Looking back, the last year has brought its share of things to be proud of, to ponder and reasons to share a smile and shed a tear in the Berwyn, Cicero and Stickney communities. Here are some of the news events that stand out in 2013.

1. When the rains came

Heavy rains April 17 and 18 led to countless street closures all over the west suburbs, particularly in those communites along the Des Plaines River and Salt Creek. Berwyn and Cicero officials said while their problems were nothing like other communities along the river and Salt Creek, public works crews stayed busy. That was not the case in Stickney and Forest View, which was devastated by flood waters.

Read more coverage at shawurl.com/xbw.

2. A Cubs winner

Loyal Cubs fan Lindy Villalobos of Berwyn was punked by her friends who posted Villallobos’ phone number on Craigslist with instructions to call the number and sing the ball game song with a chance to win two free Cubs tickets. Someone called. Being the sport she is, Villalobos honored the rules, and got two tickets for the callers, a mother and her 17-year-old autistic son.

Read more coverage at shawurl.com/mh1.

3. Gov. Quinn comes to Morton

Gov. Pat Quinn brought a $4.5 million capital investment project to Morton Junior College on Sept. 4 to meet the demands of growth at the college. Provided through Quinn’s Illinois Jobs Now! program, the grant will be used to build a 10-classroom addition on the college campus at 3801 S. Central Ave., in Cicero, to meet the demands of a steadily growing enrollment, particularly among Hispanic students.

Read more coverage at hawurl.com/rak.

4. Gunned down

Giovanni “John” Donancricchia was well liked by his employees, customers and neighbors at Albano’s Restaurant in Cicero. Just after midnight June 20, Donancricchia, 64, was allegedly gunned down by 25-year-old Matthew A. Brown-Turner of Chicago who he confronted when Turner walked in with a revolver. Police Superintendent Bernard Harrison said investigators began working feverishly as soon as they arrived at the crime scene, collecting evidence and fingerprints and reviewing video security tapes.

Read more coverage at shawurl.com/xbx.

5. The Cicero Cubs?

In May, Cicero Town President Larry Dominick offered another option for the Chicago Cubs should they decide to look for a new home. Dominick wrote a letter to Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts, declaring his love for the Cubs, extolling the virtues of Cicero and inviting the team to make Cicero its home. And they could keep the “Chicago” in the Cub name as well.

Read more coverage at shawurl.com/ljr.

6. Trick-or-treaters save the day

Julian Garcia and Nathan Rodriguez, third-graders at Pershing School were on the prowl for treats Halloween night. They followed the porch lights to the back door of a house in the 3700 block of Harvey Avenue, peered inside the open door and saw a woman laying on her basement floor, at the botton of the stairs. The third-graders ran and told their parents who reported it to fire and police. The woman survived and police credited the boys with saving her life.

Read more coverage at shawurl.com/v42.

7. Cool head in a burglary

Jason Brambila was cleaning his bedroom in his Berwyn home July 31 when Raymond Mark Lopez, 34, of the 2800 block of South Drake Avenue, allegedly broke in. Brambila called police and hid until police arrived and arrested Lopez. City and police officials honored Brambila with a proclamation and certificate when they met Aug. 13.

Read more coverage at shawurl.com/xby.

8. We are family

Since March 2009, the all-volunteer Military Families of Cicero United has been addressing the needs of the town’s military community, assisting both active and inactive servicemen and women, and creating a family support system in Cicero. Maureen Carroll, family outreach liaison, said the group provides help to veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and any other place where an American soldier or sailor from Cicero has been sent.

Read more coverage at shawurl.com/xbz.

9. Come one, come all

On June 30, Berwyn Mayor Robert J. Lovero joined other community leaders on a float at the 44th annual Pride Parade, formerly known as the Gay Pride Parade in Chicago. For Lovero it was all about promoting Berwyn as a great place to live, whatever your family looks like.

Read more coverage at shawurl.com/xc0.

10. Western class on Cermak Road

Sanchez Bros., 6031 Cermak Road, Cicero, is the place for a crisp, brimmed Stetson hat, ostrich skin belt, Tony Llama lizard-skinned boots, a pearl-buttoned plaid shirt and a western-embroidered jacket with matching pants. This is the new western cool, and Cermak Road in Cicero may very well be the Rodeo Drive for those who like to sport cowboy styles.

Read more coverage at shawurl.com/xc1.

11. Happy 100 years, Lilian

Lillian Hevrdejs of Berwyn celebrated her 100th birthday on April 15. Sharp as a tack, Lillian explained her travels with her huband, Otto, and how the couple lived in 48 of the United States.

“I like people,” she said. “You’ve got to be interested in people to make life interesting.”

Read more coverage at shawurl.com/xc2.