Posts by Jeff Vorva
Orland Fire heads up new system that will be a ‘lifesaver’
By Jeff Vorva Ask any firefighter and they will say that seconds count when it comes to responding to an emergency. So, when minutes can be shaved off of response times, that’s a reason to be overjoyed. Orland Fire Protection District Chief Michael Schofield had a big smile on his face Jan. 31 at the…
Read MorePostseason Roundup | Marist breaks through with first state cheerleading title
By Jeff Vorva Correspondent For years, Marist’s competitive cheerleading team was knocking on the door of a state championship. On Feb. 3, the RedHawks were like cops on television busting down the door. Marist won the IHSA state championship in the large-team division at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington with a score of 96.32, ahead…
Read MoreRed Stars’s schedule and roster set for 2024
By Jeff Vorva Correspondent The schedule is set. The roster is set. The Red Stars are ready to roll. Once they get the preseason stuff out of the way, the Red Stars will open the NWSL slate at 6:30 p.m. March 16 with a road game against the expansion Utah Royals. Their home opener at…
Read MoreArea Sports Roundup | Longtime hoops coach Bruce Scaduto stepping down
By Jeff Vorva Correspondent Bruce Scaduto kept the family name going for a few more decades, but he is hanging it up after this season. Scaduto, the Evergreen Park boys basketball coach from 1997 through 2011 and the Mustangs girls coach since 2011, has announced he will retire after this season. “I feel that it’s…
Read MorePostseason Roundup | Six area teams heading to state cheerleading finals
By Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Marist competitive cheerleading team has an impressive resume. The RedHawks have in their history brought home six IHSA large-school trophies. They took second place in 2013, 2018, 2019 and 2022, and earned third-place trophies in 2012 and 2020. They are still searching for that elusive state championship, and will get…
Read MoreArea Sports Roundup | Chicago Christian hires new football coach
By Jeff Vorva Correspondent Chicago Christian has a new football coach, and he comes from one of the best high school football programs in Illinois. CJ Cesario has been tabbed to head up the Knights program, replacing Dan Chiarito. In 2023, Cesario coached the sophomore team at Mount Carmel. The Caravan won back-to-back Class 7A…
Read MoreNWSL champions Groom, Kuikka sign with Red Stars
By Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Chicago Red Stars continued to fill out their roster on both offense and defense last week, this time adding veteran talent with championship pedigrees. A latest additions in a busy offseason were free-agent signings Shea Groom and Natalia Kuikka. Groom, a midfielder, was inked to two-year deal. She is coming…
Read MorePostseason Roundup | Nazareth dance team wins first sectional title
By Jeff Vorva Correspondent Will the streak continue? With a new team sharing the glory? Nazareth’s athletics programs have collectively won one IHSA state championships in each of the last five high school sports seasons, going back to spring 2022. The LaGrange Park private school’s baseball, football, girls volleyball and girls basketball teams each has…
Read MoreInaugural Southwest Job Fair draws 500
By Jeff Vorva Sean Morrison had some meetings to tend to, so he wasn’t at the first Southwest Job Fair when it opened at 11 a.m. But once he arrived at the Orland Park Civic Center on January 11, the Cook County commissioner from Palos Park liked what he saw. Activity. Plenty of activity. “I…
Read MoreOrland Park officially declares it is not a sanctuary city
By Jeff Vorva For years, Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau has been saying the village is a non-sanctuary municipality. On January 15, the board of trustees made it official. The board voted 6-0, with Joni Radaszewski absent, on an ordinance declaring that the village will not be a sanctuary city. In past meetings, Pekau said…
Read More