🌱 More Than 100 New Cases Of COVID-19 In Oak Park + Parking Ban

Good morning, Oak Park and River Forest readers! Let's recap today's news.

First, today's weather: Mostly sunny. High: 36 Low: 30.

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

1. The Oak Park Department of Public Health has reported 123 new cases of COVID-19 in the village since Dec. 8. An infant younger than one year old is infected with the virus, with other cases ranging in age up to 89 years old. (VOP)

2. OPRF High School Principal Lynda J. Parker announced that a new “Pack Pride” initiative will begin next semester at the school to promote respect, responsibility and reliability. She penned a letter to families this week about the “urgent need for a genuine reset on our building culture” due to “atypical shifts” since returning to in-person learning. (OPRFHS)

3. Oak Park is continuing its search for a new village manager. A village board committee will narrow the pool of 38 applicants to five or six final candidates this month. A decision is expected in January. (Wednesday Journal)

4. Fenwick High School junior Grant Schleiter helped collect more than 180 bicycles for a Chicago charity. Schleiter encouraged others to "get out there and help people" after his volunteer work with Pedal Power. (Wednesday Journal)

5. The omicron variant of the coronavirus has been detected in suburban Cook County, the health department announced. Officials would not specify the suburb where a positive case was found, but said the variant was detected in a vaccinated person with no symptoms. (NBC)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• It’s the final day to shop the Oak Park Conservatory’s Winter Greens Market. (10 a.m.)
• A “Christmas Extraordinaire” is hosted by Unity of Oak Park. (11 a.m.)
• Make winter wreaths at Dole Center. (1 p.m.)
• The Free Readers Ensemble presents “Chapatti” at the Nineteenth Century Club. (3 p.m.)
• The Unity Temple choir performs. (4 p.m.)
• The Chicago Skyliners Big Band plays at FitzGeralds. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Oak Park Township is collecting hygiene products for teens in need. (VOP)
• Overnight street parking bans have been lifted in both Oak Park and River Forest in observance of the holidays. (VRF)

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That's the news for Dec. 19! See you tomorrow for a new week of Daily newsletters.

— Georgi Presecky