Business.
Duck Stop Travel Center now open on 75th Street
The Duck Stop Travel Center opened Dec. 8 at 10000 W. 75th Street and is located partly in Hodgkins and partly in Countryside.
Your Sports. All Heart.
TCU commit Blake Ragsdale sparks Lyons from leadoff spot
Blake Ragsdale had a tough freshman season at the plate and in the field, but he turned a corner last spring.
Cadyn Kummer sets tone for new-look Evergreen Park
Senior pitcher/first baseman Cadyn Kummer is one of just three starters back for Evergreen Park baseball.
Mike Clark’s baseball Top 5
Check out updates on the area’s top teams.
Mike Clark’s softball Top 5
See which team joined the rankings this week.
Roosevelt recruit Giovanni Longo, Sandburg continue hot start
Giovanni Longo’s walk-off double against Marist helped Sandburg baseball stay unbeaten.
Freshman Khloe Grasso, Sandburg girls soccer aim to turn page
Freshman Khloe Grasso is part of an infusion of new talent for Sandburg girls soccer, which is coming off a five-win…
Lewis recruit Brody Lee-Caracci stays cool for Lyons volleyball
Brody Lee-Caracci’s even-keel approach helped Lyons boys volleyball win the Argo Invitational.
Area roundup: Tennis a family affair for Richards’ Karczewski brothers
Joshua Karczewski helped Richards boys tennis win a conference title last spring, and now he’s got a familiar teammate: his brother…
Mike Clark’s baseball Top 5
Check out who’s No. 1 in the first rankings of the spring.
Mike Clark’s softball Top 5
An unbeaten team leads the initial rankings of the season.
Tributes.
Daniel S. Michalak
Daniel S. Michalak died March 28, 2026.
Roman Kania, 55
Roman Kania, a devoted husband and father guided by Christian faith, died March 26, 2026. He was 55.
Sherry Catherine Ziomek, 75
Sherry Catherine Ziomek, a devoted mother and grandmother known for her warmth and creativity, died March 17, 2026, in Fairfield, California. She was 75. The cause was heart failure.
Juan Villagomez, 56
Juan Villagomez, a manager at Falco’s Pizza who was struck and killed in a hit-and-run in Bridgeview on March 25, died March 29, 2026. He was 56.
Bozena Wrona, 58
Bozena Wrona, a mathematics teacher and devoted parishioner known for her volunteer work and faith-based service, died March 22, 2026, in New Lenox, Illinois. She was 58.
Patricia Czerniak-Grimm, 78
Patricia “Pat” Czerniak-Grimm, a Bridgeview resident known for her dedication to family and customer service work, died March 24, 2026. She was 78.
Business.
Kismet owner honors tradition but is open to new ideas
In his first year as the owner of Kismet in Orland Park, Daniel Canter said he prides himself on a…
Grooving into retirement: Teacher spins new life with record shop
Independent record shop Long Live Vinyl brings music lovers together with retro vibes and timeless grooves. In the 1960s, the…
Comings & Goings: Fogo de Chao coming to Orland Park
Fogo de Chao, the Brazilian steak house known for servers carrying slabs of meat on long skewers from table to…
Crowds savor this year’s Taste of Orland
The days of summer are dwindling but that did not stop Orland Park from savoring the last of the season…
Palos Park gets a jump on National Night Out
By Kelly White The Village of Palos Park has taken the traditional National Night Out and turned it into a…
Orland Township helps kids get ready for new school year
The summer clock is winding down and Orland Township was there to get ready to prepare students to enter back…
Taste of Orland Park returns this weekend
From staff reports Orland Park’s annual Taste of Orland Park presented by Northwestern Medicine arrives at the new Centennial Park…
Eats.
More News.
Mom’s Facebook post becomes nonprofit lifeline for struggling families
Olivia DeSmit launched Be The Village nonprofit after struggling to find support as a new mother. Now it delivers…
Dodge signals a new era of collaboration for Orland Park
Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge used his first State-of-the-Village address Tuesday to signal a shift toward collaboration and economic…
VisionHER ignites big dreams at Chicago Ridge Mall
Women gathered at Chicago Ridge Mall for VisionHER’s first event, creating vision boards, building connections, and focusing on future…
Saint Xavier brings life-saving kidney screenings to community
Free SXU screening identified high rates of undetected kidney, diabetes and blood pressure issues, emphasizing importance of early detection…
Joe & Franks to close after 50 years in Oak Lawn
Oak Lawn meat shop Joe & Franks closing after 50 years, ending family-run tradition of sausages and smoked meats…
Meals on Wheels finds new home in Oak Lawn, expands help for seniors
Meals on Wheels for Northern Illinois relocates to Oak Lawn, expanding meal delivery and dine-in services for seniors across…
Step inside Agapi where wellness meets self-love
Agapi Wellness Center opens in Palos Hills, offering holistic healing services focused on self-love, relaxation, and restoring balance in…
Homeowners Pack Oak Lawn Pavilion for Massive Home Show
Crowds gathered in Oak Lawn to explore home improvement ideas, meet experts and score deals during the season’s final…
Thousands protest Trump at Orland Park No Kings Rally
About 3,000 people gathered Saturday along LaGrange Road in Orland Park for a “No Kings” rally opposing President Donald…
We/Us.
White brings ‘cheers’ and cheer to people with her photos
Palos Park’s Kelly White discovered the magic of photography in a darkroom when she attended college at St. Xavier.
Homeschool kids make their newspaper dream a reality
Seven homeschool students from across the Chicago area created a monthly newspaper that builds confidence, creativity and real-world teamwork skills.
Oak Lawn music teacher hits national high note
Oak Lawn Community High School music teacher Bob Haberstat earned national recognition for innovative technology-driven music education and leadership.
Mayhem.
Oak Lawn woman found dead in home
A 76-year-old Oak Lawn woman was found dead in her home Sunday afternoon after police conducted a well-being check.
Woman banned from Von Maur
A Chicago woman grabbed a Von Maur bag, stuffed 17 clothing items inside, and walked out with more than $1,400 in merchandise…
Orland police seize handguns in traffic stops
Orland Park police arrested two men within five days in March after recovering loaded handguns during routine traffic stops, authorities said.
2 nabbed for retail thefts
Two people were arrested by Orland Park police for retail thefts.
Opinions.
St. Patrick’s Day brings a glimmer of hope during dark times
St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17, honors the patron saint of Ireland, a 5th-century Christian missionary who brought Christianity to the pagan Irish.
School districts must be accountable to public
Schools are important. But administrators don’t have the same sense of accountability to taxpayers that other governments like villages have.
I can no longer give Trump the benefit of the doubt
I have completely changed my attitude about the president. I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, recognizing that his big mouth often got in the way of some good programs, hoping that would change. But he can’t seem to stop his pettiness from getting in the way and destroying some good…
