Braidwood Journal

Ultimate Rides looks to start construction next month in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 02/07/2023 - 4:48pm

City leaders in Braidwood said the long-awaited construction of a new Ultimate Rides location should soon be underway.

City administrator Tony Altiery reported this week that the specialty car dealership is expected to apply for their building permit this week, with construction currently on track to begin in March.

Altiery said construction of the new site has been hampered over the past two years with high costs and supply chain issues.

Reed-Custer school board gives green light to 23/24 calendar

Published by admin on Tue, 01/24/2023 - 4:58pm

The dates are set for students and staff for the next calendar year at the Reed-Custer School District.

On Jan. 18, the board of education approved the calendar for the 2023-2024 school year.

Superintendent Mark Mitchell said the calendar was presented to staff as well as the board in the month prior to final approval. The school year will kick off on Aug. 14 as the first day of student attendance. Teachers will attend two institute days the week prior to the return of students.

Braidwood to install license plate readers near schools

Published by admin on Tue, 01/24/2023 - 4:55pm

The Braidwood Police Department is getting another tool for law enforcement investigations, this time with an emphasis on keeping the area safe where school is in session.

On Jan. 18, Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow presented the Braidwood Police Department with a check for $5,000 to install a Flock Safety camera, which is expected to be placed near the high school and middle school campus.

The presentation was made during the regular monthly meeting of the Reed-Custer Board of Education, since the camera will be located near the school district grounds.

Reed-Custer facility improvements near the finish line

Published by admin on Tue, 01/24/2023 - 4:47pm

The warmer than normal January weather has allowed work to continue on the facility improvements at the Reed-Custer School District.

Superintendent Mark Mitchell reported to the board of education on Jan. 18 that the last portion of the slated work is well underway.

“We have the final stage of the outdoor field improvements, the bleachers and press box,” Mitchell said. “They have those demo-ed, and they’ve been in the process, luckily the January weather has let them pour some concrete pillars. They’ve done a nice job.”

Wietting to stay on the ballot in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 01/17/2023 - 5:38pm

Public Buildings and Property Commissioner Warren Wietting will stay on the ballot for the April 4, 2023 consolidated election.

Last month, Wayne Saltzman filed an objection to Wietting’s petition for the seat, where he is currently the incumbent, in the spring election. Saltzman argued that Wietting made an error on his petition, using his mailing address—which is also his business address for Warren’s Collision Center on EZ Street—at the top of the petition, while writing in his residential address at the lower half of the form below the required signatures.

Braidwood seeks public input on Comprehensive Plan

Published by admin on Tue, 01/17/2023 - 5:36pm

The city of Braidwood and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) are working hand in hand to create a new Comprehensive Plan for the city.

But the next step in moving ahead with the process is to get residents involved.

On Jan. 10, CMAP Senior Planner Stephen Ostrander explained the planning process to the City Council and to members of the public during the council’s regular meeting.

The city’s last comprehensive plan was completed in 2004.

Dumping ground

Published by admin on Tue, 01/17/2023 - 5:34pm

The city of Braidwood is making plans to get the most out of what’s left after everyone flushes the toilet.

On Jan. 10, the City Council approved the purchase of a building from Freedom Buildings of Iowa, for a total of $65,743.

Freedom Buildings specializes in weatherproof agriculture buildings – fabric cover structures commonly used for storage of hay, grain, fertilized, commodities, grain, wheat, and machinery.

Braidwood administrator: Garbage bids available to public

Published by admin on Tue, 01/17/2023 - 5:31pm

Now that the delivery of new garbage cans is complete, city leaders said they’re ready to answer questions, comments or criticisms on the switch from Waste Management to Environmental Recycling and Disposal.

During the Jan. 10 regular meeting of the City Council, city administrator Tony Altiery addressed questions on social media seeking out more information on the switch. Alriery said several people had requested the city post all of the bid packets received. But, he added, the packets are a bit lengthy.

Infrastructure projects kept Braidwood busy in 2022

Published by admin on Tue, 01/17/2023 - 5:29pm

It may not have been obvious on the outside.

But Braidwood’s city engineer said the year was a flurry of work behind the scenes.

On Jan. 10, city engineer Dave Weber of Robinson Engineering gave a brief year in review for the city’s engineering needs in 2022.

Weber noted that a significant amount of work was poured into Infrastructure projects for the water department, including a new motor and piping as part of the Well #4 rehab project.

“It’s significant to the water supply in the city,” Weber said.

Braidwood PD has a successful year in 2022

Published by admin on Tue, 01/03/2023 - 4:37pm

The Braidwood Police Department was busy in 2022, clearing cases throughout the year that spanned gamut from sex crimes to burglary.

Braidwood Police Chief Todd Lyons said a number of higher profile cases came across the desks of detectives and officers in 2022. Cases included a month long vehicle burglary investigation that took place over the summer, an arrest for grooming, various drug arrests, alleged money laundering by a local contractor, and the case of a missing man whose body was discovered in rural Kankakee County. All cases were closed during the year.