Palos 118 Schools Host Collection for Ukraine Relief
Palos 118 students recently held a collection to help with humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine.
All three District 118 schools collected donations of money and items that were given to Saints Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Palos Park to support their humanitarian outreach.
Palos East Principal Rob Szklanecki said that the schools collected over thirty boxes of items including medical supplies, bandages, socks, backpacks, thermal underwear and many other supplies.
In addition to supplies, the schools collected just over $8,930.
In a thank-you letter to the schools, the Rev. Vasyl Sendeha of Saints Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church said the donations would be used to help Ukrainian refugees in Poland and to provide other necessary supplies for the Ukrainian people.
Dolton District 149 hires new superintendent
Dolton School District 149 has hired Maureen White as the district’s new superintendent, replacing incumbent Superintendent Shelly Davis-Jones, who is retiring.
The Dolton 149 Board of Education voted unanimously April 7 to hire White, director of programs and district services at SPEED Special Education District 802 in Chicago Heights, to take the helm for two years, starting July 1.
The district said White has more than 25-years of experience as a public school educator and administrator. She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership at National-Louis University in Chicago.
“My immediate goal is to launch a listening tour across the district,” White said. “This will inform the opportunities and plans that will elevate the district to the next level.”
Sertoma Centre opens new supportive residence
Sertoma Centre, Inc. will officially open its new Union Avenue Apartments supportive housing at a ceremony 10 a.m. April 19 at the facility, 14205 S. Union, Orland Park.
According to a Sertoma news release announcing the event, when the site-based waitlist opened in September 2021, the Housing Authority of Cook County received over 500 applications for the Union Avenue Apartment’s 16 units. To be eligible, tenants must be disabled and need support services to live independently and qualify for the HACC’s Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Similar to the supportive housing development Sertoma opened in Homewood in 2016, residents will receive social support and counseling, job training and placement, and assistance with grocery shopping and bill management through Sertoma Centre’s programs.
I-57 lane closures begin April 18
Repairs to the bridges carrying Interstate 57 over Interstate 80 in Country Club Hills will require lane closures beginning Monday, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.
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Motorists can expect various lane closures and partial ramp closures in both directions of I-57 between 175th and 183rd streets, as well as shoulder closures on both sides of I-80 at the bridge, IDOT said in a release. Motorists can also expect intermittent overnight lane closures on I-80 at the bridge during the first week of construction to accommodate the installation of protective shielding under the structure. The same closures will also be required later this fall to remove the shielding.
The $5.2 million project, which consists of repairs to the bridge deck and structural steel, a new deck overlay and approaches, is anticipated to be completed in early November.
Motorists can expect delays, IDOT said.
Metra to begin 80th Avenue track repairs
The Metra railroad crossing at 80th Avenue in Tinley Park will be closed for repairs from April 20 to 29, according to a release from the village. Metra will place detour signs in the area for drivers.
Both the north and south commuter lots will remain open throughout the repairs, the village said.
South Suburban College sets virtual Trades Thursday
South Suburban College in South Holland offers a Trades Thursday event from 2 to 3 p.m. April 21. The virtual open house will be accessible via Zoom.
The event will show equipment offered at SSC and explain the hand on experience students can obtain in the Building Construction Technology and Welding programs and discuss how electronics are tied to the trades and the advantages of having access to equipment in the college’s Maker Lab.
More information is with Christina Gutierrez, manager of Onboarding and Outreach, at 708-596-2000 ext. 2023.
Rummage sale offered in Oak Lawn
First United Methodist Church of Oak Lawn, 100th Street and Central Avenue is running a Spring Rummage Sale from 4 to 7 p.m. April 21, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 22 and 23. Saturday is Bag Day, where most items are only $5 a bag, and the second bag is only $2.50. Proceeds go to the church’s missions. Masks are requested.
Orland Grassland to mark Earth Day
The Orland Grassland Volunteers are marking Earth Day at Orland Grassland from 9 a.m. to noon April 23 by working to make the preserve more healthy. Participants will meet in the lot at 167th Street just west of La Grange Road. People 18 and older, minors with parents, sponsored groups and organizations are welcome.
Efforts will include lopping callery pear and cutting invasive willows and woodies out of the swale on the east side of the site along the bike trail.
There will be gloves, tools, refreshments and happy faces, according to organizers. Boots are recommended as it will probably be a bit wet.
RSVP and information is at http://www.Orland grassland.org or with Pat Hayes at 708-220-9596.
Palos Park offers pizza, scam prevention info
The Palos Park Police Department offers Take a Slice out of Scams, a seminar on how to avoid becoming a victim of emerging crime trends, fraudulent tax schemes and identity theft at 6:30 p.m. April 29 at the Kaptur Center 8999 W. 123rd St.
Join Elder Service Officer Danelle Scaccia, Chief Joe Miller and Palos Park officers for some pizza and a review of the latest scams and schemes targeting unwary residents. The event will feature information on how residents can minimize chances of becoming a victim and tactics fraudsters use to collect personal information, solicit funds, and compromise security.
Pianist performance offered in Oak Lawn
Piano player and singer Tom Stanfield will perform springtime favorites May 12 at the next meeting of the Pryme Tymers at Trinity Covenant Church, 9230 S. Pulaski Rd., Oak Lawn. Stanfield is the resident performer at the Abbey Resort in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Doors open at noon and a chicken luncheon will be served at 12:30 p.m. Cost is $10 and reservations must be made before May 6 through the church office at 708-422-5111 or Tom Panush at 708-636-7548.
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