Braidwood Journal

City to homeowners: Pay your water bills

Published by admin on Tue, 06/20/2017 - 6:51pm

The city of Braidwood is cracking down on homeowners who have gotten too far behind in paying their utility bills.

On June 13, Public Buildings and Property Commissioner Jim Hutton said that as of this month, dozens of people were on the list for delinquent water bills.

“Monday and Tuesday, we tagged 58 houses to be shut off,” Hutton said. “People aren’t paying their bills.”

Hutton said the city was giving those folks one week — until Tuesday, June 20 — to pay those bills, or they’d shut off water service.

“We’ve got to stop the bleeding,” Hutton said.

Braidwood police to be outfitted with body cams

Published by admin on Tue, 06/20/2017 - 6:48pm

The Braidwood Police Department has a new tool in its box of tricks for keeping law and order.

On June 13, members of the City Council approved a services and purchasing agreement with Axon and Evidence.com for new police body cameras, for a total purchase price of $62,226.

“The Axon police and body cameras sync with each other, allowing video to be taken from all angles and uploaded,” Public Health and Safety Commissioner Eric Tessler said. “This will allow the officer/investigator to see all sides of a scene at one time.”

Search for Kay Gray continues Wednesday

Published by admin on Wed, 06/14/2017 - 2:14pm

The search for Kim Ellen "Kay" Gray continued on Wednesday, June 14, as water rescue teams searched a channel in Shadow Lakes.

Braidwood Police Chief Nick Ficarello said early on Wednesday, a cadaver dog indicated a hit at the channel that intersects Largemouth Lane.

Gray was reported missing from her Smallmouth Lane home around 8:30 a.m. Monday. Her son noted that while he had not seen his mother since Sunday night, neighbors reported to have seen her on a walk on Monday morning. When she didn't return to her home, family called police.

Fire Sirens sound the bell for the last time

Published by admin on Tue, 06/13/2017 - 6:32pm

It’s been a traditional civic group in Braidwood since 1969.

But as of this past weekend, the Braidwood Fire Sirens are no more.

After hosting this year’s annual garage sale days, the Sirens, with just four members at its tail end of service, officially disbanded.

Members said that with dwindling membership and less of a need for the Sirens to take on specific roles with the fire department anymore, it was time for the group to say good-bye.

Heberer retires after 45 years

Published by admin on Tue, 06/13/2017 - 6:25pm

After 45 years with the department and 10 years as chief, Ken Heberer is enjoying life without the fire pole.

On June 1, Heberer officially retired from the fire service, following four and one-half decades answering calls in the Braidwood Fire Protection District. On June 3, his fellow firemen, family, and friends held a retirement party in his honor at the fire house on Main Street.

Coal City Fire Chief Jim Sheldon noted that he and Heberer have developed a close bond as chiefs in neighboring towns.

Homeowner finally gets home repair permits

Published by admin on Tue, 06/13/2017 - 6:21pm

It was not a pretty process, but the disagreement between the city of Braidwood and one homeowner over permits to rehab his home has come to a conclusion, with the homeowner walking away with permits in hand.

Chris Earling said he had a positive and productive meeting with the city’s inspector, Mike Sharp, over changes inside his home that have been held up since the house was purchased in March.

Search continues for missing Shadow Lakes woman

Published by admin on Tue, 06/13/2017 - 6:16pm

Police are searching the area for an elderly woman who left her Shadow Lakes home between Sunday night and Monday morning and has not been seen since.

Kim Ellen “Kay” Gray, 73, was reported missing from her home at 104 Smallmouth Lane at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, June 12.

Gray is a Korean American female, 5-feet, 1-inch tall and weighs 130 pounds. She suffers with dementia. Police believe she may have wandered away from her home on Sunday evening.

A “Perfect” solution for pets in need

Published by admin on Tue, 06/06/2017 - 7:11pm

Some folks consider a pet just another member of the family.

It’s a sentiment that couldn’t be more accurate for a Braidwood woman who has stepped up efforts to keep local animals safe and loved.

Kirstie Knaeble moved to Braidwood with her husband from South Carolina in 2015. And she didn’t just bring with her a southern accent. The mom and animal lover also brought a desire to fill a need in the community — to help take care of pets who have been abandoned, neglected, or just need a home.

Fishing for a Cure raises $50,000 for BAHCC

Published by admin on Tue, 06/06/2017 - 7:08pm

It’s been 16 years since Exelon’s Braidwood Station first took a Saturday on the lake and turned it into a charity event.

On June 3, representatives from the plant hosted dozens of anglers to again raise funds, this time benefiting a cause that is essential to Braidwood.

The 16th Annual “Fishing for a Cure” charity bass tournament attracted fishermen from across the Midwest. The funds from this year’s tournament mean that since its inception, the charity event has raised more than a half million dollars for charitable causes.

School’s out for good at RCIS

Published by admin on Tue, 06/06/2017 - 7:06pm

The abatement crews are hard at work at Reed-Custer Intermediate School, safely pulling out asbestos contained in some roofing and flooring of the 88-year- old building.

But before the school was shuttered for good, residents got a chance to roam the halls one last time.

RCIS was open to the public for a last look around on June 1 and 2.

“We did have a lot of people who were able to come in and take a look,” said Superintendent Mark Mitchell. “We were able to give some things away.”