Franklin Park Herald-Journal

Fire totals three cars in Franklin Park

Tue, 15 May 2012 19:44:01 -0500

Three cars caught on fire Sunday in Franklin Park. Firefighters got a call at 10:20 a.m. from the 9400 block of Chestnut. A 2006 Ford Crown Victoria, 1998 Lincoln Continental and 1996 Ford Club Wagon were on fire behind an apartment complex. The culprit was the Crown Victoria, said fire Lt. Nick Stecker. “The fire originated in the engine compartment on the driver’s side of the Ford Crown Victoria,” Stecker said. “There was some kind of mechanical failure under the hood.” The three vehicles were parked just off an alley and it was a windy day. “The fire went through …

Who is the one in charge?

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:04:00 -0500

Many would say the one in charge is the president of the United States, Barack Obama. Many people in foreign countries would look to the people in power in their country. Some of faithful would feel and believe in the pope, rabbi, Buddha, Allah or maybe even the Dalai Lamma as the one in charge. In this changing world, some could even feel that it’s the cell phone or computer that is in charge of their life. But, let’s pause for a moment and gather our thoughts from the news media headlines, the Internet, and radio and television news reports …

BGA president: Tax dollars go down drain

Tue, 15 May 2012 19:28:28 -0500

Andy Shaw says governments need to be watched in the suburbs, not just Chicago. “I think some of the worst practices are in the suburbs and collar counties because no one is watching,” Shaw said. Shaw is the president of the Better Government Association. He spoke Tuesday during a meeting, partially sponsored by the Franklin Park/Schiller Park Chamber of Commerce, in Rosemont. Much of Shaw’s talk was a pitch for attendees to join the BGA. The non-profit investigates allegations of waste, fraud and corruption in city, county, suburban and state governments. As such, the BGA has plenty of options for …

Leyden Township trustee dies

Tue, 15 May 2012 17:54:01 -0500

Leyden Township Trustee Joseph Montana, 74, husband of Schiller Park Mayor Anna Montana for 49 years, died Monday. Joseph Montana also was a member of the Schiller Park Village Health Board. “The village’s most heartfelt and sincere condolences go out to Mayor Montana and her family during this difficult time,” said Kenneth Kollar of the Franklin Park/Schiller Park Chamber of Commerce. Visitation will be from 3-9 p.m. Wednesday at Galewood Chapel, 1857 N. Harlem Ave., Elmwood Park. A funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Maria Gorretti Church, 3929 Wehrman Ave., Schiller Park. Internment will be immediately …

Franklin Park man faces drug, weapon charges

Tue, 15 May 2012 11:04:28 -0500

A Franklin Park man has been charged with illegally possessing drugs and weapons. Joseph “Joey” Avila, 21, of 3014 Bright, was charged Thursday with a felony - unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, said Andy Conklin, spokesman for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. According to Franklin Park police, Avila was also charged with several misdemeanors. Those are possession of a controlled substance, possession of firearms without a firearm owner’s identification card, possession of ammunition without a firearm owner’s ID, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Franklin Park police …

Station gives away free gas

Tue, 15 May 2012 12:03:58 -0500

Grand Avenue at 75th Avenue was jam packed with cars Friday. That’s because at Speed’s BP gas station, 7450 W. Grand Ave., Elmwood Park, was giving away free gas. The deal lasted only an hour. Peter Spino, owner of the station, said his gas station was selected as part of a promotion by Spark Energy, an independent energy provider that offers electricity and natural gas service to homes and businesses nationwide, in conjunction with “Windy City Live,” a local morning television show that broadcast live from the location. “They called me up three weeks ago, but they wanted me to …

Eight protesters arrested at Obama campaign office in Chicago

Tue, 15 May 2012 22:18:36 -0500

Eight protesters were arrested after entering President Barack Obama’s campaign re-election headquarters in downtown Chicago on Monday morning.