Braidwood Journal

Sinkhole opens up in family’s yard

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:42pm

While area residents were kicking off the holiday weekend on Friday, a family in Braidwood was dealing with an unusual problem.
On the evening of July 3, when 8-year-old Madelynn Dienes went outside to get something out of her parents’ car, she discovered what she described as a giant puddle outside her family’s house on West 3rd Street.

Local girl races to #BackTheBlue

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:36pm

It wasn’t a squad car, but a race car that was parked at the Braidwood Police Department last Thursday.
Ashlyn Heddins, 15, of Godley, and her father Eric made a stop at the police station to show their support for those who protect the community.
On the back of Ashlyn’s Super Cup race car is a thin blue line with the phrase “#BackTheBlue,” to show solidarity with local law enforcement officers. They have been traveling to local police departments asking officers to sign her car so that whenever Ashlyn is racing, she’s racing for them, Eric said.

Industrial tech students return to school to finish projects

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:35pm

Reed-Custer High School industrial technology students headed back to the classroom this week to put the finishing touches on projects that have been sitting incomplete since mid-March when schools suspended in-person classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Students who were in Orientation to Technology, STEM 1 and 2 and Production classes had the opportunity to return to school to finish up hands-on projects that couldn’t be completed at home, such as making their own longboards and guitars.

Free COVID-19 testing offered at Braidwood City Hall on July 7

Published by admin on Thu, 07/02/2020 - 2:30pm

The Will County Health Department will be providing free walk-in COVID-19 testing, open to everyone, at Braidwood City Hall on Tuesday, July 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Testing will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
You will not receive a bill for this test and the health department will not collect any money at the location.
If you have insurance, a small administrative fee will be billed directly to your insurance by the Illinois Department of Public Health to cover the cost of the processing the sample at the laboratory.

Farewelll, class of 2020!

Published by admin on Tue, 06/30/2020 - 4:02pm

The Reed-Custer High School graduating class of 2020 finally got their traditional graduation ceremony last Sunday evening, although there was no hand-shaking, hugging or diplomas handed out.
The socially-distant ceremony was held at 7 p.m. outside on the track surrounding the football field in the sunny and warm June weather, which Principal Tim Ricketts said was the first time a ceremony has been held outside in many years.

Braidwood’s got them beat

Published by admin on Tue, 06/30/2020 - 3:51pm

Freedom of Information Act requests (FOIAs) are a way for members of the public to obtain information from local, state and federal government agencies about their government.
Some examples of public records that can be requested are orders, rules, reports or studies, contracts, names, titles and salaries of public employees, voting records of public bodies and more.

Reed-Custer students to return to classrooms this fall

Published by admin on Tue, 06/30/2020 - 3:50pm

Students in Reed-Custer School District 255U will return for on-campus instruction this fall, announced Superintendent Mark Mitchell last week in a statement to students and parents.
On Tuesday, June 23, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Illinois Department of Publish Health (IDPH) published a 63-page joint transition plan for districts to return to in-person instruction.
Mitchell announced in a statement to parents and students last Wednesday that as per these guidelines and the current circumstances, the District is planning for an August reopening.

Coalition begins pilot year of community garden project

Published by admin on Tue, 06/23/2020 - 3:14pm

The garden beds are built and the vegetables are in the dirt, but the work is just beginning for the Braidwood Area Healthy Community Coalition (BAHCC) as it marks the start of the first season of its community garden.
The idea for a community garden has been on the minds of Coalition members for a while. This year, though, it was the effects of the novel coronavirus pandemic that pushed them to move forward with their plan for developing a community garden at the BAHCC office on East Reed Street.

Reed-Custer graduation planned for Sunday

Published by admin on Tue, 06/23/2020 - 3:13pm

The Reed-Custer High School class of 2020 will get the chance to walk across the stage at commencement this Sunday, June 28, as the school honors seniors one last time.
Although some classmates won’t be in the area to attend, the occasion will also mark the first time that students will be in one place since March 13, after schools in Illinois were ordered closed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
The ceremony will start at 7 p.m. and will be held outside on the RCHS football field.

Family, friends gather to remember Joey Curry

Published by admin on Tue, 06/23/2020 - 3:10pm

Joey Curry's aunt described him as "fearless."
"By the time he could walk, he was pretty much being a daredevil. He got into riding the minibikes, actually did go-kart races and raced out of Grundy County," said Jolynn Curry Scovel.
Although he was an adventurous boy, who could often be found on his minibike at family parties, Joey had a kind heart and a soft spot for his sister.
"(He) spoiled his little sister rotten. He definitely looked out for her. Anything Mack wanted, Joey was there for her," Scovel said.