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Car Accident Death, Tap House Grill and More: January in Review

Whether they touched your heart or just got you talking about what's happening in your community, here's a sampling of some of the stories we covered this month -- in case you missed them the first time around:

Posted Wed, Jan 30, 2013 at 7:16 pm CT|Updated Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 3:57 am CT

Darien Woman Killed on Route 83 in Unincorporated Lemont: Antonia Lim, 74, of Darien was a passenger in a car driven by her husband on Route 83 near Archer Avenue in unincorporated Lemont when their car tragically struck a gravel truck from behind.

Where’s Bella? Lemont Family Seeks Community's Help to Find Lost Dog: Members of the community rallied in search of Bella, a 3-year-old Toy Yorkie, who was lost in Briarcliffe Estates. The family said it appeared the pup made it through two nights and was on her way home but was found, deceased.

Six Young Men to Become Eagle Scouts: The Scouts’ projects benefited local parks, a veterans memorial garden, a special-needs camp and a wolf ranch.

Lemont's Coby Fleener Makes Playoff Debut in Colts vs. Ravens: Although the outcome may not have been what he had hoped, Lemont native and Indianapolis Colts’ tight end Coby Fleener played in an AFC Wild Card game. The Baltimore Ravens beat the Colts 24-9.

Village, Police, Schools Working Together to Ensure Student Safety: Reacting to the school shooting in Newtown, CN, local officials assured the community that safe schools remain a top priority.

Downers Grove Shelter Receives Share of Lemont Man's $1.5 Million Trust: Lemont resident Sylvester Czopek, who died in 2011 at age 84, left more than $1 million to five no-kill, Chicago-area animal shelters, including the West Suburban Humane Society in Downers Grove.

Lemont’s Tap House Grill Celebrates Grand Opening Week Jan. 14-20: Newly opened restaurant/pub welcomed local patrons to its location at 1243 S. State Street.

Supervalu to Sell Jewel-Osco Stores: Although the deal isn’t expected to be finalized until this spring, residents are already wondering what changes may be in store at their local Jewel.

From the Archives: Blizzards of 1967, 2011: The Lemont Area Historical Society took Patch readers on a trudge down memory lane – when 23 inches of snow fell on Chicago and surrounding suburbs, including Lemont, in January of 1967 – and February 2011, when Lemont was hit with more than 21 inches of the white stuff, accompanied by winds of up to 60 mph.

Lemont Football Coach, Player Get Star Experience at Under Armour All-American Game: Lemont High School’s Ethan Pocic, an LSU football recruit, spent time in Florida with some of the best high school football players in the country. He was joined by his LHS coach, Eric Michaelsen.

Medical Marijuana in Lemont? It's a Possibility the Village Could Plan For: This story really got Lemont talking – when the village board heard an update on state legislators’ efforts to allow medical marijuana in Illinois and discussed how passage of such a bill could impact local zoning.

Warm a Heart with 'Sack Lunches with Spirit': Hope and Friendship Foundation is seeking donations of food, valentines and gift cards, as well as monetary donations and volunteers to help lift the spirits of clients at area missions and senior centers.

Lemont Home Sales Up Compared to 2011: Is the economy finally beginning to improve? Well, in Lemont, it seems to be. Home sales were up 57 percent, with 11 homes sold in December 2012, compared to seven sold in December 2011.

When Can I File My 2012 Tax Return?: Hold on to all those receipts and files, at least for now. The IRS announced a delayed start to the 2012 tax filing season. Here's the date of when you can file, plus some locations in or near Lemont where you can get help on your taxes.

Found Dog: Black and White Pup: As of Jan. 30, Lemont Police were still holding this black and white male pup that was found on State Street at about 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 25. Do you know where he lives?

Lemont Plans $21 Million Sports Complex: Last, but certainly not least, this story has generated more comments than any we’ve seen in recent memory. The Village Board approved a preliminary bond ordinance to finance an indoor/outdoor sports facility, which Mayor Brian Reaves said is on a “fast track” for a possible ground breaking in March. A public hearing is planned for Feb. 11.

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