Melinda Moore

Melinda Moore is a freelance writer for the Chicago Tribune.

Around the Southland: Scholarship gala surpasses $1 million for students, and more

March 4, 2026 at 4:21 p.m.

Superintendents' scholarship gala honors Jesse Jackson The legacy of the late Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. was honored by more than 1,000 educators, civic leaders and families gathered Friday in...

Dean Winnick, 14, hits the airwaves with his own show on WRRG, the noncommercial radio station at Triton College in River Grove. (Triton College)

Community news: Triton radio station celebrates young DJ, gas bill grants available, and more

March 2, 2026 at 10:33 a.m.

News from the community includes items from Triton College, Franklin Park, Oak Park, River Forest and more.

Amelia Vaughan, an eighth grader at St. Cajetan Elementary School in Chicago, and Rita Macellaio, a resident of Smith Village in Chicago, work on “pocket hugs” for veterans in the Road Home Program at Rush University Medical Center during the 11th annual Valentines for Vets project. (Marc Monaghan)

Around the Southland: Students create ‘pocket hugs’ for veterans; van service opens in University Park, more

February 26, 2026 at 11:05 a.m.

News from around the Southland includes items from Beverly, University Park, Palos Park, Palos Heights, Evergreen Park and more.

Cast rehearses for Leyden Fine Arts’ spring show “In the Heights,” set for March 5-7 in West Leyden auditorium, 1000 Wolf Road in Northlake. (Leyden High School District 212)

Community news: Drama, drawing, comedy and ’80s music highlight upcoming events

February 20, 2026 at 5:40 p.m.

News from around the community includes items from Leyden Township, Oak Park, Hinsdale, Darien and more.

Marrs-Meyers American Legion Post 991 in Worth serves up fish frys every Friday in Lent, Feb. 20 to April 3. (Melinda Moore/Daily Southtown)

Around the Southland: Fish fry season opens in Worth, Black history showcase in Robbins, more

February 18, 2026 at 5:22 p.m.

News from around the Southland includes items from Worth, Robbins, Cook County, Tinley Park, Palos Heights, Beverly, and more.

Chris Courtney, right, gathers with his wife Sharon, son Graham and daughters Hattie (holding sign) and Ava stand with Chris Courtney after he was promoted in 2020 to fire chief of Palos Fire Protection District in Palos Park. He retired last month. (Sharon Courtney)

Palos Fire Protection District Chief Chris Courtney calls it a career after 25 years

February 16, 2026 at 10:51 a.m.

Chris Courtney has no regrets about retiring as fire chief for the Palos Fire Protection District in Palos Park after a 25 year career.

SEASPAR hosted its annual Believe & Achieve recognition banquet at Carlisle Banquets in Lombard. Staff, volunteers, supporters and participants, who are individuals with disabilities, came together for the event. (SEASPAR)

Community news: SEASPAR lauds volunteers, staff, participants and donors, and more

February 13, 2026 at 4:40 p.m.

News from community includes items from La Grange Park, Cook County, Hinsdale, Leyden Township, Franklin Park and more.

The Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board presented an updated residential sprinkler demonstration unit for Moraine Valley Community College's Fire Science program. Board President Erik Hoffer, left, shows the system to coordinator/instructor Andrew Hufnagl and Career Programs Assistant Dean Alexandria Terrazas. (Moraine Valley Community College)

Around the Southland: Fire Science students get a boost at Moraine Valley, restaurants coming to Flossmoor, and more

February 12, 2026 at 1:31 p.m.

News from around the Southland includes items from Flossmoor, Olympia Fields, Palos Park, New Lenox, Park Forest, Beverly and more.

The work of Erik La Gattuta, an art professor for 27 years at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, is featured in the exhibit “Zack Hates Robots: A Story by Erik La Gattuta,” through March 1 in the college’s Robert F. DeCaprio Art Gallery. (Moraine Valley Community College)

Moraine Valley art professor’s exhibit explores role of AI in society

February 8, 2026 at 5:05 a.m.

Moraine Valley Community College professor Erik La Gattuta is displaying the first chapter of his new graphic novel at the college's gallery.

Elmhurst University alum Alyssa De Jesus was named a winner in a nationwide contest for independent filmmakers that allowed her film “40 Before 40” to stream on Tubi. (Elmhurst University)

Community news: Elmhurst alum wins film funding, Ezra Klein book talk, and more

February 6, 2026 at 4:13 p.m.

News from the community includes items from Elmhurst University, La Grange, Triton College, Oak Park and more.

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