It could be a very Merry Christmas for members of the Wabash County Retail Merchants Committee. At today’s monthly meeting, RMC members learned that there looks to be a big increase in the amount of RMC gift checks purchased this holiday season. Last year, $65,000 in gift checks were bought through the RMC and this year that number could double or even triple. Gift checks can only be used at RMC member businesses.
District #348 Personnel Matters
In personnel matters at Monday’s Wabash District #348 school board meeting:
Donna Cook resigned as part time cook at MCGS effective December 15th;
Brenda Sutton was hired as a kindergarten paraprofessional at MCES starting today. Her position is new for one year caused by increased Kindergarten numbers.
Ben Sterchi was also approved as a MCGS volunteer 6th grade girls basketball coach.
Mt. Carmel Man Jailed On Domestic Battery Charge
The following individual was arrested by the Mt. Carmel Police Department. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
On 11/12/2017, at approximately 11:57 pm, the Mt. Carmel Police responded to the 200 block of W. 12th Street reference a disturbance. When police arrived on scene they were told by the victim that her husband, 34 year old Michael G. Dudley, had assaulted her while inside of her apartment. The victim advised that Dudley held her down preventing her to leave causing a minor injury. Police arrested Dudley and charged him with domestic battery and unlawful restraint. Dudley was transported to the Wabash County Jail and was held pending the posting of bond.
First Lady Diana Rauner Announces "Cards for Heroes" Military Holiday Card Drive
SPRINGFIELD - First Lady Diana Rauner has announced announced the 2017 Holiday Card Drive for the Military. Done in partnership with the United Service Organizations (USO) of Illinois, the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, and the Illinois Executive Mansion Association, the drive aims to send Illinois' brave service men and women overseas the simple joy of knowing that people back home are thinking of them at holiday time.
"We must always remember our Illinois Heroes, the people who serve in harm's way and sacrifice so much to preserve our way of life," Mrs. Rauner said. "A card is a simple gift that can lift their spirits and remind our service members that we're thinking of them while they're far from home."
"Governor Rauner and I encourage all Illinoisans to send holiday cards to the USO. In turn, the USO will see to it that our expressions of gratitude and admiration are delivered in time for the holiday."
Holiday cards should be mailed now through November 20th to the following address:
USO of Illinois - Cards for Heroes
333 S. Wabash Ave., 16th Floor
Chicago, IL 60604
Cards can also be dropped off at a local Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Veteran Service Office. Office locations can be found here: www.illinois.gov/veterans.
"We are thrilled to partner with Governor Rauner and the State of Illinois to help bring messages of cheer and good will to our troops and their families, whether they reside in Illinois, are passing through or are stationed or deployed overseas," said Alison Ruble, the President and CEO of the USO of Illinois. "Now, more than ever, it's important that we let our military and their families know that their service to our nation is remembered and appreciated. These cards of support will help do just that, and the USO of Illinois is honored to be the bridge of connection that delivers these messages."
Maj. Gen. Richard J. Hayes Jr., the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard and Director of the Illinois Department of Military Affairs, thanked the USO of Illinois for its support of his Soldiers and Airmen.
"I have seen first-hand the positive impact the USO of Illinois has had by always being there for our service men and women, as well as their families," said Hayes. "These holiday cards are just one example of how their support, as well as the support of our fellow Illinoisans, helps bring a little bit of home to our Soldiers and Airmen as they continue to serve overseas."
With service members serving throughout the world, including many remote locations, and the additional holiday mail, it is important to send holiday cards and gifts to service members as early as possible to ensure they arrive before the holidays.
Antibiotics - You Don't Always Need Them
SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is recognizing U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week, November 13-19, 2017, to help decrease the misuse of antibiotics and protect people from the dangers of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Antibiotics do NOT cure viral infections such as colds, flu, most sore throats, most coughs and bronchitis, many sinus infections, and many ear infections.
"Antibiotics are crucial in treating many diseases. However, when antibiotics are used incorrectly or unnecessarily, which happens more than 50 percent of the time according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bacteria become resistant to antibiotics," said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. "As bacteria become more resistant to antibiotics, those bacterial illnesses will be more difficult to treat or untreatable."
According to the CDC, each year in the United States at least 2 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, and at least 23,000 people die as a direct result of these infections.
Since 2012, IDPH has maintained antibiotic stewardship initiatives engaging health care facilities across the state. This November, Illinois' program is expanding its focus to dentists, who comprise the fourth-highest antibiotic prescribing group in the United States. In addition to distributing antibiotic prescribing guidelines and patient education materials, IDPH will conduct a survey of Illinois dentists to learn what they are doing to improve their antibiotic prescribing practices and what challenges they face in doing so.
How you can help prevent antibiotic resistance:
• Do not ask for antibiotics when your health care provider thinks you do not need them. Antibiotics don't cure all diseases. They also have side effects, and may do more harm than good.
• Do not share or use leftover antibiotics; only take antibiotics prescribed for you.
• Do not save antibiotics for future illnesses. Talk to your pharmacist about safely discarding leftover medicines.
• Do ask your health care provider if there are other steps you can take to feel better without using an antibiotic. Sometimes the best treatment may be relieving your symptoms.
• Do take antibiotics exactly as your health care provider prescribes. Do not skip doses or stop taking the course of antibiotics prescribed to you, even if you start to feel better.
• Do stay up to date on your recommended vaccines. Vaccines help prevent infections and keep diseases from spreading.
• Do wash your hands regularly. Cleaning your hands helps stop the spread of disease and protect yourself from illness.
It can be difficult to tell the difference between a common cold and a bacterial infection. Check with a health care professional if:
• Symptoms last more than 10 days without improvement
• Symptoms are severe or unusual
• A child younger than three month has a fever
Join the antibiotic resistance conversation all week by following @CDCgov and @IPDH for more updates and to #BeAntibioticsAware
School Board Considering Girls Soccer
A new team sport could be coming soon to Mt. Carmel High School. The Wabash District #348 school board is gathering more information before deciding whether or not to add girls’ soccer to the athletic lineup. At tonight’s school board meeting, high school principal Jake Newkirk said a recent meeting was held to gauge interest in the idea and 31 girls turned out saying they were interested in playing. Newkirk said several issues need to be addressed before the proposal could be formally presented. Among those are funding for the program, teams to schedule, and finding officials. Playing other Big 8 Conference schools wouldn’t be an option since girls’ soccer is a Spring sport in Illinois and a fall sport in Indiana. Newkirk said girls would be permitted to play soccer in addition to being a part of the softball and or track teams. The school board asked Newkirk to continue gathering information and present a formal report at their December meeting.
Poaching Arrest Made
On 11/13/17 at approximately 2300 hrs. the Wabash County Sheriff's Office received a complaint of possible poaching in the area of Highway 11 and Friendsville Ave. The vehicle a Chevrolet Lumina was reported to be driving around in a field looking to be chasing an animal and the complainant advised a shot was fired.
The vehicle was reported to have left the area south bound on Friendsville Ave. towards Mt. Carmel. The vehicle was located by the deputy on N 1550 Blvd. and Friendsville Ave. and a traffic stop was conducted. The traffic stop resulted in the arrest of 18 year old Zachary R. Morrell of Mt. Carmel and a juvenile with two weapons being recovered along with ammunition.
Morrell was charged with Harassment of wildlife and unlawful use of weapons. The juvenile was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and harassment of wildlife.
**The Sheriff's Office did not locate any injured wildlife at the time of the incident.
Volunteer Firefighter Killed at Crash Scene
Volunteer Firefighter Killed at Crash Scene
Daviess County: A volunteer firefighter was killed at the scene of a crash Friday night after being run over by another responding firefighter.
At 9:55 PM Friday night, a crash with injury was reported along Old Highway 50 (County Road 100 South), just west of County Road 800 East. Deputies from the Daviess County Sheriff’s Department and three firefighters from the Montgomery and Cannelburg Fire Departments had arrived at the scene. The three firefighters had arrived in their personal vehicles.
A fourth responding firefighter, 26-year-old Colby Blake of Cannelburg, was traveling east in his 2006 Dodge Ram truck. While approaching the scene, Blake struck the rear of another Dodge Ram truck parked by a firefighter along the south side of the road. Blake’s Dodge continued east, striking a 2013 Ford Fusion parked by 27-year-old Kendall Murphy of Montgomery. Murphy, a firefighter who had responded to the scene, was standing outside of his Ford, and was struck by Blake’s Dodge as it continued east.
Blake crashed into a third firefighter’s vehicle after striking Murphy, a 2007 Ford F350 truck, before coming to a stop.
Murphy suffered numerous injuries after being struck. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Daviess County Coroner.
Blake was uninjured in the crash; however, after further investigation, was found to be operating while intoxicated with a blood alcohol level of 0.21%.
Blake has been preliminarily charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Death and Reckless Driving. He is being held in the Daviess County Security Center, with formal charges to be filed by the Daviess County Prosecutor’s Office.
This crash remains under investigation by Indiana State Police crash reconstructionists.
Investigating Officers: Trooper Josh Greer, Master Trooper Randy Huddleston, Trooper Ross Johnson, and Trooper Nathanial Kern
Arrested and Charges:
Colby Blake, 26
Cannelburg, IN
- Operating a Motor Vehicle while Intoxicated Causing Death, Level 4 Felony
- Reckless Driving, Class A Misdemeanor
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Oaktown Woman Dies in Early Morning Fire
Oaktown Woman Dies in Early Morning Fire
Knox County – At approximately 8:20 this morning, Oaktown-Busserson Township and Washington Township Fire Departments were dispatched to a residential fire at 308 Raymond Street in Oaktown. While firefighters were inside extinguishing the fire they found Jeanette Rickard, 70, in the living room. She was deceased. Preliminary investigation indicates the fire originated in the living room where Rickard was found.
An autopsy was conducted earlier today and according to the Knox County Coroner, Rickard died from smoke inhalation. Her manner of death was ruled accidental.
Investigating Agency: Indiana State Police - Master Trooper Jim Dotson
Indiana State Farm Marshal’s Office
Brian Hagen, Knox County Coroner
Assisting Agencies: Oaktown-Busseron Township Fire Department
Washington Township Fire Department
Knox County EMS
ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Fatal Crash
WHERE: Illinois 130 @ Cumberland CR 500 North (South of Greenup)
WHEN: 11/12/2017 1:04 P.M.
VEHICLES: Unit #1 – Tan Chevrolet S10
Unit #2 -- White Chevrolet Silverado
DRIVER: Unit #1 - Jessica L. Shutts 35, Greenup, IL
Unit #2 - Tony M. Guffey 60, New Harmony, IN
PASSENGERS: Unit #1 – Anthony J. Scheiner, 30, Paris, IL
CHARGES: Pending Investigation
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate that: UNIT #1 WAS
SOUTHBOUND ON IL ROUTE 130 AT CUMBERLAND CR 500 NORTH. UNIT #2
WAS NORTH BOUND ON IL ROUTE 130. UNIT #1 LOST CONTROL AND CROSSED
INTO THE NORTH BOUND LANE. UNIT #2 STRUCK THE PASSENGER SIDE OF UNIT
#1 WITH THE FRONT OF UNIT #2. BOTH VEHICLES LEFT THE ROAD WAY AND
CAME TO REST IN THE DITCH ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. BOTH
DRIVER AND PASSENGER OF UNIT #1 WERE PRONOUNCED DECEASED AT THE
SCENE. THE DRIVER OF UNIT #2 WAS TRANSPORTED TO SARA BUSH HOSPITAL,
AND LATER RELEASED.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law