Braidwood Journal

Trucking company could bring 20 jobs to the area

Published by admin on Tue, 10/22/2019 - 6:15pm

A new trucking business could be moving to Route 53, bringing with it 20 or more jobs, if the property purchase goes through.
The Braidwood Planning and Zoning Commission met for the first time in almost one year on Monday night. The main issue on the table was approving the re-zoning of a plot of land at the intersection of Route 53 and Division streets, known as 435 Enterprise Drive.

Former Braidwood police chief to run for Will County executive in 2020 election

Published by admin on Tue, 10/22/2019 - 6:12pm

Former Braidwood chief of police and Manhattan resident Nick Ficarello announced in August that he intends to run as a Republican candidate for Will County executive in the 2020 election.
“I’ve been a public servant in and around Will County all my adult life,” Ficarello said. “Like I said, I love the county, I love the country and there’s a few issues that are affecting Will County taxpayers, and it’s time for a leader to — to put it bluntly — lead,” he said.
Ficarello emphasized that if elected, he plans to tackle high property taxes in Will County.

Scarecrow Fest brings the fall fun

Published by admin on Tue, 10/22/2019 - 6:11pm

Families enjoyed ideal fall weather last weekend at the city of Braidwood’s annual Scarecrow Fest, held this year at the Braidwood Zoo on Front Street. Festival-goers were able to participate in free pumpkin decorating, face painting, a scarecrow contest and a chili cook-off contest. There were also several vendors booths, including local businesses and civic organizations, for attendees to browse. Guests were able to warm up by sampling a four different chili recipes — and the food went quick! By 3:30 p.m., those who wanted chili were out of luck.

City to perform random sump pump checks

Published by admin on Tue, 10/15/2019 - 5:21pm

If you have your sump pump connected to your sanitary sewer line, now is the time to disconnect it.
At the Oct. 8 Braidwood City Council meeting, city administrator Tony Altiery announced that the city will start to perform random checks to ensure that property owners’ sump pumps aren’t connected to their sanitary sewer lines.

Get in the fall spirit at Scarecrow Fest

Published by admin on Tue, 10/15/2019 - 5:16pm

On Saturday, Oct. 19, from 1 to 4 p.m., the city of Braidwood will be celebrating its fifth annual Scarecrow Fest at Braidwood Zoo.
You can show off your creative handmade scarecrow during the scarecrow contest or enter your most delicious chili recipe against your neighbor in the chili-cook off.
Those who’d rather taste than cook can warm up by sampling some of the delicious chili.
Children can enjoy an afternoon of fun with a variety of activities, including free pumpkin decorating, a bounce house and face painting.

Braidwood to hold first zoning board meeting of 2019

Published by admin on Tue, 10/15/2019 - 5:15pm

Braidwood’s planning and zoning commission will meet for the first time in nearly one year on Monday, Oct. 21, at 6 p.m., at Braidwood City Hall.

The commission has not met since November, said city administrator Tony Altiery. Meetings were not being held because there was no relevant business to conduct.

As the city continues to update and clean up old ordinances, a need for the zoning board has arisen again.

Braidwood police to be more visible at businesses

Published by admin on Tue, 10/15/2019 - 5:13pm

Don’t be surprised if you begin seeing a few more friendly faces while you’re out shopping around town.
On Oct. 1, the Braidwood Police Department started a new initiative to perform random checks at businesses and banks throughout the city.
Braidwood Chief of Police Todd Lyons said the goal of this new initiative is to get officers out of their squad cars and into the community to be visible, where they will build relationships with residents and help be a deterrent to crime.

Reactor down for refueling outage at Braidwood Station

Published by admin on Tue, 10/08/2019 - 6:33pm

On Monday, one of the two reactors at Exelon’s Braidwood Generating Station was temporarily removed from service, beginning an outage that will allow workers to refuel and perform maintenance over the next several weeks.
In a press release issued Monday morning, the nuclear plant reported that electricians, pipe fitters, welders, carpenters, laborers and other tradespeople traveled to Braidwood, where they are performing equipment upgrades and modifications that cannot be done while Unit 1 is online, including replacing about one-third of the reactor’s fuel.

Got goat’s milk? What about soap?

Published by admin on Tue, 10/08/2019 - 6:32pm

Someone’s hobby might be sewing, another person’s might be scrapbooking and another’s might just be raising goats.
Keely Senn, 31, of Coal City, is in the latter category. She raises 12 Nubian dairy goats, to be precise.
Not only does Senn raise and breeds goats, she also uses the milk from her goats to make a variety of bath and hygiene products, which she then sells through her business — PKC Nubians Soaps and More — when she’s not working at her job as a staff accountant.

Keeping the band marching on

Published by admin on Tue, 10/08/2019 - 6:28pm

If being a high school student wasn’t already stressful enough, imagine adding the responsibility of regularly conducting a 90-member marching band.
Annika Marchi and Meghan Haley, both 17-year-old juniors at Reed-Custer High School, from Braidwood, don’t mind taking on the task.
They’re the drum majors of the band — not a role to accept lightly.