🌱 Rat Infestation In Oak Park + Fireworks Planned + Party In The Park

Good morning, Oak Park and River Forest! In today's Daily, a local school drops its COVID-19 testing program, a pattern of theft occurs in Elmwood Park and Oak Park pools get updated hours.

First, today's weather: Mostly sunny and pleasant. High: 84 Low: 67.

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

1. Rat infestation has become a major issue in Oak Park, according to the health department. Health Director Theresa Chapple McGruder is offering tips for household rat abatement in this week’s Wednesday Journal. (Wednesday Journal)

2. Oak Park and River Forest High School is no longer offering on-site COVID-19 tests for students due to low participation last semester. “We’re talking about 30, 40, 50 kids on a weekly basis were participating,” school spokesperson Karin Johnson said. “The resources that it took for us to roll that out were just extensive.” (Wednesday Journal)

3. License plates are being stolen from parked cars in Elmwood Park, according to the police department. At least three plate thefts were reported between Aug. 4-6 in the 2000 and 2200 blocks of North Harlem Avenue. Another plate was stolen on Aug. 9 in the 3000 block of 76th Avenue. (Paid source: Elm Leaves)

4. The Park District of Forest Park will host a fireworks display tonight in front of the administrative building at 7501 Harrison St. The event was scheduled after the village canceled its July 4 fireworks out of respect for the victims of the Highland Park parade shooting. (Forest Park Review)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Thursday Night Out takes over downtown Oak Park. (5 p.m.)
• Head to Constitution Park for the River Forest Park District’s final “Party in the Park.” The free event features live music, balloons, bubbles and food. (6 p.m.)
• Housing Forward hosts trivia night at FitzGeralds. (7 p.m.)
• Music on the Terrace at Unity Temple. (7:30 p.m.)
• Watch “Babe” in Scoville Park. (Dusk)

From my notebook:

• Ridgeland Common is now requiring patrons to check in with staff upon entrance. (Park District)
• Young readers have until Aug. 31 to complete Oak Park Public Library’s summer reading activities. (Library)
• Save the date: for the first time in decades, the OPRF Huskies will play the Fenwick Friars in a football game Aug. 27 at Seat Geek Stadium. (FHS)
• Rehm Pool hours are now limited to weekends. Ridgeland Pool is open Monday through Friday for the rest of August. (Park District)
• River Forest Public Library is displaying book reviews from local teen readers. (Instagram)

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• Laurie Christofano, Realtor | RE/MAX In the Village — (Visit website)
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Events:

• Emmy-winning W. Kamau Bell & bestselling author Kate Schatz in Conversation (August 23)
• Happy Lobster is coming, and you won't want to miss it. Order by Tuesday. (August 24)
• It's everyone's fave Pequod's! Order by Wednesday, before it sells out. (August 25)
• One-of-A-Kind Meerkat Experience Coming to Oakbrook Center (August 30)
• Add your event

That's all for today! 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.