Braidwood

Mastodon Market opens

Published by admin on Tue, 06/30/2026 - 4:01pm

After a couple of years of anticipation, the wait is finally over for motorists and residents in Braidwood.
Mastodon Market officially opened its doors to throngs of customers at 6 a.m. Monday, to its new location on Coal City Road and Route 113.
To celebrate the opening, the convenience store is offering 89-cent Big Splash fountain drinks just in time to help customers survive the predicted heat wave.
The new travel center is a full-service destination featuring Mastodon Kitchen, Mastodon Market, Mastodon Wash, fuel services and Fossil Fuel Coffee Co.

Mastodon station has a target date for completion

Published by admin on Tue, 10/28/2025 - 4:15pm

The walls are taking shape for the Mastodon Station in Braidwood as construction workers make progress on what will be the city’s largest fueling center.
According to Dave Smith, CEO of Ridgeway Petroleum, the target date for the grand opening of the Mastodon station at Division Street and Coal City Road will be late spring, 2026.
“The projected opening date, I would just say is dependent upon the weather,” Smith said. “If there would be a date, it would be June 1. It may be sooner, but I think that's the fairest number I can give ”

Four-way stop being planned near Mastodon Travel Center

Published by admin on Tue, 07/01/2025 - 3:44pm

Talk about one of Braidwood’s busiest intersections, which is about to get a lot busier, occurred during the June 24 city council meeting. It seems state transportation officials want a four-way stop installed at Illinois 113 and Coal City Road with the contruction of the nearby Mastodon travel center and car wash.
City Management Consultant Steve Gulden reported that Dave Smith, owner of Ridgeway Petroleum of Lansing, briefed him on the progress of the Mastodon travel center that will be located at Coal City Road and Division Street.

$40 million data center proposed in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 03/25/2025 - 3:31pm

It’s early in the process but Braidwood may some day land a $40 million data center built on the city’s west side.
“After they get approval from the city, probably sometime in May or a little later, they’ll start breaking ground,” said city administrator Tony Altiery. “Bear in mind, the project is likely to take anywhere from three to five years from start to finish.”

Water, sewer rates don’t differ significantly among area towns

Published by admin on Tue, 03/11/2025 - 3:55pm

In response to comments about rising water, sewer and garbage services, following is a breakdown of costs for Wilmington, Braidwood, Diamond, Coal City, Elwood and Manhattan.
Most area towns charge per 1,000 gallons of water. Diamond charges $100.42 for up to 10,000 gallons of water.
Costs for water, sewer, and garbage pickup among towns are comparable. While some towns charge more per gallon of water, others are higher on garbage pickup or base fees for services.
Noteworthy is the Village of Diamond’s video gaming credit of $15 per single family household.

Run Saturday to honor fallen State Trooper

Published by admin on Tue, 12/31/2024 - 2:13pm

Custer Park teen Zachary Pruss will log his 28th mile as a runner for the national Running4Heroes campaign to honor first responder killed in the line of duty at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, along Main Street in Braidwood.
Pruss will be running one mile for Illinois State Trooper Corey Thompsen, 28, who was working a traffic enforcement detail on his state police motorcycle Oct. 18 in Champaign County when he was killed after being hit by a truck.

Truck service center proposed for Hickory Street

Published by admin on Tue, 07/02/2024 - 4:07pm

An ordinance granting a map amendment to 225 N. Hickory Street, from B-3 to I-1 Industrial, was tabled at the June 25 Braidwood City Council meeting.
The owner of the property, Mike Guinta, of Ensure Companies of Plainfield, petitioned the city of Braidwood seeking the map amendment for a light industrial facility classification.
The property would be used for the sales and service of new and used truck tractors.

‘When I wake up, I ask how can I make the world a better place’

Published by admin on Tue, 04/16/2024 - 4:26pm

“Heroes wear capes, and I'm anti cape.”
-Freak
Speaking of heroes, where have they all gone? We just don’t run across the likes of Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, or Anne Frank these days. Or do we?
Actually, we do, and one of those heroes hides in plain sight in Braidwood. His legal name is Walter Kozielski. He celebrated his 57th birthday on April 16. By the time you read his story, you’ll agree he’s a good guy, maybe even a hero (though he’ll probably deny it).

Cheryl Chasensky

Published by admin on Wed, 03/27/2024 - 12:23pm

Cheryl Chasensky

(nee Glenn)

Love of history and ‘old school attitude’ are behind the success of BAHS

Published by admin on Tue, 03/26/2024 - 4:36pm

It was perhaps inevitable that Carida Davis, 68, would end up becoming a “historian.” After all, she happens to be the great, great niece of Ulysses Grant. She’s also related to Jefferson Davis. To top it off, her grandfather designed and built the coal mine and time clock exhibits at Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry.
“History has always been instilled in me,” Davis said. “So, when the museum was being planned, it was sort of natural for me to want to be a part of it. It is where I belong.”