Marist gym floor honors beloved alums, coaches
The gym floor at Marist High School in Chicago has a new look, as the names of basketball coaches Dan Garvey and Gene Nolan, class of 1992, and Paul Simmons, class of 2011, who died in his senior year, have been added to it. The Rev. Tom Hurley blessed the new floor during a recent unveiling ceremony.
Garvey, who died in 2023, was the first men’s basketball coach at Marist and one of its earliest lay employees, becoming a role model and mentor during his 35-year tenure. Nolan, Marist’s all-time winningest basketball coach, was an athlete at Marist and at Washington University in St. Louis. During his 18 years as Redhawks coach, he led the team to 10 20-win seasons and six regional championships.
The unveiling also paid tribute to Simmons, who had an undiagnosed heart condition. His mother was present at the ceremony. “This court holds decades of memories and will continue to serve as a foundation for student-athletes for generations to come,” President Larry Tucker shared in a news release.
Railroad crossing meeting set in Burnham
A meeting is planned for 6 to 8 pm. Oct. 14 at Burnham School District 154-5, 13945 S. Green Bay Ave. in Burnham, to discuss a study update and the recommended alternatives and to gain public input.
The village of Burnham, with help from the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways began the Burnham Avenue Railroad Crossing Study to reduce delays, improve mobility, operations and safety for all roadway users at existing at-grade railroad crossings where Burnham Avenue intersects with five railroad tracks just south of Brainard Avenue.
A Spanish interpreter will be present. Meeting materials, including a summary of frequently asked questions and a copy of the presentation, will be posted to the project website within 30 days of the meeting. The site is burnhamrailroadstudy.com.
Orland Park swears in new police officers, promotes two
Seven new officers joined the Orland Park Police Department, with the swearing-in ceremony and badge pinning happening last month, and two officers were promoted to sergeant.
Dave O’Connor, chairman of the Board of Fire and Police Commission, gave the oath of office to new sergeants Charles Kirby and Jonathan Basinski and to new officers Dominik Tylka, Ryan Kammer, Owen Reidy, Christian Kowalski, Eric Guzman and Patrick Rafferty.
A new 15,400-square-foot police training facility featuring state-of-the-art simulators, training rooms and a firing range has been completed. Applications for the department open in early 2026. Information is at orlandpark.org/police.
Emergency water main finished in Harvey
An emergency water supply main has been completed for the city of Harvey, and it hangs from the Halsted Street bridge over the Little Calumet River at 129th Street and Halsted Street.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle joined Mayor Christopher Clark, Cook County Commissioners Donna Miller (6th District) and Kisha McCaskill (5th District), as well as other county officials to mark the occasion.
The $1.7 million water main replacement “is part of a larger $11.5 million investment in water infrastructure projects across under-resourced municipalities in the south and west suburbs,” according to a news release from the Cook County Board.
“Thanks to our partnership with Build Up Cook, we’re strengthening the foundation of Harvey, ensuring reliable access to clean water and paving the way for continued growth and resilience,” Clark shared in the release.
Haunted Barnyard benefits Saddlebred Riders
The Saddlebred Riders United Youth Group hosts its annual Haunted Barnyard from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 4 at Palos Hills Riding Stables, 10101 S. Kean Ave., Palos Hills.
The family-friendly event includes concessions such as hot dogs, tacos and baked items, a spooky house with scare levels for all ages, even small children, pick-a-pumpkin patch, photo opps and face painting.
Admission is $3 per person for the activities, but entry to the barnyard fun is free. Proceeds benefit the youth group. Cash and Zelle will be accepted.
Remembering loss at Olympia Fields hospital
Area residents are invited to join the Little Angels Memorial Service offered by Franciscan Health Olympia Fields at 2 p.m. Oct. 8 at Assumption Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, 19500 S. Cottage Grove Ave. in Glenwood.
The twice-annual memorial service supports families who have lost a pregnancy or newborn. The hospital provides internment at the cemetery’s infant and children’s section when a patient has the death of a newborn or loss of a pregnancy.
Adults can join creative writing workshop
The Midlothian Public Library hosts a workshop for anyone 18 and older interested in creative writing. The session, set for 2:30 to 4 p.m. Oct. 11 at the library, 14701 S. Kento Ave., is free and open to anyone in the area, regardless of where they live.
Self-published author Adrienne C. Elkins, who has an upcoming comedic memoir, will teach basics of creative writing, such as how to organize material and where to begin. Advance registration is recommended by calling 708-535-2027 or visiting events at midlothianlibrary.org.
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