Community Corner

Top Palos Patch Stories for 2012

Local Editor Nick Swedberg picked the biggest, most important stories from 2012. Here they are, in no particular order.

Granat Murders

The trial of four men charged in the brutal slaying of a Palos Township couple in 2011 is still a ways away. Over the past year, some pre-trail maneuvering has brought more than a few newsworthy items.

Defense for Mohammad Salahat, who prosecutors say was the driver in the attack and robbery, fought to lift an earlier ruling preventing the 18-year-old from bailing out of jail. Just this month, a Cook County judge denied the motion.

Alsip Tradition Ends

I couldn't put together a list like this without mentioning the most read story of the year.

Find out what's happening in Paloswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A Wisconsin-based foundation which opposes the blending of church and government threatened to sue the Village of Alsip. The group's focus was on the display of a cross used in the village's Christmas decorations. The Freedom from Religion Foundation called the Holiday Cross unconstitutional.

Palos Heights Official Charged

Residents put their trust in local government to run an honest and open operation. Sometimes, that trust is betrayed.

Find out what's happening in Paloswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

James Dougherty, the former City of Palos Heights building commissioner, was charged with theft earlier this year. Police allege Dougherty took money that had been paid to his office for buildings fees and fines.

Palos Restaurant on TV

It's not often that someone or something from the Palos area grabs the attention of national television.

Palos Hill's Valley Inn was featured on a Food Network restaurant makeover show. The eatery underwent a facelift, which gave the place a more modern look. Owners, working with the television show's host and chef brought in to help, also added new items to the menu.

Bald Eagles Nesting

A welcome and rare site in the Palos area made big headlines

Two bald eagles nested in Palos Township next to Tampier Slough, a section of the Cook County Forest Preserves near Palos Park. Eaglets have hatched sometime in late March or early April. The nesting was the first confirmed site the county for more than 100 years.

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