I’m Zayna, your newsletter editor, here to provide you with a weekly line to The North Star and the news. We’ll keep you updated about what’s going on right here in Naperville and break down the big stories. Remember to check out On the Record, Polaris recipes and, bringing back an old favorite, our weekly crossword!
Here's what's going on locally:
The City of Naperville held a meeting to discuss renovations to 248th Ave. on Wednesday.
The City of Naperville held a meeting on Dec. 8 to improve a portion of 248th Ave. that runs from 95th St. to 103rd St. As the city is home to approximately 145,000 people, Naperville roads are frequently traveled on and must be kept fully functional. Why are renovations being made to 248th Ave., and how can Naperville citizens voice their concerns?
- The goal of the reconstruction is to create a better driving and recreational experience for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. Beginning in 2024, the project aims to install new pavement, curbs and gutters, to connect bike paths on the west side of the avenue and to build a new sidewalk on the east side of the avenue.
- The project will last approximately 12 months.
- Naperville citizens were given the opportunity to provide their thoughts on the project at its final public information meeting on Thursday, Dec. 8. At the meeting, city staff presented possible alternatives, discussed the project timeline and answered questions from residents of the city.
In NNHS news...
From The North Star:
Naperville North High School’s varsity dance team placed third at the NNHS Dance Invitational on Monday. Read the full story here.
Polaris recipes: Try this old Jewish recipe for potato latkes.
Try your hand at this week’s crossword here!
On the Record: Listen to Polaris' music podcast here.
Now, let's take a look at this week's national stories.
Here’s what you need to know about the Omicron variant:
After first being detected in South Africa about a month ago, it’s official: the Omicron Covid-19 variant has now reached the United States. As of Dec. 7, state officials have confirmed the first official case of the Omicron variant in Chicago. The reported Chicagoan was fully vaccinated -- this included the booster shot -- and fortunately only experienced mild symptoms, therefore not requiring hospitalization. Let’s explore what this means for those of us living in the Naperville area:
- Overall, Covid-19 cases in the area have started increasing. Local health experts are keeping an eye on these numbers, and according to DuPage County Health Department Director of Client Access, Adam Forker, it is difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for this.
- A notably crucial factor in this increase in cases is the waning immunity from vaccinations. Essentially, this means that the antibodies produced by the human immune system after being vaccinated start to decrease over time.
- In order to counteract waning immunity, Forker urges “any adult who is 18 and older, had that primary Pfizer or Moderna six months ago or more, their initial J&J two months ago or more, [to] go out and get a booster.”
- In these early stages, the Delta variant is still largely dominating the makeup of current Covid-19 cases in the state. Although Omicron is still in its very early stages of establishing itself in Illinois, it is more than likely that it will overtake the Delta variant.
- Edward Hospital Medical Director of Infection Control and Prevention Dr. Jonathan Pinsky warned community members as we enter the holiday season that despite not being more deadly than any other Covid-19 variant thus far, Omicron’s mutations indicate that it is much more transmittable. Those interacting with others unmasked, despite being vaccinated, are still susceptible to the contagious infection.
- “I think it’s smart to try to limit those kinds of high-risk interactions to the really important people in your life,” Pinsky said. “Christmas with your mother and father, your immediate family.”
And a hate crime against actor Jussie Smollett gets revisited.
On Jan. 29, 2019, Jussie Smollett, former “Empire” star, informed public authorities that he had been assaulted by two men in the early morning. He claimed that two men had placed a noose around his neck and poured an unknown substance on his face while yelling racial and homophobic slurs. However, after a police investigation, Smollett, in his trial almost two years later, is the one facing charges.
- At the moment, Smollett is being tried on six counts of disorderly conduct for allegedly filing false reports to police.
- However, Smollett’s attorney, Nenye Uche, insists that he “is a real victim” of a “real crime.” Uche stated that the two brothers, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, assaulted Smollett because they did not like him.
- The brothers stated that Smollett desired to stage an attack because he was disgruntled with how the TV studio handled a hate letter he had received. Abimbola stated that Smollett instructed the brothers on how to punch him as well as other acts of aggression. During the actual event, the brothers yelled at and assaulted Smollet, placing a noose around his neck and pouring bleach on him.
- While testifying, Smollett was asked whether he paid the brothers $100 for supplies used in the attack, and he denied the allegation. Smollett also stated that a $3,500 check to Abimbola was for nutrition and training advice. He said, upon being asked if the entire encounter was a hoax, that “there was no hoax.”
- Expressing distrust in police, Smollett stated that he had not wanted police to be contacted, despite a friend calling officials upon Smollett’s return to his apartment. When asked why, he didn’t allow police to look through his phone, claiming to want to preserve his privacy.
This week’s news was written by Bella, Zea and Jack
Photo credit to the City of Naperville
Thank you to our readers for a wonderful first semester. Happy holidays from all of us at Polaris and The North Star, and we will see you all again in January!