Free Press Advocate

P&Z Board gives green light to new Wilmington fire house

Published by admin on Tue, 12/12/2023 - 4:08pm

The first step of the plan to build a new Station 1 Fire House in Wilmington has cleared through the city’s planning and zoning board.

On Dec. 7, the board voted to recommend that the City Council approve a final site plan, conditional use, and variances for the site where Booth Central Elementary School once stood. The Wilmington Fire Protection District purchased the site in 2013 for the purpose of eventually moving the fire house there.

City officials said the plans only require one small tweak.

Wilmington public works: Violation notice in water bills a reporting issue

Published by admin on Tue, 12/12/2023 - 4:06pm

Wilmington water customers will see a notice of a violation at public works when they open their water bills this month.

But, city leaders said the issue is related to a mishap in reporting, and is not reflective of any issues with your water itself.

Confessed killer of Riley Fox dies in prison

Published by admin on Tue, 12/12/2023 - 4:05pm

The man responsible for the 2004 murder of 3-year-old Riley Fox has died in prison.

Scott Eby, 52, confessed to Riley’s murder six years after the child’s body was found at a Will County Forest Preserve site in Wilmington.

In June of 2004, Eby walked into the Fox home in Northcrest during overnight hours through an open back door, looking to burglarize the home, when he abducted the sleeping Riley from the family room sofa.

Launching Pad, Gemini Giant up for sale

Published by admin on Tue, 12/05/2023 - 5:39pm

As a Route 66 attraction, some might say the Launching Pad and its green guardian the Gemini Giant are priceless.

But it turns out those local landmarks—which hold no official landmark status but are thought of as such by residents—do have a price tag.

A $1.4 million price tag.

On Nov. 10, Launching Pad owner Holly Barker announced via X (formerly Twitter) that she was selling the restaurant.

School report card shows WHS is exemplary

Published by admin on Tue, 12/05/2023 - 5:36pm

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released the 2023 Illinois Report Card this fall, with local schools showing strong progress three years after COVID-19 changed the face of education.

The annual report breaks down the academic performance of public schools in Illinois, both districtwide as well as for individual buildings.

In addition to student achievement, the report card also addresses student and teacher demographics, enrollment, college and career readiness, and district-level financial information.

WHS seniors earn rank of State Scholars

Published by admin on Tue, 12/05/2023 - 5:33pm

Every year thousands of Illinois high school Seniors compete in the State Scholar Program sponsored by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. This year Wilmington High School had seven members of the class of 2024 named Illinois State Scholars.

Students are awarded based on ACT or SAT test scores and their sixth semester class size and unweighted class rank. Each awardee receives a congratulatory letter, a Certificate of Achievement and statewide recognition in the news.

Electronics dropoff event coming to Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 12/05/2023 - 5:28pm

Will County’s free electronics drop-off event will be held Thursday, Dec. 14, from 5-7 p.m. at the Wilmington City Hall parking lot, 1165 S. Water St.

Participants are reminded to remain in their vehicles at all times, show ID by holding it to the window for staff to see and then allow staff to remove items without assistance from each vehicle.

Wilmington PD to add additional patrol officer

Published by admin on Tue, 11/28/2023 - 3:37pm

The Wilmington Police Department is on the fast track to add another officer to its ranks.

On Nov. 14, Wilmington Police Chief Adam Zink told members of the Committee of the Whole that a candidate was available for consideration for hire. Last week, the City Council approved a motion to hire an additional officer.

Keeping Wilmington clean and tidy

Published by admin on Tue, 11/28/2023 - 3:36pm

Lawn care isn’t exactly on everyone’s minds this time of year.

But the city of Wilmington has made an investment in the next five years to make sure city-owned properties will look their best when the seasons change.

On Nov. 21, the members of the Wilmington City Council approved a contract with HL & Associates, Inc. for lawncare services, which followed a request for bids that was issued in September. HL & Associates, Inc. was the lone bidder on the contract.

Wilmington Wildcats are State Champs!

Published by admin on Tue, 11/28/2023 - 3:32pm

STATE CHAMPIONS! Wilmington football co-captains (from left) Brody Benson, Joe Allgood, Brendan Moran and Cade McCubbin hoist the Class 2A State Championship trophy inside Hancock Stadium in Bloomington on Friday after defeating Athens 28-3. This is the third time in school history the Wildcats have won a state champion but the first they knocked off three undefeated teams in order to get there.

Read the play-by-play of the big game in sports.

Photo by Alyssa Ohlund.