Fishing club nets huge catch  of toys, gift cards for charity 

Fish Tales Fishing Club in Oak Forest recently netted 119 toys, $195 in gift cards and $235 in cash to benefit the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation, a nonprofit group in Orland Park that provides toys, gifts and gift certificates to children and teens fighting …

Oak Forest firm picked for Internet project

Briefly: Oak Forest firm tabbed for Internet project, Orland chamber holding after-hours event.

Faces of Faith: The Rev. Joseph Noonan

Meet the Rev. Joseph Noonan, pastor of St. Damian Catholic Church in Oak Forest.

‘Noises Off’ is McMahon’s Drama Group directorial debut

If Tyler McMahon isn’t the busiest person in Chicago-area community theater, he has to be close to it.

McMahon is a multitalented stage veteran at the ripe old age of 26.

Besides working at the family business and going to Kankakee Community College, he is …

Around Town (Central) for Feb. 5, 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, and Tinley Park.

Carpe Weekend: Bearing the Super Bowl without the Chicago Bears

It’s really hard for me to care one way or another how Super Bowl XLVI turns out because I couldn’t care less about either team. But put the Chicago Bears into the equation, and I’ll be foaming at the mouth with everyone else.

Community Sports Calendar (Central) for Feb. 5, 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.

Unsolved Lane Bryant murders: ‘It sticks in your craw’

A mayor, a policeman and a poet. Three men with different backgrounds share common thoughts about the darkest day in Tinley Park’s history, four years ago Thursday.

Like many in the Southland, Tinley Park Mayor Ed Zabrocki, Tinley Park Police Cmdr. Pat McCain and poet …

Property Transfers for Feb. 5, 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/.

Midlothian, Oak Forest police blotter

MIDLOTHIAN

RETAIL THEFT: Kelvin B. Seawright, 52, of Robbins, was charged with retail theft and possession of drug paraphernalia Jan. 17 after he stole merchandise at CVS, 14701 Pulaski Road, police said.

CAR BURGLARY: A diamond engagement ring, a GPS system, an iPod and $600 …

Q-and-A with Ken Payonk, Sandburg basketball

Ken Payonk, a 6-foot-7 senior forward with Sandburg basketball, is averaging 7.3 rebounds per game. The Oak Forest resident is a graduate of Tinley Central Middle School and also is a member of Sandburg’s boys volleyball team.

Kadner: Food pantry truck robbed to obtain precious metals

Precious-metal thieves apparently vandalized a truck used to pick up food for hundreds of needy families in the Southland. Thieves over the weekend cut two catalytic converters off a truck owned by Together We Cope as it was parked behind the organization’s headquarters, 17010 Oak …

Campus for Feb. 2, 2012

Here is a look at what some Southland students are accomplishing in college, including news from Orland Park, Frankfort, Homer Glen, Oak Forest and Bridgeview.

Five escape watery ditch after rollover accident

Five people escaped a vehicle Sunday after a rollover wreck left them in a watery ditch on the side of the road outside Posen. The single-car crash happened about 5:15 a.m. on Interstate 57 near mile marker 349, Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Timothy Tippet …

Your Pets for Feb. 2, 2012

We want your pet photos. Whether it’s you with your dog, cat, bird, fish or lizard, please email a jpeg photo with your name, your pet’s name and hometown to Jason Freeman at jfreeman@southtownstar.com .

Oak Forest council’s Sunday meeting a rarity — and likely a marathon

Oak Forest aldermen could be hunkering down for a marathon meeting Sunday as they tackle city’s capital improvement needs.