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After serving as interim coach of Romeoville for all nine games last season when Oliver Gibson was away from the team and never returned, Justin Trovato is now the official head coach of the Spartans and the team is responding. With a 37-9 win over Joliet Central, Romeoville sits at 2-1 halfway through the six-game shortened season. This is the first time since weeks eight and nine of the 2013-14 season that the Spartans have won two games in a row and it is the first time in... Full story
Mike Foltynewicz is at home again in Texas. Coming out of Minooka High School in 2010, the man they call Folty signed to play collegiate baseball for the University of Texas in Austin, however, after being the Houston Astros' first-round draft, 19th overall selection of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft, he decided to sign and play professionally. Foltynewicz made his major league debut for the Astros on August 2, 2014 and after 16 relief appearances, he was traded in the... Full story
In an attempt to get more of its students involved in activities, the Richland Grade School District 88A school board voted unanimously on a staffing plan that included no staff for the baseball, softball or golf teams, ultimately eliminating the sports. "We are looking at the whole picture trying to get more kids involved in activities and athletics at Richland," said school Superintendent Joseph Simpkins. "So, if those athletics and activities are not drawing kids, we want... Full story
For years, Minooka was considered the worst football facilities in the greater Joliet area - and rightfully so. Now, the Indians are among the best. Minooka opened those facilities Friday night with a thrilling 34-27 win over Oswego East to remain unbeaten two games into the season. Minooka rallied several times in the game, the last one coming on a Josh Davis to Trevor Hudak 18-yard touchdown with 26.2 seconds remaining in the game. "That was a big touchdown," Hudak said. "If... Full story
Some may say his two-game performance in the NCAA tournament was a coming out party for Drake guard Joseph Yesufu — those people, however, are a little late to the party. Yesufu, the 6-foot, 180-pound sophomore from Bolingbrook, showed the nation what he can do, scoring 21 and 26 points, respectively in the two games the Bulldogs played in the tournament, but his run started a month earlier. Yesufu tallied his first collegiate 20-point game on February 17 against Northern Iowa... Full story
The 1930’s actor and vaudeville performer Will Rogers was one quoted as saying, “You never get a second chance to make a good first impression.” And while Rogers died some 50 years before Niko Schultz was born, the Plainfield South senior sure lived up to Rogers’ words. In Schultz’ first-ever attempt to run 600-meters at the CYUP Misfits Invitational in Chicago, he posted a time of 1:19.86, making him the fastest in that race this year in the nation and the fastest ever in t... Full story
As the COVID-19 pandemic caused havoc all over the country, it was routinely stated that those most impacted were the elderly and those with preexisting conditions and that, for the most part, children and teenagers were not at risk. That would be determined by how you define risk. Sure, the teenage population was not lying in hospital beds or on ventilators - but they were still impacted. These teens lost school, prom and graduation. The artists lost inspiration, the musician... Full story
In 2008, Benet Academy basketball coach Marty Gaughan was retiring after 19 seasons at the helm of the Redwings' program. The recently retired coach was part of the hiring committee and had coached against then St. Patrick's assistant coach and former Nazareth Academy head coach Gene Heidkamp for the job. "Some of the biggest accolades he received were from our previous head coach Marty Gaughan," said longtime Benet Academy athletic director Gary Goforth. "Marty knew him and... Full story
Just when you thought the past year could not get any weirder - the Bolingbrook Raiders unveiled a pass-heavy offense in Friday night's football opener at defending Class 8A state champion Lincoln-Way East. Raider senior quarterback Vincenzo Meschi, a transfer from Batavia, put the ball in the air 53 times in the season opener, connecting on 26 of his passes in a 42-14 loss. "That was our strategy coming in," said Bolingbrook coach John Ivlow. "We knew if we came out and ran... Full story
When the men's NCAA bracket was announced, there were two players from local communities on teams heading to the NCAA tournament and both are from the Valley View School District - one each from Bolingbrook and Romeoville. On the women's side, there are three players on two different teams headed and a pair of them graduated from Bolingbrook High School. Jahari Smith, who actually played at both Romeoville and Bolingbrook in her time in high school is now a starter for... Full story
In a tribute to an injured senior, Bolingbrook and St. Ignatius orchestrated a scenario where the teams traded uncontested layups in the beginning of the game in order to get the injured 6-foot, 3-inch Kai Evans a basket in his final game as a Raider. To the unknowing fan, it appeared as if Evans muffed his point blank attempt, but according to fellow senior Kyonte Thomas, it was all part of the plan. "He said he was going to pad his stats a little and get two points and a reb... Full story
After beginning the season with a perfect 19-0 record, the Drake Bulldogs finished with a record of 25-4 on the season and after falling to Loyola-Chicago in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament final on Sunday. The Bulldogs were still awarded a berth in the field of 68 teams that will advance to the NCAA tournament, giving Drake's 6-foot sophomore guard Joseph Yesufu a chance to play in the big dance. Yesufu averaged 12.1 points, 1.8 assists and 1.7 rebounds per game.... Full story
On paper, Glenbard West is one of the top teams in the state in this abbreviated COVID-19-shortened season. The Hilltoppers entered the final game at Downers Grove North undefeated with a margin of victory in the upper 20s. West has six players on the roster listed at 6-foot, 5-inches or taller and four above 6-7, including 6-10 junior Braden Huff. None of that phased the Trojans. "Our team does not care about all of that stuff," said Downers Grove North senior Kyle Engstler.... Full story
If there is one thing we have learned in the last year is to take nothing for granted — ever. That has been stuck in my head ever since the 2020 Prep Shootout Basketball All-Star game was cancelled because of COVID-19. At that game, we were all set to honor freelance reporter Drake Skleba with an Ambassador Award to recognize his dedication to bringing amazing coverage to high school athletics. We had it all planned — we were going to surprise Drake with the award in between the girls and boys games. We had Drake’s cousin, Ma... Full story
Growing up in the Joliet area, Jennifer Anton always wanted to write and from an early age at St. Mary's Immaculate Grade School in Plainfield, she was inspired to do just that. "In the fifth grade, I started a little club in the schoolyard called the Drama and Literature Club. My teacher, Miss Wilson was so kind and let me encourage the class to submit poems and short stories which she then 'published' for us by making a photocopy version," Anton said. "I guess that was my... Full story
Things got heated at the end of the Crest Hill city council work session Monday at city hall. Just before moving to executive session to discuss selling the current building when the new one is built, City Clerk Vicki Hackney, who announced last week that she will not seek re-election, questioned Mayor Ray Soliman about phone calls he was making to residents that have incorrectly filled out the forms for a property tax rebate and leaving his personal cell phone number on... Full story
Two people were shot outside an apartment building in the Woodlands complex in Crest Hill, just after 6 p.m. Wednesday night. Originally, Crest Hill, Bolingbrook, Joliet and other agencies wee on scene. The Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force arrived on the scene shortly after 9 p.m. and is assisting in the investigation. Eyewitnesses at the scene said all of those involved appeared to be in their 20s. As of press time, the victims were hospitalized and were not thought to hav... Full story
The 2021 NASCAR schedule is expected to be released Wednesday and Joliet's Chicagoland Speedway will not be part of the lineup. The NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, Gander Trucks and ARCA were all removed from the Speedway schedule. Reports are that Kentucky has also been dropped as a 2021 NASCAR host. "The move away from NASCAR racing at Chicagoland Speedway is one of many changes reflected in the 2021 schedule, and by no means a reflection of the support our fans... Full story
In 2020, it seems the only clear-cut winner of anything has been COVID-19, as the pandemic and subsequent lockdown by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has wiped out everything from summer vacations to high school athletics — while claiming jobs and small businesses along the way. In Crest Hill, however, a group of 11 young men found a way to beat the virus and 19 of its opponents and post a 19-0-2 undefeated season — the two ties coming because of time limits on games. Spo... Full story
While the COVID-19 pandemic forced many people around the world to sing the blues, it has made Arbender Robinson sing just about anything else. A veteran of musical theater and Crest Hill native, Robinson has entertained social media followers with songs ranging from Broadway to the Beatles to Barry Manilow. In what he calls his ‘Early Morning Vocals,’ Robinson sings a new song every day and posts them to his Facebook and Instagram accounts for no other reason than to make peo... Full story
In the sixth inning of a game that saw the Chicago White Sox losing 6-0, Downers Grove native Zack Burdi lived a childhood dream. The former Downers Grove South Mustang, Burdi made his Major League debut after a path to the pros that had been anything but easy. As he walked to the mound in the empty stadium, television cameras caught him look around the ballpark and soak in the moment. In his first inning with the Sox, Burdi threw 21 pitches, allowed an infield hit and struck... Full story
"This is it," Bolingbrook Mayor Roger C. Claar said to the large crowd gathered to see him off at his final board meeting after serving the village for nearly 34 years - 33 years, 8 months and 7 days to be exact. Claar gave his final address to the board and residents from center stage of the Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center, where the meeting was relocated to in order to accommodate the amount of people that showed up to the event - which was maybe the first mayoral... Full story
The Niles Police Department was devastated last week when three men affiliated with the department were struck when an alleged drunk driver going in the opposite direction swerved into their lane and hit them head-on. The crash occurred about 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 12 on a highway in Kerrville, Texas, about 65 miles northwest of San Antonio. The men were members of the Chicago chapter of the Thin Blue Line Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, which is comprised of active and... Full story
Ohio State University captain and Bolingbrook graduate Tuf Borland Tweeted a letter Aug. 7 attributed to the the one put out by a group called #BIGTENUNITED just one day earlier. In the original statement, #BIGTENUNITED wrote, "While we appreciate the Big Ten’s recently announced plan for the upcoming season, we believe that the conference’s proposal falls short in certain areas. Given that the players are the primary stakeholders in the business of college sports, we believe any course of action moving forward needs to inc...
In a ceremony that lasted the whole weekend and was forced by weather to take place in two different places, the seniors from Minooka High School graduated July 11-12. The students were divided into groups based on last name and were able to hear their name called, walk the stage and pose for photos with properly masked school administration. Weather forced Saturday’s edition to take place indoors at the Performing Arts Center, while Sunday graduates were able to graduate o... Full story