Des Plaines Journal

The Journal & Topics Newspapers has a history that goes back to 1930. It all began during the challenging times of the Great Depression when Mr. Robert Fabian, who worked for a local newspaper, chose to start the Des Plaines Journal. He ran the publication until 1947 when Richard and Mary Jane Wessell took over ownership.

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Dist. 21 Invokes Severance Clauses Of 2 Administrators, Reassigns One

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Richard Mayer

DeBartoloQuestions remain on why the Wheeling Township Elementary School Dist. 21 board members during a special board meeting April 10 dismissed two top district administrators. The board invoked severance clauses and will pay severance amounts for Micheal DeBartolo, assistant superintendent of finance and operations; and Kim Cline, assistant superintendent of support services. Additionally, the board at last Thursday’s meeting, approved the reduction in force of full-time administrators and “...
Conant Honors Late Star Gadomski

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

The Conant High School community is honoring one of their own over the next few weeks after Samantha “Sammie” Gadomski, 25, tragically lost her battle with brain cancer Feb. 20. Gadomski played softball at Conant from 2014-17 and she came back to be the JV softball coach at Conant from 2020-23. Sammie Gadomski holding up a regional plaque during her playing career at Conant. Outside of her playing and coaching career at Conant, Gadomski played travel softball for the Illinois Sluggers in Schaum...
Upcoming Events - Journal & Topics Media Group

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Denise Fleischer

The following family-friendly events are hosted by park districts, libraries, and history centers in the Journal & Topics coverage area. Register when requested. Email event details to [email protected]. Des PlainesChrist Church United Church of ChristBobby Jo Valentine Concert1492 Henry, Wobbe Hall7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8Folk/pop entertainer Bobby Jo Valentine presents a concert. There is a ticket fee.
Prospect Names Two New Head Coaches

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

Prospect High School recently announced two head coaching changes for the 2025-26 school year a few months early. The Knights announced Peter King will replace legendary coach Mike Riedy as the boys volleyball head coach after Riedy retires at the conclusion of this year. Prospect also announced Chad Froeschle will be the new girls bowling head coach, replacing Justin Engelking. King, a 2000 Prospect alum, has served as an assistant coach for Riedy since 2015. It isn’t the first time King has c...
Journal & Topics Media Group

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

A small group of highly successful locals have passed away in recent months, including a state champion cheerleader and football player, along with a Hall of Fame football coach and a state champion gymnastics coach. Here’s a look at some of the recent Journal-area losses:Jack “Bug” Cadre (Dec. 4, 2004-Feb. 26, 2025): The 2023 Buffalo Grove alum died unexpectedly Feb. 26 a few months after turning 20 years old. He played varsity football at Buffalo Grove and was a leader during the 2022 season....
Maine South Wins Warren Invite For First Time Since 2012

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

Maine South boys volleyball has competed in the Warren Invite in Gurnee since 2003. They won the invite five times in their first decade competing in the tournament, but they hadn’t won it since 2012. South is back on top after going 5-0 last Friday-Saturday, April 11-12 to win the 22nd annual invite. Journal-area teams had an amazing invite, with all five teams finishing in the top nine out of the 24 competing teams. Maine South went 5-0 to win the title, but Journal-area teams won at least tw...
Palatine Coach Joe Grzybek Wins 300th Game

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

Palatine boys water polo head coach Joe Grzybek is celebrating his 20th season as head coach of the Pirates and he added a grand milestone with his 300th career win Friday, April 11. Grzybek took over the program in 2006 after a successful 4-year run by Brigitte Kusevskis (nee Bayster) as head coach (71-31-1 record) and he has coached the program through a lot of highs and lows over the last 20 seasons.
Boys Volleyball Roundup: Niles West Runner-Up In Own Invite, Loyola’s Ebeling Wins No. 500

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

Here’s a look at some of the recent action in Journal-area boys volleyball: Monday, April 14 Barrington d. Fremd, 25-15, 25-20: Fremd (5-9, 0-3 MSL) dropped a tough conference game to rival Barrington Monday night. The Vikings were led by Ethan Garst (10 kills, 2 digs), Aarav Parikh (4 digs, 3 assists) and David Otgonbat (8 assists, 1 ace). Friday-Saturday, April 11-12 Niles West Invite: Niles West (8-2 overall) nearly won their own invite, finishing a close second af...
Girls Water Polo: Hersey, Elk Grove Perform Strong In Meaningful Saturday Tournaments

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

Here’s a look at some of the recent girls water polo action in the Journal-area: Monday, April 14 Elk Grove 17, Leyden 6: Elk Grove (10-10) picked up an impressive win over a young Leyden squad, as Naima Leonatti broke the school record for most assists in a game with 10 assists (previous record was 8, set in 2021). Leonatti also scored 2 goals and swiped 2 steals to help Elk Grove reach 10 wins this season. Anastasija Jevtic had another monster game with 9 goals, 2 assists and 7 s...
2nd Annual Chicagoland Jewish Basketball Showcase Raises Over $1,000 For Charity

1 week ago | journal-topics.com | Dion Martorano

The second annual Chicagoland Jewish Basketball Showcase named the two teams competing Sunday, April 6 after the two most well known cities in Israel: Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Team Jerusalem held off Team Tel Aviv 68-64 in a back-and-forth affair to claim the Chicagoland Jewish Basketball Showcase title at Ida Crown Jewish Academy in Skokie.