Wilmington

GoFundMe created for Wilmington search-and-rescue dog

Published by admin on Tue, 06/16/2020 - 4:18pm

A GoFundMe fundraiser was created Monday to help cover medical costs related to a Wilmington ESDA search-and-rescue dog’s surgery.

The surgery will benefit Hunter and his owner and trainer Bill Bailey. Hunter is a 6-year-old German Shepherd who has just gotten home from the University of Illinois Veterinarian Clinic after having surgery for discospondylitis, which is an infection of a disk in his lower back and a urinary tract infection.

Wilmington woman arrested for attack on man who later died

Published by admin on Mon, 06/15/2020 - 8:14am

Wilmington Police responded to the 1200 block of  Towpath Lane Friday evening after receiving a 9-1-1 call that a 71 year old disabled man had been attacked in his home.

On arrival they were met by the victims niece (who is also his caretaker) and another woman who lives in the home who stated that when they had returned after being out, they found the victim, Sherrell “Bud” Martin in his chair bleeding from the head and face and called 9-1-1.

Peaceful protest takes place in Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 06/02/2020 - 3:38pm

The death of a black man while in police custody in Minneapolis late last week prompted protests across the country, and Wilmington was no different.

A small group of about 25 people stood along Baltimore Street on Sunday, May 31, holding signs in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. The group promoted their protest on social media, and attracted residents from Wilmington, Coal City, Elwood, and Joliet.

Wilmington stores back in business

Published by admin on Tue, 06/02/2020 - 3:27pm

As Gov. JB Pritzker’s stay-at-home order expired last week, businesses around Wilmington opened their doors, many for the first time in more than two months. The end of the order came as Illinois entered into Phase 3 of the governor’s Restore Illinois plan, a five-step plan designed to move the state forward during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But before those Wilmington businesses opened up, the members of the Wilmington City Council met for a special meeting on May 28, to establish some rules for bars and restaurants anxious to welcome customers back.

Wilmington to seek grant funds for water main repair

Published by admin on Tue, 06/02/2020 - 3:22pm

The city of Wilmington will seek federal grant funding for infrastructure work along Kankakee Street.

On May 1, the city submitted an application for a Community Block Development Grant (CBDG). The federal funds used for the grants are administered through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

A public hearing regarding that application was held on May 19.

Local townships lagging in completing census

Published by admin on Tue, 06/02/2020 - 3:19pm

Despite the fact it is only June, 2020 has already been a jam-packed year. And although the COVID-19 pandemic and national protests are stealing all the headlines lately, 2020 is also important for another reason:

The Census.

The state of Illinois has spent $29 million on outreach efforts through the Illinois Department of Human Services, aimed at getting folks to fill out their census forms as soon as possible.

While the total self-response rate to the census in Will County is high at 73.1%, some areas are lagging behind.

Catfish Days still a go, for now

Published by admin on Tue, 05/26/2020 - 5:34pm

As the state of Illinois looks to move to the next phase of the governor’s plan to reopen, plans in Wilmington to try to get back to life as we knew it this summer are ongoing.

The Catfish Days committee has opted not to pull the plug on this year’s festival, instead deciding to wait and see how the state progresses through the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Catfish Days Committee chair Marty Orr updated the members of the city council last week on plans for the annual festival, currently scheduled to take place July 23-26.

Wilmington looks to tweak zoning code for industrial zones

Published by admin on Tue, 05/26/2020 - 5:25pm

The city of Wilmington is looking to add some clarity about what is allowed inside areas zoned I-1, office, research, and light industrial district.

Specifically, whether folks should be allowed to live inside any of those districts.

The issue came for discussion on May 12 before the regular meeting of the city’s ordinance and licensing committee.

Per city code, there are multiple approved uses inside an I-1 area, including but not limited to banks, clinics, hotels and motels, laboratories, office buildings, and manufacturing.

Riverside hosts drive-thru COVID-19 testing in Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 05/26/2020 - 5:23pm

More than 70 Wilmington residents decided to get tested for the novel coronavirus during a drive-thru event held at Wilmington City Hall on May 20.

Riverside Health Care conducted the screenings in both Wilmington and Coal City on that day, and has conducted several similar events throughout the region.

Carrie Carlson, the emergency preparedness coordinator for Riverside Healthcare, said events like drive-thru testing help provide the opportunity for the public to get tested without needing to visit the hospital.

Wilmington chief says efforts to stop the spread are working

Published by admin on Tue, 05/19/2020 - 4:58pm

The city of Wilmington remains on the low end of COVID-19 cases, with cases inside the city limit remaining under 10.

According to the Will County Health Department, there have been 20 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the 60481 zip code. But Wilmington Police Chief Phil Arnold told members of the Wilmington Police and ESDA Committee on May 12 that those cases inside the corporate limit of Wilmington are holding at just six.

Arnold also noted that the Will County Health Department has set guidelines for purging records of positive COVID-19 cases.