Braidwood Journal

Trap shooting team lauded by School Board

Published by admin on Tue, 07/24/2018 - 6:37pm

Reed-Custer High School first kicked around the idea of a trap shooting team last fall. And while the team only came together in February of this year, already it’s drawn out student athletes who know how to take aim.

On July 18, members of the Board of Education welcomed team members, coaches, and parents, who started with the team in the spring as part of the Illinois High School Clay Target League.

Seven of the team’s 14 members participated at the state level in the Comets’ inaugural season.

Board says yes to tax ballot issue

Published by admin on Tue, 07/24/2018 - 6:35pm

The Reed-Custer Board of Education has said yes to putting a new tax on the ballot for taxpayers to decide.

But the decision to put it to a public vote was a thin margin, after one board member objected to the overall issue.

At issue is the proposed Will County Schools Facilities Sales Tax.

Summerfest makes a splash

Published by admin on Tue, 07/24/2018 - 6:34pm

 

A smattering of rain throughout the weekend couldn’t dampen the spirits of festival goers who flocked to the 37th Annual Braidwood Lions Summerfest at Old Smokey City Park.

Dark skies, rain clouds, and muggy temperatures threatened the festival throughout the four-day event, but couldn’t keep hundreds from enjoying carnival rides, entertainment, food, fun, bingo, flea market, contests, and the annual parade.

School board: Let the voters decide on tax

Published by admin on Tue, 07/10/2018 - 5:57pm

The Reed-Custer School District may soon join other districts in the county in asking voters to make a decision on a new funding tax.

In June, members of the Board of Education held a brief discussion on the proposed Will County Schools Facilities Sales Tax.

All counties in the state except Cook County can impose a tax, from which the revenue generated can be exclusively used for “school facility purposes” as defined in the statute.

Vegetable farmer sees stellar season in Custer Park

Published by admin on Tue, 07/10/2018 - 5:56pm

“There’s always something to learn."

With that attitude, Dan Perkins has cultivated his land along Zilm Road in Custer Park into a large vegetable farm, which is seeing a successful year in 2018.

Perkins, a retired carpenter who purchased his property six years ago, has been growing vegetables and selling them at markets most of his life.

But now, his one-time hobby has turned into a day-to-day way of life, with more than three of his seven acres dedicated to growing a variety of fresh vegetables.

New center services local food pantries

Published by admin on Tue, 07/10/2018 - 5:53pm

Food pantries rely on a variety of funding and donation mechanisms to fill their shelves. This summer, receiving those goods has become somewhat easier for local pantries, with the opening of the new Northern Illinois Food Bank South Suburban Center in Joliet.

The center opened in a new warehouse facility on Larkin Avenue in May, to address a growing need.

Santa is coming to town... in July!

Published by admin on Tue, 07/10/2018 - 5:51pm

 

The Braidwood Lions are getting ready to deck the halls — In July.

The final touches are being put on the 37th Annual Braidwood Lions Club Summerfest, set for July 19 through 22 at Braidwood’s Old Smokey City Park.

The theme for this year’s festival is “Christmas is July.” Summerfest will once again feature four days full of fun, entertainment, and carnival rides for the entire family.

High school gym to get a cool down

Published by admin on Mon, 07/02/2018 - 6:22pm

The high school graduation ceremony at Reed-Custer High School is usually a warm affair for the 100 or so graduates and their families.

But starting next year, the discomfort of the heat won’t be a problem for the celebrants and those who come to see them make their final walk.

On June 20, Superintendent Mark Mitchell told members of the Board of Education that after more than two decades, the high school gym would finally get air conditioning.

The district will pay Precision Controls $250,000 for the new unit, a price well below what the district planned.

BAHCC receives grant for drug disposal solution

Published by admin on Mon, 07/02/2018 - 6:16pm

Braidwood’s organization that works to fight the drug epidemic has a new tool in its toolbox to fight substance abuse.

The Braidwood Area Health Communities Coalition (BAHCC) has been awarded a grant from the Amerisource Bergen Foundation to assist with the coalition’s mission to fight illegal drug use and abuse.

The initiative helps provide communities with safe solutions to dispose of opioids and other drugs, via deactivation bags to make medicine safe to discard.

Mayor: Be safe this summer

Published by admin on Mon, 07/02/2018 - 6:14pm

Mayor Jim Vehrs is again imploring the public to keep their eyes on the road – and keep an eye out for kids – now that summer is fully in swing.

The mayor made a public plea for safety during the June 26 regular meeting of the City Council, in light of a near-miss accident he’d been told about involving a car and a child.

“As we’re going into this summertime, like I’ve said before, let’s give these little children some room there on the sidewalks and when they’re crossing the road,” Vehrs said. “We had a little incident today, nobody got hurt, thank God for that.”