Coal City Courant

Unit 1 acquires land for future growth

Published by admin on Tue, 11/12/2019 - 5:33pm

As the Unit 1 Board of Education looks toward the future and potential growth in the district, it has acted on an unforeseen opportunity to acquire property adjacent to Coal City Middle School.
On Nov. 6, the board unanimously approved a purchase agreement for a vacant 14.98-acre parcel of land from the estate of the late Neil and Honor Trotter. The board additionally approved a right of first refusal to purchase the Trotter homestead should the family ever decide to sell the five-acre site.

Board members lauded for service to school district

Published by admin on Tue, 11/12/2019 - 5:32pm

Nearly 6,000 men and women serve on local school boards in Illinois, and seven of them represent the students and taxpayers of the Unit 1 School District.
Nov. 15 of each year marks the official statewide observance of School Board Members Day in Illinois. The honorary day is an opportunity for school districts and communities to show support for their elected Board of Education and the commitment its members make to ensure the educational vision is met.

Broadway star to appear on Coal City stage

Published by admin on Tue, 11/12/2019 - 5:31pm

Through a special endowment from the Megan Bugg Concert Series, the Coal City Theatre Department will welcome Broadway star and Tony Award nominee Adam Pascal to the Coal City Performing Arts Center stage.
Pascal originated the role of Roger in the Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning musical Rent, as well as Radames in Aida. He also appeared in multiple stage productions from Shakespeare in Something Rotten to his most recent role as Harold Higgins in The Music Man. He also appeared in film and on television and has enjoyed a successful music career.

$58,000 donated to renovate high school library

Published by admin on Tue, 11/12/2019 - 5:30pm

A renovation of Coal City High School’s learning resource center is set to get underway. It’s a project driven by the school’s student council.
The improvements will come in phases and transform the space into a student center focused on collaborative study and engagement.
In April, two members of the student council—Cody Rogers and Natalie Durham—submitted a renovation proposal to the Unit 1 Board of Education and they were prepared to provide some financial backing.

FINAL UPDATE: Trucker who caused fatal crash charged

Published by admin on Thu, 11/07/2019 - 10:54am

The semitruck driver who caused a fatal chain reaction crash on Interstate 55 near Lorenzo Road on Thursday, Nov. 7, has been charged with following too closely and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Coaler seniors lauded for academic achievement

Published by admin on Tue, 11/05/2019 - 8:09pm

Coal City High School is home to 19 Illinois State Scholars, an academic recognition bestowed on high school seniors by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
“State Scholars are among the best and the brightest of Illinois high school seniors,” ISAC executive director Eric Zarnikow wrote in a congratulatory letter sent to each of the honorees.

Firefighters extinguish blaze in Carbon Hill

Published by admin on Tue, 11/05/2019 - 8:08pm

Coal City Fire Protection District personnel were called out early Monday morning for a reported structure fire in Carbon Hill.
Units were dispatched to the area of Third and Lacey streets at 2:54 a.m. for what was believed to be a mobile home on fire. When fire units arrived on scene they found a pile of construction debris ablaze at 735 N. Third St.
The fire was extinguished by Coal City firefighters who were on scene for two hours. No injuries were reported and the cause of the blaze was undetermined.

Community center would anchor proposed park district

Published by admin on Tue, 11/05/2019 - 8:07pm

The concept is not new. In fact, the formation of a community park district has been studied multiple times by numerous citizens and groups.
In the past few months a group of local residents have been meeting with community organizations, businesses and youth athletic clubs gathering feedback on the potential formation of a park district, one centered around a community center offering programs for residents of all ages.

Town liquor code amended, license extended

Published by admin on Tue, 11/05/2019 - 8:06pm

In order to hold a liquor license in the village of Coal City the town code has required the manager of a liquor establishment to live within the town boundaries, and it’s been somewhat problematic in the past.
“This provision is local and goes farther than what is required by state statute and has caused some problems for business owners in the past,” said Matt Fritz, the town’s administrator.

Renewable energy incentives available to those ready to switch

Published by admin on Tue, 11/05/2019 - 8:05pm

When Shannon Baer opened her electric bill this past July, she was in for quite a shock. “It was over $300,” Baer reported. “It was insane.”
ComEd rates have risen 13.5% since 2016 and continue their upward trend. The rates are rising to cover the costs of an aging grid and infrastructure. ComEd is planning on implementing $2.6 billion in upgrades to the system, creating a steady increase in consumer costs.