As the risk of a potential washout along River Road continues to grow, Wabash County commissioners want you to take stock of the potential impact and what you can do to prevent this from happening. The washout is occurring on private property for now, not county or road district property, and some volunteers have already brought money and materials to bear. More will be needed, however.
MCPD Warns Of Another Phone Scam
Mt. Carmel Police Chief John Lockhart is warning local residents that his department is not calling local residents asking for donations. Lockhart says he’s been made aware that residents are receiving calls their caller I-D’s indicate are from the Mt. Carmel Police Department. Lockhart said the scammers are spoofing the number into making victims believe the calls are legit. The chief stressed that his department never solicits donations over the phone and anyone receiving similar calls should hang up and never give out any personal information.
Albion City Council Votes To Pull Out Of Regional Water Commission
The Wabash Valley Regional Water Commission appears to be dead after the Albion City Council voted 4-2 to pull out of the group. The water commission was formed two years ago to explore the possibility of a regional water facility for Mt. Carmel, Albion, Grayville, and Keensburg. While seemingly on board with the proposal until recently, Albion officials have expressed concerns about paying for a regional plant that they felt would benefit other communities more than theirs. Water Commission Chairman Justin Dulgar, who is also Mt. Carmel’s water commissioner, told WSJD that while not official, he felt Albion’s decision Monday night would cause the regional commission’s demise. Dulgar said he was "very disappointed" in the Albion City Council’s decision, but that other options would now be explored for the future of Mt. Carmel's water supply. He said grants may be available to help offset the cost of a building a new $8 million water plant in Mt. Carmel, if the city council chooses to pursue that option. The water commission is scheduled to meet next month and Dulgar said he was unsure if that meeting would be held to officially disband the commission or other avenues may be pursued.
Blackout Leads To 3 Vehicle Crash In Richland County
ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Injury Crash
WHERE: RT 130 (West St.) @ Grove St., Olney, IL
WHEN: 05/07/2018 4:53 PM
VEHICLES: Unit #1 – White 2004 Freightliner Tow Truck Unit #2 – White 2006 Volvo Truck Tractor Unit #3 – Silver 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara
DRIVER: Unit #1 – Joshua A. Womack, 37, of Olney, IL Unit #2 – Petar S. Soltariev, 66, of Streamwood, IL Unit #3 – Jesse J. Cox, 87, of Olney, IL
PASSENGER: Unit #3 – June R. Cox, 85, of Olney, IL
CHARGES: Unit #1 driver: Cited for violation of classification, improper lane usage, and failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate Unit 1 was northbound on IL RT 130 when it swerved into the southbound lane and center turn lane, sideswiping Units 2 and 3. Unit 1 did not stop at the scene of the crash and was later stopped near the intersection of North Avenue and Fair Street. Driver of Unit #1 stated he must have blacked out due to a medical issue and regained awareness near where he was located and stopped by Olney PD. Driver and passenger of Unit 3 were both transported to Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney, IL for minor injuries. Driver of Unit 2 remained near the scene. Driver of Unit 1 was cited for violation of classification, improper lane usage, and failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
Uptown Amphitheater Renamed As Merchants Park
The Uptown Amphitheater in Mt. Carmel is getting a new name. During an appearance on today’s WSJD Morning Show, Darren Gottman and Rachael Smith of the Wabash County Retail Merchants Committee announced the Amphitheater in the 300 block of Market Street will now be known as Merchants Park. Smith explained the RMC has played an active in developing the site from donating funds to purchase and install the paver bricks and fence at the entrance along with the trees….
Gottman announced that proceeds from next month’s Duck Race along with those from the 2019 event will go toward funding the stage at Merchants Park. The 2018 Duck Race is set for June 14th at the Mt. Carmel Swimming Pool. Tickets are available at participating RMC locations, including the WSJD offices.
ISP SEIZES $1.1 MILLION OF SUSPECTED COCAINE DURING TRAFFIC STOP ON I-70
District 12 Illinois State Police troopers patrolling Interstate 70, conducted a traffic stop which yielded 65 kilograms of suspected cocaine. The street value of the suspected cocaine was approximately $1,100,000.00. On Saturday, May 5, 2018, at approximately 1:31 p.m., an ISP trooper initiated a traffic stop on a rental truck for traffic violations on Interstate 70 near St. Elmo. During the traffic stop, approximately 65 kilograms of suspected cocaine was discovered. The driver, Emigdio Penuelas-Medina, 53, of Las Vegas, NV was charged with Trafficking a Controlled Substance. Mr. Emigdio-Medina was incarcerated at the Fayette County Jail. The Fayette County State’s Attorney and Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force assisted with the investigation. “The Illinois State Police remain focused on battling the unlawful trafficking of illicit substances and criminal activity in and around our communities” said ISP District 12 Commander, Captain Cory Ristvedt.
56TH COMMENCEMENT FRIDAY AT WABASH VALLEY COLLEGE
The 56th Commencement at Wabash Valley College will be Friday, May 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the Spencer Sports Center.
There will be 265 Associate degrees and certificates awarded for 2018.
A Prelude of music by Marcia Woodcock, pianist, will be provided prior to the Processional. Marcia Woodcock, pianist, and Bill Hudson, trumpeter, will provide the music for the Processional and Recessional. Performing the National Anthem will be Otis Jeffries. The Invocation will be delivered by Brenda K. Culver.
Presenting the degree and certificate candidates to Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees Member Al Henager, will be Dr. Matt Fowler, President of Wabash Valley College. Trustee Henager will confer the degrees and certificates to the graduates. Kyle Peach, Radio-TV Broadcasting instructor, will announce the graduates.
The Charge to the Class will be given by Dr. G. Andrew Fischer, IECC Community Colleges Board of Trustees Chairman, with the Response by Rachel Lee Byrns, Student Senate President.
Byrns is receiving an Associate in Science and Arts degree and an Associate in Applied Science degree in Social Services Specialist. She is the daughter of Lee and Wendy Byrns of Owensville, IN and is a graduate of Gibson Southern High School. In addition to serving as Student Senate President, her activities at WVC have included Phi Theta Kappa, Social Services Club, Cheerleader, WVC Community Garden, and Homecoming Queen 2016.
Included on the program will be recognition of Outstanding Transfer (Jill N. Winter) and Outstanding Career and Technical (Dr. John L. Day) faculty members by Robert Conn, Dean of Instruction, and presentation of the Outstanding Transfer Student Scholarship recipient Abygail R. Hicks (Pre-Med), and the Outstanding Career and Technical Student Scholarship recipient Joseph J. Molstad (Marketing Business Management). These scholarship recipients will serve as Honor Marshals who will lead the graduates in the Processional.
Karin Hodgson, President of the Wabash Valley College Foundation, and Brenda K. Culver, IECC Board of Trustees Vice-Chairman, will present the Foundation Scholarships.
A Reception, hosted by the Wabash Valley College Foundation, will be held in honor of the graduates in the Red Café in the David L. Hart Student Center immediately following the Commencement. All parents and friends are invited to attend the Commencement and Reception.
Kline & Marcotte Crowned As MCHS Prom Royalty
Congratulations to Jackson Marcotte and Kami Kline who were crowned 2018 MCHS Prom King & Queen tonight. The crowning took place right before the dance at the Anderson Building on the Mabel Courter Youth Center grounds.
Click the photos for a gallery from tonight's ceremony.
Investigation Continues Into Deaths Of 2 In Clay County
Clay County State’s Attorney, Joel Powless, releases the following information.
On May 2, 2018, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office responded to an address in Louisville to investigate a 911 call. At the scene deputies attempted to make contact with someone at the residence but were unable to do so. Deputies were able to position themselves to view a portion of the interior of the residence, where they observed someone laying on the floor and who appeared to be unresponsive.
Upon making entry into the residence they located a male and female who were both deceased. These individuals were identified as 59 year old Ann VanDyke and 61 year old Mark Lane
The investigation into this matter was turned over to the Illinois State Police Zone 7 Investigations, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services, and the Clay County Coroner’s Office. Law enforcement is continuing their investigation into this matter. As of the time of this Press Release, the State’s Attorney’s Office has not received any information regarding any possible suspects in this matter, nor are they currently aware of any other parties involved at this time.
Wabash County Observes National Day Of Prayer
The Wabash County Ministerial Alliance hosted the local National Day of Prayer obeservance this afternoon at the Community Church of God. A variety of speakers prayed for many different groups and causes. The MCHS Singining Seven & Wee Kare Preschool performed during the ceremony.
Click the photos for a gallery of today's observance.
