🌱 Maywood Car Crash Leads To Arrests + Election Judges Needed

Happy Friday, Oak Park and River Forest! In today's newsletter:

• River Forest's lead service line replacement program sees a "lukewarm" response.
• Private donors are pledging millions of dollars to OPRF High School's renovation plans.
• Telescope Nights return to Fox Park tomorrow.

But first, today's weather: A thick cloud cover. High: 46 Low: 35.

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

1. Two people were arrested Tuesday in connection with a multi-car crash on I-290. A person waved a gun from the window of an SUV in Maywood and attempted to evade police by merging onto the interstate before “crashing into multiple vehicles between First and DesPlaines avenues.” (Patch)

2. The Oak Park Department of Public Health is urging local families to test for COVID-19 ahead of spring break travel. Two free testing events are being held today at the Main Fire Station and Rehm Park. (Health Department)

3. The nonprofit Oak Park and River Forest High School Imagine Foundation has received more than $12 million in private pledges for the high school’s upcoming $102 million renovation project. Donors who give upwards of $2 million “could ask to have their name publicly recognized on the outdoor track facility,” the Wednesday Journal reports. (Wednesday Journal)

4. Less than 50 River Forest residents have participated in the village’s lead water service line replacement program. Property owners can submit a reimbursement request to replace the lines up to $5,000 with services from a local plumber. (Wednesday Journal)

5. The Cook County Clerk’s Office is seeking more than 1,000 election judges to serve during the municipal elections on April 4. Applicants of any age are welcome. (NBC)

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Kids younger than five years old can build with blocks at Oak Park Public Library. (10 a.m.)
• A #BookTok Teen Book Share is held at Oak Park Public Library. (5 p.m.)
• River Forest Public Library hosts family trivia. (7 p.m.)
• Fenwick High School students perform “Bright Star.” (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Early voting is available for Oak Park voters at Village Hall. April 3 is the final day to vote early in the municipal election. (VOP)
• NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador Mark Benson will return for Telescope Night tomorrow in Fox Park. Residents are welcome to attend the “free star party and discussion.” (PDOP)
• Local nonprofits can raise funds at a farmers market bake sale this summer. Applications are available online. (VOP)
• Cook County property taxes are due April 3. (County)
• Five Triton College women are sharing their stories this week at the campus library in honor of Women’s History Month. (Triton)

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Featured businesses:

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Featured events:

• Music to Dine By with Doug Lalli at Tre Sorelle (March 25)
• All Hail the Queen: Tribute to Aretha Franklin (March 25)
• Wedding Band Event at Bella Cosa Jewelers (April 15)
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That’s all for today, Oak Park and River Forest! I will be away for a few days but look forward to curating your daily newsletter again soon. Have a great weekend!

— 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 Patch newsletter? Contact me at georgi.presecky@patch.com.