News

Route 113 resurfacing to begin this week

Published by admin on Tue, 10/11/2022 - 5:05pm

The resurfacing of 1.58 miles of Route 113 [Division Street] through the villages of Coal City and Diamond is expected to get underway this week.
The $1.2 million project is being overseen by the Illinois Department of Transportation [IDOT] and is funded through the state’s Rebuild Illinois program.
D Construction was awarded the state bid for the milling and resurfacing project that will start at Lincoln Street and proceed east to the Will County line—Will Road in Diamond.

Historical landmark ordinance forwarded to full Wilmington City Council

Published by admin on Tue, 10/11/2022 - 5:04pm

The Wilmington City Council will consider a new ordinance to allow for designation of local historic landmark designation, following a few tweaks to the ordinance at the request of the city’s planning and zoning board.

Commissioners from the zoning board first reviewed a draft copy of the proposed ordinance in September. The ordinance would allow the city to designate properties, sites, structures, statues or other items in the city as historical landmarks.

Coal City High School students attend MFG Day at JJC

Published by admin on Tue, 10/11/2022 - 5:04pm

MFG DAY is a community supported, career exploration day, created for students to explore how local businesses apply S.T.E.M. skills and concepts from local, real life careers.
The Three Rivers Manufacturers’ Association (TRMA), in partnership with Joliet Junior College (JJC), is hosting MFG DAY-2022. TRMA’s MFG DAY is for 9th – 12th grade students with an interest in a S.T.E.M. career (Chemistry, Biology, Physics) or Applied Technology (CTE) careers or fields of study.

Coalers keep the train rolling with fourth straight win

Published by admin on Tue, 10/11/2022 - 5:01pm

There was a definite shift in the Coal City (5-2) football team's season and really it started in the second half, week 2 against Bishop McNamara. From that time frame, they have outscored their opposition 204-45.
They rolled into Peotone Friday and came away with a 28-14 win, their fourth straight.
"We were a little dinged up coming out of the Manteno game so we had some guys in different spots, but we made some adjustments after that first drive," said head coach Francis Loughran.

Wilmington Officers treated on scene after fire rescue

Published by admin on Tue, 10/11/2022 - 5:01pm

Two Wilmington police officers were treated for smoke inhalation after responding to a weekend fire at an apartment complex on First Street.

The incident happened in the early morning hours of Saturday, Oct. 8.

The Wilmington Police Department and the Wilmington Fire Protection District responded to a structure fire at a multi-unit apartment complex in the 300 block of N. First Street. While en route to the scene, dispatch advised of heavy smoke emitting from an apartment and the fire originated from a bedroom.

Liquor license ordinance amended for additional full bar sales

Published by admin on Tue, 10/11/2022 - 4:59pm

The city of Wilmington has made an amendment to its code of ordinances that regulate liquor licenses, in order to make a change for the liquor license at Fox’s Pizza.

The City Council approved the change during its Oct. 4 regular meeting.

“They want to go from beer and wine to a full bar,” Mayor Ben Dietz explained regarding the change for the local pizzeria.

The ordinance amends the provisions of city code that impose restrictions on the number of liquor licenses that may be issued in the city.

Diamond Mine Disaster monument shines once again

Published by admin on Tue, 10/11/2022 - 4:55pm

On an unseasonably warm February day nearly 140 years ago, as the winter snowfall was melting quickly, a group of miners headed off to their daily routine inside the Diamond No. 2 Coal Mine.

But after the men descended into the mineshaft on Feb. 16, 1883, disaster struck, as standing water from the melted snow swept into the mineshaft, quickly flooding the mine and trapping and killing 74 of the 185 miners who went to work that day.

After the tragedy, only 28 bodies were recovered, with the remaining victims left to rest in the mine forever.

Box City of Hope spends another night at RCHS

Published by admin on Tue, 10/11/2022 - 4:53pm

Fans entering Comet Stadium on Friday night were treated to yet another big win by this year’s undefeated varsity football team.

But just outside the stadium, students were also making sure folks know that cheering on their favorite team and doing something good for others could go hand in hand.

BAHCC enters year five of Drug Free Communities grant

Published by admin on Tue, 10/11/2022 - 4:51pm

The Braidwood Area Healthy Community Coalition (BAHCC) is kicking off year five of its federal Drug Free Communities (DFC) grant, with a long list of goals and objectives set to involve the community in efforts to battle substance abuse and misuse.

Program Director Pete Dell’Aquila gave an update on the status the coalition and plans to utilize the funding during this month’s BAHCC meeting held on Monday, Oct. 10 over Zoom.

Wilkins in the Reed-Custer Spotlight for October

Published by admin on Tue, 10/11/2022 - 4:49pm

The Reed-Custer High School Senior Spotlight winner for the month of October is Makayla Wilkins. Makayla is the daughter of Lorne and Noemi Wilkins. During her high school career, Makayla was involved in Marching Band, Concert Band, Pep Band, Musical Pit, Solo and Ensemble, Scholastic Bowl, National Honor Society, Chorale, and IT Internship. She was also a member of the Golf team and was on the Honor Roll.

Her future plans are to attend the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa to major in Aerospace Engineering.

Here are a few thoughts from Makayla’s teachers: