Jerry Shnay –

Aureliano Hernandez stand in his yard in unincorporated Will County outside Park Forest, where he maintains a flower garden and chicken coop. (Penny Shnay/for the Daily Southtown)

Column: 22 homeowners fight annexation into Park Forest

October 26, 2026 at 12:23 p.m.

Aureliano Hernandez and neighbors near Hawthorne Avenue and Monee Road oppose upcoming Park Forest vote to annex their property.

Park Forest’s Paulette Stark, left, and Frankfort’s Sheila Moaton prepare Tuesday to walk from Frankfort to Matteson during the Discovery Trail Relay 250. Oct. 13, 2026. (Jeff Vorva/for the Daily Southtown)

Column: American Discovery Tour brings memories of post World War II Freedom Train

October 19, 2026 at 10:34 a.m.

The Freedom Train took a two-year, 37,000-mile journey showcasing the Declaration of Independence and the Emancipation Proclamation.

Park Forest Mayor Joe Woods offers a piece of cake at the village's 75th anniversary kickoff in 2024. (Penny Shnay/Daily Southtown)

Column: Park Forest Mayor Joe Woods claims misrepresentation of lawsuit’s aims

October 5, 2026 at 10:36 a.m.

Park Forest Mayor Joe Woods insists the only reason he is taking the village to court is to force the community’s insurance company to pay his legal expenses in a...

Park Forest Mayor Joe Woods offers a piece of cake at the village's 75th anniversary kickoff in 2024 with village trustees, from left, Tiffani Graham, Theresa Settles and Erin Slone. (Penny Shnay/Daily Southtown)

Park Forest mayor’s altercation with business owners expected to be election issue

September 21, 2026 at 1:52 p.m.

The firing line was established in Park Forest after Trustee Randall White announced his effort to unseat Mayor Joe Woods.

The Rich Township High School Band marches in a Park Forest parade. (Penny Shnay/for the Daily Southtown)

Column: Delayed Fourth of July celebration caps summer of storms

September 7, 2026 at 9:54 a.m.

The Rich Township band, however, made up for a scarcity of floats in the Park Forest delayed July 4 parade over Labor Day weekend.

The new Access South Cook apartment complex in Park Forest. (Penny Shnay/for the Daily Southtown)

Column: New Park Forest apartments cater to those with special needs

September 10, 2026 at 9:29 p.m.

The 2.4 acre development, at Indianwood Boulevard and Orchard Drive, took nearly two years to complete and consists of 44 apartments.

Workers use heavy machinery to clear debris from 192nd Place west of Oakwood Avenue in Lansing on July 28, 2026, a day after storms tore through. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)

Column: Rescheduled ‘Fourth’ in Park Forest heralds end of stormy summer

August 24, 2026 at 12:41 p.m.

The two-month onslaught of drenching rains and destructive tornados ravaging the south suburbs was the worm in this summer’s apple.

Pieces of the Tank Wash building in Markham are wrapped around an electrical pole on 167th Street in Hazel Crest July 28, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/baiduhai)

Column: South suburban storms bring same challenges, only bigger

August 10, 2026 at 10:59 a.m.

Hard times and work come with the territory, but the tornadoes, rain, damaged homes and smashed trees left us waving a white flag.

Park Forest Village Board member Randall White walks in the lobby at Autumn Ridge Apartments, July 2, 2026. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)

Column: Receiver report shows slow progress at Autumn Ridge apartments in Park Forest

July 27, 2026 at 2:26 p.m.

Frontline Real Estate's report to Will County court states progress is slow but moving at Autumn Ridge apartments in Park Forest.

John Ruffin, who started Theater 47 in Park Forest, was named the village's Business Person of the Year. (Village of Park Forest)

Column: John Ruffin named Park Forest Business Person of the Year

July 13, 2026 at 12:14 p.m.

John Ruffin became hooked on theater at Gwendolyn Brook Middle School in Harvey, and grew to own Theater 47 in Park Forest.

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