🌱 More Protection For Postal Workers + Search For Chicago Juvenile

Hello all. It's me, Kaytlyn Mroz, your host of the Patch newsletter. Let's get this Wednesday started off right with a quick review of everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days.

But first, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and chilly. High: 47 Low: 38.

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Here are the top three stories today in Chicago:

1. In the suburbs of Chicago, there was an explosion at the Seneca Petroleum plant that resulted in the death of one individual and the injury of another. The Will County Sheriff's Office responded Tuesday morning to an explosion and fire that is believed to have started from an asphalt tank in Lemont. Officers were able to quickly contain the fire before more damage was caused beyond the two casualties and downed power lines. The one person injured was transported to a hospital in Joliet; OSHA has been called to investigate the scene. (WSIL TV)
2. Illinois Senator Dick Durbin is calling for the police to provide more protection for Chicago postal carriers after a recent uptick in armed robberies in the city and the suburbs. Thieves are targeting the carriers' master keys for access to both the mailboxes as well as the buildings of individuals for more robberies. Durbin has written a letter to the Attorney General and the Postmaster General for USPS to bring back a system of local crime alerts to keep workers informed. USPS is working on developing new technology that will reduce the value of the master key in hopes that it will make these workers less of a target. (FOX 32 Chicago)
3. The Chicago Police Department is currently searching for 14-year-old Mackenzie Wychocki who was last seen in the 3500 block of E. 114th St. It has been noted in a bulletin posted by the Special Victims Unit that Mackenzie showed unusual behavior and may be suicidal and/or depressed, and needs medical attention. Her Ventra transportation card was last used on a 30 South Chicago CTA bus and she is known to frequently be in the 106th and Avenue B area. If anyone has any information regarding the potential whereabouts of Mackenzie, please contact the Chicago Area Special Victims Unit or call 911. (Shore News Network)

Today in Chicago:

• Beans & Brews Networking Series - The Perfect Cup (8:30 AM)
• Career Readiness & Financial Empowerment - Breakthrough Men’s Center (9:00 AM)
• Blue Man Group - Briar Street Theatre (2:00 PM, 8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• The Chicago Park District's Summer Program Schedule, including Summer Day Camp, is officially available and ready to browse. Online registration opens on May 1 and 2 and you can register in person on May 6. (Chicago Park District via Facebook)
• Interested in employment with the Chicago Public Schools team? Come out to the CPS Custodial Job Fair tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Colman School for more information and a chance to join the CPS team. (Chicago Public Schools via Instagram)
• Join the Chicago Board of Education's monthly meeting today at 10:30 a.m. You can come to the meeting in-person at the CPS Loop Office or you can catch the live stream at the link provided here. (Chicago Public Schools via Instagram)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Improovy Painters Chicago — (Visit website)
• The CleanUP Guys — (Visit Website)

Featured events:

• Splinter: A Romantic Comedy (April 29)
• Splinter: A Romantic Comedy (April 30)
• Maker’s Market • May 7, 2023 (May 7)

Featured announcements:

• Little City Foster Care Honored as Non-Profit Hero of the Month for April 2023 (Details)

Featured job listings:

• Serve Your Community in a Uniformed Service (Details)

You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!

— Kaytlyn Mroz

About me: Kaytlyn Mroz is a copywriter at Lightning Media Partners – a content creation agency. She is a Rowan University graduate where she earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in writing. Outside of work, Kaytlyn is a dog mom to a boglen terrier named Finn and a golden retriever named Willow.