Accused Killer Granny, Zebra Mussel Filth Among Top Patch Stories of 2013

As 2014 begins, it's time to look back at the stories that you were talking about during 2013. Here are the top reads of 2013:

Grandma Killed Baby With Sledgehammer and Knife, Prosecutor Says

It was a quiet Sunday morning in Oak Lawn when police were summoned to a home in the 6600 block of West 91st Street on Oct. 6. When they arrived, officers discovered a gravely injured infant girl, who later died at Christ Hospital. Alfreda Giedrojc, 62, allegedly confessed to bashing her 6-month old granddaughter with a sledgehammer. When the infant wouldn’t stop moving or crying, police said the grandmother slit her granddaughter’s throat. Giedrojc currently is awaiting trial in Cook County Jail. Her public defender expressed doubt about Giedrojc’s sanity at a recent court appearance.

Underage Drinking Bust Leads to Bar Closure

A troubled bar was the subject of a police sting when officers discovered four underaged adults who had allegedly been drinking at George’s Lounge on Nov. 8. According to police, there was no record of a state liquor license. The bar owner was a no-show at a hearing at village hall by Mayor Sandra Bury. The mayor, also Oak Lawn’s liquor license commissioner, must now decide if the bar owner’s liquor license should be revoked.

Drink Up! Zebra Mussel Dumps Flavor In Your Tap Water

Patch investigated why local tap water always tastes like crap in the late summer.

Trustee Wants To Know Who’s in Bed with Who in Village Government — Literally

Oak Lawn Trustee Bob Streit (Dist. 3) suggested that elected officials and village employees fill out a form listing who they’re sleeping with in an effort to avoid potential conflicts of interest, after questioning the mayor’s sexual orientation during a village board meeting.

Oak Lawn Elects First Woman Mayor

Our little local election made Oak Lawn Patch the number-one Patch in America the evening of April 9, 2013, as residents awaited the results of a heated mayoral race. Challenger Sandra Bury beat two-term incumbent Dave Heilmann in a stunning upset, becoming Oak Lawn’s first woman to be elected mayor.

Trustee Wants Basketball Hoops Removed from All Oak Lawn Parks

Following a teen fight in Wolfe Wildlife Refuge between black and white youths, Oak Lawn Trustee Carol Quinlan appeared before the park district board and suggested removing basketball hoops from village parks to improve public safety.

Son Let Pit Bull Attack Mom Three Times, Cops Say

A 21-year-old faced felony charges for aggravated assault and domestic batter after police said he let his pit bull attack his own mother three times during a family argument.

5 Things Everyone Should Know About Ramadan 2013

Oak Lawn’s Muslim community celebrates Ramadan.

Killer Wasps Spotted In South Suburbs

Roving swarms of cicada killer wasps were abundant this summer, buzzing backyards and scaring kids in village parks.

Oak Lawn's 911 Dispatchers on Chopping Block

Oak Lawn trustees voted to outsource the village’s 911 emergency dispatchers, when members of the dispatchers’ union and the Village of Oak Lawn could not reach an agreement on union concessions. Like many things in the village, the 911 center contract with Norcomm Public Safety Communications is likely headed toward a litigious mess. A preliminary injunction to stop the private contract has been filed.

Bury Tells Mayor: 'I Can't Wait To Kick Your Ass'

Tempers between Oak Lawn’s mayoral candidates flared over a rescheduled candidates’ forum at the Johnson-Phelphs VFW Post last March, when one candidate threatened to kick another candidate’s ass.

Oak Lawn Lands Mariano's Fresh Market at 111th Street

Oak Lawn’s biggest business story of 2013.

An Engaging Evening At SIP: Marine Proposes to Girlfriend

Separated by war, college and life, two crazy kids finally hook up, and Patch was there to catch the proposal on video.