May 13, 2020 vol . 6 4 i ss u e 2 9
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Will county
popular gathering place cancels season covid-19 pandemic forces Joliet’s st. Joe’s park to close for the 2020 season by Mark gregory editorial director
@Hear_The_Beard mark@buglenewspapers.com
Each summer, St. Joseph’s Park in Joliet hosts events almost every Sunday, where local churches or other organizations host fundraisers. With bands, beer and bingo, the events have been a staple of the community for years and attract a large gathering each week. St. Joseph Parish announced on its Facebook Page today that because of COVID-19, it has decided to cancel all events for the 2020 season, citing the large crowds and lack of possible so-
cial distancing. “It is with great disappointment and much sadness that I officially announce the cancellation of all activities at St. Joseph Park for this 2020 season. This decision was not arrived at easily,” Fr. Timothy P. Andres, Pastor, St. Joseph Parish, said in the release. “I have been following the news, hoping that this health crisis would have subsided by now, but that has not come to fruition. I have also spoken to city and diocesan leaders, our insurance carrier, and medical and infectious disease experts who recommend not going forward with our picnic season, especially since it would be almost impossible to enforce the requirements of social distancing and the need to wear a face covering in public.” In speaking with the Bugle, Andres said it was a difficult decision. “That is why I waited so long, I was hoping we would be told that we could hold events, but there is no way to social distance at St. Joe’s Park,” he said.”People love the park, and in the eve-
nings there, people are shoulder to shoulder. People have been coming there for at least 35 years and there are people that are there every Sunday. St. Joe’s Park is a great place for the community to get together socially and at the time we need it most, it is unavailable. But, we all have to do this together - we are in a time in history like we never have been. This is new to everyone.” Andres understands the impact that closing the park all summer will have on the organizations that use that fundraiser as a source of income each year. “That was why we cancelled them all,” he said. “We understand the work that goes into planning for these events. We also understand what this does to the organizations - some count on this money for their ministry. We did not want to have them waiting and planning and have to cancel at a later date.” St. Joe’s Parish is the one that will take the biggest financial hit with the closing of the grounds. The parish will not only lose funds from its own homecoming fair, but will have to pay to maintain the park while not collecting the rent from those holding picnics or those renting the hall on the property.”
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state
nascar schedule realigned; no illinois race series set to run this weekend - chicagoland speedway off the schedule as races stay near north carolina by Mark gregory editorial director
@Hear_The_Beard mark@buglenewspapers.com
As NASCAR returns to competition on Sunday, May 17 at Darlington Raceway, Chicagoland Speedway’s NASCAR Cup Series weekend has officially been canceled as part of the revised NASCAR schedule. The NASCAR Cup Series weekend was originally scheduled for June 18-21. NASCAR and Chicagoland have worked closely with public health officials, medical experts and state and federal officials throughout the development of a realigned NASCAR schedule to ensure the safety of competitors, staff, and the local community. “Due to the current pandemic, NASCAR has faced several difficult decisions, including realigning race dates from several race tracks,” NASCAR officials said in a released statement. “These decisions were made following thorough collaboration with local and state government officials from across the country, including the areas of the affected race tracks. We thank all our fans for their support, and we look forward to our return to racing.” Chicagoland’s NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series races have been realigned to Darlington as part of NASCAR’s efforts to reschedule all points
races for all national series events for the current season. Chicagoland’s NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series races will be realigned for a future date on the 2020 NASCAR schedule. “The difficult decision to realign our race events was a combination of where we fell on the schedule, proximity to NASCAR’s teams and the safety and wellbeing of our community and larger NASCAR industry,” said Chicagoland President Scott Paddock. “We will miss the roar of the engines at Chicagoland Speedway this season, but we will be rooting for and supporting our NASCAR colleagues at Darlington Raceway as competition returns on Sunday, May 17.” The NASCAR Cup Series will open with a 400-mile race at Darlington, scheduled for 2:30 p.m, live on FOX, followed by a race Wednesday, May 20 at Darlington, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Central Time on FS1. The Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway remains in its traditional Memorial Day weekend slot for the 60th consecutive season, running at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 24 on FOX. The series will then stay in Charlotte for a 7 p.m. race on Wednesday, May 27 to air on FS1. All races will be run without PHOTO BY JARED C. TILTON/GETTY IMAGES
see ‘nascar’ page 5
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deadline for cl assifieds: friday at 11 a .m. Wednesday, MAY 13, 2020 | buglenewspapers.com
Business & Private Party Classified Ads: $21 per week, 20 words or less. Weddings, Births & Engagements: Black & White - $45, Color - $55. Obituaries: start at $45. ‘nascar’ from page 4 spectators and teams will follow strict health guidelines to deal with COVID-19. “NASCAR and its teams are eager and excited to return to racing, and have great respect for the responsibility that comes with a return to competition,” NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer Steve O’Donnell said in an April 30 release. “NASCAR will return in an environment that will ensure the safety of our competitors, officials and all those in the local community. We thank local, state and federal officials and medical experts, as well as everyone in the industry, for the unprecedented support in our return to racing, and we look forward to joining our passionate fans in watching cars return to the track.” Future race dates are yet to be released. Ticketholders for the Chicagoland NASCAR Cup Series weekend may elect to receive a credit for the full amount plus an additional 20% of the total amount paid to apply towards future race events, including, but not limited to, grandstand seating, infield, camping, fan hospitality, and pit passes. The 120% event credit can be used in a single transaction during the remainder of the 2020 season and entire 2021 season for a NASCAR sanctioned event at any NASCAR-owned tracks, subject to availability. For additional details or other options, fans can visit chicagolandspeedway.com/ assistance.
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