News

Villages deploy alert systems to keep residents informed

Published by admin on Tue, 05/05/2020 - 5:27pm

To effectively communicate with residents and business owners, the village of Diamond implemented a community alert system and the village of Coal City recently did the same.
Although the neighboring towns utilize the systems in different ways, both say the programs were put in place to keep residents informed and up-to-date on what’s happening in their community.
Since implementing Smart Message in 2016, over 1,000 individuals have signed up to receive alerts from the village of Diamond.

Coal City spending $232,448 to fix streets, alleys

Published by admin on Tue, 05/05/2020 - 5:26pm

The Coal City Village Board is moving forward with the annual street maintenance program, agreeing to spend over $232,000 to fix some of the bumpiest streets and alleys in town
Streets identified for improvement are included on a list drafted by the village engineer based on input from the Streets and Alleys Committee. The list includes 17 areas.
Funds for the project have been included in the town budget, a large portion coming from the village’s allotment of state Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) dollars.

Balanced budget outweighs revenue concerns

Published by admin on Tue, 05/05/2020 - 4:13pm

Tension filled the air during the April 28 Braidwood City Council meeting as council members discussed the budget for the new fiscal year.
The biggest concern on the table surrounded the city’s revenue for the fiscal year, which began May 1 and will end April 30, 2021.
“With the uncertainty about the revenue this coming year, we are in a financial crisis,” said Wayne Saltzman, accounts and finances commissioner.

Braidwood ESDA ramped up hours last year, log shows

Published by admin on Tue, 05/05/2020 - 4:10pm

It’s been a year of growth for Braidwood Emergency Services and Disaster Agency (ESDA), which reports an approximately 55% increase in manpower hours over the past 12 months.
Each year, the volunteer agency releases an activity log detailing its incident or event hours as well the amount of manpower hours it contributed to the community during the fiscal year.
Total manpower hours increased from 492.5 in FY19 (May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019) to 767.5 in FY20 (May 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020).

Reed-Custer prepared for potential driver’s ed backup

Published by admin on Tue, 05/05/2020 - 4:08pm

With schools closed, driver’s education at Reed-Custer High School has hit the brakes. Students who needed behind-the-wheel time with an instructor are left in limbo. When schools do re-open, though, Reed-Custer High School will be ready.
The school is taking a proactive approach to address potential backups of students in the program so when schools re-open they can complete it in a timely fashion.

Veteran’s Memorial Park among local improvement projects Brieser Construction undertakes

Published by admin on Tue, 05/05/2020 - 3:58pm

Work has been slower than usual for construction contractors during a time of year that is typically a busy one, as major regional companies push back projects due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the state’s stay-at-home order.

For Brieser Construction, a civil industrial construction and maintenance contractor that employs many workers from Wilmington, the down time isn’t being wasted.

Crews have been putting shovel to dirt to make civic improvements around town at the recommendations of employees who live locally.

St. Rose School supporters are down, but not out

Published by admin on Tue, 05/05/2020 - 3:54pm

Two weeks after a meeting with the bishop of the Diocese of Joliet did not go as planned, supporters of St. Rose School said they’re down, but not out.

The announcement was made on March 30 that St. Rose would close in the 2020-2021 school year, merging with St. Joseph School in Manhattan.

The Diocesan School Board voted 6-1 approving the merger.

The news spawned the creation of the Save St. Rose Task Force, a group of parishioners, alumni, community members and supporters who want to see the 73-year-old institution remain open.

Wilmington High School educator looks to bring community together through art

Published by admin on Tue, 05/05/2020 - 3:45pm

While classrooms may be darkened for the rest of the school year, teachers are still working hard to hand out assignments, keep students on track, and keep everyone active and engaged in education.

Wilmington School District 209-U art and yearbook teacher Warren Miller is guiding students, their families, and all district residents toward a community engagement project as the public rides out the stay-at-home order together.

Catch of the day

Published by admin on Tue, 05/05/2020 - 3:42pm

Governor JB Pritzker’s latest adjustment to the stay-at-home order went into effect on May 1, extending the mandate through May 30 but relaxing some of the restrictions across the state.

While wearing masks in public places where social distancing is not practical is now mandated, the new rules also opened up some state parks to visitors, golf courses, garden centers, animal groomers, and allows businesses deemed non-essential to reopen for phone and online orders and pickup.

Water survey will seek out leaks in 50 miles of system

Published by admin on Tue, 05/05/2020 - 3:40pm

The city of Wilmington will pay $10,750 for an updated water survey to look for leaks in the system.

On April 21, the city council, meeting via Zoom, approved a proposal from M.E. Simpson Company, Inc., of Indiana, to conduct the survey of about 50 miles of the city’s water distribution system. Details of the plan were discussed previously at the committee level.