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Run 4 Peace 2024Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/08/19/run-4-peace-2024/By Nuha Abdessalam and edited b...
19/08/2024

Run 4 Peace 2024

Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/08/19/run-4-peace-2024/

By Nuha Abdessalam and edited by Claude Martinez.

Team Palestine for PCRF-Chicago and Selma Sweets & Frozen Treats have teamed up for the upcoming annual Run 4 Peace event on Sunday, September 15.

The Run 4 Peace is not just a race but a unique opportunity for all runners and walkers, from beginners to seasoned pro-triathletes, to come together for a day of thrilling activities and contribute to a worthy cause. Held at Moraine Valley Community College at 9000 College Pkwy in Palos Hills at 7 a.m., registered runners can expect supportive cheers from onlookers, scenic views of the impressive campus, and a fun-filled day of raising awareness and funds, in addition to implementing healthy lifestyles and promoting a healthier community.

PCRF is a non-political, nonprofit organization committed to healing those affected by war. Established in 1991, the organization provides life-saving medical care to children in the Middle East. Most recently, PCRF has helped evacuate refugee children into Italy and Belgium. Amyra Muhammad, a pharmacist and a longtime dedicated member of PCRF, is hosting the rollover event this September.

Muhammad said, "PCRF has developed relationships all over the world with different medical facilities and organizations in countries like Italy, Belgium, and Spain, where they've also accepted children that have been evacuated from Gaza." Muhammad added, "Wherever these refugee children are, PCRF is there to provide medical care for them." She said, "We're hopefully instilling healthy habits into our community, supporting local businesses that support us and the overall community."

Selma's Sweets & Frozen Treats, located at 7205 West 103rd Street, is a local bakery and Sponsor of PCRF's Run 4 Peace event. The business is no stranger to partnering with the organization and is now banding for the eleventh time to get folks registered and their hearts pumping with a tagline incentive: 'You gotta earn your sweets.' Registered runners, walkers, and participants of all kinds are encouraged to get their hearts pumping and join the community for the sweetest treat.

That's right. Participants with sweet tooth fixings will have plenty to choose from, with the favorite sweet traditional Palestinian Kunafa to dine on and other sweet treats, snacks, and beverages by local businesses. "This is a unique opportunity for us to serve our local community, and we get to serve the Palestinian community, anyone struggling," said Sponsor and PCRF affiliate Dr. Mohammad Saleh.

Saleh added, "This race is a beautiful way for us to hit all those objectives and goals, we do this for Allah first and foremost; this race brings attention and acts to preserve our culture, food, and the community."

Interested folks still have time to register for the eventful day. Participants can partake in the event's 1-mile walk; the 5k run and children will have access to the "kids dash".

General admission tickets can be purchased for $35 (12 and up), while tickets for kids 11 and under can be purchased for $25 until September 10 or when sold out.

Muhammad said, "This race, in particular, all fundraising is being dedicated to aiding those affected by the Gaza crisis."

Moraine Valley Community College PCRF - Palestine Children's Relief Fund

Coffee with a Cop, in Tinley Park, hosts its 4th event of the year.Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/08/...
19/08/2024

Coffee with a Cop, in Tinley Park, hosts its 4th event of the year.

Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/08/19/coffee-with-a-cop-in-tinley-park-hosts-its-4th-event-of-the-year/

By Claude Martinez and edited by Nuha Abdessalam.

In Tinley Park, 'Coffee with a Cop' is a community event where you can have a cup of your favorite coffee, tea, or sweet treats with your local law enforcement member. It's a casual setting where you can meet and chat with officers, ask questions, and address any concerns you may have. The fourth event of the year, held on Thursday August 14th, was hosted by Dunkin' Donuts at 9500 W. 179th Street. The chief of Police, Thomas Tilton, stopped by to speak with citizens.

Tilton was appointed to the Chief in May of 2023 and hasn’t looked back since. With over 40 years of law enforcement experience, he has seen what community bonding can do for civilians. “These are really important events because we want the residents of Tinley Park to get to know our officers.” He added, “We want them to be comfortable meeting us in a situation like this so they can ask questions and address their concerns in a relaxed atmosphere. It demystifies the whole police and public interaction.”

Community members who assist law enforcement were also at the event. Tinley Park Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association President Thomas Kozak and Alumni Member Rich Adler came to show their support.

Adler knows events like 'Coffee with a Cop' play a crucial role in shaping the youth's perceptions of police officers. “Since the media has blown everything so out of proportion, most citizens and residents are actually scared." He added, "This is a nice meet and greet (because) you get to meet them personally and get to know that they’re real people, just like you are.”

Kozak added, “I think it’s important because our media often portrays our police officers in a very negative light. As a graduate and as President of the Alumni Association, I see all the positive things they do for our community and for the individuals in our community. I want people to learn about them… what they do, why they do it, and how they do it."

What does the Citizens Police Academy do for the community? Adler explains, “We work on a lot of fundraisers, and we also volunteer for the police department during events.” Kozak continued, “We typically serve as eyes and ears of the police department, augmenting their forces at large-scale events.” The Citizens Police Academy is a program that provides community members with an opportunity to learn about law enforcement and contribute to their community's safety.

Do not just take this article as the final say so on law enforcement. Find out for yourself at the next ‘Coffee with a Cop’ event in Tinley Park, listed below.

September 19 | 9:00 - 11:00 A.M. Dunkin' Donuts, 7941 W. 171st Street

October 17 | 10:00 - Noon Krema Coffee Roasters, 6700 South Street (Inside the Oak Park Avenue train station)

November 19 | 9:00 - 11:00 A.M. Mr. Stacks, 7164 W. 183rd Street

If you wish to get involved with the Citizens Police Academy, click here. NOTE: All applications to join are due October 11, 2024.

'After you graduate from the 12-week Citizens Police Academy program you can join the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. The Alumni Association has monthly meetings with guest presenters and helps at various Tinley Park events such as being in the TP Parade of Lights, Tinley Park Irish parade, and Rib Fest to name a few.'

Special thank you to Dina Navas (Civilian Crime Prevention Officer) for the additional information.

Village of Tinley Park Illinois Government

Interim Superintendent at D231 is equipped for success.Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/08/13/interim-s...
13/08/2024

Interim Superintendent at D231 is equipped for success.

Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/08/13/interim-superintendent-at-d231-is-equipped-for-success/

By Claude Martinez and edited by Nuha Abdessalam. Photos provided by Tim Moran.

Dr. Michael Riordan was selected to serve as interim superintendent of Evergreen Park Community High School District 231 for the 2024-2025 school year.

After seven years of educational leadership, the renowned EPCHS superintendent Thomas O'Malley retired in June. In search of an ideal candidate, the district interviewed educators with experience at this level. They found Dr. Michael Riordan, who had retired from the Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 in 2023, with 15 years of superintendent experience (33 years overall of educator experience).

President of EPCHS D231 Board of Education Mary Zofkie has known Dr. Riordan's educational determination for many years. They were both founding members of the AERO Special Education Cooperative.

"I'm very confident that Dr. Riordan will lead us through this year without skipping a beat," Zofkie said. "He comes to EPCHS with a wealth of knowledge and experience and will help bridge the gap as we continue our search for a permanent leader for our district," stated Zofkie (from a provided press release).

Dr. Riordan has always been a local to the area. He started teaching science at Marian Catholic and settled at Oak Lawn Community High School. He has been a leader at every level at OLCHS, "a teacher, coach, dean, department chair, assistant principal, and principal before becoming superintendent in 2008," wrote Tim Moran.

"I am honored to serve as interim superintendent at Evergreen Park Community High School," Dr. Riordan said. "This school district and the Evergreen Park community as a whole are wonderful places for young people, and I am fully committed to ensuring that the great traditions and commitments to our students and families continue into the future."

For all students, parents, educators, community members, and alumni, we encourage you to extend a warm welcome to Dr. Riordan the next time you see him in the district.

We extend a special thank you to Tim Moran (EPCHS, Public Relations) for his invaluable contributions to this announcement. His dedication and hard work are greatly appreciated.

Evergreen Park Community High School D231

Bridgeview's UFC Champion celebrates with his community. Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/08/12/bridgev...
12/08/2024

Bridgeview's UFC Champion celebrates with his community.

Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/08/12/bridgeviews-ufc-champion-celebrates-with-his-community/

Article & Photos by Nuha Abdessalam. Edited by Claude Martinez.

'Little Palestine', a term of endearment for the close-knit community of Bridgeview, celebrated the victory and home state of UFC Champion Belal Muhammad.

The entire community was buzzing with anticipation for the victory parade of the village's beloved champion. Crowds as large as 600 gathered on Sunday, August 11, with the excitement building up to 2 p.m. The streets from 87th to 91st Street and Harlem Avenue were closed for the grand celebration, a testament to the community's unwavering unity and support. This display of solidarity was a testament to the shared values and commitment to one another.

Belal's success in the UFC has not only brought recognition to Bridgeview but also ignited a spark of inspiration in many young athletes in the community. His arrival was marked by a motorcade and a traditional 'zaffa,' a Middle Eastern musical group, adding a touch of cultural celebration to the event. His journey from our community to the global stage serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for other aspiring athletes, showing them that with hard work and dedication, they too can achieve their dreams.

Howell-Cook said, "Belal is so chill and comes with no drama. He's a great fighter; I feel like being here to support someone from our state is amazing." Vinas added, "This is exciting; it brings attention to the UFC. He's a good dude, and it's cool he's giving back to the community."

Close affiliated nonprofit organizations Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF) and Pious Projects members joined Mayor Steven Landek and Judge Rouhi Shalabi. They echoed words of pride for the town and the world, observing such a unique challenge in the UFC. Jacobius said, "Only a handful can do as Muhammad; as the Mayor mentioned, this is years of hard work; hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard," he added, "Belal is one of the most talented and hardest-working people ever, and that's how champions are made."

Actively using his platform to spread awareness of the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people of Gaza, Muhammad was marked as the first Palestinian UFC Champion. His victory not only made history but also inspired many and brought attention to the plight of his people.

"Belal is 'noor,'' meaning a 'source of light' during a tough time; he has given us hope, inspiration, and confidence."

Read more about Belal Muhammad’s work with PCRF on our website.

PCRF - Palestine Children's Relief Fund

The much-anticipated return of National Night Out to Oak Forest is just around the corner!Article Link: https://willcook...
03/08/2024

The much-anticipated return of National Night Out to Oak Forest is just around the corner!

Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/08/03/the-much-anticipated-return-of-national-night-out-to-oak-forest-is-just-around-the-corner/

Original image is from the Facebook " ."

By Claude Martinez and edited by Nuha Abdessalam.

National Night Out (NNO) is back in Oak Forest this year, at 15800 Long Avenue, directly behind Culvers. After a few years off since the COVID-19 Pandemic, the yearly neighborhood and community bonding event, aimed at strengthening the relationship between residents, local law enforcement, and emergency services, is back on August 6 from 6 to 8 p.m.

It's the community's enthusiasm and support that has brought back the National Night Out. Oak Forest Police Officer Tracy Weiland, who has been with the department for eight years, is leading the charge. "This is the first time I'm hosting (NNO), and once COVID hit, it just stopped. We had a lot of residents requesting it last year, so I jumped on it and thought I would take it over," said Officer Weiland.

She continued to explain NNO: "National Night Out is actually (for people) to meet your police and firefighters and get to know your neighborhood."

Officer Weiland spoke about why it is so important for residents to attend community building events like these: "I think that it's important for everybody--kind of get to know who's protecting your neighborhood." She added, "I want them to get to know us and understand that we're real people—just normal people like them. We're just doing our job and here to help them."

Get ready for a night of fun and community bonding! There will be many exciting activities, including free child ID kits, a live DJ, bouncy castles, snow cones, face painting, a dunk tank, a K9 demonstration and many emergency vehicles to learn about.

To learn more about this event and how you can get involved, please contact Officer Weiland at 708-687-1376 or email [email protected].

WCCN would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Oak Forest community for their continued support and enthusiasm for the National Night Out event, and to the Oak Forest Police Department and Officer Weiland for their dedication.

29/07/2024

Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/07/30/the-accountability-of-the-hillcrest-hawks/
The Hillcrest Hawks are lifting to stay in shape and each of them have something in common. After four long years of teaching, training and coaching Kyran Weaver finally gets to present his first full team under his leadership.

WCCN also speaks with seniors Gary Bradley and Erimus Wright.

Special thank you to Dr. Maurice Young (Athletic Director) and Kyran Weaver (Head Coach).

25/07/2024

Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/07/25/intensity-effort-consistency-passion-of-the-bremen-braves/

In the spring of 2024, Connor Downs was named the new head football coach for the Bremen Braves. Formerly, Downs was an assistant coach for the Whiting Oilers (2022) and the Hillcrest Hawks (2023), were he helped lead the Hawks to a first round 5A IHSA state tournament win; 22-8 vs Carbondale High School.

Now he is coaching the Braves with intensity, effort, consistency and passion. Senior Jaime Martinez and Senior Ronney Spruill add to Downs character. Bremen High School

22/07/2024

Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/07/22/river-crossing-clean-up-day-in-crestwood/

This past weekend, Saturday July 20, local residents from Crestwood volunteered their time to clean up the River Crossing along the Cal Sag Road and adjacent to the Cal Sag Channel. All types of garbage was discovered and it was quickly removed during a three hour session.

Commissioner Theresa Flynn from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Crestwood Mayor Ken Klein and Tim Touhy from the Friends of the Chicago River spoke about this event.

Village of Crestwood Friends of the Chicago River

Traynere responds to alleged cybercrime. 7/19/24Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/07/19/traynere-respond...
19/07/2024

Traynere responds to alleged cybercrime. 7/19/24

Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/07/19/traynere-responds-to-alleged-cybercrime/

Photo of Jacqueline Traynere. Original image is from the page " "

By Nuha Abdessalam and edited by Claude Martinez. Updated 7/19/24 at 11:06 P.M.

Will County Board Democratic Leader Jacqueline Traynere sets the record straight on the alleged cybercrime email infringement by Will County Republican Board Leader Steve Balich.

Earlier this month, Balich called for a press conference on the cybercrime involving Traynere. The incident allegedly involved Traynere tampering with his and Judy Ogalla's email accounts.

In setting the record straight, Traynere reiterated, "I have NEVER, EVER, hacked or logged into Steve Balich's email. I don't know what he is alleging." In response to Balich's statement on Traynere confessing to hacking and infringing on county board member emails, Traynere learned earlier, in March, of a circulating rumor of all 22 county board members sharing the same password, putting it to the test, she said, "I proved the rumor to be true..." with a board member email (Judy Ogalla) "it was wrong we had the same password, I couldn't believe it, I informed Judy and county executives and the IT department immediately."

She recounted, "When I reported the shared password to our IT department, the IT department told us that we had to share the same email password, supposedly to aid elected officials with technical issues." Traynere added, "This is an insane policy. The fact that this order came from staff managed by Judy makes me wonder how often Judy and Steve have been looking at my email?" Traynere emphasized, "Here's the part Balich keeps forgetting to mention: all of our (Board Members) emails are available for the public to ask; it's called the Freedom of Information Act. We don't do anything private on email."

Traynere, who has not been contacted by any law enforcement agencies, expressed her disbelief at the situation. She said, "It's a political ploy. He's trying to draw attention from his problems, and he should not use the township website to make allegations against me. That is a misuse of township funds; it's slander."

For more news follow us on Facebook, Instagram & YouTube @ Will Cook County News.

18/07/2024

The Richards Bulldogs are bouncing back for the 2024 football season

Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/07/18/the-richards-bulldogs-are-bouncing-back-for-the-2024-football-season/

By Claude Martinez

Last year, the Harold L. Richards Bulldogs fell short In the second round of the IHSA 6A State Tournament; where they lost 52 to 51 vs Glenwood. This summer the Bulldogs have been pushing themselves to the limits to get over the hump. Head Coach Tony Sheehan explains what they need to do.

"That loss hurt them, hurt us. You Know, you lose by one, going for two in overtime, in a playoff game,... it's kind of left a bad taste in our mouths." "We've been working real hard all offseason, and in the summer, and we'll see what happens come the season."

All-state, and North Dakota State University commit, running back Myles Mitchell vividly remembers that season ending play.

"It was an amazingly tough loss." "I still think about it to this day. You know, the same play and the same moment." "I'm working as hard as I can to prevent that from happening again and I know the rest of these guys are on the same page as me" stated Mitchell.

Mitchell's ability to play all three sides of the ball makes him a natural born leader and a competitor. "You are only as strong as your weakest link. I feel like... I got to get these guys riled up, got to get these guys fired up."

Last season Richards was missing one of their top dogs due to an injury. Now a senior, Chase Dryier has fully recovered and is putting in double the work.

"Last year I tore my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in the second game of the season. So ever since then, I've had a vengeance. I just want to play football." "Coaches are just trying to get us out of our comfortable shells." "I always believe in 'if you're comfortable, you're not doing something right'" said Dryier.

Sheehan added about Dryier. "He was a big part that we were missing kind of all year. He's a real physical linebacker, very smart, tough kid..."

With the season less than a month and a half away, Sheehan voices Richards' expectations. "A couple years ago, before Covid, we had two great teams and then Covid hit. We're just trying to get back up on the top of the mountain." "We're working hard and the kids work hard, and we love our kids."

Richards first game will be on the road vs Crete-Monee on August 30th at 6:30 P.M.

Special thank you to Head Coach Tony Sheehan.

Richards High School

Charity Golf Outing for The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn. Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/07/15/chari...
15/07/2024

Charity Golf Outing for The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn. Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/07/15/charity-golf-outing-for-the-childrens-museum-in-oak-lawn/

By Claude Martinez and edited by Nuha Abdessalam.

The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn is hosting a charity golf invitational at the Hickory Hills Country Club on Thursday, August 15.

The board secretary for The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn, Ian Chafee, spoke about the facility at 5100 Museum Drive. He said, "We are aligned with the state standards for education, and Our sweet spot is kids eight and under." He added, "We focus mostly on little guys zero to three. It is a place where they can play with their parents and learn to socialize."

As a non-profit, all proceeds will return to The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn, which has 23 exhibits. Some funds will be put towards their travel 9/11 exhibit called We the People. This exhibit, which features a couple of World Trade Center beams that traveled to Northern Michigan, will be in Ottawa, IL, in a few weeks. The exhibit provides a unique opportunity for children and families to learn about and reflect on the events of 9/11. "We're trying to raise some money for the exhibit's transportation, insurance, and trailer," Chafee added, "There are also going to be general operating expenses too, but mostly the proceeds will go to exhibits."

Picture a day filled with camaraderie, fun, and the satisfaction of supporting a good cause. The charity golf invitational check-in is at noon, and the shotgun start is at 1:00 p.m. For just $125 per player or $450 for a foursome, you'll enjoy 18 holes of golf, a delightful dinner, and the chance to win exciting raffle baskets. But this is not just a golf event. It's a unique opportunity to make a difference while experiencing a day filled with fun and togetherness.

As a parent of two (22 & 18), Chafee took his oldest daughter to the museum at six months old, and within six months, he became a volunteer. "Having a place to go, especially in Chicago during the winter, is hard to find a reasonably priced place to take your kids. Even if you don't have a membership, it costs around $20 for two of you to get in." Chafee continued about the benefits for families. "It's one thing to take your kids to the park and watch them. In a children's museum, you're there with them. I think that's important for kids; the parents and grandparents can interact directly with the kid. You're also learning about your kid while they are learning."

To get your tickets please visit The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn's website here.

For more news follow us on Facebook, Instagram & YouTube @ Will Cook County News. Hickory Hills Country Club Children's Museum in Oak Lawn

09/07/2024

Steve Balich holds news conference, at the Will County Office building, over ‘alleged cyber crime’ committed by Will County’s Democrat Leader. Article link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/07/09/balich-holds-news-conference-over-alleged-cyber-crime-by-political-opponent/

By Nuha Abdessalam and edited by Claude Martinez. Updated 7/9/24 at 1:56 P.M.

Will County Republican board leader Steve Balich calls for a news conference to address the alleged cybercrime involving opposing Democratic Leader Jackie Traynere.

The alleged cybercrime has not only raised serious concerns but also significantly eroded the trust between board members; Balich said: "If there wasn't a lack of trust brewing between board members before, there is now; I do not trust Jackie Traynere,"

The Will County Republican Leader Balich expressed, during the Tuesday, July 9 conference at 8:30 a.m. in front of the Will County office building on 302 North Chicago Street, Joliet, the urgent need for accountability in the alleged cybercrime by Democrat Leader Jackie Traynere. "I'm here today; I want to make sure that there's some accountability held to the actions of the Democrat leader, Jackie Traynere, for logging into Judy Ogalla's email and sending the email that I sent to Judy Ogalla county executive about 143rd street."

Tipped off by an unknown person, Balich shared, "She has already admitted it. I don't know the timeframe when she admitted it. I don't know if everyone in her caucus even knows she did it. I never asked anybody."

Judy Ogalla, a member of the Will County Board and the Executive Committee, has reported the same incident. Balich added, "I just filed my complaints, figuring there would be an investigation. What does accountable mean? I have no clue; we'll find out more with Judy. She, too, has a case, and I do not want to interfere."

Balich first reported the alleged incident to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Will County Sheriff, and Illinois State Police offices on March 6; he said, "I did not go to the executives. First, I went to authorities four months ago to investigate this, and nothing has happened in four months; I'd say nothing is going to happen." Balich added, "I wanted to bring this out in the open so everyone knows, and without this press conference, no one is going to know; it's been four long months, and I'm hoping the sheriff, the FBI, somebody investigates this, and she becomes accountable for what she did."

Although all the details are unclear, Balich believes or assumes Traynere used her own computer with Ogalla's login and password. Similarly, the logins given to board members earlier were also given the same password; they may have never been changed. Thus, Balich speculates that Traynere could have accessed several other board member emails.

"I don't know if Jackie is going through my stuff. If she used her computer when using Judy's login account because it was the same as everyone else's, everyone has the same password," said Balich.

"I'm the Republican leader, so why don't I know everyone has the same password? Because if I knew, I'd be screaming. Any logical person would ask why that happened. Did it happen intentionally, incompetently, or by accident?"

Free Disaster Preparedness Training program in New Lenox. Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/07/08/free-d...
08/07/2024

Free Disaster Preparedness Training program in New Lenox. Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/07/08/free-disaster-preparedness-training-program-in-new-lenox/

By Claude Martinez & edited by Nuha Abdessalam. Photos by the Village of New Lenox.

The Village of New Lenox is hosting a Disaster Preparedness Training program for free this September and early October. This 20-hour essential Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) class will teach all the necessary skills to aid during a disaster, providing you with the knowledge and confidence to assist your community in times of need.

The CERT is a local group of trained community members who can assist during emergencies. Learned skills will be first aid, fire safety, community development, search & rescue, and more. For example, on June 19, nearly 40 members of CERT met for their monthly meeting at the New Lenox Village Hall and learned about water procurement, wilderness first aid, fire starting, and survival shelters.

This free 20-hour basic program is designed with your busy schedule in mind. The program will run from September 10 to October 3, with classes on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.. The program will conclude with a final Exercise, where attendees can apply the skills they've learned, a Graduation ceremony to celebrate their achievements, and a Luncheon to foster community spirit. This will take place on Saturday, October 5, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate and a special CERT backpack filled with essential disaster preparedness supplies.

Interested parties can register by contacting Daniel Martin, Safe Community Coordinator, Villager of New Lenox, at [email protected] or at (815) 462-6493. Take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your preparedness and contribute to the safety of our community. Register now!

For more information about CERT, please visit their website here.

WCCN would like to sincerely thank Grant Spooner for sharing this press release and engaging in participation to make our community safer.

For more news follow us on Facebook, Instagram & YouTube @ Will Cook County News.

New Lenox CERT

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The accountability of the Hillcrest Hawks.
The accountability of the Hillcrest Hawks.

Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/07/30/the-accountability-of-the-hillcrest-hawks/ The Hillcrest Hawks are lifting to stay in shape and each of them have something in common. After four long years of teaching, training and coaching Kyran Weaver finally gets to present his first full team under his leadership. WCCN also speaks with seniors Gary Bradley and Erimus Wright. Special thank you to Dr. Maurice Young (Athletic Director) and Kyran Weaver (Head Coach). #wccn #wccnews #willcookcountynews #news #football #countryclub #countryclubhills #hawks

On Saturday, July 27th 2024, Belal Muhammad (24-3-0) defeated Leon Edwards (22-4-0 in a Welterweight match-up to become the first Palestinian to win any UFC Championship. As seen here, Muhammad instructs students to raise awareness for Gaza Relief on January 7, 2024. Article on our website. Footage by Nuha Abdessalam.

Intensity, Effort, Consistency & Passion of the Bremen Braves
Intensity, Effort, Consistency & Passion of the Bremen Braves

Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/07/25/intensity-effort-consistency-passion-of-the-bremen-braves/ In the spring of 2024, Connor Downs was named the new head football coach for the Bremen Braves. Formerly, Downs was an assistant coach for the Whiting Oilers (2022) and the Hillcrest Hawks (2023), were he helped lead the Hawks to a first round 5A IHSA state tournament win; 22-8 vs Carbondale High School. Now he is coaching the Braves with intensity, effort, consistency and passion. Senior Jaime Martinez and Senior Ronney Spruill add to Downs character. #wccn #wccnews #willcookcountynews #News Bremen High School #MidlothianIL #football #connordowns

River Crossing Clean-Up Day in Crestwood
River Crossing Clean-Up Day in Crestwood

Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/07/22/river-crossing-clean-up-day-in-crestwood/ This past weekend, Saturday July 20, local residents from Crestwood volunteered their time to clean up the River Crossing along the Cal Sag Road and adjacent to the Cal Sag Channel. All types of garbage was discovered and it was quickly removed during a three hour session. Commissioner Theresa Flynn from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, Crestwood Mayor Ken Klein and Tim Touhy from the Friends of the Chicago River spoke about this event. #WCCN #wccnews #willcookcountynews #crestwood Village of Crestwood Friends of the Chicago River #cleanup #calsagchannel #Crestwood #freindsofthechicagoriver

The Richards Bulldogs are bouncing back for the 2024 football season
The Richards Bulldogs are bouncing back for the 2024 football season

The Richards Bulldogs are bouncing back for the 2024 football season Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/07/18/the-richards-bulldogs-are-bouncing-back-for-the-2024-football-season/ By Claude Martinez Last year, the Harold L. Richards Bulldogs fell short In the second round of the IHSA 6A State Tournament; where they lost 52 to 51 vs Glenwood. This summer the Bulldogs have been pushing themselves to the limits to get over the hump. Head Coach Tony Sheehan explains what they need to do. "That loss hurt them, hurt us. You Know, you lose by one, going for two in overtime, in a playoff game,... it's kind of left a bad taste in our mouths." "We've been working real hard all offseason, and in the summer, and we'll see what happens come the season." All-state, and North Dakota State University commit, running back Myles Mitchell vividly remembers that season ending play. "It was an amazingly tough loss." "I still think about it to this day. You know, the same play and the same moment." "I'm working as hard as I can to prevent that from happening again and I know the rest of these guys are on the same page as me" stated Mitchell. Mitchell's ability to play all three sides of the ball makes him a natural born leader and a competitor. "You are only as strong as your weakest link. I feel like... I got to get these guys riled up, got to get these guys fired up." Last season Richards was missing one of their top dogs due to an injury. Now a senior, Chase Dryier has fully recovered and is putting in double the work. "Last year I tore my ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in the second game of the season. So ever since then, I've had a vengeance. I just want to play football." "Coaches are just trying to get us out of our comfortable shells." "I always believe in 'if you're comfortable, you're not doing something right'" said Dryier. Sheehan added about Dryier. "He was a big part that we were missing kind of all year. He's a real physical linebacker, very s

Balich holds news conference over alleged cyber crime by political opponent.
Balich holds news conference over alleged cyber crime by political opponent.

Steve Balich holds news conference, at the Will County Office building, over ‘alleged cyber crime’ committed by Will County’s Democrat Leader. Article link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/07/09/balich-holds-news-conference-over-alleged-cyber-crime-by-political-opponent/ By Nuha Abdessalam and edited by Claude Martinez. Updated 7/9/24 at 1:56 P.M. Will County Republican board leader Steve Balich calls for a news conference to address the alleged cybercrime involving opposing Democratic Leader Jackie Traynere. The alleged cybercrime has not only raised serious concerns but also significantly eroded the trust between board members; Balich said: "If there wasn't a lack of trust brewing between board members before, there is now; I do not trust Jackie Traynere," The Will County Republican Leader Balich expressed, during the Tuesday, July 9 conference at 8:30 a.m. in front of the Will County office building on 302 North Chicago Street, Joliet, the urgent need for accountability in the alleged cybercrime by Democrat Leader Jackie Traynere. "I'm here today; I want to make sure that there's some accountability held to the actions of the Democrat leader, Jackie Traynere, for logging into Judy Ogalla's email and sending the email that I sent to Judy Ogalla county executive about 143rd street." Tipped off by an unknown person, Balich shared, "She has already admitted it. I don't know the timeframe when she admitted it. I don't know if everyone in her caucus even knows she did it. I never asked anybody." Judy Ogalla, a member of the Will County Board and the Executive Committee, has reported the same incident. Balich added, "I just filed my complaints, figuring there would be an investigation. What does accountable mean? I have no clue; we'll find out more with Judy. She, too, has a case, and I do not want to interfere." Balich first reported the alleged incident to the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Will County Sheriff, and Illinois State Police offices

Homer Township's 2nd annual PetFest
Homer Township's 2nd annual PetFest

Homer Township's 2nd annual PetFest by Nuha Abdessalam and edited by Claude Martinez. Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/06/25/homer-townships-2nd-annual-petfest/ The weather aligned on Saturday, June 15; the sun was beaming as Homer Township celebrated its second annual Pet Fest! Under the cool shade of the tented area, a vibrant community gathered, eager to explore the diverse range of pet organizations and vendors. And who could resist the chance of meeting ZZ Top, the yellow 'runt' python. Animal Welfare League's Operations Manager, Chris Higgens, brought several furry adoptable babies ranging from as young as three months to senior pups, all deserving of a good home. Higgens shared that all pets up for adoption are meticulously vaccinated and given temperament tests, ensuring their readiness for a loving home. The animal shelter houses several hundred more fury babies. Homer Athletic Club member Tanner Benitis, along with his friends, showed their support, hoping to inspire others to join in supporting local businesses and promoting animal welfare. As a first-timer, Benitis plans to make this an annual event, emphasizing the positive impact it has on the community. Layla Nunez, a 3-year-old ball of sunshine, couldn't have looked more thrilled petting and loving on one of the many adoptable kittens (brought by St. Sophia's Forgotten Felines) at the fest, an overall success marking the Homer Township's second annual Pet Fest. For more news follow us on Facebook, Instagram & YouTube @ Will Cook County News. #wccn #wccnews #willcookcountynews #news #petfest #homer #homertownship #homerglen Homer Township #dogs #cats #snakes

Father's Day horseback riding at Nova Quarter Horses, Inc.
Father's Day horseback riding at Nova Quarter Horses, Inc.

Father's Day horseback riding at Nova Quarter Horses, Inc. For father’s day this year dads are choosing to spend it off of the golf course and on the saddle. In Mokena, 10129 W. 187th Street, Nova Quarter Horses Inc. hosted the Daddy & Me Horseback riding event allowing dads to bring their little ones to create some art and learn how to ride a horse. This annual father’s day event has been running for almost 20 years and Lorri Ebeling explains what the whole experience is about in this WCCN video. Article Link: https://willcookcountynews.com/2024/06/16/fathers-day-horseback-riding-at-nova-quarter-horses-inc/ Special thank you to the Lorrie & Samantha Ebeling and Tiffany. #wccn #wccnews #willcookcountynews #news #horses #fathersday #horse #riding #mokena Nova Quarter Horses Inc. Lorri Ebeling

Crystal Lake Central wins the 2024 3a State Championship over Lemont by Claude Martinez. n Joliet, Crystal Lake Central (21-14) and Lemont (31-10) battled for the 3a state championship on June 8th. The first two scores came to Lemont. Off a drop third strike a runner came home. One inning later, Nick Berardi would bring in an rbi. For CLC, James Dreher hit a hard double rbi down the left baseline tying it. In the 6th, Rhett Ozment would bat a triple and bring home the winning run. Final: 3a State Champions Crystal Lake Central 3, Lemont 2. Head Coach Brian Storako spoke about his team saying “These kids battled. Yeah, we might not have pulled it out today but one game doesn't define them. These guys are going to go down in Lemont baseball history.” Special thank you to the IHSA media team and head coaches Brian Storako (Lemont) and Cal Aldridge (CLC). #wccn #wccnews #willcookcountynews #baseball #ihsa #lemont #crystallakecentral #statefinals #statechampionship #3abaseball Lemont High School

Providence Catholic defeats Mt. Carmel 3-2. Jackson Smith went 2 for 3, had 2 RBIs and the walkoff win. 6/3/24 #wccn #wccnews #willcookcountynews #ihsa #playoffs #baseball #mountcarmel #providencecatholic Providence Catholic High School

Lemont defeats De La Salle in Crestwood 3A Super-Sectional 6/4/24 #wccn #wccnews #willcookcountynews #ihsa #baseball #lemont #crestwood #supersectional #delasalle Lemont High School

Providence Catholic baseball becomes 4a Sectional Champions. It only took two innings to determine the New Lenox 4a Sectional Championship matchup between Providence Catholic (30-8) and Lincoln-Way West. Jacob Willis would open the scoring with 2 rbis when the ball carried into left field during the second. At the top of the fourth, the Celtics began to swing. The first rbi came from Cooper Eggert. Tying the game off a wild pitch was Nate O’Donnell. When Michael Noonan came up to bat, he was going to flip the lead and they would not go back. FINAL: Providence Catholic 7, Lincoln-Way West 2. The Super Sectional Game will be on June 3. Special thank you to the IHSA, athletic director Doug Ternik (Providence Catholic), Manager Quinn Holmes (P.C.) and head coach Jake Zajc (LWW). #WCCN #wccnews #willcookcountynews #ihsa #baseball #sectional #providencecatholic Providence Catholic High School #lincolnwaywest

Lincoln-Ways Clash in 4a baseball Semi-Sectional. The New Lenox 4a Semi-Sectional between Lincoln-Way Central and Lincoln-Way West was determined by a few hits on May 29th. At the top of the second, a pickoff situation distracted the infield allowing Central to take the lead. West got some luck in the fourth. Anthony Massa earned two rbis when the ball dropped past the second baseman. An inning later, Conor Essenburg brought another two runners home putting Central in a tough spot. Luke Tingley’s sacrifice wasn’t enough. FINAL Lincoln-Way West 5, Lincoln-Way Central 2. The Warriors will play for the New Lenox Sectional championship vs Providence Catholic on Saturday June 1st. Special thank you to the IHSA, athletic director Doug Ternik (Providence Catholic) and head coaches Jake Zajc (LWW) and Mitch Nowicki (LWC). #wccn #wccnews #willcookcountynews #baseball #ihsa #playoffs #lincolnwaywest #LincolnWayCentral

Flags around Oak Forest, Memorial Day
Flags around Oak Forest, Memorial Day

Flags around Oak Forest, Memorial Day. Two days before Memorial Day, the city of Oak Forest had volunteers come out and place thousands of flags along Cicero Ave, Central Ave and 159th St. The Flags around Oak Forest program was led by 4th Ward Alderman Paul Selman, a former sailor. Also commenting was Army Veteran Ralph Chichester. #WCCN #wccnews #willcookcountynews #news #memorialday #oakforest Oak Forest

Mount Carmel wins Burbank 4a Regional final. The Burbank 4a Regional final had #7 Mount Carmel vs #3 Reavis. Taking an early lead for the Caravan was TJ McQuillan hitting an rbi. He did the same at the top of the third. 3 innings later, Anthony Chavez sacrificed to bring him in. At the bottom of the 6th, Martin Villagomez ripped a ball into right field, which was ruled a drop, allowing him to score an inside the park homerun. Unfortunately for the Rams, this would be their only run in the regional. FINAL Mount Carmel 4, Reavis 1. TJ McQuillan would have 3 hits and 3 rbis and Jake Matise would have 10 strikeouts in 7 innings pitched. Mount Carmel will face Brother Rice in the semi-Sectionals. Special thank you to the IHSA, athletic director Robert Morack (Reavis) and head coaches Brian Hurry (Mt. Carmel) and Don Erickson (Reavis). #wccn #wccnews #willcookcountynews #news #recap #ihsa #regional #baseball #mountcarmel #mtcarmel Mount Carmel High School #Reavis

Sandburg wins Volleyball Regional at Home
Sandburg wins Volleyball Regional at Home

Sandburg wins Volleyball Regional at Home by Claude Martinez. Hosting the Orland Park Regional #3 Sandburg faced #4 Reavis in the championship matchup on May 24th. It only took two sets for the eagles to win. FINAL: Sandburg 2, Reavis 0. Set 1: 25-17; Set 2: 25-22. From Reavis, Jozef Walus had 9 kills & 3 digs and Brandon Wilke had 9 kills & 1 dig. On the winning side, standouts were Zachary Supanich with 8 kills, William Ashum with 7 kills & 1 digs and Jeremiah Aro with 5 kills & 5 digs. Special thank you to the IHSA, athletic director Steve Schanz (Sandburg), head coaches David Vales (Sandburg) and Mike Jebens (Reavis). #wccn #wccnews #willcookcountynews #news #ihsa #volleyball #playoffs #reavis #orlandpark #orland

HF upsets Richards in the 3rd game of the New Lenox Regional
HF upsets Richards in the 3rd game of the New Lenox Regional

The whole game hung in the balance until the 7th. On May 22nd, #10 Homewood-Flossmoor (19-16) fought #8 Richards (19-8-1) in game 3 of the New Lenox 4a Regional. From Richards, Sean Cody threw 11 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings while batting .500. HF's pitcher , Trenton Rosebourgh played the whole 7 innings having 7k's. FINAL: Homewood-Flossmoor 11, Richards 2. WCCN spoke with Ricky Hamm after the game. Special thank you to the IHSA, athletic directors Doug Ternik (Providence Catholic) & Brian Wujcik (Richards), head coach Jeff Kortz (Richards) and assistant head coach Reggie Barker (HF). Homewood-Flossmoor High School #WCCN #WCCNEWS #willcookcountynews #news #IHSA #baseball #newlenox #richards #homewoodflossmoor #homewood #flossmoor

Sophomore Pharrell Weekley walks it off in the first round of the IHSA 4a Bolingbrook Regionals
Sophomore Pharrell Weekley walks it off in the first round of the IHSA 4a Bolingbrook Regionals

Sophomore Pharrell Weekley walks it off in the first round of the IHSA 4a Bolingbrook Regionals by Claude Martinez. It couldn't have been closer at the Bolingbrook 4a Regional (game 1) were #17 Plainfield East faced off against #13 Bolingbrook on May 21st. It came down to Sophomore Pharrell Weekley. With runners on third and second he ringed a ball past the shortstop to win the game. FINAL: Bolingbrook 8, Plainfield East 7. Weekley batted for .500, with 2 rbis, and a double. Special thank you to the IHSA, athletic director Patrick Woods (Bolingbrook) and head coaches Scott Thyer (Bolingbrook) and Adam O'Reel (Plainfield East). #wccn #willcookcountynews #wccnews #baseball #news #ihsa #Bolingbrook Bolingbrook High School Athletic Boosters

EPCHS proudly presents 'The Human Calculator', Xarles Barnes, as a shining example of the graduating class of 2024. Article by Nuha Abdessalam and Video by Claude Martinez. Evergreen Park Community High School's student, Xarles Barnes, known as ‘Chaz’ and recently acclaimed as 'The Human Calculator,' prepares to graduate with the 224-student class of 2024, marking a unique achievement in the school's history. 'The Human Calculator, 'known for being able to 'multiply any two numbers from 1 to 200, in his head faster than a calculator', has impressed faculty and staff and left a significant impact within the school district. His extraordinary math skill, first noticed by EPCHS math teacher Pat Doran, has made the school proud and appreciative of his unique talent. You can see Chaz below. Special thank you to Tim Moran (EPCHS, Public Relations). Evergreen Park Community High School D231 #wccn #wccnews #willcookcountynews #evergreenpark #news #mathematics #math

Reavis wins the SSC with their defense and Villagomez at second
Reavis wins the SSC with their defense and Villagomez at second

On May 15th, the Reavis Rams (27-4, 17-1) became the outright winners of the South Suburban Conference after they beat Oak Lawn 3-0. This is the first time Reavis baseball has led both the blue and red conferences; since the SSC 2006 split. Don Erickson has coached at Reavis high school for 33 years but this is one of the best seasons his program has had. The defense is the reason why. The star of the game was Martin Villagomez. His ability to turn plays for quick outs kept the pressure on every opponent. On the other side, he went 2-3, scoring 2 runs and earned a stolen base. His teammate Jonathan Liesen (2-3 having 2rbis) helped him get home. Special thank you head coaches Don Erickson (Reavis) and William Gerny (Oak Lawn). Reavis Athletics #wccn #wccnews #ihsa #willcookcountynews #baseball #reavis #oaklawn

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