Coal City Courant

Unit 1 implements school safety initiatives

Published by admin on Tue, 06/12/2018 - 5:12pm

    At a time when reports of shootings and threats of violence at schools dominated the headlines, the Unit 1 School District was putting a plan together to enhance school safety.
    Following a school shooting that claimed the lives of 17 students and adults at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL., the Unit 1 Board of Education directed the district’s superintendent to assemble focus groups comprised of school staff, local law enforcement, parents and community members to provide insight on what could be done to enhance safety throughout the district.

Unit 1 will limit stops for bus riders

Published by admin on Tue, 06/12/2018 - 5:11pm

The Unit 1 School District will be sending out a message this week to make parents of bus eligible students aware of a policy change that could affect where their students get on and off the bus.
As previously reported the Board of Education has discussed a number of changes to its student transportation service, measures aimed at reducing costs and increasing student safety. It is the latter of the two that prompted the board to amend its policy with regard to alternate bus stops.

School administrators on the move

Published by admin on Tue, 06/12/2018 - 5:10pm

     Coal City’s Early Childhood Center and Elementary School will each have its own principal next school year, and Coal City High School will welcome an associate principal as part of a administrative transition plan that takes into account a number of planned retirements in the coming years.
    “For the past three years, one of the board’s primary concerns has been preparing for the multiple retirements of administrative and central office staff over the net five years,” said Unit 1 Superintendent Dr. Kent Bugg.

Multi-atate salmonella outbreak linked to pre-cut melons

Published by admin on Fri, 06/08/2018 - 2:54pm

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting six cases of Salmonella that match a multi-state outbreak strain. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting 60 cases from five statesIllinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio. The CDC investigation indicates pre-cut melons, including fruit salads, are a likely source of this multistate outbreak.

Expansion on the menu at El Patron

Published by admin on Tue, 06/05/2018 - 6:51pm

     El Patron Mexican Kitchen was given the green light to expand its dining area and open a second bar at its growing restaurant.
    Restaurant owner Scott Hank petitioned the village for a conditional use to open the area east of the restaurant’s kitchen to patrons.
    Under the new configuration, the kitchen will separate the two dining spaces and each will have its own entrances.
    It was the expansion of  the restaurant’s liquor service that prompted the village of Coal City to require Hank to seek a conditional use for the additional space.

Coal City to pay $80,000 for sludge removal

Published by admin on Tue, 06/05/2018 - 6:48pm

On a given day the village of Coal City treats 600,000 gallons of wastewater in a process that removes approximately 750 pounds of solids that turns into sludge.
    “Removing this byproduct on a regular basis allows the treatment center to continue to operate properly on a regular basis,” said Village Administrator Mat Fritz.
    Removing sludge from the village’s treatment plant requires certain Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  certifications and haulers must be licensed to handle and remove the product for disposal.

Bugg: “We’re all in this together”

Published by admin on Tue, 06/05/2018 - 6:47pm

    When school started last August, Unit 1 Superintendent Dr. Kent Bugg addressed the district’s faculty and staff his theme was “We’re all in this together.”  It ended up being the motto for the academic year.
    From his first day as superintendent, Bugg has set a theme to guide the district’s plans and philosophy for the school year. Recently the focus has been on developing relationships and supporting students.

Agreement reached

Published by admin on Tue, 06/05/2018 - 6:41pm

    Just days after the Coal City Unit 1 Education Association failed to ratify a four- year contract that would have boosted the average teacher salary by 4 percent per year, the union came to terms with the board of education on a five-year agreement with pay increases that fall under 3 percent in each of the first four years.

Search resumes for patrol officer

Published by admin on Tue, 05/29/2018 - 8:38pm

    Just when the Coal City Police Department thought it was back to full force, its newest officer tendered his resignation and departed the village without notice.
    Kevin McGrath was sworn in on May 9 and within a week he had turned in his badge, uniform and department issued equipment.
    McGrath came to Coal City with eight years of police experience from his time as a patrol officer in Streator and was selected as a lateral transfer by the Coal City Fire and Police Board.

Enlisted Coalers

Published by admin on Tue, 05/29/2018 - 8:36pm

   “There are a lot of things in life that matter. But nothing matters as much as who or what you decide to serve.”
    The quote by former United States Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell speaks volumes about seven members of the Coal City High School class of 2018 as each of them has selected to serve their country as members of the nations military.
    Graduates Alex Armstrong, Rylee Barnhill, Brandon Kelly, Tyler Lauterbur, Noah Letterly, Ryan Taylor and Jason Wexleberg announced their intent to join the armed services.