Coal City Courant

Five years later, conceal carry slowing

Published by admin on Tue, 07/17/2018 - 8:27pm

The rate for legally carrying a concealed weapon in Illinois is slowing.
On the fifth anniversary of Illinois’s passage Firearm Concealed Carry Act, Illinois State Police report there’s been only a 10 percent increase in permits issued between 2017 and 2018.
That’s the biggest drop since the first conceal carry permit was issued in Illinois in July, 2013.

Newsies in the spotlight

Published by admin on Tue, 07/17/2018 - 8:26pm

     In July 1899, with dissent growing over a hike in the wholesale price of newspapers, the newsboys’ who peddled papes for  New York City’s two major new outlets threw down their delivery bags.
    The newsies rallied,  formed a union and set out to take on the two most powerful men in publishing—Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst.
    Word spread across the city of an impending strike and on July 20, one day after unionizing, the newsies took a stand and refused to sell Pulitzer’s New York World and the New York Journal published by Hearst.

Farmers market expanding with weekday events

Published by admin on Tue, 07/10/2018 - 6:08pm

Coal City's farmers market, Market Fresh on Broadway, is expanding with two weekday markets.
The additional market days will provide area residents added opportunities to purchase locally sourced produce, along with homemade and handcrafted items.
The idea of weekday markets has been a topic of discussion among organizers since Market Fresh on Broadway debuted in 2016. With the encouragement and support of vendors, the farmers market committee is ready to open up Campbell Memorial Park from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 26, and Thursday, Sept. 6

Trotter named middle school assistant principal

Published by admin on Tue, 07/10/2018 - 6:07pm

Coal City Middle School students will see a new face when they arrive for classes in August.
Taryn Trotter is joining the middle school administrative team as the school's assistant principal. She replaces Tom Ruzinok who resigned his post to take a principal’s position outside the district.
Trotter comes to Coal City from District 60C where she served as assistant principal and mentor coordinator at Saratoga School in Morris. She joined the staff in 2002 as a fifth grade teacher and was appointed to the assistant position in 2012.

Diamond looks to hit a home run with park renovations

Published by admin on Tue, 07/10/2018 - 6:06pm

If you have seen the movie you know the line, and Diamond officials hope the reconstruction of its baseball field will bring teams back to Diamond Park.
Commissioner Mark Adair is leading a project to restore the playing field located in the northeast corner of the village park, adjacent to village hall.
The field has been tilled and loads of sand brought in to rebuild and shape the playing surface, according to Mayor Terry Kernc.  New fencing will go up on the backstop along with two extensions on either side of the structure, and player benches will be installed.

Online school registration has begun

Published by admin on Tue, 07/10/2018 - 6:05pm

     In preparation for the upcoming school year, the Unit 1 School District has set registration dates.
    On-line registration will be available for new and returning students beginning Monday, July 9. For links to on-line registration visit www.coalcity.k12.il.us.

Diamond cuts appropriations by $500,000

Published by admin on Tue, 07/10/2018 - 6:04pm

The completion of several large-scale infrastructure projects means the village of Diamond will be spending less this fiscal year, $528,104 less, to be exact.
Sheryl McDaniel, the town's treasurer and accountant, reports the reduction in expenses from the previous fiscal year is a direct result of the pending finalization of the Surface Transportation Program (STP) project to widen and install a turn lane on Route 113, completion of the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) bicycle path and less capital outlay.

Coaler Pride Academy

Published by admin on Tue, 07/10/2018 - 6:03pm

      The Unit 1 School District is taking a bold step in its effort to address the academic and social/emotional needs of its at-risk students.
    Coaler Pride Academy, an in-district intervention program, is set to welcome its first students with the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

Scouts selling lunch on Sunday

Published by admin on Fri, 07/06/2018 - 12:55pm

    It’s time to kick-off the bi-annual Boy Scout bratwurst fundraiser and it starts Sunday, July 8 with a bratwurst lunch.
    The community is invited to join scouts from Troop 466 and Pack 466 for lunch. Scouts will be selling bratwurst lunches from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the southeast corner of South Broadway and Division Street.

Diamond welcomes new commissioner

Published by admin on Mon, 07/02/2018 - 7:13pm

When the mayor of Diamond put out the call for a resident to fill a vacant seat on the Village Board, Denise Brown answered.
Saying she felt it would be something new and interesting, Brown submitted her name, and on June 26 was appointed as the town's finance commissioner. She replaces Carolyn Wilson, who resigned last month.
“I believe she will be an asset to the village and we are thrilled to have her,” Mayor Terry Kernc said in announcing Brown's appointment.