News

‘Toot’ retires after 35 years as a part-timer

Published by admin on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 9:14pm

    He’s only been a part-timer, their “hillbilly interpreter,” their Barney Fife — although he says he’s more like Andy Taylor — and after 35 years behind the badge, Officer Jerry “Toot” Tutor has retired from the Wilmington Police Department.
    Tutor was sworn in in January 1984. His training consisted of riding along with seasoned officers Terry Sterling, Greg Hidelbaugh and Dave Muir. Back then, part-time officers weren’t required to attend the police training institute.

City seeks safer Chicago Street turn

Published by admin on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 9:00pm

    Before Roy Strong left the mayor’s office in 2009 the council had agreed to make the intersection of Chicago Street and North Water Street a stop intersection. That never happened, and city officials are revisiting the issue and preparing to make some changes.

City to welcome craft brewery

Published by admin on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 8:58pm

    Although it won’t be the city’s first brewery, it will be the first to brew today’s craft beers and ciders here.
    The Markert Brewery, located on what we now call Old River Road, operated in the early 1870s. The brewery itself no longer exists, but the limestone house belonging to the Markert family is still standing. Markert’s was likely the city’s first brewery, but not the last.

Coal City declares property as surplus

Published by admin on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 7:43pm

     A strip of land once belonging to the village of Eileen will soon be up for sale.
    After years of maintaining the land that runs between the Burlington Northern and Union Pacific rail lines, the village of Coal City has determined it’s in the town’s best interest to declare the site as surplus and offer it to the best bidder.
    The dimensions of the site, along with a proper legal description, have not yet been formulated by the village for the acreage that is located north of Route 113 with Railroad Street to the west and Second Street to the east.

Coal City seeks ways to combat drug use

Published by admin on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 7:42pm

   One drug overdose is bad, four even worse, but the worst is when people die and that’s what happened here at the end of 2018. In under 48 hours two people, a 26-year-old male and a 60-year-old female, succumbed to lethal doses of heroin.
    The news prompted questions to which Coal City’s police chief outlined the  prevalence of drug use in the community with the Village Board. What he told them is, “we are not immune.”

Diamond extends enterprise zone to include $1 billion facility

Published by admin on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 7:40pm

     The village of Diamond will extend the boundary of its enterprise zone to encompass a $1 billion electric generating facility.
    Competitive Power Ventures is set to construct a 1.250 megawatt natural gas fueled generating facility along Collins Road in Goose Lake Township and has asked Diamond to include the site within its zone. In doing so, the company would be eligible for certain economic development incentives offered by the state of Illinois.

Juniors, seniors eligible for Grundy County Summer Internships

Published by admin on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 7:38pm

The Grundy County Summer Internship is in its seventh year and is better than ever.  This summer, the program has over 40 paid opportunities for local juniors and seniors to gain valuable work experience at some of Grundy County's best employers.  Deadline to apply is Feb. 20.

Braidwood finances deep in the red

Published by admin on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 7:38pm

The city of Braidwood is facing a dire financial situation, despite the mayor’s reassurance earlier this month that things are moving along well. And, it appears, at least part of the problem stems from a previous audit that was off by hundreds of thousands of dollars for some funds.

Coal City Police welcome new officer

Published by admin on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 7:36pm

     On a day designated to honor the service and sacrifice of the nation’s law enforcement community, the Coal City Police Department  came out to support one of its own.
    The department’s sergeants and patrol officers filled the village hall’s board room Jan. 9 to watch as the town’s newest patrol officer, Nicholas Mazzone, was sworn into duty. Jan. 9 was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
    “How appropriate it is to be swearing in a new officer on this day. Congratulations and welcome to the department,” Mayor Terry Halliday said.

Leopold in the Spotlight for January

Published by admin on Tue, 01/15/2019 - 7:36pm

 

The Reed-Custer High School Senior Spotlight winner for the month of January is Luke Leopold.

Luke is the son of Robert and Erin Boseo.

During his high school career, Luke has been involved in Basketball, RC Chatter, and National Honor Society. He was also a mentor for an RCMS student, a Student of the Month, and was the videographer for football, basketball, and volleyball games.

Luke’s teachers said he’s a hard worker who sets a good example for his peers.

Mrs. Dennis called Luke a model student.