Braidwood Journal

Covid cases increase locally as county positivity rate drops

Published by admin on Tue, 01/18/2022 - 5:19pm

Local school districts continue to add positive COVID-19 cases following winter break.

Reed-Custer Superintendent Mark Mitchell reported that as of the start of this week, there were 31 new cases of COVID-19 in the district, including 13 elementary students, four middle school students, and 12 high school students, as well as two staff members. The district's total cases since the start of the 2021-2022 school year is now at 201, which includes 157 students and 44 staff members.

Railroad study comments due by week’s end

Published by admin on Tue, 01/18/2022 - 5:17pm

Local residents have until the end of this week to submit their feedback in the last public hearing before the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) moves to the next step of its rail assessment study.

Public comment will be accepted through Friday, Jan. 21 as part of an ongoing study assessing the state’s rail system to help identify potential improvements and solutions.

Illinois rail study wrapping up with virtual public hearing

Published by admin on Mon, 01/10/2022 - 6:21pm

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is hosting a virtual public hearing through Jan. 21 as part of an ongoing study assessing the state’s rail system to help identify potential improvements and solutions. The event will provide an update on input collected throughout the year on current conditions, capacity concerns and safety challenges.

The event, hosted at www.illinoisrailneeds.org, includes a short video and information on feedback received since the study launched a year ago.

Townes of Braidwood agreements officially inked

Published by admin on Mon, 01/10/2022 - 6:18pm

The city of Braidwood has signed off on a contract with plans to continue developing residential properties inside the once drama-plagued Townes of Braidwood subdivision.

In December, members of the city council approved an ordinance to allow for a development agreement between the city and Ensure Construction, which is owned by Mike Guinta.

The ordinance sets the conditions and responsibilities of both the city and the developer, which include:

Braidwood to get rid of old equipment

Published by admin on Tue, 01/04/2022 - 5:25pm

With two commissioners missing and a short agenda, the Braidwood City Council finished out the calendar year with a quick nine minute meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 28.

Commissioners James Mikel and Ronald Cockream were absent, with Commissioners Doug Money and Fay Smith and Mayor Bob Jones providing a quorum to complete the meeting.

On the agenda was an ordinance authorizing the disposal of personal property owned by the city of Braidwood.

Reed Township board member asks assessor to step down

Published by admin on Tue, 01/04/2022 - 5:23pm

A member of the Reed Township Board of Supervisors has officially requested that the township’s assessor step down.

During the board’s December meeting, Trustee Adam Beaty addressed what he referred to as “ongoing issues” with assessor Melanie Noramczyk.

Braidwood city administrator Tony Altiery addressed issues with the assessor’s office multiple times over the past several months regarding assessments within the city limits.

Two arrested following traffic stop, drug investigation in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 01/04/2022 - 5:20pm

A two-month narcotics investigation by officers with the Braidwood Police Department led to two arrests and the seizure of methamphetamine last week.

On Dec. 27, members of the department conducted a traffic stop on Stanley D. Cochran Jr., 53, of Braidwood, which led to his arrest for driving with a revoked license.

Braidwood to seek $1.7M in property taxes

Published by admin on Tue, 12/28/2021 - 4:39pm

The city of Braidwood has passed its annual tax levy, seeking $1.7 million in property tax funding for the current fiscal year.

Each year, the city of Braidwood and all public taxing bodies adopt a tax levy estimate, outlining a plan to allocate operating funds via anticipated property taxes.

Of the levied monies, $554,649 will be earmarked administration costs in the General Fund. The General Fund is the city’s main operating fund for administration and police protection, however, police protection is appropriated separately.

Blue Santa delivers in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 12/28/2021 - 4:38pm

A season of reaching out and giving back was capped off for the Braidwood Police Department with a memorable event that left everyone smiling.

On Christmas day, members of the police department, Braidwood ESDA, and the city administration tagged along with the Jolly Old Elf for the second annual Blue Santa event.

The group delivered Christmas gifts, two boxes of non perishable food provided by the Community Care Center Food Pantry, and a hot Christmas dinner prepared by Walter “Freak” Kozielski from Top Fuel Saloon to families around town.

2021: The year that was in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 12/28/2021 - 4:36pm

2021 was a busy year in Braidwood, from covid protocols to trains causing headaches to talk of a new solar farm, not to mention a record- breaking Comet football season.

Here, a look at the stories that kept folks in and around Braidwood talking in 2021:

Comet Football Unites Community

This year’s Reed-Custer Comets football team did more than make school history.