Animal Control Officer Sam Osman may be a county employee, but most of his calls daily come from the city. County commissioners are growing weary of taking on the brunt of that expense. Chairman Rob Dean said he has met with City Council member Joe Judge but the two are “not in line” yet on an agreement. Dean illustrated how many of the calls aren’t even animal control in nature. He said one idea being discussed would be to have all such calls handled through police dispatch.
All Storm Sirens In Wabash County Are Functioning
If there is any severe weather (Tuesday) in Wabash County, Commissioners want you to know that the storm sirens are all working. Emergency Management Agency Director Gerald Brooks said that the sirens have all been repaired and tested. The affected sirens were knocked out by a lightning strike. Brooks is hopeful the repair cost will be covered by insurance.
County Commissioners Make Appointments/Hires
The Wabash County Board of Commissioners dealt with some personnel issues at its meeting on Monday. Kevin Raber has been named to a three-year term on the Wabash General Hospital Board of Directors. Nancy Kern has been named to a part-time slot with the General Assistance office, Kent Freeland has been named to the RIDES Mass Transit Board in a term that concludes early in 2019, and Doctors Thomas Selby and Laura Croft have been named to terms on the Wabash County Health Board.
Second Death Of An Individual Who Used Synthetic Cannabinoids
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is reporting the death of a second individual who experienced severe bleeding and reported using synthetic cannabinoids, often called Spice, K2, or fake weed. To date, IDPH has reports of 56 people, including two deaths, in the Chicago area and in central Illinois who have experienced severe bleeding and reported using synthetic cannabinoids. All cases have required hospitalization for symptoms such as coughing up blood, blood in the urine, severe bloody nose, and/or bleeding gums. Nine of these cases have tested positive for brodifacoum, a lethal anticoagulant often used as a rodenticide, or rat poison.
"We continue to see the number of cases rise," said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. "IDPH is continuing to work with local health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with other partners, to try to identify common products. Without more information, IDPH does not know how much contaminated product is circulating or where. We strongly urge everyone not to use synthetic cannabinoids."
Synthetic cannabinoids are human-made, mind-altering chemicals that are sprayed on to dried plant material. They can be smoked or sold as liquids to be vaporized in e-cigarettes and other devices. These chemicals are called cannabinoids because they are similar to chemicals found in the marijuana plant. The health effects from using synthetic cannabinoids can be unpredictable, harmful, and deadly.
IDPH continues to investigate to try to identify any common products and determine where they were obtained. Synthetic cannabinoids are found across Illinois and the U.S. in convenience stores, gas stations, drug paraphernalia shops, novelty stores, and online.
Anyone who has a reaction to synthetic cannabinoids, such as severe bleeding, should call 911 or have someone take them to the emergency department immediately.
To maintain confidentiality, additional information about the cases, including the two deaths, is not available. The number of cases and counties of residence are posted on the IDPH website at 1:30 p.m. each weekday.
WVC Scholarship Deadlines Approaching
The Financial Aid Office at Wabash Valley College has announced that several scholarship applications are now available, and they encourage students to pursue applying for these scholarships.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE
2018-2019 scholarship applications are now available online for returning and spring 2018 graduating WVC students. Please visit the WVC Financial Aid webpage at www.iecc.edu/wvc and click the Scholarship Listings and Forms link on the left under Financial Aid to view and print applications.
Outstanding Transfer Scholarship: Applications are available at www.iecc.edu/wvc. Must be an in-District WVC freshman who will be returning as a sophomore for the 2018-2019 academic year. Return applications and all requested materials to the Financial Aid Office by the deadline. Deadline is April 6, 2018.
Sophomore Scholarship Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office or on-line at www.iecc.edu/wvc. WVC students who received a 2017-2018 Freshman Scholarship will apply for the Wabash Valley Achievement Award. WVC students who did not receive a 2017-2018 Freshman Scholarship may apply for the Dean’s Scholarship. Students may also apply for the Activity Scholarship. Deadline to return to the Financial Aid Office is April 23, 2018.
John Lommock Scholarship: A one-year scholarship in the amount of $1,000 has been established to assist a Wabash Valley College sophomore who is pursuing a Career and Technical Degree, to be awarded to a student that shows a desire to succeed and needs financial assistance to reach his/her goal. Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office or on-line at www.iecc.edu/wvc. Deadline to apply is April 30, 2018.
Wabash Career Women’s Scholarship: A $500 scholarship for the Fall Semester 2018 to a returning sophomore who is a previous graduate of Mt. Carmel High School. Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office or on-line at www.iecc.edu/wvc. Deadline to apply is May 31, 2018. Questions may be directed to Jan Stevens, Wabash Career Women’s Chair, at 299-4053.
Mt. Carmel man arrested for Reckless Driving
On March 30, 2018, at 11:58 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Ben Kiesel conducted a traffic stop on a Silver 2012 Chevy passenger car for traveling in excess of 100 mph on US 41 near County Road 300 South. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Kiesel identified the driver as 29 year old Bryan Carrithers of Mt. Carmel, Illinois. After a brief investigation Mr. Carritthers was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Reckless Driving. He has since posted a $900 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Traffic stop leads to arrest of three on drug charges
On April 1, 2018, at 5:41 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Jennifer Loesch observed a Green Kia run a stop light on US 41 at County Road 100 North. Upon conducting a traffic stop Deputy Loesch identified the driver as 31 year old Jessica Rivera-Noriega of Orlando, Florida. While speaking with the driver Deputy Loesch detected the odor of burnt Marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and began a roadside drug investigation. With the assistance of the Princeton Police Department a search of the vehicle uncovered Marijuana, LSD, and other controlled substances.
At the conclusion of the roadside investigation the driver and two passengers were taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail the driver Jessica Rivera-Noriega was charged with Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance and Possession of Marijuana. She has since posted a $1300 bond. 23 year old passenger Marcus Gonzalz also of Orlando, Florida was charg ed with Possession of a Legend Drug. He has posted a $1500 bond. 27 year old Christian Garcia Velado of Orlando, Florida who was also a passenger of the vehicle was charged with Possession of Marijuana has also posted a bond of $1100 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Falconry Program This Saturday At Beall Woods
Learn about the ancient art of falconry from Bill O’Leary at Beall Woods State Park on Saturday, April 7th. This symbiotic relationship between man and bird dates back 4,000 years and became known as “The Sport of Kings”. Training a raptor to hunt wild quarry in its natural habitat requires serious dedication of time and energy from the falconer. O’Leary has had a passion for falconry since 1974, thus resulting in several years of experience in bird care, training, and hunting. He received a Master of Science in wildlife management from Southern Illinois University and is a retired Natural Resources Specialist with the IDNR. The presentation will begin at 1pm inside the park’s Visitor Center. Participants will have the opportunity to see a merlin and possibly a peregrine falcon. For more information, please call 618-298-2441.
Photo of Peregrine Falcon by Norm Cline
Scenes From Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt
Click the photos for a slideshow of today's Easter Egg hunt at the Mt. Carmel City Park.
Lawrenceville Man Arrested In Mt. Carmel On Two Charges
On 3/18/18 the Wabash County Sheriff's Office conducted a vehicle stop at 9th and Market streets in Mt. Carmel for dragging it's muffler down the roadway. 24 year old Andrew J. Turner of Lawrenceville was found to have a suspended license and driving without insurance. Turner was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he later posted bond.
