Braidwood Journal

Residents cry foul with vote to keep Altiery on the payroll

Published by admin on Tue, 04/15/2025 - 4:09pm

Well over 100 residents jammed city hall in protest of a motion to keep City Administrator Tony Altiery as a city employee before approval by the Braidwood City Council on April 8.
For months prior to the April 1 election, a social media campaign to oust the mayor and city council incumbents flooded Braidwood Facebook pages.

Braidwood Council to create new position to keep Altiery

Published by admin on Tue, 04/08/2025 - 3:55pm

A storm is brewing and it was bound to flare up during the April 8 Braidwood City Council meeting which included on its agenda the proposed appointment of City Administrator Tony Altiery to a new supervisory position at city hall.
The move follows the April 1 election in which Todd Lyons won the Mayor’s seat and campaigned on the promise that he would replace Altiery if elected.
According to the agenda, Commissioner Warren Wietting intended to appoint Altiery to the position of Supervisor of Public Property.

Lyons by a landslide

Published by admin on Wed, 04/02/2025 - 7:46am

Braidwood voters favored a new administration, electing a new mayor for the unexpired 2-year term and commissioners.

Unofficial results show former Police Chief Todd Lyons with nearly 77% of the votes over incumbent mayor Karen Hart.

Also with a sizeable lead for Commissioner of Accounts and Finances is newcomer Elizabeth Dixon (72%) over Kimberly Earling.

Winning the seat for Commissioner of Public Health and Safety (two years) was James "Moose" Mikel with a 964-289 lead over incumbent Ronald Wilczak, Sr.

 

Walleye roundup at a record rate

Published by admin on Tue, 04/01/2025 - 3:52pm

Mounting evidence of the success of the walleye stocking program for the Kankakee River reached a record high last week.
Biologists with the Illinois Department of Natural Resource witnessed their best walleye roundup ever, more than doubling the catch rate from the previous record and needing just 12 minutes to collect enough brood fish.
They motored their electro-fishing boat from the tip of the North Island park just before noon Wednesday and needed only one pass along a two-block stretch upstream of the railroad bridge to find their fish.

Date set for Easter egg hunr

Published by admin on Tue, 03/25/2025 - 3:45pm

The Braidwood Park District’s annual Children’s Easter Egg Hunt will take place Saturday, April 12, beginning at 1 p.m. at Old Smokey City Park.
Age groups and locations are as follows:
1-3 years-old: Tee-Ball Field Parents/Guardians may walk with their children as the children pick up eggs.
4-6 years-old: North boys’ baseball field): If necessary, one parent or guardian may walk with the child as the children pick up the eggs.
7-10 years-old: South girls’ softball field. Parents/guardians will not be allowed in the grass area where the eggs are spread out.

$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.”

Mayoral candidates out to win your vote

Published by admin on Tue, 03/18/2025 - 4:10pm

The campaign for Braidwood mayor for the next four years is heating up with a significant number of residents on opposite sides of the fence.
In the April 1 election for the mayoral race, incumbent Karen Hart is being challenged by former police chief Todd Lyons. Each candidate was asked four questions, hoping their responses will provide sufficient insights so voters can make an informed decision.
Karen Hart
As a candidate, what will you bring to the table?

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.

Thrill of racing sends Coal City trustee to Florida

Published by admin on Wed, 03/05/2025 - 11:20am

Coal City residents tuning in to drag racing action this weekend may spot a familiar figure on their TV screens. Bill Mincey, a longtime resident who serves on the village’s board of trustees, will be part of the pit crew for a team competing in the 2025 Amelie Motor Oil Gatornationals.
Held in Gainesville, Fl., on March 6–9, the race is the season opener for the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. As part of ScottRod Racing, Mincey’s role is to service the right-side engine head of the team’s Top Fuel car.

Say yes to a $5 prom dress

Published by admin on Tue, 02/25/2025 - 3:45pm

It’s been 15 years since Laurie Becker began coordinating Melissa’s Closet & Crystal’s Jewelry Box. In that time, 5,180 high school students have been transformed into Cinderella for prom night.
Instead of a fairy godmother, the prom-bound princesses have Becker, whose more than happy to play the role.
Dresses are a mere $5 each, and shoes, jewelry, and other “sparklies” are also available.
Last Thursday, Becker took a few minutes from her frantic schedule to talk about the event.