Railroad Repairs Cause Road Closures + At-Home Test Program Changes

Good morning! Let's get to the headlines for Tuesday, Aug. 30.

First, today's weather: Not as warm, becoming breezy. High: 80 Low: 64.

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

1. In case you missed it: a man was shot in the leg Friday near Madison Street and East Avenue. He was treated at Loyola Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. (Wednesday Journal)

2. Though COVID-19 cases remain high in 33 counties in Illinois, the federal government will stop distributing free at-home tests beginning Friday. White House officials said Congress must approve more funding for the at-home testing program. Click here to find tests in Oak Park, which remains in the CDC’s low transmission level. (Patch)

3. It’s a big week for Dominican University. The largest freshman class in history began classes yesterday, with President Glena Temple penning an op-ed in Crain’s Chicago Business about the record enrollment. As the school celebrates 100 years in River Forest, the athletic department also announced plans to rebrand. (DU)

4. A portion of Harlem Avenue will be closed again today as the Union Pacific Railroad makes repairs on the north side of the railroad bridge in Oak Park. Work is expected to continue through 5 p.m. (VRF)

5. The owner of a vacant space at 107 N. Oak Park Ave. is offering free rent for a year. Leasing agent Tom Wagner said the free rent is an incentive to drum up interest in the spot, which used to be occupied by Erik’s Deli. (Wednesday Journal)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Check out today’s new releases at The Book Table. (9 a.m.)
• Discovery Garden Exploration Time at Oak Park Conservatory. (10 a.m.)
• Join Oak Park Public Library for virtual adult improv. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• An event marking International Overdose Awareness Day will be held tomorrow in Scoville Park. (Township)
• The Forest Park grocery store, Living Fresh Market is tentatively planning a second location in Maywood. (Forest Park Review)
• Registration is open for open gym sessions at the Park District of Oak Park this fall. (PDOP)

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You're all caught up! 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.