Braidwood Journal

SMART Recovery offers help, hope to those in need

Published by admin on Tue, 06/06/2023 - 4:34pm

The Braidwood Area Healthy Community Coalition (BAHCC) has helped bring another program to the area, providing recovery assistance for those who battle with substance use disorder.

Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) Recovery is a new program being offered by the BAHCC, providing both in-person and online recovery meetings for individuals, as well as their families and friends.

Braidwood mayor, administrator focus on roads, future of Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 06/06/2023 - 4:33pm

The dust has settled after the shake-up at City Hall, following the resignation of Mayor Chris Earley and the appointment of Karen Hart to fill the seat for the next two years. With Hart and Mayor, Doug Money as Finance Commissioner, and Tony Altiery back as City Administrator, city leaders said their next goal is to move Braidwood forward as promised during campaign season.

To that end, Altiery said at the top of the priority list is to address the roads, starting with a road survey to rate which roads need the most attention.

As summer hits, cooling centers available locally

Published by admin on Tue, 06/06/2023 - 4:31pm

The first heat wave has already moved through the area, with several days over the past week seeing temperatures in the upper 80s and 90s.

While that first push has passed—and cooler temperatures are expected to settle in alongside some rainfall over this coming weekend—the heat will be back soon enough.

The Will County EMA has a list of local cooling centers for those who may need to get out of the heat.

Included on that list is Braidwood City Hall, which is open during operating hours, but can be utilized after hours upon request.

Hart sworn in as Mayor of Braidwood, Altiery back as administrator

Published by admin on Tue, 05/30/2023 - 4:40pm

Following the sudden resignation of Mayor Chris Earley just three weeks into his term, the Braidwood City Council has a new look, with a new mayor, finance commissioner, and several appointments approved.

On May 23, Karen Hart was sworn in as Mayor. Hart, who was elected as Finance Commissioner in April, was elevated to the role of mayor per the regulations of state code on how a Commission Form of Government operates.

Veterans the real winners of Braidwood Memorial Day 5K

Published by admin on Tue, 05/30/2023 - 4:35pm

Memorial Day weekend is often thought of as the unofficial start to summer. And while local towns took time out of the weekend festivities to remember the reason behind the holiday—to recognize and remember the men and women who died serving the United States as members of the Armed Forces—one local veteran wanted to do more.

That’s how Ryan Dodge, an outage scheduler with Constellation Energy, came up with the idea of a race to benefit those who offer their service to the country.

Braidwood leaders promise order, transparency

Published by admin on Tue, 05/30/2023 - 4:32pm

With a new City Council in place, some residents said what they want the most from the city’s leaders is transparency.

After several residents voiced their thoughts on open government, newly re-appointed city attorney Bryan Wellner gave an overview on how the city handles agendas, paperwork, and accessibility to the public during the May 23 regular meeting of the mayor and commissioners.

In particular, Wellner addressed how the city prepares an agenda for a public meeting, and the procedures for running each meeting from start to finish.

Reed-Custer says farewell to the Class of 2023

Published by admin on Tue, 05/23/2023 - 5:35pm

The Reed-Custer class of 2023 had an extremely notable year, and with the students having graduated Sunday, they are sure to go on to do incredible things in life. The year was nothing short of impressive.

The academic excellence of the Reed-Custer graduates is clear. To be recognized as a board scholar, a student must have over a 4.0 grade point average, and 22 students were awarded this title. Principal Tim Ricketts said that is the largest number of board scholars in the 14 years of being the principal.

Ricketts to RCHS grads: Thank you

Published by admin on Tue, 05/23/2023 - 5:31pm

After more than three decades with the Reed-Custer School District, high school principal Tim Ricketts gave his final farewell on Sunday during the 95th Annual Reed-Custer High School Commencement. The 115 graduates of the Class of 2023 walked through the halls for the last time as students on Sunday, May 21.

Ricketts said as he leaves the world of education after 33 years—the past 29 with Reed-Custer—the word to describe his journey is “gratitude,” a quality of being thankful and a readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

Earley resigns as mayor of Braidwood three weeks into term

Published by admin on Tue, 05/23/2023 - 5:27pm

Three weeks and three days after being sworn in as Braidwood’s newest mayor, Chris Earley has called it quits.

Earley did not make a formal announcement regarding his resignation, a notarized copy of which was tenured last Friday.

Residents found out about the shake-up to local government when this week’s City Council agenda was posted. That agenda included the announcement of a vacancy in the mayoral seat, and the swearing in of Karen Hart as mayor.

On Sunday, the Braidwood Journal was given the following statement from the outgoing mayor:

Editorial: Time to get real about transparency, Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 05/23/2023 - 5:21pm

I pulled out my old thesaurus this week, trying to find the right word for what’s happening in Braidwood. But nothing really fit. And all I can come up with is, this has been a hot mess.