News

Transfer of one park to move forward

Published by admin on Tue, 09/17/2019 - 8:22pm

by Pam Monson
Editor

No interest in second school crossing

Published by admin on Tue, 09/17/2019 - 8:19pm

Neither the city nor the School District have much interest in moving forward with replacing the school crossing on Baltimore Street, as requested by a concerned north-side resident.
Kelly Van Duyne, who lives in the 200 block of North Joliet Street, asked city and school officials to consider replacing the school crossing at the corner of Baltimore and Joliet streets. She said seven to nine students cross the state highway to get to school on nice days, when they can walk or ride their bikes.

Diamond giving its gaming dollars to residents

Published by admin on Tue, 09/17/2019 - 8:18pm

Video gaming has added more than $345 million to municipal budgets since the first machines were turned on in September 2012.
Some municipalities utilize gaming revenue to bolster the general fund, others put the funds toward road repairs, community programming and beautification.
The village of Diamond has decided to give its share back to residential taxpayers in the form of a municipal utility credit.

Kid’s fishing derby canceled

Published by admin on Tue, 09/17/2019 - 8:17pm

The Wilmington Lions Club’s annual kid’s fishing derby has been canceled for this year.
Organizers Bob and Darla Neises said with the rain early in the season and then the excessive heat, the farm that provides catfish to stock the pond in the South Island Park was unable to do so.
The Lions Club expects to continue the event in summer 2020.

Sale of industrial property results in changes to special service area

Published by admin on Tue, 09/17/2019 - 8:13pm

The sale of 122 acres of industrial property will result in an amendment to the special service area (SSA) the village of Coal City put in place to protect itself in an investment deal struck with a group of developers back in 2013.
At that time, the village board agreed to front about $2 million for the construction of a lead track from the Union Pacific rail line west to the proposed Inland Logistics Park.
The developers have requested the village’s assistance, noting they needed to move forward in a quick fashion in order to market and sell the land.

Blocking Broadway for a burger is a bother

Published by admin on Tue, 09/17/2019 - 8:12pm

It’s a daily occurrence, but when you add road construction and an early school dismissal day, blocking Broadway to get a burger becomes a bigger bother.
Like many in the community, Coal City Mayor Terry Halliday has seen multiple vehicles stopped on Broadway—morning and mid-day— waiting their turn through the McDonald’s drive-thru and wants it to stop.
“I don’t know what we do. Do we have an officer stand at the (intersection) or something in the morning and tell these people to not stop and block the road trying to get into the McDonald’s?” Halliday asked.

An abundance of apples

Published by admin on Tue, 09/17/2019 - 8:09pm

Rocking away on the front porch swing, his dog laying at his feet, Dennis Wills is enjoying his relatively new retirement life.
After 34 years in Shorewood and commuting everyday into the city of Chicago where he worked as an estimator for a large construction company, Wills and his wife Karen, are reconnecting with life in the country.
Dennis grew up in the house the two now call home, and Karen has already told him she, “can’t move back to town.”

Johnston marks last year as homecoming coordinator

Published by admin on Tue, 09/17/2019 - 5:28pm

At the end of the 2019-2020 school year, librarian Janet Johnston will close out her 30-year career in the same place she began — at Reed-Custer High School.
This week, from Sept. 15 to 21, is the last homecoming week that Johnston will help plan and carry out.
Johnston has been a sponsor for Student Council for 28 of her 30 years at RCHS, and she currently sponsors it with English teacher Dave Newsom.

Braidwood residents voice concerns at council meeting

Published by admin on Tue, 09/17/2019 - 5:27pm

The Braidwood City Council meetings in August have produced a few new ordinances, but at the Sept. 10 meeting it was the residents of Braidwood who took the floor.
Several Braidwood homeowners expressed frustrations before commissioners regarding different issues they were facing on their properties and the slow responses they were receiving from the city in resolving them.

Community, teamwork at the heart of band

Published by admin on Tue, 09/17/2019 - 5:26pm

In the upcoming two weeks, the Reed-Custer High School marching band will compete in two parades — the only competitions the band participates in each year.
On Sept. 22, they will travel to Dwight to compete at the Dwight Harvest Days Parade. One week later, on Sept. 29, students will march in the Grundy County Corn Parade in Morris.
Last year, the band brought home first place from both competitions, and that success doesn’t come without everyone rolling up their sleeves and putting in the hours.