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Virus may hurt finances Lyons financial director warns of fiscal challenges By Steve Metsch Lyons Finance Director Dan Denys cautioned the village board, at its most recent meeting, that it may face financial challenges because of the virus. Like most communities in the nation, Lyons could be impacted negatively by the coronavirus pandemic in terms…
Revamping SeatGeek site Bridgeview hopes it improves promoting events By Steve Metsch The Bridgeview Village Board has approved a contract to upgrade the website of SeatGeek Stadium, which, it hopes, will be easier for visitors to navigate and be better used to promote events. The board on June 3 unanimously approved the agreement with Americaneagle.com….
This parade beats pandemic St. Joseph School salutes retiring principal By Steve Metsch Despite the coronavirus pandemic, parents, teachers, staff and students still managed to give St. Joseph School Principal Lawrence Manetti, Sr., a warm sendoff for his retirement. On the afternoon of June 12, they had a 40-vehicle parade that drove around the Summit…
SeatGeek welcomes movies Chicago Drive-In Theater a success in Bridgeview By Steve Metsch On a warm evening, Crystal Skoczylas and her extended family settled down for a fun night in the parking lot of SeatGeek Stadium. They were among hundreds of other movie buffs there for the first drive-in movie shown outside the stadium. Visitors…
Back to the future Former SD 103 Supt. is new Washington principal By Steve Metsch Carol Baker is returning to Lyons School District 103 in a different position than the one she left. The former superintendent will be the principal of George Washington Middle School and will be the assistant superintendent starting on July 1….
Township gives $10,000 Lyons grant helps Greater Chicago Food Depository By Steve Metsch Lyons Township residents finding themselves in need will be helped thanks to a recently approved grant. The township’s board of trustees at its May 12 meeting approved a $10,000 grant to the Greater Chicago Food Depository. The grant helps support the food…
Growing cannabis in Bridgeview Board approves two permits; state OK needed By Steve Metsch Two proprietors have cleared the first hurdles that may result in each opening a marijuana growing business in the village of Bridgeview. Village trustees have voted 6-0 in favor approving the two special-use permits needed. Jose Ibarra wants to open a…
All Hands on Deck Willow Springs man organizes distancing party By Steve Metsch It was “All Hands on Deck” for some residents of a Willow Springs subdivision on a recent Thursday evening. The event was the brainchild of Carey Cochrane, who wanted to bring some fun to his neighbors while they were sheltering at home…
The sounds of silence Pandemic sidelines countless musicians this year By Steve Metsch One of the biggest casualties of the coronavirus pandemic and sheltering at home has been entertainment. We can’t go to the movies. The White Sox, Cubs, Fire and youth sports are idle. And we can’t hear live music because large crowds are…
Restaurant owner says thanks Treats Bridgeview village workers to luncheon By Steve Metsch A Bridgeview restaurant owner and board member of The Mosque Foundation treated village employees to a luncheon as way to say thanks. Kalid Baste has owned the Al Bawadi Grill, 7216 W. 87th St., for 13 years. He’s also been a longtime…
Safe farmers market Event returns to La Grange with masks, distancing By Steve Metsch The first-ever farmers market in La Grange held with social distancing rules in place went pretty well, buyers and sellers said. The weekly event made its debut Thursday, June 4. It had been delayed several weeks because of the pandemic and…
Musician offers free concerts Indian Head Park man plays ukulele in yard By Steve Metsch Three afternoons each week, you can find Michael Malone sitting on a stool, playing a ukulele in front of his Indian Head Park home. Malone, 51, plays original songs for anyone who happens to be in the 6400 block of…
Peaceful protest in La Grange No problems reported as hundreds march By Steve Metsch Charlotte Wolf said she wanted to make a stand “because there is a lot going on in the world right now.” So, the recent graduate of Lyons Township High School organized a peaceful protest rally and march in La Grange on…
Virtual Pet Parade a success Organizers are pleased with participation, results By Steve Metsch The reviews are favorable for the first-ever virtual Pet Parade in La Grange. Molly Price, event coordinator for Pet Parade Charities, the non-profit which sponsors the parade, said Monday that “everybody was really supportive of it.” Fears of spreading the coronavirus…
Virtual Pet Parade on Saturday Virus results in 180 video entries submitted By Steve Metsch Organizers of the 74th annual La Grange Pet Parade, another victim of the coronavirus pandemic, are overwhelmed by the response from the public. Forced to cancel the parade because of the governor’s ban on large public gatherings, they had asked…
Memorial Day online Virus forces communities to honor a new way By Steve Metsch With Memorial Day fast approaching, several communities have opted to hold scaled back ceremonies and in some cases are going virtual. The Village of Lyons, which normally marks Memorial Day with a ceremony at the eternal flame outside the pumping station…
Thrown for a loss Uncertainty forces star quarterback to leave Naz By Steve Metsch Tim Racki has a glittering record as a high school football coach – taking two schools to nine state title games and winning seven – but his biggest challenge may come this fall. Not only does Racki not know if there…
Lyons, Brookfield drenched Salt Creek overflows after heavy weekend rains By Steve Metsch With more rain forecast in the coming days, residents of Lyons and Brookfield who live near Salt Creek are hoping to avoid an encore of May 17. The Lyons Fire Department was busy that Sunday helping about 50 residents and 19 pets…