Braidwood Journal

Families set to pack the park

Published by admin on Tue, 09/11/2018 - 6:18pm

For the past several years, the city of Braidwood has been able to attract hundreds to its annual Scarecrow Fest each fall.

While the event unfortunately won’t be able to return for 2018, city leaders said they’ve found a replacement event, set to create a day for family fun.

On Sept. 22, the city will join forces with the Braidwood Area Healthy Communities Coalition (BAHCC) to present “An Old Fashioned Family Day” at Old Smokey City Park.

Ag. students will raise, sell fish

Published by admin on Tue, 09/11/2018 - 6:17pm

The GAVC Ag Department is in full swing at Coal City High School as the first semester begins. Students have been busy the first couple of weeks getting into the community and starting the groundwork to create the new FFA chapter.

The semester started off in aquaculture. Students learned about the impact that aquaculture has on the economy and planned different projects to be in charge of throughout the year.

Former mayor disputes TIF plan

Published by admin on Tue, 09/04/2018 - 6:28pm

Braidwood’s previous mayor has raised some concerns over a plan to sell city owned properties and utilize tax funds inside the city’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) III district.

The city of Braidwood recently rid itself of dozens of city-owned lots in the Townes of Braidwood, which also sits inside TIF III.

Earlier in August, city administrator Don Labriola announced the sale of the remaining 46 subdivision lots. That sale means that all 58 previously city-owned lots will now go back on the tax rolls, bringing in more tax dollars once homes are built on them.

City presents barber’s family with memorial plaque

Published by admin on Tue, 09/04/2018 - 6:27pm

Braidwood’s long-time barber may have passed away, but his legacy lives on.

On Aug. 28, members of the Braidwood City Council made a special tribute to Joseph “Muzzy” Muzzarelli, who passed away in June.

Muzzy began working as a barber in Braidwood in 1959, and opened his own Main Street barber shop in 1962.

Muzzy’s children have since taken over the business, and earlier this summer the city placed a bench in front of his shop for folks to stop, rest and chat.

On Aug. 28, the council presented Muzzy’s family with a special plaque to honor their father.

Council shoots down business proposal

Published by admin on Tue, 09/04/2018 - 6:25pm

A vacant property at Main and Walker Streets in Braidwood will stay vacant, at least for now.

Last week, the City Council shut down a proposal by local builder Tony Altiery to build a commercial building at the site, amid heated objections from local residents.

Altiery brought his plans to build a 2,200-square foot, one-story office building at the site, along with a 17-space parking lot.

Custer Fire secures dispatch service

Published by admin on Tue, 09/04/2018 - 6:23pm

Custer Park is one step closer to operating its own services out of the fire station along Route 113.

Late last month, the Custer Park Fire Department secured dispatching services through the Will County Sheriff’s Department’s new Laraway Communications Center.

Custer Fire Protection District Board of Trustees President Ron Pruss said that while a full vote on accepting Custer Park has yet to happen in front of a majority Board of Directors, the Executive Board extended the department a year-by-year contract until the full vote makes its way through.

Transportation fix? Don’t count on it

Published by admin on Tue, 09/04/2018 - 6:21pm

Congress gets set to head back to work following the August recess, and representatives will duke it out when it comes to getting their issue pushed to the top of the list.

One issue that isn’t likely to see much action is transportation — bad news for drivers fed up with crumbling roads and backed up lanes in Will and Grundy counties.

Earlier this month, U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger, R-16, said there was little good news when it comes to federal funds allocated for work to improve the area’s roadways, particularly the Interstate 55 and Interstate 80 corridors.

New SRO officer keeps the peace at RCES

Published by admin on Tue, 09/04/2018 - 6:19pm

Reed-Custer’s School Resource Officer (SRO) Vern Reed will get some company on campus this year.

The school district and the city of Braidwood reached an agreement starting with the 2018-2019 school year, hiring a second SRO and adding an additional level of safety for students.

Earlier this summer, Officer Todd Flint was sworn in as a member of the Braidwood Police Department. Flint’s assignment is overseeing security at Reed-Custer Elementary School.

A trip down Memory Lane

Published by admin on Tue, 08/21/2018 - 6:10pm

 

With the historic Depot Museum as the backdrop, the Braidwood Area Historical Society (BAHS) held another successful summer car show on Saturday, Aug. 18.

Nearly 30 cars took part in this year’s show, ranging from classics to muscle cars.

The $10 donation that the vehicle owners bring benefit the BAHS and its historic preservation efforts in Braidwood. The BAHS handed out 26 door prizes and eight trophies during the event.

This Towne no longer our Towne

Published by admin on Tue, 08/21/2018 - 6:08pm

Dozens of vacant lots in a once up-and-coming development on Braidwood’s northwest side have sat vacant for years, under control of the city and adding no tax dollars into local coffers.

Now, the city has finally washed its hands of the remaining lots at the site, signing off on real estate agreements that could finally lead to development.

On Aug. 14, the City Council approved two agreements to sell a total of 46 lots inside the Townes of Braidwood, for a total of $242,000.