In the Rear View: Triumph, Tragedy, Threats and Upheaval

SATURDAY

Sandburg grad and Orland Hills running sensation Lukas Verzbicas repeats as the Adidas Grand Prix Dream Mile champion by finishing in less than 4 minutes, establishing a new personal best. The achievement puts Verzbicas among very few high schoolers who completed the mile in such a short time.

Orland Park police accused an Orland Park man and a Chicago man with making a false bomb threat in August an attempt to rob a Chase Bank on LaGrange Road. As of Saturday, they are being held in the Cook County Jail before a June court date.

FRIDAY

Julie Gorczynski, 17, of Frankfort died from injuries during a car accident Friday night. She was riding in a car that was turning north on 88th Avenue from 135 Street, when it collided with a vehicle traveling west on 135th. She graduated Lincoln-Way North this year and would have turned 18 on June 16.

Palos South teacher Martin Regan, 35 of Orland Hills, died in an apparent drowning. He was a PE teacher at Palos South Middle School and served as a soccer and track and field coach. Regan was well respected by his peers, students and parents.

THURSDAY

The Orland Plaza Barber Shop holds quite a bit of history, and is among several businesses within the shopping center that will have to move or close when the village moves forward with plans to redevelop the area.

James “Rocky” Siciliano, who died after a motorcycle accident last weekend, is remembered for his warmth and charitable acts. Patch Reporter Jesse Marx spent time with those who knew him at Siciliano’s wake in Orland Park.

WEDNESDAY

Shakeups continue within the Orland Fire Protection District, as the board of trustees voted again to hold off on hiring 11 firefighters who the previous board approved bringing on. A legal team is hired and sources believe it is to investigate Chief Bryant Krizik, who was put on a 30-day paid leave.

Orland Hills assistant public works director, who is new to firefighting and EMS matters, said he plans to "listen and learn." Schmidt will be taking the place of Tom Lia, who resigned as commissioner last week.

TUESDAY

Mary Beth Casper says her work is not done, and she's troubled that Board President James Hickey has asked her to resign after he had endorsed her re-appointment last year.

The Orland Park Lions Club have dedicated one day of Orland Days specifically for special-needs people each year, known as Norm Meyer day.

MONDAY

About 40 different organizations were represented during Sunday's parade (including lovely staff from a certain online information resource about Orland Park that will remain nameless).

Board president has said he would explore legal options to remove him and other commissioners from the board if they didn't resign.

SUNDAY

Don't be fooled by the margin of victory. The Eagles' straight-sets win over Naperville North wasn't without its share of dramatics. And there was plenty of suspense in quarterfinal and semifinal matches, too.