Free Press Advocate

Big cat spotted

Published by admin on Tue, 10/31/2017 - 6:28pm

    Laney Cherveny is certain about what she saw last Thursday near the city limits. What she doesn’t know is how many other people may have seen it too.
    She was driving north on Kankakee Street approaching New River Road at 10 a.m. when a car in front of her suddenly slowed.

County to hold public hearing on Wesley roads

Published by admin on Tue, 10/31/2017 - 6:25pm

    Will County Director of Transportation Jeff Ronaldson will preside over a public hearing Monday concerning the maintenance of Wesley Township roads.
    Nearly 40 residents of the rural township signed a petition stating they feel their roads aren’t being maintained, and asking Ronaldson for relief. The roads named in the petition include Warner Bridge, Town Line, Symerton, Martin Long, Hazelton, Ballou, Indian Trail, Donohue, Goodwin, Danielson, Hintze, Thornton Lane, Thornton, Mary Byron and Byron roads.

Fire district making good on its promise

Published by admin on Tue, 10/24/2017 - 7:21pm

The Wilmington Fire Protection District is making good on its promise to taxpayers to improve its response times, even before the dollars to do so that were authorized by referendum reach its coffers.
The fire district asked voters to approve a referendum last April to do just one thing: Allow it to increase staffing to ensure the fastest emergency response possible. At the time, six people manned the fire station at the north end of Main Street at all times, working 24-hour shifts — until somebody was forced back to their regular job and shifts ran short.

‘Bite Out Loud’ makes local launch

Published by admin on Tue, 10/24/2017 - 7:17pm

    It was a handful even for skilled pipefitter. Yet Keith Phelan didn’t hesitate in grabbing one of Nelly’s famed Wildcat burgers with the camera rolling.
    He needed both hands to get a firm grip on half of the sandwich. He opened his mouth wide and took a bite. He nodded his approval and said, “Now that’s what I’m talking about!”
    It was the climax of a video for his new blog, or vlog, “Bite Out Loud” on YouTube in which he intends to feature local restaurants.

City begins talk of water rate increase

Published by admin on Tue, 10/24/2017 - 7:12pm

    City officials agree — it’s time they set politics aside and address a growing need for a water and sewer rate increase, even if it costs them the next election.

Chamber seeks elves, sponsors

Published by admin on Fri, 10/20/2017 - 1:22pm

    The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and Industry needs Christmas elves and sponsors for its annual Elf Contest.
    The contest benefits the Christian Help Association (CHA), which uses the proceeds to provide a holiday meal for the community’s less fortunate families and presents for their children. The CHA helps more than 400 local families each year.
    Children age 5 and under, who are Wilmington residents, are eligible to be elves. They will be photographed in their holiday finery, and their pictures will be attached to donation boxes.

Sit on a bench, find a buddy

Published by admin on Tue, 10/17/2017 - 8:12pm

    A simple bench on the playground is helping students at Stevens Intermediate School make new friends and so much more.
    Fourth grade teacher Angie Rink explained the Buddy Bench concept to the members of the Board of Education last week.
    In spring 2016, Rink was interested in writing an Ecolab Foundation grant, but wasn’t sure what project or program she wanted to write it for. Character education is something she’s been passionate about, and she was drawn to the concept of the Buddy Bench.

Stop means stop!

Published by admin on Tue, 10/17/2017 - 8:10pm

    It happens every school day — drivers ignore or just aren’t paying attention and pass a stopped school bus loading or unloading passengers, putting the lives of youngsters in danger.
    It’s National School Bus Safety Week and Illinois Central School Bus, which provides transportation services to the Wilmington and Coal City school districts, is bringing a national safety campaign to the communities they serve by adopting and promoting “Stop Means Stop.”

Golf cart ordinance approved

Published by admin on Tue, 10/17/2017 - 8:06pm

    An ordinance permitting residents to drive golf carts on city streets was approved Oct. 17 by the City Council.
    Mayor Roy Strong told the License and Ordinance Committee in August that he had been asked by two or three people to make it possible for them to use the popular vehicles to make short hops. One committee member, First Ward Alderman Kevin Kirwin, said golf carts are already being used within his subdivision, Water’s Edge, as neighbors visit neighbors.

Three buildings, so many possibilities

Published by admin on Tue, 10/10/2017 - 7:11pm

    It seems everybody now has an interest in the building the city of Wilmington couldn’t sell a year ago. Wilmington Township is throwing its hat in the ring, and would like to see if the old police station would be suitable for a township administration center.