Wilmington

Forty years strong: Gorman’s delivers summer favorites in Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 07/14/2020 - 4:44pm

The town is a little bigger and the road a little busier than it was forty years ago. But, little has changed when it comes to the family owned and operated Jim Gorman’s Vegetables stand along Route 66 on Wilmington’s north side.

John Gorman now operates the farm that his parents, Terri and Jim, first opened on the outskirts of Wilmington in 1980. The farmstand opened to the public on Tuesday with its signature supersweet variety bi-color corn.

Wilmington electronic recycling event helps folks go green

Published by admin on Tue, 07/14/2020 - 4:39pm

A long line of cars waited in the sweltering summer heat at Wilmington City Hall on Thursday, July 9, with folks looking to get rid of their old stuff the green way.

Will County held its monthly electronics recycling drop-off in Wilmington last week.

The service is provided free to residents of Will County via the Will County Land Use Department.

Coronavirus cases remain low in Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:13pm

The novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is surging again in parts of the country, with cases on the rise in California, Texas, Florida, and other southern states prompting governors to re-issue “safer at home” orders.

But, Illinois has so far seen a slow but steady reduction in cases and deaths due to the virus.

On Tuesday, the state reported 587 new cases of COVID-19, and 37 new deaths.

Summer reading returns to Wilmington Public Library

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:08pm

It looks a little different from years past, but the Summer Reading Program is back in action at the Wilmington Public Library.

Summer Reading kicked off last week and runs through Aug. 7.

This year’s theme is Dig Deeper: Investigate, Read, and Discover! The library is getting into the spirit with dinosaur bones welcoming visitors at the front door.

Local entertainment ready to return to Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 06/23/2020 - 2:41pm

Illinois is set to move into the next phase of Gov. JB Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan this week.

On Monday, Pritzker released guidelines for the safe reopening of businesses and industries as the state moves to phase four of the five-tiered plan on Friday, June 26.

Included on the list of businesses allowed to reopen are movie theaters and bowling alleys, which will be allowed to open at a capacity of 50% or 50 patrons, whichever is lower.

Let the roadwork begin in Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 06/23/2020 - 2:26pm

City leaders have made a final decision on which local roads will get the construction treatment this summer.

On June 16, the Wilmington Finance Committee approved this year’s Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) projects.

MFT funds are taxes collected by the state at the pump, then redistributed to municipalities, specifically earmarked for road projects.

The city currently has around $428,000 in its MFT fund, but has capped projects to around $300,000, so that the additional funds are available for engineering and other fees.

Wilmington stuck waiting on railroad before water leak can be addressed

Published by admin on Tue, 06/23/2020 - 2:25pm

The city of Wilmington has a water leak problem.

But, getting to the heart of the matter seems to be more complicated than most issues with water main leaks.

In April, the city contracted with M.E. Simpson Company, Inc., of Indiana, to conduct a water survey on 50 miles of the city’s water distribution system. That survey revealed a significant leak in the water main at Main Street and Chicago Street, where city officials said as much as 50% of water is being lost.

Midewin Prairie plans for next phase of the bison experiment

Published by admin on Tue, 06/16/2020 - 4:31pm

July is National Bison Month. And as the celebration approaches, the experts at the U.S. Forest Service – Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie are prepping for the next stage of the five-year-old Bison Experiment.

Kelly Gutknecht, Range Management Specialist with Midewin, gave a webinar presentation on the next phase of the experiment on June 8.

The bison experimental area is roughly 1,000 acres divided into four main pastures with a centrally located handling facility.

“They are here for the purpose of acting as a restoration tool,” Gutknecht said of the bison.

Ladies Auxiliary welcomed back at Wilmington VFW Post 5422

Published by admin on Tue, 06/16/2020 - 4:25pm

After meeting elsewhere for nine years, members of the Ladies Auxiliary are back where they belong—VFW Post 5422.

Officers of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Malcolm J. Mayo Post 5422 recently met with outgoing Commander Terry Cerutti and other board members asking if the post would welcome them back. They broke off from the men’s organization in 2011 and have been meeting at the Wilmington Moose Lodge ever since.

Local clinic sees increase in new puppies, kittens

Published by admin on Tue, 06/16/2020 - 4:22pm

In times of uncertainty, people often turn to animals for comfort. It’s not hard to see why, as countless studies that show the positive impact that pets can have on mental health.

After Gov. JB Pritzker’s stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic left people working from home and staying away from activities with family and friends, many people found there to be no better time to adopt a pet than during the past three months.