Decision looms on Mokena SD 159’s Early Start Program

Mokena School District 159 will have to make a decision about whether to continue its Early Start Program for at-risk preschoolers “sooner rather than later,” a school official said.

The district no longer qualifies for state funding for the program it launched in 1997, Assistant …

SD 210 adjusts summer school, ‘zero hour’ fees

In an effort to boost revenue and enrollment, the Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 board raised the cost of summer school tuition and reduced the cost of “zero hour” classes.

Fees for both now will be the same — $350 for a full-credit class, …

Frankfort teen likes role of leading man

Marquis Robertson is a leader who does more than lead. He aspires to help others succeed as he has, by setting an example for them. It shouldn’t be surprising that Robertson, 17, a junior at Lincoln-Way North High School, is involved in a number of …

L-Way students raise cash for cancer research

Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 students are making a difference in the lives of Will County families stricken with cancer. Students from all four Lincoln-Way schools — Lincoln-Way Central, Lincoln-Way East, Lincoln-Way North and Lincoln-Way West — recently raised $13,779.26 for the Leukemia & …

Around Town (Central) for Feb. 12, 2012

Here is a look at events in the SouthtownStar’s Central region, which includes Crestwood, Frankfort, Manhattan, Midlothian, Mokena, New Lenox, Oak Forest, Orland Hills, Orland Park, Homer Glen, Lockport, Lemont and Tinley Park.

L-Way North poms squad  qualifies for state meet

The Lincoln-Way North High School Varsity Phoenix Firebirds poms squad is headed to state after capturing first place at the Wheaton-Warrenville South competition. The 17-member squad delivered a high-powered, crowd-pleasing poms routine with a “Wizard of Oz” theme. “As a squad, we did not know …

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

Here is a look at sporting events in the SouthtownStar’s Central region, which includes Crestwood, Frankfort, Homer Glen, Manhattan, Midlothian, Mokena, New Lenox, Oak Forest, Orland Hills, Orland Park, and Tinley Park.

Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra presents ‘No Place Like Home’

Reputation and location. Those have proven to be the strengths of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra in its search for a new director. The IPO will perform its sixth concert under a guest conductor on Feb. 11-12 as Markand Thakar takes the baton for a diverse …

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/.

Summit Hill 161 hopes to reduce teacher raises

Summit Hill School District 161 board members hope teachers will consider a reduction in next year’s scheduled pay hike.

Teachers are in line for a 5 percent raise in Year 4 of their five-year deal. The issue was raised during a recent school board work …

Voters may be key to airport unity

The issue of who controls the South Suburban Airport near Peotone is back in the news, fueled by tough talk from Will County Board Chairman James Moustis that county officials are done playing nice. It appears that the political unity necessary for this 20-year-old idea …

Will County Board member Frank Stewart dead at 66

Will County Board member Frank Stewart of Joliet was found dead in his home Thursday morning, county officials said.

Faces of Faith: The Rev. David Peters

Meet the Rev. David Peters, senior pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Tinley Park. He lives in Frankfort.

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.”

Carpe Weekend: The great divide on Valentine’s Day

Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is here again.

Even if that doesn’t fill you with unbridled excitement, it should at least make you stop and think for a moment.

What other day of the year is so effective at celebrating one group of …

What’s Going On for Feb. 9, 2012

Here’s a look at What’s Going On in the Southland including in Oak Lawn, Burbank, University Park and Frankfort.