The Lawrenceville Rotary Club is hosting a discussion tonight that could shed some light on the discovery of a thriving Native American settlement from 600 to 800 years ago in Lawrence County. Dr. B. Jacob Skousen of the Illinois State Archaeological Survey and the Illinois Association for the Advancement of Archaeology will be at the Lawrenceville High School auditorium for the free presentation starting tonight at 7pm. Skousen surveyed property northeast of Lawrenceville known as “Otter Pond”. That survey last year revealed a village with small living areas, a commons and a large temple. According to Skousen there are nine mounds in the vicinity of Otter Pond leading him to call it smaller scale Cahokia Mounds.
Illinois State Police Announces January Activity and Enforcement
Illinois State Police District 19 Commander, Captain Cory Ristvedt, announced
today activity and enforcement figures for the month of January. Troopers in District 19, which includes Wabash, Edwards, Wayne, White, Hamilton, Saline, and Gallatin Counties, recorded 1,010 incidents during the month.
Enforcement activity consisted of 333 citations and 675 written warnings, including 169 speeding citations, 2 DUIs, 36 occupant restraint citations, 7 criminal citations, and 219 written warnings for speeding. Troopers also assisted 94 motorists, conducted 186 Motor Carrier Safety Inspections, and investigated 28 traffic crashes. There was one fatal traffic crash investigated by District 19 during January, resulting in one fatality. Moreover, 216 citations and 249 written warnings were issued for “Fatal Four” violations. These violations are most associated with fatal traffic crashes and include DUI, Speeding, Failure to Wear a Seatbelt, and Distracted Driving.
LAWRENCEVILLE MAN SENTENCED ON METHAMPHETAMINE RELATED CHARGES
Robert T. Turner, 47, of Lawrenceville, IL, was recently sentenced to federal prison on methamphetamine related charges, Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
On February 6, 2018, Turner was sentenced to 264 months of imprisonment and ten years of supervised release following his imprisonment. Turner had previously pleaded guilty to three counts in a federal indictment. Count 1 charged that on March 17, 2017, in Lawrence County, Turner knowingly and intentionally distributed methamphetamine. Count 2 charged that on April 5, 2017, in Lawrence County, Turner knowingly and intentionally distributed methamphetamine. Count 3 charged that on April 6, 2017, in Lawrence County, Turner knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. The total amount of mixture and substance containing methamphetamine involved was 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (Ice), or five hundred 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Flora Police Department, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Illinois State Police Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lawrenceville Police Department.
Flu Has Killed More Than 136 In Indiana
At least 136 people have died in Indiana from the flu in Indiana this flu season. The CDC says the flu is not letting up and you can expect to hear about more people getting sick and going to the hospital.
A major problem is that the vaccine this year has only been about 30 percent effective and some strains of the flu are mutating, making the vaccine less effective.
"We continue to recommend the flu vaccine, even though we know most flu vaccines have low effectiveness against H3N2 viruses," said Dr. Ann Schuchat, deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control. That agency keeps up with flu data from across the country.
"There is more than one flu virus circulating this season," she said. She sadded that another reason to get the flu shot is that it may be effective in fighting off the symptoms if it's caught early enough.
The Indiana State Dept. of Health data says most of the people who have died from the flu here have been 65 or older. Schuchat said if you haven't gotten the flu, you should be on guard. It hasn't shown any signs of slowing down and more people are expected to be in the hospital.
"In the past week we have seen increased influenza-like illness activity, more hospitalizations and tragically, more flu-associated deaths."
She said hospitalizations across the country are now higher than the 2014-15 flu season, which was previously the highest season.
"We also continue to hear reports of crowded hospitals and spot shortages of anti-viral medications and rapid influenza tests. Flu activity is still high and widespread across most of the nation and increasing overall," said Schuchat.
MCPD Warns Of New IRS Scam
The Mt. Carmel Police Department has been notified of an IRS scam that is targeting local residents. It's been reported that individuals will notice a large deposit into their personal banking account. The deposit will show up as an ACH deposit from the IRS. Next the scammers will call the account owner and state it was a mistake and ask for personal information in order to get the money returned to the IRS. The scammers will then empty the persons account. If you believe your are a victim of this scam please contact your tax advisor. Remember the IRS will never make first contact by the phone.
Winter Weather Causing Havoc With County Roads
It’s been a rough winter for many people. One of the hardest hit areas has been in rural Wabash County where residents and road district commissioners have had to deal with the up and down temperature extremes and their corresponding toll on roads.
A 5-ton load limit is in effect for Wabash County roads until April 5th. That has prevented heavy vehicles such as garbage trucks from using the county roads. In turn, many out in the county have gone without trash pickup for several weeks and they’ve been told it may be April before the service resumes. Dumpsters have been set up in Allendale and Bellmont for residents to take their trash. But that has done little to ease their frustrations.
For their part, the road commissioners we’ve talked to are simply trying to protect their soft roads from being torn up, in turn costing taxpayers more to repair this Spring. A portion of 840 road reopened to most traffic Thursday after repairs were made from ruts being caused by a large vehicle. Road Commissioner Tim Glick said school buses are still banned from using that road until further notice.
Wabash County highway engineer Dustin Bunting says this winter isn’t a whole lot different than others. He said the freeze/thaw cycle along with a hard rain was out of the ordinary compared to years in which it freezes for long stretches.
If a road is damaged by large trucks driving on the soft surface, it doesn’t take long for it to rack up some serious costs. According to Bunting, it costs $25,000 a mile to reshape and replace rock on a gravel road; $35,000 a mile to restore an oil and chip road; and $475,000 a mile to reconstruct an asphalt road which are the striped roads in the county.
As far as garbage trucks, Bunting said they weigh 17 tons when empty, well above the posted 10 ton limit on county roads and the 5 ton limit on road district roads. If it gets cold enough, Bunting said the limits will be lifted if the ground is frozen. For the most part, the striped roads are always open unless conditions are extremely soft.
At tonight's county board meeting, Bunting said the cold weather this week has caused the load limit on county roads to be lifted for the time being. He said that will be re-evaluated on Friday. You can always call the highway department office to check the status of the load limits.
Ohio Family Hurt In I-70 Crash
ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Personal Injury Crash
WHERE: I-70 east bond at mile post 132 (Clark County)
WHEN: 02/04/18 at 4:28 pm
VEHICLES: Unit #1 – gray 2004 Ford Crown Victory
DRIVER: Unit #1 - Shanice S. Webb, 29, Canal Winchester, OH
PASSENGERS: Taquilla S. Moore, 34, Canal Winchester, OH 2 female juvenile ages 3 and 7, Canal Winchester, OH 3 male juveniles ages 1, 9, and 14, Canal Winchester, OH
CHARGES: Failure to Reduce Speed /Driving too Fast for Conditions Driving while Suspended, Failure to Wear a Seatbelt, (2) Charges of Failure to Secure Child in Child Restraint.
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate Unit #1 was traveling Eastbound on I-70 at mile post 132. Unit #1 lost control and left the roadway to the right. Unit #1 struck the embankment and came to rest in the right ditch. The driver of Unit #1 was transported to St. Anthony’s Hospital.
Snow Causes I-57 Wreck
ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Personal Injury Crash
WHERE: I-57 S/B at milepost 125, Approximately 9 miles north of Salem
WHEN: 02/04/18 at 7:10 PM
VEHICLES: Unit #1 – White 2011 Freightliner box truck DRIVER: Unit #1 – Horacio Ortuno, 55, of Cleveland, OH PASSENGER: Unit #1 – Christopher A Ortuno, 29, of Cleveland, OH
CHARGES: Driver: Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid Crash/ Too fast for conditions. Passenger: Failure to wear Seatbelt.
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate Unit #1 was southbound on I-57 when it lost control on the snow covered roadway. Unit #1 went off the road to the right and overturned into the right ditch. Unit #1 came to rest upright facing north. Driver and passenger of Unit #1 were transported to Salem Township Hospital in Salem, IL.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU ACTIVATOR ENDORSES DAVID REIS
Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) ACTIVATOR today announced David Reis, State Representative of the 109th district, has been endorsed by the local ACTIVATOR trustee committee.
Local trustee members unanimously endorsed Reis based upon his unwavering commitment to farmers, his strong beliefs in the rural way of life, and his dedication to fight for the residents of the 109th district in Springfield.
“David is a hard-working farmer. He brings that same dedication and passion to Springfield to fight for the farmers and communities of his district” stated Kevin Semlow, Director of State Legislation for the Illinois Farm Bureau. “He is a tireless voice for the agriculture community. We need more leaders at the State Capitol like David who are willing to run into the fight instead of running away!”
“David’s common sense approach is needed in the State Capitol. His support of the businesses and communities in his district has been unwavering. He has been at the forefront of defending items like the sales tax incentives on agricultural inputs and machinery and encouraging the use of our locally grown commodities and livestock,” Semlow added.
The endorsement by IFB ACTIVATOR places Reis in a group of select individuals in the state who understand the leading role agriculture plays in Illinois. It proves that he comprehends the benefits of agriculture, and that those benefits extend far beyond the vital function of feeding Illinois, the nation, and the world.
ACTIVATOR, Illinois Farm Bureau’s Political Involvement Fund, is a voluntary, non-profit, segregated fund promoting the economic and social well-being of farmers which seeks to help elect pro-farm candidates no matter their party affiliation. ACTIVATOR trustees are local Farm Bureau leaders representing each county in the Illinois General Assembly Legislative District.
Wabash County Property Tax Sale Next Week
The Wabash County delinquent property tax sale is quickly approaching, but there’s still time to pay your taxes before it’s sold. According to treasurer Beverly McBride, the tax sale will be Friday, February 16th at 10am in the courtroom.
There are still 177 parcels amounting to $117,845.61 in delinquent taxes still to be paid. As of midnight tomorrow, credit card payments will no longer be accepted and you can’t write a personal check for your late taxes.
According to McBride, some Wabash County taxpayers are already getting a jump on this year’s taxes. She said pre-payments are being accepted in her office and so far, $157,408 has been collected.
