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The Chicago House's Anthony Smith, Jr., left and the Chicago Fire's Mauricio Pineda both leap during a Lamar Hunt Cup match at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Pro Sports Report | Fire burn House, prep to host St. Louis in 3rd round of U.S. Open Cup

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The Fire topped the House in the battle of Chicago and have a quick return trip to SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview. The Fire beat the House, 3-0, April 26 in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Kendall Birks scored a brace and Kacper Przybylko had a…

Hannah Kilbane continues to be a force on the course for Saint Xavier University. Photo courtesy of Saint Xavier University Athletics

Area Sports Roundup | Kilbane, SXU heading to golf nationals

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Hannah Kilbane helped the Saint Xavier women’s golf team qualify for the NAIA nationals for just the second time in program history. Kilbane, a junior, needed a playoff hole to be crowned the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference champion, and her red-hot shooting on the second day of the conference tournament…

Evergreen Park Community High School will host the IHSA state eSports championships on April 29. (EPCHS photo)

Area gamers head to Evergreen Park this weekend for state finals

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The best high school gamers from all over the state will battle is out for various state championships in Evergreen Park this weekend. The Illinois High School Association’s second eSports state championships will be held on Saturday, April 29, at Evergreen Park Community High School after it was held at…

U.S. Women's hockey star Abbey Murphy scored a goal seven seconds into a game April 7 at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship.

Area Sports Roundup | U.S. hockey star Abbey Murphy scores quickest goal in tourney

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer At age 20, Abbey Murphy did something that will be difficult to top. In the United States women’s hockey victory over Switzerland on April 7 in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship, the Mother McAuley graduate scored the quickest goal in an IIHF championship final, finding the net seven…

Luke Sefcki, a freshman second baseman at Central Michigan, had 10 hits in 16 at-bats, drove in six runs, totaled 10 bases and stole three bases over a four-game stretch. Photo courtesy of Central Michigan University Athletics

College Notebook | Freshman Luke Sefcik is a force for Chippewas

By Mike Walsh Correspondent Luke Sefcik, a Marist graduate who is playing baseball at Central Michigan, was named the Mid-American Conference’s Player of the Week for April 10. The redshirt freshman second baseman hit .625 while helping the Chippewas to a 3-1 record for the week. He collected 10 hits in 16 at-bats, drove in…

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Baseball | St. Rita goes 4-1 over five-day stretch of games

By Steve Millar Correspondent Ryder Johnson knows his role in St. Rita’s offense. Hitting in the leadoff spot, the senior outfielder looks to wreak havoc and put pressure on the opposing defense. “With my speed, being at the top, it’s my job to get on base and start rallies,” Johnson said. “I scratch and claw…

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Baseball | Sandburg hitters are heating up

By Steve Millar Correspondent After relying heavily on its pitching staff for the first half of the season, Sandburg has been picking things up in a big way offensively. The Eagles are confident in their ability to put up big run totals. “The bats have been clicking recently,” senior outfielder Jason Sullivan said. “It’s getting…

Zoe Jeanes (8) is about to get mobbed by her Sandburg teammates after hitting a home run against Homewood-Flossmoor on April 18. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Baseball and Softball Wrap | Sandburg trying to find footing as season hits halfway mark

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The Sandburg softball team dropped 10 of its first 13 games to open the season, but the Eagles record heading into this week was not indicative of how well they have played at times. Their three wins during that stretch were each by 10 or more runs, beating Lyons, 11-1,…

Arin Wright scored in a 5-2 loss to the OL Reign for her first NWSL goal since 2019. Photo by IMAGN

Pro Sports Report | Dual braces doom Red Stars

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The Chicago Red Stars and the Chicago Fire II teams were on the losing side of scoring braces on April 22. For the Red Stars, it was double trouble against the OL Reign as Bethany Balcer and Jess Fishlock scored braces in a 5-2 Reign victory in a NWSL matchup…

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Baseball | St. Laurence bounces back from trouncing with wins downstate

By Steve Millar Correspondent After the type of disastrous inning St. Laurence does not endure often, let alone at home, the Vikings did not go down without a fight. Lincoln-Way Central stunned the Vikings by scoring 10 runs in the top of the first inning of a non-conference showdown on April 12. St. Laurence answered…

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Baseball | Sandburg rides hot arms to encouraging first half of season

By Randy Whalen Correspondent Focusing on the game in front of them has contributed to Sandburg’s success this season, which reached a notable point last week when a strong stretch of play enabled them to match its win total from 2022. With a 6-4 road win over Joliet West on April 15, the Eagles concluded…

Orland Park resident Robbie Precin finished a second consecutive unbeaten season with his second NCAA Division III national championship in as many years. Photo courtesy of North Central College Athletics

College Notebook | North Central’s Precin finishes an unbeaten champ for 2nd straight season

By Mike Walsh Correspondent As senior seasons go, it’s tough to top the one authored by North Central College wrestler Robert Precin. Precin, an Orland Park resident, won his second consecutive national championship at 133 pounds at the NCAA Division III tournament held on March 10-11 at the Berglund Center in Roanoke, Virginia. He finished…

Austin O’Connor, a graduate of St. Rita, won his 2nd NCAA championship in March while competing for the University of North Carolina. Photos courtesy of UNC Athletics

Elite wrestler Austin O’Connor aspires to be UFC champ

By Mike Walsh Correspondent There are 38 North Carolina wrestlers who stepped on the mat at least once for the Tar Heels this season. Nine competed in at least one match at 149 pounds. Seven battled at 165. At 157, however, there is but one name listed: Austin O’Connor. Competing as a graduate student this…

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Orland Park native David Gust nets goal on first NHL shot

By Alison Moran Correspondent Orland Park native David Gust is living the dream. It was a year ago the 2012 Marist graduate helped the Chicago Wolves win the 2022 Calder Cup, tallying five goals and seven assists in 18 postseason games. Shortly after, Gust and his wife Lexi, found out they were going to be…

Stagg grad Max Strus launches a 3-point attempt against the Chicago Bulls on April 14. Miami Heat photo

Area Sports Roundup | Strus gets loose, helps Heat bury Bulls

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer Max Strus had a money game on April 14. Chicago Bulls fans, however, may not have been too happy with the Hickory Hills native’s performance in a 102-91 win to knock the Bulls out of the NBA postseason. Strus, a former Stagg star who played briefly with the Bulls, scored…

Chris Mueller and the Chicago Fire return to SeatGeek Stadium in Beidgeview to take on the Chicago House on April 26 in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Pro Sports Report | Fire and House ready to battle in Bridgeview

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer The official name of the tournament is the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. But the way things have been shaping up in 2023, there wouldn’t be much of an argument if it was changed to the Peter Wilt U.S. Open Cup. Three soccer teams that Wilt had a hand in…

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Baseball | Sandburg drops two of three after hot start to season

By Steve Millar Correspondent Colin Kissane has played a big role in Sandburg’s fast start, producing some big hits out of the middle of the order. Kissane, who was injured for much of last season, is making up for lost time. He came through with an RBI double and a sacrifice fly as the host…

A boys basketball team composed of special needs students from Southside Occupational Academy and De La Salle won the 2023 IHSA state championship. Photo by Mike Walsh

Special needs hoops team from Chicago wins Unified Sports state title

By Mike Walsh Correspondent If Tom White had his choice, getting doused with cold water on a 35-degree morning in mid-March in Champaign would likely not be high on his list of things to do. Considering the context of the soaking, however, White was more than happy with everything that took place. Coaching a team…

Mallory Swanson, shown moving the ball for the Red Stars in the team's home opener on April 1, may not be playing for a while as she suffered a knee injury while playing for the United States Women's National Team. Photo by Jeff Vorva

Pro Sports Report | Knee injury could keep Swanson out of women’s World Cup

By Jeff Vorva Staff Writer This was supposed to be a huge year for Mallory Swanson. The Chicago Red Stars and U.S. Women’s National team forward opened 2023 with six goals for the national team in friendlies ahead of this summer’s World Cup. She also figured to be a key player for the Red Stars…

Illinois State pitcher Derek Salata, a Nazareth graduate, struck out 11 hitters in a 2-0 loss to Belmont, becoming the sixth Redbird to strike out 10 or more hitters three times in a season. Photo courtesy of Illinois State University Athletics

College Notebook | Illinois State’s Salata named Pitcher of Week

By Mike Walsh Correspondent Illinois State baseball player Derek Salata was chosen a National Pitcher of the Week by Collegiate Baseball News for the period ending March 27. In a 2-0 loss to Missouri Valley Conference foe Belmont on the road March 24, the fifth-year senior worked six innings, striking out 11 Bruins while walking…

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Baseball | Stagg seeks more success in clutch

By Steve Millar Correspondent Facing a late five-run deficit, Stagg did not go quietly. The Chargers rallied for two seventh-inning runs and loaded the bases, putting the tying run at first. The comeback came up short, however, in a 5-2 loss to Lemont on April 8. “Fighting at the end against a good team is…

Marist's boys track team, here celebrating its sectional title in 2022, got its season underway after the offseason death of coach Jon Gordon. Photo courtesy of Marist High School

Area Sports Roundup | Marist runners get season underway after coach’s death

By Jeff Vorva Staff writer After one of the worst possible offseasons, Marist’s boys track team is trying to get down to business. In December, boys track and cross country coach Jon Gordon died, leaving the team in shock and sadness. The RedHawks were scheduled to open the outdoor season on April 1 at home…

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EPCHS Senior Earns Chick Evans Scholarship for Golf Caddies

Leo Cassidy, a senior at Evergreen Park Community High School, has been named a Chick Evans scholar. Cassidy is the second EPCHS Mustang to win the prestigious scholarship award for golf caddies this year and the fourth in the last three school years. “I’m so grateful,” said Cassidy, who will be headed to the University…

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Baseball | Justin Lang’s heroics lift Marist over H-F

By Steve Millar Correspondent Marist had let a late lead slip away and was down to its final three outs, but senior shortstop Justin Lang was not too worried. “I feel like we just didn’t lose our energy,” Lang said. “That was a big part of it. In the middle of the game, we started…

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Baseball | St. Laurence looks strong in early going

By Steve Millar Correspondent Luke Stulga is confident St. Laurence has a special team this season, but it’s about more than the talent highlighted by the many Division I recruits on the roster. “I think it’s the chemistry and relationships everyone has combined with the work ethic we have,” said Stulga, a senior outfielder. “Everyone…

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A Lyons Township High School student suffered severe injuries after a May 1 beating near this exit. (Photo by Steve Metsch)

LTHS beating victim remains hospitalized as details emerge

By Steve Metsch The Lyons Township High School student who suffered “major head trauma” in a fight outside the north campus three weeks ago remains hospitalized, a source said last week. The youth – whose name, age, town and year in school have not been released – was attacked by at least three other youths…

Paul Klimek shakes hands with Countryside Mayor Sean McDermott after he was sworn in as police chief during the May 24 city council meeting. (Photo by Steve Metsch)

Klimek promoted to police chief in Countryside

By Steve Metsch That didn’t take long. Just two weeks after he was named acting police chief, Paul Klimek was officially named police chief by a unanimous vote of the Countryside City Council on May 24. Klimek, 42, had been with the department since 2004 and replaces Joe Ford, who retired earlier this month after…

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau scowls while listening to an audio recording of an attacking robocall during the State of the Village address on May 24. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)

Despite attacks, Pekau says he will run again in 2025

By Jeff Vorva Usually, when mayors get up and give their yearly status reports of their communities, there is a lot of happy-happy-joy-joy talk. Even some of the negatives get glossed over with optimism for change. But when Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau held the 2023 version of the State of the Village address on…

The Palos Heights Beautification Committee hosted an Adopt-A-Pot flower planting day on May 20 in the parking lot of the Palos Heights Swimming Pool, 7607 W. College Drive. (Photos by Denise Hyker)

Adopt-A-Pot program brightens up Palos Heights

By Kelly White The Palos Heights Beautification Committee works hard to do just what its name entails, keep the city beautiful. To provide a spark of greenery and a pop of color outside of local businesses, parks and municipal buildings, the committee hosted an Adopt-A-Pot flower planting day on May 20 in the parking lot…

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau is in favor of building a new school on the Fernway Elementary School property in his town. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)

Despite concerns from Orland Hills mayor, Orland Park on board with new Fernway School

By Jeff Vorva Village of Orland Park officials are giving thumbs-up to a plan to build a new school on the property of existing Fernway Park Elementary School. Fernway is located at 16600 S. 88th Avenue and is a part of the Kirby School District 140 group of schools, but is the only one in…

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Chicago Ridge cancels RidgeFest over safety concerns

By Dermot Connolly RidgeFest has been canceled this year—and may never be the same again—mainly due to violent disturbances at recent large gatherings in Tinley Park and elsewhere. At the last regular Chicago Ridge Village Board meeting on May 16, trustees were moving full-speed ahead with preparations for RidgeFest 2023, approving contracts for the entertainment…

Two Worth offices wave from the roof of the Dunkin' Donuts at 6707 W. 111th St. (Photos by Kelly White)

Worth police hit the roof for Special Olympics Illinois

By Kelly White Worth’s Police Department takes pride in having close ties with the local community. For the 11th year, the department was happy to once again take part in Cop on a Rooftop to benefit Special Olympics Illinois. Police officers mingled with residents on Friday morning at Dunkin Donuts, 6707 W. 111th St.,…

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Oak Lawn is using technology to fight crime

By Joe Boyle While there has been a recent increase in crime, Oak Lawn officials want to assure residents that these incidents are being addressed. Village Manager Tom Phelan made it clear during an Oak Lawn Village Board meeting Tuesday morning that they are working in tandem with the police to solve the recent wave…

A Boy Scout places a wreath at the Eternal Flame Monument as other members of Boy Scouts Troop 668 and Cub Scouts Pack 3668 look on last Sunday during the Memorial Day Observance in Worth. (Photos by Joe Boyle)

Worth Memorial Day event recalls past conflicts, wars

By Joe Boyle Worth Mayor Mary Werner welcomed sunny skies on Sunday morning. However, Werner said she could not take credit for the 70-degree temperatures before the Memorial Day Observance at Veterans Memorial Park at the corner of 111th Street and Harlem Avenue. “We have had plenty of times where we had coats on,” Werner…

Albert and Rosemary Dostal are at odds with city of Countryside regarding nine acres of land they want to sell. (Photo by Steve Metsch)

Couple, Countryside at odds over land sale

By Steve Metsch Albert and Rosemary Dostal want to sell their empty land in Countryside. But they are finding that a difficult task. The couple, which lives in the 9500 block of 56th Street, owns nine wooded acres south of 57th Street and west of La Grange Road. It’s been in the family for 50…

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2 wounded in Bridgeview shooting

By Bob Bong Two men were wounded May 21 after two groups started arguing in the parking lot at Menards in Bridgeview. Police said the incident started at 8:05 p.m. with an argument between two groups in the parking lot at 9140 S. Harlem Ave. Police Chief Ricardo Mancha said police are trying to figure…

McCook Mayor Terrance Carr (left) and Trustee Robert Mandekich inspect failed components in the water system that had been causing numerous leaks. (Photo by Steve Metsch)

Water study finds 12 leaks in McCook system

By Steve Metsch A water study that McCook’s village board approved in March is paying dividends just two months later. Mayor Terrance Carr said that a dozen leaks have been found in the city’s water system, which had been losing 5 million gallons each month. “We found 12. We fixed all 12 of them. We…

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