Justin Ritz

Plano

News Director at WCSJ-FM (Morris, IL)

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Articles

Coal City School Board Honors Outgoing Members, Welcomes Three New Members

6 days ago | wcsjnews.com | Justin Ritz

The Coal City School Board had their reorganizational meeting on Wednesday night. Superintendent Chris Spencer said three outgoing board members were honored. Your browser does not support the audio element. He also said they once again recognized the late Mary Gill during the meeting. Your browser does not support the audio element. Spencer also said three new board members were sworn-in. Your browser does not support the audio element.
First American Elected Pope, Local Catholic Priest Shares Reaction

6 days ago | wcsjnews.com | Justin Ritz

A new pope was elected by cardinals in Vatican City on Thursday. Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, is originally from Chicago, becoming the first American ever elected to lead the Catholic Church. Father Jason Stone of Immaculate Conception Church in Morris shared his thoughts about the news. Your browser does not support the audio element.
Legislation to Reduce Deer Population Heads to House

1 week ago | wcsjnews.com | Justin Ritz

An area State Senator is co-sponsoring legislation to help reduce the deer population. 53rd District State Senator Chris Balkema explains. "Senate Bill 710 is one that I have co-sponsored and I agree with. Now when I first got in the office, I wrote a quote unquote "deer bill" meaning a bill that would allow for…you know hunters, and other opportunities to reduce the the massive overpopulation of deer that we have deer that we have in in Illinois right now.
Coal City Trustees Approve Final Payment For Second Avenue Construction Project

1 week ago | wcsjnews.com | Justin Ritz

The final payment on a $1.5 million major reconstruction project in Coal City was approved by the Village Board in late April. Village Administrator Matt Fritz said the Second Avenue Reconstruction Project consisted of storm and water main improvements as well as repaving the street. Your browser does not support the audio element.
Morris to Receive $771,263 Community Revitalization Grant

1 week ago | wcsjnews.com | Justin Ritz

The City of Morris announced that it has been selected to receive a $771,263 Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets Grant. As part of the state-funded program, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have awarded a total of $20 million for 16 community revitalization projects, which will enable communities to revitalize commercial corridors and downtown areas to accelerate local economic initiatives.
Around $800,000 in Street Repairs Set For Village of Coal City

1 week ago | wcsjnews.com | Justin Ritz

The Village of Coal City plans to spend around $800,000 in street repairs this summer. The Coal City Village Board last month approved their 2026 Street and Alley Rehabilitation plan. Here is Village Administrator Matt Fritz. Your browser does not support the audio element. "What is in here is a resolution which is required so that Chamlin can get that filed with IDOT and we can kind of start moving forward with ensuring that we have the funds there necessary for the bid.
Channahon Police & Others Investigating Suspicious Package Delivered To Police Department

1 week ago | wcsjnews.com | Justin Ritz

The Channahon Police Department on Monday afternoon responded to a suspicious package received at its facility. Out of an abundance of caution, the Channahon Police Department and Village Hall were promptly evacuated. A secure perimeter was established around the area to ensure public safety, and an emergency alert was issued advising the public to avoid the vicinity of the police department.
Farm Planting Moving Along, Area Farmer Discusses Proposed Farming Safety Resolution

1 week ago | wcsjnews.com | Justin Ritz

106th District State Rep Jason Bunting, who is also an area farmer, was on WCSJ last week providing several farming related updates. Your browser does not support the audio element. "We're probably two thirds done with our bean planting and probably just over half or sixty percent done with corn. So things have been progressing pretty nicely when I got home last Thursday from Springfield took the took the bean planner out made a few rounds and then we hit it hard on Friday.
Grundy Co. Had Low Snowfall Totals For Third Straight Year

1 week ago | wcsjnews.com | Justin Ritz

Grundy County had low snowfall totals once again this past winter season. The Grundy County Emergency Management Agency said there was a trace amount of snow last month. The final snowfall figures for this past winter season in Grundy County was 9.7 inches. Grundy County had 14 .7 inches of snowfall the previous winter season and only 9.7 inches in the prior season. Meanwhile, Grundy County had nine days of rainfall totaling 4.25 inches for the month of April.
Active Incident at Channahon Police Department

1 week ago | wcsjnews.com | Justin Ritz

***ACTIVE INCIDENT AT CHANNAHON POLICE DEPARTMENT******4:50PM UPDATE: The Board Meeting for tonight (May 5, 2025) has been canceled. __***4:30PM UPDATE: Navajo Drive is currently closed at Route 6, from Route 6 to Liberty Drive, and St. Elizabeth is closed at Navajo Drive. —There is an active incident currently ongoing at the Channahon Police Department. Please do not come to the Channahon Police Department or Municipal Center for any business at this time.