Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Bandits swept in title bid Despite success, pro softball ignored in Chicago By Steve Metsch Sitting in the stands at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont on Saturday evening, I caught myself wondering a few things as I watched the Chicago Bandits play the USSSA Pride in a do-or-die game. One, why wasn’t it…
60 residents, and pets, rescued from major apartment fire in Cicero Cicero Firefighters rescued 60 residents from a 3-story multi-unit apartment building on the block of 1600 S. 50th Court this morning (Sunday, Aug. 19, 2018) as fire and heavy smoke consumed the building. Two of the residents (one male adult and one female adult,…
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Summer reading succeeds in Lyons Director: Best turnout in the past three years By Steve Metsch “Reading on the Railroad,” the summer reading program at the Lyons Public Library, has been deemed a success. Library Director Dan Hiker said the program was the most successful in his three years at the helm. “We’re pleased with…
National Night Out in Lyons Annual event links residents with village police, fire By Steve Metsch Residents of Lyons got to know their village departments, specifically police and fire, a bit better on Aug. 7. That’s when Lyons, for the third straight year, participated in National Night Out, which was being held in widespread communities…
Jeff Lynne’s ELO impresses Band delivers hit songs in a dazzling concert By Steve Metsch So it took 35 years for Jeff Lynne to bring his Electric Light Orchestra back on the road. It was well-worth the wait. Lynne and this version of his ELO band – which did not include any other original members…
Dryer fire in Orland Park home at 144th Block of Mason Lane The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) responded to a house fire located in the 14400 block of Mason Lane at approximately 11:56 PM on Friday night. OFPD Fire companies arrived on the scene and found heavy smoke coming from the sub-basement of the…
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Rick Lesser Slated as Candidate in 58th Illinois House District “We need everyday people to fix Illinois for the sake of our children and grandchildren.” Rick Lesser, a successful small business owner and one of the leading estate planning attorneys in Illinois, announced his candidacy today for Illinois State Representative in the 58th District. Lesser was slated…
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The verdict on Jury Duty in Cook County I received my summons to appear at Jury Duty. I didn’t want to use any excuses having been a reporter covering the court system, being a political columnist who writes about court cases, having been in several legal cases as a defendant and plaintiff in political cases in…
Suburban backyard pool deck destroyed by fire At approximately 10:30 PM on Friday August 3, 2018, the Orland Fire Protection District was notified of a house fire in the 100 block of Windmill Road in Orland Park. Upon arrival, Fire companies found a large pool deck and attached pool house fully involved in the rear…
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Orland Fire joins class action lawsuit to block Opioid addiction The Orland Fire Protection and 13 other municipalities including several from the southwest suburbs have filed a class action suit against Purdue Pharma, the manufacturer of opioid-based prescription drugs, and 26 other defendants accused of downplaying the negative impact of opioids on users and fueling…
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Walmart Truck Fire Wednesday morning, July 25, 2018 On Wednesday, July 25 (2018), the Orland Fire Protection District received a 911 emergency call regarding a fire at the Walmart SuperCenter store at 9265 159th Street in Orland Hills. Upon arrival, Firefighters found a fully involved box-truck parked against the store building on the east side…
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“Yellow Submarine” a treat Fifty years later, restored movie is eye-popping fun By Steve Metsch It’s not often an animated movie released 50 years ago can pack ’em in. But that was the case when a restored version of The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine,” first released in 1968, was shown at selected movie theater around the…
Warehouses for Bridgeview Nearly 1 million square feet to be available By Steve Metsch The village of Bridgeview will be getting two warehouses at the northeast corner of 79thStreet and Harlem Avenue. At its July 18 meeting, the board approved a letter of understanding between Sponte Sales, doing business as Hawk “This is the sale…
Hard work rewarded in Bridgeview Linden is new fire battalion chief By Steve Metsch After nearly three decades working for the Bridgeview Fire Department, Ed Linden has a new title. Linden, 52, was promoted from lieutenant to battalion chief at the July 18 meeting of the Bridgeview Village Board. He is one of three battalion…
New cabinet store in Lyons Owner/home builder likes larger site on Ogden Avenue By Steve Metsch A vacant building at 8121 W. Ogden Avenue in Lyons will be the new home of Signature Cabinetry. Owner Jay Riordan is moving his business from 7657 w. 100thPlace in Bridgeview. He also owns Riordan Signature Homes, building high-end,…
Summit wants new water meters Loan from state EPA may provide them at no cost By Steve Metsch Summit hopes to get a loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to pay for new water meters at homes and businesses throughout the village. Village officials think Summit could qualify for a loan of up to…
Villanueva named successor to Tabares in 21st Illinois House District Community activist Celina Villanueva was named Monday night as the new State Representative for the 21st Illinois House district to fill the vacancy created when State Rep. Silvana Tabares who resigned to accept appointment as alderman of Chicago’s 23rd Ward. Villanueva, a youth engagement activist…
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Cicero Fire Department receives excellent ISO rating The Town of Cicero Fire Department has received an ISO (Insurance Services Office) Public Protection Classification rating of 2, which is recognized as one of the nation’s top performance ratings. Fire Chief Dominick Buscemi said the Cicero Fire Department said the rating classification is a result of the…
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