Homer Glen, Orland Park police blotter

HOMER GLEN

DUI ARREST: Taylor Lode, 18, 15956 Oak Valley Trail, Homer Glen, was charged with drunken driving and improper lane use after a stop May 3 at 159th Street and Crystal Creek Drive, police said.

SUSPENDED LICENSE: Ramon Castillo-Sebillag, 23, 13728 Bell Road, Homer …

Lockport names valedictorian, salutatorians

The Lockport Township High School Class of 2013 will have three salutatorians, a situation believed to be a first in the 100-plus years of school history. Alyssa Brehm, Karolina Gogola and Kimberly Johnson have tied for salutatorian honors, each with a grade-point average of 4.763 …

Community Sports Calendar (Central) for May 19, 2013

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.

Work  to start on Meijer

Construction is expected to begin soon on a Meijer store at 143rd Street and Bell Road in Homer Glen. The 191,000-square-foot store is expected to be the largest Meijer store in the southwest suburbs when it opens in 2014, Mayor Jim Daley said. The store …

District 135 celebrates Arbor Day

The schools of Orland School District 135 were budding with pride in celebration of Arbor Day.

The village of Orland Park’s Recreation & Parks Department collaborated with the students and staff of eight district schools to plant elm trees at the schools and educate students …

St. Michael varsity cheerleading captures national championship

The varsity cheerleading team at St. Michael School in Orland Park captured the national championship at Jamfest Super Cheer Nationals in Indianapolis.

St. Michael had the highest score of any junior high team in all divisions.

Staff reports

Homer Glen, Orland Park police blotter

HOMER GLEN

VANDALISM: The rear side window of a Dodge van was broken April 25 in the 14000 block of Elizabeth Lane.

TRUCK BURGLARY: Cash was stolen April 28 after a large rock was used to smash the driver’s side window of a Ford F-250 …

Hinderman: May’s busy schedule leads us into summer

Welcome, May, a month that evokes visions of mums, moms, Mexico, memories and music — beginning with May Day and wrapping up with Memorial Day. The celebration of May Day historically was marked by a ritual in which small baskets are filled with flowers and …

Girl Scouts honor Moss’ dedication with badge

The Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana conducted a recognition luncheon at Georgios of Orland Park.

Robin Moss received the Thanks Badge II in honor of her more than 30 years of dedication to the Girl Scouts of Chicago, Illinois and United States. …

Monitoring muskies: Garage is fish operating room for a day

Her operating room was a cold garage in Orland Township, with a few boat motors hanging on the wall, and Dr. Jennifer Langan’s patients tended to thrash around before the anesthesia finally took hold. Working with the Cook County Forest Preserve District, the veterinarian from Brookfield Zoo was inserting radio transmitters into muskies on Friday.

159th Street merchants fighting higher median

While the state aggressively tries to acquire the land needed to widen 159th Street in Homer Glen, business owners along the two-lane road have been equally aggressive in fighting the plan. For the past few years, merchants have voiced concerns about the loss of their …

Family sues Orland firefighter charged in fatal crash

The family of a Downers Grove woman killed in a crash in March is suing the Orland Fire Protection District and Crestwood firefighter allegedly responsible for her death.

The suit was filed in Cook County Circuit Court by the mother of Anasis Knox. It claims …

Orland Township’s ‘Senior American Idol’ goal: Fund scholarships

Orland-area seniors become Idols for township’s scholarship fund

Orland Mall plans night out for moms

Orland Square Mall will host National Mom’s Nite Out 5 to 8 p.m. May 9 in the upper level near Carson’s. The event will showcase mom-friendly services and organizations, such as vendors for children’s party entertainment, nanny services, pediatricians, housekeeping services and after-school organizations, according …

St. Laurence High School students’ college sporting commitments

St. Laurence High School students Taylour Estes, Jim Litrenta and Kyle Dalton recently committed to play a sport in college.

Estes from Hickory Hills will play soccer at Carroll University.

Litrenta from Orland Park will play football at the University of South Dakota.

Dalton from …

Forum: Blessing murderers?

I wonder how many people caught President Barack Obama’s chilling words to Planned Parenthood when he exclaimed “God Bless you, Planned Parenthood,” while on a visit there April 25 in Washington, D.C.

He is the first president to publicly praise this organization, which is the …