🌱 'Heart Of Our Villages' Award Winners Named + Valentine's Market

Hello, Oak Park and River Forest! Let's start this week off with some local news.

But first, today's weather: A morning flurry; mostly cloudy. High: 14 Low: 0.

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

1. Oak Park Police Chief Shatonya Johnson issued a statement over the weekend about the police killing of Tyre Nichols in Memphis. “No life should ever be taken in this way, but especially at the hands of those who are sworn to serve and protect,” Johnson said. “Oak Park has strategically invested in its police officers to ensure that they have the best training and right tools to treat everyone in all cases with dignity and respect.” (OPPD)

2. Several former Hostess workers told Austin Weekly News they believe they were discriminated against because of race, gender identity or sexual orientation. A group of workers who were fired from the Galewood factory told AWN they are fighting to have their jobs reinstated with back pay. (AWN)

3. The OPRF Museum announced two winners of its “Heart of Our Villages” award. Oak Park Area Arts Council Executive Director Camille Wilson White and longtime teacher and former historical society leader Jan Novak Dressel will be honored at the museum’s gala in March. (Instagram)

4. The Oak Park Conservatory will open its online Valentine’s Market Feb. 1. Offerings include “succulents, tropical houseplants and fresh-cut bouquets.” An in-person sale will also be held Feb. 14. (PDOP)

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From my notebook:

• The Village of Oak Park's street parking rules go into effect only when more than two inches of snow fall. (VOP)
• The Oak Park Public Library is sharing tax-filing resources ahead of the April due date. (OPPL)
• Forest Park Public Library is hosting a book drive for women in prison. (Patch)
• On this day in 1958, Proviso High School senior Sheila Smith was named Miss March of Dimes. (Review)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll see you around!

— 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 OakPark@Patch.com