Local News

Terhan F. Gordon, 35, was reported missing from Joliet in July 2025. The Will County coroner's office identified him from skeletal remains found March 24, 2026 in a field near Mokena. (Joliet Police Department)

Human remains found in Mokena identified as missing Joliet man

By Daily Southtown

March 28, 2026 at 7:58 a.m.

Skeletal remains found Tuesday in a field near Mokena were identified as Terhan F. Gordon,...

Two of the four presumably abandoned kittens are sitting in the tree notches. They were discovered last Sunday afternoon at the trailhead parking lot of the Middlefork Savanna in Lake Forest. (Courtesy of Dr. John Kyncl)

Hikers on Lake Forest nature trail work together to rescue kittens from a tree

By Gregory Harutunian

March 28, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

While it does not qualify as high drama, the episode displays the compassion of people...

Brother Rice’s Gavin Helpingstine (14) heads to third base against Marian Catholic during a nonconference game in Chicago on Friday, March 27, 2026. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)

Varsity rookie Gavin Helpingstine boosts Brother Rice with leadoff double, smart baserunning. ‘Gets after it.’

By Patrick Z. McGavin

March 27, 2026 at 11:43 p.m.

Gavin Helpingstine's leadoff double and smart baserunning produces go-ahead run, sparking Brother Rice to 9-2...

Evie Blohm, 4, of Vernon Hills is at the buffet line and excited about the macaroni and cheese, her favorite entree here, her mother Christine Blohm said during the SMV Men’s Club Friday Night Lenten Fish Fry on March 20, 2026 in the Rev. John P. Finnegan Parish Center at St. Mary of Vernon Catholic Church in Indian Creek. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

St. Mary of Vernon Catholic Church in Indian Creek Men’s Club serving church and fish during Lent

By Karie Angell Luc

March 26, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

Between 250 to 300 people dine on Fridays for the SMV Men’s Club Friday Night...

Fan of the Clarendon Hills Little League team gather Wednesday afternoon for a watch party in downtown Clarendon Hills, as the team plays its first game in the Little League World Series Aug. 13, 2025. A Downtown Improvement Plan that would allow for more flexibility in hosting community events is under consideration in the village. (Brett Johnson/Daily Southtown)

Clarendon Hills sets vote on downtown plan for April 13

By Chuck Fieldman

March 26, 2026 at 5:09 a.m.

The controversial topic of a Clarendon Hill Downtown Improvement Plan likely will be settled by...

Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra Education and Community Engagement Director Roosevelt Griffin, from left, student Arabella Alvarez, donor Elaine MacKenzie and Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra Music Director Brian Ostrega gather after a violin was presented to Alvarez during a Valentine's Day Concert at Ozinga Chapel in Palos Heights. (Ken Churilla/Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra)

Violin donated through Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra tugs Oak Forest family’s heart strings

By Melinda Moore

March 26, 2026 at 5:03 a.m.

An act of generosity by an Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra patron has inspired an Oak Forest...

St. Charles North's Abby Zawadzki (18) delivers a pitch against Burlington Central in the first inning of a nonconference game in St. Charles on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (H. Rick Bamman / The Beacon-News)

After three years at first base, St. Charles North’s Abby Zawadzki steps up as pitcher. ‘That’s my main thing.’

By Rick Armstrong

March 25, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

Abby Zawadzki throws a one-hitter as St. Charles North eases to an 8-0 victory over...

Batavia's Ben Johnson (5) rounds third base after hitting a three-run homer against Burlington Central during a nonconference game in Batavia on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (Sean King / The Beacon-News)

With a three-run homer, varsity newcomer Ben Johnson banks on his faith to elevate Batavia. ‘It means a lot.’

By Paul Johnson

March 25, 2026 at 11:08 p.m.

Paul feech.

A South Shore Line train sits on the track on Nov. 25, 2024, at Dune Park station in Chesterton. (Doug Ross/for Post-Tribune)

Lake, Porter counties see population growth in 2025, according to census data

By Alexandra Kukulka

March 25, 2026 at 11:01 p.m.

Lake and Porter counties experienced an increase in population in 2025, according to U.S. Census...

Lockport’s Bridget Faut (17) winds up to throw a pitch against Richards during a nonconference game in Oak Lawn on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (James C. Svehla / Daily Southtown)

Coming close again, Lockport’s Bridget Faut fires one-hitter to beat Richards. And the win? ‘Refuse to lose.’

By Patrick Z. McGavin

March 25, 2026 at 10:23 p.m.

Bridget Faut pitches one-hit masterpiece with nine strikeouts as Lockport rolls to 6-0 win over...

Joliet Catholic's Cody Busch (9) flips the ball behind his back to shortstop Koen Lynes (11) for an out against Lincoln-Way Central during a nonconference game in New Lenox on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

Baseball and softball scores for the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and Lake County

By Josh Krockey

March 25, 2026 at 9:49 p.m.

High school and local college results and highlights from the Southland, Aurora, Elgin, Naperville and...

Lincoln-Way Central's Luke Tingley (9) receives congratulations after a hit against Joliet Catholic during a nonconference game in New Lenox on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (Steve Johnston / Daily Southtown)

After gruesome football injury, Luke Tingley heats up on baseball field for Lincoln-Way Central. ‘A big part.’

By Steve Millar

March 25, 2026 at 9:43 p.m.

Millar feech.

Mother McAuley's Maggie Welniak (14) winds up for a pitch against Evergreen Park during a nonconference game in Evergreen Park on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)

Mother McAuley’s Maggie Welniak relies on her defense to take down Evergreen Park. ‘She makes outs happen.’

By Jeff Vorva

March 25, 2026 at 9:09 p.m.

Maggie Welniak put the ball in the right spots, allowing just two earned runs in...