News

Kinizinger announces card drive for veterans

Published by admin on Wed, 03/03/2021 - 12:49pm

OTTAWA, IL – Kicking off the month of March, Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) and his staff will once again be collecting greeting cards and letters for the residents of the Illinois Veterans Home – La Salle. This year, the card collection will also go to the residents of the Danville and Hines VA Hospitals. Members of the community are welcomed and encouraged to participate in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with our local heroes by participating in this holiday card drive.

In making the announcement, Congressman Kinzinger released the following statement: 

Collaboration helps Elwood quickly nab murder suspect

Published by admin on Tue, 03/02/2021 - 5:57pm

It’s been more than 10 years since police in Elwood were called out to investigate a homicide.

When the call came in of a shooting along Baseline Road on Friday, Feb. 26, the officers in Elwood were able to utilize help that wasn’t there the last time the village saw a murder. And that assistance helped the village police department make an arrest in the case the very next day.

The victim, 30-year-old Robert Bigger of Shorewood, was found dead in his vehicle around 4 a.m. Friday morning.

Long awaited turn lanes coming to River Road in Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 03/02/2021 - 5:54pm

Anyone who has ever traveled into the city of Wilmington by way of River Road knows that turning right onto Kankakee Street is a “do at your own risk” adventure. While the roadway does not provide a right turn lane, many drivers illegally utilize the shoulder as a turn lane anyway, to avoid being stuck from behind by impatient drivers, often semi trucks, going straight on River Road.

Now, things are about to change.

Wilmington Library offering assistance in registering for vaccine

Published by admin on Tue, 03/02/2021 - 5:53pm

The Wilmington Public Library District is offering assistance to anyone who wishes to register with the Will County Health Department to receive the COVID-19 vaccine shot.

Library Director Maria Meachum said anyone who doesn’t have a computer or is hesitant to apply online can call the library and staff members will step them through the process.

Cast, crew gearing up for WHS performance, ‘Cinderella’

Published by admin on Tue, 03/02/2021 - 5:51pm

The WHS performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” is just around the corner.

WHS students involved in the musical have been practicing after school to prepare for their upcoming shows.

The performances will be on Thursday March 11, Friday March 12, and Saturday March 13 at 7 pm, and Sunday March 14 at 2 pm.

Last year’s performance of “High School Musical” took place right before the COVID-19 lockdown started, and was held with a limited audience.

Amazon makes half million dollar investment in Will County

Published by admin on Tue, 03/02/2021 - 5:48pm

A drive along I-55 or Route 53 toward Joliet is all anyone needs to see the increased presence of e-commerce giant Amazon in Will County.

Now, Amazon has pledged funds into the region for workforce and economic development.

On Feb. 25, the Community Foundation of Will County (CFWC) announced that Amazon has donated $500,000 to invest in workforce development and education in Will County.

Braidwood City Council tables contested budget amendment

Published by admin on Tue, 03/02/2021 - 5:44pm

The only ordinance on the agenda for the regular meeting of Braidwood City Council was tabled Feb. 23.

That came following public comment against Ordinance 21-04- an ordinance to amend the annual budget and appropriations for the city of Braidwood for FY2020-2021.

Finance Commissioner Wayne Saltzman chose to table the ordinance until the next meeting. Saltzman said it was “his right” and City Attorney Bryan Wellner confirmed no other action was necessary.

Vaccine doses set to increase with third option available

Published by admin on Tue, 03/02/2021 - 5:37pm

The state of Illinois is expected to receive thousands of doses of the new Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, March 3.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported this week that 83,000 doses of the new vaccine, which received emergency authorization from the FDA late Friday, is expected to be shipped out primarily to mass vaccination sites in the state. The remaining doses will be shipped to other providers across the state.

Halliday fed up with ‘unvetted’ legislation

Published by admin on Tue, 03/02/2021 - 5:12pm

Illinois House Bill 3653 has its supporters and its objectors, and it has the mayor of Coal City, “fed up” with what he calls unvetted legislation.
About 48 hours after Gov. JB Pritzker signed the massive criminal justice reform package into law on Feb. 22, Coal City Mayor Terry Halliday pointed to a scenario he had heard in a clip from the Grundy County Board’s February meeting.
The scenario chief deputy John Nicholson used to interpret the provisions outlined in the new law involved a trespasser—an uninvited and unwelcome guest—sitting on a person’s patio.

Unit 1 prepares for return to full day instruction

Published by admin on Tue, 03/02/2021 - 5:06pm

Coal City schools will return for full day instruction next week, marking the first time in 51 weeks that students will spend an entire day in the classroom.
“Our school district is very excited to welcome our students back to a full day of school,” Superintendent Dr. Kent Bugg stated in his weekly COVID update.
Since the start of the school year in mid-August, the district has provided a hybrid model that offers both in-person and remote learning, with students in class for four hours per day with an additional hour of remote learning at home.