Dive Bar Closes | Hate Crime Against Neighbor | $1M Suit Against HS

Miss a day, miss a lot. Catch up on the Southland's top stories for Thursday, Jan. 4.

Dendrinos Closes Permanently After 54 Years

The bar at 183rd and Oak Park Avenue shuttered Dec. 31. It had recently been annexed in to the Village of Tinley Park.

Hate Crime Charge For Orland Man After Fight Over Garbage Cans: PD

An Orland man charged with hate crime and battery after a fight with neighbors allegedly insulted neighbors over their Palestinian heritage.

Ex-Providence Catholic Hockey Player Bullied, Sexually Harassed: Suit

The player's family seeks more than $1 million from the school, maintaining that 50 complaints against Providence players were not heeded.

Hickory Hills Man Accused Of Molesting 12-Year-Old Indiana Girl

Portage police said Joe Benavente, 28, drove across the Indiana state line twice to have intercourse with the girl in July and August.

Rescue Dog's New Family Aims To Give Back To Those Who Loved Him First

New Lenox's Widstrand family wants Cache Creek Rescue to know just how much they've meant to Ryker, and to help them save others like him.

Dolton Woman Charged After Striking State Police Cruiser On I-57: ISP

Lizabeth Williams was charged with DUI, drug possession, and other charges after police said she hit the vehicle on New Year's Eve.

Propane Patio Heater Believed Cause Of Fire At Palos Park Home

Neighbors said they heard an explosion, but reports of an explosion are still unconfirmed, Palos Fire Protection District chief said.

Blue Island Man Charged In Armed Robbery Of A BP Customer In Oak Lawn

Raul Perez, 24, currently charged in the shooting of a Bedford Park cop, faces new charges for robbing a BP customer in October, police say.

Aggravated DUI, Reckless Homicide Charges In Bloom Township Crash

The crash happened Dec. 16, 2023 at Sauk Trail and Western Avenue in unincorporated Bloom Township.

Shift Change: Oak Forest Nurse Planned To Work, Welcomes Jan. 1 Baby

Samantha Lale was scheduled to work New Year's Eve but instead gave birth to a baby boy Franklin at Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital.

Advocate Christ Welcomes First Baby of 2024

A Crete couple welcomed their first daughter who was the first baby to be born in 2024 at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn

Orland Park Scout Uses Passion For Veterans To Pursue Top Honor

Finn Rafferty hopes to raise $1,200 to help place flags at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in his pursuit of the prestigious Eagle Scout.

Lake Katherine Nature Center Offers Christmas Tree Recycling

Bring your leftover tree to Lake Katherine Nature Center in Palos Heights through Jan. 14 and keep it out of the landfill.

Mobile DMV Unit Coming To Oak Forest City Hall

The mobile unit will visit City Hall on Saturday, Jan. 6. Driver's tests, licensing available on-site.

Homewood Launches Citizen Civics Academy, Insight Into Operations

The academy is designed to give citizens an inside look at the operations of different municipal departments.

Migrant Crisis: Lockport Approves Ordinance Regulating Unscheduled Buses

The City Code will now be amended to prohibit unscheduled disembarking of passengers by private chartered buses.