Coal City Courant

Sale of industrial property results in changes to special service area

Published by admin on Tue, 09/17/2019 - 8:13pm

The sale of 122 acres of industrial property will result in an amendment to the special service area (SSA) the village of Coal City put in place to protect itself in an investment deal struck with a group of developers back in 2013.
At that time, the village board agreed to front about $2 million for the construction of a lead track from the Union Pacific rail line west to the proposed Inland Logistics Park.
The developers have requested the village’s assistance, noting they needed to move forward in a quick fashion in order to market and sell the land.

Blocking Broadway for a burger is a bother

Published by admin on Tue, 09/17/2019 - 8:12pm

It’s a daily occurrence, but when you add road construction and an early school dismissal day, blocking Broadway to get a burger becomes a bigger bother.
Like many in the community, Coal City Mayor Terry Halliday has seen multiple vehicles stopped on Broadway—morning and mid-day— waiting their turn through the McDonald’s drive-thru and wants it to stop.
“I don’t know what we do. Do we have an officer stand at the (intersection) or something in the morning and tell these people to not stop and block the road trying to get into the McDonald’s?” Halliday asked.

An abundance of apples

Published by admin on Tue, 09/17/2019 - 8:09pm

Rocking away on the front porch swing, his dog laying at his feet, Dennis Wills is enjoying his relatively new retirement life.
After 34 years in Shorewood and commuting everyday into the city of Chicago where he worked as an estimator for a large construction company, Wills and his wife Karen, are reconnecting with life in the country.
Dennis grew up in the house the two now call home, and Karen has already told him she, “can’t move back to town.”

Dresden Generating Station open house is Tuesday

Published by admin on Mon, 09/16/2019 - 3:41pm

Ever wonder how nuclear power is generated or how a nuclear power plant works? Find the answers to these questions and more at Exelon Generation’s Community Information Night: a free, family-friendly event at Dresden Generating Station on Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Visitors will see firsthand how the plant produces enough carbon-free energy to power nearly 1.5 million area homes and businesses.

Unit 1 approves $35 million spending plan

Published by admin on Tue, 09/10/2019 - 7:45pm

The Unit 1 School District has outlined $35 million in expenditures for fiscal year 2020, an increase of about $2 million from the prior year.
In presenting the budget to the board of education, chief school business official Jason Smith reported salary and benefits make up 61 percent of the district’s spending with $16.6 million going to salaries and $4.69 million to cover staff benefits.
Salaries and benefits are included in the education fund budgeted for the year at $23.7 million. In fact, Smith said the majority of the district’s expenses come out of that fund.

Drama Club to host musical cabaret

Published by admin on Tue, 09/10/2019 - 7:44pm

Songs from more than a dozen Broadway musicals will be performed by local theatre students when Coal City High School’s Drama Club presents its second annual Broadway Bound musical cabaret.
The evening will serve as a fundraiser for the club’s 2021 theatre education trip to New York City.
From auditions held earlier this month, theatre director Jack Micetich has selected 22 middle and high school students to take the stage for the Sept. 21 fundraiser.

Unit 1 hires investigator

Published by admin on Tue, 09/10/2019 - 7:43pm

A Channahon firm that bills itself as the state’s leading residency investigations company has been hired by the Unit 1 School District.
National Investigations, Inc., will look into perceived residency issues related to a handful of students who have provided proof of residency, but are likely not living within the boundaries of the school district.
Illinois School Code defines a legal residence as, “a regular, fixed and adequate nighttime residence.” So to claim residency within a school district the student must sleep at the address provided when enrolling in classes.

Local history to be highlighted at Chalk Art Festival

Published by admin on Tue, 09/10/2019 - 7:42pm

It’s National Arts in Education Week and the village of Coal City’s Park Board is partnering with the Unit 1 School District’s fine arts department on a community event that highlights the importance of art education.
Coal City’s first Chalk Art Festival will take place this Saturday, Sept. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lots of Coal City Early Childhood Center.

Make plans to attend Prairie Day

Published by admin on Tue, 09/10/2019 - 7:41pm

The 22nd annual Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area’s Prairie Day is just days away.
The Prairie Partners, the volunteer arm of the park, have set Saturday, Sept. 21 as the date for the annual festival.
Prairie Day is a day to celebrate the prairie environment. On this one day the quiet of the prairie is interrupted for exploration, amazement and fun.

Feeding a need

Published by admin on Tue, 09/10/2019 - 7:41pm

No child should go hungry, but the fact is one in six children in the United States lives with hunger.
The data comes from No Kid Hungry, a campaign of Share our Strength, an organization that works to end hunger and poverty.
The statistics further indicate more than 12 million children live in food insecure homes, meaning there simply isn’t enough food for every family member to lead a healthy life and in most cases there is a lack of nutritious foods.