News

Solar farm slated for West River Road

Published by admin on Tue, 09/27/2022 - 4:46pm

Vacant property along West River Road could be the next site for a solar farm in the region.

Representatives from ReneSola gave a brief presentation to the members of the Wilmington City Council in mid-September, during the regular meeting of the Committee of the Whole.

The solar company is looking to create a solar farm along Route 102/West River Road near the intersection of Coal City Road.

Wilmington collecting data on city’s strengths and weaknesses

Published by admin on Tue, 09/27/2022 - 4:45pm

The City of Wilmington is working on its strategic planning for the next several years. And, as part of the process, city leaders have engaged with other local taxing bodies and business leaders for a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis.

Enterprise Drive change back for another vote in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 09/27/2022 - 4:42pm

A few weeks after the Braidwood City Council voted to vacate the unbuilt roadway that runs through the Route 66 Business Park, the issue came back before the mayor and commissioners, this time to fix the paperwork required to make the final decision, final.

On Sept. 13, the council approved an ordinance vacating Enterprise Drive.

While the council had approved a measure to vacate the drive in August, the issue had to come back before the City Council in order to be placed in the proper ordinance form.

A life devoted to public service

Published by admin on Tue, 09/20/2022 - 5:47pm

A six-year effort driven by State Senator Sue Rezin led to the renaming of a portion of Illinois Route 113 in honor of Coal City’s late police chief Dennis Neary.

“When I was first asked to carry legislation to rename this portion of Route 113 in honor of Dennis, I knew it was absolutely the right thing to do for his family, this community, and his legacy,” Rezin said.

Homecoming glitz

Published by admin on Tue, 09/20/2022 - 5:45pm

Homecoming is a good time to get glammed up, and that’s the concept for all the activities taking part next week as Coal City High School celebrates homecoming week.

The week-long celebration is designed to be the best week of the year for high schoolers with fun activities, traditions and plenty of celebrating.

The school’s student council is responsible for organizing and carrying out homecoming week activities from setting up a week of dress up days and class contests, to hosting the homecoming pep assemblies and dance.

Rezoning request rescinded

Published by admin on Tue, 09/20/2022 - 5:43pm

Meadow Estates residents had a lot to say about a proposal to build apartments in their subdivision, and they were apparently heard by the developer.

A petition seeking the rezoning of lots of 1001 and 1003 Foxgrove Drive from community commercial (C3) to high density multi-family

residential (RM2) was submitted to the village of Coal City in July. Had it been approved it would have cleared the way for Scaggs to construct up to 15 residential dwellings.

Election petitions now available for local office

Published by admin on Tue, 09/20/2022 - 5:42pm

Individuals interested in serving on local municipal, school and library boards can begin circulating nominating petitions.

Candidates will have just about two months to collect the required number of signatures to get on the April 4, 2023 ballot.

Residents in the villages of Coal City and Carbon Hill will be selecting members to represent their interests.

Coal City residents will be selecting a mayor [village president], clerk and three trustees. All five positions up for election carry a four-year term.

Garage sales Saturday

Published by admin on Tue, 09/20/2022 - 5:41pm

Coal City residents are setting up for this weekend’s all-town garage sales.

A variety of items will be sold as locals offer clothing, tools, furniture, household items, holiday decorations and much more.

The sales will be held rain or shine on Friday, Sept. 23 and Saturday, Sept. 24 between 8 a.m.to 4 p.m., Some sales may open or close earlier than the posted time, even a day or so earlier. Be sure to check out the classified section of this week’s edition for listings.

Cold storage petition gets green light from Wilmington zoning board

Published by admin on Tue, 09/20/2022 - 5:38pm

The petitioner for a proposed cold storage facility is back before the city of Wilmington, this time with tweaks and changes to the plan that would create a new cold storage warehouse along Route 53 just south of Kankakee River Drive and Dow.

The site is under contract for purchase with Walrus CC LLC of Georgia, a third-party cold storage facility. The proposed building will total about 300,000 square feet, with a cold storage tower of approximately 100-feet tall.

Wilmington's Friday night lights set for an upgrade

Published by admin on Tue, 09/20/2022 - 5:37pm

A lighting project could be slated as early as next spring for the athletic fields of Wilmington School District 209-U.

But, district officials also wanted to quell any talk that the new lights are a matter of choice, not necessity.

Superintendent Dr. Matt Swick said last spring, a member of the board of education brought the district the idea of upgrading the lights for the baseball diamond, football stadium, and parking lots to LED lighting.