Lockport

The Joliet region has been a busy place in 2024, with a lot of business development, infrastructure projects and new housing coming in. But the region also saw some tragedy with a mass shooting and the death of a toddler from neglect and drugs.

A new bakery, Nicola's Heavenly Cucina, has opened in the Lockport Metra station specializing in sourdough bread and classic Italian recipes made with all-natural ingredients.

The Imagination Library is a book-gifting program, “which mails free, high-quality and age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five,” according to a news release from the Will County Executive Office.

Free mental health care is available in Will County. Here’s how to access some of those resources.

The Lockport City Council has approved a revised concept plan for a new housing development, including more townhomes, but not the small single family lots originally proposed.

Duly Health and Care recently added doctors to its Lockport office. Two doctors specialize in family medicine and one doctor specializes in internal medicine.

Instead of closing, Critical Grind in Shorewood will expand its offerings in 2025.

Lockport Alderwoman Susan King will remain on the ballot for Lockport Alderman in April, despite a ballot challenge from her opponent.

Lockport Township High School District 205 board of education member Zyan Navarra has officially resigned from his position on the board after disclosing that he has gotten married and is residing outside the district.

Lockport Township High School student volunteers helped ShareFest distribute thousands of pounds of food, clothes, and toys to families in need in the lead up to Christmas.

Lockport Township Fire Protection District extinguished a fire in unincorporated Plainfield on Dec. 14.

Former Lockport Alderman Mark Lobes has filed a challenge to the nominating petitions of his election opponent, Susan King.

Realtopia Real Estate Inc. in Lockport recently raised $2,824 for Honor Flight Chicago.

Lockport Alderman Darren Deskin plans to challenge incumbent Mayor Steven Streit for his seat in the April 1 election, suggesting term limits are needed

Objections have been raised against three petitions filed by candidates seeking to run for the Joliet Junior College Board of Trustees.

Lockport Township High School District 205 will host its 10th annual Veterans Night prior to the boys’ basketball game against Lincoln-Way West High School on Friday.

Will County Board members spent fewer than four minutes choosing their new leadership but close to six hours debating proposed changes to their rules and procedures.

Candidate filings for the April 2025 election are set and Lockport's City Council and Lockport Township High School District 205's Board of Education could see large shake-ups.

Museums around the world - and in Will County are participating, giving patrons a chance to learn and shop on Museum Store Sunday..

Smoothie King opened in Crest Hill this week and plans to open in Homer Glen in 2025. The speciality beverage company has several locations open across Will County.

Live entertainment at the Joliet Public Library and the Joliet Area Historical Museum, North Pole Christmas Market at the Renaissance Center and North Pole Park at Cass and Joliet Streets, ice sculpture demos, food trucks and parade.

The Lockport Township Fire Protection District is designating its stations as Toys for Tots drop-off locations this holiday season.

Memberships for Nik & Ivy Brewing’s 2025 Founders Club are now open, according to the Nik & Ivy Brewing Facebook page.

Metra is offering special one-day passes allowing unlimited travel for $7 on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, and Black Friday, Nov. 29.

Monday will be the last day of operations for the Illinois Secretary of State's office in Lockport.

The Lockport City Council will hold a public hearing on its proposed $24.5 million 2025 budget on Wednesday before its expected approval on Dec. 4.

An apartment fire was extinguished with minimal damage and no injuries early Tuesday morning after LTFPD was called to the scene.

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet will be taking over the space vacated by Big Lots in Lockport. Big Lots closed its locations in Lockport and Crest Hill earlier this year.

The Lockport Committee of the Whole discussed a proposal by M/I Homes to build a new subdivision south of Cedar Ridge at its meeting on Nov. 6.

The South Suburban Center of the Northern Illinois Food Bank donates its meat and fish waste to Big Run Wolf Ranch, an educational facility in Lockport specializing in North American wildlife.

The Lockport Chamber of Commerce is offering a drawing for local business shoppers to win a PlayStation 5 or cash gift cards as part of Small Business Saturday and Christmas on the Square.

A Will County judge blocked the jail release of a Homer Glen father and business owner charged with endangering his child who died from a suspected overdose death in a $1 million home that was completely trashed.

Attorneys for a Crestwood man convicted of killing a Lockport woman and their 14-month-old child in 2020 are claiming constitutional violations should grant him a new trial. A judge may rule on the motion on Dec. 19.

St. Joseph’s Holiday Craft Fair and Market will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., on Saturday at, St. Joseph’s Park, 700 Theodore St., Joliet. Free parking and admission.

A Homer Glen father and mother are facing a felony charge of endangering the life and health of a 2-year-old child who died after becoming “unresponsive” in a filthy residence containing garbage and evidence of drug use, police said.

Petitions for candidacy in the upcoming April 1, 2025 elections for Lockport city offices and school boards are due between Nov. 12 and Nov. 18.

Panda Express in Lockport is expected to open Wednesday, Nov. 13, according to an announcement by the restaurant.

A special prosecutor dropped a driving under the influence charge against a Will County sheriff’s deputy who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor speeding.

Joe Belman was a B-17 gunner on 36 combat missions in WWII. Back home, he became a union leader and political advocate.

Joliet police officers are still searching on Monday for Jocelyn Buster, 27, of Joliet, who is accused of money laundering and vehicle fraud.

A Crystal Lake contractor faces over $287,000 in OSHA fines for safety violations that created fall risks for its employees, officials report.

Unofficial count gives Republican Annette Parker 50.4% of vote in Will County Clerk contest with Democrat Michelle Stiff.

Unofficial vote totals on Tuesday night show incumbent Laurie Summers maintained a lead over Robert Enright in the race for the Will County Coroner’s Office.

Here are three races to keep an eye in Will County on as the votes roll in on Tuesday evening.

Lockport's Committee of the Whole meeting on Wednesday immediately following the City Council meeting will include preliminary discussions of the 2025 budget as well as plans for a new housing development near Cedar Ridge.

Representatives from the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce, Lockport Chamber of Commerce and American Business Association shared their best advice.

The city of Lockport held a special screening of the first two episodes of HBO's Somebody Somewhere, which shot in the city for it's three-season run, at the Roxy Theater on Wednesday night.

A Lockport man was arrested after he was accused of committing sex crimes against multiple teens from the states of New York, Washington and Illinois. Police also recovered 17 firearms from his home.

This week, the Illinois State Board of Education released school- and district-level data showing what percentage of Will County students were considered proficient in math and reading last year. Check out this chart to see if that's an improvement over the prior year.

Tallgrass Restaurant in Lockport will reopen under new ownership on Friday serving “fine French cuisine” with a healthier twist.