News

Adult arrested for beating juvenile

Published by admin on Tue, 10/01/2019 - 2:41pm

One of two men wanted by police for beating a juvenile victim they tried to incite to fight is in the Will County lockup.
The Wilmington Police Department said the arrest followed the investigation of an incident that occurred in the evening of Aug. 31 in the 100 block of North Kankakee Street.
According to police reports, Charles L. Neese III, 23, of Morris, and Kaleb L. Findlay, 20, Wilmington, came to the location where several juveniles were standing and challenged them all to a fight.

West Kankakee River Drive closed for construction

Published by admin on Fri, 09/27/2019 - 11:14am

West Kankakee River Drive closed this morning for drainage repairs as the start of a multi-phase project.
The closure is estimated to last one week, according to Wilmington Township Road Commissioner Bill Weidling.
This is phase one of a larger project by the Wilmington Township Road District to improve stormwater drainage on Kankakee River Drive.
The township is currently seeking additional grant funding for future phases.

Charges for former Reed-Custer teacher upgraded to federal court

Published by admin on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 2:52pm

The case against former Reed-Custer teacher and Manhattan resident Dayna Chidester, who has been facing state-level charges related to sex crimes against a minor, will now be facing a sexual abuse charge in U.S. District Court.
Chidester, 51, was charged in January for six counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, as well as one count of indecent solicitation of a child and one count of unlawful grooming.
Those state charges were dropped by prosecutors on Wednesday after the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a criminal complaint against Chidester.

Council commits to park transfer

Published by admin on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 1:12pm

The Wilmington aldermen authorized city staff to move forward with the intergovernmental transfer of the park in Northcrest to the Wilmington Island Park District.
The vote at last week’s City Council meeting does not finalize a transfer of property nor does it mean the council or Park District have agreed to any terms or conditions related to such an action.
"Making a vote on this agenda item doesn't make the land transfer, it's just basically giving staff the OK that we should go ahead and do it," explained attorney Bryan Wellner from Mahoney, Silverman & Cross.

School District posts $19.7 million budget

Published by admin on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 1:09pm

The Board of Education has approved School District 209-U’s Fiscal Year 20 budget, reflecting $19.7 million in expenditures.
The district ended Fiscal Year 19 on June 30, with a fund balance of $18.3 million, which included $4.5 million received in early tax distributions for FY20.
The district’s equalized assessed valuation increased from $233.2 million to $243.2 million, with $311,353 in new property.
Revenue

Yearbook students attend workshop in Missouri

Published by admin on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 12:21pm

Three Reed-Custer High School yearbook students got a chance to have their work critiqued and learn new skills while attending a yearbook conference in Kansas City, MO, from Sept. 13-15.
Amber Clavenna, Brodie Thompson and Laura Collins, along with yearbook adviser Lori Terry, traveled to Walsworth Yearbooks, a yearbook printing company, to attend the 2019 Elite Weekend.

Braidwood man arrested on heroin charges

Published by admin on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 12:15pm

On Sept. 10, Martin J. Devalois, 35, of Braidwood, was arrested by the Braidwood Police Department for the possession of a controlled substance and manufacturing and dealing heroin.
Law enforcement recovered three grams of heroin, a digital scale, an electronic mixer and other paraphernalia from Devalois’ residence after conducting a search warrant, reported the Braidwood Police Department.
Braidwood Police Chief Todd Lyons said law enforcement initially received a tip that someone was selling heroin out of the home.

Route 113 overpass slated for repairs in coming years

Published by admin on Wed, 09/25/2019 - 12:13pm

The bridge that carries Route 113 over Interstate 55 is on the docket for routine maintenance within the next five, years according to the Illinois Department of Transportation FY 2019-2024 pre-final Proposed Highway Improvement Program.
Guy Trigdell, director of communications at IDOT, said the timeline is not finalized yet, but he estimated maintenance on the bridge will take place around 2022.
“The project is still in the planning phases,” Trigdell said.

Students connect with coffee

Published by admin on Tue, 09/24/2019 - 7:40pm

The Coal City Transitions Program, established in 2016, believes in fostering independence and self-determination skills to empower young adults within the program to increase skills to be productive citizens within their school and community.
Transitions participants are involved in gaining daily living skills, vocational training, employment, community participation, volunteering, and numerous real life applications.
Over several years, students have had a homemade soap business, a jewelry business and raised chickens to sell the farm fresh eggs all as program projects.

Coaler pride set to shine at homecoming

Published by admin on Tue, 09/24/2019 - 7:38pm

Homecoming is a fall tradition at high schools across the county, and here in Coal City the Coalers are preparing for a busy week of activities and athletic competitions.
For senior Cody Rogers, homecoming is the one time of year to, “go full out high schooler.”
It’s the one week during the school year, he said where academics and extra-curriculars take a back seat just really enjoying high school, having fun and spending time with peers.