🌱 Schools Take Caution Amid TikTok Threat + Holiday Walk Returns

Hello, Oak Park and River Forest! Let's get to the news for Saturday.

First, today's weather: Breezy in the afternoon. High: 39 Low: 26.

Rent this space!

Are you a local business owner or marketer in Oak Park-River Forest? We want to start connecting local businesses with our amazing readers. Learn more here.

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

1. OPRF High School made national headlines Friday for its security response to a gun related TikTok post. The school increased police presence around campus due to the anonymous post, which warned that "multiple schools would receive shooting and bomb threats," according to the Associated Press. (AP)

2. COVID-19 cases are surging at schools in Brookfield, La Grange and Riverside. Of 19 students who tested positive at Riverside-Brookfield High School, 10 were fully vaccinated. (Landmark)

3. The Oak Park District 97 Board of Education has narrowed its superintendent search to six candidates. Communications Director Amanda Siegfried said a decision is expected in January. (Wednesday Journal)

4. West Suburban Medical Center debuted a new surgical robot last month. The new da Vinci XI robot was first used on an Austin man undergoing gallbladder surgery. (Wednesday Journal)

5. Downtown Oak Park’s Holiday Walk returns today, kicking off with a free screening of “The Grinch” at Lake Theatre. Hot chocolate, carolers, live music and a visit with Santa are on today’s event schedule. (Downtown Oak Park)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Make a glowing silhouette luminary at Dole Center. (10 a.m.)
• Free Hot Chocolate Walk in Downtown Oak Park. (10 a.m.)
• Winter Solstice Nature Hike at Trailside Museum. (1:30 p.m.)
• Unity Temple hosts a choir concert (4 p.m.) and Christmas lights procession. (5 p.m.)
• Oak-Leyden Holiday Concert at Oak Park Public Library. (6 p.m.)
• “The Nutcracker” dance recital at Fenwick High School. (7 p.m.)
• Holiday Lights Show with Mannheim Streamroller at Triton College. (8:30 p.m.)
• The Redmonds Holiday Show at FitzGeralds. (9 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• A New Hampshire baker created a gingerbread house based on River Forest’s James Kibben Ingalls House. (VRF)
• Today is the last chance to catch Concordia University’s “Photography and Fiber Reveal God’s Beauty” exhibit. (CU)
• Dominican University President Glena Temple is featured in the Daily Herald’s Business Ledger this week: “You will be the most effective if you are an authentic leader,” she said. (Daily Herald)
• Ascension Catholic Church is hosting a food drive today and tomorrow. (ACC)
• The Chamber of Commerce is selling digital community gift cards redeemable at Oak Park and River Forest area businesses. (VRF)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Focus Point Training — (Visit website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• FREE 3-Hour Use of Force Law Class for Civilians who are Gun Owners & CCL Holders (December 20)
• Spoken Word Burlesque Spectacular — Highlights Childhood Sexual Abuse + All-Male Survivor's Panel (December 21)
• Brighten The First Day Of Winter With 15 Percent Off FTD’s Sunniest Blooms (December 21)
• Add your event

Loving the Oak Park-River Forest Daily? Here are all the ways you can get more involved:

• Send a friend or neighbor this link so they can subscribe
• Become a supporter (there are perks!)
• Get your local business showcased in front of readers
• Send me a news tip or suggestion at georgi.presecky@patch.com

That's all for today, OPRF! See you tomorrow for more neighborhood news.

— Georgi Presecky