What To Do With Pools?

While Des Plaines pools are seeing a stronger summer full of lots of swimmers, park district administration is considering the future of two of the district’s three pools.

Lauret Helped Lead Central Baseball

Des Plaines on Wednesday, Aug. 25 lost a resident who has given back to the community in many ways.

Memorial Model, Veterans Stand Tall

Phil Podulka entered the U.S. Army Air Force in spring of 1943 and arrived in England in July 1944. Two months in he was flying his eighth mission when he and his crew were nearly killed.

Library Closing In On Budget

Des Plaines Public Library staff has chosen to pursue a budget proposal that would keep the mobile library but eliminate pay raises for the year and increase the employee portion paid into medical premiums.

Maryville, Park Potential Garden Sites

Several sites are under consideration to relocate Des Plaines’ garden plot program that will no longer be allowed to operate next to Terrace Elementary School after this summer.

Car Crash Kills Rider

A single car accident at the intersection of Algonquin Road and Kolpin Drive near Friendship Park Wednesday took the life of one elderly Des Plaines woman and put another in the hospital.

Steady Pace

For many bus drivers who stick to a route for a long time, their regular passengers become like family. 

‘Little Sweethearts’

When Cook County Sherriff’s police dropped about 50 abandoned cats off at the Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge recently the animals, which were found in Des Plaines, were covered with fleas and infected with tapeworms.

Police: Controlled Substance Found At Crash Scene

The official cause of death of a 53-year-old Des Plaines man who was involved in a single car accident on the city’s southeast corner last week will not be known until toxicology tests are conducted, authorities said this week.

Terri’s Time

Ever since she was born 19 years ago, Terri Ann Fester had been beset with numerous severe medical issues ranging from the need for regular blood transfusions to a bone marrow transplant.

Waycinden League In Danger

One of the longest running and best sports traditions in Des Plaines and Mt. Prospect every spring and summer are the baseball and softball games at Friendship Park.

School’s On At Algonquin, Pardon The Dust

Des Plaines Elementary School District 62 and building contractors have proved that construction and education can get along quite well.

Honorable Effort

“How do you get an 800-lb. gorilla through the door?” Des Plaines resident Steve Schaefer jokingly asked yesterday (Thursday) morning.

Budget Talks Start Sept. 28

Continuing to be faced with tough economic times, city of Des Plaines department heads were told earlier this year to plan on no increases in their 2011 budget proposals for commodities and contractual services.

Sign Of The Times?

Hail, wind and rain storms that hit the Des Plaines area earlier this year sparked not only a flurry of roofing and siding repair work, but hundreds of promotional yard signs that were put in place by the companies that performed the work.

Algonquin To Open On Time

Algonquin made it. On Wednesday, Aug. 18, five days before the start of classes for the fall semester in Des Plaines Elementary School District 62, Algonquin Middle School was inspected and approved for instructional use.

Red Light Referendum?

Ald. Jim Brookman (5th), longtime opponent of bringing Red Light cameras to Des Plaines, all but guaranteed that a referendum on the installation of the electronic devices here will be held in an upcoming election if fellow city council members fail to reverse themselves and reject the program.

Delaying Algonquin Start Rejected ‘For Several Reasons’

Algonquin Middle School in Des Plaines is a good example these days of how facades can be misleading.

Great Wall

Steve Schaefer and Dale Chellis, members of the Pillars of Honor World War II memorial board of directors, will be returning to Des Plaines today (Wednesday) with very precious cargo tucked in the back of their rented truck.

This Bites

If that annoying itch of mosquito bites seems worse this year than last, you’re probably right. The increased population has also led to an increase of mosquitoes found to be carrying West Nile Virus (WNV).

$50,000 Sought

The owner of the Des Plaines Theater could ask for about $50,000 from the city to help fund improvements to the historic cinema, according to Ald. Mark Walsten (6th).

Walkers Find Comfort In DP

It seems like no one in their right mind has chosen to walk 60 miles since before the invention of the horse-drawn carriage.

Lurvey’s Backing Lacks

After two years of discussion and hearing complaints about plans to expand a nine-acre landscaping center on the city’s east side, members of the Des Plaines Plan Commission Monday night decided not to forward any recommendation to the full city council.

Decision On Algonquin Will Have To Wait A Week

Attached is a copy of a handout that is being distributed today (Wednesday) to parents during student registration in Des Plaines Elementary School Dist. 62:

One Year Later, Hartmarx Paints Rosier Picture

As Hartmarx company officials rolled out a new casual line of suits this week, CEO Doug Williams announced 40 new positions were recently added at the Des Plaines clothing plant. 

Red Light Cams At Golf & Rand

The busy intersection of Golf and Rand roads will become the first to receive Red Light cameras in Des Plaines, Police Chief Jim Prandini has decided.

Man Claimed In Collision Executive At Coca Cola

More details are emerging about the Metra train accident that took the life of 51-year-old Timothy Jones of Hawthorn Woods last week. Jones was an executive with Coca Cola Enterprises working out of the company’s Niles office.

Jewish Center Closes Doors

“Friendships dated back almost 50 years were forged within the synagogue through social and religious activities,” said Rabbi Edmund Winter, who worked with the congregation for 20 years. “Many will continue, but the central location is no longer there.”

Newborn Just Couldn’t Wait

When a pregnant 22-year-old Alondra Garcia felt her first labor pains Wednesday at about 7:30 a.m., she decided to make the trip from Palatine to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge instead of closer hospitals. Her newborn baby had other plans.

Nitrogen Cloud Shuts Down Streets

A cloud of liquid nitrogen vapor hung over the Cloud Packing Solutions plant on Wolf Road near Maine West High School Wednesday afternoon, bringing out firefighters and hazardous materials teams and shutting down roads near the plant for about two hours. 

Train Vs. Car Claims Driver

A Metra commuter train struck a car at River Road and Miner Street in Des Plaines just after 8 a.m. this morning (Wednesday) flipping and pushing it down the tracks, setting the car ablaze and killing its driver.

Police Sergeant Suspended Without Pay

Des Plaines police and fire commissioners voted to suspend Sgt. Matt Hicks, an 18-year veteran of the police department, without pay today (Wednesday).

Conlan: ‘I Was Asked To Resign’

Mike Conlan, who three weeks ago submitted his letter of resignation after three years as head of the city’s department that manages zoning, land use and inspectional services, has said he was asked to step down by Acting City Manager Jason Slowinski.

Library Has Plan To Cut

Seven positions, including three full-time, could be axed from next year’s Des Plaines Public Library budget.

Schools Aim To Have Algonquin Plan In Place By Aug. 11

Almost all of the construction at five Des Plaines Elementary School District 62 buildings will be completed for the opening of classes on Aug. 23. Note, we said “almost.”

Condo Residents Call For Flood Wall

Residents of a condo building located near the Des Plaines River are hoping to build a wall around their complex to keep water out.

Fire Hicks?

Des Plaines Police Chief Jim Prandini will seek to have 18-year department veteran Sgt. Matt Hicks fired from his job when members of the Des Plaines Police and Fire Commission meet on Wednesday, Aug. 4 in city hall.

City Weathers Latest Storm

While Des Plaines avoided the worst of last weekend’s storms areas around the city were heavily flooded.

Park Pay Cuts An Explosive Idea

Last week’s Off The Record struck a sensitive nerve with a local resident who felt insulted that we would dare suggest that some of the higher ups of the Des Plaines Park Dist. peel off a few bucks of their salaries to help fund next year’s Independence Day parade and fireworks.

Sinking Feeling

The days of Des Plaines Park District’s two oldest public pools–Chippewa and Iroquois–may be numbered as discussion about repairing or replacing the facilities shifts into a higher gear.

Proud, Plain And Simple

Walter Polovchak is never far from an American flag.

Opening Of One School Up In Air

Parents of Algonquin Middle School students will start receiving notices as early as today (Friday) about Des Plaines School Dist. 62’s plan to start school and where.

ComEd Pulling Plug On Local Garden Plots

It seems incongruent – blooming flowers and sprouting corn, giant watermelons and fat tomatoes growing beneath the looming metal frames of electric cable towers. But this scene has been a reality for over 30 years in Des Plaines and Mt. Prospect.

Can Algonquin Catch Up?

How would you like to go to school in a vacant office building, an abandoned hotel, or a nearly empty manufacturing plant?

Committee Abuzz Over Tree Chopping Ordinance

Ald. Patricia Haugeberg (1st) pities the fool who wants to cut down trees in Des Plaines.

Mayor Seeks To Appoint Alderman To Library Board

Second ward Ald. John Robinson will be appointed to the Des Plaines Library Board to replace outgoing board President Noreen Lake.

Strike Slows Potter Road Reconstruct

The ongoing strike of laborers and heavy equipment operators could delay completion of the Potter Road reconstruction until December, according to a spokesperson for the Cook County Highway Department.

Independent Contractors Reach Deal

Union leaders representing tens of thousands of laborers and heavy equipment operators on strike across Illinois reached a tentative settlement with the Chicago Area Independent Contractors Association (CAICA) Wednesday, July 14.

Allow Big Signs Along Mannheim?

Des Plaines aldermen recently sent a proposal to establish a zoning corridor that would allow larger electronic signs back to the city’s Community Development Department.

Theater Owner Seeks Helping Hand From City

Tough economic times and a desire to upgrade one of Des Plaines’ most familiar buildings has triggered a request for financial help from the city by the owner of the Des Plaines Theater.

Development Director Conlan Resigning

Des Plaines Community & Economic Development Dept. Director Mike Conlan has submitted his letter of resignation to the city, the Journal & Topics Newspapers has learned.

Second ‘Sunrise’ To Open On Euclid

Two staples of Des Plaines and Mt. Prospect’s eating scenes will soon merge into one, as Sunrise Grill, 1930 E. Touhy Ave. in Des Plaines, plans to buy Emma’s Restaurant, at 401 E. Euclid Ave. in Mt. Prospect.

July 4th Parade Includes Governor, Photo Op

Surrounded by Des Plaines city officials and about 150 onlookers, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn Sunday afternoon signed three bills into law that improve election ballot access for Illinois’ deployed service members and students on college campuses throughout the state.

Library Succession Plan Was Already In Place

Holly Sorensen, assistant director of the Des Plaines Public Library for the last two years, has been named new director, replacing Sandra Norlin effective Sept. 1.

Strike Halts Casino, Road Work

Holiday travel may be easier for some as there will be no road construction projects going on in Des Plaines, or anywhere else in the Chicago area, due to a strike by laborers and heavy equipment operators that started Wednesday.

Storm Recovery Almost There

Most of the damage from the storm that ripped through Des Plaines Friday, June 18 has been repaired, according to Jeff Burdick, ComEd spokesperson.

It’s Been A Slice

After nearly six consecutive days of nonstop good-byes and back-breaking work filling hundreds of final orders, Tom Sitarksi, longtime employee of Romano’s Restaurant in Des Plaines, was sore all over. He was relishing his newly discovered moments of quiet.

Sidebar: Romano’s Readying Rosemont Reopening

Here Comes ‘Da Gov’

Gov. Pat Quinn will serve as grand marshal of Des Plaines’ July 4th Parade, the city learned yesterday (Tuesday).

Crews Quicken Storm Recovery

At least seven new 80-ft. tall electrical towers had been put in place Wednesday afternoon along a stretch of Lee-Mannheim Road on Des Plaines’ south side where 28 similar wooden poles had tumbled to the ground during last Friday’s wind and rainstorm.

Declare Disaster?

More than 500 trees in Des Plaines were damaged during last week’s storm, according to an estimate from Director of Public Works and Engineering Tim Oakley.

For James Willson, How Time Flies

In the year since his return from the depths of despair and the bowels of a Moroccan prison, Des Plaines resident James Willson has regained his lost weight, caught up on everyday life and is enjoying those things that come his way.

DP Fire Dept. Receives Pet Oxygen Masks

When fire strikes a home Des Plaines firefighters say their first priority is to save the men, women and children inside. But what about man’s best friend?

Pow!

Everyone knew the big storm was coming last Friday afternoon. News reports and glances at Doppler radar made it clear that not one but two major wind and rainstorms were about to pummel Des Plaines and surrounding communities.

Last Day For Romano’s Sunday

The telephone calls and words of encouragement have been pouring in from all over the country, said longtime Des Plaines restaurant owner Chuck Romano.

Jeep Barrels Through Garage As Electric Poles Tumble

Idalia Orengo was getting ready to mop her kitchen floor Friday afternoon, June 18 when she heard what sounded like a bomb and saw a burst of electrical wires from a nearby utility pole.

‘It Was A Nightmare’

It started like any other storm. First there were high winds and then rain. But then something exploded. Deborah DeCesare wasn’t sure if it was a tornado or a microburst.

Firefighters Kept Busy Throughout Weekend

Friday’s storm did more than knock out power and blow down trees. It also shut down the main door at a Des Plaines fire station.

Storm Cleanup Could Take ComEd 2-3 Weeks

About a dozen representatives from Commonwealth Edison, including its president Anne Pranaggiore, the city of Des Plaines and other governmental agencies toured the area hit hard by Friday afternoon’s storms Saturday afternoon.

Winds Whip Through Des Plaines; Poles Snap, Driver Trapped

Twenty-eight Commonwealth Edison power lines tumbled to the ground along Frontage Road and Greco Street---near Touhy Avenue and Lee-Mannheim----in Des Plaines Friday night during a major storm that triggered power outages, massive traffic gridlock and in one case trapping a man inside his car.

Romano’s Future Hinges On Sale

The future operation of Romano’s Restaurant at Oakton and Center streets in Des Plaines will likely be determined within the next 30 days.

Search For New Library Director Or Pick Within?

A decision on whether to launch a nationwide search for a new director of the Des Plaines Public Library or to appoint a current staffer could be made at a special meeting of the board on Tuesday, June 29 at 5 p.m.

‘They Need Me And I Need Them’

Because of love, Terra Suriano of Des Plaines is empowered and does not face her life challenge alone.

WWII Memorial’s Next Landing DP?

The first of what could become dozens of regional and even national presentations of a smaller-scale version of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., could be launched in downtown Des Plaines in July.

More Changes In Library Leadership

Discussion on the hiring of a new director of Des Plaines Public Library was held last night (Tuesday) as longtime administrator Sandra Norlin prepares for retirement beginning in mid-August.