Shop Pink in Will County to Benefit Breast Cancer Awareness

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which means a variety of pink products will be hitting the shelves. But, do your pink purchases always go towards the cause?

A wave of pink is flooding stores everywhere, as retailers participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For the savvy shopper, it's an opportunity to donate to a good cause while snagging unique, pink-hued items. Here are a few local places offering pink products: But before you plunk down your green for some pink, the nonprofits behind Breast Cancer Awareness Month want you to check the label. Jenna Glazer, director of development for Young Survival Coalition (YSC), a global organization dedicated to helping young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer, said that buyers should be on the lookout for a label or tag that tells where the money from the purchase goes. "If you walk into Bed Bath & Beyond and see something with a pink …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (6)

Think Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Events in Will County

From galas to walks to shopping, here's how you can participate, pledge support and donate to the cause in Will County.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and whether you love to shop, attend events, walk or run, there are tons of different ways to support the cause. Check out the list below of opportunities to go pink in Will County and beyond: There are even more ways to spread breast cancer awareness this month by supporting national organizations that are fighting for a cure. Research centers like Susan G. Komen for the Cure are selling pink ribbon merchandise and it’s a twofer — retail therapy and donating to a cause that affects millions. You can also support breast cancer research by affixing a special stamp to your mail. The U.S. Postal Service has been selling a stamp commemorating breast cancer awareness for the past 15 years. The …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Pro Life Crusader +

6:12 pm on Saturday, October 6, 2012

Don't give any money to Susan G. Komen!!!!!!!   more ›

Rabid Bat Found in Plainfield, Health Department Says

The case marks the second time this year a bat found in Plainfield has tested positive for the disease.

A bat found in a Plainfield backyard is Will County’s eighth confirmed case of wildlife rabies this year. According to the Will County Health Department, the infected animal was found by a resident in the 24000 block of Brown Lane, but no humans were exposed to the disease. The resident spotted the bat behind his home and noticed that it had difficulty flying. The bat was captured using a net and trapped inside a bucket while Will County Animal Control was notified. Animal control took possession of the bat on Sept. 14 and sent it for laboratory analysis. The health department said it received confirmation from the Illinois Department of Public Health late Monday that the bat tested positive for rabies. Three people and a dog live on the …

• Photos (1)

Will GOP Declares Independence From 'Chicago Machine'

Infuriated by new district maps in Illinois, Will County Republican officials and candidates signed a "declaration of independence," calling on voters to stop the "tentacles of Cook County" from reaching into Will County policy.

Area Republicans rallied Monday to declare independence from "the tentacles of Cook County and Chicago politics" reaching into Will County. The gesture was symbolic but served to fire up a crowd of well over 100 people as the Nov. 6 election nears.  Last year, Illinois Democrats drew new state and congressional districts that Republicans say could remove any Will County representation in Congress. "We have to take back what's ours and make sure we stand up for it," said Dave Carlson, the Republican candidate for Will County state attorney. "To implement what we believe in, we need the voters' support in November." Want to blog about politics on Patch? Email michael.sewall@patch.com. Various elected officials and candidates for office spoke…

•  34 Comments
• Photos (3)
• Videos (2)

Jobs4Success Event Features 45 Employers

Job fair scheduled for Aug. 29 at the Renaissance Center in Joliet.

No Disaster Designation for Will Farmers Yet

Of the 102 counties in the state, only four -- Will, Cook, DuPage and Kane -- have not been declared disaster areas due to the drought.

Will County is one of only four counties in Illinois not to be declared drought-disaster areas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as of Wednesday. Jeff Squibb, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Agriculture, said the classification by the U.S. Department of Agriculture is automatically awarded before the end of the growing season if a county has surpassed eight weeks in a state of severe or extreme drought as set by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Will County -- as well as DuPage, Kane and Cook counties -- remain in the moderate drought category. That said, it's likely the remaining counties will eventually be added to the list if conditions continue, Squibb said. Up until this week, only 40 counties qualified for disaster relief. On …

•  10 Comments
• Photos (1)

Getting Jiggy With It: Free Dance Classes This Sunday

On Sunday, the public is invited to the free step dancing for dummies class.

You don't need green beer on St. Patrick's Day to feel like doing a jig sometimes. Now's the chance to learn a few steps—for free. The Irish American Society of County Will is hosting a Step Dancing For Dummies class, taught by New Lenox's Triallta Irish Dance Company. The class will be Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. at Tom Kelly's, 495 Degroate Road, New Lenox. All ages are welcome. The class is free and open to the public. It will be part of the society's general meeting. Every month, the society tries to have a cultural event in a different city throughout Will County. It has already conducted events in language and history in towns such as Plainfield, Joliet and Bolingbrook. Next month is expected to be in Minooka. The Irish American Society …

• Photos (1)

Blood Drive Friday to Boost Local Supplies

The mother of a girl who underwent more than 20 transfusions while battling cancer has teamed with State's Attorney James Glasgow to organize Friday's blood drive.

Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow is again partnering with Heartland Blood Centers and local mom Jennifer Babec to host a community blood drive from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., Friday July 13 at the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, 121 N. Chicago St. in Joliet. The State’s Attorney’s Office is across the street from the historic Rialto Square Theatre in downtown Joliet. State’s Attorney Glasgow and Joliet resident Jennifer Babec—whose young daughter required more than 20 blood transfusions during her successful battle against cancer—are working together to bring three of Heartland Blood Center’s mobile coaches to the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office on Friday. Jennifer is Heartland’s top volunteer coordinator. The State’…

• Photos (2)

Hot Enough for You? We're Close to a Drought, Weather Service Says

New record for rainfall set Friday; tips on how to prevent fires and protect your landscaping when it's hot and dry.

When's the last time it rained? If you can't remember, it's probably because there's been just 1,200th of an inch of precipitation in June, National Weather Service meteorologist Gino Izzi says. In fact, it's been so dry that the rainfall record for the first 15 days of June -- 100th of an inch, set in 1922 -- was toppled Friday, Izzi said. And even with the slight chance of thunderstorms Saturday night and Sunday, it's possible the area could set the record for the dryest June in recorded history if conditions continue, he said. That record was set in 1988, when only one inch of rain fell, he said. "That would be an extraordinary record to break," Izzi said. Given that Will County's had just eight to nine inches of rain in the last 90 …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Serving Those Who Served

A new court designed to specifically serve the needs of military veterans was created Wednesday.

Marco Vizcaino served parts of two years in Iraq. A new court created in Will County can help him avoid doing up to three years in prison on a drug charge. "All the things are coming together here like a perfect storm," State's Attorney James Glasgow said as he submitted a petition to Judge Carla Alessio Policandriotes to establish a specialized veterans and servicemembers court in Will County. Policandriotes approved the petition and accepted Vizcaino as its fist applicant. Vizcaino, 31, was up on a class 4 felony drug charge. He also has a case in DuPage County for the alleged "attempt to foil or defeat (a) screen test by spiking or substitution." Glasgow said he would be in touch with the DuPage County state's attorney to see if the …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (5)