2014 in Review: Hickory Street Killers Go to Trial; Plainfield Park District Shakeup; Rialto Marquee Outcry

It’s almost time to say goodbye to 2014 and hello to 2015.

As you take stock of your year and make your resolutions, here’s a look back at the stories that made headlines this year in Will County:

Three down, one to go: Three of the four defendants in the grisly double murders of 22-year-olds Terrance Rankins and Eric Glover learned their fates in 2014: In May, Alisa Massaro, the first of the four to go before a judge, struck a plea deal, agreeing to testify against her former friends in exchange for a five-year sentence. After a guilty verdict in second defendant Bethany McKee’s trial, a judge ”with some reluctance” sentenced the Shorewood woman to life behind bars. Last month, alleged ringleader Joshua Miner received the same sentence, but with no such reluctance from the judge. The fourth defendant, Adam Landerman, is not due back in court until after the New Year.

Tornado raises questions: In late June, a “brief tornado” touched down in Plainfield and Romeoville, calling into question why officials opted against sounding Plainfield’s sirens. Residents asked similar questions in Bolingbrook, where officials explained the decision not to sound the sirens and said the village “would never put residents in harm’s way without warning.”

Teen accused of aiding terrorists: In October, a Bolingbrook teenager was arrested at O’Hare International Airport, accused of attempting to fly overseas to join Islamic terrorist group ISIS. Authorities allege that Mohammed Hamzah Khan’s younger brother and sister, who were with him at the time of his arrest, were also looking to join the group.

Park district shakeup: Controversy over the hiring of a Plainfield village trustee as the new Plainfield Park District director came to a head in January 2014, with Executive Director Garrett Peck stepping down amid accusations that the park district retaliated against pro-union employees.The months that followed brought big changes to the park district, including two new board members — the result of a law championed by State Rep. Tom Cross and State Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant — and a new executive director. Meanwhile, a citizens group was recognized for its efforts to shed light on controversy within the park district.

Father, son accused of murder: In August, a man and his 15-year-old son were accused of beating a Romeoville resident to death, allegedly after the teenager was accused of burglarizing the the victim’s son’s vehicle. Mark Ballard and his son Adam are slated for a pretrial hearing Jan. 16 in the death of 55-year-old Richard Pollack.

Joliet wins Evergreen Terrace legal fight: In September, a nearly 10-year legal battle ended as Joliet won the right to take over a problem-plagued housing complex. The decision came after Joliet police issued a report declaring crime at Evergreen Terrace to be more than three times the city’s average, and just weeks after 20-year-old Joslyn Woods was murdered at the apartment complex.

New sheriff in town: It was a close race, but in the end, Democrat Mike Kelley became the new Will County Sheriff. Kelley defeated outgoing sheriff Paul Kaupas’ cousin, Deputy Chief Ken Kaupas, by a slim margin in the November 2014 election.

Rialto marquee design draws criticism: The announcement of a new marquee during Rialto Square Theatre’s Festival of Trees was met with criticism of the modern design of the digital marquee, which came thanks to a $350,000 donation from a Joliet businessman. Just before Christmas, a Facebook group critical of the marquee was targeted by the theater’s general manager, who accused a member of using deception to obtain photos of the marquee under construction.

Plainfield deputy fire chief back on the job: Weeks after being placed on paid administrative leave — without explanation to taxpayers who showed up to fire board meetings demanding answers — Plainfield Deputy Fire Chief Jon Stratton was back on the job. The fire board voted Oct. 20 to reinstate Stratton. In a vague statement posted to the fire district website, the board denied it had attempted to discredit Stratton, referring only to an “investigation” involving the deputy chief.

Bolingbrook’s brush with Super Bowl fame: Bolingbrook’s WeatherTech was among advertisers at the Super Bowl last February, with a 30-second spot as the Seahawks defeated the Broncos.

Romeoville girl gunned down: In February, a 15-year-old Romeoville girl was murdered as she left for school by a gunman who then turned the weapon on her mother. Briana was described by her family as a “beautiful, goofy, silly-hearted girl.” Ex-boyfriend Erick Maya was convicted in Valle’s death and sentenced to 122 years in prison.

Court rules in favor of Joe Hosey: Patch reporter Joseph Hosey will not have to reveal a source that disclosed disturbing details in the Hickory Street murders. In December, an appellate court struck down a ruling by a Will County judge who found Hosey in “minor direct criminal contempt” for refusing to disclose the source. The legal battle dragged on for more than a year, with Hosey facing jail time and thousands of dollars in fines. “Because the identity of Hosey’s source cannot be said to [be] relevant to a fact of consequence to the first degree murder allegations, we hold that the circuit court erred when it granted the motion for divestiture,” the appellate court said in its ruling.