News

Braidwood native helps keep Navy aircraft flying

Published by admin on Tue, 07/25/2017 - 6:18pm

A 2012 Reed-Custer High School graduate and Braidwood native is serving with a U.S. Navy electronic attack squadron that flies one of the Navy's newest and most technologically-advanced aircraft, the EA-18G Growler.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Sylina Taylor is an aviation electronics technician with the Black Ravens of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135, one of 14 Navy electronic attack squadrons based in Whidbey Island, Wash.

City leaders to focus on economic development

Published by admin on Tue, 07/25/2017 - 6:15pm

The city of Braidwood has been a member of the Will County Center for Economic Development (CED) for the past several years.

Now, with an eye on development of hundreds of acres along I-55 at the city’s two interchanges, city leaders hope to utilize the CED to entice builders into town.

“They help various members and municipalities try to develop businesses and find ways to create profit to reduce the taxpayers burden,” City Administrator Don Labriola said of the CED earlier this month.

Fixed clerical error to reflect in utility bills

Published by admin on Tue, 07/25/2017 - 6:13pm

Residents of Braidwood will see their bi-monthly water and sewer bill go up by about $30 the next time it arrives in the mailbox.

But it’s not a rate increase. As it turns out, the city has been undercharging residents on their utilities since they switched their billing system earlier this year.

“We found out through our auditor that we had a clerical error in our billing system,” said Commissioner Jim Hutton. “When we went back to the bi-monthly billing, you should be billed twice for minimum use, once for each month, on the water, and twice for the sewer.”

Prehistory on the Prairie Tour July 29

Published by admin on Fri, 07/21/2017 - 10:36am

You don’t want to miss this unique opportunity! Archaeologists from the University of Notre Dame and the University of Chicago are continuing their work at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie on an archaeological dig site, hoping to unearth clues to what life was like before Euro-American agriculture, when the land was mostly tallgrass prairie. On the tour you will see the archaeologists at work, and learn about what they have discovered so far.

Route 53 being resurfaced

Published by admin on Thu, 07/20/2017 - 12:32pm

Farmers market opens Saturday

Published by admin on Tue, 07/18/2017 - 7:40pm

    Locally grown produce, baked goods, jams, prepackaged meals, homemade soaps and handcrafted items are just a few of the items available at Coal City’s farmers market — Market Fresh on Broadway.
    The market opens for its second season on Saturday, July 22. Organizers have scheduled a full day of activities to be highlighted by the goods available from 11 vendors.

Ultimate Rides has plans for additional upgrades

Published by admin on Tue, 07/18/2017 - 7:37pm

     Changes are coming to the look of a Division Street business. Nick Bulanda, owner of Ultimate Rides, has informed the Coal City Village Board that he plans to upgrade his automotive dealership located at 38 W. Division Street to coordinate with his new showroom located two blocks to the east.
    To obtain the funding necessary to move forward with the planned improvements, Bulanda plans to refinance his showroom property and utilize the equity in that building to fund the upgrades he’s planned down the street.

Towns cash in on video gaming

Published by admin on Tue, 07/18/2017 - 7:36pm

Since video gaming machines went live five years ago, the state of Illinois has banked over $882 million. Local municipalities have cashed in too.
Since January the state has taken in over $133.9 million in Net Terminal Income (NTI) and according to the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) over $21.8 million has been distributed out to Illinois counties and municipalities where gaming machines are licensed.
Between the cities of Braidwood and Wilmington, and villages of Carbon Hill, Coal City and Diamond there are 239 video gaming terminals in 29 licensed establishments.

Bank of Pontiac opening in Coal City

Published by admin on Tue, 07/18/2017 - 7:33pm

    Bank of Pontiac plans to open a branch office in downtown Coal City this fall.
    “This new retail customer has a lease to fill available space within the Cardinal Transport office at 85 S. Broadway,” said village administrator Matt Fritz.
    The bank plans to renovate the space to fit its needs, including the addition of two drive-thru lanes on the north side of the building.

Summerfest ends in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 07/18/2017 - 6:54pm

It was four days of fun, food, rides, and entertainment, but the annual celebration known as the Braidwood Lions Summerfest has once again come and gone.

The festival wrapped up Sunday night with the annual fireworks display, sponsored by Exelon.

While clouds threatened to bring in some rain at the close of the weekend, Braidwood stayed dry, bringing out hundreds of folks for carnival rides, fair food, flea market finds, bingo, entertainment, and the Hometown Proud parade.