Michael Sneed: Drew Peterson is making an impassioned media plea on behalf of his children; specifically his son, Stephen, an Oak Brook policeman who is on suspension because of what Peterson claims is the result of “malicious prosecution.” Drew Peterson, who is in jail awaiting trial on charges of murdering his third wife, Kathleen Savio, dispatched a letter to his attorney Joel Brodsky urging the press to “watch over” what he considers vindictive legal proceedings against Stephen, the caregiver of four of Drew Peterson’s six children.

oncerned about what to do with all the falling leaves this season? Turn those leaves and other yard and kitchen waste into valuable fertilizer and mulch by using a one-bin system called the "Earth Machine" that is available at the New Lenox Township Offices.

Frankfort conducted a nationwide search for a new police chief and found one in its department.

The Will County Center for Economic Development doesn't count temp workers when companies are applying for tax abatements.

A Will County deputy has quit while being investigated for sexual harassment. Christian Jankowski, who had been an officer for over three years, resigned Aug. 5, spokesman Pat Barry said.

One day can make a huge difference. In one day, Gary Cheney and his army of volunteers plan to feed the hungry, clothe the needy and provide toys for ailing children. "This is a great thing. We love helping people," the New Lenox resident said.

Will County Board Chairman Jim Moustis said the county has to protect itself from any pre-election, politically motivated decisions about the proposed Peotone airport.

A groundbreaking for the Lincoln-Way Transition House will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at 310 Colorado Ave. The site is across from Lincoln-Way East High School.

MOKENA -- Former Bears coach Mike Ditka has been drafted to speak at an Energy Jobs Rally in Mokena that is designed to highlight the importance of energy sector jobs in the southwest suburbs.

No matter who did what on a July night in the parking lot of a Frankfort Square school, Brandon Lauer ended up slashed across the neck and with a stab wound in his belly. On Tuesday, the mother of the teenage girl Lauer accused of taking part in the knife attack that left him clinging to life secured a court order forbidding him from coming around her.

A group of firefighters running across the country to honor those killed Sept. 11, 2001, spent some time in the area Wednesday. The Tour of Duty Run began Aug. 12 at the Santa Monica Pier near Los Angeles with 30 emergency service workers from the United States and Australia heading east.

Furloughs. Layoffs. Long lines at the unemployment office. Shredded salaries. These days, everyone is concerned about the economy. People want to know when things will get better, and they pray things won't get worse. That's why Will County Board member John Anderson, D-Monee, held his second breakfast Wednesday for workers and labor leaders at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 173 hall.

A special ceremony for the ninth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, will be held by the members of the Harry E. Anderson Veterans of Foreign Wars, Tom E. Hartung American Legion Post 1977 and 2010 Steering Committee of ShareFest.

Each year since 1995, the Lincoln-Way High School Foundation has raised a significant portion of its money by raffling off a home built by students in the building trades classes.

Hometown Hoedown

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the group's self-titled 1974 tour debut with the release of a live symphonic DVD, "There's Know Place Like Home," Kansas is touring the country this summer and fall, including the 9 p.m. Saturday performance at the Commons in New Lenox.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has confirmed A Carol Stream woman was the first human case of West Nile virus in the state this year.