News

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.

New owners plan to convert vacant grocery into a youth center

Published by admin on Tue, 04/15/2025 - 4:05pm

Shawn and Donna Matthews are the proud new owners of the former Valle’s Produce Market at 1085 S. Water Street.
The rural Wilmington couple purchased the property, in part, to establish a youth center. Shawn Matthews spoke of his plans for the building.
Though the deal has not yet been finalized, the Matthews are currently working with a Christian youth group to administer programs for teens. He said the group is enthusiastic, but since contracts have not yet been signed, Matthews cannot share the name of the organization.

Constellation's charity fishing tournaments top $1 million

Published by admin on Tue, 04/15/2025 - 4:02pm

Constellation’s “Fishing for a Cure” tournament, held Saturday, April 12 on Braidwood Lake, raised an event record $150,000 for the local charity K9s For Veterans, putting the tournament over the $1 million mark in donations during its 24-year history.
K9s for Veterans is a local non-profit organization that specializes in providing service dogs to area veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury.

Can you spell W-I-N-N-E-R-S

Published by admin on Tue, 04/08/2025 - 4:02pm

Coal City Middle School student Liam Allen is the IVC Conference Spelling Bee champion.
Allen, an eighth grader, was one of 29 students participating in the conference bee hosted by Channahon Junior High, and his spelling skills earned him a first place finish. As a school, CCMS finished second thanks to the amazing spelling of Remii Yott and Reagan Jeschke.
"It was an amazing accomplishment for Liam to take first place, and Coal City take second," said Mrs. Sweeney and Mrs. Sobieck, the school's spelling bee sponsors.

Route 66 at a top speed of 39 mph

Published by admin on Tue, 04/08/2025 - 3:58pm

Being 5,150 miles from home, Roni Alho could have easily given up.
His 1968 moped, with its single gear, pedal start and one cylinder, suffered catastrophic failure. But the 35-year-old native of Turku, Finland was determined he would return to the U.S. to complete his 2,448-mile ride on historic Route 66.
He had gone too far to resign, passing through Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and into New Mexico.
It was Oct. 15 of last year, 16 days into his trip, when his motorbike died outside of Tucumcari, NM, about 978 miles shy of the end of the Mother Road.

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.

Voters re-elect Dietz as mayor

Published by admin on Wed, 04/02/2025 - 8:02am

Wilmington voters reaffirmed their belief in Mayor Ben Dietz, giving the incumbent a 591-303 win over former building inspector Jayson Walinski and former mayor Roy Strong who had 186 votes.

While vote totals are unofficial until being canvassed in two weeks, Dietz has a solid lead with 55%.

For 1st Ward Alderman, J. Marty Orr leads incumbent Ryan Jeffires 133-106. In the 2nd Ward, Ryan Knight will likely keep his seat against Robert "Bob" Thomas. And in the 4th Ward, current alderman Tom Smith leads Jacob Ragan 125-87

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.

FBLA students compete at state, three going to nationals

Published by admin on Tue, 04/01/2025 - 3:46pm

The Coal City High School chapter of Future Business Leaders of America [FBLA] participated in the annual State Leadership Conference in Springfield with four students placing in the top 10 and three of them advancing to the national competition this summer.
Grace Sitar, Peyton Gibson and Kylee Kennell earned a trip to the National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, CA. The top four finishers in each competitive event qualify for national competition.