southtownstar.suntimes.com

Kadner: Presta has big plans for Crestwood

Sun, 05 May 2013 02:16:58 -0500

Despite what anyone may have heard or read in the newspapers, new Mayor Lou Presta wants people to know the future of Crestwood is bright. “We’re close to finalizing a deal with the MWRD (Metropolitan Water Reclamation District) for all the land along Route 83 (adjacent to the Calumet Sag Channel) from one end to the other, 40 acres on one side and about 18 acres on the other side, that will become fully developed,” Presta said. “That will generate a lot of sales tax revenue for the village.” He said a Culver’s Restaurant will soon be built on land …

Cook County’s mobile animal clinic ready to roll

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:35:11 -0500

The Cook County Department of Animal Control will kick off the Annual Rabies Vaccine and Microchip Mobile Clinic summer schedule from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. June 4, at the Country Square Plaza parking lot, 5505 W. 127th St., Crestwood. “Each year, this event gets bigger and more pets are served,” Cook County Commissioner Joan Murphy (D-Crestwood) said. “Families are struggling and this is a positive way the county can help residents save money and receive proper care for their animals.” The mobile animal clinic is for Cook County residents only. Pet owners must present a valid driver’s license or …

Academics (Central) for May 29, 2013

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:22:16 -0500

Here is a look at what Southlanders from the SouthtownStar’s Central region are accomplishing in school. News includes New Lenox, Midlothian, Lemont, Tinley Park, Orland Park, Mokena, Homer Glen and Lockport.

Midlothian, Oak Forest police blotter

Thu, 16 May 2013 20:52:01 -0500

MIDLOTHIAN BIKE THEFT: A bicycle was stolen May 2 in the 14800 block of Pulaski Road. CAR BURGLARY: A cellphone was stolen May 4 from a car parked in the lot of Durbin’s, 14757 Cicero Ave. SUSPENDED LICENSE: Miguel Perez-Aponte, 24, 14506 Spalding Ave., Midlothian, was charged with driving on a suspended license May 5 after a stop at 145th Street and Kedzie Avenue, police said. REVOKED LICENSE: Mark Vanwormer, 52, 14612 Clifton Park Ave., Midlothian, was charged with driving on a revoked license, no insurance and speeding after a stop May 5 in the 14600 block of Clifton Park …

Community Sports Calendar (Central) for May 26, 2013

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:36:47 -0500

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.

Family sues Orland firefighter charged in fatal crash

Sun, 05 May 2013 02:19:16 -0500

The family of a Downers Grove woman killed in a crash in March is suing the Orland Fire Protection District and Crestwood firefighter allegedly responsible for her death. The suit was filed in Cook County Circuit Court by the mother of Anasis Knox. It claims Patrick Bruce, 45, of Oak Forest, who was off duty, drove recklessly and caused Knox’s death. Knox, 25, was killed March 1 when she lost control of her vehicle after it allegedly was hit by a sport utility vehicle driven by Bruce on 167th Street near Oak Forest. Knox’s family is seeking more than $50,000 …

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 …

Midlothian, Oak Forest police blotter

Fri, 10 May 2013 22:28:01 -0500

MIDLOTHIAN SUSPENDED LICENSE: Tierra Allen, 22, 14749 Clifton Park Ave., Midlothian, was charged with driving on a suspended license following an April 21 stop at 147th Street and Clifton Park Avenue, police said. DUI ARREST: Richard F. Calder, 27, 14644 Kildare Ave., Midlothian, was charged with drunken driving and leaving the scene of an accident April 21 after he struck a culvert at 149th Street and Kilpatrick Avenue, police said. LICENSE SUSPENDED: Christopher S. Griffin, 25, of Midlothian, was charged with driving on a suspended license after a stop April 22 at 145th Street and Pulaski Road, police said. SUSPENDED …

Convicted ex-water official resigns as Crestwood police chief

Sat, 04 May 2013 05:19:13 -0500

Days after being convicted for lying to state regulators about a scheme to tap into a contaminated well to supplement the village’s water supply, Crestwood Police Chief Theresa Neubauer lost her job Thursday night. Neubauer submitted her resignation letter Thursday to Crestwood officials, claiming she “faithfully served,” the village. Officials approved her resignation during the village board meeting Thursday night. Mayor Lou Presta previously said the village stopped paying Neubauer and ordered her to resign Monday after she was convicted of 11 felony counts of lying to state regulators while head of the village water department. “Those that knew me …

Convicted Crestwood chief may resign Thursday

Thu, 02 May 2013 02:15:20 -0500

Crestwood Police Chief Theresa Neubauer, who was convicted Monday of 11 counts of lying repeatedly to state regulators while head of the village water department, may resign Thursday, village officials said. They said the resignation may occur at the village board meeting, which is scheduled for 8 p.m. at village hall, 13840 Cicero Ave. Trustee Lou Presta, who will be sworn in as mayor during the meeting, said the village stopped paying Neubauer on Monday following her conviction by a federal court jury in Chicago. She had been on paid leave since being indicted in August 2011. Neubauer, 55, and former …

Baseball Player of the Week: Tyler Banovich, of Bremen

Wed, 01 May 2013 02:12:06 -0500

Tyler Banovich, of Bremen, is the Beggars Pizza/SouthtownStar Baseball Player of the Week. Banovich, a junior infielder/pitcher, went 11-for-13 with four doubles, four runs, two RBI and three stolen bases. He also pitched a complete game in a win over Tinley Park, striking out eight. Coaches wishing to nominate Player of the Week candidates can do so by contacting Pat Disabato at pdisabato@southtownstar.com or (708) 802-8837 by 11 a.m. Tuesday. …

Crestwood police chief found guilty in water cover-up

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:12:06 -0500

After being found guilty Monday of lying repeatedly to state regulators as head of Crestwood’s water department, Theresa Neubauer said she was at the “bottom of the food chain” when it came to a long-running scheme to use polluted well water in the village’s drinking supply. Neubauer told reporters that former longtime Mayor Chester Stranczek and another village official were responsible for using the tainted water to supplement the Lake Michigan water the village obtained from Chicago. Neither Stranczek nor the other official were charged by federal prosecutors for their alleged roles in the scandal, in which the well water …

Kadner: Jury says you can’t just follow orders

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 06:05:01 -0500

“I was just following orders.” Those are among the scariest words an ordinary person can hear from the mouth of a government employee. They mean something terrible has happened. That people have probably been harmed. And that public officials engaged in criminal conduct simply because someone higher up said it was OK. “I was just following orders.” That was the defense used by Theresa Neubauer, a former head of the water department in Crestwood, who on Monday was found guilty by a federal jury of falsifying documents that allowed tainted well water to flow into her community’s drinking supply. Her …

New Midlothian mayor out to ‘make a difference’

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:17:50 -0500

Sharon Rybak is no stranger to Midlothian. Born and raised in this town, she walked to and from Bremen High School, where she now is a member of the school board. Rybak also is finance director for the Midlothian Park District, where she serves lunches to seniors. As the mother of four children — now all adults — she’s done her share of volunteering for Scout troops and athletic organizations. “I love this place,” she said of Midlothian. As of May 8, she will be its new mayor, after unseating one-term Mayor Terry Stephens in the April 9 election. Serving …

Forum: God always there

Thu, 02 May 2013 08:47:05 -0500

In response to Jeff Robertson’s letter in the April 25 Forum (“Where was God?”), he’s with you in Orland Hills, Jeff! Whether you believe or not, have little faith or are an atheist, he’s with you always. There is evil in our world, Jeff. The devil prowls the darkness looking for victims to carry out his dastardly deeds. God gave all of us free will to either listen to his word or walk by ourselves. Tragedies happen, and we don’t have the answer(s) why. Jeff, may I suggest you start small and thank God you were born. Think of all …

McGrath: Alleged Boston Marathon bomber: Jekyll and Hyde

Thu, 02 May 2013 08:47:32 -0500

It is not unreasonable to speculate that the three public defenders representing alleged Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev might end up filing a plea of not guilty by reason of temporary insanity. Evidence that might support their claim is documented in his birth certificate. Not because of his geographical origin or ethnicity. The proof is in his age of 19. Maybe modify the plea to temporary stupidity? Being 19 is not a defense, of course. There is no excuse for a murder spree that began with killing three people and injuring about 265 others with homemade bombs and later slaying …