🌱 4 Hurt In Car Crash + Animal Shelter Expands + Crosstown B-Ball

Hello, Oak Park and River Forest! In today's newsletter:

• Hyundai thefts continue on Oak Park streets
• High winds damaged brick at West Suburban Medical Center
• Handel Week returns with two additional concerts

But first, today's weather: Mostly sunny and not as cold. High: 42 Low: 32.

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Here are the top 5 stories today in Oak Park-River Forest:

1. Two children and two adults were hospitalized Friday after a car crash in the 300 block of South Oak Park Avenue, the Wednesday Journal reports. The four passengers were hurt when they struck a parked car and their vehicle rolled over. Village spokesperson Dan Yopchick told the Journal “There did not appear on the scene to be any significant injuries.” (Wednesday Journal)

2. At least 48 residents tested positive for COVID-19 this week, according to the Oak Park Department of Public Health. The average case count this month has been about 47 positive tests per week. At-home tests are not included in the health department’s weekly report. (VOP)

3. Two cars were stolen Tuesday night in Oak Park, according to the police department. The thefts were reported in the 300 block of South Maple and the 800 block of South Boulevard. Both vehicles were Hyundai models. (OPPD)

4. A portion of brick fell from a vacant building at West Suburban Medical Center Tuesday. The segment of bricks detached from the former nursing school building due to high winds, hospital officials said. According to the Wednesday Journal, no injuries occurred. (Wednesday Journal)

5. Animal Care League is entering phase two of its renovation plans, NBC Chicago reports. The Oak Park shelter is looking to expand its space in order to help more animals in need of homes. (NBC)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Oak Park Temple offers a “Becoming Jewish” gathering for those considering conversion to Judaism. (8:30 a.m.)
• Economy Shop has a sale. (9 a.m.)
• OPRF High School hosts a career fair for prospective teachers and substitutes. (9 a.m.)
• Car owners who registered for steering wheel locks can pick them up today at the Oak Park Police Department. (10 a.m.)
• Take a guided walk at Trailside Museum. (10:30 a.m.)
• A vigil to end gun violence is held at St. Edmund. (6:30 p.m.)
• St. Catherine-St. Lucy and St. Giles Parish hosts a “We’re On a Mission” concert event. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Olympic silver medalist and Proviso East High School track alum Greg Foster died this week at age 64. (Review)
• The Handel Week Festival has returned to the village with a series of concerts at Pilgrim Congregational Church. The second of three performances is set for Feb. 26. (Handel Week)
• A $500,000 improvement project could be on the way for Madison Street, pending Forest Park council consideration and approval. (Review)
• For the second year in a row, the Fenwick High School basketball team defeated Trinity High School this week to claim the sectional championship. (Twitter)
• Oak Park recovery home SisterHouse Chicago is raising funds to send its residents to the Alcoholics Anonymous Founders Day celebration. The local nonprofit has already raised more than $2,000. (AWN)
• Students interested in entering the Hemingway Foundation Student Scholarship Essay Contest must submit entries by March 15. (Hemingway Foundation)

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Featured events:

• "Music to Dine By" with Doug Lalli (February 25)
• Juan de Marcos & the Afro-Cuban All Stars (February 26)
• Paralegal Studies Information Session (February 28)
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That's all for this Saturday! Enjoy your weekend.

— Georgi

About me: Georgi is a Chicago-based newsletter writer and partner content curator. She spent five years on the entertainment beat for FF2 Media covering film festivals across the U.S. Her feature articles have been recognized with awards from the Illinois Women's Press Association and National Federation of Press Women. As editor-in-chief of the Lewis University newspaper, she and her staff earned honors from the Associated Collegiate Press and American Scholastic Press Associations. She began working for Patch in 2019.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Oak Park-River Forest Patch newsletter? Contact me at georgi.presecky@patch.com.