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Get to know Patch Editor Michael Sewall and learn what we're doing out in New LenoxIf you get a chance to go to this weekend's Relay for Life in New Lenox, do it. It can be a life-changing experience and, more importantly, helps raise money that could change others' lives. New Lenox is a community that can truly rally around a cause, and the Relay for Life here is something special, raising money for cancer research. I got the chance to cover it last year (and participate in the dunk tank) and had a fantastic time. The event begins at 6 p.m. Friday, July 13, at Lincoln-Way West High School and goes until 6 a.m. the following day. After the opening ceremony, local cancer …
I was sitting at Country Charm yesterday, sipping coffee and answering emails, when the waitress came to take my order. “Are we gonna need more time?” I ponder the question for a second, before ordering my usual—wheat toast, hash browns and an omelette with sausage and green pepper. Do I need more time? No, I think, I'm ready for the next step.Effective this week, I will no longer be the local editor for New Lenox Patch. But I won’t be going far. I’ve accepted a job as an associate regional editor for Patch, and your New Lenox site is one I’ll still be overseeing. My bylines might not be …
Somewhere, Pomp and Circumstance is playing, and someone is struggling to keep that mortarboard in place. It's graduation season, and whether it's your preschooler moving on to the big K, or your college senior heading out into the real world, you can brag about it on New Lenox Patch. Announce Your Child's Graduation First, make sure you're signed in to your free Patch account. Don't have one? Just click "Sign Up" in the upper right corner of this site. Then follow these easy steps: Go to Patch's announcements page and click "Add an Announcement." Fill out the required fields and make sure …
To read more about the stories featured in the photos above, click on the links below. Tell us in the comments which story was your favorite. Helping the Blind See Again: New Lenox Man Volunteers for Lifetime in Latin America In Down Economy, Man Expands Business With Help of Out-of-Work Tradesmen After Year of Tragedy, Students Plan to Remember Fallen Friends Mental Health in Question for Man Accused of False Gun Threats D122 Meeting: Manville Named Supt. to Follow Sass Men Who Robbed Murder Victim's New Lenox Home Ask for Second Chance 6 Golds: Lincoln-Way's Cargel Exits with a Gym Dandy …
This Saturday is the five-year anniversary of the death of Jacob Lowell, a New Lenox resident who was serving in Afghanistan. Phillip Brodnick died later that year, in August 2007, in Iraq. These are just two of the countless people who have died while serving their country. We should remember them and honor them this Memorial Day. Memorial Day is always the last Monday of May, so the signs of summer are evident: pool parties, barbecues, a day off work. But it's a day to remember the war dead, and in the "Home of Proud Americans" we should do that, especially with the five-year anniversary …
April was a busy month for the village and local businesses. First, a couple of them were upset with tax incentives given to Portillo's to build in New Lenox. Eventually, president Dick Portillo announced he would forego the incentives. Then, furious over gas prices that were at times 20 cents higher than neighboring towns, Mayor Tim Baldermann told residents to "go buy your gas somewhere else." And throughout the month, as Route 30 construction picked up again, the village has worked with local businesses to combat the negative consequences. Despite all of this, it was the loss of a beloved…
Facebook mandated users to switch over to its new timeline template one week ago. The transition might have been sudden or unwanted for some, so if you're scrambling for a cover photo (the long horizontal one at the top), we've put together some good local shots to use. Show your hometown pride. Brag about your high school. Pick a beautiful spot in town to display. Like New Lenox Patch on Facebook Browse the gallery above, and feel free to download any of the photos to use on your Facebook timeline. And, if you don't mind, share this post with others who may not know about New Lenox Patch (…
The weather continued its incredible run in March, but not all of the news was good. With a fatal car accident, a gun threat and a malpractice suit, it was a busy month. I recap some of the top stories from March 2012. Pipeline Explosion: Tragedy hit New Lenox early in the month when two cars that were reportedly racing drove through a fence and hit an Enbridge oil pipeline, causing an explosion that killed Bart Lenz, 21, and Zach Orel, 25, both of New Lenox. Decision 2012: The March 20 primaries didn't yield many surprises, but it set up some interesting battles for November's General …
After a couple months of growing out my hair, I felt pretty different when it was all shaved off for St. Baldrick's. Lighter, yes. But happier, too. It was a great experience to be a part of something so many people in the community contributed to. Hundreds of people gathered at Gatto's in New Lenox on March 23 to raise money for cancer research. The event raised more than $50,000 with the help of 123 people who got their heads shaved. Do you have photos from St. Baldrick's? Share them here. Thanks to everyone who donated to Team New Lenox Patch! Braasch Family Maggie Creamer Dean & Erin …
I was fortunate enough to participate in the annual St. Baldrick's event this year, and the experience was incredible. Shaving my head for cancer research was one small contribution I could make, but seeing so many people come together to support a great cause was truly amazing. Hundreds of people gathered at Gatto's in New Lenox on March 23 to raise money for cancer research. The event raised more than $50,000 with the help of 123 people who got their heads shaved. Thank you to everyone who donated to Team New Lenox Patch as well as any other team that participated in the event. Your …
My hair has gotten pretty long in the last few weeks, but this Friday I'm hoping that changes. But I'll need your help to make it happen. I'm participating in the annual St. Baldrick's event March 23 at Gatto's in New Lenox. At 4:30 p.m., I'm getting my head shaved to stand in solidarity with children who have cancer and to raise money for cancer research. Donate to Team New Lenox Patch. The event is organized by members of the New Lenox Police Department, and various teams will participate, including the New Lenox Fire Protection District and the Community Emergency Response Team. …
Thank you to everyone who visited New Lenox Patch at the New Lenox Chamber of Commerce's Community Expo & Home Show this weekend! The annual expo typically pulls in more than 100 businesses and at least 2,000 members of the public. In addition to booths, there was a health and wellness expo and a pet expo. There was also various entertainment and demonstration options, including Cheer Envy, Tiger Kwon Martial Arts, the Lincoln-Way Central Jazz Ensemble and more. Kids will have fun things to do, too, with a jump house and slide, a DJ for dancing and face painting. See a list of the …
Any time a favorite restaurant is lost, fans are going to be upset. That response was expected after the popular LA Cafe in New Lenox set fire in the early hours Jan. 28. But where is that anger directed? For some readers, they called out the New Lenox Fire Protection District, which is located directly across the street from the restaurant, for not getting there quickly enough. Here are the facts: An employee called the Fire District at 6:12 a.m. The Fire District was out the door by 6:13 a.m. The fire began in the kitchen as a grease fire. The area a fire covers doubles every 30 seconds. …
There's only one month left for you to help me reach my goal in raising money for cancer research. $2,500, to be specific. And if I reach that goal, I'll shave my head and put a video of it here on Patch. I'm participating in the annual St. Baldrick's event March 23 at Gatto's in New Lenox. The event is organized by members of the New Lenox Police Department, and various teams will participate, including the New Lenox Fire Protection District and the Community Emergency Response Team. Donate to Team New Lenox Patch. The St. Baldrick's Foundation grew out of a cancer benefit a group of friends…
I know you're busy, but it's the weekend now so take some time to relax and crack open a six pack of stories that appeared in the last week on New Lenox Patch. Guilty Plea: Two Chicago men pleaded guilty last week to robbing a New Lenox Township home while the owner's dead body decomposed in another room. They said they came with a friend who didn't tell them a dead person was in the home. Chicago Men Plead Guilty to Robbing Dead Man's Home Busing Options: About 25 community members spoke to the District 122 board about the bus schedule options, all of which would come at an extra cost. Which…
Rob Ninkovich is playing the biggest game of his life this weekend. But before this season, the Patriots linebacker and New Lenox native was generally unknown. At least unknown outside of New Lenox, where Ninkovich starred at Lincoln-Way Central. In the high school, his jersey hangs in the athletics area. He still makes an impact in the community. Read below for my rankings of Ninkovich's top highlights. But a tough road to the Super Bowl has kept him under the radar. He wasn't recruited out of high school, ended up at Joliet Junior College and then transferred to Purdue. After the Saints …
It's a question I ask a lot: What's the best local pizza place? We've run polls, asked Facebook readers and called for you to leave reviews in our business directory. But now it's getting real. Coming this Thursday, we'll introduce the Patch Pizza Playoffs. And I need your help to pull it off. First, you'll vote for the best pizza place in New Lenox. Local places only—no chains. The winner from our town will go up against seven other winners: Oak Lawn-Evergreen Park, Palos, Orland, Tinley Park-Oak Forest, Frankfort-Mokena, Homewood-Flossmoor and Chicago Heights-Olympia Fields. Before we get …
It's that deLite-ful time of year again: Girl Scout cookies are available to order! With the help of our fans on Facebook, we've compiled a list of New Lenox Girl Scout troops and the contact information you need to place an order of your favorites, include Caramel deLites, Thin Mints and more. Hurry up and get your orders in, because many must be placed by Jan. 30. If your troop is missing from the list below, add it in the comments or email me at michael.sewall@patch.com so I can include it. Can't remember which variety you like best? When in doubt, buy a bunch—or check out the Cookie Guide…
I know you're busy, but it's the weekend now so take some time to relax and crack open a six pack of stories that appeared in the last week on New Lenox Patch. Fuss Over Bus: The New Lenox school board changed bus times last year, and following some parents' complaints agreed to look at new options, all of which would increase costs in a time that the state is cutting transportation funding. D122 Reviews Six Bus Schedule Options Charleyhorse Closing?: A new restaurant owner will petition the Village Board tomorrow to get a liquor license, as he's planning to move an American Grill into the …
We know you're busy, but it's the weekend now so take some time to relax and crack open a six pack of stories that appeared in the last week on New Lenox Patch. Well, Well: If someone is annexed into New Lenox, should they be forced to cap their well? That's a discussion the Village Board, and Patch readers, is engaged in now. Should Well Water be Allowed in New Lenox? Safety Man: Leading leagues of volunteers, New Lenox's public safety division chief has helped make the community more prepared for disaster and fostered a spirit of looking out for others. Dan Martin Envisions a Safer, …
