News

Aligned Data Centers to hold open house on 300-acre site near Reed Road

Published by admin on Tue, 02/10/2026 - 4:21pm

Area residents can get a first look at a proposal to build a data center on a site located off Reed and Carbon Hill Roads. Aligned Data Centers, a technology infrastructure company, is set to hold an open house on Tuesday, Feb. 17, to preview their plans to develop a 300-acre parcel south of Reed Road. The event is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Coal City High School, 655 West Division Street. With main offices in Plano, Tx., Aligned has 50 campuses across the nation and others in Mexico and Brazil.

Dial-A-Ride picks up more riders

Published by admin on Tue, 02/10/2026 - 4:10pm

Back in July 2024, Access Will County, a program offering transportation services to seniors and those with disabilities, was expanded to include southern Will County, including Wilmington and Braidwood.
Sheryl Puracchio of Wilmington championed the cause, insisting senior citizens and persons with disabilities should have access to transportation to Joliet and beyond.
“Seniors comprise approximately one-fifth of the total population of Wilmington, higher than the state and national averages,” Puracchio said at the time.

Early voting gets underway after court ruling

Published by admin on Thu, 02/05/2026 - 11:37am

The Appellate Court has ruled on the motion to stay related to an objection to a statewide candidate’s petition. As a result, early voting will begin Monday, February 9, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. at the Grundy County Courthouse, and all requested vote-by-mail ballots will be mailed.

Grundy County Clerk Kay Olson delayed early voting on Feb. 5 due to unresolved candidate objections that were pending. Now that it has been resolved early voting has begun.

EMA already dealing with unpredictable ice

Published by admin on Tue, 02/03/2026 - 3:04pm

Emergency Services Agencies are keeping an eye on the ice-covered Kankakee River, hoping history won’t repeat itself by flooding low-lying areas when the ice breaks free.
Siphoning of warm water from Dresden Power Station’s cooling lake into the Kankakee River is one way to prevent ice jams and flooding as the weather gets warmer. The siphoning discharge was turned on Friday to jump-start the process.
Dennis Housman, Director of Wilmington ESDA, said his fingers are crossed.

A culture that fosters champions

Published by admin on Tue, 02/03/2026 - 3:01pm

There’s a quiet confidence surrounding the Coal City wrestling room these days — not the loud kind that comes from reading headlines or counting trophies, but the steady belief built through daily work, shared expectations and a team that simply refuses to be satisfied.

State, county lawmakers visit city hall

Published by admin on Tue, 02/03/2026 - 2:54pm

On Thursday, Jan. 29, Mayor Todd Lyons and his team welcomed local legislators and county leaders to a breakfast meeting to discuss a variety of topics.
Attending the breakfast were Senators Patrick Joyce and Chris Balkema, state representatives Anthony DeLuca and Jackie Haas. Additionally, Jason Bunting’s Chief of Staff Kira Ebert, Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, Will County Board member Joe VanDuyne, and Executive Director of the Will County Governmental League, Hugh O’Hara.

Against the odds, 8 year old returns home

Published by admin on Tue, 01/27/2026 - 3:46pm

‘Though small for his age, Jacob “Jakey” Veronda, age 8, is a fighter, surviving challenges that would break most people.
The son of David and Holly Veronda of Coal City, Jakey finally went home last week after three months in Lurie’s Children’s Hospital in Chicago. His parent, as well as sisters, Katherine and Kaylee, are relieved that the trials and tribulations suffered are finally past.
The nightmare began last October when Jakey  was feeling out of sorts. No one knew what lay ahead, certainly not his mother, Holly.

Time to turn in prom dresses, volunteer

Published by admin on Tue, 01/27/2026 - 3:43pm

In 2010, Melissa Michalowski, a Whitmore Ace Hardware employee, and her friend Crystal Carr, lost their lives in a tragic automobile accident.
Since then, Whitmore Ace Hardware has created a program to honor both girls, Melissa’s Closet and Crystal’s Jewelry Box.
The goal of the program is to provide $5 prom dresses to local students.
This year, the prom and homecoming dress sale will be held Saturday, March 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Godley Park District.
Seeking donations
and volunteers

Another new business coming to Diamond

Published by admin on Tue, 01/27/2026 - 3:36pm

Spring is still about seven weeks away, but golfers in Diamond won’t have to wait that long to start practicing their swing.
Birdie Barn, an indoor golf facility, is under construction on East Division Street in a building last occupied by Dynamic Fitness.
Co-owner Andrew Glastetter said he plans to open the 3,000-square-foot building by early March.
“We want to give people a fun activity to do that’s in town and good for the community,” said Glastetter, who is partners in the new business with his brothers Nicholas and Christian.

State awards $600,000 for new park

Published by admin on Tue, 01/20/2026 - 3:54pm

Money may not grow on trees, but a new state grant is going to help fund new green space in Coal City.
According to a press release from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, $36 million in grants will be awarded to support 67 local park projects throughout Illinois, with Coal City among them.