Coal City Courant

New pastor for Assumption, Immaculate Conception

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:48pm

The Diocese of Joliet has named a new priest to oversee Coal City’s Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church and Immaculate Conception Parish in Braidwood.

The Rev. Read Bader began his new assignment on Wednesday, July 1. He replaces Rev. Robert Noesen who was reassigned to serve as pastor of Saint Peter the Apostle Church in Itasca.

Coal City town cleanup scheduled for July 14

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:46pm

The village of Coal City and Waste Management have rescheduled the town’s annual spring cleanup for mid-July.
The clean-up was postponed due to service changes implemented in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The waste hauler has since resumed normal operations and has scheduled cleanup day for Tuesday, July14.
The cleanup will be curbside for Coal City residents and includes a white item, electronics and tire pickup.

Coal City advances treatment plant modernization

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:45pm

Coal City needs to modernize its wastewater treatment plant and one of the first steps in the process is securing the necessary permits.
Town officials plan to submit the project for funding through the Rebuild Illinois Competitive Public Infrastructure Component, a $25 million state program that will award municipalities up to $5 million for infrastructure improvements leading to economic development.

Unit 1 places $34.5 million budget on file

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:44pm

The Unit 1 School District is projecting a $2.7 million deficit in a budget that includes substantial pandemic related expenses.

“Expenditures are up much higher than they were last time and all of that is due to COVID expenditures, return to school expenditures—staffing, PPE [personal protection equipment], other equipment, face masks we’re buying for kids,” said Unit 1 Superintendent Dr. Kent Bugg.

The district’s tentative budget, placed on file at the July 1 Board of Education meeting, outlines $34.5 million in expenses with projected revenues of $31.8 million.

The logistics of getting kids back in school

Published by admin on Tue, 07/07/2020 - 4:41pm

A new academic year is set to begin in six weeks, and as local school districts work out the logistics of getting kids back in the classroom, the rules keep changing.

“We are planning for the most difficult start to a school year,” said Unit 1 Superintendent Dr. Kent Bugg.

Time to take the next step

Published by admin on Tue, 06/30/2020 - 4:33pm

As Coal City Middle School student council president Ava Houston pointed out, speeches are to be given in-person. However, that was not how the final address was delivered to the eighth grade class.

Houston was scheduled to deliver the welcome address at her eighth grade promotion ceremony, but as she said, “the coronavirus has changed that.”

The virus altered a number of things for Houston and her fellow classmates in the final months of the school year.

Coaler grads will get a graduation

Published by admin on Tue, 06/30/2020 - 4:31pm

It might not be the celebration they envisioned, but the Coal City High School class of 2020 will have its commencement ceremony.

Principal Chris Spencer announced last week the school is carrying on with its plans for a July 25 graduation saying, “we are going to have it no matter what that day.”

After two pandemic imposed postponements—May 17 and June 27—a modified in-person ceremony will take place, weather permitting, at 2 p.m. in the school’s Dzuris Athletic Stadium.

Chamber & GEDC survey local businesses on impact of COVID-19

Published by admin on Tue, 06/30/2020 - 4:29pm

A recent survey conducted by the Grundy County Chamber of Commerce and the Grundy Economic Development Council yielded positive news from the business community. More than 70% of the respondents indicated they were “very confident” their business would survive the recent hardships caused by the pandemic.

Unit 1 planning its return to school

Published by admin on Tue, 06/30/2020 - 4:28pm

Illinois schools will reopen to in-person learning this fall, so for students and staff in the Unit 1 School District it means they will be back to the books in just six weeks.

When the doors open in mid-August it will have been 22 weeks since students were in a classroom, as schools abruptly shut down in mid-March to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“Although we are all very happy to have our students back, it is important to note that school will look different this fall,” said Unit 1 Superintendent Dr. Kent Bugg.

Grundy County buildings re-open with Phase 4

Published by admin on Fri, 06/26/2020 - 12:06pm

Grundy County’s administration, highway and animal control buildings will re-open to the public next week. During the recent COVID-19 restrictions, county services have been provided remotely.