News

Reed-Custer schools earn commendable designation

Published by admin on Tue, 11/29/2022 - 3:51pm

Students in the Reed-Custer School District were able to show academic gains over the past year, despite the challenges and learning loss that plagued every school in the nation as a result of the pandemic.

The annual Illinois Report Card for the 2021-2022 academic year was issued late last month. The report measures academic performance and school environment factors from each public school in the state.

Per this year’s report, each of the district’s three schools earned a summative designation of “commendable” school.

Braidwood Lions Kiddie Park undergoes upgrades

Published by admin on Tue, 11/29/2022 - 3:49pm

The Braidwood Park District is working on improvements at the Lions Kiddie Park, thanks to efforts by the Braidwood Lions Club to raise funds to update the equipment that keeps those youngsters happy.

Reed-Custer approves tax agreement with Braidwood Station

Published by admin on Tue, 11/29/2022 - 3:47pm

The Reed-Custer Board of Education signed off on a six year agreement with Constellation Energy’s Braidwood Station earlier this month, approving the property tax settlement agreement to bring the district millions of tax dollars through the year 2027.

The agreement places the Equalized Assessed value (EAV) of Braidwood Station at $500 million during the life of the agreement.

That agreement would place annual property taxes for Braidwood Station at $29.5 million. Of that, the Reed-Custer School District will collect $19.6 million.

Reed-Custer Seniors honored as Illinois State Scholars

Published by admin on Tue, 11/29/2022 - 3:45pm

Nine members of the Reed-Custer High School Class of 2023 have earned the honor of Illinois State Scholar.

The students were given special recognition by the board of education during their regular monthly meeting on Nov. 16.

This year’s honorees are Laci Newbrough, James Sheridan, Makayla Wilkins, Tyler Wiyninger, Jaina Dubbert, Alexandra Bohac, Gabriella Davies, Abigail Sunday, and Maggie Lantka.

Custer Park man arrested in connection with man found dead in Kankakee County

Published by admin on Tue, 11/22/2022 - 5:01pm

A six month investigation into a body discovered in rural Kankakee County has culminated in the arrest of a Custer Park man for concelament of death.

The Braidwood Police Department announced the arrest on Tuesday, Nov. 22. 

On May 7, Adam Watts, 44, of Custer Park was reported missing to the Braidwood Police Department by a family member along with friends after not hearing from Watts for months, according to a press release from the BPD.

Braidwood Zoo animals will stay put for winter

Published by admin on Tue, 11/22/2022 - 4:37pm

As winter rolls in, there haven’t been any changes just yet to the city’s roadside attraction along Route 66.

But, city officials said negotiations are still in the works to bring commercial business to the site of the Braidwood Zoo sometime in the next year.

“We are working with a contractor right now,” city administrator Tony Altiery said of efforts to develop the city-owned parcel.

Altiery said the expectation is a commercial/retail business including a drive thru lane, utilizing the site entrances both off Front Street and Oak Street.

Braidwood Lions bring return with tree sales for Christmas

Published by admin on Tue, 11/22/2022 - 4:33pm

That famous yellow trailer is back at Whitmore Ace Hardware.

The members of the Braidwood Lions Club spent this week getting set for this year’s Christmas Tree Sales, an annual tradition spanning four decades now for the members of the Braidwood chapter of the service organization. The annual sales kick off on Friday, Nov. 25, the day after Thanksgiving.

Club Secretary Josh Bolatto said the Lions have been working diligently as the busy holiday season approaches.

BAHCC looks to partner with outreach organization

Published by admin on Tue, 11/22/2022 - 4:31pm

The Braidwood Area Healthy Community Coalition (BAHCC) is the most recent spot in Braidwood for the often used MicroPantry sites. Now, coalition members are looking to partner with another outreach program to help provide additional services for those in need.

The members of the BAHCC met for their regularly monthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 14.

MicroPantries—weatherproof cabinets designed to hold donations of food and goods—first appeared throughout the area more than six years ago.

Over public objections, Love’s Travel Center approved in Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 11/22/2022 - 4:29pm

An annexation agreement to allow a Love’s Travel Center to be built at River Road and Route 53 narrowly passed the Wilmington City Council on Nov. 15, following a two hour public comment period where several members of the public asked for the city to reject the proposal.

Roughly 30 members of the public attended the hearing on Nov. 15, which was the second chance the public had to voice their concerns over the project.

A public hearing was held earlier this month before the city’s Planning and Zoning Board, which unanimously rejected the proposal.

Quigley a lock for Wilmington Business Person of the Year

Published by admin on Tue, 11/22/2022 - 4:25pm

After 42 years of picking thousands of locks, Richard Quigley has a business philosophy that sometimes gets him in trouble, especially with his girlfriend.

The master locksmith and owner of Rich’s Lock & Key in Wilmington admits he’s a softy when it comes customers in dire need. Like the other day when he helped an woman who had locked her keys in the car. It was a rust-covered Buick that had seen better days. It took him just seconds to get inside.