St. Coletta’s of Illinois Foundation will honor Dr. Joseph Matheu, of Palos Park, on Nov. 9 with the St. Coletta’s Humanitas Award. The award is given based on leadership qualities, involvement with children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, a commitment to excellence and a desire to help people. Matheu is a family medicine practitioner with Robinson and Associates in Oak Lawn and Advocate Health Care in Orland Park. Matheu has been providing medical care to the people served by St. Coletta’s for 40 years.

The Oak Lawn Park District held a ribbon-cutting Monday for the newly renovated Centennial Park, 9401 S. Oak Park Ave. New park features include four new softball fields along with a concessions stand and bathroom facility, LED lighting throughout the park and all new walking paths. The sand volleyball court located along 93rd Street and Oak Park Avenue received a 3rd court along with new fencing, curbing, accessible pathways, and benches. Exercise stations have been added, the soccer field is re-graded to increase storm-water retention, and an informational native tree area was planted on the east end.

Lincoln-Way East teacher Kevin McCleish recently received the Frederick D. Drake History Teacher Alumni Award from Illinois State University. McCleish was honored at ISU’s Alumni Day as part of its Homecoming Week. He has been with Lincoln-Way for 11 years.

Joliet Junior College’s student newspaper, The Blazer, was named best in show by the Illinois Community College Journalism Association at the organization’s fall conference Oct. 4 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. This is the second straight year The Blazer won top honor as judged by EIU faculty. JJC was among nine Illinois community colleges participating in the competition.

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