🌱 Health Department Ends Weekly COVID Reports + Train Window Smashed

Welcome to the weekend! In the latest Oak Park and River Forest news:

• Public works will replace light fixtures in alleyways this summer.
• Free firearm locks will be distributed today by Oak Park officials.
• Housing Forward celebrates its 25th Annual "Have a Heart" Gala tonight.

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Now, today's weather: Mostly cloudy with a shower. High: 73 Low: 58.

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

1. At least 19 people tested positive for COVID-19 in the village this week, according to the Oak Park Department of Public Health’s final weekly report. The department will no longer issue weekly summaries of local virus data as the federal pandemic emergency expired earlier this week after 1,200 days. (VOP)

2. An offender broke the window of a CTA train car at the Oak Park stop last week, according to police records. Damage is estimated at $2,000. (OPPD)

3. Oak Park crews will replace more than 1,000 lights in alleyways this summer. LED bulbs will be added to “reduce energy consumption, provide better lighting levels and reduce maintenance costs.” (VOP)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Take a pour painting class at Dole Center. (10 a.m.)
• OPRF Museum hosts the "Growing with the Gundersons" Neighborhood Tour. (10 a.m.)
• It’s garlic mustard removal workday at Trailside Museum. (10:30 a.m.)
• Authors Jessamine Chan and Deborah Shapiro speak at Oak Park Public Library in partnership with the Hemingway Foundation. (Noon)
• Take a wellness walk in Thatcher Woods. (1 p.m.)
• The Terry Sullivan Trio performs at River Forest Public Library. (2 p.m.)
• Housing Forward hosts its 25th Have a Heart Gala. (6 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Health and police officials will distribute free firearm locks at Village Hall today. (VOP)
• Thousands of Chicagoans are making the trip to Dollywood this summer as the theme park sees a surge in attendance over the past five years. Oak Park grant writer Colin Taylor told the Tribune “the biggest factor” in drawing Illinoisans to the Tennessee attraction is its drivability. (Paid source: Tribune)
• Former OPRF High School District 200 board member Sara Spivy will now serve on the Oak Park Fire and Police Commission. (Wednesday Journal)
• Lake Theatre will present a 45th anniversary screening of “Grease” tomorrow. (Classic Cinemas)
• The Oak Park Public Library is honoring Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander heritage this month. (Library)

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Featured events:

• Music to Dine By with Doug Lalli at Tre Sorelle by Mancini (May 13)
• A Special Menu Just for Mother's Day at Tre Sorelle Ristorante by Mancini! (May 14)
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That's all for today. Patch will be back in your inbox Tuesday, May 16. Happy Mother's Day!

— 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.