News

Roark returns with a message for little leaguers

Published by admin on Tue, 04/23/2024 - 4:19pm

Former Major League pitcher Tanner Roark came home with a message for aspiring baseball players on Saturday while serving as grand marshal for the Wilmington Baseball Softball Association opening day parade.
While he said it was an honor to serve as Grand Marshal, he felt a bit surreal being back on the field where he baseball career began
Roark was just like any other five-year-old whose parents signed him up to play in the WBSA. He was excited to play and be with friends but there were days when he didn’t feel like playing.

Traffic on I-80 to be stopped to install overhead steel beams

Published by admin on Tue, 04/23/2024 - 4:10pm

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced the bridge carrying River Road over Interstate 80 in Shorewood will have overnight lane closures, accompanied by 15-minute full expressway traffic stops, starting today.
The closures are necessary to install steel support beams for the new bridge over the interstate.
For two days eastbound I-80, starting at 8 p.m., eastbound I-80 will be reduced to one lane approaching River Road.

Six Coalers inducted into Illinois Music Honor Society

Published by admin on Tue, 04/23/2024 - 4:08pm

The Coal City Chapter of the Illinois Music Honors Society welcomed six new members at its Third Annual Induction Ceremony on Tuesday, April 18.
Illinois Music Honor Society is for Illinois music students in middle and/or high school who are dedicated to their school music program and wish to create and participate in extended opportunities for leadership, service, enrichment, and connection with other student musicians.

One down, one to go

Published by admin on Tue, 04/23/2024 - 3:59pm

High-tech device will enable police to apprehend suspects without force

Published by admin on Tue, 04/16/2024 - 4:31pm

It's like a scene from a Spiderman movie. A perpetrator is in a tense standoff with police. An officer pulls out a device that looks about as dangerous as a stud finder. The suspect laughs.
The device shoots a green laser beam at the man's shins. The sound of a gunshot fills the air, startling the perpetrator. Rather than being shot, or otherwise injured, the man finds himself entangled in what looks suspiciously like a spider's web (but is actually Kevlar). Without further ado, the suspect is handcuffed and carted off.

‘When I wake up, I ask how can I make the world a better place’

Published by admin on Tue, 04/16/2024 - 4:26pm

“Heroes wear capes, and I'm anti cape.”
-Freak
Speaking of heroes, where have they all gone? We just don’t run across the likes of Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, or Anne Frank these days. Or do we?
Actually, we do, and one of those heroes hides in plain sight in Braidwood. His legal name is Walter Kozielski. He celebrated his 57th birthday on April 16. By the time you read his story, you’ll agree he’s a good guy, maybe even a hero (though he’ll probably deny it).

Police, U.S. Bank warn residents of scammers

Published by admin on Tue, 04/16/2024 - 4:20pm

Annie Jonas (not her actual name), lives in Grundy County. A few months ago, she got a call from who she believed was the police department, that her granddaughter had been arrested and needed bail money. Every question Jonas had about the situation was promptly answered by the “officer.”
The “police department” even called back repeatedly to update her on her granddaughter’s arrest. The tone of the conversation was urgent, and Jonas felt a sense of dread.

Coach Bejlovec inducted into hall of fame

Published by admin on Tue, 04/16/2024 - 4:13pm

On Saturday, April 6, Jeannine Bejlovec, Wilmington High School cheerleading coach, was inducted into the Illinois High School Cheerleading Coaches Organization hall of fame.
Jeannine’s journey began at Joliet West High School where she was a cheerleader. Following high school she attended the College of St. Francis, while there she was a volunteer assistant coach.

Area students enlightened by solar eclipse

Published by admin on Tue, 04/09/2024 - 4:10pm

The total solar eclipse was an especially blissful occasion for three teachers at Reed-Custer Elementary School. As the moon slowly phased across the sun, Jayme Miller (science), Deona Walsh (librarian) and Caitlyn Wilkerson (math), took advantage of this rare wonder of nature to teach students the fundamentals of science, the trajectory of solar travel and how to research the topic of solar eclipse

WHS female wrestler makes history

Published by admin on Tue, 04/09/2024 - 4:01pm

WHS Senior Ava Cupples, made history for the female wrestlers of Wilmington. With only two years of experience under her belt, Cupples has signed a letter of intent to wrestle at Joliet Junior College (JJC).
Cupples’ wrestling career began during her junior year, at age 16. She decided to try wrestling because she hated not playing a winter sport after leaving behind basketball.