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18 | September 15, 2016 | The Mokena Messenger News mokenamessenger.com FROM THE NEW LENOX PATRIOT Neighbors start GoFundMe in support of house fire in subdivision “Live. Love.” That pair of words — which were hung as decor on Paul and Joy Reno’s bedroom wall — is among the very few belongings that remain unharmed in what is left of their two-story home on Turtledove Lane in New Lenox. Nearly three weeks have passed since the structural fire occurred and destroyed their home, leaving Paul and Joy and their two sons, Zachary and Ayden, helpless, uncertain. “Basically, 20 years of our life went up in flames,” Paul said. “And it’s been an emotional roller coaster, but ... we have some really great neighbors, great friends — things like that — to support us.” That support comes in the form of a GoFundMe page through which community members can make donations to help the Reno family rebuild. While the targeted goal is set at $25,000, more than $4,000, as of Sept. 9, has already been raised. Daniel Peterson, who lives just a few houses away from the Renos, said despite not knowing them very well — only that Joy brings everyone together for the annual block party — he started the website just to “make it easy for people to contribute.” The Renos’ experience, too, is something that Peterson has seen firsthand. “I had an uncle who had a house fire when I was young, and he stayed with us for a long time,” he recalled, noting to come back from a tragedy like that is tough. “Insurance covers a lot of things, but it doesn’t cover everything.” To help the Reno family, visit www.gofundme. com/2m36zu4. Reporting by F. Amanda Tugade, Assistant Editor. For more visit, NewLenoxPatriot. com. FROM THE ORLAND PARK PRAIRIE Four men in custody following alleged jewelry store robbery attempt Four men reportedly are in custody after what police are describing as a “smash and grab type of theft” attempt the morning of Thursday, Sept. 8, at an Orland Park jewelry store in the 15100 block of LaGrange Road. The theft was thwarted by an off-duty Orland Park police officer who was working security at the store at the time, according to an alert issued the afternoon of Sept. 8. Around 10:57 a.m. Sept. 8, one of the stores in the area of 15100 LaGrange Road reported a suspicious circumstance at a jewelry store, according to an earlier alert issued by the Orland Park Police Department. An off-duty officer working security reportedly was approached by a male that attempted to lure him out of the store. That man was thought to be concealing a miniature sledgehammer with a wooden handle, according to Orland Park Police Cmdr. John Keating. The suspect left and met with three other men in the parking lot, Keating said. It reportedly was at that point the off-duty officer called the department for assistance. The male who approached the officer and three other subjects waiting outside the store ran from the area when approached by uniformed officers, according to the first alert. They reportedly ran eastbound across La- Grange Road. Three of the four males were apprehended immediately, while one remained at large for a short time but was apprehended by 1:05 p.m., according to a second alert. Reporting by Bill Jones, Editor. For more, visit OPPrairie.com. Back to School = Back to Spending Tell your customers where to spend. ® Contact Be smart. Advertise in The Mokena Messenger Lora Healy 708.326.9170 ext. 31 l.healy@22ndcenturymedia.com FROM THE FRANKFORT STATION Police looking for armed male who allegedly robbed a Frankfort Speedway Frankfort police are seeking the public’s help in locating a man responsible for an armed robbery the evening of Sept. 7 at Speedway gas station at 22305 S. Center Road in Frankfort, according to a press release issued the next day by the Frankfort Police Department. A lone man reportedly entered the business around 9:54 p.m., displayed a silver handgun and demanded money, police said. He took a “small amount” of cash and fled the scene eastbound on foot, according to the press release. No one was harmed in the incident, police added. The man suspected of the armed robbery was described as a white male, 20-25 years old, of slender build, with a thin goatee or mustache, wearing a maroon hooded sweatshirt, black jacket and sunglasses. A Speedway employee observed a silver Jeep exit the south entrance of the property, according to the press release. Though the man initially fled in a different direction than the vehicle, police are still looking into the possibility that the vehicle was connected rather than a “coincidence” that it left the lot around the same time, because only the man and a clerk were inside the store at the time of the incident, Deputy Chief Kevin Keegan said. Reporting by Bill Jones, Managing Editor. For more, visit FrankfortStation.com. FROM THE HOMER HORIZON Schilling School third-grader reportedly dies ‘suddenly’ A third-grader from Homer Community Consolidated School District 33C died this week, according to a letter sent to parents Sept. 7 by Superintendent Kara Coglianese. The student, who was a third-grader at Schilling School, reportedly died at home “suddenly” and was not named by the district. “Words cannot express our grief and heartfelt sympathy,” Coglianese wrote in the letter. The cause of death was considered natural, according to Will County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer. Hoffmeyer said deputies were called to the child’s home shortly before 8 a.m. Sept. 7, and the child was pronounced dead at the scene by the Will County Coroner’s Office, with an autopsy scheduled to be performed. “Out of respect to the family, we are not going to say anything about it,” Hoffmeyer said. “At this time, we are not conducting any further investigation. ... It is a tragic incident.” Coglianese said the district will have psychologists and social workers available for both students and staff throughout the week. She also encouraged parents to support their children, as well as monitor cellphones and email to anticipate their needs. Charla Brautigam, Homer 33C’s communications and public relations manager, added that licensed therapy dogs were to be at the school Thursday, Sept. 8, and that no memorials for the student were planned as of press time. Reporting by Kirsten Onsgard, Assistant Editor. For more, visit HomerHorizon.com. FROM THE LOCKPORT LEGEND Upcoming block party to entertain, highlight faith With vacations, warm weather and endless activities, it is easy to let things slide during the summer. And sometimes, that includes church, according to the Rev. Mitzi Blanchard of Cross Point Church in Lockport. “It’s also a good reminder — during the summer, people are busy, they go on vacation and they’re having a lot of fun,” she said. “But sometimes, the importance of church gets lost.” But one event at Dellwood Park in Lockport hopes to bring together community members of faith and introduce would-be churchgoers to local congregations through a block party with a diverse array of entertainment and worship. The first Dellwood Park Block Party is slated to take place from 1 p.m.- 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18, and will include four Christian worship artist performances, familyfriendly sketch comedy, food and booths from local churches, culminating with a unity worship. The event is free and open to the public. The Block Party also coincides with national Back to Church Sunday — an annual campaign in its seventh year encouraging church attendance, and asks new members to welcome their friends to their church. Nearly 30,000 U.S. churches across denominations are expected to participate this year. Reporting by Kirsten Onsgard, Assistant Editor. For more, visit LockportLegend.com. FROM THE TINLEY JUNCTION Man charged after allegedly toppling Zabrocki Plaza fountain Village officials are debating the future of the fountain in Zabrocki Plaza after it was toppled for the second time since 2010. Police received a complaint of vandalism to the Please see NFYN, 19
mokenamessenger.com Sound Off the Mokena Messenger | September 15, 2016 | 19 Social snapshot Top Web Stories From MokenaMessenger.com as of Friday, Sept. 9 1. Vehicle reported stolen from Mokena possibly used in Orland Park jewelry store robbery attempt 2. Police Reports: Orland Park man allegedly caught driving with suspended license, without headlights 3. Annie’s Supper Club 104 entertains on Front Street 4. Knights remain undefeated after 13-stroke win over Porters 5. Springing into fall events Become a member: mokenamssenger.com/plus The Lincoln-Way Special Recreation Association shared this photo on their Facebook page on Sept. 1. “Titans II enjoying a day at Whihala Beach.” Like The Mokena Messenger: facebook.com/ mokenamessenger.com “Congrats again to @LWCEvents and @ LWEGriffins on what look like amazing nights tonight! We’re proud to be part of LW with you! ” @LWWestSide on Sept. 2. Follow The Mokena Messenger: @mokenamessenger From the Editor AMANDA Jarzynski amanda@mokenamessenger.com Once again I have to write one of these articles. I’ve done it twice now in my time with 22nd Century Media. The first time was when I left Homer Glen and Lockport to transfer to Orland and Tinley parks. Then I had to say goodbye to Orland and Tinley in order to come to Mokena. Now, after only six months in this lovely little town, I am saying goodbye not only to Mokena but to 22nd Century Media completely. Though it has been only a short time, I feel like I’ve learned a lot about Mokena, and I have met a variety of people who live in the area. I have made a lot of great connections with people and NFYN From Page 18 fountain around 2:50 a.m. Sept.4, but by the time they arrived the alleged perpetrator had fled. A man allegedly climbed and toppled the fountain located in the plaza on the southeast corner of 173rd Place and Oak Park Avenue. Police worked to identify and locate the suspect, and Daniel McDonald, of the 18100 block of Rita Road in Tinley Park, was taken into custody the afternoon of Sept. 4 and charged with Time to say goodbye criminal damage to property, a Class 2 felony, according to Tinley Park Police Chief Steve Neubauer. This is not the first incidence of vandalism to the fountain. In 2010, the fountain reportedly was toppled in an incident that was similar to the one that occurred Sept. 4. The 2010 incident required nearly $38,000 in repairs, Village Manager Dave Niemeyer said. “It’s unfortunate,” Niemeyer said. “It’s a nice centerpiece of downtown, and all I can say is it’s really unfortunate that people would vandalize it.” have faced many challenges. After all, this was my first job out of college, and I had never ran a newspaper before March 2016. Getting to the status of the editor was a roller coaster to say the least. It was a big adjustment because like I said, this was my first job out of college. I did not know what to expect, but I enjoyed coming to work and finding out who I would meet the next day. In each town I worked for, I feel like I learned something new everywhere. I started as an assistant editor for the Homer Glen and Lockport newspapers. When I wrote for The Homer Horizon, I went to my first Village Board meeting. That experience got me used to attending board meetings and gave me something more, so I could be more than just a sports reporter. Writing for The Lockport Legend, I got to flex my skills at writing feature stories. I wrote a lot of artist features and did some alumni stories from Lockport Township High School. When I made it to Orland and Tinley, I was able to get back into writing more sports. I tallied it up the other day and realized that since I’ve been with 22nd Century Media, I’ve reported on over 10 different sports — some of which I hadn’t even known existed until coming to the area. I got a lot of enjoyment from learning about these new sports, as well as attending new events. It took me an entire year, to finally become an editor for The Mokena Messenger. It was another adjustment, but eventually, I fell into a routine and once again, I got a chance to meet many unique Mokenians and hear all of their stories. I was not expecting to move on so soon. Recently, the Daily Herald Media Group bought 12 small-town newspapers in South Illinois — more south than Carbondale. Almost right away, they contacted me (when I was unemployed I sent my resume to any place that would take me) and offered Neubauer said that there are no plans in the works to provide more surveillance to Zabrocki Plaza, but the area already is observed by cameras, which helped police identify the suspect. The fountain’s long-term future is not yet decided, Niemeyer said. Until the decision is made, the base is to remain in place, and the fountain will remain in a public works garage, Niemeyer said. Reporting by Tim Carroll, Assistant Editor. For more, visit TinleyJunction.com. me a position to be a sports reporter for their newspaper in Benton, Illinois. Since sports is my main passion – you may have noticed – I decided to take the position. I will be starting my new job shortly, and I am excited to go to another new town and learn even more about my craft. I am still so young and still have a lot to learn about journalism. I am anxious to continue learning. I am also grateful to 22nd Century for the 18 months that I’ve been working within the company. The experiences and lessons that I learned within the southwest suburbs are ones that I will never forget. I will miss all the connections I’ve made in Mokena, but I will never forget my time here. I wish everyone the best. Sound Off Policy Editorials and columns are the opinions of the author. Pieces from 22nd Century Media are the thoughts of the company as a whole. The Mokena Messenger encourages readers to write letters to Sound Off. All letters must be signed, and names and hometowns will be published. We also ask that writers include their address and phone number for verification, not publication. Letters should be limited to 400 words. The Mokena Messenger reserves the right to edit letters. Letters become property of The Mokena Messenger. Letters that are published do not reflect the thoughts and views of The Mokena Messenger. Letters can be mailed to: The Mokena Messenger, 11516 West 183rd Street, Unit SW Office Condo #3, Orland Park, Illinois, 60467. Fax letters to (708) 326-9179 or e-mail to amanda@ mokenamessenger.com. www.mokenamessenger.com.
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