Mexican food chain makes fresh start in Niles

Fresh. It’s more than just a word in the name of the restaurant — it’s what makes Baja Fresh unique, said Jignesh Patel, owner of the new restaurant that opened this week at 8610 W. Golf Road. “We are unique,” Patel said of the casual …

Niles Township residents can appeal property taxes until Feb. 22

The Cook County Board of Review has opened Bloom, Hanover, Proviso, Niles and Schaumburg Townships for assessment appeals.

Any property owner who believes their property is over-assessed or contains factual errors in their assessment may appeal at the Board of Review. Residents will have until …

Last day to register for primary is Feb. 21

Maine Township Clerk Gary Warner has announced that the last day to register to vote in the upcoming March 20 election or to update registration information is Feb. 21.

Residents may register at Maine Township Town Hall, 1700 Ballard Road, Park Ridge, during regular Clerk’s …

District 63 breaks down barriers to walking, biking to school

East Maine School District 63 is creating a plan to make walking and bicycling safe, convenient and fun for students. The district has partnered with nonprofit advocacy organization Active Transportation Alliance to address the barriers students face in traveling to school and to identify solutions. …

Kirk moved to Chicago rehab center

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, who suffered a stroke nearly three weeks ago, was transferred Friday to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

Making peace, piece by piece at Morton Grove Library

Children used Legos — and their imaginations — as the building blocks for a more peaceful world during a recent program at Morton Grove Public Library.

The program was one of two events in recent weeks geared to remembering the works of Dr. Martin Luther …

District 69 partnership offers kids pizzas, parties as learning incentives

With the help of a couple of businesses, School District 69 has started a reading-and-mathematics incentive program.

The district serves portions of Morton Grove and Skokie.

The monthly program at Edison School started out as a way to create a partnership between the district and …

New technology to help sort our Metra parking ticket mix-ups in Morton Grove

The village of Morton grove is embarking on a course to embrace technology while keeping a personal touch.

“The focus is on solving problems,” said Ryan Horne, interim village administrator.

First on the list are upgrades to the payment system at the Metra parking lot …

Morton Grove Library Board hires firm for website redesign, at last

The Morton Grove Public Library’s website will sport a new look, most likely by the end of summer.

Trustees Feb. 9 voted 6-1 to authorize a $21,500 contract with Americaneagle.com,, of Chicago, to redesign the site, which is more than a decade old.

Board Treasurer …

New signs call on motorists to hang up in school zones

A ban on cell-phone use in school zones has been a state law for more than two years now, but it apparently hasn’t convinced all drivers to hang up. With the belief that motorists may just need additional, visual reminders, the Park Ridge Police Department …

Snow makes its way back to the area Friday

Feeling a chill in the air? Snow will be back as soon as Friday when lake effect snow could hit the city and Northwest Indiana with six inches.

Park Ridge Catholic school touts its ‘Blue Ribbon’ status

With blue ribbons affixed to their uniforms, students from Mary, Seat of Wisdom Catholic School in Park Ridge celebrated their school’s 2011 National Blue Ribbon award with a special assembly Feb. 2. “It really is overwhelming to see a wonderful school as this,” said Tim …

Park Ridge Teen Center to get boost from local nonprofit

The Park Ridge Teen Center will benefit this year from funding raised by a local philanthropic group. The Park Ridge Juniors, a nonprofit, charitable organization, has selected the Teen Center, 418 W. Touhy Ave., as its major recipient of donations. A majority of the funding …

Park Ridge suicide victim identified

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the body of an apparent suicide victim found in Park Ridge as that of a 45-year-old Park Ridge man. The Medical Examiner’s Office said the victim was identified as John Tsichlis. His body was discovered by a …

Catholic cemeteries offer to bury 300 bodies stacked at morgue

The Archdiocese of Chicago is offering to pay for up to 300 burials for the bodies being held at the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.