Samantha Moilanen

Samantha Moilanen is a former reporter for the Daily Southtown.

Glenwood Village Hall. (Daily Southtown staff)

Coin toss decides final Glenwood trustee seat

April 23, 2025 at 3:49 p.m.

Incumbent Felicia Brown won Glenwood’s third village trustee seat Tuesday after a Cook County clerk coin toss broke a tie vote.

Harry's Long Bar, 13115 S. Western Ave., Blue Island, on April 22, 2025. (Brett Johnson/Daily Southtown)

Blue Island temporarily closes Harry’s Long Bar following ‘violent incident,’ officials say

April 23, 2025 at 5:39 a.m.

Blue Island temporarily shut down Harry's Long Bar on Western Avenue after a fight involving patrons spilled outside Sunday night.

Jason Peña, 14, at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. The Oak Forest teen was in a coma for several weeks after he was shot Dec. 27 on a highway near the town of Las Palmas, authorities in Mexico, his mother said. (Ana Cabral)

Oak Forest teen shot in Mexico continues recovery at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab; mother works on long-term care plan

April 21, 2025 at 5:30 a.m.

Jason Peña, 14, of Oak Forest, is undergoing eight weeks of therapy at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab to recover from a severe brain injury.

Lincoln-Way East junior Mason Meskimen and his mother, Heather Meskimen, at Pizza Pete in Frankfort on April 16, 2025. The pizzeria is one of two drop-off sites for toys and self-care items Mason is collecting for Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn. (Samantha Moilanen/Daily Southtown)

Lincoln-Way East student organizes donation drive for Advocate Children’s Hospital

April 19, 2025 at 5:10 a.m.

When Mason Meskimen was just 4, the Lincoln-Way East High School student was hospitalized and needed a blood transfusion. Keeping a young child calm and still during the hours-long procedure...

Felicia, left, and Albert Winfield display photos of their son Treyvon Winfield during a vigil for him in Harvey on April 16, 2025. Their son was shot and killed a day earlier. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

‘He didn’t deserve this’: Vigil held for Harvey teen shot in Morgan Park

April 17, 2025 at 4:16 p.m.

Family and friends held a prayer vigil Wednesday for Treyvon Winfield, a Morgan Park High School student from Harvey killed Tuesday.

Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld highlights the village’s growth and incoming businesses during an economic development breakfast at Ravisloe Country Club on April 17, 2025. (Samantha Moilanen / Daily Southtown)

Homewood officials tout growth, express hope Wind Creek hotel opening boosts traffic

April 17, 2025 at 1:49 p.m.

Wind Creek manager Roger Kuehn said the casino employs 1,133 full-time workers, with about 75% of workforce classified as minorities.

The Libby, McNeill and Libby building at 13636 S. Western Ave., Blue Island on April 10, 2025. (Samantha Moilanen/Daily Southtown)

Blue Island acquires historic Libby building after years of legal disputes, eyes redevelopment

April 14, 2025 at 5:30 a.m.

Affordable Recovery Housing gave the historic Libby building to Blue Island in lieu of foreclosure after unpaid water bills.

Mokena Police Department. (Michelle Mullins/for Daily Southtown)

Burglars target more than a dozen businesses in Mokena, Frankfort and Tinley Park smash-and-grabs

April 11, 2025 at 3:09 p.m.

At least 13 businesses in Mokena, Frankfort and Tinley Park were hit by smash-and-grab burglars early Friday, police say.

Johnathan Johnson, senior pastor at Holy Bible Missionary Baptist Church in Harvey, and resident Deronda Powell have filed a class action lawsuit against Harvey, alleging they are overcharged for water bills that don't reflect their consumption. (Samantha Moilanen/Daily Southtown)

Harvey church, resident file federal lawsuit accusing city of overcharging for water use

April 10, 2025 at 12:59 p.m.

Holy Bible Missionary Baptist Church, Pastor Johnathan Johnson and resident Deronda Powell claims Harvey overcharges for water.

Joe Regiro, owner of the shuttered Bourbon's Smokehouse, is returning to the New Lenox barbecue scene as the general manager of a new Firewater BBQ & Brew location moving into the former Bourbon's space at 280 E Lincoln Hwy. (Samantha Moilanen/Daily Southtown)

Owner of shuttered Bourbon’s Smokehouse to run new Firewater BBQ in New Lenox

April 4, 2025 at 12:44 p.m.

Joe Regiro, owner of shuttered Bourbon's Smokehouse, will manage Firewater BBQ & Brew at the same Lincoln Highway location.

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