The Orland Park Police Department marked Autism Awareness Month and its Occupant with Autism program by showing off the department’s new cruiser.

The design’s highlights include puzzle pieces wrapped around the vehicle, an autism awareness ribbon on the SUV’s hood, and Occupant with Autism decal and QR code that links to the program on the rear window.

The Occupant with Autism program involves using decals and a registration system that allows first responders to know people with autism live in homes or are driving or riding in vehicles.

Free decals are available for Orland Park residents and nonresidents who work or attend school in the area. Residents also can register for the program without displaying a decal so first responders have that information when dispatched to the home or vehicle.

“We hope the community appreciates our efforts and will continue to work on enhancing interactions involving individuals with autism and the men and women of the Orland Park Police Department,” police Chief Eric Rossi shared in a news release.

The registration form is available at orlandpark.org/OWAProgram. Information is at AutismAwareness@orlandpark.org.

Metra Electric Line work starts this weekend

Users of the Metra Electric Line will find themselves on buses for a portion of their ride May 3 and 4 and May 10 and 11 because of extensive construction as a result of the South Shore Line’s expansion plans.

Train service will end and begin at the 18th Street Station, with buses used instead of trains between Millennium and 18th, and the Sunday schedule will be used on Saturdays as well those weekends.

The Van Buren Street and Museum Campus/11th Street stations will be closed. Buses will shuttle riders via the McCormick Place busway between the Millennium and 18th Street stations.

Buses will not stop at the Museum Campus/11th Street or Van Buren Street stations.

Pace paratransit vehicles will shuttle ADA riders via the McCormick Place busway between Millennium and McCormick Place stations but will not stop at the Museum Campus, Van Buren Street or 18th Street stations. Customer service agents will be available.

The $650 construction project expands NICTD’s South Shore service and includes track realignments and upgrades to the system that supplies power to the trains.

Mental health community fair set at H-F High School

Homewood-Flossmoor High School and the Live Free 999 Foundation have joined forces to offer a mental health community event May 5 in the Performing Arts Center Blackbox Theater at the school, 999 Kedzie Ave., Flossmoor.

A panel discussion is set for 7 to 8 p.m. and resource tables will be available before and after the talk. RSVP at bit.ly/HFMentalHealthPanel because space is limited.

Host Carmela Wallace founded Live Free 999 in honor of her son to normalize conversations about mental health and substance dependency while providing young people with vital resources.

The foundation honors late artist and Chicago native Jarad Higgins, aka Juice WRLD, who attended Homewood-Flossmoor.

Homewood-Flossmoor families are invited to the event, which includes students, mental health professionals and community partners to break the stigma of mental health, share insights and offer support.

Other presenters include school psychologist Kofi Shuck and counselor Kizawanda Olowe, both of H-F H.S.; students from Bring Change 2 Mind; Terri McKean of NAMI Chicago; representatives from SunCloud Health; Sarah Whitson of the Crisis Text Line; and comedian and parent Correy Bell.

The community fair follows Shatter the Silence: Mental Health Day 2025, a program held April 28 at H-F H.S., with the goal of empowering students with the knowledge, support and tools they need for mental well-being.

Stagg High School thespians earn honors at state contest

Cast and crew of Stagg High School’s play “Antigone” competed at this year’s Illinois High School Association Drama State Competition in Oak Lawn, and senior Nora Mackey and junior Sophia Bravo were named All State Cast for their performances.

Mackey portrayed Antigone, and Bravo had the role of Teiresias.

Other cast members were Sophia Sochacki, Simon Gallovitch, Nicholas Lellos, Aviana Salas, Brynna Siewers, Casper De Boer, Gina Rabadi, Mia Lewandowski, Byron Kelaiditis, Marcus Furzcon and Lorene Paulson.

Crew members were Mariya Kunnnengode, Abigail Chereb, Sydney Anderson, Jocelyn Jimenz Noemi Rynkiewicz, Kalleigh Miskoivic, Karina Lotysz, Jack Dalton, Natalia Knapik, Mary Chapman, Matt Busch, Julian Arambula, Abigail Carlson, Andrea Bareika and Leah Anderson.

Palos Park Woman’s Club hosts Mother’s Day Walk

The third annual Mother’s Day Walk Presented by the Palos Park Woman’s Club steps off rain or shine at 8 a.m. May 10 at Lake Katherine, 7402 Lake Katherine Drive, Palos Heights. The walk ends at 10:30 a.m.

Friends, families and neighbors are invited to celebrate mothers while supporting local causes.

A 1-mile wood chip path around the lake or a 2-mile paved path along the Cal-Sag Trail are available, with water stops along the way.

Local artisans will be featured, offering hand-crafted gifts in time for Mother’s Day.

Registration costs $30 for adults and $20 for children younger than 18; children 2 and younger are free.

It’s available online at www.eventbrite.com/e/palos-park-womans-club-mothers-day-walk-2025-tickets-1255716996339.

The event is part of the club’s mission to foster community connections and give back, with proceeds supporting scholarships, local outreach efforts and service initiatives.

Bluegrass benefit boosts Frankfort’s free music festival

Fans of bluegrass music are invited to the Frankfort Bluegrass Festival all-volunteer committee’s benefit from 6 to 10 p.m. May 9 at CD & Me, 23320 S. LaGrand Road, Frankfort.

The event will raise money for the annual free Frankfort Bluegrass Festival, set for July 12 and 13.

Advance tickets cost $45 and include music, heavy appetizers, beverages and beer tastings.

Tickets cost $10 more at the door.

Cash bar, raffles, silent auctions and split the pot raffle will be available. Parking is free.

Three bands will perform: Wheels North, The Grateful String Band and Anderlik, Otto & Church. For tickets, visit www.frankfortbluegrassfest.com.

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