Braidwood Journal

Smiles, Support and Stories: The heart of the RCHS English Department

Published by admin on Tue, 11/11/2025 - 3:02pm

The English Department at Reed-Custer High School is being featured for the month of November. There are eight teachers dedicated to English instruction for approximately 375 students.
Mrs. Melissa Rankin teaches JJC Rhetoric and English 12, as well as being a Teacher Leader. Students had the following to say about Mrs. Rankin: Gives great feedback and wants to see her students grow, very nice and understanding, and always greets people with a smile on her face.

“Skinny Kid” from Braidwood muses on his life in books

Published by admin on Tue, 11/04/2025 - 1:16pm

It has been said that writers are vagabonds who possess restless souls that long to wander, hither and yon, to gather fodder for to stimulate their imagination.
This is certainly true of author, Thomas Raymond Kennedy, who craves adventure. He was born and raised in Braidwood, and lived for a time in Wilmington, as well.
On Oct. 25, the Braidwood Historical Museum hosted a book signing featuring Tom Kennedy, who happily shared his stories about Braidwood and Wilmington with people he’d known in his younger days.
Truck driving man

Mastodon station has a target date for completion

Published by admin on Tue, 10/28/2025 - 4:15pm

The walls are taking shape for the Mastodon Station in Braidwood as construction workers make progress on what will be the city’s largest fueling center.
According to Dave Smith, CEO of Ridgeway Petroleum, the target date for the grand opening of the Mastodon station at Division Street and Coal City Road will be late spring, 2026.
“The projected opening date, I would just say is dependent upon the weather,” Smith said. “If there would be a date, it would be June 1. It may be sooner, but I think that's the fairest number I can give ”

Box City of Hope spends a night at RCHS

Published by admin on Tue, 10/21/2025 - 4:08pm

On Oct. 10, members of the RCHS Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) made their way to the front of the high school once again, to set up camp as well as bring awareness to hunger and homelessness.
Box City of Hope, an annual event hosted by the student organization, gives students a chance to understand the hardships faced by those experiencing homelessness, while raising funds and collecting goods for the local pantry.

Two additional warehouses coming to logistic center

Published by admin on Tue, 10/14/2025 - 2:28pm

Wilmington city officials were told Tuesday that two more warehouses—to serve “Fortune 100” companies—will be built at the Ridgeport Logistics Center Intermodel Terminal Facility off Interstate 55 and Lorenzo Road.
Michael Stellino, attorney for Ridgeport, updated aldermen of the latest developments following a public hearing to amend the boundaries for Ridgeport’s TIF District.

Filbert’s old time Root Beer to celebrate centennial at the same time as Route 66

Published by admin on Tue, 10/07/2025 - 3:33pm

Larry Tarantolo of Mother Road 66 Sodas/Filbert’s will be proudly hawking his wares at the Oct. 12 Autumn Festival sponsored by the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce.
Filbert’s Old Time Root Beer of Chicago has something in common with the Mother Road itself; both- will be celebrating their centennial in 2026.
During the month of October, Tarantolo calls himself “Scary Larry, Master Soda Jerk,” and he’s looking forward to hobnobbing with Wilmington residents on Sunday.

Several Braidwood residents behind on their water bill

Published by admin on Tue, 09/30/2025 - 4:09pm

If you’re behind on your water bill, you’re certainly not alone. Unfortunately, households 60 days behind in paying their water bill risk having their water shut off.
At the Sept. 23 Braidwood City Council meeting, Commissioner Liz Dixon noted there are many behind on their water bill.
“We’ve been looking at outstanding water bills,” Dixon said. “This month, it was $74,000, and they’ve collected $31,000 of that. So, the numbers are getting smaller.”

Trunk-or-Treat at the Fossil Ridge Library

Published by admin on Tue, 09/30/2025 - 3:58pm

A Trunk-or-Treat event will be held Saturday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Fossil Ridge Library in Braidwood. The library is excited to host its 5th annual Trunk-or-Treat Community Event and we can't wait to see you there.
Just a quick heads up: you don't need to register for any activities except if you want your child to decorate a mini-pumpkin. So feel free to join in on all the fun without any hassle. Bring your friends and family along, and let's have some spooky fun together!
*Free parking is available at the Reed-Custer Elementary School lot.

Pow Wow 2025 focuses on firefighting training

Published by admin on Tue, 09/23/2025 - 4:06pm

Over 50 area first responders gained valuable training experience during an annual academy hosted by the Chief Shabbona Firefighters’ Association
On Sunday, Sept. 14, firefighters, EMTs, and trainees from more than 14 agencies took part in training designed to heighten their skills and arm them with information on emergency response.
The Chief Shabbona Pow Wow Fire School once again brought attendees through courses from basic firefighting, auto extrication to driving simulator and emergency safety operations at the Constellation Midwest Training Academy near Morris.

City Clerk Sarah Weaver makes the city run efficiently

Published by admin on Tue, 09/16/2025 - 1:44pm

City clerks serve as the official record-keepers and chief administrative officers for a municipality. Sarah Weaver, city clerk for the City of Braidwood, wears many hats, and wears them well. From presiding over city council and committee meetings, to serving as liaison between the public and government, to administering elections, Weaver keeps the wheels of the city in motion. The whirlwind doesn’t phase her. She’s up to the challenge. At the Sept. 9 Braidwood City Council meeting, Weaver was sworn in for another term as city clerk. She has maintained the position since July 25, 2023.