🌱 High School Seeks More Security Staff + New Businesses Set To Open

Happy Monday, Oak Park and River Forest! Let's get to today's top stories.

But first, today's weather: A shower; fog in the morning. High: 55 Low: 35.

🏘️ Looking to differentiate yourself from other real estate agents in Oak Park-River Forest? Partner with the Oak Park-River Forest Patch and gain access to a targeted, engaged audience through our premium newsletter sponsorships. Click here to learn more.

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

1. OPRF High School officials penned a memo to the school board last week seeking 14 additional members of security staff, less than a month after two guards were injured while intervening in separate student fights. Though 27 security guards currently work at the school, Principal Lynda Parker wrote “our Safety and Support team has consistently reported that incidents of disrespect are increasing.” Board members asked Parker to provide “more evidence” that additional safety personnel are needed. (Wednesday Journal)

2. Oak Park’s Environment and Energy Commission will meet at Village Hall tonight to discuss the use of plastic utensils at local eateries. Community members are invited to attend and submit comments. (VOP)

3. Wednesday Journal will host a forum March 16 with candidates running for the Oak Park Village Board. All five candidates are expected to attend the event at Village Hall. The paper will also publish a voter guide March 15. Election Day is April 4. (Wednesday Journal)

4. Local dentist Dr. Jim Scapillato launched an online database to help families find specialized dental care. “I'm trying to create awareness for the need for more dentistry, more dentists to treat special needs,” Scapillato told NBC of the new site Special Needs Warriors. About 15 percent of his patients at Family Dental Care Oak Park have special needs. (NBC/SNW)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Oscar-nominated short films begin screening today at Lake Theatre. (1 p.m.)
• Author Mia P. Manansala gives a free presentation on the “cozy mystery” book subgenre at the Nineteenth Century Club. (1:15 p.m.)
• The Oak Park Department of Public Health administers COVID-19 testing from its mobile response van at Barrie Park. (3 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Nearly a dozen new local businesses have obtained licenses so far in 2023, the village reports. (VOP)
• Registration is open for Oak Park Education Foundation summer camps. (OPEF)
• Oak Park Public Library is celebrating Women’s History Month with book suggestions and other resources. (Library)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Laura Ruiz, REALTOR® at REALTY OF CHICAGO — (Visit website)
• Laurie Christofano, Realtor | RE/MAX In The Village — (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

That's all for today! Thanks for reading the Daily.

— 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.