Free Press Advocate

Holman honored for 20 years of serving the WBSA

Published by admin on Tue, 04/29/2025 - 4:13pm

There are dozens of volunteers who contribute to the success of the Wilmington Baseball Softball Association, but on Saturday the organization singled out one of their own, Van Holman, the outgoing president.
New president Tony Vercelli introduced Holman during an opening day ceremony that included throwing the first pitch.

Aldermen vote to keep local grocery tax

Published by admin on Tue, 04/22/2025 - 3:36pm

Aldermen voted Tuesday to keep a 1 percent grocery tax for everyone who shops in Wilmington. The state of Illinois is dropping the tax in January 2026 but local residents will continue to pay it.
According to finance director Nancy Gross, the Wilmington collects approximately $270,000 in grocery sales tax annually.

New owners plan to convert vacant grocery into a youth center

Published by admin on Tue, 04/15/2025 - 4:05pm

Shawn and Donna Matthews are the proud new owners of the former Valle’s Produce Market at 1085 S. Water Street.
The rural Wilmington couple purchased the property, in part, to establish a youth center. Shawn Matthews spoke of his plans for the building.
Though the deal has not yet been finalized, the Matthews are currently working with a Christian youth group to administer programs for teens. He said the group is enthusiastic, but since contracts have not yet been signed, Matthews cannot share the name of the organization.

Route 66 at a top speed of 39 mph

Published by admin on Tue, 04/08/2025 - 3:58pm

Being 5,150 miles from home, Roni Alho could have easily given up.
His 1968 moped, with its single gear, pedal start and one cylinder, suffered catastrophic failure. But the 35-year-old native of Turku, Finland was determined he would return to the U.S. to complete his 2,448-mile ride on historic Route 66.
He had gone too far to resign, passing through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and into New Mexico.
It was Oct. 15 of last year, 16 days into his trip, when his motorbike died outside of Tucumcari, NM, about 978 miles shy of the end of the Mother Road.

Voters re-elect Dietz as mayor

Published by admin on Wed, 04/02/2025 - 8:02am

Wilmington voters reaffirmed their belief in Mayor Ben Dietz, giving the incumbent a 591-303 win over former building inspector Jayson Walinski and former mayor Roy Strong who had 186 votes.

While vote totals are unofficial until being canvassed in two weeks, Dietz has a solid lead with 55%.

For 1st Ward Alderman, J. Marty Orr leads incumbent Ryan Jeffires 133-106. In the 2nd Ward, Ryan Knight will likely keep his seat against Robert "Bob" Thomas. And in the 4th Ward, current alderman Tom Smith leads Jacob Ragan 125-87

Ordinance would require everyone to carry loaf of bread

Published by admin on Tue, 04/01/2025 - 3:40pm

The Wilmington City Council is considering an ordinance that would require anyone who lives within the city to carry a loaf of bread in their car.

The reason is due to the large flock of domestic geese that continues to block Bridge Street which is a major highway that runs through town. The geese, who have made the north and south island parks their home, frequently stop traffic when they waddle from one side of the Historic Route 66 to the other.

The problem is they are slow to cross and fearless of cars as they associate vehicles with easy food.

Mayoral candidates make final plea to a full house

Published by admin on Tue, 03/25/2025 - 3:35pm

With one week to go in the election to decide who will serve as Wilmington’s mayor the next four years, the three candidates—incumbent Ben Dietz, former mayor Roy Strong and former building inspector Jayson Walinski—took the stage at Tuffy’s Lounge for a public forum on Monday.
Over the course of one hour, 20 minutes they took turns answering 25 questions presented by moderator Ralph “Tuffy” Stevens.

Excitement building over ‘Spring into Wilmington’ event

Published by admin on Tue, 03/18/2025 - 4:00pm

Buying a $20 passport and doing a little leg work could result in someone winning a new vehicle.
It’s just one of the prizes listed in the “Spring Into Wilmington” event, sponsored by the Wilmington Rotary Club, going on now through March 30.
Excitement is growing since Saturday when the shop Wilmington challenge kicked off with three ways to win:
1. Purchase a Passport: $20 entry for a chance to win three amazing prizes.

Candidates share why they want your vote

Published by admin on Wed, 03/05/2025 - 11:31am

There was plenty of common ground between candidates running for city council or for mayor Monday night during a forum that ended up being quite tame.
Pretty much all of them said they were running because they care about the community, wanting to see more commercial and residential development, better roads and sidewalks, and improvement of parks; words heard four and even eight years ago during the previous two elections.

Midewin loses 12 staffers, USDA blames Biden administration

Published by admin on Tue, 02/25/2025 - 3:41pm

In January, the Trump administration announced plans to downsize federal agencies. Though the news was disquieting, few believed this small pocket of Will County would be affected.
The very idea that federal downsizing would hit Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie never occur to those who worked there.
Thus, it was all the more shocking when between Feb. 14 and 18 the Sword of Damocles came down on Midewin. By that time, the U.S. Forest Service had fired 3,400 employees. The 12 from Midewin were the latest casualties. The entire educational staff was decimated.