🌱 Lakeview Residents 'Don't Feel Safe' + Tree Removal Possible

Happy Friday, Lakeview! Catch up on the news ahead of the weekend with the Patch Daily.

First, today's weather: Some sun, then clouds. High: 39 Low: 37.

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Here are the top stories in Lakeview today:

1. As armed robberies and carjackings continue to spike in Lakeview, residents tell Block Club Chicago they don’t feel safe in the neighborhood. Due to a 26 percent increase in carjackings, aldermen “are working with police, business owners and residents to boost police patrols, raise awareness and shore up safety precautions,” Jake Wittich reports. (Block Club)

2. Area Three detectives are investigating a Lincoln Park armed robbery that occurred Tuesday night. No one is in custody after a man and woman were assaulted and robbed at gunpoint in the 1200 block of West Montana Street. (CBS2)

3. A woman who was injured in a Lakeview hit-and-run last summer is speaking out as the driver faces reckless homicide charges. Nahiomy Alvarez suffered a concussion in the August crash, which killed her friend Sophie Allen. Alvarez told WGN, “I was an inch away from being killed in that same horrible way.” (WGN)

4. A group of West Lakeview residents is continuing to raise awareness about the possible removal of 20 trees in the neighborhood for water main replacement. The group is campaigning online, passing out fliers and posting signs in the hopes of saving the trees on North Paulina Street. (WGN)

5. Demand is growing for monoclonal antibodies to treat COVID-19 at health centers like Innovative Express Care in Lakeview. As the virus surges in Chicago, some area hospitals say they can't keep up with the number of people seeking the treatment. (Paid source: Tribune)

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Today in Lakeview:

• Visit Santa's Winterland Workshop at Gallagher Way. (3 p.m.)
• "Nightmare Alley" opens at Landmark Century Centre Cinema. (7:15 p.m.)
• EDM Fest at HVAC Pub. (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Robberies in the Lakeview Town Hall police district were up 375 percent last week from the same week last year. (CWB)
• Bittersweet Pastry Shop was just named one of the Chicago's best pie shops, thanks to its "game-changing Door County Sour Cherry" and other seasonal desserts. (Thrillist)
• A hospitality company with Lakeview origins announced it is rebranding Francesca's Restaurant Group. (PRN)
• A six-bedroom home on Grace Street is featured in the Tribune's "Dream Homes" section. (Paid source: Tribune)
• The Roscoe Village Window Decorating Contest is ongoing. (Chamber)

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That's all for today, Lakeview. See you tomorrow for more neighborhood news.

Until then, stay safe and have a happy Friday.

— Georgi Presecky