Josh Bootsma

By Josh Bootsma LANSING, Ill. (January 25, 2022) – Thornton Fractional School District 215 is inviting community input in the development of its multi-year strategic plan to improve the district, which incorporates TF South High School, TF North High School, the TF Center for Academics and Technology, and the TF...

By Josh Bootsma LANSING, Ill. (January 26, 2022) – The smells and tastes of authenticity are regularly served up at Taqueria La Soga as owners Gilberto and Martha Muñoz prepare their traditional Mexican cuisine from scratch. La Soga earned a Local Flavor Award from The Lansing Journal for its carne...

TF Center for Academics and Technology at 6 p.m. LANSING, Ill. (January 23, 2023) – The January 24 District 215 School Board meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at the Thornton Fractional Center for Academics and Technology. The full board packet and materials for the meeting, including all exhibits...

By Josh Bootsma LANSING, Ill. (January 22, 2022) – Lynnie Ques Airport Bar & Grill serves up barbecue variations and other delicious entrees while offering one of Lansing's most unique dining views: the Lansing Municipal Airport and historic Ford Hangar. Lynn Cartwright and her restaurant earned a Local Flavor Award...

By Josh Bootsma LANSING, Ill. (January 21, 2022) – The January 17 Lansing Village Board of Trustees meeting was Lansing's first in the new year, covering a diverse range of topics from police officer recognitions, to new businesses, to disposing of surplus property — and others. Below are some highlights from...

Melanie's observations after visiting 20 churches last year by Josh Bootsma LANSING, Ill. (January 20, 2023) – "This didn't start out as a story assignment or anything," says Journal Publisher Melanie Jongsma. "I was not doing this on behalf of The Lansing Journal. It was just a personal quest to visit...

District 171 Board meeting – 6:30 p.m. LANSING, Ill. (January 20, 2022) – The January 23 meeting of the District 171 School Board begins at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will occur at Heritage Middle School, 19266 Burnham Avenue in Lansing. Agenda - 6:30 p.m. Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Mission ...

"There's a lot going on here" says S.L Wine Bar co-owner Deja Cain By Josh Bootsma LANSING, Ill. (January 16, 2022) – S.L Wine Bar owners Deja and Christopher Cain have brought a "good vibes only" atmosphere to Ridge Road through creative cocktails, diverse wine offerings, house-made appetizers, and events for...

This article first published on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2021. It is republished here because The Lansing Journal believes it is a story worth retelling. Dates have been updated and minor edits made, but the story is otherwise the same as when first written. By Josh Bootsma LANSING, Ill....

By Josh Bootsma On August 28, 1963, gospel singer Mahalia Jackson ended her stirring rendition of the classic "I've Been 'Buked and I've Been Scorned," a song requested by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. himself. Dr. King stepped to the podium after Jackson, and began to preach to over 200,000 people...