George Castle

George Castle is a freelance reporter for the Pioneer Press.

Gary Linden, who helped compile the Park Ridge Historical Society's special exhibits to honor the 80th anniversary of D-Day in World War II, reads a Chicago Tribune front page announcing a major development in the war. Behind him is a tribute to a Park Ridge native who served in an Army unit specialized for mountain fighting and trained in skiing and mountain climbing. (Pam DeFiglio, Chicago Tribune/Pioneer Press)

Stories of WWII skiing soldiers come alive at Park Ridge exhibit

April 16, 2024 at 6:31 p.m.

A dramatic exhibit about a celebrated World War II U.S. Army unit, with Park Ridge ties, that fought the Germans on mountain slopes using skiing and mountain climbing techniques, opened...

Titanic exhibit in Skokie recreates rooms, shows artifacts, fills in story

February 19, 2024 at 3:46 p.m.

The real story of the Titanic – far beyond the cinematic doomed love story of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet – can be found far from an ocean, but close...

After professional Santa Richard Gottschlisch developed a brain bleed in October, Dr. Marion Oliver at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital performed a minimally invasive surgery that allowed Gottschlisch to get back in the red suit by November. Gottschlisch's wife, Paula Biggio, appears as Mrs. Santa; they are posing with his care team.

After a brain bleed waylaid this pro Santa, minimally invasive surgery sped him on his rounds

December 22, 2023 at 9:14 p.m.

Santa Claus, alias Richard Gottschlich, proves that while St. Nick is known for giving gifts, he is also capable of occasionally receiving one -- in this case, the gift of...

Myron Petrakis, 101, a World War II veteran, at the Belmont Village senior living community, Nov. 7, 2023, in Carol Stream.

World War II veterans grow fewer, but these men, at 96, 99 and 101, still have stories to tell

November 9, 2023 at 8:00 p.m.

More than 16 million Americans served in World War II, according to the National World War II Museum, and every one of them had a story. In the nearly eight...

Niles West High School alum Rashard Mendenhall, who got his start playing football there and later played for an NFL team in two Super Bowls, visited the school Friday as they retired his jersey number, 5. He posed with current student athletes.

Niles West welcomes alum, football great Rashard Mendenhall, two-time Super Bowl player, to Skokie school

September 25, 2023 at 8:09 p.m.

Addressing a packed gym at Niles West High School Friday afternoon, Football Coach Nick Torresso was almost drowned out by the excited chatter of about 1,000 teenagers who had just...

Angelo Caputo's Fresh Markets offers a cafe in its new Norridge location, the family chain's 10th store.

Angelo Caputo’s opens its 10th grocery store, in Norridge, as family business expands

August 22, 2023 at 1:45 p.m.

Angelo Caputo's Fresh Markets, founded by the late Italian immigrant Angelo Caputo and operated by the second generation of his family, has expanded to its 10th location, in Norridge, with...

Jewell Loyd and her father Calvin Loyd are shown during a 2019 ceremony dedicating a basketball court at Lincolnwood's Proesel Park in her honor. Loyd, who played at Niles West High School and the University of Notre Dame, plays in the WNBA with the Seattle Storm. (Brian O'Mahoney/Pioneer Press)

Olympic gold medalist, WNBA star Jewell Loyd and brother Jarryd, Niles West alums, open smoothie shop in Skokie

July 25, 2023 at 4:47 p.m.

Although pro basketball star Jewell Loyd could attend the grand opening of her smoothie outlet in Skokie in spirit only, the Lincolnwood resident has said she'll be a hands-on owner....

Larysa Karakotina, left, and Alla Pimenova, who are sisters, were seeking employment at the RefugeeOne job fair in Norridge June 14.

Ukrainian refugees who fled war eagerly attend Norridge employment fair: ‘I want a job’

June 19, 2023 at 7:12 p.m.

Whether in uncertain English or clear-cut Ukrainian, Alla Pimenova's message, after having evacuated the bombarded city of Bakhmut, Ukraine, with just her laptop and no luggage, was simple: "I want...

Keynote speaker David Axelrod, from left, White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and Mann Enrichment Fund founder/longtime sportscaster Bruce Levine headline the Northbrook fundraiser for Horace Mann Academy.

Alumni from 1963 gather in Northbrook to raise funds for South Shore’s Horace Mann Academy

June 8, 2023 at 2:00 a.m.

When Horace Mann Academy Principal Karon Purkett told of dipping into her school milk supply earlier in the day to help a beleaguered single-mother at home, the assembled alumni at...

In this photo from a few years ago, Maine South football players including NFL draftee Peter Skoronski pack lunches for Uncle Pete's Ministry, which provides food to people who need it. Pictured are Charlie Gleason, from left, Will Harter, Skoronski, Luigi Laudando, Ben Triffo, and Connor Leyden.
- Original Credit: David Inserra

Park Ridge’s Peter Skoronski heads to NFL after first-round draft pick by Tennessee Titans

May 1, 2023 at 11:04 p.m.

With friends and family at his side in Chicago April 27, Park Ridge's Peter Skoronski took a phone call that moved the offensive lineman from playing football at Maine South...

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