Bail set, charges upgraded vs. driver in fatal crash

Bail was set Wednesday at $400,000 for a Blue Island man charged with drunken driving in a chain-reaction crash Monday that killed a Riverdale man. Walter Thompson, 30, tried to run away from the crash scene after the 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe he was driving …

BACinema to screen charming drama delight ‘Le Havre’

“Le Havre” is a warmhearted portrait of the French harbor city that gives the film its name.

Fate throws young African refugee Idrissa (Blondin Miguel) into the path of Marcel Marx (Andre Wilms), a well-spoken bohemian who works as a shoeshiner.

With innate optimism and …

What’s Going On for Feb. 23, 2012

Here’s a look at What’s Going On in the Southland including in Chicago, Oak Lawn, Oak Forest and Chicago Heights.

Carpe Weekend: Forward to the past

For some, the term “factory condition” just doesn’t cut it.

A lot of folks aren’t content with the way their cars look the day they roll off the assembly line.

So these people spend thousands of dollars on turbocharged engines, tinted windows and spoilers larger …

Casting Call for Feb. 24, 2012

Here is a look at open auditions in the Southland and beyond. Casting calls include “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” at the Beverly Arts Center in Chicago and Palos Village Players’ auditions for “Cocktails with Mimi” in Orland Park.

Second City tour stops at Beverly Arts Center

The Second City Touring Company will perform classic sketches, songs and improvisations from Second City’s 52-year history as well as new material in the “Laugh Out Loud” show at 8 p.m. Feb. 24 and 25 at the Beverly Arts Center, 2407 W. 111th St., Chicago. …

Blue Island man charged with DUI in fatal crash with bus, beer truck

A Blue Island man allegedly was intoxicated when he caused a chain-reaction crash that fatally pinned a worker unloading a beer truck against a CTA bus Monday afternoon on Chicago’s South Side.

Walter Thompson, 30, of the 12900 block of Page Court, was charged with …

Orland Township switches law firms

Orland Township has new attorneys. The township board voted Tuesday night to hire a Berwyn law firm, Del Galdo Law Group, as its attorneys, replacing Odelson & Sterk, an Evergreen Park firm that represents many municipal clients in the Southland. No representatives from Odelson & …

Kadner: Is neighborhood parade too much for Chicago?

One of the greatest cities in the world fears it can’t control a neighborhood parade. That’s what all the handwringing amounts to about the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Launched by a few folks from the Beverly community, the parade blossomed through word …

D-231 holds Students in Leadership meeting

The Evergreen Park Community High School District 231 Board of Education recently held the Students in Leadership board meeting at Evergreen Park Community High School. Students, who are paired with board members and administrators, participated in a leadership experience by conducting a board meeting. Prior …

Kadner: Chicago pols expand grip over fate of Southland

Chicago Democrats are poised to extend their control over Southland state legislative seats in unprecedented fashion this year. Typical of the makeover created by House Speaker Michael Madigan’s remap is the Democratic primary election for the 35th House District seat. “The Democratic Party picked the …

Around Town (North) for Feb. 19, 2012

Here is a look at upcoming events in the SouthtownStar’s North region, which includes Alsip, Chicago Ridge, Evergreen Park, Hometown, Oak Lawn, Palos Heights, Palos Park, Palos Hills, and Worth.

Begorra, South Side Irish Parade a go

The infighting that might’ve killed efforts to restart the South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade appears to be over, after parade organizers and city officials agreed Friday on a security plan to deter rowdy, drunken behavior. “Everything was positive,” said James “Skinny” Sheahan, a …

Property Transfers for Feb. 19, 2012

Property transfers for Cook and Will counties. Curious about more home sales in your neighborhood? For more Chicago area transactions, see “recent sales” at www.searchchicago.suntimes.com/homes/.

The Plaza poised for rebirth

Evergreen Park’s enclosed mall, The Plaza, would be redeveloped under plans offered by prospective buyer.

Kadner: Citizen watchdog training by BGA at St. Xavier

This is a column about free stuff.

Not only is this “stuff” free, it’s the sort of “stuff” you can use to make the lives of politicians and corrupt government bureaucrats miserable.

On Thursday, the Better Government Association will co-sponsor a Citizen Watchdog Training session …