Todd M. Sandeno Daughter-In-Law, Caroline Ulivi, of Tucson, AZ; Choosing
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
INSIDE THIS EDITION COMET SPORTS $1.00 Marchi in the LadyComets have Vol. 63, Issue 5 1 section • 12 pages SeniorSpotlight new coach,new plan Not over 75% advertising www.braidwoodjournal.com WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 | A FREE PRESS NEWSPAPER No longer sidelined, sports set to boost overall student morale BY MARNEY SIMON ning through March 13. Boys soccer shortened one, will benefit their empathize with the students not just EDITOR can begin practices on March 1 with “STUDENTS NEED MORE THAN physical, mental and social well as an educator, but as both a fan and the season running until April 17. being. Ricketts said for many of those a former student. Student athletes are ready to Football can start on March 3 for JUST SCHOOL/ACADEMICS athletes, getting to practice or play is “[The hardest part] for me, it was head back to their respective sporting practices, with the first games set for WHETHER IT IS SPORTS, MUSIC, a release at the end of the school day, no popcorn from the concession events, now that the Illinois High March 19. The season is set to con- THEATER, SPEECH, ETC., IT IS and something for them to look for- stand,” Ricketts joked. “For many stu- School Association (IHSA) has clude on April 24 with no state series. ward to each day. dents/athletes this is the highlight of cleared the way to bring sports back, Baseball, softball, and girls soc- ALL PART OF THE EDUCATIONAL But, it’s not just the athletes who their day and what they look forward even in a limited capacity. cer can start practices on April 5, with EXPERIENCE AND LEARNING benefit. to at the end of every school day. I was The IHSA Board of Directors met the season set to run until June 19. PROCESS.” “Many of our students not that kid when I was in school and I for a special board meeting on Jan. 27, Wrestling practices can start on involved in sports are in the band or cannot imagine having that taken where the Board provided an updated April 19, with the season expiring on just want to go to a game to away for nearly a whole calendar sports schedule and other guidance June 12. TIM RICKETTS watch/cheer on their friends,” year.” for the remainder of the 2020-21 Reed-Custer High School princi- RCHS PRINCIPAL Ricketts said. “The energy in the Ricketts added that families can school year. The COVID-19 pandemic pal Tim Ricketts said the return of school on a Friday before a home rest assured that the district will take and subsequent restrictions in the sports is likely to have a positive football game or a big game in Comet the steps necessary to bring back state have kept school sports side- impact in student morale. gymnasium, you can feel it during the sports safely. lined for almost a year. “Students need more than just tional experience and learning school day. Kids wearing their jerseys. “We will do our best to allow fam- The schedule includes boys and school/academics,” Ricketts said. process.” Talking to friends about homecoming ily and friends to be able to watch the girls basketball to start practices as “Whether it is sports, music, theater, Ricketts said for those student week.” SEE IHSA, PAGE 2 soon as possible, with the season run- speech, etc., it is all part of the educa- athletes, a sports season, even a Ricketts added that he can Braidwood Police Chief responds looks to to critics of drug policy save cash BY BRIAN MURPHY responded to a] possible pre- CORRESPONDENT scription overdose and a 70- year-old man who had possi- on printing, Braidwood Police Chief bly taken too many pain pills. Todd Lyons said rumors of an “Out of 30 calls, I think 12 paper increase in local drug issues or 13 were possible heroin are not accurate, citing data overdoses and multiple ones BY BRIAN MURPHY based on official reports from were the same people.” CORRESPONDENT the last 20 months. Lyons also said that when The chief addressed the the police department receives The city of Braidwood’s issue during the Jan. 26 regular a drug tip, officers contact a new clerk has announced meeting of the city council. drug investigations task force some new policies aimed at “I received a FOIA which then conducts those saving some cash. (Freedom of Information Act) investigations and subsequent On Jan. 26, city clerk request last week about our arrests. Adam Beaty said there would drug calls for service and I've “We are doing our jobs, be some changes in how the heard from a couple people in and this is a great community,” city presents documents relat- town who have said we are not Lyons said. “I would recom- ed to city council meetings, a keeping our drug problem mend the city of Braidwood to plan intended to save costs. down for two years now,” anyone.” Until now, the city would Lyons said. In other business before print out copies of agendas, The chief reported that he the full council: bills, and other related docu- met with the Braidwood Fire • Commissioner Wayne ments for the public and leave Protection District Chief Barry Saltzman encouraged more them at a table in the council Eggers to review the reports of citizens to participate in chamber, where they could be calls related to possible drug Community Care Center the picked up, viewed, and kept by overdoses. Lyons said that food pantry. attendees. between March 2019 though “If you know anybody that “In an effort to reduce Nov. 21, 2020, Braidwood needs help from the food costs for the city, especially for police responded along with pantry, please send them up,” supplies and paper, from here the fire department to 30 drug Saltzman said. “I know there on out you will see a sign-up overdose calls. are a lot of people out there sheet on the end table,” Beaty But, Lyons said, the num- that might feel ashamed but said. “Previously we have just bers only tell part of the story. send them up. We don't care if printed copies of the material “It sounds like a lot and it you drive an Escalade or an old only to be left with stacks of BRAIDWOOD COMMISSIONER Doug Money (left) presented a Community Service Award to city is, but the first one was a 7- Ford, you're welcome. Let's paper that just end up getting employee George Weaver for his help in assisting a family whose toddler had been locked year-old possibly overdosed take advantage of what the thrown out. This way you can inside their home. The presentation was made during the Jan. 26 city council meeting. on vitamins, and then two community has to offer for our request a copy sent directly to months later we had a subject people.” your email and this way the that took too much medica- The pantry is located at citizens get the government tion and a month later, a possi- 112 S. Center St., next to City ble heroin overdose,” the chief transparency they want, and Weaver honored after SEE COUNCIL, PAGE 2 we save money on paper and said. “In June 2019, [we supplies.” According to the Illinois Open Meetings Act, the city is helping local mom required to post the agenda of any public meeting at City Hall within 48 hours of that meet- A members of the City of dler had been locked inside so they could get to the tod- ing. But, the act does not spec- Braidwood’s public works their home. dler, Braidwood PD was there ify that copies of agendas or department was honored by “On Jan. 22, George, a also with them.” other documents need to be the City Council last week, city employee, happened to Money reported that Homebuilder still on made available and on hand after he was able to lend a be driving past a house both mother and child were for the public. helping hand to a local where there was a woman fine after the incident. Beaty also urged the pub- mother in distriss. who was in distress,” Money “Just wanted to show hold over Townes of lic to go paperless by signing Commissioner Doug explained. “He stopped to this is a great example of up through the city’s online Money presented a offer assistance to her and people who go out of their Braidwood properties bill payment portal for utility Community Service Award to found out her toddler was way to help their fellow billing. city employee George Weaver stuck in the house with the neighbor in town,” he said. on Jan. 26, for his help in door locked. George worked Weaver works for the STAFF REPORT Mayor Bobby Jones SEE PAPER, PAGE 2 assisting a family whose tod- to get the door open for them city’s streets department. agreed to arrange a date for A homebuilder who has discussion. plans to develop more lots However, while Guinta inside the Townes of asked to discuss the issue Braidwood subdivision has immediately, city attorney asked again for some assis- Bryan Wellner advised the tance from the Braidwood City council to set an appointment Council. outside of the regular meeting Mike Guinta approached time. COVID numbers on the decline in Will County the council on Jan. 26, once “I would suggest sitting again seeking to discuss solu- down with administrative staff STAFF REPORT 1, hospitalizations in Region 7 • Select indoor recreation in separate rooms tions for his ongoing concerns before we bring it to full coun- have decreased by 36 patients.