Pioneer Local

Kensky plans goodbye to Wilmette congregation

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:32:36 -0500

Ask Rabbi Allan David Kensky about what he thinks his role is as leader of Wilmette’s Beth Hillel Congregation Bnai Emunah, and he won’t define it in terms of a job. He defines it in terms of people. For Kensky, serving as spiritual head of a community that now numbers almost 600 families gives him the chance to teach, to learn and to communicate. “The thing I enjoy the most is the one on one interaction with people,” he said last week at the synagogue on 3220 Big Tree Lane. “Especially in times of change in their lives; times of …

River Grove businesses working hard to recover from flood damage

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:34:39 -0500

RIVER GROVE — Businesses located near Grand Avenue and Des Plaines River Road are slowing getting back on their feet after major flood damage. Heavy rains starting on April 18 sent the Des Plaines River over its banks and caused flooding problems for businesses just west of the river and the surrounding area. The Subway restaurant at 8801 W. Grand Ave. was directly in the path of the flooding; the high waters caused considerable damage. All this not long after the new restaurant had its grand opening, on April 4. Cleaning up took more than a month; the Subway did …

Sports help student decide to play it straight

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:12:39 -0500

FRANKLIN PARK On May 14, Javier Rhodes sent a housing form to Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis. He’ll soon register for fall classes. Preparing for college is a common rite for high school seniors but Rhodes, who took his last final exam on May 16, didn’t expect to make it through his freshman year at East Leyden, let alone to graduation and college. “I would just come here and have fun and get kicked out,” Rhodes said of his attitude in 2009. Rhodes grew up in River Grove. Between kindergarten and now he’s lived in seven different apartments with his …

Four men charged in Elmwood Park vandalism spree; police say feud to blame

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:04:00 -0500

ELMWOOD PARK Felony charges have been filed against four men involved in damaging cars and homes in what police are calling on ongoing feud. Daniel Camacho, 19, of the 1200 block of Diane Lane, Elk Grove Village, was arrested on May 21 at home and charged with three felony counts of criminal damage to property. Carlo Suarez, 20, of the 7700 block of Elmgrove Drive, Elmwood Park, was arrested May 22 at his workplace and was also charged with three felony counts of criminal damage to property. Luis M. Sanchez, 20, of the 3000 block of North Neva Avenue, Chicago, …

Teacher’s video ‘crossed the line,’ District 112 superintendent says

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:13:17 -0500

The superintendent of North Shore School District 112 on Thursday characterized Lincoln School teacher Ellie Rubenstein’s resignation video as “entirely unprofessional,” saying it crossed the line and contained comments that were “unfair, misleading and factually incorrect.”

Evanston High forfeits baseball playoff over sexting allegations

Fri, 24 May 2013 13:18:00 -0500

EVANSTON — An Evanston high school varsity baseball team will not play in the playoff tournament this weekend after a group of students, including team members, allegedly sexted risque photos to each other.

Toppled Glencoe trees strike home, power line

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:18:25 -0500

GLENCOE — Two huge Glencoe trees fell about 2 p.m. Thursday, striking a home in the 100 block of Linden Avenue and a power line on Grove Street. There was no significant power outage due to the Grove Street incident, Interim Public Safety Director Al Kebby said. Kebby said there were no injuries, and the home at Linden Avenue seems to have escaped significant structural damage, despite the size of the tree. He said the trees may have been weakened by recent rains, before being pushed over by high winds. On Linden, further weakening may have been caused by flooding …

Driver’s car leaves highway after Glencoe collision

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:17:51 -0500

An elderly driver’s car took down a Green Bay Road fence after a Glencoe collision Wednesday afternoon. Two people, including the 80-year-old Glencoe driver of a 2001 Lincoln Town Car, sustained minor injuries, but reportedly said they didn’t need to be taken to a hospital. The Lincoln, eastbound on Westley Road, hit the small car driven by a 30-year-old Winnetka man, then bounced off and proceeded across the highway, over the parkway and then halfway through the fence. The Lincoln driver, whose name was not released, was ticketed for failure to yield at a stop-sign intersection. He may be asked …

High-ranking officer leaves sheriff’s department

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:15:08 -0500

A disagreement over the chain of command between Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran and now-former sheriff’s chief Wayne Hunter resulted in Hunter leaving the department late Tuesday afternoon.