The traffic disruptions on Harlem Avenue caused by the frequency of trains, crossing gate malfunctions and accidents flowing through Riverside and neighboring suburbs along the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe Railroad are familiar to anyone who lives around here or travels through here frequently.

After nearly three years of study and planning, the final plans for the expansion of the elementary schools in Riverside Elementary School District 96 were revealed last week at a meeting of the District 96 school board. 

The holiday season is officially in full swing, which means that most locals are flocking to stores to find gifts for friends and loved ones and filling up the dates in their calendars with festive social gatherings and other holiday functions.

If you plan to do some of your Christmas shopping at the North Riverside Park Mall, 7501 Cermak Road, in the next few weeks, take a few minutes out to browse the shelves of the pop-up library and pick out a book for you or your kids to read there or simply take home with you.

After more than 38 years on the job as a firefighter for the village of Brookfield, Fire Chief Mark Duffek quietly retired last month after serving the top job for the past 19 months. In addition, the village will also soon be looking for a new human resources director. Michelle Robbins, who has held that job for the past 14 years, will be leaving on Dec. 6.