News

Zink promoted to Wilmington Police Chief

Published by admin on Tue, 12/27/2022 - 4:54pm

The Wilmington Police Department has a new top cop.

On Dec. 20, Adam Zink was appointed as the city’s new Chief of Police. Zink has been with the department for 15 years, spending the past two as Deputy Chief.

Also during that meeting, Karl Jurgens was sworn in as Sergeant, and Jacob Jasnosz was sworn in as the city’s newest patrolman.

Earlier this month, Chief Zink told the members of the Committee of the Whole that the department’s efforts at eliminating truck traffic on local roads not designated as truck routes was working well.

Candidates file for spring election in Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 12/27/2022 - 4:52pm

The stage is set for local elections in April, with only one available seat on the Wilmington City Council to be contested.

The consolidated election takes place on April 4, 2023. In Wilmington, one alderman in each of the city’s four wards is on the ballot, each for a 4-year term. Wilmington operates on a mayor/alderman form of government, with the city divided into four wards, each with two elected aldermen serving as representatives.

Candidates for the consolidated election are:

1st Ward – Marty Orr, Kevin Kirwin

2nd Ward – Dennis Vice

The stories that kept Wilmington talking in 2022

Published by admin on Tue, 12/27/2022 - 4:51pm

It was a busy year in 2022, as pandemic restrictions were lifted and much of the world made a return back to normalcy. And, there was plenty to talk about around town.

Here, a look at some of the stories that made headlines in Wilmington over the past 12 months.

Loves Truck stop approved

One of the most controversial stories to make the news in 2022 came in November, when the City Council approved an annexation agreement to allow a Love’s Travel Center to be built at River Road and Route 53.

Bailey was a true hometown hero

Published by admin on Tue, 12/27/2022 - 4:24pm

The day before his 21st birthday, Sheridan Bailey reported to the induction center in Chicago where he was selected for service in the U.S. Marine Corps.

While the Marines are usually considered an all volunteer service, during times of national emergency draftees are often routed to the Marines.

Prior to his military service, Bailey worked for his dad, Virgil, at Bailey Printing and Publishing where he served as a printer.

Since the Marines really didn't need any printers he became a rifleman, every Marine is a rifleman

Interviews part of real life learning

Published by admin on Tue, 12/27/2022 - 4:21pm

As Blake Thompson prepared to walk into a room of police chiefs, a feeling came over him that he can best describe as intense.

As a student in Jeff Hanley’s Criminal Justice II class, Thompson sat down for a mock interview with three local police chiefs, the nervousness of the Reed-Custer High School senior and that of his fellow classmates in the Grundy Area Vocational Center [GAVC] program eased as the interview got underway.

Reconfigure the high school

Published by admin on Tue, 12/27/2022 - 4:18pm

Faculty and staff at Coal City High School came up with more than 100 ideas for renovating and improving the building they use every day.

Their lists centered on updating aging spaces, expanding instructional areas, improving accessibility and creating welcoming common spaces and student lounge areas.

The Board of Education has listened and is working with the district architect, Cordogan Clark, to see what can be accomplished.

New year to bring new laws in Illinois

Published by admin on Tue, 12/27/2022 - 4:15pm

SPRINGFIELD – By now, almost everyone in Illinois has heard that Jan. 1 will mark the beginning of a significant change in the state’s criminal justice system – the elimination of cash bail.

It’s an issue that dominated the 2022 campaigns and has been both praised and criticized on editorial pages in newspapers across the state. It essentially means that starting Jan. 1, the decision as to whether a criminal suspect should be held in jail while awaiting trial will be based on public safety and the likelihood the suspect will flee rather than their financial ability to post bond.

Holiday Hustle generates over $12,000 for Beans-and-Bites

Published by admin on Tue, 12/27/2022 - 4:11pm

Just before Christmas, Beans-and-Bites received a gift from the Holiday Hustle Committee—a check for more than $12,300.

The newly formed non-profit coffee café was the selected charity to receive the proceeds of the annual Holiday Hustle, a 5K run/walk held Thanksgiving weekend in downtown Coal City. The event was established as a fundraiser to support local organizations and projects.

Established by local residents Kris Sayers and Brittany Cochran, Beans-and-Bites serves to provide workforce opportunities for people with disabilities.

Ballots set for spring elections

Published by admin on Tue, 12/27/2022 - 4:08pm

Coal City voters will be selecting a new mayor during the 2023 consolidated election on Tuesday, April 4.

Incumbent Mayor Terry Halliday did not file for reelection, setting up a two-way race between incumbent trustees Dave Spesia and Ross Bradley.

Voters will also decide who will serve as village trustees, village clerk plus school and library boards.

Spesia was the first of the two to file and therefore will appear at the top of the ballot.

Halliday will leave village government after 20-plus years of service as both a mayor and trustee.

Braidwood makes the switch to new garbage pickup

Published by admin on Tue, 12/20/2022 - 5:29pm

Residents in Braidwood will have a new garbage collector in the new year.

On Dec. 20, the members of the Braidwood City Council approved a new garbage contract with Environmental Recycling and Disposal. The new service begins on Jan. 3.

The service comes at the end of the city’s one year extended agreement with Waste Management.