Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America
Lyons honors employees Four have a combined 111 years service By Steve Metsch The Lyons Village Board honored four employees with plaques recognizing their longtime service. The four have a combined 111 years working for the village. Rich Vabro has worked 30 years with the water department, is the foreman. Vabro “is very vital to…
Glenn Hughes rocks St. Charles Former Deep Purple bassist/singer an ageless wonder By Steve Metsch Please forgive the delay for this review. Life gets busy. But when you catch yourself still thinking about a concert nearly three weeks later, it’s worth writing about. I journeyed out to the lovely and intimate 900-seat Arcada Theatre in…
In need of a “voter carwash” after governors’ debate The personal attacks in the first debate between Gov. Bruce Rauner and three challengers including J.B. Pritzker is disheartening for the future for the state of Illinois. Isn’t there anyone out there who has a great idea to save this state? Wake up people! When it…
Read More “In need of a “voter carwash” after governors’ debate” »
Railroad “flyover” discussed Proposal would cut risks, move Summit businesses By Steve Metsch Reducing the risk of potential accidents, along with ending delays in commuter railroad service, are goals of a proposed “flyover” that could be built west of Summit Park. It’s all part of sweeping rail improvements proposed by the Illinois Department of Transportation…
Cicero honors firefighters who saved lives at 50th Court Apartment fire Town President Larry Dominick and Cicero Fire Chief Dominick Buscemi this week honored the firefighters who successfully put out a fire that severely damaged a large apartment building at 1637 50th Court on August 19, 2018 saving the lives of dozens of residents and…
Read More “Cicero honors firefighters who saved lives at 50th Court Apartment fire” »
Statement from Chairman Madigan on sexual harassment Michael J. Madigan, chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, released the following statement Wednesday: “Addressing harassment, increasing access and ensuring equality of all forms are issues of great importance to the Democratic Party of Illinois, and the time and commitment that Comptroller Mendoza, Senator Bush and Representative…
Read More “Statement from Chairman Madigan on sexual harassment” »
Orland Fire District hosts citizen training for emergency preparedness The Orland Fire Protection District (OFPD) will host an eight-week program to train residents to be able to assist in responding to public emergencies and offer basic emergency services. Enrollment for the free participation is still open to the public. Participants receive a certification and become members…
Read More “Orland Fire District hosts citizen training for emergency preparedness” »
Lyons Police seeking witnesses in truck-bicycle fatality Village of Lyons police are investigating a traffic accident that resulted in a fatality Tuesday morning Sept. 25, 2018 between 4:45 am and 5:10 am on First Avenue near 43rd Street, just south of Plainfield Road. Lyons Police Chief James M. Keating said that the cyclist was riding his…
Read More “Lyons Police seeking witnesses in truck-bicycle fatality” »
Blues hit it big in Lyons First-ever festival draws 3,000 music lovers By Steve Metsch The first-ever Windy City Blues Fest in Lyons was deemed a success by organizers, performers and fans. Larger than expected crowds were seen Saturday and Sunday at Cermak Park on Ogden Avenue, Lyons Mayor Christopher Getty said Monday. Getty said…
Leyden dominates Lyons, 31-3 Senior lineman Cushing injured as team falls to 1-4 By Steve Metsch Here’s hoping the dance went better than the football game. Leyden, with three touchdowns by junior running back Vincent Fredrickson, pounded Lyons Township 31-3 Saturday, spoiling the Lions’ homecoming. To make matters worse, lineman Emmett Cushing suffered what appeared…
Curda appointed Director of the Illinois Dept. of Veterans Affairs By Jerry Field, Veteran Correspondent Retired Brigadier General Stephen K. Curda, Ph.D. was appointed as the Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA) by Governor Rauner on June 5, 2018. He is responsible for nearly 1300 employees of the IDVA and manages a…
Read More “Curda appointed Director of the Illinois Dept. of Veterans Affairs” »
Munger named interim DCEO director Takes business development role as McCarthy leaves for private sector Gov. Bruce Rauner today said that Deputy Gov. Leslie Munger would be taking on the new role of acting director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). She replaces Director Sean McCarthy, who has accepted a position…
Race leverages next election for Chicago mayor Who will be Chicago’s next mayor? The decision will be made by Chicago’s racially divided voters, Blacks, Whites and Hispanics. The first run will see all of the racial blocks divided and the two candidates who receive the most votes — no one will win the 50 percent…
Read More “Race leverages next election for Chicago mayor” »
Killing of Laquan McDonald plays into race more than facts What might Laquan McDonald have done had police not stopped him on that October evening in 2014 near 41st and Pulaski Road in Chicago? McDonald, who was menacingly waving a knife in the air as he walked in the middle of the street late at…
Read More “Killing of Laquan McDonald plays into race more than facts” »
Brew Moon Fest gets grant Township of Lyons backs Oct. 20 festival in McCook By Steve Metsch The annual Brew Moon Beer & Band Festival, set for next month, is getting some assistance from the Township of Lyons. The township’s board of trustees, by unanimous vote, approved giving the organizers $750 to help make the…
Birthday girl has the blues Tomiko Dixon excited for first Blues Fest in Lyons By Steve Metsch There’s no better way for Tomiko Dixon to celebrate her birthday than to play the blues music she loves at a new festival. Dixon is playing Saturday at the first-ever Windy City Blues Fest, hosted by the Windy…
Suburban Chicagoland launches new Veterans Info Section By Dr. Jerry Field SuburbanChicagoland.com, the web site that services Chicago communities, will expand to cover Veteran news, benefit information, services and listing of events. The website will update weekly with contact information and events for Veterans and Military. Illinois has an unusual number of excellent Veterans units…
Read More “Suburban Chicagoland launches new Veterans Info Section” »
Lipinski Announces Over $700,000 Grant for Moraine Valley Community College Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) is announcing that Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills has been awarded a $705,497 federal grant through the National Science Foundation. The school, along with Sinclair Community College in Ohio and Brookdale Community College in New Jersey, will use the…
Read More “Lipinski Announces Over $700,000 Grant for Moraine Valley Community College” »