other measures. One of the proposals, Senate Bill 225, would prohibit the Illinois Secretary of State from sharing facial recognition data with local, state or federal…
Energy working groups continue amid new indictment
By GRACE BARBIC Capitol News Illinoisgbarbic@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Nearly 50 legislators identifying as the Illinois Legislative Green Caucus signed a letter Wednesday asking leadership to make equity and utility accountability the foundation of an energy overhaul bill expected before the General Assembly adjourns May 31. “For too long, utilities have dictated energy policy in Illinois.…
Senate passes ‘sexting’ measure, bill lifting benefit ban for those with drug convictions
By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate on Thursday passed a measure requiring public schools to include the dangers of “sexting” in sex education coursework and another lifting a ban on people convicted of drug crimes from receiving certain family benefits. House Bill 24 requires public schools that teach sex education…
Former Madigan chief of staff indicted by federal prosecutors
By SARAH MANSUR Capitol News Illinoissmansur@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — The former longtime chief of staff to former House Speaker Michael Madigan was indicted Wednesday for allegedly lying under oath and attempting to obstruct justice. Tim Mapes, who also formerly served as the House clerk, was granted immunity in connection with the federal investigation into potentially criminal…
Republicans tie Democratic mapmaking effort to latest indictment
By RAYMON TRONCOSO Capitol News Illinoisrtroncoso@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Republicans on Wednesday tried to tie an indictment of a longtime lieutenant of former House Speaker Michael Madigan to the Democrats’ effort to redraw legislative district lines ahead of the General Assembly’s May 31 adjournment. The latest indictment came Wednesday with just six days remaining in the…
House passes right-to-unionize amendment
By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois House passed a proposed constitutional amendment Wednesday that would guarantee workers in the state the right to unionize. The proposed amendment, which passed the Senate last week, would provide that employees have a “fundamental right” to organize and engage in collective bargaining over wages, hours…
Supreme Court won’t hear restaurant’s challenge to indoor dining ban
By SARAH MANSUR Capitol News Illinois smansur@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Supreme Court will not take up a case from a suburban restaurant challenging Gov. JB Pritzker’s indoor dining ban. FoxFire Tavern in Kane County asked the state’s highest court to hear their case in December after suing Pritzker over his ban in October. The…
Senate passes bill providing release path for terminally ill prisoners
By GRACE BARBIC Capitol News Illinoisgbarbic@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate advanced a bill Wednesday that would give the Prisoner Review Board additional authority to consider early release for prisoners who have petitioned for such action due to medical incapacity or terminal illness. House Bill 3665, sponsored in the Senate by Sen. John Connor, D-Lockport,…
Proposed Supreme Court remap evokes previous failed GOP attempt
By SARAH MANSUR Capitol News Illinoissmansur@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — If Democrats have their way, the state’s five Illinois Supreme Court districts could be redrawn this year for the first time in more than five decades. Democrats in the General Assembly released a new Illinois Supreme Court map Tuesday afternoon, to the surprise of legislative Republicans, who…
Bill creating mental illness, substance abuse housing recovery program passes
By TIM KIRSININKAS Capitol News Illinoistkirsininkas@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Senate passed a bill Wednesday which would create a new housing program for individuals living with mental illness or substance use disorders. House Bill 449 creates the “Housing is Recovery Pilot Program Act,” a new program which would offer bridge rental subsidies to individuals at…
