Orland Park police blotter

ORLAND PARK

POT POSSESSION: Gayle Mathis, 23, 9104 S. Ada St., and Delanio Welch, 37, 7541 S. Winchester, both of Chicago, were charged with possession of marijuana and having expired registration after an April 15 stop on 159th Street, police said.

RETAIL THEFT: Sarah Bradley, …

Hinderman: Suggestions on how to avoid the summertime blahs

Our unseasonably cool and wet spring has finally made way for nice weather. Some graduations have been held, others are coming soon. The imminent end of the school year means that parents will soon face the annual challenge of trying to delay their kids’ cries …

Stagg teachers win District 230 School Spirit Showdown

Stagg High School took home the title at the 3rd Annual District 230 School Spirit Showdown recently. Teachers from Sandburg, Stagg and Andrew High Schools took each other on in a floor hockey tournament in the Eagle Gym at Sandburg High School. In 2012, Sandburg …

Memorial Day weekend kicks off summer in Orland Park

The calendar may not agree, but summer unofficially has arrived in Orland Park. The opening of the village’s Centennial Park Aquatic Center was scheduled for Saturday. Centennial Pool, 15600 West Ave., includes a lazy river, body slides, tube slides, a zero-depth pool with a kiddie-play-and-spray …

Orland Park Area Chamber of seeks golfers, sponsors

The 2013 Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce golf outing will take place on June 20 at Silver Lake Country Club.

The chamber is looking for golfers and sponsors for the event.

Information or a registration form: orlandparkchamber.org, (708) 349-2972.

Staff reports

Orland Park Area Chamber ceremony for Pro Sports Performance

Pro Sports Performance owners Steve Purvin, John Binkowski and Scott Hejna and the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce were part of the fitness facility’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for its grand opening.

The business is at 10649 W. 163rd Place, Orland Park.

The chamber performs ribbon-cutting …

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.

Vickroy: Guiding knight: Lab gets woman where she needs to go

Up concrete stairs, around giant flowerpots and through throngs of bustling commuters, Kathy Austin makes her way to work each morning. Though she is virtually blind, only able to distinguish contrasts of light and dark, she makes getting from her home in the leafy suburb …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Emergency! Orland Park Scouts practice being prepared

Orland Park Boy Scout troop holds surprise mock emergency training.

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. …

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 …