🌱 Break-In Leaves Major Damage + A Day In Our Village Returns

Welcome to the weekend, OPRF! Let's get to today's top stories, including:

• An upcoming health department open house.
• The re-dedication ceremony of a garden at the River Forest Public Library.
• A longtime OPRF High School teacher retiring.

But first, today's weather: Partly sunny and very warm. High: 85 Low: 65.

Here are the top 3 stories in Oak Park-River Forest today:

1. A residential break-in was reported at a home May 30 in the 500 block of South Kenilworth Avenue, according to Oak Park police. Offenders left more than $7,000 worth of damage, breaking several items in the house, ransacking the interior and stealing electronics. (OPPD)

2. The Oak Park Department of Public Health will host an open house next week to share information about its health improvement plan. Attendees at the June 7 drop-in event can “learn about the goals, strategies, and draft implementation steps envisioned over the next five years under the IPLAN's priority areas,” including gun violence and access to care. (Health Department)

3. “A Day in Our Village” returns to Scoville Park tomorrow. The annual event features activity booths from local organizations, food and live music. (VOP)

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Economy Shop has a sale. (9 a.m.)
• The Oak Park Public Library offers a weekly “bulk drop” for used book sale donations at the main branch. (9 a.m.)
• Join Oak Park Village President Vicki Scaman for "Move with the Mayor" at Village Hall. (10 a.m.)
• Bring broken items to Fox Center for Repair Cafe. (10 a.m.)
• The River Forest Public Library rededicates the Anne T. Smedinghoff Memorial Garden on the 10th anniversary of its opening. (3 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• History teacher Richard Mertz is retiring after nearly 30 years at Oak Park and River Forest High School. (Wednesday Journal)
• Hines VA Hospital is flying the LGBTQ+ Pride flag for the first time. (CBS)
• The Oak Park Public Library curated a list of resources for celebrating Juneteenth this month. (Library)
• Registration is open for participation in Oak Park’s July 4 parade. The deadline is June 23. (VOP)

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Featured events:

• "Ariel Andrews and Friends"- A Free Benefit Recital (June 11)
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You're all caught up! Patch will be back with another Daily on Tuesday. Have a great weekend!

— Georgi Presecky

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.