SPORTS HEADLINES

  • Coal City High School held its Signing Day for seniors going on to play collegiate athletics. A dozen seniors have announced their intent to continue their playing careers in college. Those students are: [from left, seated]: Gabe McHugh will play baseball at Kankakee Community College, Dylan Young will join the Augustana College football team and Aiden [AJ] Wills will play baseball for Aquinas College. In row two: Chloe Pluger will play soccer at Eureka College, Sydney Hughes will participate in cheerleading at St. Ambrose University, Kaycee Graff will play softball at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Emma Rodriguez will join the St. Francis University volleyball team, Abby Viano will play volleyball at Joliet Junior College, Madi Petersen will play softball at Wartburg College, Corinna Barlkey is joining the Augustana College soccer team, D’Arcy Ness will play softball at Joliet Junior College, and Juliana Covington will join the softball team at the College of DuPage.

    Coalers sign on to play for new teams
    04/22/2025 - 3:28pm

  • STATE CHAMPIONS! Coal City won the Class 1A state dual team wrestling title Saturday, March 1, defeating Vandalia 32-25 at Grossinger Auto Arena in Bloomington, capping off a 33-7 season. Team members include (kneeling, from left) Jake Munsterman, Jason Piatak, Dom Grassity, Owen Petersen, Culan Lindemuth, Cooper Morris, Luke Munsterman, Brody Widlowski, Bobby Rodriguez, Aidan Kenney, Jaela Vasquez and Addison Harvey. Standing are coaches Joe Widlowski, Zach Berman, Joe Breneman and Jim Looper plus wrestlers Evan Greggain, Mason Garner, Trace Wilson, Landin Benson, John Keigher, Alec Waliczek, Cade Poyner, Noah Houston, Brody D'Orazio, Brock Finch, Alex Carlson and coaches Nick O'Bert, Bob McGuinn and head coach Mark Masters.

    Photo by Eric Fisher

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    COAL CITY COACHES Mark Masters (right) and Jim Looper point out a near pin during the state championship match on Saturday.

    Photo by Eric Fisher

    Coalers reign over the state
    03/05/2025 - 11:27am

  • FOURTH IN STATE—Coaler Aidan Kenney went 3-2 during the IHSA state individual finals to earn fourth place at 144 pounds.
    Photo by Kelly Van Duyne

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    COAL CITY SENIOR John Keigher opened the state tournament with back to back wins at 215 pounds. He finished in fifth place.

    Seven state medals for the Coalers
    02/25/2025 - 3:54pm
  • Eight still in hunt for state medals
    02/22/2025 - 12:14pm
  • Six of 19 area wrestlers win their prelim
    02/21/2025 - 8:41am

  • COAL CITY’s Brody Widlowski (right) won a 4-1 decision over Reed-Custer’s Jeremy Eggleston to become a three-time state qualifier on Saturday. Widlowski has a perfect 24-0 record as he enters the state finals on Thursday.
    Photo by Eric Fisher

    Coalers rule sectional with 13 state qualifiers
    02/18/2025 - 4:22pm

  • COAL CITY HIGH SCHOOLl and Hall of Fame wrestling coach Mark Masters achieved his 500th career dual team coaching win on Friday, Jan. 31. The Coalers hosted Prairie Central and Pontiac in a wrestling doubleheader that evening and won both contests. Masters and the Coalers enter state series action Saturday with the IHSA Regional at Herscher.

    500 wins and counting
    02/04/2025 - 4:03pm
  • KofC Youth free throw contest to be held Jan. 25
    01/21/2025 - 4:24pm

  • Todd Lockwood (standing, second from left) was inducted into the Illinois Track Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame Saturday, Jan 11. Standing by his side while receiving the award was his family: wife Ruth, sons Brett (left) and Drew, and grandchildren Audrey (left) and Harper.

    Wilmington gains another Hall of Fame coach
    01/14/2025 - 4:18pm

  • WILMINGTON JUNIOR Ryan Kettman slips away for a touchdown against DuPec during Saturday’s playoff game on the road. Kettman rushed for a total of 160 yards, scored two touchdowns and made two interceptions in a 22-13 victory.
    Photo by Alyssa Ohlund

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    WILDCAT SOPHOMORE Declan Moran is about to tackle DuPec quarterback Cooper Hoffman for a loss during Saturday’s game. Moran and the Wildcats pressured Hoffman all game including this stopper which had Moran getting up punching air.

    Injury doesn’t stop the ‘Cats
    11/19/2024 - 4:28pm

  • CHARGED UP COALERS—The Coal City football team came out fired up Saturday and took care of business on their home turf, beating Dixon 20-13 to advance to the Final Four teams in the 4A playoffs. Doing his best to electrify Emmett Easton (12) during the Coal City team intro is Coaler super dad Bill Waliczak who is waving the Coaler flag. Coal City gets to come onto the home field one more time, this Saturday at 1 p.m. when they will host Chicago DePaul for the state semifinal.
    Photo by Amy Walker

    Coalers hosting with state berth on line
    11/19/2024 - 4:25pm

  • DIVING FORWARD after making one of his three catches on Saturday is Coaler Gabe McHugh. Coal City advances to the quarterfinal round on Saturday at 1 p.m. when they will host Dixon.
    Photo by Amy Walker

    Coalers set to 'duke' it out with Dixon
    11/12/2024 - 4:14pm

  • THE LADY WILDCATS celebrate a hard-earned point and hopefully there will be a lot more celebration on Thursday at 5:30 when they play for the Sectional Championship in Manteno. Players include (from left) Rachel Smith, Skylar Knight, Molly Southall, Maggie Lindsey and Reese Van Duyne.

    Photo by Eric Fisher

    Let's go Lady Cats! Sectional championship game next
    11/06/2024 - 2:46pm
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    Two local teams to play for volleyball regional championships
    10/30/2024 - 12:10pm

  • THE LADYCATS are conference champs with an overall record of 14-0. Players include (front, from left) Addison Billingsley, Reese Van Duyne, Skylar Knight and Sami Liaromatis. Back row: Maggie Lindsey, Aly Allgood, Taylor Stefancic, Molly Southall, Makenzie Rodriguez, Coach Kelly Van Duyne, Cole Drown, Rachel Smith, Melia Hincherick, Aubrey Strong.

    Courtesy photo

    Lady ‘Cat champs ready for the playoffs
    10/27/2024 - 2:33pm

Wilmington Region

AFTER THE WILL COUNTY Board rejected a special use permit for a 40-acre solar project along Rivals Road in rural Wilmington, Renewable Properties of San Francisco, CA has approached the city for its support.

05/13/2025 - 3:43pm
Rivals Road solar developer offers $$$ for city council's approval
On July 18, 2024, the Will County Board unanimously rejected a special use permit from RPIL, LLC (Renewable Properties of San Francisco, CA for a 40-acres solar facility off Rivals Road in Wesley Township. The 217 residents who signed a petition...
World War II veteran to be laid to rest after 80 years MIA
Landing Pad newest stop for Route 66 memorabila
Holman honored for 20 years of serving the WBSA
Aldermen vote to keep local grocery tax
New owners plan to convert vacant grocery into a youth center

Coal City Region

KINDER, KENT AND KENNELL—Coaler graduates [from left]: Melody Kinder, Owen Kent and Kylee Kennell joined together for a photo prior to Sunday’s graduation ceremony. The three graduates all earned recognition as Acclaimed Coalers for their work in the classroom, participation in school activities and community service.

05/13/2025 - 3:50pm
They're graduates now!
Coal City High School principal Art Stafford opened the Commencement Ceremony for the class of 2025 with this message, “Today is a day of celebration, a day to recognize the effort, determination, and growth that have brought us to this moment.” The...
Chief Harseim makes a final call
Harseim ‘at peace’ with retirement
Constellation's charity fishing tournaments top $1 million
Can you spell W-I-N-N-E-R-S
FBLA students compete at state, three going to nationals

Braidwood Region

FORMER REED-CUSTER softball coach John Varland is surrounded by family after being honored Monday night prior to the Lady Comet softball game.
Courtesy photo

05/13/2025 - 4:03pm
RCHS honors John Varland
Former Reed-Custer softball coach John Varland returned to Comet Park Monday to be honored for his 24 years of leading the Lady Comets to over 452 wins. Coach Varland became the head coach of the Comet softball program in the 1984-1985 season. Over...
World War II veteran to be laid to rest after 80 years MIA
Council terminates Altiery in his new position
Golden Mine owner talks about success, plans to make restaurant even better
Residents cry foul with vote to keep Altiery on the payroll
Braidwood Council to create new position to keep Altiery

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