Bridge players show improvement in thrice-weekly games

Improvement is a key ingredient for the top 50 bridge players who achieved the highest individual masterpoint totals for the month of March in duplicate bridge in thrice-weekly games in Highland and Calumet Township.

The Connors play on their swing set in the backyard

Vanessa and Kevin Connor play with sons Brayden, left, and Logan on the backyard swing of their Tinley Park home.

Connor brothers Brayden and Logan play on their slide

Brayden, rear, and Logan Connor on the backyard slide of their Tinley Park home.

Kevin, Vanessa, Logan and Brayden Connor at their Tinley Park home

The Connors just returned from a week's vacation at Disney World Resort in Orlando, Fla. From left are Logan, Vanessa, Brayden and Kevin Connor.

Chicagoland offers winning concert roster

From the Rolling Stones to Taylor Swift to Beyonce, many a household name is making their way to venues throughout the country this summer, with Chicago stops on their schedule.

Dyer couple overcomes adversity to graduate together from PUC

HAMMOND | Few students excuse themselves from the first day of class, but Purdue University Calumet’s Raymond Lukas had a good reason for leaving his Spanish 101 instructor, Barbara Shinovich, a phone message two days before the 2011 fall semester began.

Brad Paisley opens FMBA season

Music fans can get ready to celebrate the opening of the outdoor concert season this weekend at First Midwest Bank Amphitheater in Tinley Park, Ill.

Quilter enjoys the learning experience as she creates

Crete resident Judy Tucker is quickly becoming a leader in the quilting community, having been selected as a semifinalist at the 2013 American Quilter’s Society QuiltWeek competition in Lancaster, Penn.

Valparaiso University band performs Statehouse concert

INDIANAPOLIS | The theme songs of epic films echoed off the marble walls of the Indiana Statehouse Thursday as the Valparaiso University Chamber Concert Band performed under the blue glass skylight in the rotunda, the final stop on their 2013 tour.

Illinois couple pleads guilty to drug, tax charges

HAMMOND | The owner of three local weight loss clinics admitted Tuesday to illegally dispensing drugs to his patients, Hammond federal court records show.

Wig business gives good hair days to cancer patients

MUNSTER | Tucked in a discreet corner of Bunny's Beaute Salon, not far from the rows of hair dryer helmets for the roller-set crowd, is a pink salon chair where dozens of women and men have sat and cried.

Local firefighters to compete in Combat Challenge

OAK FOREST | Firefighters from around the country will converge Sept. 15 and 16 in Oak Forest for the National Firefighter Combat Challenge.

South suburban girls honored in annual Little Miss DST pageant

MATTESON | Jassac Charitable Foundation Inc. and Joliet Area/South Suburban Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. hosted their third annual Little Miss DST pageant on May 19 at Victory Apostolic Church in Matteson.

VU grad previews late-night challenge to TV talk show icons

VALPARAISO | More than 400 people showed up Tuesday at Valparaiso University, eager for a glimpse of how a local TV talk show host plans to challenge two late-night heavyweights.

Former Hobart baseball coach accused of stealing from team surrenders to police

HOBART | A South Elgin, Ill., man turned himself in to police Saturday on charges alleging he stole $8,000 from a Hobart youth baseball team, police said.

Gala to fund expansion of programs for people with disabilities

CHICAGO HEIGHTS | Tickets are still available for SouthSTAR Services' St. Patrick's Day gala, which takes place March 17 at the Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park.

Pierce leads T.F. South to win over Titans

T.F. South head coach John O'Rourke, right, talks to player Paul Pierce, left, in the final moments of the game during the Rebels 61-56 win against the Titans during the South Suburban Blue contest Friday at Tinley Park High School.

Pierce leads T.F. South to win over Titans

Tinley Park's Ryan Bunn, center, catches a rebound past T.F. South's Kenny Doss, left, and Ira Crawford during the Rebels 61-56 win against the Titans Friday at Tinley Park High School.

Pierce leads T.F. South to win over Titans

Tinley Park's Tracey Brandy, left, dribbles past T.F. South's Kenny Doss during the Rebels 61-56 win against the Titans during the South Suburban Blue contest Friday at Tinley Park High School.

Pierce leads T.F. South to win over Titans

T.F. South's Ira Crawford, right, tries to make a shot past Tinley Park's Eldridge Anderson during the Rebels 61-56 win against the Titans during the South Suburban Blue contest Friday at Tinley Park High School.