Pet earns ‘dangerous’ label for attack
A dog that attacked and killed another recently will be banned from entering Forest Park, according to the village’s animal administrator, and has been deemed a “dangerous dog” under local ordinances.
David Wieczorek, the owner of an obedience school who is contracted to handle such matters for the village, said the owner of the Rottweiler mix has been notified of the decision.
The ruling comes after a Sept. 26 incident at the dog park on Circle Avenue in which the offending animal seized a Yorkshire terrier in its jaws and shook it. Neither of the dogs lived in the village, and neither pet had been registered to use the dog park, according to police.
“Considering the circumstances, we don’t want the dog here in the village,” Wieczorek said.
According to local ordinances, dangerous dogs must be spayed or neutered within 10 days of the finding and can be ordered to complete behavioral training. The owner of the pet has 30 days to appeal the animal administrator’s finding to the circuit court
Tour Illinois’ haunted places
A paranormal researcher who has been featured on the Discovery Channel and the ABC network will lead a library audience this month on a tour of haunted places in Illinois. Chad Lewis, an author for Unexplained Research LLC, has tracked vampires and chased Chupacabras, according to a Forest Park Public Library event schedule. The event will be held at the library and gives patrons specific locations to see supposed haunts. An apparition of Abraham Lincoln, John Dillinger and even a vanishing hitchhiker can all be found with Lewis’ instructions.
The presentation begins at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 in the Austin Meeting Room at the library, located on the corner of Desplaines and Jackson streets.
Board considers new textbooks
It has been 24 years since the youngest students in the district had the advantage of using new textbooks in their music classes, and 36 years for kids in grades five through eight, according to Donna Budil, a District 91 instructor. Budil and middle school Principal Karen Bukowski are asking the school board to purchase new materials as part of a plan to update the entire music curriculum. The two made their pitch at the Oct. 9 board meeting and a vote is expected in November.
The cost of the new materials, which includes books, an audio package and other tools, is estimated to be $63,741. However, if the board votes in December to adopt a restructuring proposal that would group students by grade-level, the estimated cost drops to $36,660, according to Budil’s report. The difference stems from students being able to share textbooks more easily under the proposed restructuring.
Samples of the learning materials are available at the District 91 administrative building on Desplaines Avenue for parents to review.
