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New start for Lyons motel Officials hope restrictions prevent seedy encore By Steve Metsch With a laundry list of restrictions and requirements, what had been called the Presidential Inn in Lyons has re-opened under strict surveillance by the village. The plans were unveiled at the village board meeting on May 5, 13 months after the…
‘Sewing army’ at the ready 19th Ward quilt shop among those on mask duty By Steve Metsch With Illinois residents required to wear masks when out of the house – per the order of Gov. JB Pritzker – but you might have a hard time finding one for sale in a store. With that in…
McCook battles virus Masks, gloves, sanitizer given to each household By Steve Metsch The village of McCook may be small, but it responded in a big way to the coronavirus pandemic. Mayor Terrance Carr, Police Chief Mario DePasquale and Fire Chief Joseph Myrick put together a program to help village residents be better prepared. On…
Lyons SD 103 improvements New fire alarm systems for three schools By Steve Metsch New fire alarm systems will be installed at Edison, Home and Lincoln schools after a rare unanimous approval by the Lyons School District 103 board. The board approved the idea at its meeting held April 28 at Washington Middle School in…
Generosity floors Naperville tailor Donated fabric results in 3,000 plus masks By Steve Metsch Preferring to focus on the positive, Monika Gawalek, who owns Tailoring By Monica in Naperville, talked about the masks she, family and friends are making for people to wear during the coronavirus pandemic. Like so many businesses, church groups, civic organizations,…
Music beating virus so far Communities planning free concerts this summer By Steve Metsch Local communities are hoping their summer music festivals are not casualties of the coronavirus, which has result in so many spring cancelations. Brookfield and Lyons are banking on the lifting of restrictions of large groups because of concerns of spreading the…
Drive-Thru Parties Brookfield fire and police offer parades By Steve Metsch As a way to buoy spirits, Brookfield is offering residents drive-by birthday parades featuring some of the village’s police and fire vehicles. Stevie Ferrari, director of the Brookfield parks and recreation department, said that resident can send a request to her at [email protected]. It’s…
Precautions taken in Lyons Some attend meeting via teleconference By Steve Metsch Lyons Finance Director Dan Denys – a mainstay at the village board meeting and the finance committee meeting twice monthly – did not attend either on April 7. He is in fine health. He is being cautious. “Dan is in self-quarantine at…
Lyons focuses on parks Big changes coming for sites in village By Steve Metsch Basketball games and use of the swings have been put on hold at Veterans Park in Lyons. The rims and backboards have been removed from the courts – which are very popular. And the swings have also been removed. Part of…
La Grange’s Virtual Pet Parade Virus shoves 74th annual parade off streets By Steve Metsch Not even the La Grange Pet Parade – an annual tradition since 1947 and arguably the village’s biggest social event of the year – is safe from the coronavirus. Due to concerns about spreading the virus, and unsure whether limits…
The Dinner Club thrives Business up 20% with ‘shelter at home’ By Steve Metsch Because it is in food service, The Dinner Club – a different kind of company – is remaining open in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, serving a purpose to many. It’s not a restaurant. It’s not a grocery. It does…
Saving a life McCook cop prevents woman’s likely fatal fall By Steve Metsch McCook Police Officer Michael Buenik said it was just another night at the office and that ”anyone else would have done this.” “This” was his saving a woman’s life in the wee hours. Buenik, 28, was honored at the McCook Village Board…
“No regrets” Lipinski reflects on campaign, primary loss By Steve Metsch After his close defeat in the Democratic primary, U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (3rd) reflected on 15 years in Congress and what lies ahead. Lipinski narrowly lost the primary to Marie Newman, whom he had defeated in a close race in 2018. Lipinski had…
Keeping their distance Virus caution: Bridgeview trustees sit far apart By Steve Metsch The Bridgeview Village Board had a new look at its most recent meeting. There are no new trustees. Nor was the meeting room redecorated. Rather, the six trustees, mayor, clerk and attorney were spread out. “It’s because of the corona virus,” village…
Virus delays Summit Next village meeting pushed back two weeks By Steve Metsch In response to the coronavirus, the Summit Village Board has decided to delay its first meeting in April. Normally, the board meets on the first and third Monday each month. With a nod to CDC recommendations that no groups should be larger…
Township buses get special care Cleansed after use; ill seniors to skip rides By Steve Metsch The coronavirus has led to a heightened sense of awareness for everyone, including the Township of Lyons senior services department, which provides buses that take residents to and from doctors’ offices, grocery stores and other appointments. “We disinfect the…
Virus claims parks, libraries Bridgeview Park District among few open By Steve Metsch In an attempt to slow spreading the coronavirus, scores of public facilities are closing their doors around the nation The Lyons, La Grange and Summit park district facilities are closed. However, the Bridgeview Park District is remaining open. The Summit, Lyons, Bedford Park…
Time out for bars, restaurants Owner hopes closings contains coronavirus By Steve Metsch Nick Mataragas knows that Gov. JB Pritzker’s decision to close all restaurants and bars in the state to dine-in customers will cost him money, but he understands the importance of the governor’s latest step to combat the spread of coronavirus….