southtownstar.suntimes.com

Rich South football players sign letters of intent

Wed, 15 May 2013 06:08:00 -0500

Five Rich South High School football players recently signed letters of intent to play in college. Howard Burrage signed with Trinity International University. Damilola Arolowaju signed with Truman State University. Jaylen Zachery signed with the University of Central Missouri. Brendon Zachery signed with Lakeland College. Roy Hickman signed with the University of Central Missouri. Staff reports …

Shnay: Panel has grim news on homeless problem in Southland

Sun, 19 May 2013 02:34:12 -0500

The joke goes something like this. A doctor runs up to a man who was struck by a passing auto. “Are you comfortable?” he asks. The man replies, “I make a living.” It’s a tired old gag, but to the homeless in the Southland the word “comfortable” has no meaning, and a chance to “make a living” is often a distant dream. We recently sat in on a panel of experts talking about the problem of homelessness in the Southland. You probably read about the discussion in Sarah Zylstra’s excellent story in the SouthtownStar. On hand were Dawn Thrasher, of …

Community Sports Calendar (East) for May 19, 2013

Sun, 19 May 2013 02:36:41 -0500

Here is a look at sporting events in the SouthtownStar’s East region, which includes Beecher, Chicago Heights, Country Club Hills, Crete, Flossmoor, Glenwood, Homewood, Matteson, Monee, Olympia Fields, Park Forest, Richton Park, Steger, and University Park.

Park Forest police blotter

Wed, 15 May 2013 21:00:00 -0500

PARK FOREST WALLET STOLEN: A wallet was stolen May 4 from a stroller at Central Park, 420 Lakewood Blvd. CAR THEFT: A 2012 Dodge Challenger, a rental car, was stolen May 5 from a driveway in the 500 block of Blair Street. CAR THEFT: A 2006 Pontiac was stolen May 6 or 7 in the 300 block of Winona Street. SHOT FIRED: Residents reported a gunshot fired May 7 in the rear of a residence in the 100 block of Washington Street, but no one was injured. On May 6, police responded to a disturbance at the same residence involving …

Vickroy: Gardens are proof that life goes on

Thu, 16 May 2013 11:49:22 -0500

“God gave us memories that we may have roses in December.” J. M. Barrie Since the beginning of time, man has sought comfort in tilling the earth. Gardens provide sustenance, joy and, increasingly, solace in times of grief. Flowers, trees and other plants are reminders that life does indeed go on. About six years ago, the Rev. Rod Reinhart began planting a memory garden on the south side of St. Joseph and St. Aidan Episcopal Church in Blue Island. He started with a couple of rose bushes and dedicated them to local people who had been killed either while serving …

Rich South student qualifies for business leadership conference

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:34:26 -0500

Rich South student qualifies for business leadership conference

Academics (East) for May 12, 2013

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:33:31 -0500

Here is a look at what Southlanders from the SouthtownStar’s East region are accomplishing in school. News includes Lansing, South Holland, Country Club Hills, Homewood, Flossmoor, Park Forest, Crete, Olympia Fields, Harvey, Dolton, Calumet City, Chicago Heights and Richton Park.

Richton Park focus turns to building safety

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:34:17 -0500

Richton Park’s community development department is celebrating Building Safety Month throughout May to help raise awareness about the topic. This year’s theme is “Building Safety Month: Code Officials Keep You Safe.” A specific area involving building safety is being spotlighted each week. Fire and safety awareness was May 6 to 12, disaster safety and mitigation is May 13 to 19, backyard and pool safety is May 20 to 26, and energy and green building from May 27 to 31. “When our building safety and fire prevention experts inspect buildings during and after construction, they help to ensure that the places …

Fair in Park Forest caters to seniors

Sun, 12 May 2013 02:34:08 -0500

South suburban senior center hosts fair for seniors

Matteson, Park Forest police blotter

Thu, 09 May 2013 21:44:00 -0500

MATTESON TRESPASSING: John Williams, 45, 60 Apache St., Park Forest, was charged with criminal trespass after refusing to leave May 3 at Taco Bell, 4167 W. U.S. 30, police said. DUI ARREST: Alfonta Howard, 32, of Bellwood, Ill., was charged with drunken driving after driving over a grass divider May 3 in the parking lot of McDonald’s, U.S. 30 and Governor’s Highway, police said. RETAIL THEFT: Kathleen Morrar, 56, 3940 W. 134th Place, Crestwood, was charged with retail theft after stealing $160 in pharmaceuticals May 3 from Wal-Mart, 21410 Cicero Ave., police said. CAR BURGLARY: A gift-wrapped snow cone maker …

Vickroy: It’s no fib: You can grow figs in this climate

Wed, 08 May 2013 10:12:22 -0500

Long before humans cultivated wheat, barley or legumes, they grew fig trees. Some even suggest that figs were grown a thousand years before wheat and rye were domesticated. “For 98 percent of the time humans have been alive, it has been a starvation existence,” said William Pakosz, a Matteson dentist and lover of natural history. “It wasn’t until recent times that food has been plentiful for so many.” Back during much of those early hungry years, the fig tree was a symbol of survival. Its early spring blossom, called the breba, often was the first crop to be harvested. It …

Shnay: Rebuilt wetlands deck tribute to Park Forest community spirit

Sun, 05 May 2013 02:32:06 -0500

It’s not difficult to make lemonade out of lemons. All you need is lots of sugar. When Park Forest opened the rebuilt observation platform last week at the Central Park Wetlands, there was talk of how the deck burned to the ground last year and of how Park Forest residents, a civic group and various commissions came together to replace it. Village manager Tom Mick reminded onlookers about lemons and lemonade and how sugar — in this case, lots of sweet donations of money by Park Foresters — helped restore the structure. Longtime village residents George and Connie Manno poured …

Rich South AP classes may lead to college credit

Sun, 05 May 2013 02:31:36 -0500

Rich South hosts student/parent introduction to honors classes

Thorn Creek benefit May 11

Sun, 05 May 2013 02:31:46 -0500

Thorn Creek Nature Center welcomes spring with outdoor programs

Forum: Blessing murderers?

Sun, 05 May 2013 02:15:53 -0500

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 biggest abortion provider in the U.S. and that runs off taxpayer money and rakes in profits. Obama’s words the week before at the April 18 Boston Prayer Service seemed much more incongruent when he said, “In the face of those who would visit death upon innocents, we will choose to save and to comfort and …

Kadner: Two brave women await a gift of life

Fri, 03 May 2013 07:58:50 -0500

Two south suburban women from very different backgrounds are in desperate need of someone to save their lives. Friends are holding a fundraiser for 19-year-old Josie Nordman, of Homewood, on May 11. The spunky girl who ought to have a bright future needs a double lung transplant. Only a few miles away in Richton Park, Pamela Carpenter, 58, claims to be No. 1 on the lung transplant waiting list at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Their backgrounds are as different as the origins of their ailments. Josie has cystic fibrosis. Pamela has “what they call pulmonary fibrosis, although they …