Free Press Advocate

Cop shop’s safe meetup site goes viral

Published by admin on Tue, 05/30/2017 - 7:49pm

    A man was shot to death in Texas last Thursday, during a Craigslist sale gone wrong. Maybe the timing of that incident led to the viral response the Wilmington Police Department got to its Facebook post on Friday.
    Police Chief Phil Arnold announced through the post that the department created a safe place for residents to buy and sell from sites such as OfferUp and Craigslist. Since then, the department has been receiving thank yous, kudos and thumbs ups from all across the country.

Park Board setting rules for public comment

Published by admin on Tue, 05/30/2017 - 7:45pm

    The Island Park District Board of Commissioners is considering an ordinance setting rules for public participation during its meetings.
    The board currently permits public comment at each meeting, during a period specified for that purpose. Each speaker is limited to three minutes, with a total of 15 minutes per meeting dedicated to public comment. The agenda indicates that board members ordinarily will not respond to presentations, and no action can be taken, although the board may give staff directions in response to the presentation.

Symerton to build its first park

Published by admin on Tue, 05/30/2017 - 7:44pm

    The village of Symerton is planning to annex 1.7 acres of farmland to develop a children’s park and a ballfield — the first for this small town that was founded in 1880.
    Village President Eli Geiss proposed developing a park for the community’s children, and the Village Board agreed. The project has moved forward over the course of the last nine or 10 months.
    “The kids don’t have any place to play up here,” Geiss commented. “We have like 30-some kids, so this will be nice for them.”

Next weekly job fair to be June 1 at Workforce Center

Published by admin on Mon, 05/29/2017 - 8:00am
JOLIET – Area job seekers are invited to attend a weekly job fair hosted by the Workforce Services Division of Will County and the Illinois Department of Employment Security from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, June 1, at the Workforce Center of Will County.
 

First rabid bat of season found in Wilmington

Published by admin on Thu, 05/25/2017 - 3:59pm

    A bat captured by a resident of the 500 block of Barnes Drive in Wilmington last week tested positive for rabies. The Will County Health Department recommended that the resident and six others begin post exposure treatment for rabies.

    On the morning of Saturday, May 20, the homeowner noticed her five-month old puppy playing with a strange object in her backyard. Upon investigation, she discovered that the object was a small bat.

Visitors to Starved Rock for Memorial Weekend Should Be Alert for Travel Delays, Possible Parking Closures

Published by admin on Thu, 05/25/2017 - 1:59pm
UTICA, IL – With large crowds expected to visit Starved Rock State Park near Utica for the Memorial Day weekend, visitors are encouraged to monitor Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Facebook and Twitter feeds for updates on traffic delays and temporary parking closures at the park.
 

Mayor hopes to honor men killed in Vietnam

Published by admin on Tue, 05/23/2017 - 6:15pm

    It was something Mayor Roy Strong didn’t get around to the last time he was in office, so this term its at the top of his to-do list.
    The Baltimore Street bridge over the Kankakee River is named in the honor of former mayor Bob Weidling, who was instrumental in its replacement, as well as the construction of a new water treatment plant and a new city hall. Strong would like to name the bridges over the millrace and Forked Creek to honor two Wilmington boys who were casualties of the Vietnam War.

Orrs to serve as parade grand marshals

Published by admin on Tue, 05/23/2017 - 6:13pm

    Former mayor Marty Orr and former first lady Veronica Orr have been selected to be the grand marshals for the Malcolm J. Mayo VFW Post 5422’s 2017 Memorial Day parade and observance.
    On Memorial Day we honor those Americans who sacrificed their lives in service to our country. They are laid to rest at cemeteries in every town and city in America, and in Wilmington, their graves date back to the Civil War, when the Memorial Day tradition began.

Meals at school to cost a little more

Published by admin on Tue, 05/23/2017 - 6:12pm

    The price of breakfasts and lunches served at Wilmington schools will increase as much as 45 cents for the 2017-2018 school year.
    The Board of Education approved a recommendation made by food service director Tina Brownlee and finance manager Ellen Wandless to increase the price of most meals served in school cafeterias to keep up with rising food costs.
    Brownlee has tried to contain the cost since former First Lady Michelle Obama developed new regulations for healthier school lunches. Fresh produce is a costly item to place on a student’s tray, she added.

WHS graduates the class of 2017

Published by admin on Tue, 05/16/2017 - 9:12pm

    Wilmington High School held commencement exercises for the 127-member class of 2017 on Saturday, May 13. Fifty-nine of the students graduated with honors.