News

Kernc: “Stop flushing all wipes”

Published by admin on Thu, 03/26/2020 - 3:10pm

“Stop flushing all wipes,” is the continuing call of Diamond Mayor Terry Kernc.
The mayor is joining municipal officials across the state and country in requesting citizens stop flushing wipes—baby wipes, disinfecting wipes and even moist towelettes and cleansing cloths marketed for bathroom use—as these products are damaging public sewer systems and causing sewage backups into homes and businesses.

Senate, House cancel next week’s session once again

Published by admin on Thu, 03/26/2020 - 1:17pm

SPRINGFIELD – Lawmaking remains on hold in Illinois amid the COVID-19 pandemic as the state’s Senate and House each canceled next week’s scheduled session.

The House was scheduled to be in Tuesday through Friday and the Senate was set to be in Tuesday through Thursday ahead of a scheduled two-week spring break from April 6 until an April 21 return.

Pritzker delays Illinois’ tax deadline to July 15

Published by admin on Wed, 03/25/2020 - 6:33pm

Gov. JB Pritzker announced a number of financial initiatives Wednesday to assist owners of bars, restaurants, hotels and other small businesses during the economic slowdown caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Red bills in the mail for past due water bills

Published by admin on Tue, 03/24/2020 - 5:39pm

The village of Coal City sent out 200 envelopes containing red letters advising water users their bi-monthly water bill remained unpaid.
“We sent out the red bill because the due date for the water bill was actually the end of February, so on March 15 it was time for the reminder bill,” Village Administrator Matt Fritz told the Village Board last week.
The reminder bill is the final step before public works employees begin disconnecting water and sewer service and that was on the schedule for later this week.

Liquor license holders get a break

Published by admin on Tue, 03/24/2020 - 5:38pm

Restaurant and bar owners in the village of Coal City are getting a break this year as town trustees directed annual liquor license fees be waived.
By village code the payment of liquor licenses is due April 1 to allow town officials the time necessary to review and deliver renewed licenses prior to their expiration on April 30.
Village administrator Matt Fritz suggested that due to current state mandates in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 that have forced bars to shut their doors, the village look to delay the license fee to mid-April.

Coal City handing out $25 certificates

Published by admin on Tue, 03/24/2020 - 5:37pm

Residential utility customers in the village of Coal City will be receiving a bill and a bonus in the mail next week. The bi-monthly utility bill due to arrive April 1 will contain a $25 Grundy County Chamber of Commerce & Industry gift certificate. This is not an April Fool’s prank. Coal City Village Administrator Matt Fritz reports the village has looked at providing some type of incentive for residents and local business support in the past and given the unprecedented circumstances with COVID-19, it seems like the perfect time.

2020 census begins

Published by admin on Tue, 03/24/2020 - 5:09pm

Every resident of your community translates into a share of state and federal dollars, and city council and village board members are vested in making sure this spring’s decennial census is accurate and thorough.

April 1 is National Census Day.

Building permits on hold

Published by admin on Tue, 03/24/2020 - 5:07pm

The city of Wilmington is adapting the way it conducts business to help slow the spread of COVID-19. To that end, the building department has stopped issuing building permits and projects such as fence installation, roof repairs and home construction are on hold.

Live streaming the word of God

Published by admin on Tue, 03/24/2020 - 5:06pm

No members of the congregation were present at First Christian Church in Wilmington on Sunday, March 15, yet Pastor Dallas Henry could say that the church held its biggest service ever that day.
While not physically there, at least 1,200 people tuned in on Sunday as the pastor spread the word of God right into people’s homes on their smart TVs, computers, tablets or smartphones.

Local businesses fighting to adapt to dine-in restrictions

Published by admin on Tue, 03/24/2020 - 5:05pm

Although the state of Illinois is under a “Stay At Home” order due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that doesn’t mean you still can’t get your favorite meal from your favorite restaurant in town.
Businesses in Braidwood that have primarily been focused on dine-in services have had to find creative ways to serve customers that don’t involve eating at the restaurant, such as curbside pickup and delivery.
At Main Street Pizzeria and Grille, the restaurant has started to deliver to Braidwood, Coal City, Wilmington, Essex, Carbon Hill, South Wilmington and Gardner.