Coal City

Testing it out

Published by admin on Tue, 02/20/2018 - 6:42pm

     As the village of Coal City prepares for a major reconstruction of South Broadway it’s looking at everything from lamp posts and landscaping to turn lanes and parking plans.
    One parking concept on the table for review would have drivers back into angle spaces to park, but before town officials make a decision on reverse angle parking the village plans to test the idea.

Coalers add three state wrestlers to the list

Published by admin on Tue, 02/20/2018 - 6:05pm

    Three out of four, we’ll take it!
    Coal City sent four wrestlers to the IHSA state wrestling finals on Thursday and returned homes Saturday with three medals, including Connor Huston (106) with sixth and a pair of seconds from Alex Friddle (120) and Daniel Jezik (160).
    Ryan Wasielewski (145) was just one victory away from earning a medal.
    “I thought we competed probably the best we have all year long,” said Coaler coach Mark Masters. “Ryan had to wrestle a kid that is super tough in the blood round. He wins that one, he is an all-stater.”

Is there an issue with wrestling postseason?

Published by admin on Tue, 02/20/2018 - 6:02pm

    The state individual wrestling tournament is complete leaving us dissatisfied.
    The IHSA may not have a problem deciding who and where regional and sectional tournaments are held, but how teams were assigned this year shortchanged some of the best wrestlers.
    “I do feel the postseason set up is not working, and the IHSA needs to make improvements,” said Reed-Custer coach Jeff Sukley. “How is the big question.”

3A Boys regional set for Monday

Published by admin on Tue, 02/20/2018 - 6:01pm

    The Coal City varsity boys basketball team will enter the 3A Regional at Herscher.
    The Coalers are seventh seed. They will open the bracket on Monday against Bishop McNamara (ninth seed).
    The winner will advance to Tuesday night’s game against the host team, Herscher, who is the second seed.
    If the Coalers are able to reach the Regional Final, which will be held on Friday, March 2, they will face either Streator (3), Pontiac (5) or Prairie Central (11).

Fouls get the Coalers in trouble with the Reapers

Published by admin on Tue, 02/20/2018 - 5:55pm

    The Coal City varsity boys basketball team got off to a quick start Friday night against Plano, but the Reapers rallied in the second half to hand the Coalers a 53-47 defeat.
    “We played very hard for four quarters,” said Coaler coach Keith Kiper. “We got into foul trouble and had a couple injuries that really put us behind. We had some guys step in and give us good minutes to keep us in the game, but we just could not keep the early lead again.”
    Coal City built a 16-9 lead in the first quarter, and held a 31-16 lead at halftime.

Wrestlers bring home state medals

Published by admin on Sun, 02/18/2018 - 10:23am

Four of five local wrestlers who competed in the ISHA state finals returned from Champaign Saturday with medals.

Coal City had three of their four state qualifiers place among the top six to win a medal.

Making it to the championship match were junior Alex Friddle (120) and sophomore Daniel Jezik. Both ended up in second place.

Unit 1 financial position lauded

Published by admin on Tue, 02/13/2018 - 7:59pm

     For a fifth consecutive year, the Unit 1 School District has been recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education for its outstanding financial position.
    The 2018 School District Financial Profile, based on 2016-2017 school year financial data, places the district within the financial recognition range—the highest category. The designation goes to schools who receive an overall score of 3.54 to 4.0 and Unit 1 earned a rating of 3.9.

Home sweet home

Published by admin on Tue, 02/13/2018 - 7:58pm

    On a snowy Saturday morning, Samantha Hill cut through a bright red ribbon to mark the completion of construction on her family’s new home, but that symbolic act means much more for the family of four.
    “This is a very important day for us, it’s one step closer to moving in and starting our life here in Coal City and we’re really grateful,” said Beth Hill, who along with husband, Glen and their two children partnered with Grundy-Three Rivers Habitat for Humanity on the construction on what will be their forever home.

Local wrestlers ready for State

Published by admin on Tue, 02/13/2018 - 7:41pm

    Consider it an off-year for area wrestlers.
    One year ago the three area high schools qualified 21 wrestlers for the state individual tournament in Champaign. This year only five made the cut.
    Wilmington’s Jack Narine (106), along with Coal City’s Connor Huston (113), Alex Friddle (120), Ryan Wasielewski (145) and Daniel Jezik (160) will all be gunning for state medals starting Thursday when they compete in the state finals at the State Farm Center on the University of Illinois campus. Each hopes to make it to the Grand March which begins at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Coalers must beat Clinton to advance to state

Published by admin on Tue, 02/13/2018 - 7:40pm

    After a one-year absence, the Coal City wrestling team is bent on returning to Dual Team State. They won Class 1A state trophies in 2015 (3rd place) and 2016 (2nd place) before getting bumped by Wilmington during the regional a year ago.
    But before they can return as a state dual team qualifier, they need to get through the Gibson City Sectional Tuesday.
    The Coalers enter the Super 16 as the third best team in the state, and will kick things off against a tough Clinton team (ranked fourth). The match will start at 6 p.m.