Commentary Inside the First Amendment By Charles C. Haynes First Amendment Center senior scholar Pastor Wiley Drake got the all-clear from the Internal Revenue Service last month — and that means his congregation at the First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park, Calif., will keep its tax-exempt status. The pastor’s[Read More…]

A tornado ripped through the Richton Square Apartments Saturday evening. (Photo: Wendy Heise) Story updated at 10:13 a.m. with comments from Richton Park Mayor Rick Reinbold  Richton Park , IL–(ENEWSPF)– A tornado estimated at times to be 1/2 mile wide touched down in Richton Park and University Park Saturday evening[Read More…]

The Village Board will consider an incentive agreement with the owners of Orchard Park Plaza LLC Monday evening. (Photo: ENEWSPF) Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– The Park Forest Village Board has several items on its agenda for action at Monday’s meeting, including the several appointments of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen for all boards[Read More…]

A tree is cut down to make way for a wider Western Avenue. (Photo: ENEWSP) Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— There’s a lot more sky visible from Western Avenue. Crews labored this weekend to remove trees currently within the footprint of the expanded roadway. This tree fell over the southbound lane of[Read More…]

The Park Forest Police Station. (Photo: Wendy Heise) Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— Editor’s Note: We continue our reporting on news from police reports. Besides covering the many stories from around Park Forest that otherwise might go unnoticed, we want to bring more complete coverage of police reports than is reported by other[Read More…]

Registration begins June 30 in Central Park at 9:30 Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— Rich East High School is offering a summer softball camp that will be held June 30th – July 3rd and July 7th – July 10th from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Park Forest’s Central Park. The camp[Read More…]

Cory Singer, Mae Brandon, Mayor John Ostenburg, Bonita Dillard, Gary Kopycinski, David Sevier, Dr. Jon Mendelson, Robert McCray, Marcy DeMauro, and Nella Piccolin. (Photo: Jane Nicoll) Photo gallery available here   Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— Thorn Creek Nature Preserve launched a year-long celebrated its 30 year anniversary Saturday. The year began[Read More…]

Updated 6:50 p.m. We have received confirmation of a funnel cloud touching down in Richton Park.  The major storm area appears to have left the area. Funnel clouds did not touch down in Park Forest. Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– ALERT!  The National Weather Service is tracking a tornado moving towards Park[Read More…]

Commentary The Illinois Senate quietly approved a bill this spring that would have steered the proposed third airport down a path of pay-to-play politics – and certain doom. I know, because Antoin “Tony” Rezko attempted to lead Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. down that same path two years ago – a[Read More…]

Main Street Nights begin June 25. (Montage: ENEWSPF. Photos supplied) Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– Freedom Hall announced the schedule for this summer’s Main Street Nights. The free performances in the Park Forest Downtown Village Green have become increasingly popular with village residents and visitors from surrounding towns. The shows boast, "the[Read More…]