SPORTS HEADLINES

  • State Champions!
    09/28/2022 - 4:23pm

  • ON THE RUN after catching a pass from quarterback Ryder Meents (12) is Wilmington senior Hunter Hayes who finished Friday’s game with a 16-yard catch.
    Photo by Alyssa Ohlund

    Comets vs Wildcats: A clash of titans
    09/28/2022 - 4:20pm
  • The best touchdown of the night was for the opposition
    09/28/2022 - 4:14pm

  • GOING TO STATE! The Reed-Custer Middle School A softball team won the sectional title on Saturday at Bishop McNamara School in Kankakee. The Lady Panthers now advance to state, playing on Friday at Champions Field in Normal. Team members include (from left, kneeling) Gracie Robinson, Amber Syc, Reese Brown, Caysie Esparza, Kamryn Wilkey and Peyton Landgraff. Standing are assistant coach Taylor Meents, head coach Lynn Zoltani, Kamrynn Skonetski, Sophie Moyers, Kirstin Klein, Taylor Bova, Brooklyn Gonzalez, Mackenzie Foote, Atiana Hood, Harlie Liebermann and helpers Addi Brown and Mya Beard.
    Courtesy photo

    Lady Panthers rally to advance to state
    09/20/2022 - 6:08pm

  • SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS after giving a second effort to gain a critical first down late in the game at Peotone Friday is Wilmington running back Kyle Farrell.
    Photo by Elaine Ohlund

    'Cats won't look past Herscher on Homecoming
    09/20/2022 - 6:05pm

  • ALL CONFERENCE GOLFERS (from left) included Coal City’s Dakota Clubb, Kylee Kennell and Emma Varnak on Monday.

    Lady Coaler golfer capture 1st place during IC8 tourney
    09/20/2022 - 5:57pm

  • THE COMET DEFENSE was relentless against Elmwood Park as defenders Nick Cieslak, Rex Pfeifer and Quy Nguyen sack the team's punter near his end zone. They will have to be just as fast this Friday at Arcola.

    Comets must target Arcola's quarterback
    08/30/2022 - 5:38pm

  • SENIOR BRADEN REILLY makes a move to avoid the approaching Morris defender Ryan Wolenczuk as he gains yardage in the Coaler’s season opener with neighboring Morris.

    Coalers regroup with Bishop McNamara up next
    08/30/2022 - 5:31pm

  • A BIG STOP late in the game was made by Ryan Nelson (25), Joel Greenridge (33) and Cade McCubbin against Marengo. While Wilmington’s defense is young with mostly juniors and sophomores, it is quick and will have to get to the ball against Lisle at home Friday.

    Lisle coming to town with momentum
    08/30/2022 - 5:17pm

  • THE REED-CUSTER Middle School seventh grade baseball team won the IVC conference title. Team members include (front, from left): Jagger Garcia, Kaiden Klein, Matt Kuban, Cole Yeates, Brayden Landgraf and Kenny Hopf. Back row: Coach Alex Bielfeldt, Josh Creger, Trent Boudreau, Reed Newbrough, Chase Isaac, Caedon Baumgartner, Damien Sanchez, Coach Evan Ehringer and Coach King.

    The title goes to RMCS B team!
    08/30/2022 - 5:14pm

  • THE 8tH GRADE LADYCAT sotball team won the IVC Championship on Saturday, beating Reed-Custer 7-4. Team members include (kneeling, from left) Aubree Jandura, Samantha Liaromatis, Keeley Walsh, Nina Egizio, Madisyn Rossow, Taryn Gilbert and Chesnee Geiss. Standing are Sophia Albright, Taylor Stickel, Taryn Talley, Aly Allgood, Autumn Lancaster, Ashlyn Warriner and Addison Billingsley.

    WMS 8th grade earn IVC tourney title
    08/30/2022 - 5:10pm

  • THE WILMINGTON MIDDLE school B team ended the season with an overall record of 11-3 and conference champs. Pictured (front, from left): Alli Stallings, Lilly Govero, Kelsie Roeder, Emilie Strong, Natalie Strohm & Carsyn Hansen. Backrow (from left): Coach Floyd Combs, Taylor Tenn, Payton Govero, Peyton Adams, Madisen VanDuyne, Aubri Christiansen, Coach Kaitlyn O'Donnell & Coach Jack Skole.

    WMS JV girls rout CCMS for title
    08/30/2022 - 5:07pm

  • Photo by Ann Gill
    CARRYING THE BALL for the JV Miners during Saturday’s game against Wilmington is Luca Chellino.

    Miners split levels with Bobcats to start season
    08/16/2022 - 2:14pm
  • Headrick sharpens his stuff, picks up first two wins at Double-A
    08/16/2022 - 2:13pm

  • Photo by Angela Rose
    BREAKING FREE for a long touchdown run during Saturday’s youth football jamboree is Braidwood Jr. Comet varsity running back Jesse Tresouthick.

    Jr. Comets play Manteno well, were close to wins at JV and Varsity levels
    08/16/2022 - 2:12pm

Wilmington Region

10/04/2022 - 4:24pm
Wilmington 209-U set to replace HVAC at SIS
Wilmington School District 209-U is one step closer to finally getting a fix for its broken A/C at Stevens Intermediate School. In September, the board of education approved plans to move ahead with Precision Controls, a company the district has...
Break-in at Wine Cafe in Wilmington damages video gaming terminals
Facade improvement grant approved for Route 66 Bar and Grill
Solar farm slated for West River Road
Wilmington collecting data on city’s strengths and weaknesses
Cold storage petition gets green light from Wilmington zoning board

Coal City Region

Courtesy photo
THE COAL CITY Community Unit Education Association—the local teachers union—began a new program this year to recognize the district’s outstanding teachers. The Star Teacher program provide union members with an opportunity to celebrate their colleagues and feature them in the annual homecoming parade. This year’s Star Teachers are [from left]: Jackie Larson, middle school; Katie Ludes, elementary school; Kim Haab, early childhood center, and Amy Gaffigan, intermediate school. High school staff member Sara Anderson is not pictured as she was busy with other parade assignments as co-sponsor of the Student Council.

10/04/2022 - 5:05pm
Unit 1 teachers are Stars
Some might say teachers in the Unit 1 School District are out of this world, and when it comes to lighting up education there are a few that shine bright among their peers. In recognition of all they do for their students and the school community,...
Coal City seeking $633,000 to repair homes
5K supports breast cancer fighters, survivors
Property annexations back on track
Lady Coalers give Wilmington the boot
A life devoted to public service

Braidwood Region

GOLF CARTS ARE parked at Old Smokey City Park during Summerfest in July. The golf cart ordinance has received a lot of attention this year, most recently as one member of the public asked the city to consider adding UTVs to the list of vehicles that can be included in the ordinance. Free Press file photo.

10/04/2022 - 4:32pm
Golf cart ordinance still the center of debate in Braidwood
The issue of golf carts on city streets returned to city leaders in Braidwood once again, after another resident of the community came to council with questions. Christopher Wietting approached the city council during their regular meeting on Sept....
Finding a place for man’s best friend in Braidwood
Braidwood approves new excavator purchase
Enterprise Drive change back for another vote in Braidwood
Braidwood answers questions on trucks through town
Braidwood Fire district plans for live fire training facility

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