🌱 Emergency Shelter Opens + Paramedic Shortage + Stolen Cars

Good morning! Thanks for starting this Thursday with Patch.

I wanted to give a special shout-out to some of our Patch Supporters, AJ Massie, Jacqueline Anderson, Oak Park Regional Housing Center, Angela Atwater and Carole Embry. Thanks for helping make local news happen in Oak Park-River Forest! If you want to support local news in OPRF, click here to learn more about becoming a Patch Supporter.

First, today's weather: Breezy and not as cold. High: 31 Low: 12.

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

1. Three cars were stolen in Oak Park between Jan. 15-21, according to the latest police department crime report. One of the vehicles was recovered and returned to the owner. (OPPD)

2. Roosevelt Middle School reported its fifth COVID-19 outbreak since returning from winter break. According to a Jan. 20 report, District 90 confirmed 154 new cases of COVID-19 across its three schools. (Wednesday Journal)

3. Forest Park firefighters are working overtime to make up for a shortage of paramedics, the Review reports. Fire Chief Phil Chiappetta said he hopes to bring the EMT program entirely in-house in 2023, rather than relying on outside resources. (Forest Park Review)

4. Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 violated the Illinois Open Meetings Act when a public agenda and open comments section were not made available due to an “administrative oversight.” The Community Finance Advisory Committee will host a make-up meeting on Feb. 3. (Paid source: Oak Leaves)

5. Mars Wrigley will gradually close its West Side plant over the next two years. The facility just outside Oak Park opened in 1929 and employs more than 280 people. (CBS)

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Beyond Hunger hosts a free presentation on “tackling your credit.” (4 p.m.)
• River Forest librarians discuss the latest titles with virtual “Book Buzz.” (7 p.m.)
• The Garfield Park Jazz Collective performs at Eastgate Cafe. (7 p.m.)
• Sample Tuscan red wines with Anfora Wine Merchants at Pleasant Home. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Housing Forward and the Oak Park Homelessness Coalition opened a temporary 24/7 emergency warming shelter at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. It will remain open until 9 a.m. Saturday. (Housing Forward)
• Oak Park issued a reminder that shoveling sidewalks is required by local law. (VOP)
• The wait-list is open for plots in the Forest Park Community Garden. (Forest Park Review)
• It’s the final week of River Forest Public Library’s winter reading challenge. (RFPL)
• Kettlestrings Tavern is hiring line cooks for its new location. (Facebook)

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That's all for today, OPRF. See you tomorrow for the Friday edition of the Daily.

— Georgi Presecky