Local Author Becomes Bestseller + Good News For OPRF Wrestling

Rise and shine, Oak Park and River Forest! Let's get you started on this Tuesday with the latest news.

First, today's weather: Rain and humid throughout the day. High: 82, low: 69.

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

1. Oak Park author Diane Grimard Wilson reached Amazon best-seller status with the publication of her book "Brain Dance: My Journey with Invisible Illness, Second Chances, and the Wonders of Applied Neuroscience." The medical memoir chronicles the counselor and podcast host's experience with a brain injury. (Wednesday Journal)

2. Additional Uber drivers have reported carjackings in Austin this month. Two incidents occurred on the 1500 block of North Leamington Avenue on separate dates in June. (NBC Chicago)

3. Good news for the girls wrestling team at Oak Park and River Forest High School: the Illinois High School Association has approved a new state series featuring only female wrestlers. It will start next season thanks to the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association, co-chaired by OPRF Coach Fred Arkin. (Wednesday Journal)

4. Oak Park will not host Village fireworks this Fourth of July due to the ongoing pandemic, but communities across the country are struggling to find fireworks this year due to supply chain issues and shipping delays. (WBEZ)

5. Grant Jones is the new Forestry Superintendent in the Public Works Department. The Village is shining a light on his work, maintaining the 18,000 Village-owned trees on public property in Oak Park. (VOP Facebook)

Today's Oak Park-River Forest Daily is brought to you by our friends at Ring, the home security company. Ring does a lot more than doorbells: check out their full suite of smart home products at Ring.com. And thank you Ring for helping to make local news happen in Oak Park-River Forest!

Today in Oak Park-River Forest

• Re-purpose old books into charming book animals with River Forest Public Library. (3:30 p.m.)
• The Oak Park Environment and Energy Commission meets. (6 p.m.)
• Have a laugh at virtual improv night with Oak Park Public Library. (7 p.m.)
• The Housing Programs Advisory Committee meets. (7 p.m.)

Oak Park-River Forest Patch Notebook

• E.C. Diskin pens a love letter to one family's Oak Park home of 20 years. (Wednesday Journal)
• WGN calls Oak Park “a remarkable outdoor museum of architecture” in its latest “Chicago Scene” feature. (WGN)
• The Unity Temple Restoration Foundation has set a goal of reaching 50 new members by July 31 to maintain the building “for generations to come.” (Oak Park Chamber of Commerce)
• Rehearsals have begun for the Ovation Academy of the Performing Arts production of “Mean Girls,” set for July 9-11. (Ovation Academy)
• Trinity High School welcomed students to the first day of summer school. (THS Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• Run Elmhurst's 4 on the 3rd (July 3)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday.

— Georgi Presecky

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Oak Park-River Forest Daily? Email all inquiries to georgi.presecky@patch.com.