Free Press Advocate

Food for the gap times

Published by admin on Tue, 03/27/2018 - 7:23pm

    It’s neighbors helping neighbors, with no sign ups, no income restrictions, no names. No strings attached. If you’re in need of a meal, food is available to you 24 hours a day, seven days a week — holidays included.
    A micro pantry was installed at The Center, 35445 Washington St. in Custer Park on March 17, one of several in the area. Micro pantries are self-sufficient food pantries intended to help during the lean times between food pantry visits or paychecks.

Water rate increase heads to council

Published by admin on Tue, 03/27/2018 - 7:18pm

    A proposal for an increase in the city water rate was forwarded to the City Council for final approval.
    At the request of the Water, Sewer, Streets and Alleys Committee, the superintendents of the water and wastewater systems, Pat Nugent and Darin Fowler respectively, developed long-range plans for each system that address regular maintenance, expansion and replacement of outdated infrastructure. A proposed increase in the rates and fees charged for city water service is the first change to be sent to the council for consideration.

Yard waste collection resumes next week

Published by admin on Tue, 03/27/2018 - 7:17pm

    Yard waste collection will resume in the city of Wilmington during regular garbage pickup on Thursday, April 5.
    Yard waste must be placed in kraft paper bags, which can be purchased from local retailers, or in a 96-gallon yard waste tote available for rent from Waste Management. Call the waste hauler directly at 800-796-9696 to obtain a tote.

In shadow of Parkland, 209-U discusses safety

Published by admin on Tue, 03/20/2018 - 6:34pm

    The School District 209-U Board of Education was asked to approve a resolution supporting local control to develop student safety and protection plans — namely, to arm staff to protect students.
    Larry Kaitschuck, a lifelong resident of Wilmington, WHS graduate and professional firefighter/paramedic, became a firearms instructor when he retired from the fire service in 2014.

Travel team hopes to avoid shut-out

Published by admin on Tue, 03/20/2018 - 6:21pm

    With questions about whether the Wilmington Baseball and Softball Association would be making a profit off a proposed lease for the island ballfields, and concerns about control issues, the council’s Buildings, Grounds, Parks, Health and Safety Committee decided not to support the agreement.

Contractor did, and didn’t cause main break

Published by admin on Tue, 03/20/2018 - 6:15pm

    Work that will result in a new section of water main under the Union Pacific tracks indirectly caused the water main break that put the entire north side of town under a boil order Friday into Saturday.
    Excavation subcontractors were digging on Kankakee River Drive east of the railroad tracks on Thursday, near the 16-inch water main that will be replaced in the high speed rail project. A new sleeved section will be pushed under the tracks and connected with the existing main.

Kankakee Street crossing closing next week

Published by admin on Mon, 03/19/2018 - 4:46pm

    The contractor rebuilding the Union Pacific Railroad crossing at Kankakee Street announced last week that it planned to close the thoroughfare March 27, according to city administrator Scott Murphy.
    Kankakee Street will be closed from Canal Street to the tracks.
    The closure had been slated to begin March 12, but was delayed waiting for Nicor to address some utility issues, The Free Press Advocate was told.

Boil order continues in Wilmington

Published by admin on Fri, 03/16/2018 - 3:11pm

    Contractors and the city public works department finished repairing a broken water main on Wilmington’s north side around 2:30 p.m. Friday, but residents who now have water at the tap remain under a boil order.
    Residents are advised to boil their water for at least five minutes prior to consumption until the order has been lifted.

Water rate rises in Lakewood Shores

Published by admin on Tue, 03/13/2018 - 5:28pm

    The cost of water in Lakewood Shores has gone up, because the subdivision was having trouble paying its bill from the city of Wilmington, which supplies its water.

Wilmington still safe, with little serious crime

Published by admin on Tue, 03/13/2018 - 5:24pm

    All in all, Wilmington remains a safe community. A look at the police department’s 2017 Uniform Crime Report indicates no trends between years and no sharp increases in any crime category.
    “We have no major crime trends here, and that’s a good thing,” commented Police Chief Phil Arnold.