Highland Park 2021 In Review: Reopening Schools; Explosives Probe

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — As a year that began with the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines comes to a close with the emergence of a new variant of the virus, let's take a look at some of the city's biggest stories of 2021.

Here are 22 of the most-read stories from Highland Park Patch for the past year:

Highwood Library Wins Nation's Top Museum And Library Honor

The "small but mighty" Highwood Public Library is one of six winners of the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.

District 113 Moves Toward Reopening As Bomb Threat Targets Rally

The board was due determine a date to launch hybrid learning two weeks before staff were set to begin receiving COVID-19 vaccinations in February.

Drool For School: Saliva Testing Mandatory For D113 Students

Students who wish to take part in any on-campus activities must submit saliva samples twice a week, administrators said.

HPHS-DHS Consolidation Among Options To Address Costs, Deficits

As District 113 faces a growing structural deficit and unmet facilities needs, all options are on the table — but most include a referendum.

Explosives Probe: Experts Convene At Openlands Lakeshore Preserve

The Navy hired an outside firm to study the safety of the lakefront property following this spring's discovery of unexploded military items.

Earlier:
Suspected Grenade Found, Detonated At Highland Park Lakefront
No End In Sight For Closure Of Openlands Lakeshore Preserve Beach
City Urges Army To Find, Remove Explosives At Lakeshore Preserve
Bomb-Sniffing Dogs Headed To Openlands Lakeshore Preserve
Navy Starts Explosives Assessment Of Openlands Lakeshore Preserve

'School Of Rock' Drummer Struck And Killed By Car While Biking

North Shore native Kevin Clark, 32, pursued a career in music after his only movie role. His newest band debuted days before his death.

Fire Chief Larry Amidei Retires After 40 Years Serving Hometowns

The chief of the Highland Park Fire Department started his firefighting career in Highwood soon after graduating Highland Park High School.

Scottie Pippen Lists Highland Park Mansion On Airbnb For Olympics

The 2-time gold medalist is renting out his house for 1-night stays coinciding with the knockout rounds of the men's basketball tournament.
Then: Scottie Pippen Accepts Offer On Highland Park House

Mayor Nancy Rotering Launches Bid For Illinois Supreme Court

The former congressional and attorney general candidate is running for the state Supreme Court's recently redrawn 2nd District.

Owner Of Long-Lost Cat Suspicious Of Circumstances Of His Return

Police are investigating a report that Sammy the cat was stolen by a Highland Park pair who turned him in to an out-of-town animal shelter.

$2.4 Million Scam Attempted By Hacker Posing As School Contractor

The imposter completed a $400,000 wire transfer from North Shore School District 112 before the fraud was detected, the superintendent said.

Sex Offender Ex-HPHS Teacher Charged With Child Pornography Again

The former Highland Park High School substitute teacher and registered sex offender was previously sentenced to four years in prison.

2021 Ravinia Festival Returns To Live Performances, 64 Concerts Announced

Tickets were sold in two phases to allow for updates to coronavirus restrictions.

Highwood Cannabis Dispensary Opens, Highland Park's Expands Sales

With marijuana sales at their highest level yet, some lawmakers look to loosen a legal logjam that's capped the number of pot shops at 110.

Highland Park 2021 Election Results: Stone, Lidawer, Tapia Lead Take Seats

Newcomers Annette Lidawer and Andres Tapia are poised to join incumbent Kim Stone on the Highland Park City Council.

New Census Data Shows Highland Park Growing, Highwood Shrinking

In the past 10 years, Highland Park's population rose by 1.4 percent, as Highwood's fell by 6.1 percent.