Braidwood Journal

Kinzinger, local leaders talk drug prevention

Published by admin on Tue, 08/07/2018 - 7:01pm

Local leaders have opened the lines of communication for fighting the nation’s opioid crisis.

U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger, R-16, hosted a roundtable discussion last week, joining with city and county officials at Braidwood City Hall to brainstorm ideas for fighting the use and abuse of illegal drugs.

"Last year was the first year in history that overdoses exceeded gun deaths in this country,” Kinzinger said during the hour-long discussion held on Aug. 2.

Road work heats up

Published by admin on Tue, 08/07/2018 - 6:59pm

The city of Braidwood is ahead of schedule on road work this summer, taking advantage of some low prices.

Work in multiple city streets is underway, the second round of construction this season for the city.

“We got a break here in Braidwood,” said Mayor Jim Vehrs. “When we started this road project, phase one, we put it out for bid. We opened up the bids, and they came in $280,000 under [the engineer’s estimate]. So, everybody looked at me, and I said put another one together right away.”

Braidwood Police arrest 4 in drug investigation

Published by admin on Fri, 08/03/2018 - 1:26pm

During the morning hours of 8/2/2018 Braidwood Police along with DEA arrested 4 suspects for various controlled substance deliveries. Braidwood Police and DEA were assisted by Wilmington Police, Coal City Police, Dwight Police, and Grundy County Sheriff’s Office while executing the arrest warrants.  The arrest warrants and charges allege the defendants sold illegal narcotics. The investigation was initiated 7 months ago and Chief Ficarello from Braidwood Police stated he expects more arrests in the following weeks.

Exelon hosts open house

Published by admin on Tue, 07/31/2018 - 7:21pm

 

More than 200 people interested in operations at Exelon’s Braidwood Station power plant attended a community information night last week, meeting with representatives and learning a little bit about the nuclear power plant in the city’s back yard.

The information session and open house took place on July 25 at the power plant’s training building on Route 53.

RC athletes under new code of conduct

Published by admin on Tue, 07/31/2018 - 7:19pm

Reed-Custer High School athletes will follow a new code of conduct when they return to their respective sports in the 2018-2019 school year.

In July, the Board of Education approved some changes to the code of conduct, following the formation of a special committee that advised some tweaks and changes to the code.

The board held a formal discussion on the policy earlier in the summer, prior to the July approval of the new document.

Council approves changes in finance department

Published by admin on Tue, 07/31/2018 - 7:17pm

The city of Braidwood has done some reorganization in their finance department. But not without some disagreement first among elected officials.

On July 24, the city council voted to hire Lori Quigley as a full-time financial officer for the city.

Lori Quigley will pick up duties that were previously fulfilled by Julie Quigley (no relation). Julie Quigley was dismissed from her position as the city’s finance officer two weeks prior.

Trap shooting team lauded by School Board

Published by admin on Tue, 07/24/2018 - 6:37pm

Reed-Custer High School first kicked around the idea of a trap shooting team last fall. And while the team only came together in February of this year, already it’s drawn out student athletes who know how to take aim.

On July 18, members of the Board of Education welcomed team members, coaches, and parents, who started with the team in the spring as part of the Illinois High School Clay Target League.

Seven of the team’s 14 members participated at the state level in the Comets’ inaugural season.

Board says yes to tax ballot issue

Published by admin on Tue, 07/24/2018 - 6:35pm

The Reed-Custer Board of Education has said yes to putting a new tax on the ballot for taxpayers to decide.

But the decision to put it to a public vote was a thin margin, after one board member objected to the overall issue.

At issue is the proposed Will County Schools Facilities Sales Tax.

Summerfest makes a splash

Published by admin on Tue, 07/24/2018 - 6:34pm

 

A smattering of rain throughout the weekend couldn’t dampen the spirits of festival goers who flocked to the 37th Annual Braidwood Lions Summerfest at Old Smokey City Park.

Dark skies, rain clouds, and muggy temperatures threatened the festival throughout the four-day event, but couldn’t keep hundreds from enjoying carnival rides, entertainment, food, fun, bingo, flea market, contests, and the annual parade.

School board: Let the voters decide on tax

Published by admin on Tue, 07/10/2018 - 5:57pm

The Reed-Custer School District may soon join other districts in the county in asking voters to make a decision on a new funding tax.

In June, members of the Board of Education held a brief discussion on the proposed Will County Schools Facilities Sales Tax.

All counties in the state except Cook County can impose a tax, from which the revenue generated can be exclusively used for “school facility purposes” as defined in the statute.