Growing Community Media, the non-profit recently created to lead independent community newsrooms on the West Side and near west suburbs, announced its inaugural board of directors this week. 

At least four people died after a car crashed into Starbucks on the 400 block of Harlem Ave. at 12:49 a.m. on Aug. 9. The vehicle struck a planter, light pole and the wall of the closed coffee shop.

 Participated citizens shared deeply personal experiences with the Oak Park Police Department during village's two community police listening sessions, but it remains unclear if any police officers attended any of the virtual sessions held 10 a.m. on Aug. 5 and 7 p.m. on Aug. 6.

On Aug. 11, the District 97 school board will review its preliminary FY 2021 budget — the first budget it will vote on since COVID-19 pandemic hit

In addition to worldwide health and economic tribulations, the COVID-19 pandemic has also caused a dearth of coins in the United States that has left many quite literally short-changed. Laundromats, fast food restaurants, currency exchanges and grocery stores have all felt the strain of the coinage unavailability throughout the West Side of Chicago and its western suburbs.

While the Oak Park and River Forest school districts, D97, D90 and D200, have been releasing various plans for the fall, the information on performing and visual arts had not been announced in initial plans.