🌱 Local Skater Heads To Olympics + Meet The Manager Candidates

Happy Saturday! Let's get to the latest local news in Oak Park and River Forest.

First, today's weather: a.m. flurries; mostly cloudy. High: 31 Low: 18.

Rent this space:

Are you a local business owner or marketer in Oak Park-River Forest? We love showcasing trusted businesses who can solve problems for our amazing local readers. Learn more about how it works.

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

1. Another Forest Park resident died of COVID-19 this week, bringing the village’s total to 38 deaths since the pandemic began. About 63 percent of Forest Park is fully vaccinated. (Forest Park Review)

2. Residents can meet the three candidates up for the role of Oak Park Village Manager tomorrow at an online forum. The finalists are Interim Village Manager Lisa Shelley, Eric Johnson of Carpentersville and former Phoenix City Manager Lionel Lyons. (Wednesday Journal)

3. Oak Park native Emery Lehman is preparing for his third Olympic Games as a member of the U.S. speed skating team. The Beijing-bound 25 year old trained at the Franklin Park Ice Arena and attended Oak Park and River Forest High School. (Paid source: Franklin Park Herald-Journal)

4. Animal Care League raised more than $20,000 during the Betty White Challenge this week. "We feel very honored to be her hometown shelter,” Executive Director Kira Robson said. PAWS Chicago also received $100,000 in donations in honor of the late actress. (Patch)

5. Thrive Counseling Center’s John H. Meister will retire after five years as executive director. He helped establish suicide prevention programs, telehealth services during the pandemic and the free mental health discussion series “Thrive Talks.” (Wednesday Journal)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Golden Globe winner “West Side Story” returns to Lake Theatre. (Noon)
• Trailside Museum hosts a sun-catcher craft and winter walk. (1:30 p.m.)
• Cathy Richardson performs at FitzGeralds. (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Cook County has surpassed 14,000 COVID-related deaths since the pandemic began, Block Club reports. At least 1,000 of those deaths occurred in the past two weeks. (Block Club)
• Brookfield’s Planning and Zoning Commission will reconsider its downtown parking rules next week. (Landmark)
• Applications are now open for Dominican University's Barbantini Family Scholarship. (DU)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Focus Point Training — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• Lowered Costs for 2022, Get Your Cannabis Card in 24hrs from Home! (January 22)
• FREE WEBINAR | “The Splendors of Venice” Presented by Dr. Rocky Ruggiero (January 25)
• FREE 3-Hour Use of Force Law Class for Civilians who are Gun Owners & CCL Holders (January 29)
• Add your event

Announcements:

• Oak Park, River Forest BHHS Chicago Ranks #1 in Units for 2021 (Details)
• Add your announcement

Job listings:

• Full Time Accounting Asst for Oak Park Property Management Co (Details)
• Clerical Support to Oak Park Property Management Team (Details)
• Add your job listing

Loving the Oak Park-River Forest Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Become a supporter (there are perks!)
• Get your local business featured in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at georgi.presecky@patch.com

You're all caught up for today! See you tomorrow for more local stories.

— Georgi Presecky