Todd Wessell

Des Plaines

Editor of the Journal & Topics Newspapers since 1976, publisher since 2003. Graduate of Illinois State Univ. Majored in pol science.

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Articles

‘Wolf of Clark Street’, ‘Spider Man’? Des Plaines Native Re-Lives Scaling Screen At Cubs Game To Retrieve Bat

6 days ago | journal-topics.com | Todd Wessell

Lou Farinella scaling screen at Wrigley Field. (Photo submitted by Tom Farinella)“Spider Man”. “Batman.” Every 30 years or so, Des Plaines native Lou Farinella manages to snare a flying baseball bat at a Chicago Cubs baseball game. His most recent bat encounter occurred last Thursday, June 19 during a day game at Wrigley Field. In the top of the 6th inning Farinella and three friends were seated in the first row slightly down the 1st base line when Brewers outfielder Sal Frelick swung and miss...
Services For Des Plaines’ Tireless Public Servant Rosemary Argus May Be Held Later

6 days ago | journal-topics.com | Todd Wessell

Rosemary Argus with her two sons Robert and Donald. (Facebook photo)(Updated. Check back for additional details when available). No public services for Rosemary S.Argus, 88, one of Des Plaines’ most beloved public servants for the last 30 years who died last Wednesday, June 18 have been scheduled, according to a brief obituary from Oehler Funeral Home in Des Plaines. It indicated that a service will be held in the future. Argus, a former Des Plaines alderman from the 8th ward and a Mount Pros...
Author Takes Look At Behind-The-Scenes Of Brown’s Chicken Massacre Victims

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Todd Wessell

(Ed. Note: If you like this story, visit journal-topics.com or call 847-299-5511 to get the same kind of outstanding journalism.)Just a few years after publishing a book on the intense rivalry that pitted two longtime, well-known state representatives from Des Plaines and Park Ridge, former Park Ridge resident Patrick Wohl is coming out with a second book on July 1.
Bid For 4th Des Plaines Fire Station Gets Total Council Support

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Todd Wessell

Des Plaines fire ladder is taken for a test run outside Station No. 1 on River Road on a recent Saturday. All eight Des Plaines aldermen Monday night expressed support for the plan to build a new fire station/administration facility on city-owned land on the south side of Central Road east of Wolf Road, and a station to replace the current facility on Oakton Street east of Lee-Mannheim Road.
Anti-Authoritan Protests Saturday Across State Including Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Arlington Heights

2 weeks ago | journal-topics.com | Todd Wessell

Des Plaines, Mount Prospect and Arlington Heights are among the one to two thousand communities in Illinois where protests will be staged in response to what organizers say is the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of President Trump and his allies. Over the last year, several anti-Trump rallies have been held in these three and many other communities throughout the nation. A large rally is also planned at Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago on Saturday. The rally in Des Plaines will ...
Unveil Possible Plan For New Des Plaines Central Road Fire Station

2 weeks ago | journal-topics.com | Todd Wessell

Increases in the number of calls for help received by the Des Plaines Fire Department, overall population growth in the city, and the need to consider upgrades in staffing levels and facilities will be discussed at next Monday’s city council meeting. The discussion will include building a fourth fire station on city-owned property on the south side of Central Road and replacing the city’s 70-year-old station on Oakton Street east of Lee-Mannheim Road with a new facility.
Lake Forest Church Withdraws Plan To Relocate To Ex-Masonic Temple Building

2 weeks ago | journal-topics.com | Todd Wessell

A Lake Forest church that wanted to relocate to the former Des Plaines Masonic Temple building at Graceland and Prairie avenues has withdrawn its plans. St. Vakhtang Gorgasali Orthodox Church had asked the city to approve a Conditional Use Permit so it could hold religious services inside the building. The lack of nearby parking, however, was the biggest stumbling block to approval, although church leaders had hoped to lease space for its members in a nearby commercial parking lot. St. Vakhtang...
Village OKs Maximum Price Of New School Facility At $57,588,400

3 weeks ago | journal-topics.com | Todd Wessell

Artist's rendering looking west of proposed new Rosemont School facility at Lange Park in Rosemont. Development of a new and larger Rosemont Elementary School cleared a major hurdle Monday when village board members approved a contract with a local company to construct the facility at a guaranteed maximum price of $57,588,400. D-R Rosemont, LLC will lead the project that could kick-off with the construction of a pad later this year where the school will be located on the Lange Park property. Ros...
Rosemont Puts Curbs On Dispalying Of ‘Imitation Weapons’

3 weeks ago | journal-topics.com | Todd Wessell

Three of the thousands of fans of anime who came all decked out for Anime Midwest 2021 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. (George Almaraz/Special to the Journal)Complaints about some people carrying imitation firearms resulted in Rosemont trustees approving a local ordinance Monday that will regulate their public display on village property. Even though the imitation guns are not real, they have caused some alarm in the village from people who are concerned that they might...
Workshop Airs Concerns About Fisherman’s Dude Ranch Redevelopment

3 weeks ago | journal-topics.com | Todd Wessell

Fisherman's Dude Ranch in he 1960s. Residents and business owners who may be affected by a proposal to redevelop the former Fisherman’s Dude Ranch property on the south side of Golf Road near East River Road learned more about the plan last Tuesday night in Des Plaines City Hall. The purpose of the workshop, hosted by the Des Plaines Planning and Zoning Board, was to allow the public to hear details and view renderings of the large proposal. No action was taken. The planning and zoning b...