Coal City Courant

Coal City signs on to grant program

Published by admin on Mon, 09/18/2023 - 6:22pm

The village of Coal City has formally accepted a federal grant to complete the expansion of its water treatment plant.

Coal City is one of six Illinois towns selected to receive a Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities [BRIC] grant from the federal Emergency Management Agency.

A total of $245,101 is being awarded to the village to purchase and install a generator at the water treatment facility.

An expansion and modernization of the treatment plant has been approved and construction is pending receipt of necessary equipment.

Remembering a community minded man

Published by admin on Mon, 09/18/2023 - 6:21pm

Straight forward and honest, two words used to describe a man who gave so much of himself to the community.

As his obituary notes, Philp “Leo” Middleton was, “very civic minded.”

Middleton, 68, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 9, his service to the community recognized by those he served and served with.

Middleton spent more than a decade as a village trustee, mayor and village administrator.

A much deserved honor

Published by admin on Mon, 09/18/2023 - 6:19pm

The village of Coal City is filled with outstanding citizens—volunteers, community organizers, humanitarians, business leaders and public servants —and this year the mayor and town trustees honored one such individual with the Community Service Award.

This year’s recipient is a person deserving recognition for their outstanding contributions to Coal City and the surrounding communities. The support afforded to so many organizations, programs and events is just a small part of what makes the 2023 honoree deserving of the town’s acknowledgment.

Police seek information on building break-in

Published by admin on Mon, 09/11/2023 - 6:17pm

When employees of a local business arrived for the work day last Tuesday and found a wooden door off its hinges it prompted a call to the building owner and police.

Someone gained entry into the building at 35 E. Willow St., and vandalized the basement. Multiple rooms within the basement were in disarray.

The walls and floors were painted with rollers and spray cans and the fluorescent light bulbs were broken.

Unit 1 finances in good shape

Published by admin on Mon, 09/11/2023 - 6:16pm

The Unit 1 School District was given an A+ for it finances during a recent audit of the books

“This is the highest level of opinion of the financial statements that we can issue,” said Cate Moulton, a certified public accountant with Mack & Associates.

The annual financial audit was conducted in July, taking a comprehensive look at the district’s financial statements for fiscal year 2023 that ended June 30.

Coal City to celebrate this weekend with annual Fall Fest

Published by admin on Mon, 09/11/2023 - 6:14pm

The community will gather this weekend in celebration of the citizens of Coal City.

Coal City’s Village and Park Boards, with the support of local businesses and organizations, will host the third annual Fall Fest—an event that will usher in a new season—on Saturday, Sept. 16.

Fall Fest will include a variety of activities for citizens of all ages including a classic car show, 5K fundraising run, live music, a makers court, food and games.

Petition filing dates for General Primary Election

Published by admin on Mon, 09/11/2023 - 6:11pm

Grundy County Clerk Kay Olson announced that established political party Grundy County candidates wishing to appear on the March 19, 2024 General Primary ballot can now pick up petition packets from the county clerk's office. Candidates may also download the packets from the county clerk's website at www.grundycountyil.gov, under 'Election Information' and may also request a petition packet by e-mail, by contacting the clerk's office at elections@grundycountyil.gov.

A plan for reconstruction

Published by admin on Tue, 09/05/2023 - 4:55pm

One resident, one member of the press and four village officials were the only individuals in the room for a public hearing to explain the reconstruction of North Broadway and North Street.

“The purpose of this project is to reconstruct the deteriorated pavement, improve drainage and safety for non-motorized users, improve operational issues along the Broadway Street corridor,” said Ryan Hansen, of Chamlin & Associates, the village’s engineer.

Fun for all at Diamond Fall Fest

Published by admin on Tue, 09/05/2023 - 4:53pm

Diamond’s Fall Fun Fest will be bigger than ever and in making that statement, the mayor isn’t just talking about the life-size T-Rex that will be roaming through the town park.

“I am beyond thrilled for this year’s festival,” Diamond Mayor Terry Kernc said ahead of the Sept. 9 event that is estimated to bring 600 people into the park for an afternoon of family fun.

The annual Fall Fun Fest will get underway at 11 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. in the park located next to the village hall at 1750 E. Division St.

Ready for a homecoming parade?

Published by admin on Tue, 09/05/2023 - 4:51pm

The tradition of hosting a homecoming parade for Coal City High School will continue this year with a march along Broadway Street.

The third annual homecoming parade, Coalers in Paradise, will be held Friday, Oct. 6 stepping off from the intersection of South Broadway and Spring Road at 2:30 p.m. The parade will head north on Broadway to Carbon Street and conclude at the Berst Center on Kankakee Street.

The Marching Coaler Bands from the high school and middle school will participate as will various high school clubs, organizations and athletic teams.