Murder Case Brings Charges + 51 New COVID-19 Cases

Morning, Oak Park-River Forest! Here's everything you need to know to get this Friday started.

First, today's weather: Partly cloudy throughout the day. High: 84, low: 64.

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

1. More details are emerging in the death of a 15-year-old Chicago girl found in an Oak Park alley last weekend. Prosecutors say the teen was drugged and raped, and the events that led to her death were captured on Snapchat. (Wednesday Journal)

2. More than 50 people in Oak Park tested positive for COVID-19 this week, according to the health department. The report reads that “cases reported today ranged in ages from younger than 4 into their 70s.” (VOP)

3. Vaccination remains the most effective way to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the CDC and other health experts. Less than 30,000 Oak Park residents are vaccinated, with the numbers increasing only slightly from last week. About 66 percent of eligible residents have received their shots. (VOP)

4. A man was shot and critically injured Wednesday outside the 15th District police station in Austin, near 57th Street and Austin Avenue. (WGN)

5. River Forest residents who live in the the 1400 block of Monroe Avenue addressed the Village Board this week to discuss sewer main break damage in the area. (Wednesday Journal)

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Today in Oak Park and River Forest

• Make ceramics or a sunhat wreath at Dole Center. (6 p.m.)
• Nathan Peterson performs at New Spirit Community Church. (7 p.m.)
• “Silent Movies on the Porch” at Pleasant Home. (7 p.m.)

Oak Park-River Forest Patch Notebook

• It’s an education-themed notebook today, as the fall semester begins Monday at Oak Park and River Forest High School. (OPRFHS)
• Dr. Geraldine Luna, medical director for Chicago’s Health Department explains what students can expect upon returning to school this month. (WGN)
• Dominican University updated its masking guidelines for the school year, following CDC recommendations. (DU)
• Concordia University announced two new colleges: the College of Health, Science and Technology and the College of Theology, Arts and Humanities. (Wednesday Journal)
• Triton College distributed more than 3,000 backpacks filled with school supplies at its annual Backpack Give Back event. (Paid source: Elm Leaves)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Free Family Food Distribution (August 14)
• Free comic Book day (August 14)
• Free Family Mini Photo Sessions! (September 4)

Job listings:

• Now Hiring Butchers! (Details)
• Head custodian/handy person (Details)

Thanks for following along, OPRF! See you in your inbox tomorrow for the weekend edition of the Daily.

— Georgi

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Oak Park-River Forest Daily? Email me at georgi.presecky@patch.com.