Joseph States – Page 10

Six Flags workers walk the upper deck of the American Eagle rollercoaster and attach three miniature spiders on Sept. 26, 2000 with Six Flags Halloween mascot, Tiny, a 40 foot inflatable spider. (Tribune photo by David Trotman-Wilkins)

As Six Flags Great America reopens, 1994 Tiny the Spider thief recalls caper: ‘It was the talk of the town’

April 24, 2026 at 1:52 p.m.

With Six Flags Great America opening its 50th season Saturday, Bill Walther recalled the night more than 30 years ago that made him and his friends local legends, as well...

Anthony and Anna Donato, heads of youth sports nonprofit the Donato Foundation, bought the former Trinity International University Bannockburn campus for $20 million in January. They envision creating a community hub centered around youth sports. (Joe States/Pioneer Press)

New owners of former Trinity campus envision youth sports hub: ‘Just kids playing, having fun, learning’

April 22, 2026 at 6:28 p.m.

Anna Donato said the foundation and idea for a youth sports center came about from her personal experiences as a mother.

Lake County Lake Lovers volunteer Doug Johnson takes a sample jar of lake water from Gerry Munley during a measurement session Monday morning. Lake Lovers has proven popular with residents, with 21 lakes taking part in its 2026 monitoring program. (Joe States/Pioneer Press)

Lake County environmental group expands efforts to 21 lakes: ‘They need someone’

April 21, 2026 at 2:20 p.m.

A quickly growing army of volunteers is helping monitor lakes across the county, as Lake County Lake Lovers, a working group of nonprofit Global Water Works, expands its efforts.

Kristina Lancaster has been named as a finalist for 2026 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. She described the nomination as validation for the decision she made over a decade ago to get into teaching. (Joe States/Pioneer Press)

Round Lake Golden Apple nominee shares journey to ‘validation’; ‘This is where I was supposed to be’

April 20, 2026 at 9:42 a.m.

Big Hollow Elementary fourth-grade teacher Kristina Lancaster worked in various fields previously, including as an attorney and journalist.

Demolition crews are taking down the former Round Lake Beach Kmart, with the site to become a new Target. The building has sat vacant for years.(Joe States/Pioneer Press)

Former Round Lake Beach Kmart making way for a new Target: ‘More than a decade in the making’

April 17, 2026 at 11:44 a.m.

Vacant Kmart buildings have been a headache for various municipalities in the county and around the region going back decades.

An aerial rendering facing west of the proposed Chicago Stars performance center, to sit just south of the former Trinity International University campus. It will be the first permanent home for the women's professional soccer club, which was founded in 2006. (Village of Bannockburn)

Chicago Stars get permanent Bannockburn home with new center: ‘It’s their time to have their own’

April 15, 2026 at 3:52 p.m.

Chicago Stars representatives who spoke during the village meeting emphasized how the center will mark a major milestone for the club, founded in 2006.

Lake County to take over for long-dormant sanitary district: ‘Heart, soul, blood, sweat and tears’

April 14, 2026 at 2:20 p.m.

The County Board voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve an ordinance proposing the creation of Lake County Special Service Area 18.

Construction along Arlington Road, between Lake Cook Road and Route 83, is anticipated to be completed in 2026. Over $90 in projects are planned for the 2026 LCDOT construction program. (Joe States/Pioneer Press)

Lake County DOT announces $98M 2026 road program: ‘We know it can be frustrating’

April 14, 2026 at 10:08 a.m.

This year’s program is nearly $20 million less than last year, which was another $10 million less than 2024.

Justin Litovsky, left, and Anthony Salerno are co-owners of Ground Up Sports Lab, a new club aimed at young baseball and softball players in the area that held its ribbon cutting last month in Bannockburn Green. Salerno said parents have seen a "transformation" at the business plaza. (Joe States/Pioneer Press)

Bannockburn intersection sees increase in development, business: ‘Very exciting’

April 14, 2026 at 8:48 a.m.

Because Bannockburn is a small community, there aren’t many areas for new developments.

Volunteers Jean Lantz and Carol Rappaport working at the Avon Township Food Pantry Friday, April 10. A line of families, seniors and other residents went out the door waiting to pick out groceries from shelves of food. (Joe States/Pioneer Press)

Community rallies to keep Avon Township Food Pantry’s shelves stocked: ‘It means hope’

April 13, 2026 at 4:06 p.m.

The pantry’s shelves have remained stocked, even requiring the installation of a few more shelves to take on the increased donations.

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