Jim Masters
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Jim Masters grew up on 191st Street in Lansing. He attended Nathan Hale Elementary, was a member of St. Ann Church, graduated with the first graduating class at Heritage Middle School, and graduated from TF South High School in 1981. Inspired by his journalism teacher Joe Hyde, Jim earned a BA in Journalism from Northern Illinois University. He has more than 25 years of experience as beat reporter, specializing in government, politics, criminal justice, human interest stories, and education.
District 171 approves building and grounds improvements
BY JIM MASTERS
LANSING, Ill. (July 20, 2021) – When students return to Heritage Middle School and Nathan Hale Elementary for the start of the new school year, they’ll notice a variety of improvements to the buildings and grounds.Sunnybrook School District 171 School Board approved new construction projects at its...
Lansing man charged with murder in Grant Street shooting
BY JIM MASTERSLANSING, Ill. (July 12, 2021) – A Lansing man is charged in the July 6 shooting death of a Chicago man at 17126 Grant Street.Juwan Frazier, 37, formerly of 17126 Grant Street, is charged with one count of first degree murder, said Detective Lieutenant Scott Bailey of...
Column: TF South can make a statement in choosing its new nickname
The Lansing Journal welcomes thoughts and opinions not only from our readers, but from our writers as well. The following column is the sole opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the position of The Lansing Journal.
BY JIM MASTERS – EDUCATION REPORTER
LANSING, Ill. (July 11, 2021) –...
TF South seniors graduate at outdoor commencement after unprecedented year
BY JIM MASTERS
LANSING, Ill. (June 25, 2021) – It was a sight to behold Wednesday evening at TF South’s Padjen Field: 443 graduating seniors in cap and gown with the bleachers on both sides of the field packed with their family and friends.The Class of 2021 is a remarkable...
Nickname-less still: District 215 Board votes down ‘Redwolves’ for TF South amid objections
BY JIM MASTERS
LANSING, Ill. (June 22, 2021) – TF South remains a high school without a nickname.In a 4-2 vote Tuesday, and without discussion, the District 215 Board of Education voted down a resolution to change the school nickname to “Redwolves.”“Redwolves” had been the favored name after two student...
District 158 awards bids for Lester Crawl construction, approves school lunch contract for next year
BY JIM MASTERS
LANSING, Ill. (June 20, 2021) – The District 158 Board of Education awarded $10.7 million in bids at its June 16 meeting for construction of the Lester Crawl Primary Center.The bids covered a variety of work, including paving, earthwork, windows, flooring, plumbing, ceilings, roofing, painting, heating, and...
Memorial Junior High holds virtual and walk-up graduation ceremonies to cap year unlike any other
BY JIM MASTERS
LANSING, Ill. (June 13, 2021) – Memorial Junior High School had an eighth-grade graduation ceremony like no other in its history — and hopefully never again.The realities of the pandemic relegated the Class of 2021 commencement to a socially distanced walk-up diploma distribution outside at Memorial on...
District 158 remembers Reavis stalwart Barbara Gaffney
BY JIM MASTERS
LANSING, Ill. (June 2, 2021) – For 20 years, Lansing’s Barbara Gaffney was a fixture as a playground supervisor at Reavis Elementary School, and she has been missed since passing away last year.To mark the one-year anniversary of her death, the School District 158 community held a...
‘Redwolves’ is favored as new TF South nickname, but some students aren’t so sure
BY JIM MASTERS
LANSING, Ill. (May 30, 2021) — Redwolves is the favored new nickname for TF South High School, but some students are saying not so fast.
Students respond to nickname options
Sophomores Kyndall Jackson and Breanna Lopez addressed the Thornton Fractional Township Board of Education at its May 25 meeting...
District 215 launches Career Development Department, approves device and other expenditures
BY JIM MASTERS
LANSING, Ill. (May 29, 2021) — Computers, books, and even new doors are on their way to T.F. South High School.The Thornton Fractional District 215 Board of Education approved those expenditures and more at their May 25 meeting.
District expenditures and programs
District 215’s 1,550 new Chromebook computers were...