2025 at 12:29 am CTAlsip firefighters extinguished a burning pile of plastic and wooden crates in an industrial park (Alsip Fire Department Facebook)Alsip firefighters extinguished a burning pile of plastic and wooden crates in an industrial park IL — Firefighters put out a smokey fire Tuesday afternoon in an industrial area in Alsip that was visible to surrounding communities Around 2:10 p.m., the Alsip Fire Department was called for a vehicle fire near 116th Street and Central Avenue The fire turned out to be a large area filled with plastic wood pallets in the 5600 block of west 115th Street The initial crew of Engine 2073 and Ambulance 2042 managed to cut off of fire before spread into the building Alsip fire officials said the outer skin of the building was on fire The blaze grew quickly due to wind conditions and it was upgraded to a still alarm and then a general alarm for a working fire No injuries were reported, and the building was ventilated of smoke with a “big a–” fan provided by the Lyons Fire Department Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. The hunt is for children 10 and under and will be split into age groups Colorful eggs filled with treats will be hidden all over Commissioners Park There will be a meet-and-greet with the Easter Bunny 2025 at 12:17 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Early voting will take place from March 17 to March 31 in suburban Cook County for the upcoming Illinois Consolidated Election on April 1 IL — If you're going to be out of town or can't handle the pressure of voting on election day—April 1 — early voting starts Monday in suburban Cook County for the 2025 Illinois consolidated election township and other local governmental bodies All registered Cook County voters are eligible to vote at a Cook County early voting center. The Cook County Clerk's Office offers additional information about voter registration and finding your polling place on election day Suburban voters can also find their election day polling location and who is on their ballot by visiting “Your Voter Information” on the Cook County Clerk’s website Also, there are a number of write-in candidates. Only votes for candidates who filed a Write-in Candidate Declaration of Intent form with the Cook County Clerk will be counted Michael Jordan and the like will not be counted.) type in the name of the write-in candidate and press “OK.” According to the Cook County Clerk: “Complete accuracy of a write-in candidate’s name is not necessary as long as the election judges can determine a voter’s intent to select a specific write-in candidate There should be some relationship between the appearance or sound of the name written or printed on the ballot and that of the write-in candidate’s actual name Early voting for Alsip-Crestwood voters starts March 17 and continues through March 31 Voters do not need to give a reason why they cannot make it to the polls on election day There are 51 early voting locations in suburban Cook County Voter registration is also available at early voting sites but you need to fill out an application and vote that day passport) along with two pieces of mail with your current address Find a convenient early voting location near you on the Cook County Clerk's website Early voting sites will be open during the following hours: Early voting will start March 17 at the following locations: Mail-in ballot drop boxes are also available at these locations 2025 at 4:26 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Jason Garza faces allegations he stole a Jewel employee's backpack and punched him when he was confronted about the theft IL — An Alsip man asked to leave the Palos Park Jewel-Osco last Thursday is accused of stealing an employee’s backpack and then punching the employee out in the parking lot two men were reported fighting in the in parking lot out of Jewel the 61-year old employee was bleeding from the face The employee told police he was ending his shift at Jewel He put his backpack down on the Jewel bench to clock out when he noticed his backpack had been taken from the bench had taken the man’s backpack from the bench inside the supermarket and left Police said the employee caught up with the man kicked out of the store The employee told Garza he had his backpack and wanted it back “You want your backpack,” before throwing it on the ground in the parking lot As the employee went to pick up and grab his backpack punching him several times in the face with a closed fist Officers found Garza in the east end of the parking lot and tried to detain him Police said Garza resisted and officers had to physically restrain Garza Palos Fire Protection District paramedics were called who transported Garza to Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital for observation Police said Garza made comments to paramedics about “wanting to hurt people” and yelling other derogatory comments to an Arab American officer Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 2025 at 6:02 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Kids 12 and under are invited to Crestwood's FREE Easter egg hunt Saturday IL —The Easter Bunny is hopping down the bunny trail all the way to Crestwood for the big egg hunt The egg hunt is geared for kids age 12 and under The bunny will be hiding eggs all over the park Kiddos will be divided into age groups for hunts on four separate fields Parents can help their children in the 0-2 egg hunt Check in at Walker Park when you arrive to be directed to your specific age group The hunt is free, but registration is required at the Crestwood Recreation and Wellness Center by phone at 708-708-659-4800; or email crwcsports@crestwood.illinois.gov so the Easter Bunny knows how many eggs to bring During the evening of June 7, 2024, ISP officers responded to a crashed vehicle with a deceased gunshot victim in the northbound local lanes of I-94 near 37th Street in Chicago. The victim was identified as 26-year-old Tywaun Donald by the Cook County Medical Examiner According to a Chicago police report, Norwood was riding in a Jeep Grand Cherokee with two other people around 8:45 p.m who was driving a Jeep Compass along 54th Street in the Back of the Yards neighborhood Norwood was identified as a suspect after an “exhaustive investigation,” ISP said in a news release An Alsip police officer took Norwood into custody on Feb 26 at the Gas-N-Wash at 127th Street and Kostner Avenue He was later turned him over to Illinois State Police The Cook County State’s Attorney approved the felony murder charge Norwood is being held pending his first court hearing >>> Winter Storm Watch Issued: 6 Inches Of Snow Possible For Chicago Area The Village of Alsip is asking residents to remove their vehicles from the streets Residents are required to move their cars off the street after one-inch of snowfall until snow removal is completed Plow drivers in Alsip have no problem plowing in cars that are illegally parked. Such vehicles also risk being ticketed and towed. According to the Village of Alsip, it takes about 12 hours to clean the streets after four to six inches of snow. Read more frequently asked questions about Alsip snow removal In addition to not parking on Crestwood streets after two inches of snowfall vehicles are prohibited from parking for longer than three minutes to pick up or drop off passengers or 30 minutes to unload groceries or other property The rules apply when snow begins to fall for a period of up to eight hours after the snow stops falling Temperatures are expected to plummet to the single digits The dangerous cold can cause frostbite and hyperthermia within four minutes The frigid weather will arrive on Sunday night with the coldest conditions will be Sunday night through Tuesday morning Check on your elderly neighbors and if you see someone struggling in the cold on the street The following warming centers will be open in the Alsip-Crestwood area if you need to get out of the cold or just want to stop burning money in your furnace for a few hours so we recommend calling ahead to check to make sure they’re open Worth Township Center11601 S AlsipClosed Monday for MLK Day,but will reopen 8 a.m to 4 p.m.Tuesday and Wednesday708-972-7076 or 708-972-7854 Crestwood Recreation and Wellness Center5331 W CrestwoodWill be available during regular business hours as a warming center The CRWC is open MLK day.Call 911 if you need assistance in the cold Andrew Biela Senior Center4545 Midlothian Turnpike CrestwoodClosed Monday for MLK Day.The senior center will be available asa warming center during regular business hours to 4 p.m.,Tuesday through Friday.Call 911 if you need assistance in the cold Crestwood Public Library4955 W Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library11960 S Palos Park Metra Station123rd Street and 82nd AvenueWill be open 24/7 for the duration of frigid temperatures that are expected to linger in the area through Wednesday The train station will be staffed by Palos Park police officers during off hours if necessary.Palos Park PD are also conducting senior well-being checks Louis Viverito Senior Center7745 S Bremen Township16361 S Calumet Township12633 S 2024 at 3:26 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A man was killed Tuesday while directing a semi-trailer into a parking space at a private trucking company IL — A man was killed Tuesday morning while directing a semi-trailer into the loading dock at an Alsip trucking company Chief Jay Miller, of the Alsip Police Department an employee of a trucking company at 11601 S was directing a semi-trailer into a parking space The man became caught between a parked truck as the semi-trailer was backing up The man was taken in critical condition to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he died around 2:30 p.m. of his injuries. The Cook County Medical Examiner did not release the man’s name The accident is still under investigation by the Alsip Police Department with assistance from the South Suburban Major Accident Reconstruction Team Worker ID'd In Fatal Loading Dock Accident, Company Assisting Police 2025 at 6:00 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Dante Harbin IL — A 19-year-old Chicago man is facing multiple felonies after police said he fired at least 10 rounds into an Alsip apartment building Dante Harbin is being detained on gun charges including aggravated discharge of a firearm aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon aggravated fleeing and eluding causing damage The alleged shooting unfolded around 10 p.m Alsip police responded to several 911 calls reporting gunshots in the 11800 block of Karlov Avenue Another Alsip police officer spotted a vehicle that matched witnesses' descriptions traveling eastbound on 123rd Street took off at a high speed after the officer started to follow the vehicle Harbin was located in Blue Island after crashing into another vehicle A judge ordered Harbin to be detained at Cook County Jail following a pretrial hearing Jan 2024 at 7:19 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}The general election is Nov Here's a guide for Alsip-Crestwood voters before they hit the polls but limited early voting gets underway Oct 9 at Cook County suburban courthouses and downtown Chicago at 69 W Traditional early voting expands to suburban Cook County Oct The hottest race on the ballot is the presidential election pitting Vice President Kamala Harris against former President Donald J Worth Township residents will vote on a binding referendum whether to abolish the road district: Crestwood residents will cast ballots on a property tax advisory referendum: limited early voting will be available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m at all five suburban Cook County Circuit Courthouse locations and in downtown Chicago at 69 W All registered voters are eligible to vote at any Cook County early voting center. The Cook County Clerk's Office offers additional information about voter registration and finding your polling place on Election Day Traditional early voting in Alsip-Crestwood starts Oct If you’re planning to take advantage of early voting in Oak Lawn, please note that the early voting polling place has moved to the Oak Lawn Public Library There are 51 early voting locations in suburban Cook County and at least one must show your current address Find a convenient location near you on the Cook County Clerk's website Early voting will expand to these locations starting Oct Mail-in ballot drop boxes are also available at the Cook County Clerk's Office and at Alsip Village Hall If you’re not registered to vote, you can register online through Oct Voters can also register to vote on election day at their regular polling place If registering to vote at an early voting site prospective voters are required to provide a valid photo ID to an election official before receiving a ballot to vote early Valid forms of ID include a current driver's license university/college ID or another government-issued ID with a photo The last day to request a mail-in ballot 4; the last day to postmark a mail-in ballot is Nov If you are already in line to vote when the polls close If you don't know your polling place, find it here. 2024 at 9:46 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Voters line up for early voting Sunday at the Oak Lawn Public Library You can still register and vote in the 2024 election Monday IL — Whether you just crave the excitement of voting on the actual Election Day or waited until the last minute and haven’t registered The deadlines for requesting a mail-in ballot or to register online have passed so you will have to vote in person The last day of early voting for suburban Cook County voters is Monday, Nov. 4. Any voter in suburban Cook County can visit one of 51 early voting locations or downtown Chicago at 69 W If you plan to vote Monday, early voting sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Alsip Village Hall, 4500 W. 123rd St. or at the Crestwood Civic Center Voter registration is available Monday at early voting sites Same-day registration will also be available on Election Day but you have to register and vote at your assigned precinct If you don’t know your precinct, visit the Cook County Clerk’s website to find out where your polling place is located You can also check to see who is on your ballot Mail-in ballots must be completed and returned via mail to the Cook County Clerk in the return envelope Or, drop your mail-in ballot off in person at a mail drop box 2024 at 9:41 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Alsip and Crestwood trick or treating hours will be from 3 to 7 p.m IL — Kids will soon be combing the streets of Alsip and Crestwood in search of candy on Halloween Both villages have set hours for trick or treating from 3 to 8 p.m Alsip's and Crestwood's trick or treat hours are from 3 to 8 p.m >>> Trunks Will Be Open Wednesday At Worth Township's Trunk or Treat Officials in both communities ask that residents turn on their front porch light if they plan to participate in handing out candy drive slowly and watch for costumed pedestrians - Interactive Map To Houses Entered In OL Halloween Decorating Contest - Patch's Best 2024 Halloween Yard Haunts: Cook County, Chicago CHICAGO (CBS) — A kidnapping victim was found by police in a stolen car in Crestwood police said Chicago police found a stolen vehicle wanted in connection with a kidnapping near 127th and Menard streets Police said the kidnapping victim was inside the vehicle who was also wanted in Iowa on a nationwide warrant for a probation violation Click here for the full story via CBS Chicago 2024 at 12:01 am CTThe fire caused extensive smoke and water damage at a 6-unit building in the Crestline Village Apartments (Alsip Fire Department)Second- and third-floor units at the Crestline Villa Apartments in Alsip sustained excessive damage from a fire (Lorraine Swanson | Patch)Second- and third-floor units at the Crestline Villa Apartments in Alsip sustained excessive damage from a fire IL — A fire displaced residents of an apartment building Thursday afternoon in Alsip The cause of the fire is under investigation The initial call of a fire came in around 4:05 p.m flames were shooting out of a roof and windows from the second and third floor of a six-unit building on Villa Court Neighbors on the Families of Alsip Facebook page posted that the smoke was so thick Chief Tom Styczynski, of the Alsip Fire Department said the second and third floor units on one side of the 6-unit building sustained extensive damage “There was water damage in the first floor unit from water coming down from the second floor,” Styczynski said “Smoke damage affected the hallway across the whole second and third floor.” A tenant of one of the affected units told Patch that the fire may have originated in the kitchen Styczynski said that investigators were conducting interviews with tenants impacted by the fire The fire chief added that Red Cross was on the way to assist residents of the building Palos Heights Oak Lawn fire departments provided assistance in striking the fire with Merrionette Park providing ambulance service Charges are pending for a suspect who is in police custody in Michigan Details are being worked out for extradition back to Illinois Just after 4 p.m. Wednesday, Crestwood police and firefighters responded to a call of heavy smoke at ATG Truckload was found on the second floor of the building amid heavy smoke Koteski is listed as president and CEO on the trucking company’s website Crestwood police and the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force was activated an investigation. The Illinois State Fire Marshall also responded to the scene to start an arson investigation investigators were able to develop and follow up on numerous leads and investigators determined that he worked for Koteski The suspect was eventually located in a truck stop in Holland, about 145 miles from Crestwood. Police said the task force notified the Holland Police Department who took the suspect in custody around 5:15 a.m An arrest warrant has been issued for the suspect, who is currently in custody of the Ottawa County Sheriff in Michigan A network of correspondents providing impartial news reports and analysis in 33 languages from locations around the world Up-to-the-minute news and analysis from around the world and in Chicago Hosted by WBEZ's Mary Dixon and NPR's Steve Inskeep Newshour is the award-winning flagship program of the BBC World Service the world’s largest news gathering operation 1A convenes a conversation about the most important issues of our time smart reflection on world news as it’s happening innovators and artists from around the globe with news from Chicago from WBEZ’s Lisa Labuz Reset digs into how the news has moved since you left the house discussing and unpacking the biggest stories and issues in Chicago and beyond right in the heart of the day Fresh Air is a 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— Science Friday is your source for entertaining and educational stories and activities From their humble beginnings on Chicago’s radio airwaves to their evolution through television and today’s streaming platforms "Stories Without End" unpacks how soap operas have shaped popular culture and told intergenerational stories that continue to resonate a new theme and a variety of stories on that theme Sound Opinions is hosted by Jim DeRogatis and Greg Kot In-depth interviews with brilliant creators A mix of live performances and interviews from WXPN Philadelphia’s daily program featuring important established and emerging artists Weekly film podcast and radio show from Chicago featuring in-depth reviews The first 50 years of modern advertising was based on hard-sell The next 50 years was persuasion through creativity and media tonnage But as advertising squeezed into the 21 century it was forced to shed its elbowing ways and become a delicate dialogue The goal is no longer to triumph by weight CBC's Under the Influence is hosted by Terry O'Reilly A wrap up of the week's news and a mix of analysis and features on a wide range of topics Have a laugh and test your news knowledge while figuring out what's real and what we've made up It's Been a Minute features people in the culture who deserve your attention Plus weekly wraps of the news with journalists in the know Exploring the biggest questions of our time with the help of the world's greatest thinkers A radio journal of news and culture produced from a Latino perspective and offbeat features from Chicago and around the world with only a microphone and a roomful of strangers How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior shape our choices and direct our relationships Your guide to examining how the media sausage is made Important ideas and practical advice: Code Switch features fearless and much-needed conversations about race—and Life Kit offers practical advice on things in life no one prepared you for Created by The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX Reveal is public radio’s first one-hour radio show and podcast dedicated to investigative reporting A weekly program presented by the New Yorker magazine’s editor killer beats and the edgiest new talent in storytelling come together for a weekly show that straps audiences into an audio rollercoaster Radiolab is known for its deep-dive journalism and innovative sound design Created in 2002 by former host Jad Abumrad the program began as an exploration of scientific inquiry Over the years it has evolved to become a platform for long-form journalism and storytelling Radiolab is hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser Emergency crews were repairing a water main break in Alsip Friday night Emergency crews in southwest suburban Alsip were repairing a water main break Friday night Village officials said the water main break was on 131st Street and the area would remain closed until repairs were made A large water main break in northeastern Skokie flooded much of the neighborhood Friday morning prompting the village to issue a boil order close schools and block roads near the ruptured main City officials in Skokie said they were first alerted to that water main break at East Prairie Road and Emerson Street about 5:15 a.m Terms of Use • Privacy Notice • Cookie Policy • Terms of Sale A two-alarm fire destroyed a magnesium plant in south suburban Dixmoor overnight firefighters from several departments and hazmat teams responded to heavy flames ripping through the plant at 14101 Seeley Ave they encountered challenges due to the explosive materials inside the plant but there's been no injuries reported," Jeff Cook with the Posen Fire Department said Click here for the full story via CBS Chicago Alsip made history after selling the largest winning Fast Play ticket ever sold in a store A lucky player won a whopping $1,691,719 jackpot on Aug This is the largest Fast Play jackpot won in retail and third highest Fast Play jackpot behind a $2.7 million jackpot won in June, and a $1.7 million jackpot won last month. All three of the Fast Play jackpots were won with Ultimate Diamond Jackpot The jackpot begins at $75,000 and grows with each ticket sold statewide until the jackpot is won Speedway netted a $16,917.19 bonus — 1 percent of the total jackpot. The same gas station sold a $1 million Mega Millions Quick Pick in 2017 There are currently more than 25 Fast Play games offered at various price points and play styles Hadi was guiding a semi-trailer into the loading dock Tuesday morning at Menasha Packaging Company, 11601 Central Ave., Alsip. The man became caught between a parked truck as the semi-trailer was backing up, Chief Jay Miller, of the Alsip Police Department told Patch The man was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where he died of his injuries later in the afternoon A spokesperson for Neenah, WI-based Menasha Corp. called the accident a “terrible tragedy.” We’ve been interviewed by the Alsip Police Department,”said Kristine Pavletich director of corporate communications for Menasha Corp “It is difficult to hear about these situations Our hearts and thoughts and prayers go out to his family.” Pavletich told Patch that the 32-year-old man was not an employee of Menasha The company works with several trucking and distribution contractors She did not know which contractor employed the worker The fatal workplace accident remains under investigation 2024 at 10:00 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}A 27-year-old Chicago Ridge man was arrested after crashing a car stolen out of Oak Forest early Wednesday morning IL — A car stolen in Oak Forest Wednesday was crashed minutes later in Alsip A Chicago Ridge man driving the car was taken into custody The 2020 Toyota Corolla that had been left running was stolen from an apartment parking lot in the 5600 block of Independence Ave Alsip police were called to a two-car crash in the area of 127th Street and Rt One of the drivers ran westbound into a residential area damaging multiple fences while attempting to evade police Alsip and Crestwood Police officers were able to find and arrest 27-year-old Akram Hassan in the area of 126 Place and Mansfield Avenue Hassan had been driving the stolen vehicle Alsip police charged Hassan with fleeing/eluding a peace officer and failure to yield right of way from private drive Oak Forest police charged Hassan with theft of a motor vehicle Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. 2024 at 12:50 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Kroger Co the parent companies of Mariano's Fresh Markets and Jewel-Osco announced their $24.6 billion merger in October 2022​ IL — Alsip could lose it's Jewel-Osco supermarket after landing on a list of 35 Illinois Jewel and Mariano’s stores to be divested ahead of a proposed merger between grocery chain giants Kroger’s and Albertsons Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos, the parent companies of Mariano's Fresh Markets and Jewel-Osco announced their $24.6 billion merger in October 2022 and both agreed to sell stores and other facilities to C&S Wholesale Grocers The New Hampshire-based C&S Wholesale Grocers will purchase the stores as part of the merger agreement Kroger and Albertsons will sell almost 600 stores and other facilities across the United States they currently operate almost 5,000 stores throughout the country Local Jewel-Osco stores to be sold to C&S if the deal goes through include 12001 S Kroger and Albertsons shared the list of closures ahead of a trial in August that is expected to determine the deal's outcome according to a report from Crain's Chicago Business The divestiture comes after the Federal Trade Commission previously blocked the deal Read more about the proposed divestiture Patch editor Emily Rosca contributed to this report 2025 at 9:37 am CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Thirty shell casings were recovered from a car wash parking lot where three people got out of a vehicle and began shooting IL — Bullets flew over Cicero Avenue Wednesday morning The shooting unfolded just before 10:30 a.m. near 137th Street and Cicero Avenue. Chief Kevin Sisk, of the Crestwood Police Department told Patch that three people got out of a car in the parking lot of a car wash and started shooting into traffic It is unknown what the trio was shooting at Bullets struck the McDonald’s restaurant and a uniform store in the 13700 block of South Cicero Thirty shell casings were recovered at the scene The three then fled through Midlothian and Posen The vehicle was pursued to 150th Street and Seely Avenue in Harvey All three occupants bailed and took off running A police helicopter followed the suspects’ vehicle where an officer aboard the aircraft claimed to have seen one of the trio drop a gun The gun was eventually recovered by police The person seen dropping the gun from the helicopter was apprehended Charges are pending for the suspect in custody “The City of Blue Island’s greatest strength is its diversity,” the statement read, which was posted on Facebook “We value and will work to protect every family and child in our community.” J.B.Pritzker is pledged to uphold state laws relating to immigration amid White House pressures >>> Mercy Sisters Prepare Asylum Seekers For Uncertainties Under Trump City officials said the Blue Island Police Department operates with limited resources and will not participate in federal immigration enforcement activities “Our focus will remain on community safety … We will continue to uphold the state laws that protect all the families who live and contribute to the thriving fabric of Illinois.” rumors flew Monday on neighborhood social media of ICE agents spotted in the south suburbs “My uncle got stopped by ICE. They’re dressed in civilian gear according to him and presented him with a badge and asked to present ID and his status,” said a member of the Posen, IL & Blue Island, IL Facebook group Another group member responded that ICE agents were sighted in South Holland “I know Blue Island is filled of undocumented families and it hurts to see everyone stressed and scared if anyone needs me to go grocery shopping for them or any task they’re too afraid to go do Know that you are not alone,” the group member added The comments also included Spanish language translations President Donald Trump’s “Immigration czar” Tom Homan claimed Chicago would be ground zero for mass deportations Regardless of residents’ immigration status the City of Blue Island is recommending that families prepare an emergency plan creating a list of people to help with their case short-term guardianship for children if parents are taken into custody by ICE Blue Island officials also charged a tool kit put out by the Immigration Legal Resources Center 2024 at 2:09 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Crestwood fire officials said one adult was taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition after a fire ripped through a condominium building IL — A fire ripped through a 12-unit condominium building late Wednesday afternoon in Crestwood in a Carriage Manor condominium building at 5700 W The cause of the fire is still under investigation but according to neighbors on neighborhood social media an explosion was heard right before the fire broke out Assistant Fire Chief Kevin McAuliffe, of the Crestwood Fire Department said the possibility of an explosion before the fire erupted is being investigated Drugs or a drug-making operation do not appear to be involved “We’re working with the state fire marshal and ATF,” McAuliffe said “[ATF comes] in with the state when we need them considering the amount of damage there was.” One adult resident was taken to Palos Community Hospital in critical condition; three others were taken to area hospital in good condition At least eight of the 12 households in the condominium building requested housing assistance from the Red Cross The building has been declared uninhabitable The extra-alarm blaze drew assists from Oak Lawn and the Palos and North Palos Fire Protection Districts Duckie and May – belonged to Jack Aguilar and Stephanie Ramirez Aguilar and Ramirez both work at South Suburban Humane Society in Mattesson Colleagues said some cats had been adopted and/or being fostered by the couple after an extended kitten season “They’re two of the most genuinely amazing people I know,” SSHS community engagement director Mika Carten said “They’ve had rough road this year … nobody deserves this.” A GoFundMe campaign, “Rebuild Hope for Jack and Stephanie,” has been set up by coworkers to assist the couple in the coming days and months The Crestwood condominium was one of several that broke out in the Chicago region Wednesday evening which had been experiencing gusty winds and snow squalls throughout the day Nineteen residents of the building are now trying to rebuild their lives after losing everything they owned but the clothes on their backs At least four separate GoFundMe campaigns have been created by friends and family members to help the displaced residents by the Dec >>> Extra Alarm Crestwood Condo Blaze Injures 4, Kills 15 Cats The fire may have started from an oxygen tank, reports claim. The Crestwood Fire Department has deemed the building uninhabitable after it was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived High winds contributed to the extra-alarm fire’s rapid spread from the first floor through the 12-unit building’s stairwells The fire injured four people, who were transferred to area hospitals. Several residents and a Crestwood police officer were treated for smoke inhalation. The Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office determined the fire to be accidental lived on the building’s first floor next door to a unit where the fire is believed to have started >>> Offers Of Help Pour In For Crestwood Condo Fire Victims my father saw smoke coming from the neighbor’s apartment and pulled [the neighbor] out,” Vizza Sr.’s daughter The whole hallway was full of smoke by then He ran back in and got my father’s service dog out through the sliding glass [patio] door.” The Vizzas have created the “Aid The Vizza Family After Devastating Fire” on GoFundMe They are requesting donations for daily necessities and temporary housing to get them back on their feet The neighbor who was pulled out of his first-floor unit by Vizza Sr. and a Crestwood police officer is recovering at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood Emma Hasty narrowly escaped and “bravely rescued herself” before Crestwood firefighters arrived from the third floor, scaling the balcony with her beloved dog, Poquito, in her arms, said her friend, Haley Crowley, who has organized the “Help Emma Rebuild After Devastating Fire” on GoFundMe As firefighters yelled at her to move away from the building She is currently recovering from surgery and has no home to go to Jacqueline Conte has organized GoFundMe campaign for her mother A goal of $5,000 has been set to assist her mother and sister with temporary housing and any other expenses that may arise as they begin to rebuild Jack Aguilar and Stephanie Ramirez, were at work at South Suburban Humane Society in Mattesson In addition to losing their home and engagement rings the blaze killed 15 cats they had adopted and/or were fostering after an extended kitten season A GoFundMe campaign, “Rebuild Hope for Jack and Stephanie,” has been set up by their coworkers to assist the couple in the coming days and months 2025 at 3:48 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Christopher Spencer is facing DUI and leaving the scene after getting into two accidents minutes apart IL — A Crestwood police officer is facing drunk driving charges after he got involved in two car crashes minutes apart in Midlothian is charged with driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a property damage accident Midlothian police officers responded to a hit-and-run vehicle crash in the parking lot of White Castle at 147th Street and Cicero Avenue The vehicle owner described the driver as a white male driving a red Ford F-350 He was able to provide a plate number and photo of the driver a resident on the 15100 block of South Kostner Avenue called 911 when someone crashed into his garage Officers found the red Ford F-350 sought in the earlier crash at White Castle parked in the grass of the homeowner’s backyard There was damage to the residence’s garage door and landscaping The homeowner told police he didn’t know Spencer Police said Spencer stayed in his vehicle and was drinking from a bottle of liquor The homeowner was able to take away Spencer’s keys Officers said detected a strong odor of alcohol and slurred speech while speaking to Spencer who reportedly showed signs of impairment during field sobriety tests He was processed and released by Midlothian police and was given a court date Spencer is an 18-year veteran of the Crestwood Police Department and one of its highest paid officers Spencer was given a year's supervision in January 2022 when his blood alcohol contest was .274 Spencer was said to have driven the same Ford over someone's lawn Crestwood Police Chief Kevin Sisk, of the Crestwood Police Department did not return an email from Patch seeking comment The road district is a separate taxing body and is responsible for 14 miles of roadway in unincorporated areas of the township at an annual budget of $1,918,000 half of which went to the administrative costs of $909,000 The township will create a highway department that would provide more services under centralized management have passed similar measures and incorporated the responsibility for the roads within their respective governments Worth Township serves 12 communities in Chicago’s south suburbs Rapper King Von is buried at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois, a resting place for many notable figures in Black history. His grave has become a symbol of his influence on drill music and the broader rap scene Fans frequently visit King Von’s headstone to pay homage to the rapper was a prominent Chicago drill rapper whose life and career were marked by both acclaim and controversy He gained fame for his storytelling and hit songs such as "Took Her to the O," "Crazy Story," and "Armed and Dangerous." His music vividly depicted life on the streets of Chicago contributing significantly to the drill music genre His life was cut short when he died from gunshot wounds in Fulton County His death followed an altercation outside an Atlanta nightclub Known for his gang affiliations and alleged involvement in violent incidents Due to King Von's legacy in Chicago and the fact that this is an active cemetery where people visit loved ones who have passed it is highly discouraged to play King Von's music in this setting What do we know about the real woman behind one of the Beatles' most famous songs Little Zion Church was proven to be his final resting place The composer known as the "Swedish Mozart" arranged to be buried in an unusual spot The final resting place of one of the most iconic musicians of the '80s The grave of the legendary "Bonzo" can often be seen covered in cymbals and drumsticks The first singer to cut a country music record is buried in a small graveyard in Atlanta The final resting place of a controversial man who was instrumental in plucking the banjo from obscurity The memorial gravesite of the young composer of China's national anthem PALOS, IL — A total of 17 runners from Alsip and Crestwood successfully competed in the 2024 Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday joining more than 50,000 participants who crossed the finish line in Grant Park solidified Chicago’s reputation as a record-setting race which saw a world record broken in the women’s division attracted runners from all 50 states and over 100 countries The 26.2-mile race started and ended in Grant Park with runners traversing 29 of Chicago’s neighborhoods This year’s event also set a record with more than 50,000 finishers and was supported by over 1.7 million spectators lining the streets Local athletes competed alongside elite runners from around the globe who smashed the women’s world record with a time of 2:09:56 who ran the second-fastest men’s time in the event’s history at 2:02:44 Here are the top finishers from Alsip-Crestwood and their finishing times: (See all the Chicago Marathon results) Chepngetich’s 2:09:56 finish made her the first woman to break the 2:10 barrier shattering the previous world record of 2:11:53 set in Berlin in 2023 by Tigst Assefa Chepngetich said setting a new record Sunday was part of her plan “I was not worried [about the pace]," she said Chepngetich's performance in Chicago now gives her the first and fifth fastest times ever run in the marathon Seven and a half minutes after Chepngetich’s record-breaking finish Sutume Kebede of Ethiopia crossed the line in 2:17:32 and Irine Cheptai of Kenya finished third in 2:17:51 American Susanna Sullivan was the top American finisher on the women’s side Korir pulled away from the pack between the 30- and 35-kilometer marks — about 20 miles in — running back-to-back miles in 4:25 and 4:22 to secure his victory in 2:02:44 a personal best and the second-fastest time ever in Chicago “I knew I was in 2:02 shape," Korir said after the race "I knew I wanted to close the season with my PB [personal best] My training was good and when I was training Huseydin Mohamed Esa of Ethiopia finished second with a time of 2:04:39 and Amos Kipruto of Kenya rounded out the top three at 2:04:50 Fresno native CJ Albertson was the top American male finisher setting a personal best by more than 90 seconds five-time champion Marcel Hug of Switzerland known as the "silver bullet," defended his men's title "It was a tactical race," Hug said after a tight finish with Daniel Romanchuk "I attacked countless times and then we had a finish sprint and luckily I won." And Catherine Debrunner of Switzerland broke her own 2023 course record in the women’s wheelchair race after Susannah Scaroni of the United States had to drop out due to a flat tire “I was super excited to come back here to Chicago It was just really unfortunate that Susannah got a flat tire really early," Debrunne said it's always tough when you do all yourself so I was really happy when I was in the finish." The 47th running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon is scheduled for Oct The four application period opens on Tuesday The Associated Press and Patch staff contributed reporting offers gym-healthy smoothies and acai bowls (Lorraine Swanson | Patch)The Smoothie Bar juices and smoothies will now have a new source to get their fix when The Smoothie Bar celebrates its grand opening Saturday Smoothies will be offering $5 smoothie and $7 bowl specials all day Saturday in addition to gift cards and prizes from 9 a.m The Smoothie Bar who is still working a full-time job as an arcade account manager while getting his dream off the ground “I just love smoothies and I like business,” Abbadi said “They’re weren’t a ton of options super close that were making smoothies with fresh fruit.” The store is conveniently located next door to CFX Fitness on the Alsip side of 111th Street across the street from Mariano’s on the Oak Lawn side Club members can come in and get 15 percent off a post workout smoothie “The main takeaway is that this is a fresh fruit smoothie bar “Our acai bowls and protein-style smoothies are packed with fruit that you can take to the gym.” While the Smoothie Bar has been open for a few months Abbadi will be using the grand opening to debut his new acai and smoothie bowls that come in four different flavors – acai Acai are gorgeous deep purple berries that are native to Central and South America they're soaked to soften the tough outer skin and then mashed to form a dark purple paste for Smoothie Bar’s acai bowls The juice bar’s menu focuses on fresh ingredients Smoothie Bar will also offer lemonade and coffee drinks and energized smoothies to keep your energy up while you work out Prices run from $8.49 for a large smoothie comparable to other juice bars that will charge upwards of $16 for smoothies and bowls “Lots of nutrition places popping up and price gouging,” Abbadi said “I personally believe that small businesses shouldn’t charge corporate prices.” “I sell good smoothies but I also don’t want to kill people’s pockets,” he added The Smoothie Bar, 4843 W. 111th St., Alsip, is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The juice bar can be reached at 708-930-5820. Keep up with Smoothie Bar happenings Facebook and Instagram 2025 at 2:33 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Josif Suclea is charged with first-degree murder in his boss' death IL — An employee accused of a slashing his boss’s throat at a Crestwood trucking company had made numerous threats to kill him in the presence of others in the days leading up to the CEO’s brutal death appeared Sunday at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse on charges of first degree murder An arson investigation is also said to be underway by the state fire marshal A Cook County assistant state’s attorney said that Dane Koteski, 47 had suffered business setbacks in the days leading up to his death on March 5. Koteski owned ATG Truckload at 13835 S Koteski leased several refrigeration trucks from Compass Truck Rental when he announced on Feb 28 that he would be closing the trucking company the prosecutor said Suclea threatened to kill Koteski on multiple occasions in front of numerous employees prosecutors say Koteski entered ATG and threatened to kill the owner and his family in front of other employees Koteski was captured on security video entering ATG just after 2:30 p.m Suclea appeared on video entering the business a few minutes after his boss Koteski was seen on the phone as Suclea followed his boss as he moved around the building before entering the back office There was no security camera in the back room but the prosecutor said Suclea was seen spitting into a garbage can before entering the back room Suclea next appeared on camera with blood on his shoes and hand Suchlea looked directly into the security camera as he pulled down the smoke detector Just ten minutes lapsed between the time Suclea entered and left the building An hour after Suclea drove out of ATG’s parking lot the main office area was seen on video filling with smoke An ATG employee arrive at the building around 4 p.m March 5 to collect a forklift as payment for Koteski's debt When the employee called Koteski’s name and received no answer he walked around the building when he heard the fire alarm and smelled smoke Crestwood police and firefighters entered the building where a burning binder was found on the second floor This was the same office where the trucking company owner was found lying in a pool of blood Officers observed Koteski lying on his back with a deep laceration to his jugular vein The prosecutor said Koteski’s cell phone was found in the trash bin A bloody fingerprint was found on the phone and was submitted to the Illinois State Crime Lab Spit from the garage can was also collected and submitted for DNA testing The Cook County Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death by force with a sharp object The autopsy report noted a cut to the trucking company owner’s right side of his neck measuring three inches long where he was arrested at a truck stop early the next morning officers there were said to find Suclea in possession of a large folding knife Suclea was extradited from Michigan to Crestwood which the prosecutor said had connected to ATG Truckload’s Wi-Fi on March 5 at the time of the purported murder at 2:39 p.m and disconnected when Suclea is said to have fled the scene in the truck at 2:51 p.m Luminol testing of Suclea’s truck indicated blood on the steering wheel, and shoe prints on the driver’s side floorboards, court documents said. The smoke detector and folding knife, the suspected murder weapon, were also sent to the Illinois State Crime Lab Seven employees and acquaintances also identified Suclea from surveillance video stills and driving off in a Freightliner truck Another witness described talking to Koteski when his throat was being slit and said they heard scuffling and muffling before Koteski’s phone went dead Employees also recounted threats Suclea allegedly made to Koteski in front of them that he would kill the trucking company owner and his family Suclea was ordered detained in Cook County Jail while his case is pending His next court appearance is March 18 in Bridgeview is facing DUI and leaving the scene of an accident charges In a statement posted on the Crestwood police Facebook page Chief Kevin Sisk said that Spencer had resigned Police said the vehicle owner was also able to provide a plate number and photo of the driver a Midlothian resident on the 15100 block of South Kostner Avenue called 911 when someone crashed into his garage Officers said they detected a strong odor of alcohol and slurred speech while speaking to Spencer Spencer was an 18-year veteran of the Crestwood Police Department and one of its highest paid officers This one-of-a-kind event allows shoppers to buy new brand-name items while raising money for individuals with disabilities and those living with mental illness Sertoma received so many products from the recent Inspired Home Show at McCormick Place that it needed two storefronts to accommodate the 2025 Super Sale in the Rivercrest Shopping Center at 4833 W Cal Sag Road (next to the Home Store) and 13140 S A variety of home furnishings are featured at deep discounts of 50 percent to 90 percent off from kitchen and dining ware to living room decor and bath ware The super sale also offers small appliances Volunteers have been working around the clock to set everything up The sale is known to attract thousands of bargain hunters Check out the Super Sale Shopping Guide and put on your running shoes 2024 at 12:16 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Mehdi Medellel 42 (Chicago Police Department)CHICAGO — A Crestwood man was one of two people fatally shot Monday at a fast food restaurant in Chicago’s Ashburn neighborhood The violent encounter was captured on the restaurant’s surveillance video who was employed as a cashier at JJ Fish and Chicken is charged with two felony counts of first-degree murder He was ordered detained by Judge Caroline Glennon-Goodman following a pretrial hearing Wednesday at the Leighton Criminal Court Building Prosecutors did not offer a motive as to what provoked Medellel into shooting the two men The incident was captured on the restaurant’s surveillance video which is also said to be circulating on social media the restaurant cook said Medellel was handling a gun in the rear kitchen area A man was seated at a table in the dining area but prosecutors said the man did not have any interaction with Medellel Another man entered the restaurant at 10:14 p.m The prosecutor said the man showed Medellel the contents Medellel is seen walking back to the rear kitchen area The prosecutor said Medellel is seen on video locking the rear exit before approaching the man with the suitcase raising the gun as the man steps backward with his hands up Prosecutor said Medellel followed the man and shot him in the head The second man who was seated tried to stand up and move away but Medellel turned and shot him in the head Medellel then reportedly left the restaurant Both of the men who were shot died at the scene They were identified in a Chicago police report as Paul Williams Chicago police took Medellel into custody on the 1700 block of West 79th Street Police said Medellel was wearing the same red shirt seen in the surveillance video Medellel’s black hoodie was also said to have been found nearby The cook identified Medellel as the man he saw with a gun moments before he heard the gunshots Both the cook and restaurant owner also identified Medellel from surveillance videos at JJ Fish Chicago police removed shell casings at the scene Medellel is also said to have made statements to police and led them to a Dumpster where the gun was recovered The prosecutor told the judge that Medellel has past arrests for battery 29 at the Leighton Criminal Court Building Game day jobs include part-time positions in concessions and fan services Especially needed are grill cooks (burgers Applications are also being taken for various other positions in Ozinga Field’s food and beverage department These jobs are perfect for retired persons looking to stay busy those with summers off like teachers and especially high school/college students looking for a fun summer job The Windy City ThunderBolts play at Ozinga Field Applicants will be notified via email between February and April about possible interviews and positions. Visit the ThunderBolts Employment for more information and to apply. Any questions can be directed to Karen Engel at concessions@wcthunderbolts.com 2024 at 12:03 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Crestwood voters send message to Illinois state legislators to increase funding for public schools without raising property taxes IL — Voters in Crestwood overwhelmingly passed an advisory referendum that mirrored a statewide referendum to provide property tax relief by creating an additional 3 percent tax on income greater than $1 million "Shall the Village of Crestwood pass a Resolution urging the State of Illinois to pass Legislation that requires the State of Illinois to increase State funding for Public Schools that results in lower property tax bills and reduces the tax burden on local Property owners and taxpayers specifically those in South Suburban Cook County?" Crestwood’s advisory question is non-binding and has no legal effect but meant to gauge the thoughts of residents and to send a message to the Illinois General Assembly in shaping future policy The statewide advisory referendum – creating an additional 3 percent tax levy on income greater than $1 million – passed by 60.3 percent in Tuesday’s election The village has a whole slate of Halloween activities planned for the afternoon Trunks will be open and decorated in all kinds of crazy themes There will be costume contests every hour along with prizes 2024 at 2:10 pm CT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Your guide to fireworks parades and other July 4 celebrations in and around Alsip and Crestwood IL — Independence Day is fast approaching so it's time to find out where you can celebrate in and around Oak Lawn To help you fit it all in on your 4th of July calendar Patch has put together a guide to what’s going on in Alsip-Crestwood and the surrounding areas What: Party In The Park, BurbankWhere: Narragansett Park 77th Street and Narragansett Ave.When: Full carnival June 27 to June 30; fireworks blast off at 9 p.m What: Evergreen Park Independence Day Parade and FireworksWhen: 6 p.m 95th and Springfield; fireworks blast off at 9 p.m What: Oak Lawn Independence Day Parade and ConcertWhen: 4 p.m parade steps off down 95th Street; post parade concert 6 p.m with Five Guys Named Moe on the village green What: Palos Heights July 3 FestivalWhen: Inflatables and games for kids 10 a.m What: Bridgeview 2024 Independence Day Celebration music and food trucks starting at 4; fireworks blast off 9 p.m.Where: Commissioners Park What: Oak Lawn 2024 Fourth of July FireworksWhen: 9:15 p.m.Where: Richards High School What: Haunted Trails July 4th Unlimited AttractionsWhere: Haunted Trails Family Entertainment Center Supervisor Patricia Joan Murphy unveils the sign at the park dedicated to her late mother who was the first woman elected to township government in 128 years (Lorraine Swanson | Patch)Public officials cut the ribbon to the new Joan Patricia Murphy at Worth Township Center (Lorraine Swanson | Patch)Joan Patricia Murphy Park is officially open at Worth Township Center in Alsip (Lorraine Swanson | Patch)Joan Patricia Murphy in her office who served as Worth Township supervisor and later Cook County Commissioner for the 6th District IL — Joan Patricia Murphy broke through many glass ceilings during her long career as a public servant so it was only appropriate that a park be dedicated in her memory where it all started One of the most influential elected officials in the south suburbs and a role model for women, public officials, colleagues and friends gathered last month to officially unveil the new half-acre park on the Worth Township Center campus at 116th Street and Pulaski Road in Alsip. Pulling a black drape off the new sign was Worth Township Supervisor Patricia Joan Murphy who currently holds the same office as her late mother “She was a natural organizer and natural born leader,” her daughter said in her remarks at the park dedication “She was the first woman to be elected to Worth Township government in its 128 years of existence." Patricia Joan Murphy recalled there being a park before the expansion of the township hall parking lot watching my mother do what she loved best,” Patricia Joan Murphy said Joan Patricia Murphy was a Bostonian by birth She attended the State Teachers College in Boston but the friendly skies beckoned She became a United Airline stewardess and flew in the late 1950s The couple settled in Crestwood where they would raise their four children: Donald “Her interest in politics was inspired by President John F but her interest in public service happened organically,” Trish Murphy recalled “I remember neighbors coming to the door seeking help They knew my mother was the person in town to come and ask The first elected office Murphy ran for was the village clerk of Crestwood she became the first woman to be elected Worth Township Clerk Murphy took a break from politics when she held a variety of public service positions including a job developer for displaced steel workers and an administrative assistant for the Cook County Circuit Court he encouraged her to run for public office she ran for Worth Township supervisor – the third largest township in Illinois –and won Concurrent with her township supervisor role, Murphy was a chief investigator for the Cook County Board of Ethics from 1995 to 2002 until she decided to make a run for the Cook County Board of Commissioners Murphy became the first female to be elected commissioner of the 6th District of Cook County Board where she served until 2016 until breast cancer forced her to leave office “She ran for 6th District commissioner in Cook County and served there until the day she wasn’t with us anymore,” her daughter said “She joked about being taken out in a casket She just died doing what she loved the day she was gone.” "So many people called my mother a trailblazer tough as nails and a dynamo,” her daughter said “She was a true public servant at heart when she was working with residents Everyone she helped got to experience how kind with calendars available to help parents prepare their children for a smooth transition into the 2024-2025 school year The first day of school for K-8 students is Aug. 22, with the first day of PreK at Cook County School Dist. 130 schools in Blue Island Some dates are subject to change during the school year. We also suggest that you check the Dist. 130 calendar or your child’s school for late starts Here is the list of dates to know for Dist offMarch 24 to March 28 - Spring BreakMarch 31 – School resumesApril 17 – Teacher InstituteApril 18 and April 21 – No schoolMay 26 - Memorial Day offMay 28 - Last day for Pre-KMay 29 - Graduation; half-day for K-8June 4 - Last day of school public works and other local businesses are planning a fun-filled family evening Chief Kevin Sisk will be greeting and introducing himself to residents He has participated in National Night Out for many years as a police officer but this will be his first year attending as your police chief and he is anxious to meet with the residents Crestwood police are planning another over the top National Night Out from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6 at Walker Park, 14065 Waterbury Dr. The Crestwood Police and Crestwood Fire Departments public works and other local business are planning a fun-filled family evening burgers and other refreshments will be served Fans are welcome to walk on to the stadium's synthetic turf field and enjoy a picnic in the park. Gates open at 6 p.m. The flick “Stuart Little” will be beamed on the Windy City Thunderbolts' video board at 7 p.m there will be an awesome firework so get those oohs and ahhs ready We suggest checking the Windy City ThunderBolts Facebook page for updates on cancellations in case it rains Outside food and drink are allowed in the ballpark for the event Fans are asked to help keep the ballpark clean by picking up food and litter and throwing it away but chairs must have flat rubber bottoms so as not to pierce the turf No peanuts or seed products are allowed inside the stadium Ozinga Field is located at 14011 Kenton Ave, Crestwood. For more information, call the Village of Crestwood at 708-371-4800 On Halloween night, Oct. 31, Gibbons, who owns and operates the ghost tour company Graveside Paranormal, will showcase his evidence of the haunting of the Lyric Theatre at a “SpookEasy.” “The Lyric called and said they had some weird things going on They asked us to come out,” Gibbons told Patch Gibbons and Larry Eissler III, of the show “Expedition Entity” now streaming on PARAFlix roamed the basement and attic of the building “Nobody has ever investigated the Lyric before We’re hearing a little boy in the building that was not caught on our equipment,” Gibbons said in 1917 adjacent to the Grand Opera House in Blue Island’s bustling entertainment center The first talkie shown at the Lyric was “The Terror” on April 1 Eventually the theater became a mecca for Southsiders looking to watch a movie in swankier surroundings during a matinee showing of the movie “Cash McCall,” starring James Garner and Natalie Wood everyone was able to escape the blaze uninjured The Lyric rose from the ashes and was rebuilt Other attempts were made to reopen the theater but the Lyric remained dormant during the 21st century until two longtime Blue Island families Nearly every inch of the theater has been renovated along with state-of-the-art audio and visual features The Lyric also offers live shows and two large banquet facilities for weddings and other functions “There’s a lot going on in Blue Island,” Gibbons said “We did The Forge and found evidence of a presenting ghost We also did Natural Law where we found a mischievous spirit It’s always in the basement area of these places.” Audience members will be treated to a full audio video presentation centered around recent findings at The Lyric as well as other haunted places from Chicago to Kentucky where Gibbons has conducted investigations Eissler will offer a Paranormal 101 crash course where audience members can come up to stage and use the equipment where paranormal activity has been detected Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at Graveside Paranormal The Lyric offers a full bar and concessions Graveside Paranormal has a whole slew of events and tours coming up in October