Coal City Courant

Horns Up

Published by admin on Tue, 08/02/2022 - 3:28pm

Final step taken in housing rehabilitation program

Published by admin on Tue, 07/26/2022 - 4:14pm

The village of Coal City was one of 13 communities selected back in 2020 to share $6.3 million in federal funds to rehabilitate homes, an investment in the town that is now complete.

Ten homes within the town’s designated project area received new roofs, windows, bathroom and kitchen remodels. In total, over $500,000 was spent to improve the homes of qualified low to moderate income residents.

Mayor Terry Halliday called the program, “fantastic.”

Free school supplies from Help for Hope

Published by admin on Tue, 07/26/2022 - 4:12pm

The new school year starts in three weeks and to help students get off on the right track, Help for Hope will be handing out school supplies.

Help for Hope’s annual back-to-school supplies giveaway is set for Monday, Aug. 1 from 4-6 p.m. This will be a drive-up event outside the organization’s office at 100 S. Baima St. [adjacent to Coal City Intermediate School].

Farewell farmers market

Published by admin on Tue, 07/26/2022 - 4:11pm

It’s farmers market season, however there will be no sweet corn, bouquets of lavender or alpaca socks sold in Campbell Memorial Park this summer.
In a social media post, the village of Coal City announced last week that it was putting a pause on the Market Fresh on Broadway events.
“It is with much regret that we must cancel the upcoming farmers markets of 2022. Due to the total number of vendors it was decided to pause the event in hopes of renewed interest in the future,” the announcement said.

Video gaming revenues on the rise

Published by admin on Tue, 07/26/2022 - 4:10pm

If every $1 bill placed in an Illinois video gaming machine in the past six months was laid out end to end, the currency would circle the globe more than 20 times.

The Illinois Gaming Board [IGB] reports that $5.21 billion went into video gaming machines during the first six months of this year, roughly $64 million more than the same period a year ago.

More wagering took place even though video gaming was suspended by executive order for the first 16 days of 2021 as result of the on-going COVID pandemic.

Small Town, Big City Theatre

Published by admin on Tue, 07/26/2022 - 4:08pm

“Grease is the word, is the word that you heard
It’s got groove it’s got meaning
Grease is the time, is the place is the motion
Grease is the way we are feeling...”

The cast of Small Town Theatrics production of Grease is certainly feeling the message of the show as it’s set to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the classic musical written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey who earned a Tony nomination for their work.

A canine for Coal City

Published by admin on Tue, 07/19/2022 - 3:48pm

A four-legged crime fighter is joining the Coal City Police Department.

Chief Chris Harseim announced that a police canine will be added in January 2023. The furry member of the department will partner with patrol officer Kevin Jones and specialize in drug enforcement.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how this works out, especially if it improves our ability to get drugs off the streets,” Mayor Terry Hailliday said.

The idea of starting a canine program has been around for awhile and was recently given the authorization to move forward.

Ride for the Ta-Ta’s enters eighth year

Published by admin on Tue, 07/19/2022 - 3:44pm

It’s almost time to Ride for the Ta Ta’s, a 125-mile tour to raise awareness and fundraise for breast health and cancer research.

The July 30 ride will begin and end at Carbon Hill Park on Lacey Street. Participants will make stops at Cherry Reds Roaster in Dwight, Oliver’s Bar & Grill in Kankakee, Sollitt Tap in Beecher and Manteno Sportsman’s Club in Manteno before heading back to Carbon Hill Park.

The cost to participate is $20 per bike or vehicle. Registration is from 9-10:15 a.m. with vehicles heading out at 10:30 a.m.

Coalers to reunite for Reunion Palooza

Published by admin on Tue, 07/19/2022 - 3:43pm

The time has come for Coalers to reunite at what has become a welcome and anticipated gathering of Coal City High School alumni.
On Saturday, July 23, nine decades of Coaler graduates will come together for Reunion Palooza, an all-school gathering organized by Todd Cumming, class of 1976.
Held every three years, Reunion Palooza provides a central location for Coalers of all ages to come together to reunite and reconnect.

Poultry plans

Published by admin on Tue, 07/19/2022 - 3:41pm

Chickens are allowed in the village of Coal City, so are cattle, horses, goats and sheep. However, that is about to change.

Prompted by an inquiry from a resident interested in keeping chickens, the town’s Planning and Zoning Board established an ad-hoc committee to review the existing code for possible changes and revisions.

Current code says poultry and animal yards are allowed within the village limits, but can not be located within 75 feet of a public way other than an alley or within 100 feet of a church or school.