Local News

LOCAL LOCAL

By: Encounter Staff

The vacant Kmart on Jefferson Street is officially being renovated into a Tony’s Fresh Market. Last December, Joliet approved a tax incentive package for the construction. According to the Joliet Patch, Joliet city officials were hoping to see Tony’s open in 2021.

In May of 2021, Laborers of Local 75 protested in a labor dispute with Tony’s Fresh Market. The grocer chose nonunion contractors to begin interior demolition. The protests halted and prolonged the beginning construction of the property. According to www.patch. com, “Tony plans to hire at least 100 fulltime workers and another 150 part-time workers for its new grocery store at 1801 W. Jefferson St.” A chain link fence has recently been added to surround the property as construction finally begins.

Last year, Next Door Self-Storage submitted plans for renovation of the Kmart. The plans were not final and had yet to be submitted and approved by the Joliet Zoning Board of Appeals and Plan Commission. The Kmart has been closed since late 2016. It was built in 1965 as Kmart’s 98 location.

Tony's Fresh Market Begins Renovations

Get Ready to Run in Forest Preserve’s Virtual “Harvest Hustle” 5K

The Forest Preserve District of Will County is hosting a virtual 5k run during the month of October. The 5k is designed to get people active even while we are still in the midst of COVID-19, and to encourage people to visit Will County’s beautiful forest preserves. The “Harvest Hustle” 5k, which is 3.1 miles total, is completely virtual and intended to be done individually. To participate, all you have to do is pick one of the trails and record your run or walk on your smartphone’s activity app, take a screenshot and send it in via an online form. Jen Guest, the Forest Preserve’s recreation coordinator, told the Joliet Patch that a virtual race is the best option in the middle of the pandemic. "Due to COVID-19, we have scheduled this as a passive 5K to avoid having a larger group program. Also, offering it virtually allows more people to participate when it is convenient for them."

All participants can complete their run anytime during the month of October on any of the given trail selections; DuPage River Trail, Hickory Creek Bikeway, I&M Canal Trail, Lake Renwick Bikeway, Messenger Woods Nature Preserve Trail, Old Plank Road Trail, Plum Creek Greenway Trail, Prairie Bluff Trail, Rock Run Greenway Trail, Spring Creek Greenway Trail and the Wauponsee Glacial Trail.

The first 100 participants to finish the 5k and upload their screenshot will receive a free, long-sleeve “Harvest Hustle” t-shirt.8 October 28, 2021

NEWS NEWS

Halloween COVID Tips and Precautions

As October 31 quickly approaches, many people are planning their Halloween holiday, likely to include pumpkin patches, trick or treating and Halloween parties. COVID-19 cases are rising in the United States and it is important to protect yourself and others this Halloween by following safe guidelines. For vaccinated people, the holiday can be enjoyed semi-normally.

"I think that, particularly if you're vaccinated — you're outdoors for the most part — you can get out there and enjoy it," Chief Medical Advisor to the President, Anthony Fauci, told CNN. "This is a time that children love. It's a very important time of the year for children. I know my children enjoyed it."

Like Fauci, the Illinois Department of Public Health director, Dr. Ngozi Ezike, encourages the Illinois community to get vaccinated in order to safely enjoy Halloween, as well as protecting their kids and communities.

"Although we're still in the pandemic, this Halloween and Fall festivities season will look a little different than last year thanks to the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines that are readily available," Ezike said. "However, we must still take precautions as not everyone is vaccinated and a vaccine for children younger than 12 year is not yet available. Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself, your friends and family, and your community, but it's also important to use a layered approach by wearing a mask indoors and limiting/avoiding settings where physical distancing is not possible to help stop the spread of the virus." Precautions include wearing a mask at all times while indoors, which is currently mandated in Illinois. Trickor-treating outdoors in small groups is recommended, as usual. Wearing masks also applies to indoor haunted houses, festivals, and any kinds of large gathering. It is also recommended to attend pumpkin patches, orchards, etc. at times when it is less busy and to wear a mask at all times. Likewise, any social gatherings are encouraged to be held outdoors.

Of course, if you are experiencing COVID symptoms, you should not participate in any Halloween festivities this year. If you are not vaccinated, it is recommended to wear a mask even outdoors and only attend outdoor events.