Patch Picks: Top 5 Stories This Week

In Chicago, news happens fast, making it easy to miss something.

That's why we're giving you a refresher regarding the North Side's top stories during the past week or so. Look for this new feature on Patch every Saturday. 

PHOTOS: Chicago Fire Stars Spotted During Bucktown Filming

TV crews were buzzing about the streets of Bucktown Monday from sun up to sun down, filming more scenes for upcoming episodes of NBC's sitcom, Chicago Fire.

Camera equipment and large semi-trailers were parked in the neighborhood's nooks and crannies near Cortland Street from Damen to Wolcott avenues; along parts of Winchester Avenue; Hermitage Avenue; and here and there on Winchester.

Some of the cast, including Lauren German—she plays Leslie Shay on the show—and Monica Raymund—she's Gabriela Dawson—could be seen filing in and out of a home on Hermitage during the day. 

• Read the rest on Bucktown-Wicker Park Patch.

Pride Fest Split: Parade and Festival Planned for Different Weekends

Organizers behind the annual Chicago Pridefest celebration on North Halsted Street say they plan to split up the festivities, holding the street festival the weekend before the famed Pride parade.

Sean Kotwa—the general manager of Hydrate, Halsted’s Bar + Grill and Elixir Lounge—attended Tuesday’s East Lake View Neighbors Association meeting joined by Northalsted Business Alliance Executive Director Jay Lyon and Ramesh Ariyanayakam, the owner of Kit Kat Lounge.

• Read the full story on Lake View Patch.

Secret Valentines: Adulterers Rampant in Lincoln Park

Subscriber statistics for a renown international adultery website suggest that its motto, "Life is short, have an affair" is resonating with those in Lincoln Park.

And if last year's post-Valentine's Day numbers are any indication of how activity on extramarital affairs site AshleyMadison.com will be affected this year, locals may be getting even busier. Membership on the site spiked a whopping 977 percent on Feb. 15, 2012, according to Business Insider report published at that time.

"It's even more evidence for the case that wives are most likely to cheat on their husbands the day after Valentine's Day," the report says, citing a statement by the company's CEO and founder Noel Biderman.

• Read the full story on Lincoln Park Patch. 

Police Looking for Bank Robber Near Lincoln Square

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is looking for a man who robbed the North Community Bank late Friday morning. 

The suspect is described as a white man, approximately 6 feet, 2 inches and weighing 240 pounds, according to the FBI.

His face was partially covered by a white construction mask and he was wearing a light-colored fleece jacket with dark patterns on the sleeves, dark pants and a white knit cap over a dark hat. Police said he was also carrying a green stuffed toy and a bucket. 

• Read the full story on Lincoln Square Patch. 

EveryBlock Shuts Site Down Permanently

Popular neighborhood forum and news aggregator EveryBlock announced Thursday morning it's shutting its doors for good.

In its final blog post, titled "Farewell, Neighbors," the Everyblock team said Thursday will be the company’s last day. EveryBlock is owned by NBC Universal.

EveryBlock Chicago sent its last message on its Twitter account Friday, Feb. 1, and the company as a whole sent out its last Tweet at 10:35 a.m. Thursday simply saying, "Farewell, neighbors."

• Read the full story on North Center-Roscoe Village Patch. 

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