News

New pastor for Assumption, Immaculate Conception

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:48pm

The Diocese of Joliet has named a new priest to oversee Coal City’s Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church and Immaculate Conception Parish in Braidwood.

The Rev. Read Bader began his new assignment on Wednesday, July 1. He replaces Rev. Robert Noesen who was reassigned to serve as pastor of Saint Peter the Apostle Church in Itasca.

Coal City town cleanup scheduled for July 14

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:46pm

The village of Coal City and Waste Management have rescheduled the town’s annual spring cleanup for mid-July.
The clean-up was postponed due to service changes implemented in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The waste hauler has since resumed normal operations and has scheduled cleanup day for Tuesday, July14.
The cleanup will be curbside for Coal City residents and includes a white item, electronics and tire pickup.

Coal City advances treatment plant modernization

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:45pm

Coal City needs to modernize its wastewater treatment plant and one of the first steps in the process is securing the necessary permits.
Town officials plan to submit the project for funding through the Rebuild Illinois Competitive Public Infrastructure Component, a $25 million state program that will award municipalities up to $5 million for infrastructure improvements leading to economic development.

Unit 1 places $34.5 million budget on file

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:44pm

The Unit 1 School District is projecting a $2.7 million deficit in a budget that includes substantial pandemic related expenses.

“Expenditures are up much higher than they were last time and all of that is due to COVID expenditures, return to school expenditures—staffing, PPE [personal protection equipment], other equipment, face masks we’re buying for kids,” said Unit 1 Superintendent Dr. Kent Bugg.

The district’s tentative budget, placed on file at the July 1 Board of Education meeting, outlines $34.5 million in expenses with projected revenues of $31.8 million.

Sinkhole opens up in family’s yard

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:42pm

While area residents were kicking off the holiday weekend on Friday, a family in Braidwood was dealing with an unusual problem.
On the evening of July 3, when 8-year-old Madelynn Dienes went outside to get something out of her parents’ car, she discovered what she described as a giant puddle outside her family’s house on West 3rd Street.

The logistics of getting kids back in school

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:41pm

A new academic year is set to begin in six weeks, and as local school districts work out the logistics of getting kids back in the classroom, the rules keep changing.

“We are planning for the most difficult start to a school year,” said Unit 1 Superintendent Dr. Kent Bugg.

Local girl races to #BackTheBlue

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:36pm

It wasn’t a squad car, but a race car that was parked at the Braidwood Police Department last Thursday.
Ashlyn Heddins, 15, of Godley, and her father Eric made a stop at the police station to show their support for those who protect the community.
On the back of Ashlyn’s Super Cup race car is a thin blue line with the phrase “#BackTheBlue,” to show solidarity with local law enforcement officers. They have been traveling to local police departments asking officers to sign her car so that whenever Ashlyn is racing, she’s racing for them, Eric said.

Industrial tech students return to school to finish projects

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:35pm

Reed-Custer High School industrial technology students headed back to the classroom this week to put the finishing touches on projects that have been sitting incomplete since mid-March when schools suspended in-person classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Students who were in Orientation to Technology, STEM 1 and 2 and Production classes had the opportunity to return to school to finish up hands-on projects that couldn’t be completed at home, such as making their own longboards and guitars.

Coronavirus cases remain low in Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:13pm

The novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is surging again in parts of the country, with cases on the rise in California, Texas, Florida, and other southern states prompting governors to re-issue “safer at home” orders.

But, Illinois has so far seen a slow but steady reduction in cases and deaths due to the virus.

On Tuesday, the state reported 587 new cases of COVID-19, and 37 new deaths.

Wilmington Island Park District gets a new name

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:09pm

Do you know the name of Wilmington’s park district?

It’s a question that can befuddle those who live in town, but district board members hope a change made in late June will alleviate that confusion.

On June 25, the board voted 3-1, with one member absent, on a resolution to officially change the name of the district from the Island Park District to Wilmington Park District. The resolution means the district will pursue that name change after current grant cycles are complete.