News

Memorial Day in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 05/29/2018 - 7:08pm

More than 100 people braved the heat and humidity to take part in this year’s Memorial Day observance in Braidwood, Remembering those who have paid the ultimate price in their service to the United States.

The annual ceremony is hosted each year by the members of the American Legion Koca Post 39.

“This is the day we remember those who gave the ultimate price for our country,” said Koca Post Commander Jim Canup. “This year is the 100th year of the American Legion, and it’s our post’s 99th.”

Bridge repairs planned for I-55

Published by admin on Tue, 05/29/2018 - 7:04pm

Another major construction project is headed to Interstate 55 in Will County.

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) will tackle the troublesome bridges over the BNSF railroad, just north of North River Road in Wilmington, tentatively starting in 2019.

IDOT has started preliminary engineering and environmental studies (Phase I) for the improvement of I-55 over the BNSF railroad and Grant Creek in Wilmington Township.

The work is included in IDOT’s 2018-2023 Proposed Highway Improvement Program.

Marine brother surprises sister

Published by admin on Tue, 05/22/2018 - 7:50pm

Coal City High School graduate Ashley Medina didn’t see her big brother sitting in the stands as she walked into the school’s gymnasium on Sunday afternoon, but then again, she wasn’t looking for him.
Ashley and her family weren’t expecting Alexander Medina to attend the May 20 commencement ceremony. In fact, they thought he was in Japan where he’s stationed with the United States Marine Corps.
Little did they know, Alexander arranged a brief leave to make it back for his sister’s graduation and he kept it a surprise.

UPDATED: Coal City Police investigate threat, students not at risk

Published by admin on Tue, 05/22/2018 - 7:49pm

     The Coal City Police Department reports it received information on Tuesday, May 22, from the administration at Coal City Middle School that a threat of violence was a made toward a juvenile and family member outside of the school.
    “Since being made aware of this incident, the Coal City Police Department has investigated this complaint that was brought to light by the Coal City School District,” said Sgt. Tom Logan.

Post 1336, Ace Hardware, NHS team up to honor deceased veterans

Published by admin on Tue, 05/22/2018 - 7:48pm

The Veterans of Foreign War of the United States has partnered with Ace Hardware to give away one million U.S. stick flags in the weeks leading up to Memorial Day in an effort to mark as many veteran's graves as possible.  
Ace retailers nationwide will donate flags to local VFW posts at no charge.
Locally, St. Juvin Post 1336 received flags from Matteson Ace Hardware in Coal City and in turn donated them to  Braceville-Gardner Cemetery. This is  the third year the organization has supplied flags to the cemetery.

Town leaders agree to tear down Oak Street residence

Published by admin on Tue, 05/22/2018 - 7:46pm

     The village of Coal City is prepared to demolish a vacant, unkempt property not far from the center of town.
    On a recommendation from the village administrator back in January, trustees agreed to move forward with enforcement action on two residential properties, one of them located 95 E. Oak St.
    After completing the proper posting and notice requirements, the village  found no one associated with the property to be interested in rectifying the property maintenance issues in order to save the residential structure from demolition.

Memorial Day tribute planned in Coal City

Published by admin on Tue, 05/22/2018 - 7:45pm

On Memorial Day, American Legion Post 796 will join the community in saluting the men and women who served in defense of our nation, paying particular note to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Memorial Day is a day set aside to pay tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in defense of freedom. In all, 761 Coal City area residents were called to military service from World War I to Vietnam, and 24 of them did not return home.

Time to chart a new path

Published by admin on Tue, 05/22/2018 - 7:45pm

     Nick Berta stepped to the podium to deliver his final address to the class of 2018. He started with the obligatory welcome, and closed with a question to ponder.
    Reciting a line from the musical “Rent,” that seeks to know how one measures the moments of a year, the class president asked, “class, how are each of you going to measure your years?”
    For the class of 2018 there has been a legion of moments that have defined not only its senior year, but all of the students’ days at Coal City High School.

Cheep lessons: Raising chicks teaches fifth graders reading, writing and so much more

Published by admin on Tue, 05/22/2018 - 6:54pm

    “All I ever wanted is to hatch. Then it started,” wrote Nikki, a fifth grade student at Stevens Intermediate School. “... Fresh air peeped through. I needed it. It was the best smell ever! It is better than slimy goo.”
    The fifth grade classes just finished their study of embryology and incubation, and said good-bye to the dozens of fuzzy yellow chicks that were hatched in their classrooms.

City takes up solar proposal

Published by admin on Tue, 05/22/2018 - 6:39pm

    The electric bills at the city wastewater treatment plant have been climbing, and city officials are going to look at drastically cutting that cost with earth-friendly solar power.
    “Since I’ve been here, one of our biggest costs at the sewer plant has been the utilities,” wastewater system superintendent Darin Fowler told the council’s Finance Committee last week. When he was hired just a few years ago, the city paid about $65,000 per year for electricity for plant operations. Now, that cost is around $100,000 per year.