Community corner

1 Community Corner The vital Tinley Park social services agency will not reopen yet, and continues to experience financial hardship after a building fire. Lauren Traut , Patch Staff Posted Reply TINLEY PARK, IL — The reopening of a critical social services agency's facility in Tinley Park after a fire caused extensive damage in November has been delayed, with a new target date set for April. The agency has been dealt $100,000 in losses not covered by insurance, a representative said. Together We Cope's main building at 17010 So. Oak Park Avenue in Tinley Park remains closed while repairs continue after the fire shut down its client services office, food pantry and Nu2u resale shop. "Nevertheless, we have been able to continue assisting families in need in a variety of ways because of the generosity of our donors," wrote Marge Seltzner, director of communications for the agency, in an update. The delays are related … [Read more...] about Obstacles Delay Reopening Of Tinley Park’s Together We Cope After Fire

1 Community Corner Tinley Park social services agency will make sure toys, pajamas get to hundreds of south suburban children and teens for Christmas. Lauren Traut , Patch Staff Posted | Updated Reply TWC staffer Lena Dunn sorting some of the dolls that were donated to Together We Cope for Santa's Workshop, the agency's annual children's Christmas program. Toy donations roll in as staff prepares gift bags for hundreds of area children in need. TWC gives each child two toys, pajamas, and winter scarves/hats. TINLEY PARK, IL — Its home might be closed for the rest of the year following a fire last month, but the demands for Together We Cope's services are still great, and its staff have a long to-do list for the holiday season. The Tinley Park-based social services agency has relocated temporarily, and turned to its network of helping hands, to be able to carry out some of its work for … [Read more...] about Together We Cope ‘Elves’ Find Way Forward After Fire

0 Community Corner Destination Salem's Kate Fox said record visitation comes with a threat of "over-tourism" without infrastructure upgrades. Scott Souza , Patch Staff Posted | Updated Reply SALEM, MA — The numbers confirm a story that anyone who spent time on the streets of downtown Salem — especially in the weeks before Halloween — could easily tell in 2022. Visitation to the Witch City was at an all-time high with Destination Salem Executive Director Kate Fox telling the Salem City Council that the city drew an estimated 2.2 million visitors throughout the year — with 990,000 coming in October alone. Fox told the Council visitation for the year was up 3.1 percent from 2021, 82.9 percent over the COVID-restriction-filled 2020 and 1.5 percent over the previous record year of 2019. That is all music to the ears of those with sold-out hotels, attractions and restaurants throughout the fall, but is not entirely a … [Read more...] about Breaking Down Salem’s Tourism Boom, Big Benefits, Possible Pitfalls

1 Crime & Safety A career criminal, Jermaine Mandley shot Maya Smith, 24, eight times inside her car including five times in her face, sources have said. John Ferak , Patch Staff Posted | Updated Reply JOLIET, IL — The Will County State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow has added two child endangerment charges for Jermaine Mandley, the 47-year-old Bolingbrook resident already charged with first-degree murder in the death of 24-year-old mother, Maya Smith. Mandley now faces a total of three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of endangering the life or health of a child. Mandley has been detained in the Will County Jail since the night of Jan. 10. His bail is $5 million. Mandley is accused of killing Smith by shooting her a total of eight times, including five times in her face. The homicide happened in a Joliet alley on the city's west side, in the 1200 block of Clement Street, early Saturday … [Read more...] about Maya Smith’s Joliet Murder: More Charges For Jermaine Mandley

0 This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own. Schools Top two building-level representatives from each of the District's seven schools competed for the title on February 1, 2023 Kirby School District 140 , Community Contributor Posted Reply Congratulations to District 140’s new Spelling Bee Champion, Jasmine Carpiso, an eighth-grader from Grissom Middle School, who clinched the victory with the word “Azores.” Fifth-grader Erin T. from Fernway Park Elementary School came in a close second. Third-place honors went to Millennium Elementary's fifth-grader Chloe Bender. Jasmine Carpiso now advances to the 13th Annual Suburban Cook County ISC Scripps Spelling Bee on March 8, where she will represent D140 in the competition. “All of our competitors should be congratulated for their hard work and dedication,” said GATE Resource Teacher Nicole Collins. “They each did a wonderful job … [Read more...] about District 140 Spelling Bee Won by Jasmine Carpiso

0 This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own. Health & Fitness As an Acute Stroke Ready hospital, Franciscan Health Olympia Fields serves as the first stop for those suspected of having a stroke Franciscan Health , Community Contributor Posted Reply Franciscan Health Olympia Fields has been redesignated as an Acute Stroke Ready hospital by the Illinois Department of Public Health, the hospital announced today. “We serve a somewhat aging community and with that comes an increased risk of stroke,” said Vernell Johnson III, MD, chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields. “Our community needs to be able to go to a facility that can treat potential strokes immediately and with this designation, that is exactly what we provide for the patient.” Acute Stroke Ready hospitals serve as the first stop for patients suspected of … [Read more...] about Franciscan Health redesignated as Acute Stroke Ready hospital