Free Press Advocate

Wilmington PD plans for site improvements at range

Published by admin on Tue, 10/18/2022 - 4:32pm

The Wilmington Police Department is eyeing a plan to make improvements at its shooting range, and city leaders have given the thumbs up to a preliminary plan to assign fees to other law enforcement agencies that use the site for training purposes.

On Oct. 11, Police Chief Joseph Mitchell brought the issue before the Committee of the Whole for discussion.

Mitchell said the department is considering range improvement fees for those outside entities that come to the site on Stripmine Road for training.

Hydrant technology investment pays off in Wilmington

Published by admin on Tue, 10/18/2022 - 4:31pm

The city of Wilmington’s investment into new technology for the water department has already started to pay off.

Earlier this year, the city installed three of its 10 ordered iHydrants.

iHydrants provide instant alerts to the city when the water system experiences a hydraulic event or rapid pressure fluctuations. The technology provides instant alerts for pressure and temperature changes that fall outside of normal thresholds, which are set by the city.

Historical landmark ordinance forwarded to full Wilmington City Council

Published by admin on Tue, 10/11/2022 - 5:04pm

The Wilmington City Council will consider a new ordinance to allow for designation of local historic landmark designation, following a few tweaks to the ordinance at the request of the city’s planning and zoning board.

Commissioners from the zoning board first reviewed a draft copy of the proposed ordinance in September. The ordinance would allow the city to designate properties, sites, structures, statues or other items in the city as historical landmarks.

Wilmington Officers treated on scene after fire rescue

Published by admin on Tue, 10/11/2022 - 5:01pm

Two Wilmington police officers were treated for smoke inhalation after responding to a weekend fire at an apartment complex on First Street.

The incident happened in the early morning hours of Saturday, Oct. 8.

The Wilmington Police Department and the Wilmington Fire Protection District responded to a structure fire at a multi-unit apartment complex in the 300 block of N. First Street. While en route to the scene, dispatch advised of heavy smoke emitting from an apartment and the fire originated from a bedroom.

Liquor license ordinance amended for additional full bar sales

Published by admin on Tue, 10/11/2022 - 4:59pm

The city of Wilmington has made an amendment to its code of ordinances that regulate liquor licenses, in order to make a change for the liquor license at Fox’s Pizza.

The City Council approved the change during its Oct. 4 regular meeting.

“They want to go from beer and wine to a full bar,” Mayor Ben Dietz explained regarding the change for the local pizzeria.

The ordinance amends the provisions of city code that impose restrictions on the number of liquor licenses that may be issued in the city.

Wilmington 209-U set to replace HVAC at SIS

Published by admin on Tue, 10/04/2022 - 4:24pm

Wilmington School District 209-U is one step closer to finally getting a fix for its broken A/C at Stevens Intermediate School.

In September, the board of education approved plans to move ahead with Precision Controls, a company the district has worked with before on other operations and maintenance projects, to fix the HVAC at SIS.

Break-in at Wine Cafe in Wilmington damages video gaming terminals

Published by admin on Tue, 10/04/2022 - 4:22pm

The Wilmington Police Department is investigating a break-in at the Wine Cafe over the weekend.

The incident was reported to police early on Saturday, Oct. 1. The break-in took place overnight, with the burglars spending several hours inside the establishment.

“The exterior had been compromised and entry was gained through a side wall,” Police Chief Joe Mitchell said. “We are running down some leads and we will be working with the Will County State’s Attorney’s office on the investigation.”

Facade improvement grant approved for Route 66 Bar and Grill

Published by admin on Tue, 10/04/2022 - 4:19pm

A Wilmington business hoping to utilize the city’s facade improvement grant for some upkeep and projects was turned away when time for fund disbursement came. But, that initial rejection was reversed, after the owner and the city came together to find a solution.

On Sept. 20, the members of the Wilmington City Council approved disbursement of funds for Route 66 Bar and Grill.

Solar farm slated for West River Road

Published by admin on Tue, 09/27/2022 - 4:46pm

Vacant property along West River Road could be the next site for a solar farm in the region.

Representatives from ReneSola gave a brief presentation to the members of the Wilmington City Council in mid-September, during the regular meeting of the Committee of the Whole.

The solar company is looking to create a solar farm along Route 102/West River Road near the intersection of Coal City Road.

Wilmington collecting data on city’s strengths and weaknesses

Published by admin on Tue, 09/27/2022 - 4:45pm

The City of Wilmington is working on its strategic planning for the next several years. And, as part of the process, city leaders have engaged with other local taxing bodies and business leaders for a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis.