Parents of murder victim can’t lock away their grief

When they hear dogs barking at night, Laura and Jesse Martinez, of Park Forest, catch themselves thinking that maybe their son has come home.

But Adam Martinez is never coming back. That’s why a 40-year prison sentence given last week to the man who murdered …

Boss’ firing results in charges

The head of a well-known funeral home company faces a misdemeanor charge for allegedly threatening the Rich Township High School District 227 Board president after she voted to fire his daughter-in-law. Spencer Leak Sr., 76, 9157 S. Constance Ave., Chicago, was charged Tuesday with disorderly …

They’re in the swim — for safety, and maybe a world record

The magic number was 24,874 — just one more person than last year — to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous swimming lesson in the world.

Swimmers came out for free lessons at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Matteson Community Center, …

Teen gets probation for fatal DUI crash

An Oak Forest teenager has pleaded guilty to being drunk when he hit and killed a 4-year-old girl in Tinley Park and has been ordered to serve two years on probation as well as community service. Deandre Wolfe was 17 when he was charged as …

Man accused of murdering son kills himself in jail cell

A man being held in the Cook County Jail on charges of murdering his son in 2012 hanged himself Sunday night while his cellmate watched the NBA Finals. Correctional officers found Enoch Hayslett unresponsive in his maximum-security division cell about 8:20 p.m. Sunday and attempted …

Oak Lawn police seek man in stabbing

Oak Lawn police are looking for a resident who stabbed another resident Monday night after a confrontation in an alley near 97th Street and Ridgeland Avenue, police said. The 35-year-old victim was riding his bicycle through the alley about 10 p.m. when he exchanged words …

Orland Park OKs new trash pickup pact

Orland Park residents would, at least initially, pay less for garbage pickup under a new contract with Waste Management that was approved Monday by village trustees. The frequency of recycling collection will increase to weekly from the current alternating weeks, and residents can pick from …

Former CC Hills police chief pleads guilty

Former Country Club Hills Police Chief Regina Evans pleaded guilty Monday to fraud and money laundering charges related to the misuse of a $1.25 million state grant to a non-profit organization she ran with her husband, Ronald Evans Jr. Evans, 50, appeared before U.S. District …

Kadner: County finds funds for inmate care

There’s great news from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. The county has opened a $90 million medical center for county jail inmates who are drug addicts. Stories about the new facility last week didn’t mention the closing of the county’s Oak Forest Hospital, 159th …

Joliet diocese and former priest facing sexual abuse lawsuit

A man who claims that a Joliet Diocese priest sexually assaulted him more than 36 times on various religious retreats during the 1970s has filed a lawsuit against the priest and the diocese. Former priest Lawrence Gibbs supervised the retreats at his cabin in Wonder …

Orland Park thrift store to close

Thrift store operator Savers Inc. said Monday that it will close its Spree resale shop in Orland Park on July 15. The store, 15052 LaGrange Road, opened in early 2011, and Savers said the store will have specials and discounts in advance of the closing. …

Businesses moving into, and within, New Lenox

A retail development under construction on U.S. 30 in New Lenox will feature six new businesses this fall.

The 13,000-square-foot building, at 511 E. U.S. 30, near Wal-Mart, will house a Jersey Mike’s Subs, Pizza Hut carry-out, Verizon Wireless, Bedding Experts, Great Clips and one …

Internal police inquiry finds suburban cop lied when asked about sex abuse case

An internal police inquiry into Justice police officer Carmen Scardine, accused in a federal lawsuit of forcing a woman to perform oral sex in his squad car, found that he broke department policy, abused his police powers, lied about the incident and may have violated the law, according to documents.

Accused cop has bad service record

The Justice police officer who’s being sued for allegedly forcing a Burbank woman to engage in oral sex with him last spring has a police record of repeated departmental violations and suspensions. Besides the 27-day suspension from the sexual assault alleged in the federal lawsuit, …

To ride brings pride: Kids with special needs learn to bike at New Lenox camp

On the fifth and final day of a camp at which students with special needs were taught how to ride a bicycle, June Calhoun wore her bright red T-shirt emblazoned with the letters “GAP” — “God Answers Prayers.”

After four days of I Can Bike …