SOUTH HOLLAND

Visitations, services set for Dolton cop pioneer

Dolton Police Sgt. Myrtha Barner, 42, died from a heart attack Saturday, Dolton

Police Chief Robert Fox said.

She was the second female police officer hired by the Dolton Police Department, the first black female police officer hired and the first female sergeant, Fox said. Barner worked for the Dolton department for 10 years.

"She was a pretty hard-nosed police officer," Fox said, adding that she was a good one.

A public viewing will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Gatlings South Holland Chapel, 1200 E. 162nd St.

A short visitation will start at 11:30 a.m. and the funeral will begin at noon Saturday at Gatlings Funeral Home, 10133 S. Halsted St. in Chicago. There will be a procession to Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip.

THORNTON

Village Board refuses to derail Metra station plan

The Village Board will continue to take steps toward constructing a Metra station in Thornton.

The board this week turned down a proposed resolution by Trustee Paul Tomasik to permanently end discussion of a commuter rail stop. None of the trustees agreed to put the resolution on a future agenda.

"Let's see where this is taking us, before we make a decision," said Mayor Jack Swan. "Paul, you said at the last meeting that it's not going to happen. So, if it's not going to happen, you don't have to worry about it."

Tomasik contends that other village services are suffering because of time and effort spent on the Metra proposal. Swan disagreed.

"Nothing's getting neglected, and we're not spending any money on it," Swan said.

HARVEY

Habitat dedicates home to celebrate 20th year

Habitat for Humanity Chicago South Suburbs will continue the celebration of its 20th year with the dedication Saturday of a second home completed this year and the 35th home since 1988.

The home at 14338 Normal Ave. has three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The dedication is set for 10 a.m. The house will be open for a tour by guests and visitors.

Homeowner Delores Green and her two children will be joined by friends and volunteers who helped build her house.

Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical, Christian housing ministry that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world. For more information about the local Habitat affiliate, call (708) 755-1840 or visit www.hfhchgosouth.org.

JOLIET

Rally promotes recovery from substance abuse

The Will County Board has proclaimed September as National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month.

Join the Voices for Recovery: Real People, Real Recovery is this year's theme.

To bring the community together, Will County residents are urged to attend the fourth annual Rally 'Round Recovery set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Bicentennial Park, 201 W. Jefferson. The event is sponsored by the city of Joliet and the Southwest Coalition.

Board members said it is critical to educate residents that substance use disorders are treatable like other chronic diseases and are serious health-care problems that need to be addressed, according to a news release.