🌱 Oak Park-River Forest Patch: Everything Going On Today

Morning, everybody. Celeste "Pirate Queen" Wetzel here with your Wednesday edition of the Oak Park-River Forest Patch newsletter, full of all the things you need to know about what's happening in town. Including updates on...

• Insert teaser here
• Insert teaser here
• Insert teaser here

But first, today's weather:

Periods of wet snow, 2-4". High: 36 Low: 33.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Oak Park-River Forest who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

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

1. 5 hospitalized for high carbon monoxide levels in Humboldt Park: CFD (FOX 32 Chicago)
2. Millions Needed For Western Springs Infrastructure: Village (Patch)
3. Mayoral candidates to meet Thursday on West Side (AustinTalks)
4. Today In The Culture, January 26, 2023: (Newcity)
5. Jam-Glory-Fusion: A Review of Roscoe Mitchell at Corbett vs Dempsey (Newcity Art)
6. Park Board Out Of LTHS Loop: Officials (Patch)
7. Shots fired at Chicago police officers in Jefferson Park (Chicago Sun-Times)
8. Empty Sears, Carson's in Joliet, Orland Park, North Riverside poised for change (Crain's Chicago Business)
9. Cook County Sees 17% Spike In Overdose Deaths Tied to Veterinary Drug Xylazine. Harm Reduction Groups Say Its Presence Is Spreading. (WTTW News)
10. Toni Preckwinkle's chief of staff uses equity fund to uplift Black, brown communities (Chicago Tribune)
11. Embattled Ald. Jim Gardiner's fitness is key issue in race for 45th Ward (Chicago Tribune)
12. Chicago Butler manhandles Chicago ITW David Speer 70-26 (The Pantagraph)
13. Open Books Expands Literacy Mission with Logan Square Location (WTTW News)
14. Former Cook County Board of Review worker who took bribes for tax breaks sentenced (FOX 32 Chicago)
15. Rosemont's Stephens adds GOP House leadership post (Daily Herald)
16. Chicago shooting: $8K reward offered after father Ramiro Mendez, 32, gunned down in Belmont Cragin drive-by (WLS-TV)
17. Five nurses at Berwyn birthing center expecting in coming months (Chicago Sun-Times)
18. Carvana, Illinois settle fight over vehicle titles, registrations (Chicago Sun-Times)
19. Townhomes Could Replace Elmhurst Reservoir: City (Patch)
20. Carvana settles long-running legal dispute with Illinois (Crain's Chicago Business)
21. CPD, Cook County deputies partner on new vehicle-related theft defense (WGN TV Chicago)
22. Efforts underway in Cook County to combat vehicle thefts (FOX 32 Chicago)
23. Belmont Cragin killing: Reward offered for information about fatal shooting (Chicago Sun-Times)
24. Man dies days after shooting in Humboldt Park (Chicago Sun-Times)
25. Park Ridge Sustainability Commission presents goals, City Council asks them to prioritize (Chicago Tribune)
26. ▶️ Listen Now: Why are so many homeless people seeking shelter at O'Hare and in transit hubs? (WBEZ Chicago)
27. Suit Up With Career Services and JC Penney (Illinois Institute of Technology)
28. Class-action suit targets PAC linked to retired Cook County sheriff’s investigator (WGN TV Chicago)
29. Western Springs Neighbor Dispute Results In Charge (Patch)
30. Obama Center seeks South, West Side food vendors (Austin Weekly News)

Today in Oak Park-River Forest:

From my notebook:

• Forest Preserve District of Cook County: "📸: Kestrel by Lisa Musgrave 📍: Somme Prairie Nature Preserve, January 2022" (Forest Preserve District of Cook County via Facebook)
• Oak Park and River Forest HS: "Apply to be an APA leader this semester! Huskies, are you passionate about LGBTQ+ rights and creating an inclusive school for LGBTQ+ students? Apply to be an APA Leader and help organize LGBTQ+ activities and events throughout the schoo..." (Oak Park and River Forest HS via Instagram)
• Dominican University: "Are you ready to serve as an agent of change in one of the world’s most rewarding professions? Discover how Dominican's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program will help get you there. Register today for our Nursing Open House, where you'..." (Dominican University via Facebook)
• Village of Oak Park: "If you spot tree trimming crews out and about in Oak Park this winter, don't fret - they're following a carefully planned schedule to ensure the long-term health of the village's tree canopy. One third of the Village’s 18,000-plus parkwa..." (Village of Oak Park via Instagram)
• Brookfield Zoo: "The Galápagos tortoise doesn't mind taking it slow. These reptiles can reach a top speed of .2 miles per hour and spend up to 16 hours a day resting! 🐢 #GalapagosTortoise #Tortoise #Reptiles" (Brookfield Zoo via Instagram)
• Trinity High School: "Blazers had their first script read through and character analyses for our Spring Theatre Collective: “Choices” playing March 10-12 in the Dr. Alice Fox Auditorium! #performingarts" (Trinity High School via Facebook)
• Oak Park - River Forest (OPRF) Chamber of Commerce: ""I didn't realize how much I needed this!" was the consensus at the BIPOC January meeting. Everyone convened at D.M. Burton and created 2023 vision boards of goals and aspirations. We welcomed new members and those we haven't seen in a w..." (Oak Park - River Forest (OPRF) Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)
• Oak Park - River Forest (OPRF) Chamber of Commerce: "We are happy to announce our new Chamber member Travel With Wendy B! https://travelwithwendyb.com/" (Oak Park - River Forest (OPRF) Chamber of Commerce via Facebook)
• Village of Oak Park, Illinois: "Non-profit organizations that serve Oak Park and are interested in applying for federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding are required to attend a virtual workshop hosted by the Village. The workshop is scheduled for 10 to..." (Village of Oak Park, Illinois via Facebook)
• Cook County Sheriff's Office (Official): "Cook County Sheriff’s Chief of Police Schmitz joined our city law enforcement partners today to talk about our efforts and collaboration to reduce carjacking and catalytic converters thefts." (Cook County Sheriff's Office (Official) via Facebook)
• Park District of Oak Park: "Our Polar Bear Pool Pass Sale will be begin Saturday, February 4th! The Park District of Oak Park sells season passes which are good at both Rehm Pool and the Ridgeland Common Pool. Pool passes are good for all lap swims, pass holder onl..." (Park District of Oak Park via Facebook)
• Cook County Sheriff's Office (Official): "Sheriff Dart discussed some of the programming we’ve created and developed at the Cook County Sheriff’s Office at City Club of Chicago yesterday. Take a listen!" (Cook County Sheriff's Office (Official) via Facebook)
• Park District of Oak Park: "We understand finances can be tight, especially when planning ahead for the summer. Consider applying for the Park District Scholarship Program! Complete the form online...or the physical print-out with mailing or dropping off your appli..." (Park District of Oak Park via Facebook)
• Cook County Department of Public Health: "Saturday, January 28th, PASO - West Suburban Action Project is hosting a vaccination event at 3415 W. North Ave., Melrose Park, IL, from 3.30 PM- 6.30 PM #BoostUpCookCounty #ccdph" (Cook County Department of Public Health via Facebook)
• Oak Park Public Library: "Originally posted by our Village of Oak Park, Illinois ... As a community, Oak Park is saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred in Monterey Park, Calif., over the weekend. During what should have been a time of celebration..." (Oak Park Public Library via Facebook)
• Cook County Department of Public Health: "If you or someone you know is experiencing having trouble sleeping, eating, getting through the day, NAMI Chicago is here to hear you and connect you to resources. For more information, visit http://ow.ly/2XS350Mq89z or call 833-NAMI-CHI..." (Cook County Department of Public Health via Facebook)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Oak Park: "Looking for things to do in Oak Park this weekend? - Einnim Candle Bar + Apothecary has a few slots left for candle making fun! All ages are welcome! Head to einnim.com/book-online to book TODAY!" (Nextdoor)
• Nextdoor Neighbor, Oak Park Marion: "Thoughts on Crepas Culichi on Lake ? - We are really disappointed with the decor, it has really changed the way Lake and Marion intersection looks and feels, and not in a good way in my opinion. Big chandeliers with bright lights, weddin..." (Nextdoor)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update!

— Celeste "Pirate Queen" Wetzel

About me: The original Pirate Queen and QA engineer for Patch. Did you know that this week I have worked at least two fourteen hour days? This sprint has been nuts and the engineering team has been keeping me hopping non-stop. I'm exhausted and very close to needing a vacation.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Oak Park-River Forest Patch newsletter? Contact me at celeste.wetzel@patch.com