News

Coal City students are headed back to school

Published by admin on Tue, 08/05/2025 - 3:33pm

As students and families enjoy the final days of summer break, Coal City School District faculty and staff are preparing for a brand new academic year.
The first day of student attendance for the 2025-2026 school year is Wednesday, Aug. 13. Schools will operate on the first/last day dismissal schedule that will have students at the Early Childhood Center attending from 7:55 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Elementary School and Intermediate School from 8:10 a.m. to 1:35 p.m., Middle School from 8:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. and High School students will report from 8:20 a.m. to 1:40 p.m.

Breaking the Chain: Town Hall session filled with hope

Published by admin on Tue, 08/05/2025 - 3:02pm

The Wilmington Coalition for a Healthy Community will be hosting a Town Hall meeting on Monday, Aug. 11 at the Mar Theatre, 121 S. Main St.
Michael Menard, a Kankakee native and bestselling author, will be the keynote speaker. His memoir, "The Kite That Couldn't Fly" became an unexpected catalyst for trauma awareness, leading to his groundbreaking new book, "Greater Than Gravity: How Childhood Trauma is Pulling Down Humanity."

The Garage on Water opens with ribbon cutting

Published by admin on Tue, 07/29/2025 - 4:44pm

Wilmington’s downtown just got a little livelier. A ribbon cutting was held Friday morning to welcome the city’s newest business, The Garage on Water, a sports bar located along the millrace at 118 S. Water Street.

Altiery files lawsuit to get job back

Published by admin on Tue, 07/29/2025 - 4:39pm

At the July 22 Braidwood City Council meeting, the city clerk was served a subpoena on behalf of Tony Altiery, former Braidwood City Administrator vs. the City of Braidwood by his attorney John V. Schrock of Plainfield.
Altiery is asking to be reinstated to the position of Supervisor of Streets and Public Improvement and Supervisor of Public Improvement, at the annual salary of $119,000 with health insurance, 30 days vacation, 72 hours of sick time, annual raises, a $600 clothing allowance and a $150 boot allowance.

Student orientation starts Friday

Published by admin on Tue, 07/29/2025 - 9:35am

Orientation events for Coal City School District students begin this week, as Coal City High School will welcome the class of 2029 in for freshman orientation on Friday, Aug. 1.
All freshmen students are encouraged to attend in order to learn more about freshman year and the opportunities available as a high school student.
Orientation will be held at the high school from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Students are to be dropped off and picked up from the Events Entry on the west side of the school.

Repairs at Intermediate School to start

Published by admin on Tue, 07/22/2025 - 4:12pm

After nearly nine months of closure, visible progress is underway at Coal City Intermediate School, where a long-awaited gymnasium repair project is set to begin later this week.
At a special meeting set for July 23, the Coal City Community Unit School District 1 Board of Education is expected to approve a contract with Colfax Corporation for asbestos removal inside the school’s north gymnasium. The bid—$85,950—was the lowest of four submitted and came in under the district’s estimates.

Bielfeldt, Meyer headed to Bassmaster Nationals

Published by admin on Tue, 07/22/2025 - 4:05pm

Reed-Custer High School’s Casting Comets are headed to Georgia, where Alex Bielfeldt and Mady Meyer will compete in the prestigious Strike King Bassmaster High School National Championship from July 31 to August 2 on Clarks Hill Lake in Evans, Georgia.
This marks Bielfeldt’s second consecutive trip to nationals, having fished last year at Chickamauga Lake in Tennessee with former partner Bret Cavanaugh. While the duo caught fish in 2024, they didn’t place. Now, with a new teammate and boat captain, Bielfeldt is hoping for a different outcome.

Will County Board continues fight against Rivals Road solar plan

Published by admin on Tue, 07/22/2025 - 4:02pm

In September 2021, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker set a goal of 100 percent carbon-free electricity by the year 2045.
When cities and counties began speaking out about the establishment of solar energy plants, the governor usurped the power of Illinois counties.
In January 2023, Pritzker passed a law preempting county authority to enact local ordinances that prohibit wind and solar energy projects.
Since then, green energy corporations have descended upon Illinois making farmers an offer they can’t refuse.

Plans for a city center firming up

Published by admin on Tue, 07/15/2025 - 4:00pm

Braidwood Mayor Todd Lyons and Administrative Consultant Steve Gulden continue to seek information, consultants, and grants for a city center.
Tentatively, the center is planned for city-owned vacant property behind Casey’s on Main Street.
“Steve and I met with and had lunch with State Representative Anthony DeLuca in Essex,” Lyons said. “We met with the mayor also. Just a meet and greet to get to know him, and we just talked to him about some possible grant opportunities.”

Small Town Theatrics to present "The Hunchback of Notre Dame"

Published by admin on Tue, 07/15/2025 - 3:56pm

At its heart, community theatre is just that-community. It takes people from all walks of life coming together-sharing their time, talents, and resources-to bring each show to life. This summer, Small Town Theatrics celebrates its 16th season, a milestone made possible by the ongoing commitment, encouragement and generosity of a community that extends across the miles. For summer 2025, individuals from 18 communities have come together to present the powerful and timeless musical, The Hunchback of Notre Dame.