🌱 Elmwood Park Police Chief Retires + Pete's Market Project Delayed

It's Saturday, Oak Park and River Forest! Here's everything you need to know today:

• The Oak Park Department of Public Health's weekly COVID-19 report
• Local businesses are taking part in a weekend-long "Betty Business Bash"
• The park district is seeking lifeguards for the summer season

Today's weather: Cloudy and windy. High: 35, low: 30.

Here are the top 4 stories in Oak Park-River Forest today:

1. Fifty-one residents, including a 96 year old, reported positive COVID-19 tests to the Oak Park Department of Public Health this week. Cases are down nearly 50 percent from 30 days ago, according to the department’s weekly report. (VOP)

2. Elmwood Park Police Chief Frank Fagiano retired this month after 12 years leading the department. The longtime Elmwood Park resident worked in the village for more than 30 years. His successor Andrew Hock served as deputy chief for 12 years. Both officers attended Triton College and Northwestern University. (Paid source: Elm Leaves)

3. Pete’s Fresh Market is expected to open on Madison Street in June 2024. The project was supposed to be complete by November of last year but faced a series of delays. (Wednesday Journal)

4. The Park District of Oak Park is seeking lifeguards for this summer. Applications are open and a swim test is set for tomorrow at Fenwick High School. The park district will provide training and no previous experience is needed. (PDOP)

Today in Oak Park and River Forest:

• The Barrie Community Center hosts a geology class for preschoolers. (8:30 a.m.)
• Take a winter painting workshop in Thatcher Woods. (9 a.m.)
• Make a narrative collage at Dole Center. (10 a.m.)
• A new free exhibit is now open in the O’Connor Art Gallery at Dominican University. (All day)

From my notebook:

• Several local establishments are taking part in a “Betty Business Bash” this weekend. Participants who visit each spot can collect facts about Oak Park native Betty White and enter to win gift certificates. A cardboard cutout of White will be in the window of participating locations, including Billy Bricks, Civinte Candle Bar and Animal Care League. (VOP)
• Unwanted prescription medications can be disposed of in a drop box in the lobby of the Oak Park Police Department at Village Hall. The service was temporarily unavailable due to a fire at the processing facility. (OPPD)
• River Forest Park District has opened registration for its NFL Flag Football League, geared toward children 7-13. The deadline is Jan. 27. (Park District)

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That's all for today. Have a great weekend!

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