Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Skeleton lightens motorists’ mood Eye-catching landmark in La Grange Highlands By Steve Metsch For about four months, motorists driving in the 1600 block of Plainfield Road in La Grange Highlands have done their share of double-takes, slowing down, laughing and even parking to snap a few selfies. The reason for their fascination is a bright-white,…
Music returns to Lyons Five more concerts scheduled for Veterans Park By Steve Metsch A big crowd was on hand Wednesday night to see Strung Out, the third in a series of Wednesday night performances for the Music in the Park concert series at Veterans Park in Lyons. The concert series is back after being away for…
Lose church and school, gain homes Getty has a plan for St. Hugh property in Lyons By Steve Metsch Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty has a plan for the land that for nearly 100 years was home to St. Hugh Catholic Church. “I can see us doing single-family houses along Joliet Avenue, tearing down the auditorium,…
Lyons native is new trustee Lazich selected for board vacancy by Mayor Getty By Steve Metsch The new village trustee in Lyons has deep roots in the village. Ivica “Otis” Lazich has lived in Lyons his entire 44 years, is a graduate of Robinson School, served on the public library board, and owns a business…
Buona Beef in Countryside Popular area chain opens 25th location in suburb By Steve Metsch The people who run Buona Beef have had their eyes on Countryside for years. And folks in Countryside, La Grange and other towns nearby now have their eyes on Buona Beef’s menu. The popular Italian beef chain that started 40…
Farewell picnic for St. Hugh Last Mass on Sunday; ending 96 years in Lyons By Steve Metsch If Arlene Houda had her way, St. Hugh’s Roman Catholic Church would be open for at least four more years. That would give the Lyons church one century on Joliet Avenue. Houda, 82, is a lifelong Lyons resident….
Where’s Frank? Big Hurt tributes lacking in his hometown By Steve Metsch They do know about Hall of Fame member Frank Thomas – on the short list of greatest White Sox players – in his hometown. But good luck trying to find any reminder of The Big Hurt in Columbus, GA., a lovely city of…
Illini second in World Series Club softball team stumbles against Clemson Tigers By Steve Metsch Sometimes in softball, all it takes is one inning to derail a seemingly unstoppable team. The University of Illinois women had won seven straight games in the National Club Softball Association World Series to earn a berth in the title…
Bad inning adds up Red Devils’ five in fifth spells doom for Lyons softball By Steve Metsch When a team scores five runs in one inning without getting the softball out of the infield, it does not bode well for the opponent. Such was the case when Hinsdale Central scored five times in the top…
‘Light of our family’ Justice Police Officer Peter Lenos is laid to rest By Steve Metsch Family and friends of late Justice Police Officer Peter Lenos focused on the good times – and there were plenty – as they bid him goodbye. Lenos, 39, was laid to rest on Friday. The 15-year veteran of the…
Welcome back Students finally return to buildings in Lyons SD 103 By Steve Metsch “It’s weird.” With those two words, seventh-grader Daniel Mercado neatly summed up the entire 2020-21 school year. Mercado was standing in line Tuesday, patiently waiting to enter George Washington Middle School in Lyons. He and his schoolmates have not been able…
Three new board members Newcomers sworn in at Lyons School District 103 By Steve Metsch A changing of the guard took place at the most recent meeting of the Lyons School District 103 board. Three members bid adieu and three newly elected members were sworn in. Marge Hubacek, Sharon Anderson and Shannon Johnson are the…
SD 103 students return today After long pandemic delay, 36% of kids are back By Steve Metsch Tuesday afternoon will be the first time in the 2020-21 academic year that students will be permitted in Lyons School District 103 school buildings. Supt. Kristopher Rivera, at the school board’s meeting on April 27, announced that the…
Carr gives up acting role Restaurant owner is sworn in as McCook’s mayor By Steve Metsch Terrance Carr is no longer an acting mayor. Carr, who had been named acting mayor of McCook on April 1 of last year, was sworn in for a four-year term as mayor Monday night by Cook County Circuit Court…
Prayers answered in Lyons Preacher sets up box for those seeking help By Steve Metsch More than 100 prayers have been delivered in the past 13 months to a Lyons couple. Some are neatly written on stationery. Some are scrawled on scraps of paper with handwriting that resembles what’s seen on a doctor’s prescription. Some…
Lyons honors fire hero Off-duty firefighter had saved two in February blaze Lyons By Steve Metsch The Lyons Village Board honored a hero at its recent meeting, and also paid tribute to the fire department. First, the heroics of Riverside resident Brian Kulaga. A Cicero Fire Department Lieutenant, Kulaga, 54, was driving past a burning…
One hurt in garage fire Man was welding car, Lyons fire chief says By Steve Metsch A Lyons resident was injured in a garage fire that resulted in thick black smoke that could be seen more than a mile away. A Riverside ambulance took the person to Loyola Medical Center for treatment, Fire Chief Gordon…
Passing it on Chicago hikes water rate, Bridgeview does, too By Steve Metsch The Village of Bridgeview is being charged more by Chicago for water, so it is passing that increase on to residents and businesses. “Every year, we get a boost in our charge from Chicago, and we’re just passing that on,” Trustee Michael…