Coming Soon: Spartan Elite Wrestling Registration

The junior wrestling program for grade school boys and girls announced open registration at Marian Catholic, Sept. 22 and 23. The cost of registration is $100, and covers the entire season.

The season might be a few months away, but that doesn't mean the HF Spartan Elite Wrestling Program is resting on its laurels and counting on new members to find the team themselves. Instead, the club is aggressively pursuing new and returning members for the upcoming season, which kicks off in October. Registration will be held at Marian Catholic High School, on Sept. 22 and 23. The program runs through March. Registration for the club, which is open to boys and girls in grade school, costs $100 and covers the entire cost of the season. Wrestlers must pay their own way to tournaments and tournament entry fees, however. “We basically wrestle at local high schools, other local programs and high schools host tournaments, we host tournaments…

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TALK Gets Nonprofit Status, Continues to Grow

TALK continues to grow, and now with its non-for-profit status approved, plans to expand even more in the Southland.

After a year of wrangling for its not-for-profit letter, the Homewood based teen group TALK, Theater & Arts Leadership Kouncil, was finally awarded not-for-profit status by the U.S. Government. The letter will now allow the group to kick-start new efforts and programs for teens in the Southland area. “We help or empower teens to become difference-makers through the arts,” said Steve Ploum, founder of TALK. “We know these kids have a desire and motivation to do their arts. … TALK kind of builds off the idea that they want to have these cool projects and experiences, but really they need to learn how to pick it up themselves.” Although the group is lead by Ploum and other adult senior board members, he said that the real decision making is …

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New Mural Installed Along Lincoln Highway

Artist Jay Allen and several Southland dignitaries installed a new mural dedicated to the history of Lincoln Highway.

Nearly four years in the making, Chicago Heights saw the installation of its newest piece of public art Friday, April 5. Located at the Chicago Heights Water Department, 137 W. 14th Street, the mural is part of a 35-piece project along more than 100 miles of Route 30 in Illinois. “There's been 4,000 screws, untold amounts of paint and so much more. We're so close to the end now, it's really nice," said artist Jay Allen.  The mural is part of a larger project by the Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition's Interpretive Murals program. Each mural depicts 'the history, heritage and events of the highway and its impact on the communities,' according to DriveLincolnHighway.com. For more, get the full scoop on Chicago Heights Patch.

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Chicago Heights Mayor Responds to Daughter's Arrest

Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez issued a statement in response to recent charges filed against his daughter following a Homewood arrest.

Monica Gonzalez, 20-year-old daughter of Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez, was arrested and charged with resisting arrest, battery and possession of drug paraphernalia following a Nov. 23 incident in Homewood.  Mayor Gonzalez said he was "saddened" by the charges, and actions "certainly inconsistent with the behavior my wife and I have tried to instill in all of our children." The statement continued: Nevertheless, at 20 years of age, Monica is an adult. She is responsible for her own actions.  As the Mayor of the City of Chicago Heights, I stand by the notion that all persons, regardless of your position in life, need to abide by all laws and be accountable if you fail to do so.  READ: Daughter of Chicago Heights Mayor Arrested in …

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Water Woes Hit Homewood and the Heights: Patch Talk

This week it's all about water. Turns out Homewood and the Heights are dealing with similar issues when it comes to the clear stuff. Let's talk about the similarities and the differences between these two water (and money) related problems.

Talking Dumb and Crayons: Patch Talk

On this week's edition of Patch Talk, Chicago Heights Patch Editor Chris Paicely and Homewood-Flossmoor Patch Editor Ryan Fitzpatrick talk about mysterious water bills and the quality standards of your average crayon.

Please feel free to leave feedback comments below and, as always, thanks for listening!

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Ryan Fitzpatrick

3:26 pm on Friday, August 10, 2012

Gotcha. The conspiracy comment was totally made in jest, anyhow.   more ›

Homewood Police Blotter: Grocery Store Scam and Clout Claim Fails

Homewood police reports, July 15-25.

MONDAY, JULY 25 A police officer noted a youthful smoker and a companion walking in the 18000 block of Gottschalk Avenue. When asked his age, the smoker said he was 16, at which point the officer relieved him of his cigarette, according to the report. The second teen then surrendered a Newport cigarette from his pocket, police said. Both teens were released to their parents, and given a citation for unlawful possession of tobacco by a minor. A 33-year-old "nervous" Riverdale man aroused police suspicion when he was pulled over at 175th and Dixie Highway for failing to display a front license plate, police said. The officer asked Marvin Douglas, of the 12000 block of Aberdeen, if he had anything of interest in his car, a silver Inifiniti, …

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Sox Fan

1:01 pm on Thursday, August 4, 2011

Exactly. Winnie sounds like a bitter Village resident who got caught not following the rules. (If s/he doesn't like the rules, there's always unicorporated areas that s/he can move to.) Keep Homewood and Flossmoor beautiful and safe, folks, or move out.   more ›

Water Fun at Skyline Pool: Photo Gallery

Enjoying the first month of the season swimmers take to the pool and the water slide.

Built in 1960, Skyline Pool is still cooling off Bloom Township residents and their guests. With the days getting warmer, children and their parents are are taking advantage of reasonable family memberships.  Skyline Pool is offering swim lessons on Mondays & Tuesdays from July 11 through July 26. The classes, which are one hour long, will be from 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.  Cost for the swim lessons are $40 for members and $60 for non-members. Come out and join the summer fun!

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Chowdown Showdown

Apple Pie: Chowdown Showdown

This week, it's Battle: Apple Pie on Chowdown Showdown.

In the aftermath of last week's big tuna-themed Chowdown Showdown, Lilly Melin suggested we tackle apple pie next. The reasoning? "Nothin' more American or summer than that!" We couldn't really argue with that logic, so we rolled up the sleeves and dived into American summer tradition, tasting apple pies from three bakeries in the area. The locations were chosen by Patch users and Facebook fans. The winner this week was chosen with a few things in mind, but the use of the crust and filling to provide a properly balanced taste to the pie were key. Plus, we all know a good apple pie when we taste it. Part of our judgement was based on how closely each pie came to providing the all-around flavor of America's favorite dessert. If we can get …

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PatchCast: A Daily Video Report

Daily PatchCast: Gas Leak at School, Vietnam Memorial and Bestselling Author

A daily video recap of the Southland's top stories

Veterans, Visitors Moved by Vietnam Memorial Replica Acclaimed Author Steve Berry Talks Turning Faliure into Success Family of Hayley Pelock Aims to Create Memorial Scholarship Gas Leak Closes Lincoln Elementary, Sickens Teachers, Kids

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