Young Leader Has Big Ideas For Optimists

At 18 years old, Zach Ladner will become the youngest Optimist Club president in the history of the national organization when he takes over as head of Des Plaines' Optimists on Oct. 1.

W. Nicola-Lisa, a Chicago author and storyteller, reads a story to Terrace Elementary School students during their Academic Celebration week last week. Guests from the community visited various classrooms, reading and sharing folk tales from particular countries as part of the week of activities. Other events included musical performances, an "international game day", movie viewings and games.

No-Bid Water Tower Contract Nixed

A move to award a $653,256 no bid contract to Utility Services Co. (USC) of Perry, Ga., to repaint and service Des Plaines' water tower at Howard and Chestnut streets was sent back to city planners at last Monday's City Council meeting.

Recycling Containers Approved

Beginning tentatively July 1, residents in unincorporated Maine Township will receive a 65-gallon recycling container replacing the 18-gallon bins currently in use following Maine Township board members' unanimous approval Monday night of a new contract.

Mueller Is May's Maine West 'Best'

Maine West's "best" for the month of May is Marguerite (Maggie) Mueller, who is described by her principal as having "strength, courage, and wisdom."

Mediator To Join Dist. 207 Negotiations

After 15 months of negotiating, the High School District 207 board of education and the Maine Teachers Union (MTA), have reached an impasse on four issues Ð teacher compensation, retroactive pay, working conditions, and the length of a new contract.

John Maloney of Des Plaines VFW Post 2992 properly disposes of a worn and tattered American flag during Sunday's annual Loyalty Day service at Library Plaza. (Shawn Clisham/The Journal)

Arredia Remains Confident In Landing Casino Here

There's little doubt that ultimately a decision will be made whether Illinois's 10th casino license will be awarded and if additional licenses to operate gaming establishments in the Chicago region will be approved.

Riverwalk Opening June 7?

A ceremonial opening of a downtown stretch of Des Plaines' new Riverwalk will hopefully take place on Saturday, June 7 at around noon, Mayor Tony Arredia said yesterday (Tuesday).

Mayor Casts Deciding Vote Against TIF Purchase

A proposal by the city to purchase a piece of property in the "5 Corners" Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district for a total of $1,050,000 was rejected by City Council Monday night when Mayor Tony Arredia cast the tie-breaking vote.

Public Meeting Seeks Input On '5 Corners'

The first of what will be a series of meetings where local residents can provide input on how to redevelop the "5 Corners" Tax Increment Financing (TIF) area will be held on Thursday, May 15 at 7 p.m. at the Des Plaines Park District's Golf Center.

City Forming Own Weight-Loss Contest

Des Plaines residents interested in shedding some pounds will soon be able to participate in a new citywide program aimed at promoting weight loss and better health.

BUSINESS/REAL ESTATE
New 'Parking Spot' Soon Near O'Hare?
United Airlines Faces Fines For Safety Issues

A Disturbing Trend

For most parents of local teenagers who drink liquor, they know all too well that their kids may be heading down a slippery slope toward disaster.

Four people were sent to the hospital last Friday night following a three vehicle crash at River Road and Fargo Avenue in Des Plaines. According to police, two vehicles that were traveling northbound on River Road at 7:14 p.m. collided when the vehicle in the outside lane sideswiped the other car. That resulted in the car that was hit to cross over the striped median. That vehicle was then hit by a third vehicle that was traveling southbound on River. One of the occupants of the van that allegedly sideswiped the nearby vehicle was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. Three occupants of the northbound car were also taken to two area hospitals. The driver of the van, a Chicago resident, was issued three tickets. (Tom Wessell/The Journal)

Message Sends Extra Police To Elk Grove HS

Elk Grove High School held classes yesterday (Thursday, May 1) amid heavy police presence after a threatening message was found on a bathroom wall at the end of the school day Wednesday.

City Ready To Hire Riverwalk Firm

Des Plaines aldermen next Monday are expected to consider hiring an engineering company to perform design work for the Des Plaines River Trail Improvement---or Riverwalk---project.

Time For A Paint Job

The paint on Des Plaines' massive one million gallon Howard Street water tank is old and peeling. The tank received its last paint job in 1990.

Police Charge Oakton Student With Loaded Gun

A 23-year-old Maywood man, who is a student at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon Tuesday after police say they discovered a loaded handgun in his car.

May Widen Recall Plan Scope

Local elected officials may have a major stake in how a proposal to enact an Illinois recall law plays out.

Small Earthquake Felt Here In Des Plaines

Residents and 911 dispatchers in Des Plaines felt the earth move after a recent 5.2 magnitude earthquake centered in southern Illinois.

Note Threatens Shootout

Extra security precautions were taken at Friendship Junior High School in Des Plaines on Apr. 28, officials said, after a note about a shootout that day was found in a restroom.

Township Services In Higher Demand

As prices for food and fuel skyrocket, local residents continue to turn to township government and other agencies for help.

'5 Corners' Purchase Alive

The desire by some city officials to purchase a particular piece of property in the "5 Corners" Tax Increment Financing District (TIF) still has plenty of life to it despite the decision made several weeks ago not to formally appropriate city funds.

City officials (from left) Ald. Mark Walsten, Mayor Tony Arredia and Ald. Marty Moylan join Iroquois Community School fifth grader Autumn Walczak and Dist. 62 Asst. Supt. for Human Resources Paul Hertel (far right) in taking part in a tree planting ceremony during Arbor Day festivities Friday outside the Des Plaines school. A new Crimson King Norway maple tree was planted.

Bus Driver Saves Child

"I was thinking, as I was looking at him, 'I'm going to see this boy get killed'," said 20-year-old school bus attendant Krystle Cushing.

Downtown Projects Continue

By the end of this summer, Des Plaines' downtown area is expected to be much more colorful and pleasing to shoppers, office workers and anyone else who strolls or drives through the area.

Annual Memorial Day Parade, Service May 26

Des Plaines' annual Memorial Day parade and observance will be held again this year at Lake Park on Monday, May 26 beginning at 10:15 a.m.

Pepper Spray Sends Two To Hospital

A Chicago man was charged with five counts of domestic battery after he was allegedly involved in a dispute with his estranged girlfriend and their four children, according to a spokeswoman for Cook County Sheriff's Police.

Police Team Up To Solve Aldi Robbery

Des Plaines Police are working with departments in Prospect Hts., Arlington Hts., Palatine, and Wheeling in an effort to piece together information involving an armed robbery of the Aldi Food Store, 1365 S. Lee St., in Des Plaines last Wednesday night.

Trainkill Or Not?

For many of the 31 years Don Rudd has been living in Des Plaines, his routine of regularly walking his dog along the Union Pacific freight line railroad tracks near Algonquin Road west of Wolf Road has been uneventful.

Resident Uses Home As Rezko Bail Collateral

"He's not here and he's not going to comment on that," said a man who answered the phone at 1769 Campbell Ave. in Des Plaines. "That," is Tony Rezko.

Food Pantries In Demand, But Shelves Running Dry

As food and gas prices skyrocket, more and more local families are turning to area food banks to help make ends meet.

Mayor Hopes Riverwalk Done By 'Taste' Time

With the arrival of Des Plaines' annual Taste of Des Plaines celebration a little more than a month away, Mayor Tony Arredia remains hopeful that the new downtown Des Plaines Riverwalk project can kick-off the three-day event.

BUSINESS/REAL ESTATE
Rising Food Prices Just As Painful As Gas Costs

Neighbors Question 'Army' Expansion

An apparent lack of communication between a local social service organization and neighbors over plans to demolish two houses and possibly expand a parking lot have resulted in strained relations.

Des Plaines resident Kim Skorupa celebrates a solved puzzle with host Pat Sajak during the March 28 taping of Wheel of Fortune.

Resident A Big Winner On 'Wheel'

Des Plaines resident Kim Skorupa spun the wheel on last night's episode of "Wheel of Fortune" and won the big prize.

Frisbie Seniors Learn Police-Work Firsthand

Forty-seven seniors graduated from the Des Plaines Police Depts.' Senior Citizens Academy Wednesday morning at the Frisbie Senior Center.

Hold Off On John Jay Roof; Lockers Set For Devonshire

Elk Grove Twp. Elementary School Dist. 59 board members recently discussed a slew of school improvement projects, earmarked for completion this year.