News

Wilmington mayor lobbies for cooperation on roads

Published by admin on Tue, 05/16/2023 - 5:09pm

Wilmington Mayor Ben Dietz is not a fan of the word “politician.”

But, when it comes to getting work done, the mayor knows no town is an island, and building relationships with local, county, and state officials is as crucial as attending the regular meetings with the city’s elected aldermen.

In April, Dietz and City Administrator Jeannine Smith traveled to Springfield to meet with state officials to discuss funding and future plans for parks, development, and most importantly, roads.

WHS sends 93 graduates on their way

Published by admin on Tue, 05/16/2023 - 5:07pm

It took 12 years of schooling but only 40 minutes for the Wilmington Class of 2023 to be sent on its way.

Graduation exercises were held Saturday for 93 WHS seniors. They are the first class in three years to celebrate a full school year without any pandemic restrictions.
WHS Principal Scott Maupin recognized seniors for their successes.

Graduates earn title of Acclaimed Coaler

Published by admin on Tue, 05/16/2023 - 5:07pm

In demonstrating what students must achieve to be ready following high school, 29 members of the Coal City High School class of 2023 made a commitment to their futures and in doing so have been named Acclaimed Coalers.

Students who met certain requirements are honored and celebrated as an Acclaimed Coaler and on May 12, less than 48 hours prior to receiving their high school diplomas, the second class of honorees were recognized.

Coalers medal at SkillsUSA competition

Published by admin on Tue, 05/16/2023 - 5:05pm

Rachel Hall has a busy summer ahead of her as she has qualified to compete in two national conference competitions—both focused on education.

Hall, a recent graduate of Coal City High School, was named the state champion in the early childhood education competition at this year’s SkillsUSA Leadership Conference. She was one of two Coalers to earn top honors in the field of education.

Wilmington outlines procedures to dispute high water bills

Published by admin on Tue, 05/16/2023 - 5:05pm

Frozen pipes that burst and flooded a local business was the jumping off place for city leaders to formalize just how they’ll deal with it when a resident needs relief from a catastrophic high water bill.

The members of the City Council were expected to approve the new procedures for those residents who find their water bills out of hand due to something unexpected, like a broken pipe, that is still the resident’s responsibility but leaves that resident with a bill they might not be able to pay.

Grundy FFA to celebrate member achievements, honor sponsors

Published by admin on Tue, 05/16/2023 - 5:03pm

The Grundy Area FFA invites community members to join the group for the chapter banquet on Saturday, May 27.

The Grundy Area FFA Banquet is an annual event to celebrate the achievements of its members and the activities of the chapter for the 2022-2023 school year. Members are presented with degrees and honor award winners.

In addition, the chapter will recognize supporters and sponsors who helped youth pursue their interests in agriculture.

Earley makes temporary appointments for Braidwood administrator, attorney

Published by admin on Tue, 05/16/2023 - 5:03pm

Braidwood Mayor Chris Earley conducted the business of the city at his first city council meeting on May 9 with quick efficiency, calling the meeting to order and going down the agenda in short order.

But the crowd of about 50 citizens in the chamber at City Hall was well aware that there was tension in the room, with little to no agreement coming from the mayor and four commissioners on who will fill the appointed positions within city government.

On Monday, the new mayor issued a press release about his intentions for the next four years.

“Never be afraid to dream big”

Published by admin on Tue, 05/16/2023 - 5:03pm

As the Coal City High School class of 2023 sat together one last time, they were reminded that their presence in the school’s gymnasium on a Sunday afternoon was a celebration of all they had accomplished the past four years.

“Yet that is not all. We are here to accept the challenge of having prosperous futures,” salutatorian Logan Hawkins said in his graduation day address to his classmates.

As the school’s 109th class to graduate, they head out into a world that has changed since they first stepped into the school as freshmen.

First responders help Braidwood man beat the odds

Published by admin on Tue, 05/16/2023 - 5:01pm

It was on a typical weeknight in Braidwood this past February when suddenly, everything changed for the Hartman family.

At home on an otherwise uneventful evening on Feb. 27, Jeff Hartman collapsed in his home, as his wife Barb and daughter Addison were just in the next room.

It was a sudden and terrifying change to a normal and quiet winter night at home.

Braidwood’s ESDA answers the call

Published by admin on Tue, 05/16/2023 - 4:58pm

Braidwood’s emergency responders are always quick to respond to a call. But working closely alongside those responders to help keep scenes organized are the volunteers from the Braidwood Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA), who provide city-wide support to law enforcement and the fire department for both emergency and non-emergency needs.

On May 9, ESDA Coordinator Josh Bolatto provided the agency’s annual report to the members of the City Council.