Cars Stolen In Oak Park + CTA Ridership Skyrockets

Happy Monday Oak Park and River Forest! Welcome to another week of news.

First, today's weather: Possible light rain in the afternoon and evening. High: 73 Low: 67.

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

1. Three vehicles were reported stolen to Oak Park police last week. A 2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2013 Toyota Corolla a Honda Pilot were all stolen between July 2-6 in Oak Park. (Oak Leaves)

2. Deputy Village Manager Lisa Shelley will officially begin serving as interim village manager beginning Aug. 20. Oak Park trustees unanimously voted for Shelley to take the role at last week’s board meeting. Current Village Manager Cara Pavlicek departs for Northbrook Aug. 19. (Wednesday Journal)

3. Oak Park and River Forest High School students are reflecting after a year of pandemic stress and challenges - and the impact of one group’s efforts to propose a “no-fail” policy. Students of color are particularly aware of how virtual classes and a tumultuous political climate contributed to a difficult senior year. (Wednesday Journal)

4. The CTA reports ridership is up 56 percent since January, transporting about 4 million riders a week. Spokesperson Catherine Hofinski told the Tribune she expects the numbers to increase even more this fall as students return to campus. Masks are required at all CTA stations and on all buses and trains. (Chicago Tribune)

5. Longtime Oak Leaves and Forest Leaves reporter Steve Schering has left Pioneer Press after 12 years. Along with several other veteran Chicago Tribune reporters, Schering took a buyout from Alden Global Capital, which acquired the Tribune and its smaller papers earlier this year. (Twitter)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest

• Yearbook distribution at Oak Park & River Forest High School (9 a.m.)
• Outdoor story-time at the River Forest Public Library. (10 a.m.)
• Village Boards of Oak Park and River Forest meet. (7 p.m.)

Oak Park-River Forest Patch Notebook

• Federal health officials are offering guidance to fully-vaccinated people concerned about the COVID-19 delta variant. (WBEZ)
• The Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park published its annual literary journal “Hemingway Shorts.” (Hemingway Birthplace)
• Wheel and Sprocket bike shop opened a new location in Park Ridge. (Park Ridge Herald-Advocate)
• Ascension School is hiring substitute teachers, extended day staff and a lunch supervisor for the upcoming school year. (Ascension Catholic Church)
• The Oak Park Public Library unveiled its “Best of 2021 (So Far)” lists, featuring the staff’s favorite books, movies, music and more from the first half of the year. (OPPL)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Free 30 Min Photoshoots in Oak Park! (July 17)
• Chicago Artisan Market: Sun, July 18 (10am-4pm) (July 18)

You're all caught up on today's news! See you tomorrow.

— Georgi

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Oak Park-River Forest Daily? I'm all ears. You can reach me at georgi.presecky@patch.com