Monday night’s Wabash County Board was held in the law library of the Courthouse because voting machines are taking up space in the regular meeting room. County Clerk Janet Will said people have been taking advantage of the early voting opportunities in Illinois, which now includes grace period voting.
The county clerk’s office is open from 8-to-5 Monday through Friday, and will be open extended hours from 9-to-noon on Saturday, March 17th, just ahead of the March 20th primary election.
Wabash County Sheriff Derek Morgan told the County Board this week that his office handled 167 incidents during the month of February. Included were 15 summons, 22 warrants, and officers worked another large number of accidents, 22 in all during the just completed month.
The Wabash County Highway Department has apparently passed a state audit with flying colors. Engineer Dustin Bunting told county commissioners this week that an I-DOT audit of Motor Fuel Tax funds went well. The state auditors lauded Wabash County for its record keeping for the audit, which went back as far as 2013, according to Bunting.
Wabash County Treasurer Beverly McBride is set to release another round of tax distribution proceeds this week. A total of $471,737 will flow from her office into the coffers of various taxing bodies. The next distribution won’t be as large, and will mostly come from back taxes due the county, according to McBride. She added that already $169,000 dollars has been prepaid by taxpayers in advance of the next tax cycle this fall.
The vacancy on the Wabash General Hospital Board of Directors will stay unfilled a little longer. Hospital Board Chairman Bill Easton told county commissioners Monday that they have a candidate in mind, but are waiting to hear if it is OK with the business the candidate works for. Easton said even if it doesn’t work out, they have other quality candidates they could turn to.
Wabash General Hospital CEO Jay Purvis told county commissioners on Monday that the hospital is coming off its best financial year ever. Purvis also other service and personnel gains made by the hospital in 2017: among them Dr. Deane Smith providing colorectal services, and Brooke Ile signing on as a nurse practitioner. He also detailed other organizational changes that took effect on March 1st, and told commissioners that the cafeteria has re-opened, and the roof project is almost complete.
On 3/2/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Phillip L. Lang, age 37, of Mt. Carmel for a Wabash County Warrant for Failure to Appear. Lang was observed in the 1200 block of W 3rd Street and placed under arrest. Lang was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was held pending the posting of a $300.00 cash bond.
On 3/1/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Monyck S. O’Bryant, age 20, of Mt. Carmel for a Wabash County Failure to Appear Warrant following a traffic stop in the 1300 block of North Mulberry Street. O’Bryant was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail. O’Bryant was held pending the posting of a $200.00 cash bond.
On 2/27/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Kyle W. Siekman, age 28, of Buckskin, Indiana, and Kayla R. Lance, age 24, of Spurgeon, Indiana, for Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia following a traffic stop in the area of 3rd & Division Street. Officer Hopper arrived on scene with his K-9 Ace. Officer Hopper and Ace conducted a free air narcotic’s sniff of the exterior of Seikman’s vehicle. Ace alerted to the presence of drugs which resulted in a search of the vehicle. The search resulted in officers locating drug paraphernalia used to ingest cannabis and pills. The pills were found to be Adderall and Tramadol which are both controlled substances and unlawful to possess without a prescription. Both were placed under arrested and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Both were held pending the setting of bond by a judge.
An 18-year-old Mt. Carmel High School student is free on a $10,000 cash bond after being arrested Friday on drug charges. Wabash County Sheriff Derek Morgan reports that Jacob E. Molstad bonded out early this afternoon on a preliminary charge of possession of a controlled substance and delivery of a controlled substance while on school grounds.
The incident on Friday stemmed from a report of a 17-year-old girl being treated for a possible drug overdose. A 16-year-old who allegedly provided a narcotic in the form of a gummy bear candy to the girl was also treated for ingesting the gummy candy. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance.
Wabash County State’s Attorney Cassandra Goldman is expected to file formal charges against Molstad later this week. Meanwhile, the gummy bear drug that was confiscated has been sent to the State Police Crime Lab for analysis to determine what drug it contained.
Officials are urging parents to be vigilant when it comes to looking through their student’s book bags, phones, and tablets for signs of drug use. If a student has a tip on narcotics or any other illegal activities at the Mt. Carmel High School please text the tip line at 262-237-8472. Individuals can also call CRIMESTOPPERS at 262-HALT.
U.S. Air Force Airman Autumn J. Scherer graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.
The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Scherer is the daughter of Bonnie and Harvey Scherer of Olney, Ill.
She is a 2016 graduate of Richland County High School, Olney, Ill.
