STAFF REPORT The Elmhurst Police Department said a Lombard man was struck and killed by a Metra train in Elmhurst during the afternoon of Monday, Oct. 10. According to police, 31-year-old Rashad Oliver was pronounced dead at the scene. There were no other injuries reported as a result of this incident. At 3:10 p.m., Elmhurst police and fire departments were dispatched to the south platform area of the Elmhurst Train Depot for a report of a pedestrian being struck by a train. Upon arrival, responders located the victim’s body. Police said witnesses saw Oliver walking across the Union P ..read more

JANE CHARMELO PHOTO The Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce, residents and a Lombard village trustee were among the guests and visitors at a ribbon-cutting ceremony held Wednesday, Sept. 28, at Jovive Health, 601 E. Roosevelt Road, Lombard. The new facility provides flexible primary and urgent care services, as well as virtual visits, same-day and online reservations and walk-ins. Cutting the ribbon is medical director Dr. Dany Boulos; at right is Chamber President and CEO Melissa Boltz. Jovive Health is owned and operated by Vituity, which is a national physician partnership with a history of he ..read more

MIKE SANDROLINI PHOTO For quite a while, Art Frerichs (left), the father of Mark Frerichs—a Lombard native kidnapped and held hostage in Afghanistan for over two years—had the following message posted on the sign outside of his business, Art’s Master Mechanics: “President Biden. Bring home Mark Frerichs my son. God Bless America.” Well, after he and his family recently received confirmation that Mark had been released, Art happily was able to take down that message and replace it with: “Thank you. Thank you, President Biden. God Bless America.” “We’re very relieved,” said Art late last week ..read more

Photos by Peter Cruger On Monday, October 10, 2022 at approximately 3:10 p.m., the Elmhurst Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to the south platform area of the Elmhurst Train Depot for a report of a pedestrian struck by a train.  Upon arrival, responders located a deceased adult male that had been struck by an inbound Metra passenger train on the Union Pacific Railroad tracks, just east of the Addison Avenue/Cottage Hill Avenue crossing.  Witnesses reported observing the man crossing the railroad tracks from north to south at the crossing as the eastbound train appro ..read more

MIKE SANDROLINI PHOTO The Lombard Falcons Junior Football League, which plays its home games at Madison Meadow, saluted military, veterans and first-responders on Sunday, Sept. 18. The Falcons’ organization has been raising money for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which has been providing mortgage-free homes to fallen first-responder families and young children, and building custom-designed homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. Between the first and second games on Sept. 18, the Falcons presented this $5,000 check to the foundati ..read more

Lombard native freed in exchange for Afghan tribal leader imprisoned in U.S. on drug trafficking changes By Mike Sandrolini The long ordeal of Lombard native Mark Frerichs being held hostage in Afghanistan has finally ended. And it is indeed a happy ending for him and his family. After over two years of being held captive by the Taliban, senior Biden Administration officials confirmed Monday that Frerichs has been released following a prisoner swap. Frerichs was exchanged for Haji Bashir Noorzai, who had been in U.S. custody for 17 years on drug trafficking charges and was sentenced to life in ..read more

CHRIS FOX PHOTO Glenbard East’s boys soccer team earned a 3-1 win over Wheaton Warrenville South in Lombard on Saturday, Sept. 3. The Rams, who improved their overall season record to 3-2 with the victory, ran toward one of their fellow students—senior Ibrahim Elbanna—to celebrate their win over the visiting Tigers. Elbanna posts Glenbard East athletic highlights on Instagram (elbannasports ..read more

JANE CHARMELO PHOTO Over two dozen Lombard Police Department personnel spent part of Friday morning, Aug. 19, volunteering for Cop on a Rooftop at several Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois. Besides participating at the Yorktown (shared with the Oak Brook Police Department) and North Avenue locations, other Lombard police personnel were posted here at 1160 S. Main St. Fundraiser event Co-coordinator Lt. Jim Kohl (far right) said that the department raised $9,373. “We beat the pre-COVID-19 record…the most we’ve ever raised at the Cop on a Rooftop event,” he ..read more

The Elmhurst Heritage Foundation is pleased to announce the return of the 7th Annual Elmhurst Craft Beer Fest. The Craft Beer Fest takes place on Sept. 17, 2022 from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on the grounds of the Elmhurst History Museum, located at 120 E. Park Ave. in downtown Elmhurst. After record setting attendance last year, the Foundation is planning another memorable event.  This fundraiser supports the Elmhurst History Museum’s exhibits and programs, as well as educational field trips at the Churchville One-Room Schoolhouse. The Event Co-Sponsor for the fourth time is Pints Elmhur ..read more

JANE CHARMELO PHOTO The Sheldon Peck Homestead, 355 E. Parkside Ave., was the site of a historical marker dedication on Thursday, Aug. 11, recognizing the farmer and renowned artist as a staunch abolitionist and “conductor” on the Underground Railroad. It is documented that Peck helped freedom seekers escape from slavery—at his own personal risk. Pictured shortly after the unveiling are (left to right) Lombard Village President Keith Giagnorio, Peck great-granddaughters Janet Golden and Beverly Viscariello, Peck great-grandson Gene Mertz and Lombard Historical Society Executive Director Alison ..read more