Police
Centennial Park West band shell project ready to roll
By Jeff Vorva A project that has been 20 years in the making finally is good to go. The Village of Orland Park Board of Trustees voted Monday, March 20, to give a green light to the Centennial Park West project. The revamped park will have a permanent stage to host three major concerts a…
Read MoreOak Lawn trustees back police, complain about threats from protesters
By Joe Boyle Oak Lawn officials spoke out in unison on Tuesday night, proclaiming their support for the village’s police department. Trustee Alex Olejniczak (2nd) served as mayor pro tempore because Mayor Terry Vorderer was unable to attend the village board meeting. Olejniczak began the meeting by requesting a moment of silence in memory of…
Read MoreWorth police officers take a plunge for Special Olympics
By Joe Boyle The Worth Police Department is paid to serve and protect its citizens. But on Saturday afternoon, they were called on for special duty — taking a plunge for a good cause. The Worth Fraternal Order of Police held its seventh annual Polar Plunge at Altman Park. The police department, along with the…
Read MorePolar Plungers ready to invade Palos Heights
By Jeff Vorva For more than 10 years, a group of Palos Heights police officers have gone south to take a Polar Plunge in Manteno. This year, the cops will stay home. The frigid water in Manteno will be replaced by frigid water in Palos Heights. Palos Heights Police will host their first Polar Plunge…
Read MoreRetired chief Yott used tools to build a strong police force
By Jeff Vorva For the first time since Feb. 27, 1973, Larry Yott is not a member of the Palos Heights Police force. Let that sink in for a moment. Saturday, March 4, was his last official day as a Palos Heights cop and he retired as the force’s longtime chief. William Czajkowski took over…
Read MoreOrland cops honored by ILEAP
By Jeff Vorva Lemont’s police chief stopped by the Orland Park Board of Trustees meeting to brag a little about the Orland Park Police Department. Lemont Chief Marc Maton attended the Monday, March 6, meeting to make a presentation on behalf of the Illinois Law Enforcement Accreditation Program for Orland Park’s Tier II re-accreditation. “The…
Read MoreNew Palos Heights police chief sworn in
Water and sewer rates could skyrocket By Jeff Vorva For the first time in 20 years, a new Palos Heights police chief was sworn in. William Czajkowski, a 35-year member of the force, was sworn in as chief during the City Council meeting Tuesday, March 7. He replaced Larry Yott, who retired from the force…
Read MoreOak Lawn police officer pleads not guilty to battering teen
By Joe Boyle Oak Lawn Police Officer Patrick O’Donnell had plenty of supporters with him on the morning of March 1. O’Donnell, 32, arrived at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago surrounded by members of the Oak Lawn Police Department and family to face charges of two counts of aggravated battery and two counts of…
Read MoreOrland Park police nab man for gas station heist
A 62-year-old Chicago man suspected of robbing an Orland Park gas station on Feb. 19 was tracked down and arrested the following day in Chicago. Orland Park police responded to a report of an armed robbery at the Mobil gas station, 14300 S. LaGrange Road, at 5:42 p.m. Feb. 19. An employee said the man…
Read MoreWorth FOP seeks sponsors, volunteers for Polar Plunge
By Joe Boyle The Worth Fraternal Order of Police is asking the community to take a dip in cold waters for a good cause. The annual Worth FOP Polar Plunge will be held under the pavilion at Altman Park near 117th and Harlem on Saturday, March 4. The FOP is looking for sponsors for the…
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