Braidwood Journal

Custer Park man arrested in connection with man found dead in Kankakee County

Published by admin on Tue, 11/22/2022 - 5:01pm

A six month investigation into a body discovered in rural Kankakee County has culminated in the arrest of a Custer Park man for concelament of death.

The Braidwood Police Department announced the arrest on Tuesday, Nov. 22. 

On May 7, Adam Watts, 44, of Custer Park was reported missing to the Braidwood Police Department by a family member along with friends after not hearing from Watts for months, according to a press release from the BPD.

Braidwood Zoo animals will stay put for winter

Published by admin on Tue, 11/22/2022 - 4:37pm

As winter rolls in, there haven’t been any changes just yet to the city’s roadside attraction along Route 66.

But, city officials said negotiations are still in the works to bring commercial business to the site of the Braidwood Zoo sometime in the next year.

“We are working with a contractor right now,” city administrator Tony Altiery said of efforts to develop the city-owned parcel.

Altiery said the expectation is a commercial/retail business including a drive thru lane, utilizing the site entrances both off Front Street and Oak Street.

Braidwood Lions bring return with tree sales for Christmas

Published by admin on Tue, 11/22/2022 - 4:33pm

That famous yellow trailer is back at Whitmore Ace Hardware.

The members of the Braidwood Lions Club spent this week getting set for this year’s Christmas Tree Sales, an annual tradition spanning four decades now for the members of the Braidwood chapter of the service organization. The annual sales kick off on Friday, Nov. 25, the day after Thanksgiving.

Club Secretary Josh Bolatto said the Lions have been working diligently as the busy holiday season approaches.

BAHCC looks to partner with outreach organization

Published by admin on Tue, 11/22/2022 - 4:31pm

The Braidwood Area Healthy Community Coalition (BAHCC) is the most recent spot in Braidwood for the often used MicroPantry sites. Now, coalition members are looking to partner with another outreach program to help provide additional services for those in need.

The members of the BAHCC met for their regularly monthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 14.

MicroPantries—weatherproof cabinets designed to hold donations of food and goods—first appeared throughout the area more than six years ago.

Behind the scenes efforts an important step in Braidwood development

Published by admin on Tue, 11/15/2022 - 4:47pm

The city of Braidwood has approved a half dozen new businesses over the course of the past couple of years. And while it may not look obvious just looking around town, city leaders say the effort to turn all those plans into real brick and mortar structures are in full swing.

Social media helps Braidwood get the word out

Published by admin on Tue, 11/15/2022 - 4:45pm

The city of Braidwood has turned its social media into a direct link for residents to ask for information about what’s going down around town.

And, after a year of posts seeking information on everything from business to crime to plans for the future, city leaders said the outreach efforts are working.

Shats in the Senior Spotlight for November

Published by admin on Tue, 11/15/2022 - 4:41pm

The Reed-Custer High School Senior Spotlight winner for the month of November is Wesley Shats.

Wesley is the son of Wesley and Nicole Shats.

During his high school career, Wesley was involved in Basketball, Football, Baseball, National Honor Society, and Comet Community Leaders. He was also an ACE winner, a Student of the Month, on the High Honor Roll, and was both All-Conference and Academic All-Conference in Basketball.

His future plans are to attend JJC to study math and science, and potentially to transfer to a university.

Reed-Custer, BPD look to ease concerns over safety protocols

Published by admin on Tue, 10/25/2022 - 5:07pm

A small group of Reed-Custer parents said they have some ideas to make sure communication is top tier when it comes to the district getting messages to students’ homes.

On Oct. 19, two parents approached the members of the Board of Education to discuss the notification process when a potential emergency is on hand.

Reed-Custer readies for next phase of improvements

Published by admin on Tue, 10/25/2022 - 5:05pm

The Reed-Custer High School football team is headed to the playoffs.

And this historic year for the Comets was made even better thanks to the new field at Comet Stadium.

On Oct. 19, Superintendent Mark Mitchell have an update of the district’s facility improvements to the members of the board of education.

Drug Take Back returns to Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 10/18/2022 - 4:42pm

Drug Take Back day is coming back to Braidwood.

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day returns for its second bi-annual event on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Braidwood Area Healthy Community Coalition (BAHCC) headquarters at 465 E. Reed Street.

The BAHCC will also be handing out medication lock boxes during this month’s event.