News

Braidwood Lions Summerfest was like, totally awesome

Published by admin on Tue, 07/18/2023 - 4:56pm

Throwing back to the beginning, the Braidwood Lions celebrated the 42nd Annual Summerfest with “An 80s Rewind” theme.

And, despite a storm that shut things down a little early on Friday night, the four day event proved to be totally tubular.

The festival kicked off on Thursday with a gnarly rock and blues dance party thanks to DJ Roy Gregory, while the food court, carnival rides, beer garden and bingo left folks enjoying themselves to the max.

Custer, Braidwood residents voice opinions on fire service agreement

Published by admin on Tue, 07/18/2023 - 4:53pm

It was a packed house inside the gymnasium at the school in Custer Park on Monday, July 17, as nearly 200 members of the Braidwood and Custer Township communities met with fire district officials to discuss a potential agreement that would put Braidwood in charge of fire protection services in Custer.

And, highlighting the need for services, a medical emergency in the parking lot as the meeting happened yielded a swift response from Custer’s EMTs and paramedics in attendance, but still resulted in Braidwood Fire being called for transport.

Wilmington PD on the lookout for summer speedsters

Published by admin on Tue, 07/18/2023 - 4:48pm

It goes without saying that one should always obey the speed limit. But for those drivers who prefer to put the pedal to the metal, the Wilmington Police Department is keeping an extra eye out on you this month.

On July 11, WPD Chief Adam Zink told the members of the Committee of the Whole that the department is upping patrols through the end of the month, specifically for traffic and speed enforcement.

Dairy farm connected them with community

Published by admin on Tue, 07/18/2023 - 4:46pm

Few families are as qualified as the Hazzards to serve as Grand Marshals of the “Down on the Farm” Catfish Days parade.

For 30 years the Hazzard Dairy provided the community with wholesome milk and dairy products where Wilmington Middle School stands today. Former Hazzard farmland has been turned into city subdivisions and school grounds. And early ancestors even served in city government. Hazzard kin has been living in Wilmington for nearly 170 years.

Unapproved and non-complying shed must come down

Published by admin on Tue, 07/18/2023 - 4:46pm

Wayne Smith believes he is being singled out over a shed and quite frankly says he is not being treated fairly.

The Coalfield Subdivision resident asked the village of Coal City to provide a variance for a storage shed he constructed on his property at 75 E. Barney Way. They told him no, it has to go. Now it looks as if he will challenge the decision.

Wilmington works on development of comprehensive, parks plans

Published by admin on Tue, 07/18/2023 - 4:44pm

The city of Wilmington is looking to create a new comprehensive plan.

But first, the price needs to be right.

On July 11, city administrator Jeannine Smith gave an update to the Committee of the Whole on the effort to customize and develop that plan. The city’s planning and zoning board first began discussions on updating the plan back in January 2022.

It’s gonna be good...it’s gonna be great

Published by admin on Tue, 07/18/2023 - 4:43pm

Some stories are difficult to tell, but through them we learn about life and love, joy, grief, hope and faith.

"Next to Normal" is one of those stories and I can think of no other theatre company to share this narrative than Small Town Theatrics.

For 14 seasons, Small Town—as we call it—has been telling stories that make us laugh, cry, expand our minds and most importantly, open our eyes.

This year’s production does all of that in the course of about two hours and 30 minutes.

Mayor wants more cameras in Diamond

Published by admin on Tue, 07/18/2023 - 4:31pm

License plate reader cameras are being utilized by more than 2,500 communities across the country, including the village of Diamond.

“It’s kind of like having a police officer at each corner,” Diamond Mayor Terry Kernc said.

It is the goal of the mayor to have no fewer than six license plate reader cameras in operation. The village currently has one at the intersection of Berta Road and Route 113, and a second one going near the entrance to Interstate 55.

A reclassification for Reed Road

Published by admin on Tue, 07/18/2023 - 4:30pm

The village of Coal City wants to classify a portion of Reed Road in order to receive certain federal funds for roadway improvements.

Town officials seek to have three miles between South Broadway and Gorman Road categorized as a collector rather than a local road per the Roadway Functional Classifications maintained by the Illinois Department of Transportation [IDOT].

Unit 1 support staff getting a jump in pay

Published by admin on Tue, 07/18/2023 - 4:29pm

The starting salaries for special education aides, building secretaries and others in support staff positions with the Unit 1 School District are increasing by 3%.

Superintendent Chris Spencer said the 3% bump allows the district to stay competitive and keeps up with the times as far as compensation for work fulfilled.

In the case of a building level secretary who would start off with an hourly pay of $19 the increase will bump that to $19.57 per hour.