News

Braidwood police to be more visible at businesses

Published by admin on Tue, 10/15/2019 - 5:13pm

Don’t be surprised if you begin seeing a few more friendly faces while you’re out shopping around town.
On Oct. 1, the Braidwood Police Department started a new initiative to perform random checks at businesses and banks throughout the city.
Braidwood Chief of Police Todd Lyons said the goal of this new initiative is to get officers out of their squad cars and into the community to be visible, where they will build relationships with residents and help be a deterrent to crime.

New parking restriction irks downtowners

Published by admin on Tue, 10/08/2019 - 8:23pm

When the signs went up last week, downtown business owners and residents took note.
The signs, notifying the public of a new parking restriction, will mean that nobody, even residents, will be able to park overnight on North Water Street.
According to city hall, an ordinance prohibiting parking on North Water Street daily from 3 to 6 a.m., to allow the public works crew to street sweep or snow plow as needed, was approved in August.

Fire district awarded nearly $500,000 grant

Published by admin on Tue, 10/08/2019 - 8:20pm

The Wilmington Fire Protection District will receive nearly $500,000 in grant funds over the next three years to increase its full-time district staff.
Fire Chief Tim Zlomie said some 600 departments nationwide applied for a Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response grant, administered by FEMA. The 2018 grant round was awarded in September.

Wilmington notes trick or treat hours

Published by admin on Tue, 10/08/2019 - 8:19pm

Trick or treating in the city of Wilmington will be on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., Mayor Roy Strong announced last week.
As always, residences that have exterior lights on are participating in the trick-or-treat custom.
Houses that are dark are not handing out candy. Children and their chaperones are asked to avoid disturbing those residents who do not have exterior lights on.
Trick-or-treat hours in unincorporated areas of Wilmington, including Ritchie, Resthaven, Alma Acres and Lakewood Shores, will be held Oct. 31 from 4 to 7 p.m.

Reactor down for refueling outage at Braidwood Station

Published by admin on Tue, 10/08/2019 - 6:33pm

On Monday, one of the two reactors at Exelon’s Braidwood Generating Station was temporarily removed from service, beginning an outage that will allow workers to refuel and perform maintenance over the next several weeks.
In a press release issued Monday morning, the nuclear plant reported that electricians, pipe fitters, welders, carpenters, laborers and other tradespeople traveled to Braidwood, where they are performing equipment upgrades and modifications that cannot be done while Unit 1 is online, including replacing about one-third of the reactor’s fuel.

Got goat’s milk? What about soap?

Published by admin on Tue, 10/08/2019 - 6:32pm

Someone’s hobby might be sewing, another person’s might be scrapbooking and another’s might just be raising goats.
Keely Senn, 31, of Coal City, is in the latter category. She raises 12 Nubian dairy goats, to be precise.
Not only does Senn raise and breeds goats, she also uses the milk from her goats to make a variety of bath and hygiene products, which she then sells through her business — PKC Nubians Soaps and More — when she’s not working at her job as a staff accountant.

Keeping the band marching on

Published by admin on Tue, 10/08/2019 - 6:28pm

If being a high school student wasn’t already stressful enough, imagine adding the responsibility of regularly conducting a 90-member marching band.
Annika Marchi and Meghan Haley, both 17-year-old juniors at Reed-Custer High School, from Braidwood, don’t mind taking on the task.
They’re the drum majors of the band — not a role to accept lightly.

Master of the matmen is Illinois Coach of the Year

Published by admin on Tue, 10/08/2019 - 5:37pm

Under the leadership of Mark Masters, the Coaler wrestling team has earned multiple regional and sectional titles and qualified for the state’s dual team finals — resulting in trophies being added to the case. And, his guidance has led to multiple young men taking their place on the winner’s podium.

Now, the time has come for the coach to garner a bit of recognition and it’s coming from the association that oversees the state’s interscholastic competition.

Adventure awaits

Published by admin on Tue, 10/08/2019 - 5:36pm

Free spirited and a bit mischievous, Peter Pan is the boy who never grows up. Unlike the character he plays, Coal City High School junior Gabe Ludes is looking forward to a grown-up life.
“The plan for growing up is to go to (University of) Michigan, get a law degree and become a successful lawyer and buy my parents stuff they need,” said Ludes.
But for the time being he’s happy being a high schooler who plays football and wrestles, and has the opportunity to step onto the stage and into the spotlight even when it requires him to wear green tights.

Stepping up to support cancer fighters, survivors

Published by admin on Tue, 10/08/2019 - 5:34pm

Breast cancer affected more than 250,000 people in 2018, and it’s projected that about 3.5 million women are living with breast cancer in the United States. Twelve percent of women will be diagnosed in their lifetime.
In support of those who have been diagnosed, and to aid in life saving research, the Ta Ta Trot organization is calling on the community to it them wipeout breast cancer.