News

Heberer retires after 45 years

Published by admin on Tue, 06/13/2017 - 6:25pm

After 45 years with the department and 10 years as chief, Ken Heberer is enjoying life without the fire pole.

On June 1, Heberer officially retired from the fire service, following four and one-half decades answering calls in the Braidwood Fire Protection District. On June 3, his fellow firemen, family, and friends held a retirement party in his honor at the fire house on Main Street.

Coal City Fire Chief Jim Sheldon noted that he and Heberer have developed a close bond as chiefs in neighboring towns.

Homeowner finally gets home repair permits

Published by admin on Tue, 06/13/2017 - 6:21pm

It was not a pretty process, but the disagreement between the city of Braidwood and one homeowner over permits to rehab his home has come to a conclusion, with the homeowner walking away with permits in hand.

Chris Earling said he had a positive and productive meeting with the city’s inspector, Mike Sharp, over changes inside his home that have been held up since the house was purchased in March.

Search continues for missing Shadow Lakes woman

Published by admin on Tue, 06/13/2017 - 6:16pm

Police are searching the area for an elderly woman who left her Shadow Lakes home between Sunday night and Monday morning and has not been seen since.

Kim Ellen “Kay” Gray, 73, was reported missing from her home at 104 Smallmouth Lane at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, June 12.

Gray is a Korean American female, 5-feet, 1-inch tall and weighs 130 pounds. She suffers with dementia. Police believe she may have wandered away from her home on Sunday evening.

Police investigating fatal rollover crash

Published by admin on Mon, 06/12/2017 - 10:33am

A Morris man died in a single-vehicle rollover crash that occurred early Monday, June 12.
Jerald E. Saragossa, 51, was pronounced dead at the scene, on Wilmington's north side.
Wilmington police received a call just after 1 a.m. Monday reporting a vehicle that had left the roadway on Route 53 just south of South Arsenal Road.
Witnesses told officers that the white Ford pickup truck had passed them at a high rate of speed while traveling southbound near the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. The witnesses then lost sight of the vehicle.

75 years since worst ammo plant disaster

Published by admin on Tue, 06/06/2017 - 7:55pm

    It resulted in the greatest loss of civilian lives at an American munitions plant in World War II, but it is barely a footnote to the narrative of the war because it happened while the critical Battle of Midway was being waged in the Pacific.

Minstrel mailman

Published by admin on Tue, 06/06/2017 - 7:44pm

“Do not come in a ‘chicken costume,’ serious artists only,” read the instructions for applicants seeking an audition for “The Voice,” a three-time, Emmy-winning vocalist competition airing on NBC. Michael Tupper will audition for the show later this month, and is confident about his chances.
Tupper, of Braidwood, applied for a shot at an open audition and was invited to attend in either St. Louis, MO; Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY.

Build something!

Published by admin on Tue, 06/06/2017 - 7:39pm

    The Wilmington Public Library District will launch its summer reading program, “Build a Better World,” on Sunday, June 11. The program features more than 60 activities.
    Each week through the summer will have a different theme: Building community, relationships, buildings, connections, creativity and yourself. Activities are highly diversified to appeal to many interests, and will center on the week’s theme.

A “Perfect” solution for pets in need

Published by admin on Tue, 06/06/2017 - 7:11pm

Some folks consider a pet just another member of the family.

It’s a sentiment that couldn’t be more accurate for a Braidwood woman who has stepped up efforts to keep local animals safe and loved.

Kirstie Knaeble moved to Braidwood with her husband from South Carolina in 2015. And she didn’t just bring with her a southern accent. The mom and animal lover also brought a desire to fill a need in the community — to help take care of pets who have been abandoned, neglected, or just need a home.

Fishing for a Cure raises $50,000 for BAHCC

Published by admin on Tue, 06/06/2017 - 7:08pm

It’s been 16 years since Exelon’s Braidwood Station first took a Saturday on the lake and turned it into a charity event.

On June 3, representatives from the plant hosted dozens of anglers to again raise funds, this time benefiting a cause that is essential to Braidwood.

The 16th Annual “Fishing for a Cure” charity bass tournament attracted fishermen from across the Midwest. The funds from this year’s tournament mean that since its inception, the charity event has raised more than a half million dollars for charitable causes.

School’s out for good at RCIS

Published by admin on Tue, 06/06/2017 - 7:06pm

The abatement crews are hard at work at Reed-Custer Intermediate School, safely pulling out asbestos contained in some roofing and flooring of the 88-year- old building.

But before the school was shuttered for good, residents got a chance to roam the halls one last time.

RCIS was open to the public for a last look around on June 1 and 2.

“We did have a lot of people who were able to come in and take a look,” said Superintendent Mark Mitchell. “We were able to give some things away.”