News

RCHS honors John Varland

Published by admin on Tue, 05/13/2025 - 4:03pm

Former Reed-Custer softball coach John Varland returned to Comet Park Monday to be honored for his 24 years of leading the Lady Comets to over 452 wins.
Coach Varland became the head coach of the Comet softball program in the 1984-1985 season. Over the course of 24 seasons under Varland’s tutelage, the Comets had 12 seasons of over 20 wins and two seasons of over 30 wins.
Coach Varland’s career 452 wins ranks him in the TOP 50 in IHSA history for coaching wins. It also puts him in the top 25 in IHSA history for wins at one school.

They're graduates now!

Published by admin on Tue, 05/13/2025 - 3:50pm

Coal City High School principal Art Stafford opened the Commencement Ceremony for the class of 2025 with this message, “Today is a day of celebration, a day to recognize the effort, determination, and growth that have brought us to this moment.”
The Sunday ceremony served to recognize the many accomplishments of the 133 graduates.

Rivals Road solar developer offers $$$ for city council's approval

Published by admin on Tue, 05/13/2025 - 3:43pm

On July 18, 2024, the Will County Board unanimously rejected a special use permit from RPIL, LLC (Renewable Properties of San Francisco, CA for a 40-acres solar facility off Rivals Road in Wesley Township.
The 217 residents who signed a petition against the solar plant were relieved at the time but they knew the battle was far from over.

Chief Harseim makes a final call

Published by admin on Tue, 05/06/2025 - 4:25pm

Retired Coal City Police chief Chris Harseim was on the hunt for suspects until the very end.
Two nights before his last day as a police officer, Harseim was out until midnight with fellow officers searching for two suspects who had stolen a car and abandoned it in Coal City.

World War II veteran to be laid to rest after 80 years MIA

Published by admin on Tue, 05/06/2025 - 4:20pm

On Friday, U.S. Army Private James C. Loyd, will return home after 80 long years.
A gathering for family and friends will be held on May 15, at Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington, Illinois, beginning at 10:30 a.m., followed by a solemn procession to Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood at 11:30 a.m., where he will be laid to rest with funerary honors.

Landing Pad newest stop for Route 66 memorabila

Published by admin on Tue, 05/06/2025 - 4:12pm

It’s was 36 minutes to opening time on May 1, and Kirsten Van Duyne and her crew were putting finishing touches before the Landing Pad opened at noon.
The Heritage Corridor Destinations, Joliet Area Historical Museum, City of Wilmington, and Wilmington Park District are excited to announce the grand opening of The Landing Pad, a Route 66-themed souvenir shop located just steps away from the new home of the World-famous Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois.
Wilmington Mayor Ben Dietz was also there cheering on the crew and surreptitiously eyeing the merchandise.

Harseim ‘at peace’ with retirement

Published by admin on Tue, 04/29/2025 - 4:18pm

Although Chris Harseim had to pull his weapon many times over his long career in law enforcement, he never had to fire it.
“That’s just crazy to me, I’ve been lucky, very fortunate,” said Harseim, whose last day as chief of the Coal City Police Department is Friday. He’s been with the department since 1995 and served as chief since 2021, when Mayor Dave Spesia selected him to replace Tom Best.

Holman honored for 20 years of serving the WBSA

Published by admin on Tue, 04/29/2025 - 4:13pm

There are dozens of volunteers who contribute to the success of the Wilmington Baseball Softball Association, but on Saturday the organization singled out one of their own, Van Holman, the outgoing president.
New president Tony Vercelli introduced Holman during an opening day ceremony that included throwing the first pitch.

Council terminates Altiery in his new position

Published by admin on Tue, 04/29/2025 - 4:07pm

Former Braidwood City Administrator Tony Altiery started his new job as Supervisor of Public Property and Supervisor of Streets and Public Improvement on Monday, but by that evening his employment with the city was terminated.
Braidwood Mayor Todd Lyons called for a special meeting Monday, at 5:30 p.m. to appoint two new members to the zoning board.
"I'm excited about the two appointees for the zoning board," Lyons said. "It's important that we get that filled because there's a lot going on. We just want to make sure we have enough members to run a meeting."

Aldermen vote to keep local grocery tax

Published by admin on Tue, 04/22/2025 - 3:36pm

Aldermen voted Tuesday to keep a 1 percent grocery tax for everyone who shops in Wilmington. The state of Illinois is dropping the tax in January 2026 but local residents will continue to pay it.
According to finance director Nancy Gross, the Wilmington collects approximately $270,000 in grocery sales tax annually.