Veto maintains Lockport water-rate hike

LOCKPORT — Mayor Dev Trivedi successfully defended water-rate increases that took effect in December, citing a need to pay for operations and infrastructure improvements. The city council majority tried to eliminate the increases, which had been approved by a previous council. However, Trivedi vetoed the …

Man charged with murder in Lynwood man’s death

A man was charged Thursday with killing a Lynwood man and kidnapping his wife in November.

Calvin Griffin was charged with murder in the slaying of 56-year-old Eugene White Jr., who was found shot to death in his home the morning of Nov. 28 after …

Susan G. Komen drops plans to stop Planned Parenthood grants

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast-cancer charity on Friday abandoned plans to eliminate grants to Planned Parenthood. “We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women’s lives,” a Komen statement said.

SD 227 hosts party for Super Bowl

For the second straight year, Rich Township High School District 227 on Sunday will host a party for the Super Bowl.

And for the second straight year, it won’t cost party-goers a penny.

Admission, food and beverages are free, thanks to donations from local businesses. …

No injuries in Hickory Hills apartment fire

A neighbor woke up a man and helped him and two dogs escape an apartment fire Thursday morning in Hickory Hills.

Matteson woman dies on her 110th birthday

The celebration for Jane Ising’s 110th birthday was all set.

Her son and his wife were coming from Homewood to the Applewood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Matteson, where monthly parties are held for residents turning another year older.

Ising, at 110 becoming a “super-centenarian” …

Kadner: If voters get what they want, they may not want it

Most people want lower taxes. They want new businesses that will provide jobs. And from the number of telephone calls and emails I’ve received over the past few years, I would say the majority of Americans want illegal aliens deported. That’s why I find the …

Joliet bishop calls for protest of birth-control requirement

JOLIET — Catholics throughout the Diocese of Joliet will hear from Bishop Daniel Conlon this weekend on an Obama administration mandate that would force the church to provide free coverage of birth control in employee health benefits. A letter from the bishop, who calls the …

Palos firehouse a finalist in kitchen makeover contest

Marianne DeHaan made a distress call to Ikea last month to rescue the kitchen at the Palos Park firehouse where she’s worked for 10 years.

“The kitchen is currently on advanced life support and the firefighters/paramedics are performing CPR (Cabinet Partial Removal) when necessary,” DeHaan …

New Tinley Park Metra station opens March 22

The new 80th Avenue Metra train station in Tinley Park will open March 22, the village said Thursday in a news release.

Village and Metra representatives will be on hand to distribute refreshments and information to commuters, the release said.

Plans called for a 5,400-square-foot station that …

Susan G. Komen charity ends funding for Planned Parenthood

The nation’s leading breast-cancer charity, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, is halting its partnerships with Planned Parenthood affiliates — creating a bitter rift, linked to the abortion debate, between two iconic organizations that have assisted millions of women.

Obama says his policies are extension of his faith

WASHINGTON (AP) — Blending politics and religion, President Barack Obama said his Christian faith is a driving force behind his economic policies, from Wall Street reform to his calls for the wealthy to pay higher taxes.

Obama’s remarks Thursday at the National Prayer Breakfast were …

August trial date for alleged family killer Christopher Vaughn

The trial of accused family killer Christopher Vaughn could begin late this summer and last nearly two months.

Wealthy Florida man adopts girlfriend in legal battle

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A wealthy Florida polo club founder has adopted his adult girlfriend as part of a legal battle stemming from a fatal 2010 car crash.

Court records show International Polo Club Palm Beach founder John Goodman legally adopted 42-year-old Heather …