Attacks on tax revenue concern Orland Park, Tinley Park

As state and Cook County officials ponder changes in where tax revenue comes from and where it goes, Tinley Park and Orland Park officials have talked about joining forces to combat any proposals that might saddle their own bottom lines.

There’s no question that plans …

Kindermusik to get chamber welcome

Briefly: Chamber welcome for Kindermusik, small-business counseling in Tinley.

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 …

CJB students honored

St. Rita High School recently awarded five eighth-graders at Cardinal Joseph Bernardin Catholic School in Orland Hills with the Mustang Award, which began in 1983 to recognize young men with future potential. Mustang Award winners are nominated by their school principal, then must complete an …

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.

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, …

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.

Hearing planned on mental health center closing

Although plans remain intact to close the Tinley Park Mental Health Center this summer, a bipartisan state commission plans to hold a hearing about the closing and its impact on mental health care in the region.

Quinn recently announced plans to close the center by …

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/.

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.

Rev. Wright to speak Sunday in Aurora

AURORA — In honor of Black History Month, St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church will host guest preacher the Rev. Jeremiah Wright for its Sunday service. Wright is the past senior preacher of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, the church attended by the …

Southland selections for a sweet Valentine’s Day

There are a number of Crowd Pleasers that one can check out to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a loved one or simply to have some fun while flying solo. Suggestions include dining, music and theater. 

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 …

Tinley Park eyes designer drug rules

Tinley Park officials are considering a proposed ordinance that would ban nearly 300 synthetic marijuana strands and stimulants from being sold in the village.

Kadner: ‘Amazing’ readers help agency help the needy

SouthtownStar readers responded with “amazing” support for Together We Cope after the social service agency’s food truck was disabled. As I reported last week, thieves stole two catalytic converters off the truck, apparently because they contain the precious metal platinum. Although Together We Cope had …

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.