News

CMAP plans for public presentation Dec. 12 in Braidwood

Published by admin on Tue, 12/05/2023 - 5:51pm

Dozens of Braidwood residents waited in line and slowly filed into the Fossil Ridge Public Library’s large meeting room on Nov. 30, looking for information on the city’s plan to create a new comprehensive plan.

In 2022, city officials announced that they had been awarded technical assistance from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) to create the plan.

E-learning over snow days again the plan for Reed-Custer schools

Published by admin on Tue, 12/05/2023 - 5:47pm

Winter weather might keep kids out of the classroom when heavy storms blow in this season. But it won’t stop the learning process.

Reed-Custer Superintendent Mark Mitchell told members of the Board of Education on Nov. 15 that the district will continue to utilize e-learning days over snow days or emergency days this year, whenever possible.

Using those days means students will log in to their classes online, rather than have the day off and making it up at the end of the year.

Final town hall explores role of Braidwood city administrator

Published by admin on Tue, 12/05/2023 - 5:42pm

The city of Braidwood held the last of three town hall style meetings scheduled for this year last week. The final meeting attracted fewer than 20 residents asking some questions about how the city government is run.

At the top of the list and the issue that kicked off the meetings last summer: The duties of city administrator Tony Altiery.

Commissioner Dale Walsh scheduled the town hall sessions in July, September and November after the election and then quickly the resignation of Mayor Chris Earley had residents questioning how things operate at City Hall.

Launching Pad, Gemini Giant up for sale

Published by admin on Tue, 12/05/2023 - 5:39pm

As a Route 66 attraction, some might say the Launching Pad and its green guardian the Gemini Giant are priceless.

But it turns out those local landmarks—which hold no official landmark status but are thought of as such by residents—do have a price tag.

A $1.4 million price tag.

On Nov. 10, Launching Pad owner Holly Barker announced via X (formerly Twitter) that she was selling the restaurant.

School report card shows WHS is exemplary

Published by admin on Tue, 12/05/2023 - 5:36pm

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released the 2023 Illinois Report Card this fall, with local schools showing strong progress three years after COVID-19 changed the face of education.

The annual report breaks down the academic performance of public schools in Illinois, both districtwide as well as for individual buildings.

In addition to student achievement, the report card also addresses student and teacher demographics, enrollment, college and career readiness, and district-level financial information.

WHS seniors earn rank of State Scholars

Published by admin on Tue, 12/05/2023 - 5:33pm

Every year thousands of Illinois high school Seniors compete in the State Scholar Program sponsored by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. This year Wilmington High School had seven members of the class of 2024 named Illinois State Scholars.

Students are awarded based on ACT or SAT test scores and their sixth semester class size and unweighted class rank. Each awardee receives a congratulatory letter, a Certificate of Achievement and statewide recognition in the news.

Electronics dropoff event coming to Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 12/05/2023 - 5:28pm

Will County’s free electronics drop-off event will be held Thursday, Dec. 14, from 5-7 p.m. at the Wilmington City Hall parking lot, 1165 S. Water St.

Participants are reminded to remain in their vehicles at all times, show ID by holding it to the window for staff to see and then allow staff to remove items without assistance from each vehicle.

Coal City Madrigals will put you in the Christmas mood

Published by admin on Tue, 12/05/2023 - 5:23pm

Like the royals that have come before them, King Jared and Queen Elaina are preparing for the upcoming holiday with a grand soiree and they will open the doors to the castle for the Coal City High School Madrigals 25th holiday performance.

Established in 1998, Madrigals is a unique program within the school's music department consisting of a select group of student vocalists who mainly perform 15th and 16th Century a cappella music.

GE-Hitachi should be assessed at over $200 billion

Published by admin on Tue, 12/05/2023 - 5:21pm

The Coal City Community Unit School District 1 Board of Education is filing a complaint against the assessed value of the GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy Morris Operation which it believes is under assessed.

The board directed the superintendent and chief school business officer to file the complaint with the Grundy County Board of Review.

The action came during a special meeting of the Board of Education on Thursday morning, November 30.

Reed-Custer schools make the grade

Published by admin on Tue, 11/28/2023 - 3:52pm

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released the 2023 Illinois Report Card late last month, with local schools showing strong progress three years after COVID-19 changed the face of education.

The annual report breaks down the academic performance of public schools in Illinois, both districtwide as well as for individual buildings. For the Reed-Custer School District, all three schools ranked as “commendable.”