News

Free Press Newspapers earn editorial, advertising awards

Published by admin on Tue, 05/07/2019 - 7:33pm

The Free Press Newspapers rank among the state’s top newspapers having earned honors of editorial and advertising excellence in the Illinois Press Association’s annual contest.
The Coal City Courant and the Free Press Advocate claimed five state awards for reporting and seven advertising awards.
More than 100 daily and non-daily newspapers competed in 44 editorial and 32 advertising categories.

$24.2 million tax deal on the table

Published by admin on Tue, 05/07/2019 - 7:32pm

As a one year extension of a long term property tax agreement comes to an end, Exelon Generation and seven local taxing districts are preparing an agreement that will stretch the terms of the deal out an additional three years.
Last spring, after Exelon’s Dresden Generating Station failed to qualify for the capacity auction, the power generator asked the taxing districts to consider a one year extension of the agreement.

EMTs train for mass casualty response

Published by admin on Tue, 05/07/2019 - 5:44pm

First responders gained valuable training experience over the weekend, in an annual session hosted by agencies from across the region.

On Sunday, May 5, more than 60 firefighters, EMTs, and trainees from more than a dozen agencies took part in training designed to heighten their skills and arm them with information on emergency response in an ever-changing world.

Exelon tourney raises funds for pediatric cancer research

Published by admin on Tue, 05/07/2019 - 5:42pm

Anglers young and old headed to the area over the weekend to take part in an annual fishing tournament that features big fish alongside big donations for a good cause.

Saturday, May 4 was the annual Fishing for a Cure tournament and Children’s Fishing Derby, hosted by Exelon’s Braidwood Station.

City pushes forward to solve budget crisis

Published by admin on Tue, 05/07/2019 - 5:40pm

The city of Braidwood has an official budget on the books. But those plans for revenue and expenditures likely won’t go unchanged as the year progresses.

On April 30, the City Council held a special meeting to pass the city’s annual budget ordinance.

The budget remains the same as the budget that was presented during a public hearing on April 23 by then-mayor Jim Vehrs. Finance Commissioner Wayne Saltzman said the document will face some changes, however.

Travelers get their kicks

Published by admin on Tue, 05/07/2019 - 5:38pm

Folks taking a ride down the Mother Road over the weekend were treated to a car show and some live entertainment as they stopped for a bit in Braidwood.

The weather cooperated over the weekend, providing a sunny and pleasant spring day for exploring town after town and taking a relaxing journey down Historic Route 66.

Grundy County Health Department advises residents to be careful during flooding

Published by admin on Thu, 05/02/2019 - 10:55am

Heavy rains in Grundy County have brought about the increased risk of flooding and the potential for sewer back-ups in a number of areas. The Grundy County Health Department recommends the following steps to minimize health hazards due to flooding:
·         Do no attempt to enter or cross flooded streams or rivers. Flood waters can be very powerful. Even streams, rivers, and areas of standing water that appear to be calm or shallow can be very dangerous.

Vehrs administration says final good-bye

Published by admin on Thu, 05/02/2019 - 10:35am

The Braidwood City Council went through the motions one more time under Mayor Jim Vehrs, making a handful of approvals before officially handing over the reins to the new administration.

More than 50 people packed into the council chamber on April 23 to watch with turnover from the Vehrs administration to new Mayor Bob Jones. Those who came represented a mixed bag of thoughts and feelings about the past four years, and the direction the city took under Vehrs.

New City Council sworn in

Published by admin on Thu, 05/02/2019 - 10:33am

The road ahead is bound to be filled with speed bumps and a few unexpected detours. But, Braidwood businessman Bob Jones has now officially taken his seat in the mayor’s chair.

On April 23, Jones, along with Commissioners Wayne Saltzman, Doug Money, Charlie Hart, and Fay Smith, were all sworn in as members of the City Council.

The new council took no action on its first day on the job, but took a moment to thank residents for their votes and to promise some changes ahead.

New chief brings local ties to police department

Published by admin on Thu, 05/02/2019 - 10:31am

Braidwood has a new top cop in place, and his first priority is to work toward solving the budget crisis in the police department.

Todd Lyons was sworn in as Braidwood’s Chief of Police on Friday, April 26. While the position is Lyons’ first time as head of a department, he brings with him a wealth of experience in local law enforcement.

Lyons grew up in Wilmington, the son of Police Chief Frank Lyons. He said he always knew he would end up in law enforcement. In high school, he even did the occasional ride along with the WPD.