After fall, men in ‘fair’ condition
Two men who fell from a third-story balcony earlier this month remain hospitalized in fair condition, according to a spokesperson for Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood. Mark Walts, a 23-year-old condo resident, and his friend, 22-year-old Gerard Normand of Oak Park, apparently pitched themselves off Walts’ balcony shortly after midnight on the morning of Nov. 2, according to police.
The condition of the two men is improving. Several days after the accident, Walts was listed in critical condition and Normand in serious.
Authorities said alcohol may have been a factor in the incident, though details of exactly what occurred are not clear. Witnesses reported hearing the men argue before they broke through a wooden railing of the balcony at 7212 Jackson where Walts lives. However, family members allegedly told police that the men are close friends.
Students run for Golden Apple
Students in the Proviso East National Honor Society helped raise more than $12,000 for this year’s Golden Apple 5K, a charitable road race held in Forest Park. Students worked with teacher Glen Lid, who is part of the Golden Apple’s scholar program, which repays federal education loans in exchange for teaching in underperforming schools.
Participating students included Darvis PridGeon, Jarrett Aris, DeShaun Adams, Dinishia Wolford, Angela Hamilton, Deja Anderson, Brandon Minor, Jamie Tramil and Elaina Buckner.
New hours, classes at Gaetano’s
Forest Park’s locavore chef and once-a-month cooking coach is changing up services at his namesake restaurant this week.
As of Monday, Gaetano’s chef and owner Gaetano DiBenedetto stopped serving lunch, opting to keep his middays open for group lessons. His three-hour themed classes on the last Saturday of the month have been a hit, often full the week before.
DiBenedetto is scheduling weekday classes for groups of 12 or more. Gaetano’s new hours are 5 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
