Community

Oakton’s Perry named Teacher of the Year

SKOKIE — Oakton Community College biology professor Nicole Perry was recently named the Illinois Community College Association’s Instructor of the Year.

Niles West band director bowl bound

SKOKIE — Niles West High School Band Director Justin Johnson has recently been selected to serve as one of the band directors for the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band.

VIDEO: Maine East presents its first variety show of the year

PARK RIDGE — WMTH-TV and Maine East High School present the first half-hour variety program of the school year. Be sure to check back next month for new shows.

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Fed up with Chicago parking? Skokie native’s got the ticket

SKOKIE — For most people, $3,500 in parking and assorted other tickets never had this kind of happy ending. But 26-year-old Skokie native Jeremy Smith isn’t most people. “I was tired of paying all this money for tickets,” Smith said. “I was ready to do something about it.”

Evanston canine cop, partner share more than just job

EVANSTON — Anthony Sosa, the Evanston Police Department’s new canine officer, celebrates a birthday this month. Rony, the exuberant German shepherd he’s been paired up with, is celebrating one of his own two days before. “We’re both Scorpios,” the officer confided.

Scary story contest winners

Pioneer Press invited our young readers to send us the scariest story they could imagine for our annual Scary Stories contest. Our third-, fourth- and fifth-grade writers didn’t disappoint. They showed plenty of imagination and talent. We read the stories and picked first-, second- and third-place winners in each grade. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.