Free Press Advocate

Crayons, construction paper and caring

Published by admin on Tue, 09/12/2017 - 8:46pm
Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas on Aug. 25, leaving much of Houston under water, while Hurricane Irma decimated the Caribbean and tore apart communities all across Florida early this week. While residents in the affected areas focus on survival, the rest of the nation has mobilized a massive relief effort. From a nationwide telethon to the smallest supply drive, Americans are showing how much they care.

Real help for addiction comes to Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 09/12/2017 - 8:01pm

    The Wilmington Coalition for a Healthy Community and its partners, Riverside Medical Center Wilmington and AMT Counseling, are offering real help for individuals trying to recover from an addiction to alcohol or opioids.

Council authorizes new stop sign

Published by admin on Tue, 09/12/2017 - 7:58pm
   At the request of School District 209-U, the Wilmington City Council has authorized the installation of a stop sign on South Joliet Street at Laurel Street.
    The intersection is immediately north of the entrance to the campus of the middle and intermediate schools.

The trial of the Waterwog

Published by admin on Tue, 09/05/2017 - 7:57pm

    The Wilmington Fire Protection District isn’t sold yet, but if the watercraft it tested at the Wilmington dam last week performs as promised in high water, it may be something the district can add to its swift water rescue arsenal.

FPA prevails in Open Meetings claim against WIPD

Published by admin on Tue, 09/05/2017 - 7:49pm

    The Free Press Advocate was correct in its claim that the Island Park District Board of Commissioners violated state law during a special meeting.
    Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s Public Access Counselor agreed with the newspaper’s position that the Park Board had not properly notified the public that it would vote to fill a vacant seat on the board during a special meeting held on April 21, and that the board improperly discussed procedures during its closed session, both in violation of the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Feds reject Great Lakes Basin Railroad

Published by admin on Tue, 09/05/2017 - 7:49pm

    The Great Lakes Basin Railroad has been derailed. Last week, the Surface Transportation Board rejected Great Lakes Basin Transportation Inc.’s application to construct and operate the rail line around the Chicago metropolitan area through counties in Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.
    “GLBT has failed to provide the board with accurate financial information upon which the board can rely to make a determination on the transportation merits of the project,” stated the STB’s Aug. 30 decision.

Two arrested in Island City Storage burglary

Published by admin on Tue, 09/05/2017 - 8:49am

On Saturday, Sept. 2, at approximately 5 pm, Brett A. Hartell, 18 and his friend – a 17 year old male, both of Elwood — were
arrested while attempting to flee the scene after burglarizing the Island City Storage facility on North Kankakee Street in Wilmington.

The burglars were found in possession of multiple tools that they stole from the business.

Encompassing all of geekdom

Published by admin on Tue, 08/29/2017 - 8:08pm

Thommy Evans, the owner of Chic, Geek and Antique, is inviting people from Kankakee to Chicago to come to Wilmington for an Island City version of comic con, Geekin’ on 66. It’s not far to come, he says, if you want to do all this cool stuff.

Skate park’s had its last roll

Published by admin on Tue, 08/29/2017 - 8:01pm

    It’s quiet this week in Northcrest, not because children are back in the classroom, but because the skate park is gone and wheels no longer clatter on metal ramps.

Wrestling Club seeks new practice space

Published by admin on Tue, 08/29/2017 - 7:57pm

    The need for consistency has brought the Mighty Cat Wrestling Club to the Island Park District with a request to use one of its rooms for practice. But the request comes with a cost the park commissioners weren’t ready to make last week.
    The Mighty Cat Wrestling Club serves 4- to 10-year-old boys and girls. It generally holds registration in October and practices start in early November. Participation hovers between 40 and 50, but the club has served as many as 80 pint-sized wrestlers in a winter season.