News

Wilmington fire adding new engine to its fleet

Published by admin on Tue, 12/01/2020 - 5:28pm

The Wilmington Fire Protection District covers 104 square miles out of two fire houses.

The district is now in the process of adding a new engine to its fleet of vehicles.

Fire Chief Tim Zlomie oversees the district, which includes two full time chiefs, nine full time fire medics, one full time administrative assistant, six contract fire medics, and around 20 part-time fire medics.

Elion Logistics Park in Wilmington set to add new warehouse

Published by admin on Tue, 12/01/2020 - 5:20pm

The Elion Logistics Park at I-55 and Lorenzo Road is set for more growth.

The Wilmington planning and zoning commission held a special hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 24, regarding the proposed annexation and rezoning of properties into the industrial park. The property in question sits adjacent to the current border of the park, on the northwest corner of Kavanaugh and Murphy Roads.

The annexed property includes just under 47 acres of land, west of Kavanaugh Road and north of Murphy Road.

Elion is owned by Adar Ridgeport Industrial Partners.

Governor: Thanksgiving likely to have a negative effect on COVID numbers

Published by admin on Tue, 12/01/2020 - 5:16pm

Tier 3 resurgence mitigations continue to stay in effect across the state.

On Monday, Gov. JB Pritzker said the state would evaluate any effects of the Thanksgiving holiday before making any changes regarding the current resurgence mitigations.

Bidding good-bye to Bob the Builder

Published by admin on Tue, 12/01/2020 - 4:40pm

For a moment, not a word was said, heads hung in silent tribute to a man dedicated to building up the village of Coal City.
Known to most in the community as Bob the Builder, Richard “Bob” Malone died Nov. 19 after a hard fought battle with cancer. He was 66.
Malone was the village of Coal City’s building and zoning official, a position that found him being both friend and foe to residents and developers, as held tight to the policies and procedures set forth to ensure the highest level of quality and safety in building design and construction.

The trees are decorated for virtual debut

Published by admin on Tue, 12/01/2020 - 4:39pm

It’s a holiday tradition that with a bit of ingenuity will continue this Christmas season. Coal City’s Festival of Trees is going virtual with a host of decorated trees, holiday decorations and a few special items that can be wrapped up for someone special, or even just for you to open on Christmas morning. Organized by parents and friends of the junior class at Coal City High School, the Promfest Committee works throughout the school year to raise the funds necessary to host a post-prom celebration for the school’s junior and senior classes.

Tornado tax

Published by admin on Tue, 12/01/2020 - 4:37pm

In 2015, just weeks after a powerful EF-3 tornado struck the village of Coal City town officials issued bonds to cover the unexpected costs of the storm, and the burden of that debt is being passed along to taxpayers.
As Village Administrator Matt Fritz explains, the village utilized its existing debt issuance capability and pledged alternative revenue bonds to raise the funds necessary to begin and continue recovery immediately after the storm.

The stop sign swap

Published by admin on Tue, 12/01/2020 - 4:36pm

Complaints from residents finding it hard to see around a newly installed fence prompted the village of Coal City to agree to a stop sign swap.
Upon receiving the complaints from residents in the neighborhood around the intersection of South Kankakee and East Chestnut streets, Mayor Terry Halliday called on Trustee Dave Spesia to look into the grievance with assistance from the police chief.

A festive look for Broadway

Published by admin on Tue, 12/01/2020 - 4:35pm

Those planters everyone has been talking about have been transformed for the winter season, creating a warm and welcoming feel to Coal City’s main street. In the dark of night, Donna Ragain began the transformation from fall to winter as she and her trailer full of evergreens made its way down South Broadway filling the planters—tall and small—with fragrant greens and festive fillers. Ragain, owner of Garden Creations, was selected by the village to oversee the seasonal plantings of the new decorative planters that line the east and west sides of South Broadway—all 50-plus of them.

Wilmington police chief on COVID-19: “This is something serious”

Published by admin on Tue, 11/24/2020 - 5:24pm

Tier 3 resurgence mitigations are now in effect throughout Illinois in the latest effort to slow the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

The new efforts have forced the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce to cancel this year’s holiday parade and most recently a drive-by visit with Santa that was going to take its place.

Additionally, the lobby at City Hall is now closed to residents and guests not having an appointment.

Connecting with the community is key for Wilmington Business Person of the Year

Published by admin on Tue, 11/24/2020 - 5:22pm

For this year’s Business Person of the Year, success comes down to one word: Relationships.

Bob Bolser of County Financial has been recognized for the honor this year by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.

Bolser has been with Country Financial for the past 17 years, selling insurance and investments. A native of Wilmington, Bolser started with Country working in Shorewood, but has been able to work in his hometown for the past five years.

Prior to entering insurance, he worked for Caterpillar before he decided to make a career switch.