Dart: Cuts lead to more mentally ill being jailed

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is concerned the county jail is fast becoming a repository for the mentally ill.

About 2,000 of the 10,000 detainees at Cook County Jail, 26th Street and California Avenue in Chicago, have mental health problems, Dart said Thursday night during …

Vickroy: Good spouse helps you get to heaven

As another Valentine’s Day approaches, let’s take a moment to remind ourselves that as nice as candy, flowers and dinner reservations may be, true love does not require any of that. In fact, sometimes it’s expressed through sutures, intravenous lines and long, long hours. “It’s …

Something fishy going on at Cook County Sheriff’s boot camp

Coming soon to a restaurant possibly near you: Fish from the Cook County Sheriff’s Boot Camp.

Sheriff Tom Dart revealed plans Thursday night that will have inmates raising tilapia.

The plan is to sell the fish to local restaurants, much like vegetables grown in Cook …

Ahern: Ron Englund, the Southside Santa

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it might seem a little out of place to talk about Santa Claus. Oh sure, it would be great to talk to Santa at Christmas, but is a Christmas time conversation with Santa a reasonable expectation? No. Besides, …

Around Town (North) for Feb. 12, 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.

EPCHS students take part in Lemont Invitational

Students at Evergreen Park Community High School recently attended the Future Business Leaders of America Northern Area Leadership Conference, a professional association for students pursuing business careers. Students competed against nine schools from the Northern Illinois Area. Eight Evergreen Park High School students placed. Third-place …

Community Sports Calendar (North) for Feb. 12, 2012

Here is a look at sporting 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.

McAuley unveils new chemistry lab plans

Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School recently announced plans for construction of new state-of-the-art chemistry labs. Construction of the new labs is expected to begin in March, with a completion date of August, in advance of the start of the 2012-13 academic year. The two-story …

Property Transfers for Feb. 12, 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/.

Evergreen Park Flake Fest is Saturday

Evergreen Park hosts Mayor Sexton’s Annual Family Flake Fest on Saturday at Yukich Field, 89th Street and Kedzie Avenue. The village’s annual salute to winter will include a youth speed-skating competition for children in the first through eighth grades at the covered ice rink. Registration …

Campus (North) for Feb. 12, 2012

Here is a look at what Southlanders from the SouthtownStar’s North region are accomplishing. News includes Evergreen Park, Palos Hills, Alsip, Oak Lawn, Worth, Palos Heights and Palos Park.

Transitional Suites open in Evergreen Park

Briefly: Transitional Suites open in Evergreen Park, Orland ad agency names partners.

One injured when train strikes vehicle on South Side

One person was injured and some Metra commuters delayed after a train struck a vehicle Thursday evening in Chicago’s Morgan Park community.

Outbound Metra Rock Island Line Train No. 409, scheduled to arrive in Joliet at 5:24 p.m., was delayed for about 25 minutes after …

Q-and-A with Zack Swanson, Mount Carmel hockey

Zack Swanson, a senior with Mount Carmel hockey, honed his goalie skills as a member of the St. Jude Knights youth organization. The Tinley Park resident will try to help the Caravan upend favored St. Viator in the quarterfinals of the Kennedy Cup playoffs.

Casting Call for Feb. 10, 2012

Here is a look at open auditions in the Southland and beyond. Casting calls include Apostle Christian Theatre’s “The Death and Life of Everyman,” Curtain Call Theatre’s “You Can’t Take it With You,” Beverly Theatre Guild’s “Little Women, The Musical,” the Drama Group’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” and Theater on the Move’s “Annie.”

Dart to speak at SXU

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart will speak at St. Xavier University at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. In his speech entitled “Justice: Through the Eyes of the Sheriff,” Dart will discuss his job and how his experiences have shaped his view of justice in society. Dart will …