Braidwood Journal

Sewing to slow the spread

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2020 - 7:25pm

Face masks have been in short supply for weeks now as people have grabbed them up for another layer of protection against the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Health care workers who work directly with COVID-19 patients are the ones who need the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-approved masks the most — and all over they’re in high demand.

Alumni come home, college year cut short

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2020 - 7:24pm

Four years ago, students in the class of 2016 at Reed-Custer High School were enjoying the last few months of school before that day in May when they would walk across the stage and leave high school behind.
Many of those students are now on the brink of graduating from college, but in a matter of weeks as the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has gotten more serious, the rest of their spring semesters have fallen out from beneath them.

Money’s there, but hard to get

Published by admin on Tue, 03/31/2020 - 7:21pm

There’s no doubt that times are tough. Two weeks ago, the number of Americans who filed for unemployment skyrocketed to 3.3 million people, the biggest spike in unemployment claims in 37 years when the number was 695,000. If not unemployed, many others have been furloughed or had their hours cut.
If you’re truly in need of help, you might be able to find assistance through your own township as a part of a financial assistance program called General Assistance.

First case of COVID-19 in Braidwood area confirmed

Published by admin on Mon, 03/30/2020 - 4:13pm

The first case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Braidwood has been confirmed in a statement by the Braidwood Fire Protection District on Monday.
No identifying information about the patient has been released except that the person resides in the Braidwood Fire Protection District.
The Fire District found out about the case after it appeared on the Will County Health Department map of positive COVID-19 cases when it was released on Sunday.

Live streaming the word of God

Published by admin on Tue, 03/24/2020 - 5:06pm

No members of the congregation were present at First Christian Church in Wilmington on Sunday, March 15, yet Pastor Dallas Henry could say that the church held its biggest service ever that day.
While not physically there, at least 1,200 people tuned in on Sunday as the pastor spread the word of God right into people’s homes on their smart TVs, computers, tablets or smartphones.

Local businesses fighting to adapt to dine-in restrictions

Published by admin on Tue, 03/24/2020 - 5:05pm

Although the state of Illinois is under a “Stay At Home” order due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that doesn’t mean you still can’t get your favorite meal from your favorite restaurant in town.
Businesses in Braidwood that have primarily been focused on dine-in services have had to find creative ways to serve customers that don’t involve eating at the restaurant, such as curbside pickup and delivery.
At Main Street Pizzeria and Grille, the restaurant has started to deliver to Braidwood, Coal City, Wilmington, Essex, Carbon Hill, South Wilmington and Gardner.

How the trucking industry is dealing with COVID-19

Published by admin on Tue, 03/24/2020 - 5:04pm

The supply chain is being tested now more than ever. Essential food items are flying off the shelves and hospitals need personal protective equipment as the number of cases of the novel coronavirus continue to rise. The good news is the trucking industry is responding pretty well, according to Don Schaefer, executive vice president of the Midwest Truckers Association.

Shoppers flock to local grocery stores amid COVID-19 outbreak

Published by admin on Tue, 03/17/2020 - 7:08pm

If you want to buy hand sanitizer or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes in Wilmington, you’re out of luck.
On Friday, Whitmore Ace Hardware, Bellettini Foods, CVS, Berkot’s Super Foods and Dollar General were all out.
Posted at the front of the store at Dollar General was a handwritten sign alerting customers that there was no hand sanitizer left. A similar sign was posted on an empty shelf at CVS, which asked that customers only take five bottles of hand sanitizer.
In fact, these signs are a pretty common sight all over now.

City of Braidwood approves adult-use marijuana sales

Published by admin on Tue, 03/17/2020 - 7:06pm

It’s official. Braidwood has jumped on the marijuana bandwagon.
On Tuesday, March 10, attendance in the council chambers for the Braidwood City Council meeting was higher than usual for the vote that would decide whether the city would open its doors to adult-use marijuana facilities.
The council unanimously approved an amendment to Chapter 23 of the Zoning ordinance that will allow just that.
The city approved recreational dispensaries, craft growers, cultivation centers, infuser, processors and transporting organizations.

Area food pantries will remain open

Published by admin on Tue, 03/17/2020 - 7:03pm

Crowded grocery stores, school closures, library closures, restaurant closures, bar closures and event cancellations. As the community’s day-to-day lives are being disrupted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, local food pantries — fueled by dedicated volunteers — are remaining open to feed those in need.
These area food pantries are putting the following new guidelines in place to help keep everyone safe:
• The Community Care Center in Braidwood, located at 112 S. Center St. next to Braidwood City Hall, is open on Tuesdays from 8 to 11:45 a.m.