Tuesday, May 14, 2013
It's Police Week in the United States; in that spirit, we asked our local readers in western Cook County what they appreciate most about their local force.
Did you know that this week—May 13-20—is officially Police Week in the United States? According to PoliceWeek.org: In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. In the spirit of the week, we reached out to our west Cook County readers on Facebook and asked what they appreciate most about their local police departments. Here’s some of what readers shared with us: Dorothy Cole Domrzalski: “Many years ago, whenever …
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Motions for both an appeal and a new trial have been filed on behalf of Shelly Halligan, who was convicted of first-degree murder earlier in February.
The sentencing for 54-year-old Sherry Halligan, the former La Grange woman convicted of first-degree murder in the 2003 shooting death of Dennis Campbell in the Village, has been delayed due to requests from two attorneys representing her, The Doings La Grange reports. According to the paper, an attorney from Halligan's original defense has filed for a new trial, while a new attorney has filed for an appeal, both asking to review transcripts of her trial in January and February; the sentencing has been rescheduled for April 16. Halligan initially confessed to the shooting before disappearing in April 2004. She was recaptured in 2010 and convicted on Feb. 1, nearly a decade to the day after the original shooting. Read the full story at the …
The reverend at Second Baptist Church denies the charges but told police he raped the child's mother when she was 10 years old, said prosecutors.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Architect and painter Bartek Szymanski is seeking to beautify empty storefronts in the La Grange-area pedestrian-friendly locations by filling them with donated artwork.
Walking through downtown La Grange a little while back, Village resident Bartek Szymanski decided that any empty storefronts would look a lot better with some nifty art instead of hollow windows. They might even be more appealing to buyers. Conveniently, Szymanski is an artist himself, a painter who balances his architect job with doing watercolor commissions, many of local homes. He has paintings on the wall in local businesses like The Barker Shop and the Western Springs Starbucks. And he's hoping to expand into displays in vacant real estate. “I started thinking about what type of art could possibly be displayed in there to just make it more—colorful, was my thought at the time,” Szymanski said. “Really what I am trying to do is… make …
Sunday, February 24, 2013
The reverend at Second Baptist Church denies the charges but told police he raped the child's mother when she was 10 years old, said prosecutors.
The pastor of the Second Baptist Church of La Grange who is charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, accused of illegal sexual contact with a 9-year-old female relative, is being held on $750,000 bail. Prosecutors allege that two assaults took place on the weekend of Feb. 15-17 at Rev. Donald R. Jung's La Grange home on the 100 block of East Avenue, reports Sun-Times Media. The girl victim contacted her sister between the assaults, but they were unable to reach their mother, the outlet quotes prosecutors as saying. Prosecutors believe Jung was hosting three females over the weekend, whom he had picked up from Milwaukee on Feb. 15, the Chicago Tribune reports. Multiple outlets are reporting that while prosecutors say Jung …
Thursday, February 21, 2013
The schematic removes the two western softball fields in favor of a dedicated football/socer field, a play area, a splash pad, a skateboarding area and a performance shell.
The Park District of La Grange has released a site plan for the redevelopment of Gordon Park, as seen above, including the replacement of the two western softball fields with several new features. Most prominently, the western half of the park would gain a dedicated football/soccer field, a new shelter and a play complex with a playground, splash pad, butterfly area, skateboarding area and performance area. To create the space, two western softball fields, the two outdoor basketball courts and two of the park's northwest tennis courts would be sacrifced. Much of the current softball-field lighting would remain. To the east side of the park, the plan would also add 28 parking spaces along Hazel Avenue. Long in development and bargaining, …
A storm is headed towards La Grange and Western Springs. Check out its progress towards us with our interactive weather map.
As you likely know by now, the heaviest snow of the year so far is on the way for the La Grange and Western Springs area, starting on Thursday night. Patch has The Weather Channel's app for following the storm, including radar animations of the progress. As of writing, shortly before 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, there is no estimated time when the white stuff will hit the Lyons Township area, but we think it looks like about 9:00 p.m. Keep checking back, and be safe! Get news alerts and Facebook updates from these Patch sites:
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Considering we haven't had much snow at all, any amount could seem "big."
UPDATED Wednesday, 3:15 p.m.: The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory in Cook Count from 9 p.m. Thursday to 6 p.m. Friday. Snow is expected to develop Thursday evening and continue into Friday, the NWS said Wednesday afternoon. The snow may mix with light freezing drizzle or rain Friday morning, making for slick travel. Storm total snowfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches are expected, with ice accumulation of less than one-tenth of an inch. ORIGINAL STORY: The Chicago area could see its "biggest snow of the year" Thursday into Friday morning, according to Accuweather.com. So far, we've received little more than a dusting, so is the "biggest snow of the year" going to be something on which we can sled? The storm has the…
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
CNN Money reported Monday the average price for a gallon of gasoline in America is $3.73. Gas prices are 26 to 66 cents higher in the La Grange/Western Springs area.
Most motorists have noticed the price of gasoline has risen dramatically over the past month. CNN Money reported Monday that the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in America has increased more than 13 percent over the past 32 days, to $3.73. As of Tuesday morning, gas prices in the La Grange/Western Springs area ranged from $3.99 at the SuperSonic in Countryside at La Grange Road and 53rd Street, to $4.39 at Mobil in Western Springs at 5500 Wolf Road and 55th Street, according to GasBuddy.com. CNN Money is crediting the price increase to a combination of factors, including rising crude oil prices, production cuts and refinery closings. The Chicago Tribune reported last week a number of refinery issues in the area have …
The Congressman (D-3rd District-Western Springs) said he supports universal background checks, restricting magazine sizes and making trafficking a federal crime.
The following is a press release from an currently unnamed local group of mothers, approved by the office of Congressman Lipinski. Twelve citizens of Western Springs and La Grange, all mothers of young children, met with Congressman Dan Lipinski on Friday, Feb. 8. They expressed their concern about gun violence and urged the congressman to support gun violence prevention measures including restricting assault-style weapons and high-capacity magazines, requiring universal background checks for all gun purchases and making gun trafficking a federal crime. The group also gave Rep. Lipinski petitions with more than 125 signatures of his constituents asking him to support President Obama’s proposals to reduce gun violence. Western Springs …
Ali
11:18 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Great theory to help for our downtown. I tried this same idea, but highlighting merchandise from other local stores in La Grange, rather than artwork. Very effective to draw attention to items and cozy up the empty windows, but time consuming. Cheers to your cause. good luck. ~Ali B. Hyde interior design~ more ›