🌱 Neighbor Stops Car Theft + Harmon On Solar Energy + Backpack Event

Good morning, Oak Park and River Forest readers! Here's your five-minute guide to what's making headlines today.

Now, today's weather: Sunny and beautiful. High: 85 Low: 71.

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

1. An Oak Park resident tried to stop a catalytic converter theft Saturday morning in the 400 block of North Oak Park Avenue. One of the offenders flashed a gun at him before both men fled down Euclid Avenue without stealing anything. (Wednesday Journal)

2. Senate President Don Harmon said he was “pleased” with the City of Chicago’s plan to purchase all-renewable energy by 2025. The Oak Park senator said the move will “benefit workers and energy consumers throughout the state.” (City)

3. A Backpack Pick-Up event will be held Friday at the Oak Park Township offices. Students can pick up school supplies, backpacks, snacks and more for the upcoming school year. (Patch)

4. Free COVID-19 testing is available today at the Main Fire Station on Euclid Avenue. The health department will also offer free tests at Thursday Night Out and this weekend’s farmers market. (VOP)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Teen activities are offered all afternoon at the Maze Branch of the library. (1 p.m.)
• Live music at the Dominican University quad. (7 p.m.)
• The Chris Greene Quartet performs at FitzGeralds. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Some Illinois school districts are dropping COVID-19 testing requirements this fall. (Paid source: Tribune)
• The Taste of Melrose Park is seeking volunteers for this year’s event, set for Sept. 2-4. (VOMP)
• Resident registration is open for the River Forest Park District’s fall programs. (Park District)
• The Brookfield Zoo Photo Contest closes Aug. 12. (Instagram)

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• One-of-A-Kind Meerkat Experience Coming To Oakbrook Center (August 30)
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That's all for this Wednesday! See you tomorrow for more local stories.

— 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 Daily? Contact me at georgi.presecky@patch.com