Braidwood Journal

Outage concludes at Braidwood Station

Published by admin on Tue, 05/08/2018 - 6:30pm

Exelon’s Braidwood Station is back to full power this week.

Just after 6 a.m. on May 1, full power was restored to Unit 1 at the site, following a scheduled refueling outage that began on April 9. The unit was synchronized to the electrical power grid that morning, and reached full power by the afternoon of Thursday, May 3.

The scheduled outages create an economic boon to the city.

This most recent outage brought an additional 1,600 workers to the city for four weeks, benefiting local stores, gas stations, and restaurants.

City puts investment policy in writing

Published by admin on Tue, 05/08/2018 - 6:29pm

A local citizens group has questioned if the city of Braidwood is financially stable. But, city officials insist that things are looking good as the new fiscal year kicks off.

On April 24, the city’s outsourced finance director Maria Alexychuk gave a vote of confidence to the city’s financial practices, telling those gathered at the regular meeting of the City Council that the books look good for the city.

Public transportation becomes a reality in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 05/08/2018 - 6:26pm

After months of planning and working through the contract, the city of Braidwood officially has its own public transport bus.

This week, Braidwood began operating its PACE bus service, bringing to conclusion months of work to bring a public transportation option to the city.

Mayor Jim Vehrs unveiled the new bus during this year’s Red Carpet Corridor Festival on Saturday, May 5. The mayor said the bus finally arrived on Friday night.

Council says no to water rate increase

Published by admin on Tue, 05/01/2018 - 7:01pm

Water bills continue to be a hot topic among Braidwood residents who think their bills are a bit higher than acceptable. But despite those complaints filtering into City Hall, an increase in water rates has now been shot down by council members for a third year in a row.

On April 24, members of the City Council voted to cancel a planned 4 percent annual increase for water and sewer bills.

Teens get a taste of local government

Published by admin on Tue, 05/01/2018 - 6:59pm

Eighth graders from Reed-Custer Middle School got a look at how government runs from the inside, after a day spent with local leaders seeing the ins and outs of City Hall.

City Leaders hosted the third annual Turnabout Day on Tuesday, April 24.

Red Carpet Festival returns to Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 05/01/2018 - 6:57pm

Marking a dozen years of celebration, the Red Carpet Corridor returns to Route 66 this weekend, with music, entertainment, food, and more set to enthrall visitors who stop in Braidwood along the 90-mile trek.

The 12th Annual Red Carpet Corridor Festival hits the Mother Road on Saturday, May 5.

And to help boost the event, Exelon’s Braidwood Station nuclear power plant has made a $1,500 donation to organizers.

Representatives from Exelon and the Braidwood Area Chamber of Commerce announced the donation and promoted the event during the April 24 City Council meeting.

Narcan training provides chance to save lives

Published by admin on Tue, 05/01/2018 - 6:54pm

The opioid epidemic continues to prove deadly across the country.

According to figures released by the Centers for Disease Control in March, emergency room visits for opioid overdoses rose 30 percent in all parts of the country from July 2016 through September 2017.

Those overdoses include a 30 percent increase in cases of men, and a 24 percent increase for women. Most states saw overdoses increase by 30 percent on average, but it was a much worse story in the Midwest, with reported cases of overdoses up, on average, 70 percent.

PACE program inches closer to reality

Published by admin on Tue, 04/24/2018 - 6:05pm

Braidwood’s city leaders said they’re inching closer to finally having PACE transportation service in town.

Plans to lease a PACE van for regional passenger service are in the next phase of completion – getting the city’s drivers certified and ready.

“We went and took the next step, we have our drivers identified and our administrative people are going through the process now. Hopefully, in the next five or six weeks, we’ll have the van here,” city administrator Don Labriola said.

Custer Fire plans the next steps

Published by admin on Tue, 04/24/2018 - 6:03pm

With canvassing complete and final counts certified, Custer Fire officials have moved to the next phase of planning, now that their referendum is officially approved.

On March 20, a total of 333 voters cast ballots in the Custer Fire Protection District’s referendum, approving the referendum to increase taxes by a vote of 194 to 139.

The referendum will allow the fire protection district to keep its fire station and set its own tax rate, rather than be subject to the rate of a neighboring district.

RC Students jump for joy!

Published by admin on Tue, 04/24/2018 - 6:00pm

Students at Reed-Custer Elementary School spent three weeks in late March and early April giving it their all in gym classes, jumping for good health and a good cause.

Physical education teachers Jimmy Matsko, Jennifer Cornelli and Mark Porter led the K-5 students in this year’s Jump Rope for Heart/Hoops for Heart fundraiser and educational program, sponsored by the American Heart Association. And the kids did not disappoint – raising thousands to benefit heart health research projects.