Infested Ash Trees Almost Completely Gone from Oak Forest

The Ash tree population in Oak Forest is down to a mere 100 trees—and Oak Forest Public Works expects to have those removed by spring. But what next?

Where have all the ash trees gone? They've nearly all been removed from Oak Forest city limits, in an effort to offset the effects of the Emerald Ash Borer.  The Oak Forest Public Works Department is down to 100 trees due for removal, and they hope to finish by April 1, City Administration Troy Ishler said during a Feb. 12 city council meeting. The remaining trees are mostly in the Bramblewood and Westview subdivisions.  City officials hope to replace ash trees that have been removed within a year. However, the replacement will depend on available funding. The city is currently pursuing grant opportunities to fund the replacement. A recent donation of $25,000 could help the city with its replanting wishlist.  In early 2012, the Oak Forest …

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Brian

3:53 am on Friday, February 15, 2013

Thanks for the detailed answers Rich, truly appreciated.   more ›

Oak Forest Preps for First Major Snow of the Season

Oak Forest public works employees and ComEd are ready for the first snowfall of the year, with plowing and salting plans, and power outage reporting and restoration plans in place.

Get ready Oak Forest, there's white stuff coming and there could be a lot of it. The National Weather Service is calling for between 2 and 4 inches of snow overnight Thursday, Dec. 20, through Friday, Dec. 21. Should Oak Forest see snow, Oak Forest public works workers will hit the streets in plow and salt trucks to clear paths for residents on all 152 miles of city streets and the city's 93 culs-de-sac, to make the roadways drivable for Friday's morning commute and beyond. "Our biggest concern is the high winds, that are going to gust up to 50 mph, and wet, heavy snow on power lines, that could cause power outages," said Public Works's Richard Rinchich. "City trucks are preloaded with salt and ready to go." Residents should abide by snow …

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Careful! Parking at Metra Lot Changed for Construction

Construction on the new Oak Forest Metra Station is going to cause parking at the current Metra Station to change drastically starting Nov. 26. The main lot will be mostly closed, with parking moved to three adjacent lots.

Parking Changes Coming to Oak Forest Metra Station

Construction on the new Oak Forest Metra Station is going to cause parking at the current Metra Station to change drastically on Monday, Nov. 26. The main lot will be mostly closed, with parking moved to three adjacent lots.

Parking at the Metra station on 159th Street in Oak Forest will be a bit trickier starting Nov. 26, as the main lot is shut down due to the construction of the new Metra station at the location. The new station, which broke ground on Oct. 25, is expected to be completed in the Spring of 2013. In the meantime, commuters who take the train are going to have to deal with parking in new spots in three adjacent lots to the station. Handicapped commuters will have spaces consolidated to the west side of the current station, with a new accessibility ramp near the west stairs. Daily handicapped parking payment can be made at the payment box near the parking area. For all other daily commuters, parking is being moved to lots on Oak Street, 157th …

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Good People Doing Great Things: Give 'em a Round of Applause

Think someone went above and beyond for you? Absolutely thrilled with how someone stepped up? Let us know, and we'll highlight them in this brand new weekly Patch feature.

Round of Applause: Recognize Someone for a Job Well Done

Think someone went above and beyond for you? Absolutely thrilled with how someone stepped up? Let us know, and we'll highlight them in this brand new weekly Patch feature.

Enough with the bad news! Patch is ready to brighten your day with news of good people, doing good things—nominated by our readers.  Each week, we'll highlight people our readers think deserve a hearty round of applause—heck, maybe even a standing ovation. You can email your picks to Lauren Traut at lauren.traut@patch.com, or you can post them on our Facebook page.  Don't be shy! We know there are plenty of people making positive contributions to their community! We want to hear all about them! We're working on coming up with a snazzy prize for these fabulous folks, but in the meantime, get those nominations rolling! And now, without further ado, this week's Round of Applause comes from reader Phyllis Berngen, and goes to: I would like to …

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Infested Ash Trees Coming Down Starting Monday

The City of Oak Forest will being uprooting ash trees infested with emerald ash borer beginning Monday, Aug. 20.

Beginning Monday, Aug. 20, the City of Oak Forest will begin removing ash trees infested with emerald ash borer on Ridgeland Avenue between Victoria Drive and 151st Street.  Homer Tree Service will start cutting trees down at Victoria Drive and work north toward 151st Street. Portions of Ridgeland Avenue will be temporarily closed for short periods due to debris removal and necessary cleanup. The work is anticipated to be completed by week’s end, but may be extended, depending on weather conditions.  For further information, please contact the Oak Forest Public Works Department at 708-535-4090. Emerald Ash Borer infestations are not restricted to ash trees on city parkways, according to the city. The city bid the contracted tree removal …

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9 Public Works Jobs Saved By Negotiations, New Contract

Nine OF Public Works employees will remain on the job, after Teamsters and the City of Oak Forest shook on a new contract April 10.

Nine Oak Forest Public Works Department will keep their jobs, after the city and Teamsters Local 700 arrived at a compromise. Aldermen unanimously approved the new contract set to begin May 1, effective through April 30, 2014. The agreement was the product of negotiations and concessions between the two parties, after workers were previously issued notice of layoffs set for April 6.  “We were able to come to a recommendation to avoid the layoffs,” Public Works Director Troy Ishler told the city council. “What you see before you, essentially, is the $90,000 that we asked the bargaining unit for.” The new contract includes the provision that teamster members will take their first 80 hours of overtime and use it towards compensatory time …

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Another Disgruntled Resident

11:48 am on Friday, May 18, 2012

I agree. Patronizing and demeaning is how I find him.   more ›

Job Hunters: Public Works, OF Bowl Hiring Seasonal Help, Kingsberry Looking for Servers

Looking for a job? Patch is here to help.

The City of Oak Forest Public Works Department has five positions open for parttime, seasonal work. According to a representative from Public Works, the “great summer jobs” will deal mostly with cutting grass, although there will be some asphalt patching included, as well as tree removal instigated by the Emerald Ash Borer. Those interested should fill out an application at Oak Forest City Hall by Friday, April 13. Ready to be the king pin of Oak Forest Bowl, at least for the months of May through September? Applications for seasonal positions as porters, servers and bartenders are now being accepted at the bowling alley. Experience is a must for serving and bartending positions, as well as being 18+ years of age. Depending on job …

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Way to Grow: City Will Replace Uprooted Ash Trees

Oak Forest will begin to replace its 1,800 infected ash trees in the fall, thanks to a $20,000 reforestation grant.

Emerald Ash Borer? What Emerald Ash Borer? Come next spring, the addition of $20,000 worth of trees will beautify Oak Forest into "a new suburb" in some areas, said Public Works Assistant Director Rich Rinchich.  The department will use a reforestation grant to help replace some of the roughly 1,800 ash trees pulled from public parkways due to infestation by the metallic green beetle. The ash trees account for roughly 24 percent of the city's urban forest in parkways.  READ: What's That Pink Dot? City Marks Trees Infested With Emerald Ash Borer for Removal "We're hoping we can stretch this grant, and get up to possibly 200 trees replanted," Rinchich said.  The species of tree will be determined according to location, based on the trees' …

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