News

St. Rose School to close

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2020 - 8:09pm

Parents of students at St. Rose Catholic School in Wilmington and St. Joseph School in Manhattan were notified Monday that the two schools would merge, and students would attend classes at the Manhattan campus.
In a joint letter, Fr. Sebastian Gargol, the pastor at St. Rose, and Fr. John Lindsey, the pastor at St. Joseph parish, explained that this year, unforeseen developments made sustaining St. Rose School for another year not feasible. First, they explained, a teacher shortage in the state has made it difficult to impossible to staff the school for the coming year.

E-learning participation now required

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2020 - 8:06pm

Students will now have to participate in remote learning opportunities, and districts will be counting social distancing days as days of pupil instruction.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed an executive order on Friday that officially adjusted the “act of God” status on all regular school days that will be missed as a result of the statewide required school closure.

Celebration of Route 66 canceled

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2020 - 8:01pm

The Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor tour, traditionally held on the first Saturday of May, has been canceled for 2020 in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The 14th annual Red Carpet Corridor tour has been sponsored by the 13 communities, from Joliet to Towanda, that touch the celebrated road along 90 miles of its run through the state of Illinois. This year’s event was scheduled for Saturday, May 2.

Coal City outlines $219,000 in street repairs

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2020 - 7:37pm

Each year the village of Coal City outlines a plan to improve its street infrastructure, and this construction season the priority is alleys, intersections and roadways.
Village administrator Matt Fritz reports the budgetary allotment for the work is $200,000, however the proposal currently before the Village Board comes with an estimated cost of just over $219,000.
Village engineer Ryan Hansen noted the estimated costs come with 15% in contingencies and believes the final costs can be brought within budget.

Coal City implements CodeRED emergency system

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2020 - 7:34pm

The village of Coal City has implemented a villagewide alert system to provide citizens with important information regarding emergency situations and important community information.
Town officials agreed to move forward with the system a year ago, and after months of preparation the program became available to residents within the last week.

Park restroom project moving forward

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2020 - 7:33pm

A construction budget has been approved, now it’s time for the village of Coal City to find a contractor to construct the new handicap accessible restroom in Lions Park.
A $96,000 grant the village received from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will be used to build the restroom facility adjacent to the Hope Helps inclusive playground.
Village engineer Ryan Hansen presented the final design and $150,000 construction budget at the Village Board’s March 25 meeting.

Unit 1 providing lunches to district students

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2020 - 7:32pm

The Unit 1 School District is providing breakfast and lunch to any district student who needs a nutritious meal.
Breakfast and lunch meals are served on a grab-and-go basis. When students pick up their lunch, they also receive breakfast items for the following day.
This service is available through the existing stay-at-home and school closure order. Superintendent Dr. Kent Bugg reports about 25 students are currently participating in the lunch offering.

Unit 1 students getting back to the books

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2020 - 7:31pm

Moments after Gov. JB Pritzker announced his intent to extend the state’s stay at home order and required school closure, Unit 1 School Superintendent Dr. Kent Bugg sent out a communication to his staff.
“It is safe to assume that the current remote learning format will continue through April 30,” he stated.
Remote learning in the district is set to begin Thursday, as school districts across the state transition from Act of God Days to remote learning days.

Sewing to slow the spread

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2020 - 7:25pm

Face masks have been in short supply for weeks now as people have grabbed them up for another layer of protection against the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Health care workers who work directly with COVID-19 patients are the ones who need the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-approved masks the most — and all over they’re in high demand.

Alumni come home, college year cut short

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2020 - 7:24pm

Four years ago, students in the class of 2016 at Reed-Custer High School were enjoying the last few months of school before that day in May when they would walk across the stage and leave high school behind.
Many of those students are now on the brink of graduating from college, but in a matter of weeks as the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has gotten more serious, the rest of their spring semesters have fallen out from beneath them.