From left, Chicago's Arin Wright and Tierna Davidson jostle with Gotham's Taylor Smith on May 5 at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Pro Sports Report | Red Stars finish rough week with Gotham loss

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The first week of May was a bad week for the Chicago Red Stars, on and off the field. It started May 3 with a 3-0 loss at Houston in the first round of the Challenge Cup. The next day, the team fired general manager Michelle Lomnicki for a “lapse…

Nazareth graduate Ryan McGee, a goalie for the Concordia Chicago women’s lacrosse team, was named to the All-Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference First Team. Photo courtesy of Concordia University Chicago Athletics

College Notebook | Concordia Chicago goalie McGee named to lacrosse all-conference team

By Mike Walsh Correspondent Ryan McGee is one of four Concordia University Chicago women’s lacrosse athletes to be chosen to the 2023 All-Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Team. McGee, a goalie who prepped at Nazareth, was one of two Cougars named to the All-NACC First Team. For McGee, this marks her third consecutive All-NACC First Team…

John Nee celebrates his Hall of Fame induction with friends and family. St. Rita photo

Baseball and Softball Wrap | St. Rita coach Nee honored with HOF nod

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer John Nee looks back with fondness at his early baseball days, when he was a big-time slugger playing with his friends for West Lawn’s baseball team. “Neighborhood baseball was all it could be,” Nee said. “Everybody played for their neighborhood team, and we have some really good teams at West…

Roshawn Russell is changing jobs from head basketball coach at St. Rita to associate coach at St Laurence. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Area Sports Roundup | St. Rita hoops coach resigns for job at St. Laurence

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The spinning carousal continues for the St. Rita basketball program. By the time the 2023-24 campaign rolls around, the talented team that picked up national attention last season will look a whole lot different — and it’s not just about players transferring. Roshawn Russell, who coached the Mustangs the past…

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Baseball | St. Laurence senior Luke Geary embraces role in ‘pen

By Steve Millar Correspondent Many pitchers would prefer the certainty and routine of knowing when they were going to take the mound. St. Laurence’s Luke Geary, though, enjoys always being on-call. The senior is thriving in a bullpen role. “I really like it,” Geary said. “The starters have one day a week where they have…

Orland Park native Dylan Jacobs, a graduate transfer who runs distance for the Tennessee track and field team, set a new personal record and three other all-time marks in his first outdoor event as a member of the Volunteers.. Photo By Cayce Smith/Tennessee Athletics

Distance runner Dylan Jacobs has set records at every level, and he has his eyes on the Olympics

By Mike Walsh Correspondent If there is anything that Dylan Jacobs has learned over the years, it’s that Mom is always right. As youth growing up in Orland Park, Jacobs — now a standout runner at the University of Tennessee — played soccer, baseball and basketball. One day, he decided he was done with soccer.…

Chicago Christian senior shortstop Lizzie Sedakis was hitting .836 with 10 homers through 18 games. The IHSA season record for batting average is .768, set in 2018. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Baseball and Softball Wrap | Lizzie Sedakis is a hitting machine for Chicago Christian

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer When Lizzie Sedakis was playing t-ball at age 5, her father gave her some advice. Dave Sedakis was not a baseball player in his high school days, but his hitting suggestions resonate with her today. “My dad taught me how to hit,” Lizzie said. “He taught me three points of…

The Chicago House's Anthony Smith, Jr., left and the Chicago Fire's Mauricio Pineda both leap during a Lamar Hunt Cup match at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Pro Sports Report | Fire burn House, prep to host St. Louis in 3rd round of U.S. Open Cup

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The Fire topped the House in the battle of Chicago and have a quick return trip to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. The Fire beat the House, 3-0, April 26 in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Kendall Birks scored a brace and Kacper Przybylko had a…

Hannah Kilbane continues to be a force on the course for Saint Xavier University. Photo courtesy of Saint Xavier University Athletics

Area Sports Roundup | Kilbane, SXU heading to golf nationals

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Hannah Kilbane helped the Saint Xavier women’s golf team qualify for the NAIA nationals for just the second time in program history. Kilbane, a junior, needed a playoff hole to be crowned the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference champion, and her red-hot shooting on the second day of the conference tournament…

Evergreen Park Community High School will host the IHSA state eSports championships on April 29. (EPCHS photo)

Area gamers head to Evergreen Park this weekend for state finals

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The best high school gamers from all over the state will battle is out for various state championships in Evergreen Park this weekend. The Illinois High School Association’s second eSports state championships will be held on Saturday, April 29, at Evergreen Park Community High School after it was held at…

U.S. Women's hockey player Abbey Murphy is playing in her third Women's World Championship. File photo

Area Sports Roundup | U.S. hockey star Abbey Murphy scores quickest goal in tourney

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer At age 20, Abbey Murphy did something that will be difficult to top. In the United States women’s hockey victory over Switzerland on April 7 in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship, the Mother McAuley graduate scored the quickest goal in an IIHF championship final, finding the net seven…

Luke Sefcki, a freshman second baseman at Central Michigan, had 10 hits in 16 at-bats, drove in six runs, totaled 10 bases and stole three bases over a four-game stretch. Photo courtesy of Central Michigan University Athletics

College Notebook | Freshman Luke Sefcik is a force for Chippewas

By Mike Walsh Correspondent Luke Sefcik, a Marist graduate who is playing baseball at Central Michigan, was named the Mid-American Conference’s Player of the Week for April 10. The redshirt freshman second baseman hit .625 while helping the Chippewas to a 3-1 record for the week. He collected 10 hits in 16 at-bats, drove in…

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Baseball | St. Rita goes 4-1 over five-day stretch of games

By Steve Millar  Correspondent Ryder Johnson knows his role in St. Rita’s offense. Hitting in the leadoff spot, the senior outfielder looks to wreak havoc and put pressure on the opposing defense. “With my speed, being at the top, it’s my job to get on base and start rallies,” Johnson said. “I scratch and claw…

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Baseball | Sandburg hitters are heating up

By Steve Millar  Correspondent After relying heavily on its pitching staff for the first half of the season, Sandburg has been picking things up in a big way offensively. The Eagles are confident in their ability to put up big run totals. “The bats have been clicking recently,” senior outfielder Jason Sullivan said. “It’s getting…

Zoe Jeanes (8) is about to get mobbed by her Sandburg teammates after hitting a home run against Homewood-Flossmoor on April 18. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Baseball and Softball Wrap | Sandburg trying to find footing as season hits halfway mark

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The Sandburg softball team dropped 10 of its first 13 games to open the season, but the Eagles record heading into this week was not indicative of how well they have played at times. Their three wins during that stretch were each by 10 or more runs, beating Lyons, 11-1,…

Arin Wright scored in a 5-2 loss to the OL Reign for her first NWSL goal since 2019. Photo by IMAGN

Pro Sports Report | Dual braces doom Red Stars

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The Chicago Red Stars and the Chicago Fire II teams were on the losing side of scoring braces on April 22. For the Red Stars, it was double trouble against the OL Reign as Bethany Balcer and Jess Fishlock scored braces in a 5-2 Reign victory in a NWSL matchup…

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Baseball | St. Laurence bounces back from trouncing with wins downstate

By Steve Millar Correspondent After the type of disastrous inning St. Laurence does not endure often, let alone at home, the Vikings did not go down without a fight. Lincoln-Way Central stunned the Vikings by scoring 10 runs in the top of the first inning of a non-conference showdown on April 12. St. Laurence answered…

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Baseball | Sandburg rides hot arms to encouraging first half of season

By Randy Whalen Correspondent Focusing on the game in front of them has contributed to Sandburg’s success this season, which reached a notable point last week when a strong stretch of play enabled them to match its win total from 2022. With a 6-4 road win over Joliet West on April 15, the Eagles concluded…

Orland Park resident Robbie Precin finished a second consecutive unbeaten season with his second NCAA Division III national championship in as many years. Photo courtesy of North Central College Athletics

College Notebook | North Central’s Precin finishes an unbeaten champ for 2nd straight season

By Mike Walsh Correspondent As senior seasons go, it’s tough to top the one authored by North Central College wrestler Robert Precin. Precin, an Orland Park resident, won his second consecutive national championship at 133 pounds at the NCAA Division III tournament held on March 10-11 at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, Virginia. He finished…

Austin O’Connor, a graduate of St. Rita, won his 2nd NCAA championship in March while competing for the University of North Carolina. Photos courtesy of UNC Athletics

Elite wrestler Austin O’Connor aspires to be UFC champ

By Mike Walsh Correspondent There are 38 North Carolina wrestlers who stepped on the mat at least once for the Tar Heels this season. Nine competed in at least one match at 149 pounds. Seven battled at 165. At 157, however, there is but one name listed: Austin O’Connor. Competing as a graduate student this…

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Orland Park native David Gust nets goal on first NHL shot

By Alison Moran  Correspondent Orland Park native David Gust is living the dream. It was a year ago the 2012 Marist graduate helped the Chicago Wolves win the 2022 Calder Cup, tallying five goals and seven assists in 18 postseason games. Shortly after, Gust and his wife Lexi, found out they were going to be…

Stagg grad Max Strus launches a 3-point attempt against the Chicago Bulls on April 14. Miami Heat photo

Area Sports Roundup | Strus gets loose, helps Heat bury Bulls

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Max Strus had a money game on April 14. Chicago Bulls fans, however, may not have been too happy with the Hickory Hills native’s performance in a 102-91 win to knock the Bulls out of the NBA postseason. Strus, a former Stagg star who played briefly with the Bulls, scored…

Chris Mueller and the Chicago Fire return to SeatGeek Stadium in Beidgeview to take on the Chicago House on April 26 in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Pro Sports Report | Fire and House ready to battle in Bridgeview

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The official name of the tournament is the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. But the way things have been shaping up in 2023, there wouldn’t be much of an argument if it was changed to the Peter Wilt U.S. Open Cup. Three soccer teams that Wilt had a hand in…

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Baseball | Sandburg drops two of three after hot start to season

By Steve Millar Correspondent Colin Kissane has played a big role in Sandburg’s fast start, producing some big hits out of the middle of the order. Kissane, who was injured for much of last season, is making up for lost time. He came through with an RBI double and a sacrifice fly as the host…

A boys basketball team composed of special needs students from Southside Occupational Academy and De La Salle won the 2023 IHSA state championship. Photo by Mike Walsh

Special needs hoops team from Chicago wins Unified Sports state title

By Mike Walsh Correspondent If Tom White had his choice, getting doused with cold water on a 35-degree morning in mid-March in Champaign would likely not be high on his list of things to do. Considering the context of the soaking, however, White was more than happy with everything that took place. Coaching a team…

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…

Barbara Harrison

Chicago Ridge trustees reinstates clerk as a full-time job

The Chicago Ridge Village Board voted on Oct. 22 to reinstate the village clerk as a full-time position and confirmed the mayor’s role will also remain full-time, reflecting recent practices. Under the new measures, the annual salary for the mayor will stay at $85,000, with an additional $12,000 for serving as liquor commissioner. According to…

Palos Park Commissioner G. Darryl Reed said the village will lose more than $200,000 per year when the state's grocery tax is vanquished. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Palos Park debates local grocery tax to counter Illinois repeal

Illinois lawmakers have voted to eliminate the state’s 1% grocery tax in 2026, prompting officials in Palos Park to consider a local version of the tax to offset potential revenue losses. In May, Gov. J.B. Pritzker described the grocery tax as “regressive” and expressed his support for its removal. “If it reduces inflation for families…

Synthia Slinkard, 8, of Worth, attended Jon's Way Youth Group's Halloween event. (Photos by Kelly White)

Jon’s Way Youth Group haunts Chicago Ridge again

A group of teenagers took over Chicago Ridge as Jon’s Way Youth Group hosted its eighth annual Haunted Trail. The event, held at 105th Street and Oxford Avenue, drew a crowd Saturday, Oct. 19. “This was the best year we’ve had so far,” said Griffin Deuter, 16, of Chicago Ridge. Deuter has been a member…

Bob Yonker accepts a plaque in honor of his work as Secretary of the Summit Neighborhood Watch program (photo by Carol McGowan)

Bob Yonker Steps Down as Secretary of Summit Neighborhood Watch

After more than 15 years of dedicated service, Robert “Bob” Yonker has stepped down as secretary of Summit’s Neighborhood Watch program. During an Oct. 17 meeting, Neighborhood Watch President Tula Beene, Summit Police Chief Mel Ortiz, Summit Fire Chief Anthony Anderson, Trustee Aurora Rodriguez, and Public Relations Assistant Chris Crisanti honored Yonker with an award…

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Will La Grange approve $13.86 million for park renovations? Voters to decide

If a recent poll is any indication, the Park District of La Grange stands a good chance of seeing a $13.86 million referendum win approval on Election Day Nov. 5. Voters will cast “yes” or “no” votes on the following ballot referendum: “Shall the Park District of LaGrange, Cook County, Illinois, improve and equip parks and…