Braidwood Journal

Reed-Custer seniors honored as State Scholars

Published by admin on Tue, 05/11/2021 - 4:58pm

Reed-Custer High School is home to 12 Illinois State Scholars. The academic recognition recently announced by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC).

“In a year when students and families across the state and the nation have face unprecedented personal and financial challenges as a result of the pandemic, we could not be more proud of the continued focus, dedication and achievement of our State Scholars,” said Eric Zarnikow, ISAC’s executive director.

Braidwood ESDA makes public push for assistance at rail crossings

Published by admin on Tue, 05/11/2021 - 4:56pm

Braidwood’s Emergency Services Disaster Agency (ESDA) is spearheading a public campaign to keep trains moving along when they reach the city of Braidwood.

ESDA coordinator Josh Bolatto submitted a complaint on April 30 to the Illinois Commerce Commission’s (ICC) Department of Rail Safety regarding safety concerns due to an increase of stopped or slow moving trains through the city, causing blockages at the Braidwood’s three railroad crossings, as well as the crossings to the north and south of the city.

Text-A-Tip hotline continues to help Braidwood, Wilmington teens

Published by admin on Tue, 05/11/2021 - 4:49pm

A hotline aimed at giving local teens a place to turn to when they need help is showing positive results.

On Monday, the members of the Braidwood Area Healthy Community Coalition (BAHCC) held their regular monthly meeting, which included an update on the recently rolled out “Text-A-Tip” hotline.

The resource, which went live in December, works by connecting teens to counselors when they are troubled, need help for themselves or others, or are in crisis.

Prom night a success at RCHS

Published by admin on Tue, 05/11/2021 - 4:47pm

In a school year marked by masks, quarantines, and social distancing, the students at Reed-Custer High School were able to hold on to one piece of normal this spring.

In addition to the return of sports, concerts, and activities, RCHS students were also able to enjoy the return of prom.

The spring formal was held on April 24.

Unlike years past, where the students head off to prom on charter buses then later to a post-prom event, this year’s event was scaled back. Students attended prom, including dinner and music, at the high school.

Braidwood enters fiscal year in good financial shape

Published by admin on Tue, 05/04/2021 - 5:38pm

The city of Braidwood officially has a budget for the fiscal year that began this week.

On April 27, in a 3-2 vote, the members of the City Council passed the annual budget appropriation ordinance for the city for the 2022 fiscal year, with total projected spending across all funds at $7.9 million.

“All the patrolmen and sergeants and administration raises went through that, and everything was good,” City Administrator Tony Altiery said. “It’s balanced.”

PACE bus service returns to Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 05/04/2021 - 5:37pm

The PACE bus is back in business in Braidwood.

After pausing the service due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city of Braidwood was able to restart the program with some modifications last month.

City Administrator Tony Altiery said the bus is for senior citizens, disabled residents, or caretakers of any senior citizen or disabled resident, free of charge.

“It takes them to a grocery store or to a doctor,” Altiery said.

Exelon places fish habitats in Braidwood Lake

Published by admin on Tue, 05/04/2021 - 5:35pm

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources partners with Exelon Generation’s Braidwood Station on Monday to place artificial fish habitats into Braidwood Lake.

The piping on the structures gets covered with algae within hours of being added to the lake, providing fish a lush habitat.

Since 2007, Exelon Generation has paid to put nearly 1,500 of these structures into the lake, which improves the quality of life for fish and has resulted in bigger fish in the lake.

More than 100 of the structures were dropped into Braidwood Lake on Monday.

Fossil Ridge Public Library District hires new director

Published by admin on Tue, 04/27/2021 - 4:34pm

The board of trustees of the Fossil Ridge Public Library District selected Rene Leyva as their new director during their April board meeting. Their decision comes after a nationwide search following the untimely passing last October of Richard Ashley, Fossil Ridge's previous director.

Drug Take Back event a success in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 04/27/2021 - 4:32pm

Members of the Braidwood Police Department and the Braidwood Area Healthy Community Coalition (BAHCC) took part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 24 at the BAHCC offices on Reed Street in Braidwood.

During the event, which is sponsored by the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), folks drop off their old or unused medications for proper disposal.

The goal is to help remove potentially dangerous or addictive drugs from medicine cabinets, so they no longer pose the risk of being abused.

Reed-Custer gains approval to operate program independently

Published by admin on Tue, 04/27/2021 - 4:28pm

The Reed-Custer School District will operate its own Early Childhood Program starting next year.

Superintendent Mark Mitchell announced that the district was approved to operate that program during the April 21 regular meeting of the Reed-Custer Board of Education

In order for Reed-Custer to maintain its own program, a resolution was passed by the majority of SOWIC districts, and an article amendment was passed by the SOWIC board.