Author: Steve Metsch

Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations. Email Steve Metsch at [email protected]

Presidential Inn is shut down

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Presidential Inn is shut down Mayor pulls license, court denies appeal    By Steve Metsch Just three vehicles were parked in the lot at The Presidential Inn in Lyons on Friday, one day after a Cook County judge denied an emergency motion to stay a business license revocation. The motel, 3922 S. Harlem Ave., long…

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Sounded like ‘a door slamming’

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Sounded like ‘a door slamming’ Washington principal discusses boy’s suicide By Steve Metsch Two teachers compared the noise to the sound of “a door slamming,” Washington Middle School Principal Don Jones said Monday evening. It was a sound from a day that those teachers and Jones will never forget. The “door slamming” was the sound…

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Hundreds mourn student in Lyons

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Hundreds mourn student in Lyons Somber prayer vigil for seventh-grader after suicide By Steve Metsch About 300 people attended a prayer vigil Thursday night at the entrance of Washington Middle School in Lyons, mourning a seventh-grade student who took his own life. Johany Juan Bueno, 13, of Stickney, shot himself while at school around 1:30…

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Best of old and new

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Best of old and new Yes singer Jon Anderson shines in solo show By Steve Metsch Usually, when you’re at a concert and the band says “here’s a new song,” quite a few fans bolt out to get beverages. That wasn’t the case Thursday night at the intimate Arcada Theatre in St. Charles where Jon…

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Clean sweep in SD 103

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Clean sweep in Lyons SD 103 Mayor’s slate wins four contested seats on board By Steve Metsch Voters in Lyons School District 103 gave Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty a ringing endorsement Tuesday night. They voted against a 40-year board member, a new board member, a former board member and a newcomer on the Putting Students…

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Lyons SD 103 breaks tradition

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Lyons SD 103 breaks tradition Board gives 2-year contracts to three principals By Steve Metsch Saying it’s important to keep good people, the Lyons School District 103 board uncharacteristically approved two-year contracts for three principals March 25. Several other officials also received two-year deals. Board President Marge Hubacek said it’s the first time, to her…

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PSE says it’s time for a change

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PSE says it’s time for a change Four candidates seek election in Lyons SD 103 By Steve Metsch The four candidates running together on the Parents For Student Excellence slate for seats on the board of Lyons School District 103 agree it’s time for a change. Jorge Torres–a four-year incumbent–is joined by Vito Campanile, Winifred…

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Third time the charm?

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Third time the charm? SD 103 names third principal at Lincoln By Steve Metsch Students, staff and faculty at Lincoln School in Brookfield welcomed yet another new face in the principal’s office this week. Mindy McMahon, who was a principal for 23 years at a school in Hinsdale, was hired Monday night by the Lyons…

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SD 103 boots two principals

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SD 103 boots two principals One resigns under pressure, 14-year vet not renewed By Steve Metsch and Ray Hanania Two principals in Lyons School District 103 will be looking for new jobs. At Monday night’s committee of the whole meeting, the school board accepted a letter of resignation from Lincoln School Principal Tara Kristoff, and…

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No slowing down for Cummings

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No slowing down for Cummings Hodgkins mayor, 91, prepares for 11th term in office By Steve Metsch Mayor Noel B. Cummings enjoyed a hearty laugh in his office at the Hodgkins Village Hall when asked if he is surprised nobody challenged him in the upcoming election. “Not really,” he said. “I’ve got a good record…

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Miracle in Lyons

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Miracle in Lyons No injuries although one car was cut in half By Steve Metsch Lyons Police Chief Thomas Herion has seen a lot during his career in law enforcement. But even he was surprised by what he saw early Sunday. A violent two-car wreck at the intersection of First and Ogden avenues left one…

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Principals under fire in SD 103

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Principals under fire in SD 103 Teachers have “no confidence” in Molina By Steve Metsch The jobs of two principals in Lyons School District 103 appear to be in jeopardy. Tara Kristoff, the Lincoln School Principal, has been on paid administrative leave since Feb. 14. Al Molina, in his 14th year as principal at Robinson…

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New name, new signage

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New name, new signage Bridgeview approves contracts for signs at stadium By Steve Metsch The Bridgeview Village Board has approved plans for new signage at its soccer stadium. Formerly named Toyota Park, the stadium is now named SeatGeek Stadium. And the SeatGeek logo – a drawing of an empty seat above the words – will…

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SD 103 principal on paid leave

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SD 103 principal on paid leave “Insubordinate conduct” blamed in leaked letter  By Steve Metsch The embattled Lyons School District 103 – which caught heat last year for hiring a teacher charged with attempted murder in a road rage incident – has another personnel issue broiling. This one involves a principal who, allegedly, had some…

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Lyons has the blues again

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Lyons has the blues again Windy City Blues Fest set for Sept. 6-8 By Steve Metsch Lyons once again has the blues. The Windy City Blues Fest, which proved very popular in Cermak Woods last September, is returning. On the web site www.windycitybluesfest.org, there is a listing of entertainers for the second annual event. This…

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Second time works at SD 103

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Second time works at SD 103 Hammond educator hired as new superintendent By Steve Metsch Kristopher Rivera, the newly hired superintendent of Lyons School District 103, has spent his entire career working in the larger Hammond, Ind., school district. Lyons, however, is going to be a good fit, he said. The school board obviously agrees,…

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Lyons Trustee Ramirez dies

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Lyons Trustee Ramirez dies Village Hall closed, garbage service halted Monday By Steve Metsch The Lyons Village Hall will be closed Monday in respect to village Trustee Greg Ramirez, who died earlier this week, Mayor Christopher Getty said in a news release Thursday. Garbage service in Lyons will also be suspended Monday, Getty said. “Greg…

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Summit loses a friend

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Summit loses a friend Joseph Kurcz donated  land for firehouse By Steve Metsch Joseph Kurcz never forgot his roots. He was born in Summit, attended school in Summit, met his childhood sweetheart in Summit, raised their six children in Summit, worked his way from janitor to owner of a successful business in Summit and even…

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