“It just took away our life. The car was the only lifeline we really had,” said John Wahleithner. Wahleithner and his fiancé, Dawn Zentz, don’t know what do now that their yellow Camaro was one of the ...

News from around the Southland includes items from Oak Forest, Metra’s Electric line, Orland Park, Flossmoor, Palos Hills and Crestwood.

While the Aurora Fire Department has replaced vehicles in that timeframe, Truck 14 represents the first addition of a “water apparatus” to the city’s fleet since 1998, officials said.

The Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association reports that orders for new mainline fire trucks are up significantly—about 43% annually from 2021-2023 compared to 2011-2020.

Fire chief Jay Mebane said the new trucks cost $600,000 and $710,000, respectively. He said technology has changed a lot, and to continue to meet national standards and align with best practices ...