Dangling Child Leads To Arrest | Free Gas Giveaway | Ukraine Aid

Miss a day, miss a lot. Let's get you all caught up with Tuesday's Top Southland Stories.

Child Dangles Off Balcony, Mother Faces Charges: New Lenox Police

A New Lenox mother was charged Friday with endangering the health or life of a child and possession of a controlled substance after her daughter was found dangling from an apartment balcony, according to New Lenox Police Department records. Police did not release the age of the girl, who reportedly told a witness she ingested her mother's "special chocolate," which was later found to contain a hallucinogenic drug.

Willie Wilson Plans Second $1 Million Gas Giveaway At 50 Stations

Dr. Willie Wilson is planning a second gas giveaway at 50 locations throughout Chicago and the suburbs starting at 7 a.m. Thursday, March 24, in response to soaring gas prices due to the war in Ukraine and ban on Russian oil. The former mayoral candidate, humanitarian and businessman is being joined by gas station owners Khalil Abdullah and Amin Ibrahim.

Palos Heights Church Collecting Items To Help Ukrainian Refugees

As the war in Ukraine continues to cause devastation and that has forced residents to flee their homeland, a parishioner at a Palos Park church is teaming with the City Lockport in spearheading an effort to send medical supplies and other items to help refugees.

Man Apprehended In New Lenox Sex Assault Had Loaded Gun: Sheriff

Deshawn C. Matthews, 32, was arrested Tuesday in the 7800 block of S. Essex Ave. in Chicago. He was wanted by New Lenox police after officials say he sexually assaulted someone he invited to his residence for a play date with their children, according to the Will County Sheriff's Office. Matthews and the person went into a bedroom while the children played. Matthews then locked the door and forcibly sexually assaulted the person, according to WCSO.

Kirby Elementary District 140 Searching For New Superintendent

The Kirby Elementary School District will begin a search for a new superintendent after the district accepted their resignation for former superintendent Shawn Olson earlier this month.

In a message to district parents sent on March 9, the district said it had accepted Olson's resignation effective immediately. Olson had led the district since 2019 after the board approved his hiring in 2018. It is not clear what led to the move.

Bedroom Fire Leaves Orland Hills Home Uninhabitable

Fire crews were able to confine a blaze to one room in a house fire that could have been a lot worse Friday night in Orland Park. No injuries were reported.

An Orland Hills resident called 911 to report a fire in the back bedroom of their house in the 9100 block of 169th place. When Orland Fire Protection District firefighters arrived on the scene, heavy smoke and flames were billowing from the rear upstairs window.

South Suburban Death Notices, Week of March 21

South suburban obituaries and available visitation information.