While every Landmark story is special in its own right, not all of them are created equal. This year, there were 10 stories that resonated the most with our online audiences. Whether you read our work to stay informed on your local government, to keep up with high school sports or to see the best pictures from events, we appreciate you for choosing the Landmark.
In terms of changes, the biggest this year is, well, me. I started as the Landmark’s full-time staff reporter at the end of January, so I make a few appearances on this list. I’ve had a great year getting to know Brookfield and Riverside, and I’m excited to head into my second year covering them for the Landmark.
Now, for the second year in a row, let’s look at the stories that really piqued your curiosity.
10. Former superintendent sues D103 for discrimination by Bob Skolnik (3,946 views)
Carol Baker, formerly principal of George Washington Middle School and superintendent and assistant superintendent for Lyons School District 103, sued the district for sex and age discrimination. In 2022, her assistant superintendent position was eliminated, and she was offered a lower salary to remain principal of the middle school; she declined the offer and retired.
9. Brookfield Zoo Chicago announces star-studded concert lineup by Trent Brown (4,107 views)
The zoo announced The Fray, Barenaked Ladies and Gin Blossoms as the headliners of three one-night Roaring Nights concerts in June and July. Tickets, which were made available in April, cost $45 to $55 to see one show or $90 for all three.
8. Movie coming about North Riverside’s firefighter terminations by Amina Sergazina (4,221 views)
Caley Fox Shannon and Colin Hughes, who both grew up in Riverside, produced and directed an independent documentary, “Fire Department, Inc.,” about former North Riverside Mayor Hubert Hermanek Jr.’s failed attempt to privatize the village’s fire department.
7. Nellie Brennan, noted Riverside resident, struck, killed by train by Trent Brown (4,590 views)
Riversider Nellie Brennan died Aug. 22 when an Amtrak train struck her at the Cowley Road railroad crossing. Brennan, 93, was recognized in 2010 for 55 years of volunteer service with the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago. In 2020, she celebrated her 50th year working as an election judge in Riverside.
“If you feel like helping people … no matter what, do it anyway,” she told the Landmark in 2010. “If each one of us helps just one person in need or in crisis, wouldn’t the world be a wonderful place?”
6. 2 shot at North Riverside Mall, authorities say by Erika Hobbs (4,973 views)
Two men were hospitalized in stable condition July 3 after a single gunshot injured both of them. North Riverside Mayor Joseph Mengoni said the shot was fired by one of four people, two women and the two men, during a “physical altercation” between them. The mall reopened the next day.
5. George Washington Middle School principal resigns by Bob Skolnik (5,170 views)
Former Principal Joshua Dakins submitted his resignation in February before finishing out the school year. Dakins was the fourth consecutive principal to leave the post after two years, following Carol Baker, Dan Jones and Cristopher Cybulski. After the school district accepted his resignation in March, Dakins told the Landmark he was leaving due to the lack of support he felt from Superintendent Kristopher Rivera.
4. Brookfield fire destroys house by Trent Brown (7,259 views)
Homeowners Tim and Shelly Field, who owns Doggy-A-GoGo in Riverside, were unharmed when their home on the 9000 block of Sheridan Avenue caught fire Jan. 31, but six of the family’s eight dogs died in the blaze. A GoFundMe fundraiser organized by their friend Krista Lapiana later raised more than $22,000 for the Fields.
3. Brookfield Zoo gets new name, announces expansions as it turns 90 by Trent Brown (9,661 views)
The former Brookfield Zoo announced March 1 it was adding “Chicago” to the end of its name in honor of its 90th anniversary over the summer alongside its Next Century Plan, a $500 million project to “reshape” the zoo and its visitor experience through 2040. The new name, emphasizing the zoo’s proximity to the city, also came with a new logo and motto: “Connect. Care. Conserve.”
2. D103’s English Language Services director lives in Texas by Bob Skolnik (11,546 views)
The Landmark learned Guadalupe Vander Ploeg, a high-ranking administrator overseeing D103’s English language services, lived in El Paso, Texas, and travelled to work in-person for a week once per month. The Landmark later obtained expense reports showing the district paid Vander Ploeg’s monthly airfare on top of her regular salary.
1. Meet Doc Mack: A man behind biggest arcade in the U.S. by Amina Sergazina (22,189 views)
Doc Mack owns Galloping Ghost at 9415 Ogden Ave. in Brookfield, which boasts an inventory of more than 1,000 arcade game machines. The Landmark profiled Mack, an introvert who dropped out of high school, and his journey to becoming the owner of the world’s largest arcade as the arcade industry has started to die.
“Nobody knew what it was gonna really do, but it was incredibly successful from day one,” he said. “We had a line a couple of blocks long on opening night, and it was profitable after only about eight months. It was a tremendous thing to see such support for an arcade to be opening up.”
Thank you for taking the time to read the Landmark this year! Every time you viewed a story, you showed us how important our coverage of Riverside and Brookfield is. And worry not — while we’re taking a brief break for the holidays, we’re already looking ahead to how we can bring you the best local news in 2025.
Whether you’re offering feedback, story ideas or just warm wishes for the new year, you can always reach me at trent@rblandmark.com.
