🌱 WWII Veteran Honored 70 Years Later + Carjackings Continue

Good morning, OPRF! Let’s get to the news for Tuesday, Oct. 26.

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First, today's weather: Times of clouds and sun. High: 55 Low: 43.

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

1. Oak Park police responded to two reports of vehicular carjacking in mid-October, according to the department crime report. The first was on Oct. 16 in the 600 block of Home Avenue. Another occurred the next day in the 900 block of South Humphrey Avenue. The attempted robberies failed in both incidents. (OPPD)

2. Another victim of serial killer John Wayne Gacy has been identified, the Cook County Sheriff's Office announced Monday in Maywood. Francis Wayne Alexander was identified using "DNA and genetic genealogy with help from the DNA Doe Project," according to Sheriff Tom Dart. (ABC7)

3. The firm in charge of hiring Oak Park’s next village manager reported low resident turnout in both virtual and in-person community feedback meetings. GovHR said turnout and participation was better at a meeting hosted specifically for Black residents via direct invitation. (Wednesday Journal)

4. Services were held this weekend in River Grove for a World War II soldier whose remains were finally identified this summer, more than 70 years after he served in Germany. Sgt. Francis Wiemerslage was killed in action March 2, 1945. (WGN)

5. A little free library and improved food pantry were recently added to the Hampton House, the childhood home of the slain Black Panther. Community leaders hope it will become “a space to teach about the legacy of Fred Hampton, the significance of this space and what it means to Maywood, Proviso Township and to American history.” (Austin Weekly News)

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Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

• Preschool Playtime at the Gymnastics and Recreation Center. (10:15 a.m.)
• OPRF High School hosts a webinar on its plans to restructure the freshman curriculum. (6:30 p.m.)
• Virtual Adult Improv with the Oak Park Public Library. (7 p.m.)

Oak Park-River Forest Patch Notebook

• The Village of Oak Park reminds residents that everyone older than two years old is required to wear a mask at all times to slow the spread of COVID-19. (VOP)
• It’s the final day to enter the Oak Park Public Library’s Virtual Halloween Costume Parade. (OPPL)
• Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital is celebrating 100 years of supporting veterans. (WGN)
• Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy tested positive for COVID-19 Monday. (Patch)
• Fenwick High School volleyball player Shannon O’Laughlin is “following in the footsteps” of her student-athlete siblings this fall. (Wednesday Journal)

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That's the news for Tuesday, Oct. 26. See you tomorrow for another Daily!

— Georgi Presecky

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