1.5 million people to use Midway, O’Hare this holiday weekend

About 1.5 million people are expected to pass through Chicago’s two airports this Memorial Day weekend, city aviation officials say.

Show of support for buddy reveals disease

Last spring Marco Di Silvestro of Norridge had the idea to shave his head. A second-grade classmate of his at Mary, Seat of Wisdom School in Park Ridge had cancer and he wanted to show his support. So parents Steve and Jenny gave Marco the …

First cases of 2012 West Nile reported in the area

The West Nile virus has been detected in birds and mosquitoes in several western suburbs for the first time this year, state health officials announced Tuesday. The virus was found in towns including Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, and Norridge.

Norridge man charged with DUI after allegedly smashing into Oak Park tree

A Norridge man was arrested in Oak Park for allegedly driving into a tree while under the influence of heroin. Damian Tarnowski, 29, of the 4900 block of N. Overhill, was found unconscious at 2:30 a.m. May 20 in a car that was smashed against …

Study says Chicago traffic congestion actually got better

Drivers in the Chicago area were stuck in traffic an average of 36 hours in 2011, 12 fewer than the 48 wasted in traffic in 2010, according to INRIX, a company that studies traffic patterns.

From Maine South kid to Jersey Boy

Nick Cosgrove’s entry into the world of musical theater began on stage — and in the classroom — at Maine South High School. Six years after graduation the Park Ridge native is putting the skills he learned as a teenager into his career as a …

Police blotter for May 21

The following incidents were listed among the official reports of the Norridge and Harwood Heights police departments. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Only a court of law can make that determination Norridge DUI Jesse Holland, 30, 8012 …

Ridgewood building war memorial garden

All gave some. Some gave all. Ridgewood High School now aims to make those legacies last. The Norridge school is in the process of creating its first permanent memorial to honor alumni who served in the U.S. military. “We had the opportunity to do some …

Voterama in Congress, week ending May 18, 2012

House

Violence Against Women Act: Voting 222 for and 205 against, the House on May 16 approved a Republican bill (HR 4970) to renew the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) through fiscal 2016 on a budget of $680 million annually. The bill was disputed mainly …

Frosty Penguin in Park Ridge: Not ‘Happy Feet’ ... frozen treats

Residents on the south end of Park Ridge have their Dairy Queen, but now north siders are getting the chance to enjoy their own neighborhood spot for cold, summer treats. Armen and Melina Ovassapian are the owners of Frosty Penguin Grill, set to open Memorial …

Teen bands from across area compete in Park Ridge

The return of Park Ridge’s annual teen band night, Bobbapalooza, was smaller than past events but still considered a success, according to its new organizer. “It went great,” said Jared Skiba, who managed the event. “It got nothing but positive feedback. The bands went extremely, …

Suburbs on alert, but so far little impact from NATO

This weekend’s NATO Summit in downtown Chicago may seem worlds away from the suburbs, but authorities throughout the region are preparing for any problems that could spill out of the city. So far, though, police departments haven’t reported any problems like the rallies that have taken place this week in the city. And many suburban hotel managers said their rooms are mainly booked to tourists and wedding parties and even factory workers — and not protesters.

Petrakis helps Norridge remember

At 90 years old, Norridge resident Myron Petrakis is naturally impressed by wonders of the World Wide Web. “It is such a wonderful tool for information,” he said. “I am so amazed by the things I can find.” As Norridge’s first historian, Petrakis has an …

Top fundraising class reaps its reward

The James Giles Elementary School auditorium was filled with excitement and clamor on the afternoon of April 30, as students waited to see their principal, Kerry Leiby, get hit with whipped cream pies. The assembly was a celebration of the funds raised last February, when …

Suit: Let disabled athletes go to IHSA state meet

The Illinois High School Association girls state track and field meet will be held this weekend ­— and Fenwick’s Mary Kate Callahan won’t be taking part. But a lawsuit to be filed Wednesday by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan in federal court aims to make it possible for student-athletes with disabilities, like Callahan who is paralyzed from the waist down, to compete in future IHSA state meets.