🌱 COVID Cases + No Mow May + Local Leaders Condemn Gun Violence

Good morning, Oak Park and River Forest! Let's get to the top local stories on this Memorial Day weekend.

First, today's weather: Warmer with clouds and sun. High: 76 Low: 66.

🏡 Attention, real estate pros in Oak Park-River Forest! We're now offering an exclusive sponsorship opportunity for an agent interested in attracting local clients and standing apart from the competition. Click here to learn more.

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

1. The village health department reported 341 new cases of COVID-19 in Oak Park this week. That number decreased by 48 cases from the previous week but is still 70 percent higher than one month ago. (VOP)

2. An Oak Park resident stepped down from his teaching post at Lyons Township High School over its grading policies. A 17-year English teacher at LTHS, Tom Stukel said he could no longer “in good moral conscience” teach at a school where homework is not factored into grades. Stukel wrote via Patch that about 80 percent of his students did not complete their homework. (Patch)

3. Oak Park Village President Vicki Scaman issued a statement following the Texas school shooting which left 19 children dead, calling gun violence “a scourge on our society.” River Forest Village President Catherine Aducci wrote that the police department “remains vigilant in our efforts to work as community partners to protect students and staff at all schools within the Village.” (VOP/VRF)

4. Oak Parker Barbara Dolan was featured in the Tribune this week for her participation in No Mow May. About 5,000 Americans are taking part in the campaign to let lawns grow this month, allowing bees and butterflies to pollinate and help the environment. (Paid source: Tribune)

5. The OPRF High School boys track team sent 12 athletes to the state competition this weekend at Eastern Illinois University. Fenwick also sent seven runners to the state meet. (Wednesday Journal)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Stop by the Farmers' Market at Pilgrim Church. (7 a.m.)
• Join OPRF Museum for a “Growing with the Gundersons” walking tour of the historic Gunderson District. (10 a.m.)
• Head to Trailside Museum for a guided “Spring in the Prairie” nature walk. (10:30 a.m.)
• Gamers gather at Dole Center for a Mario Kart competition. (Noon)
• See “The Bob’s Burgers Movie” at Lake Theatre. (12:30 p.m.)
• Anfora Wine Merchants teams up with Carnivore for a wine tasting and barbecue event. (1 p.m.)
• River Forest Public Library hosts Global Film Forum. (2 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• The Oak Park Department of Public Health will host COVID-19 vaccine clinics on May 31 and June 7 at Cheney Mansion. (VOP)
• Beer Shop is hosting a baby supplies drive through June 22 to serve mothers in need. (Wednesday Journal)
• River Forest’s Memorial Day Honor Roll and parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday. (VRF)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Laurie Christofano, Realtor | RE/MAX In the Village — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Northbrook Symphony Season Finale (May 29)
• Lowered Costs for 2022, Get Your Cannabis Card in 24hrs from Home! (June 2)
• Meet Me in Manhattan, An Old-Fashioned Way to Beat Cancer www.scoreboardcharities.com (June 10)
• Wellness Together Walk-Along at Oakbrook Center (June 11)
• Add your event

You're all caught up on the holiday weekend news! I'll be back tomorrow to share more local stories.

— 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 Daily? Contact me at georgi.presecky@patch.com