News

Braidwood Town Hall meeting set for Sept. 26

Published by admin on Tue, 09/19/2023 - 4:52pm

The city of Braidwood will host its next Town Hall meeting with city administrator Tony Altiery this month.

During the Sept. 13 regular meeting of the City Council, Commissioner Dale Walsh reminded the public that the second of three meetings is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

Braidwood coalition earns five more years of federal dollars

Published by admin on Tue, 09/19/2023 - 4:51pm

The Braidwood Area Healthy Community Coalition (BAHCC) has earned five additional years in funding from the federal program, to help implement and maintain efforts to battle substance use and abuse in the community.

On Sept. 11, BAHCC Program Director Pete Dell’Aquila told members during the coalition’s monthly meeting that the organization was told this month that they have received years six through 10 of the federal Drug Free Communities (DFC) grant.

The coalition was first awarded the DFC grant in 2018.

Braidwood Mayor Hart thanks the public for showing up

Published by admin on Tue, 09/19/2023 - 4:49pm

City leaders in Braidwood said they are encouraged by public engagement in city matters.

On Sept. 13, Mayor Karen Hart took a moment during the regular meeting of the city council to address the public interest in city matters, from commenting on social media to attending council and zoning meetings.

“I am very pleased with the amount of people who have been attending lately,” Hart said. “I know [city administrator] Tony [Altiery] addressed it at the last meeting, that is very encouraging that people will come and voice their opinions. That’s what it’s all about.”

Wilmington 209-U stays within its budget

Published by admin on Tue, 09/19/2023 - 4:43pm

Finances for Wilmington School District 209-U look to be in good shape, following the audit of the fiscal year that concluded on June 30. On Sept. 11, Tawnya Mack, CPA and Partner with Mack & Associates, delivered to the members of the board of education the results of the 2023 fiscal year (FY23), which concluded on June 30. The audit shows that the district’s general fund, which is comprised of educational, operations and maintenance, and working cash funds, ended the year with a fund balance of $15.5 million.

Changes coming to Wilmington’s South Island Park

Published by admin on Tue, 09/19/2023 - 4:41pm

The city of Wilmington has settled on a spot for its new Route 66 monument sign. And the decision looks to come with some attractive changes for the South Island Park.

The City Council was expected to approve two measures this week regarding the monument, which were each discussed at length at the Sept. 12 meeting of the Committee of the Whole.

WPD continues to fill out roster

Published by admin on Tue, 09/19/2023 - 4:37pm

The Wilmington Police Department is continuing its efforts to fill empty slots on its roster.

The department has been shorthanded over the past several months due to retirements and leave of several members.

On Sept. 12, Wilmington Police Chief Adam Zink reported to the members of the Committee of the Whole that another officer is expected to be selected for employment this month, with two more potential new hires on the horizon.

Running to end childhood cancer

Published by admin on Mon, 09/18/2023 - 6:24pm

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, 30 days set aside to advocate for kids. Megan Bugg’s mission was not only to boost awareness, but to raise funds for research.

Through her efforts and those of the Megan’s Mission Foundation, close to $2 million has been raised to support childhood cancer research. A majority of those funds is supporting the work taking place at the Megan Bugg Global Rhabdomyosarcoma Research Lab at the Children’s Cancer Therapy Development Institute.

Coal City signs on to grant program

Published by admin on Mon, 09/18/2023 - 6:22pm

The village of Coal City has formally accepted a federal grant to complete the expansion of its water treatment plant.

Coal City is one of six Illinois towns selected to receive a Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities [BRIC] grant from the federal Emergency Management Agency.

A total of $245,101 is being awarded to the village to purchase and install a generator at the water treatment facility.

An expansion and modernization of the treatment plant has been approved and construction is pending receipt of necessary equipment.

Remembering a community minded man

Published by admin on Mon, 09/18/2023 - 6:21pm

Straight forward and honest, two words used to describe a man who gave so much of himself to the community.

As his obituary notes, Philp “Leo” Middleton was, “very civic minded.”

Middleton, 68, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 9, his service to the community recognized by those he served and served with.

Middleton spent more than a decade as a village trustee, mayor and village administrator.

A much deserved honor

Published by admin on Mon, 09/18/2023 - 6:19pm

The village of Coal City is filled with outstanding citizens—volunteers, community organizers, humanitarians, business leaders and public servants —and this year the mayor and town trustees honored one such individual with the Community Service Award.

This year’s recipient is a person deserving recognition for their outstanding contributions to Coal City and the surrounding communities. The support afforded to so many organizations, programs and events is just a small part of what makes the 2023 honoree deserving of the town’s acknowledgment.