Community Corner

Tinley Park Patch Reflects on 11 Memorable Stories of 2011

We've cherry picked a handful of stories you may or may not recall from 2011. If you don't remember them, we think you should—the tragic, the triumphant, and fodder from the (police) blotter.

The Tragic

The Death of Annabella Loerop

The death of 4-year-old Annabella Renee “Bella” Loerop shook the community in May. While chasing a ball into the street, she was hit by a 16-year-old driver in the The community gathered to mourn her loss and deal with the "earthquake of grief." The Oak Forest teen who hit her, Deandre Wolfe, after police said tests showed he had marijuana in his system. .

Community Mourns Loss of Chief O'Connell

Our site has, at times, served as a memorial. after his death at . O'Connell was at the helm of the department beginning in 1995. We were .

A Crash of Emotions

When Tinley residents Donna Grace, 81, and Gail Crabtree, 91, died in a Metra Train crash in July, residents' . and about . Our job is to tell the stories of those who are unable.

Find out what's happening in Tinley Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A Cold Day, But Not a Cold Case

, we looked for signs of hope in the ongoing investigation. "It's like a scar," Tinley Park Mayor Ed Zabrocki said of the terrible day when five were killed at the local clothing store. "The scar will slowly, slowly lessen, but it will never disappear." and shared .

The Triumphant

A Celebration of Defeat

When Osama bin Laden was killed, we looked to you, our readers, to . We also and shared the story of one of our own—. "It's a time of celebration," his mother, Darlene, told Patch. "It just seems like the right thing to do. It's a very bittersweet moment. ... Josh didn't do it, but I'm glad somebody did."

Find out what's happening in Tinley Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Bleeding Red, White and Blue

There are several permanent fixtures at the in Tinley Park. . A World War II veteran, the 89-year-old unsung hero volunteered at the post for 41 years.  before he . He will never be forgotten here in Tinley Park. Some memories last a lifetime. 

No Brakes for Local Marathoner

alum and Oak Forest resident Arturs Bareikis hopes to make the Latvian Olympic team. Five years after his first cross country race, then 19, Arturs decided he wanted to run a long-distance race. Did he choose a half-marathon? A full? Of course not. He, instead, decided on an ultra-marathon, the 2006 Lakefront 50K for his maiden-voyage. Bareikis placed second in the race and became the youngest competitor in the nation’s top 200 for the 50K that year.

Blotter Fodder

There's Gnome Place Like Home

For Mary Tarasiewicz, gnome is where the heart is.  in the 8300 block of West 162nd Place in , she called the cops. Mary didn't get her gnomes back, but at least she had a sense of humor about it.

A Dog-Eat-Dog World

officer Bob Diorio in order to collect money for the time he spends caring for the department’s service animal, Thor. Readers have since taken quite an interest in the issue, . He’s seeking two to three years worth for the time he spends with the pup outside of his regular work hours, though his attorney hasn't said what that amounts to in dollar signs.

A Despicable Act Targets Elderly Woman

from her car earlier this month outside the Dollar Tree on Harlem Avenue, where they threatened to shoot her but didn't show a gun. The victim, who was in her 90s, suffered minor injuries — cuts on her hands — and lost both her purse and her car to the thieves. An  but a second suspect has yet to be arrested.

Painted Pastures Sanctuary May Not Have Been a Sanctuary After All

Dawn Hamill, owner of , was charged with 38 counts  following the Feb. 11 seizure of more than 100 animals from her Tinley Park property. Her attorney, Steven Decker, contends that statements of animal neglect that have been made were deliberately false. But a ruled this past week that a search warrant that led to the raid of the animal shelter was executed with probable cause.

 

 

 


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