Business.
Car slams into beloved Beverly record shop on New Year’s Day
A car crashed into Beverly Phono Mart early New Year’s Day, damaging the popular Southwest Side record store.
Your Sports. All Heart.
Riverside-Brookfield’s Cameron Mercer passes 1,000 points
The three-year varsity standout is just the 16th player to reach the milestone in the program’s 117-year history.
Marist’s Adoni Vassilakis hasn’t got time for the pain
Adoni Vassilakis, a four-year varsity player, recently passed 1,000 career points despite dealing with a chronic knee ailment for years.
Mike Clark’s boys basketball Top 5
The first rankings of 2026 have a new No. 1 and two newcomers.
Reavis’ Delyanna Arocho is an athlete for all seasons
Delyanna Arocho competes in four sports for Reavis: cross country, basketball, soccer and track.
Mike Clark’s girls basketball Top 5
Check out updates on the area’s top teams.
Ella Throndson, Evergreen Park continue progress, take second at Lisle
Ella Throndson and Tatum Harris made the Lisle Cage Classic all-tournament team for Evergreen Park.
Markese Peoples’ success for St. Laurence is all relative
Markese Peoples’ role model is his uncle, Jonathan Peoples, who played at Notre Dame.
Area roundup: Marist’s Jordan Vidovic wins national coaching award
Jordan Vidovic coached Marist’s boys and girls volleyball teams to state titles each of the past two years.
‘D’ delivers as Will Johnson, Sandburg take second at Maine East
Will Johnson averaged 18.3 points over four games and was named to the all-tournament team.
Southwest Regional Football Player of the Year: Mount Carmel’s Emmett Dowling
Senior Emmett Dowling led Mount Carmel to an undefeated state title and set multiple program passing records.
Tributes.
Judita Dargis, 91
Judita Dargis (Zonaite) passed away peacefully at home in Orland Park, IL, on December 17, 2025. Born on October 28, 1934, in Radviliskis, Lithuania, to Gustavas Zonas and Adele…
Devon P. Smith
Devon P. Smith passed away on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. He was the beloved son of Brian and Mary Jane. Devoted brother of Brandon Smith and Kaitlyn Smith. Much…
Patrick Ryan Carone, 40
It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Patrick Ryan Carone on Thursday, January 1, 2026. He was the loving son of Patrick and Catherine Ryan…
Jesse H. Rodriguez, 95
Jesse H. Rodriguez passed away peacefully on Monday, December 29, 2025, with his loving family at his side. He was the beloved husband for 64 years to Mary Puente…
Salvador Romo
Salvador Romo passed away Wednesday morning, December 31, 2025, with his loving family at his side. He was the beloved husband of Maria Martha Romo for 28 years. Devoted…
Evelyn M. Califfe Kazelas
Evelyn M. Califfe Kazelas passed away on December 16, 2025. She was the beloved wife of the late Denis Kazelas. Cherished daughter of the late Edward and Mary (née…
Business.
Comings & Goings: Quality Plus merges with Oak Lawn location
Quality Plus Photo Design Center closed its longtime home in Palos Heights last week. New owner Zibi Podraza, who purchased…
Kismet owner honors tradition but is open to new ideas
In his first year as the owner of Kismet in Orland Park, Daniel Canter said he prides himself on a…
Grooving into retirement: Teacher spins new life with record shop
Independent record shop Long Live Vinyl brings music lovers together with retro vibes and timeless grooves. In the 1960s, the…
Comings & Goings: Fogo de Chao coming to Orland Park
Fogo de Chao, the Brazilian steak house known for servers carrying slabs of meat on long skewers from table to…
Crowds savor this year’s Taste of Orland
The days of summer are dwindling but that did not stop Orland Park from savoring the last of the season…
Palos Park gets a jump on National Night Out
By Kelly White The Village of Palos Park has taken the traditional National Night Out and turned it into a…
Orland Township helps kids get ready for new school year
The summer clock is winding down and Orland Township was there to get ready to prepare students to enter back…
Eats.
More News.
Oak Lawn Ice Arena unveils major makeover
Oak Lawn Ice Arena reopens January 14 after major renovations, featuring international-sized ice, systems, refreshed spaces, and returning skating…
GameStop pulls the plug on Orland and Tinley stores
GameStop will close its Orland Park and Tinley Park stores in January, continuing widespread retail shutdowns across suburbs this…
Small store, big impact Pass Health Foods turns 31
Pass Health Foods celebrates 31 years in Palos Heights, continuing its mission of personalized wellness, trusted supplements and community…
Southland Family Resource Fair to offer free activities and local support for families
The inaugural Southland Family Resource Fair offers free family fun, local resources, activities, and community connections for south suburban…
The Just returns home to rock Orland Park
Chicago-area alternative rock band The Just headlines an all-ages Jan. 24 show at Orland Park’s House of Music.
No midnight needed in Orland Park as kids celebrate New Year’s Eve early
Families welcomed the New Year early at the Civic Center with music, games, pizza, performers and a balloon drop.
Cheers to the Memories as Orland Ale House Closes Dec. 31
After 11 years of serving Orland Park, Orland Ale House will close Dec. 31, thanking the community for memories.
Two Oak Lawn churches to merge, forming New Hope United Church of Christ
Pilgrim Faith and Salem, two progressive Oak Lawn churches, merge to form New Hope, hosting inclusive services at Kostner…
High school student becomes certified EMT before graduation
Evergreen Park student Sean Meierkort earns EMT certification through the high school firefighter internship, gaining real-world skills before graduation.
We/Us.
Winter Wonderland Ice Rink brings old fashioned fun to Orland Park
Orland Park’s Winter Wonderland Ice Rink opens in Centennial Park, offering outdoor skating, rentals, warming house, bonfires and family-friendly winter fun.
Chicago Ridge Park District helps fill St. Vincent’s Pantry with love
Chicago Ridge Park District’s food drive collected 1,520 pounds of food and over $1,000 in donations for St. Vincent de Paul.
Toys for Tots drive at EPCHS brings in hundreds of donations
EPCHS students collected more than 300 toys during their annual Toys for Tots drive, benefiting children in Evergreen Park and Worth Township.
Mayhem.
Baseball bat threat leads to arrest
Witnesses told police Reyes was “driving at a high rate of speed” from Ravinia Avenue onto westbound 159th Street and cut off…
Driver charged after running into snowbank
He was charged with DUI, driving off the roadway and illegal transportation of alcohol, Orland Park police said.
Check stolen from mailbox and altered
Police are investigating a deceptive practices case in which a check was stolen from a mailbox in the 10500 block of 82nd…
Man charged with DUI in crash
Police said man struck a curb and was stuck in a snowbank after his vehicle knocked down a light pole and stop…
Opinions.
Ray Hanania: Trump’s hypocritical fake policies on fighting drug dealers
President Donald Trump has no moral spine when it comes to serving the public, but has a will of steel when it comes to serving himself.
Ray Hanania: Can Conforti overcome GOP problems to unseat Casten?
Right now, I am not sure Republican challenger Niki Conforti is capable of defeating incumbent Democratic congressman Sean Casten.
Opinion: Chicago losing millions by banning video gaming
Putting video gambling machines in Chicago airports, Navy Pier and other establishments could bring in millions for city coffers.
