🌱 Bartender Threatened + Ice Show Returns + Women Owned Works Event

☘️ Happy St. Patrick's Day, Oak Park and River Forest! In today's newsletter:

• A car was struck by a Metra train Thursday in Berwyn.
• Demolition will resume on a River Forest building next month after asbestos abatement.
• Oak Park police are stepping up traffic safety efforts this St. Paddy's Day weekend.

But first, today's weather: Windy with clearing. High: 41 Low: 17.

Here's to the wonderful local business who sponsors this newsletter. Check out what they can do for you:

Get your home ready for Spring with a fresh coat of paint! Elite Decorating & Remodeling offers expert exterior painting services to make your home look like new. Trust their experienced team to enhance your curb appeal and protect your home from the elements. Contact Mark today at 773-332-5264 and let him help you bring your home improvement dreams to life. From painting to decks to full remodels, Elite Decorating & Remodeling has got you covered!

Click here to get your business featured in this spot.

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

1. A patron of O’Sullivan’s Public House threatened to shoot the bartender Saturday night, the Review reports. Staff told Forest Park police the regular customer had a “history of being belligerent” toward them and was angry about being cut off from service. (Review)

2. Kia gave more than 100 additional steering wheel locks to the Oak Park Police Department this month, Chief Shatonya Johnson said this week during her annual public safety report. Johnson’s two-hour presentation covered everything from homicide investigations to body camera implementation. (Wednesday Journal)

3. The demolition of the Lutheran Child and Family Services building is expected to continue next month, according to the Wednesday Journal. The project was paused when asbestos was detected in the building on Madison Street. Removal will take 10 days and is budgeted at more than $50,000. (Wednesday Journal)

4. A Women’s History Month celebration will be held tomorrow in the Oak Park Arts District. The annual “Women Owned Works” event supports women-owned businesses on Harrison Street. (OPAD)

5. The Park District’s Annual Ice Show will kick off a weekend of performances tonight at Ridgeland Common. Skate Academy students will perform routines based on the theme “Step Back in Time.” (PDOP)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• River Forest Public Library shines a light on Chicago-made movies during “Film Lover Friday.” (Noon)
• Kids 6-11 can take a cooking workshop at Oak Park Public Library. (4 p.m.)
• Beer Shop celebrates St. Patrick’s Day. (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Metra BNSF line was delayed Thursday morning when a train struck a vehicle at the Berwyn crossing. (ABC)
• Oak Park police are stepping up safety patrols this St. Patrick’s Day weekend. A statewide traffic safety campaign runs through March 19. (VOP)
• A new community center is set to open in Austin this fall. (AWN)
• West Cook Wild Ones are selling native plants online through May 18. Pick-up is set for June 8-10 at the Forest Preserve warehouse in Maywood. (WCWO)
• The library is featuring the work of River Forest calligrapher Diane Daly. (Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Laura Ruiz, REALTOR® at REALTY OF CHICAGO — (Visit website)
• Laurie Christofano, Realtor | RE/MAX In the Village — (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

Featured events:

• "Music to Dine by" at Tre Sorelle by Mancini (March 18)
• Live Jazz Jam Sunday at Tre Sorelle Ristorante by Mancini (March 19)
• Add your event

That's all for today! Have a happy and safe St. Patrick's Day.

— 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.