Village officials address tragic incident and promote community resources for mental health

A recent Village of Riverside Board of Trustees meeting addressed a tragic incident that impacted the community, highlighting the importance of mental health resources. Village leaders expressed condolences for the loss of a young person from a neighboring community, emphasizing the emotional toll on local residents. They urged anyone struggling with grief or mental health issues to seek help, providing contact information for various support services, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and local resources.

In a lighter moment, the meeting also celebrated the village's Sesquicentennial with the distribution of new street signs to board members as a token of appreciation for their hard work. Manager Francis announced the success of the first auction for classic signs, with a second auction planned for August.

Parks and Recreation updates included the opening of summer camp registration, which has already seen 218 children sign up. Upcoming events include a commemorative puzzle race and various sports programs, with registration filling up quickly.

Additionally, the village received recognition for its fiscal management, earning the distinguished budget award from the Government Finance Officers Association for the 2025 budget. This achievement reflects the dedication of the finance department and staff in creating a comprehensive budget document.

Lastly, officials reminded residents to avoid decorating parkway trees and using extension cords across public areas, as these practices can harm tree health and create safety hazards. The village plans to issue periodic reminders to encourage responsible decorating.