Crime & Safety
Crime, Fire and Loss of Life: 10 Most Popular Stories in 2012
Sudden death and fatal accidents robbed New Lenox this year. These stories and more made the list of 10 most popular headlines for 2012.
These are the 10 most popular headlines from 2012. They include fire at LA Cafe, the tragic loss of life, a famous athlete and escaped fugitives.
Sudden death
Sudden death due to undetected health problems in two teens, 18-year-old Tommy Schuman and 16-year-old Austin Lempora, stirred us to think about closer scrutiny of routine sports physicals.
Community Mourns Sudden Death of L-W Central Senior
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L-W Central Football Player Dies From Heart Attack
Fatal crashes
In the top stories, fatal crashes both shocked residents and spurred compassionate outreach in the communities of New Lenox and Manhattan. We lost Karly Little, 9; Bart Lenz, 21, and Matt Zack, 26 and 26-year-old Bryan Bulger of Manhattan.
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2 Dead in Fiery New Lenox Accident
Manhattan Man Dies After 3-Car Accident in New Lenox
New Lenox Girl Dies in Fatal Car Crash in Kankakee County
Readers might like:
- PHOTO GALLERY: 12 Top Photos of 2012
- New Lenox's Top News Stories for 2012
- Mug Shot Gallery: 2012 Crimes in Review
- Tragedy Stabs at the Heart of New Lenox: 2012 Year in Review
- 12 New Business Stories in New Lenox in 2012
Escaped Convicts
A manhunt that started in Tinley Park early in the day of Dec. 18 spilled over into New Lenox. Helicopters flew overhead, and Cook County Sheriff's police lined the 800 block of S. Cedar Road. Police said they were acting on a lead that "didn't pan out." One of the two fugitives, 37-year-old Jose Banks, was arrested on Dec. 20 in Chicago. His cohort, Kevin Conley, 38, is still at large.
Scenes From a Manhunt (Photo Gallery)
Sports star gets DUI
The arrest by New Lenox police of retired White Sox player Carlton Fisk, 64, drew national media attention. Arrested on Oct. 22 by New Lenox police and charged with DUI, the SunTimes Media said on Dec. 27, he pleaded guilty to one year of court supervision. He will also pay $1,250 in court costs.
New Lenox Police Arrest Retired White Sox Star Carlton Fisk
The No. 1 story--fire at LA Café Restaurant
The irony in that story is the fact that LA Café Restaurant was located directly across the street from the New Lenox Fire Protection District. .
'We Will Rebuild': Fire Destroys LA Cafe in New Lenox
Two Threats to Lincoln-Way Central High School
The community reacted with a sense of powerless, fear and frustration when news broke that there was a potential for life-threatening harm.
Tom G. Rohrbach, 46, of the 700 block of Lisson Grove in New Lenox, was charged with two counts of falsely making a terrorist threat, a Class 1 felony, and nine counts of disorderly conduct, a Class 4 felony.
Man Charged With Terrorism Threats Against Lincoln-Way
A former Lincoln-Way Central High School teacher, Ryan Gardner, 40, was arrested Dec. 18 for threatening to "shoot and kill" Lincoln-Way School District Deputy Superintendent Thomas Eddy on Dec.6. Gardner had been receiving psychiatric treatment at the University of Illinois in Chicago, but checked out of the facility.
Former L-Way Teacher Allegedly Threatened to Shoot School Officials (Update)
What other stories do you think deserve to be remembered this year? Tell us in the comments.
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