🌱 Concordia Launches Nursing Program + Oak Park Author To Be Honored

It's Sunday, Oak Park and River Forest. Let's get to today's top local stories.

But first, today's weather: A little snow, mainly early. High: 38 Low: 31.

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

1. Fifty-two cases of COVID-19 were reported in the village this week, according to the health department. Cases are up more than 20 percent from last week. (VOP)

2. Concordia University Chicago is launching a new four-year nursing program, the River Forest school announced this week. A new Nursing Simulation Center was added to campus for students. The 4,500 square foot space is “dedicated to providing real-world nursing and medical-based learning opportunities that mirror those seen in the hospital setting.” (CU)

3. Labor activist Dolores Huerta will speak at Dominican University this week. The Tuesday event is free, with virtual and in-person options available. (DU)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• A Leprechaun Hunt is held at Pleasant Home. (Noon)
• OPALGA+ hosts an Oscar Party at American House and Beer Shop welcomes dog owners for a “Red Paw-Pet” Oscar night. (5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.)
• Go for a Half Moon Hike in Taylor Park. (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• OPRF High School students walked out of school Friday, reportedly in protest over safety concerns and "an alleged permissible culture of sexual harassment." (Yahoo News/Wednesday Journal)
• Oak Park author Harriette Gillem Robinet will be recognized March 14 by the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame. (CLHOF)
• The Cook County Sheriff’s Office is increasing traffic patrols across the area this weekend. (CCSO)
• Fenwick High School will host the Dan Lynch Water Polo Tournament March 16-18. (Wednesday Journal)

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That's all for today! See you tomorrow for another week of newsletters.

— 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.