Times Staff and Wire Reports

THORNTON TOWNSHIP

Assessment appeal workshop scheduled

Township residents will be able to receive help in filing an appeal of their property tax assessments during a workshop scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today.

Residents are asked to bring their tax bills to the workshop, which will be at the Thornton Township Hall, 333 E. 162nd St. in South Holland.

A second workshop is scheduled for April 12 at the Thornton Township Senior Center, 1420 Huntington Drive, Calumet City.

DOLTON

Sheriff's police seize five pit bulls

The owner of five pit bulls was charged with failing to adequately provide for their care after Cook County sheriff's police found the animals in a Dolton home Friday.

Valerie Alford, 42, of the 15200 block of South Hastings Drive, faces four counts of cruel treatment of animals and one count of failure to provide proper veterinary care, Cook County sheriff's department spokeswoman Penny Mateck said.

A Cook County judge set bond at $100 for Alford, who is scheduled to appear April 21 in Cook County court in Markham, Mateck said.

Sheriff's police special operations officers executed a search warrant at Alford's home following an investigation prompted by both the Dolton Police Department and calls from concerned neighbors, Mateck said. Officers found four pit bull puppies living in one small cage in the basement, she said.

The dogs were taken into protective custody and relocated to a nearby shelter, Mateck said.

SOUTH SUBURBS

Free tax assistance available for seniors

AARP is offering free tax preparation help for seniors in Calumet City, Lansing, Dolton and Steger.

Help will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Calumet City library until the end of the tax cycle on a first-come, first-served basis. The library is at 660 Manistee Ave., Calumet City. Call (708) 862-6220 for more information.

At the Lansing Youth Center, 18123 Burnham Ave., help will be available from noon to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays until April 15. Call (708) 418-8050 for information.

At the Dolton Public Library, AARP is offering tax return help for seniors and people with disabilities from 9 a.m. to noon every Monday and Tuesday. Appointments are necessary. Call (708) 849-2385 to make an appointment. The library is at 14037 Lincoln Ave.

Seniors and low-income filers also can get help Mondays by appointment at the Steger-South Chicago Heights Library, 54 E. 31st St. Call (708) 755-5040 for information.