Coal City Courant

Property purchases are for planned parking

Published by admin on Tue, 09/18/2018 - 7:24pm

     Over the course of several closed-session discussions the Coal City Village Board has been considering the acquisition of property. Last week the board announced publicly its plan to purchase two parcels along South Broadway for the town’s future parking needs.
    By a vote of the board, and in the case of one parcel not unanimously, trustees authorized the execution of purchase agreements for 160 and 622 S. Broadway. The total cost, not including interest, comes in around $222,000.

Body of missing Carbon Hill man found

Published by admin on Tue, 09/18/2018 - 9:12am

     The body of a missing Carbon Hill man was discovered inside an abandoned greenhouse by juveniles who were playing in the area.
    Grundy County Coroner John W. Callahan’s office, with assistance from the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office and Coal City Police Department, is investigating the death of James E. Roney.
    For the past several years, the 59-year-old had been living with friends in Carbon Hill. He went missing Sept. 4.

Final farmers market of the season is Saturday

Published by admin on Tue, 09/11/2018 - 5:20pm

    Farmers market season is coming to a close in the village of Coal City as Market Fresh on Broadway will host its final shopping day this weekend.
    The seventh and final farmers market of 2018 will be held Saturday, Sept. 15 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Campbell Memorial Park, 580 S. Broadway.
    As with every market, fresh produce, sweet treats, handcrafted items and natural body care products will be available from nearly 20 vendors.
    Vendors slated to participate in this weeks market include:

Property tax deal extended

Published by admin on Tue, 09/11/2018 - 5:18pm

     Representatives from Exelon Generation and seven local taxing districts  sat down in April to begin negotiations on a new property tax deal, a month later the power generator asked the districts to consider extending the standing deal for one more year.
    The request came days after the company’s Dresden Generating Station failed to qualify for the capacity auction that took place on May 23.

Prairie Day is just days away

Published by admin on Tue, 09/11/2018 - 5:17pm

     The 21st annual Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area’s Prairie Day is just days away.
    The park’s Prairie Partners, the volunteer arm of the park, have set Saturday, Sept. 15, as the date for the annual festival.
    Prairie Day is a day to celebrate the prairie environment. On this one day the quiet of the prairie is interrupted for exploration, amazement and fun.

CCHS expanding opportunities for students

Published by admin on Tue, 09/11/2018 - 5:16pm

     Coal City High School students will have an opportunity to participate in a new honor society dedicated to those who excel in Spanish.
    At the request of the high school’s foreign language department, the Unit 1 Board of Education directed the school’s principal to move forward with the implementation of a local chapter of the Spanish National Honor Society (SNHS).
    “SNHS is an organization similar to the National Honor Society that recognizes exceptional students in Spanish courses,” said Kimberly Sondgeroth, a first year Spanish instructor at the school.

Unit 1 adopts $32 million budget

Published by admin on Tue, 09/11/2018 - 5:15pm

The Unit 1 School District plans to spend $32.8 million in the coming year, a spending plan that includes significant school safety initiatives.
    Last spring, in the wake of a series of school shootings, including one that resulted in the deaths of 17 students and staff members at a Florida high school, the district developed a school safety action plan. Outlined in the plan were measures Superintendent Dr. Kent Bugg said would both harden and soften the schools.

Another chance to enjoy market fresh goods

Published by admin on Tue, 09/04/2018 - 7:26pm

   Market Fresh on Broadway—Coal City’s farmers market—will return to Campbell Memorial Park on Thursday, Sept. 6.
    The week night market is one of two hosted by the village of Coal City this season. The idea for the Thursday markets was to give residents who might not have a chance to take part in the weekend events an opportunity to shop for locally grown produce and handcrafted items.

Miners report missing funds

Published by admin on Tue, 09/04/2018 - 7:25pm

     The community and even the competition is rallying around the Coal City Miners in hopes of salvaging the youth football season. The outreach comes with the recent realization that over $20,000 has been taken from the club’s bank account, allegedly at the hands of a former board member.
    On Friday evening, Aug. 31, the youth football organization announced via social media that through investigation a theft of funds had occurred and it, “was the act of one person.” The individual’s name has not been publicly announced.

TIF funds generating dollars for development

Published by admin on Tue, 09/04/2018 - 7:21pm

     Introduced as a means for stimulating economic development, it appears Coal City’s tax increment financing (TIF) plan is doing just that.
    TIF was the town’s way to establish and increase employment opportunities, expand and diversify the local tax base, manage growth and increase overall value and quality of life in the community through public and private redevelopment.