OPENING NIGHT FOR “MAMA WON’T FLY” OCTOBER 25 IN BRUBECK THEATRE

If  you are ready to be entertained with an evening or afternoon of laughter, you won’t want to miss the upcoming production, “Mama Won’t Fly,” the fall community theatre play directed by Guest Director Dennis Black, and presented by Wabash Valley College and the Wabash Valley Arts Council!  This hilarious comedy, by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten, will be presented with 7:30 p.m. shows on Thursday, October 25 and Friday, October 26, as well as a 1:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday, October 28 in the Brubeck Arts Center Theatre.

This hilarious comedy is filled with “unique characters” and lots of laughs delivered with fine comic timing by the talented cast.  Savannah Sprunt Fairchild has to get her feisty mother from Alabama to California for her brother’s wedding.  But there’s one problem – Mama, Norleen Sprunt, won’t fly!  As Savannah prepares herself for this hastily conceived road trip, another complication arises when the over-eager bride-to-be, Hayley Quinn, arrives unannounced to make it to the ceremony with Savannah and Norleen in Mama’s old Buick.  But can they make it and keep their sanity?  Get lost in this crazy caravan of a comedy as the ladies navigate an unbelievably wild series of mishaps along the way!

As the misadventures multiply, the beleaguered trio rapidly develops the urge to ditch each other anywhere along the way.  Rising above their age-old mother-daughter issues, Norleen and Savannah work together to get the nuptials back on track.  In a surprising and heartwarming resolution, they forge an exciting new path for their own relationship and welcome Hayley into their delightfully wacky family.

Creating this hilarity on the Brubeck stage are cast members: Janet Anderson as Norleen; Patti Hanzel as Savannah; Emily Goodson as Hayley; Kent Freeland as Dugger, Mitch,  Kelvin, Cousin Chicken; Colette Grigsby as Tanya, Ardale, Julliette, Sibyl; Elizabeth Anne Pearson as Essie, Teeta, Fanny, Rema Jean; Joe Thompson as Red, Denton, Mickey, Ronald; Yvette Wilkinson as Pawnee, Edweena, Kiki.  Serving as Stage Manager is Eric Carroll, who also will be seen as Ferd and Spud.  Assistant Stage Manager is Jim Thread. 

Tickets are $6 and are available at seatonc@iecc.edu, or by calling 618-263-5124.  Patron Passes will be honored.

Jasper County Woman Seriously Injured In Wednesday Morning Wreck

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT 

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12

WHAT: Personal Injury Crash

WHERE:  Jasper County road 600N @ Jasper County Road 1275E

WHEN:10/17/2018 9:52 A.M.

VEHICLES:Unit #1 –Red, 2004, Dodge

DRIVER:Unit #1- Miranda A. Meeks, 20, of Newton, IL

PASSENGERS:      None

CHARGES:Unit #1 -Improper lane usage and Too fast for Conditions

TRANSPORTS:  Unit #1 – Flown to Deaconess Hospital, Evansville, IN

PRELIMINARY:  Preliminary investigative details indicate, Unit 1 was traveling eastbound on Jasper County Road 600 north just west of Jasper County Road 1275 east.  Unit 1 failed to negotiate the curve and ran off the roadway to the south of County Road 600N.  Unit 1 traveled through the ditch before striking a culvert and went airborne. Unit 1 landed on the roadway and overturned multiple times then came to rest.  

Illinois State Police Announces September Activity and Enforcement

Carmi, IL – Illinois State Police District 19 Commander, Captain Cory Ristvedt, announced today activity and enforcement figures for the month of September. Troopers in District 19, which includes Wabash, Edwards, Wayne, White, Hamilton, Saline, and Gallatin Counties, recorded 1,111 incidents during the month.

Enforcement activity consisted of 394 citations and 798 written warnings, including 209 speeding citations, 1 DUI, 42 occupant restraint citations, 10 criminal arrests, and 309 written warnings for speeding. Troopers also assisted 57 motorists, conducted 190 Motor Carrier Safety Inspections, and investigated 22 traffic crashes. There was one fatal traffic crash, resulting in one fatality, investigated by District 19 during September.

Moreover, District 19 issued 264 citations and 377 written warnings 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.

Felony Warrant served at TMMI on Fort Branch man for Sexual Misconduct With a Minor and Child Seduction

On October 16, 2018, at 9:43 p.m. Gibson County Sheriff’s Deputies served a Felony Warrant on a Fort Branch man for Sexual Misconduct with a Minor and Child Seduction. 

The investigation by Detective Sergeant Roger Ballard began October 4, 2018, after a victim came forward allegations of Sexual Misconduct committed against them by 46 year old Donald E. Overbey Jr. of rural Fort Branch. At the conclusion of his investigation Detective Ballard submitted warrant request to the Gibson County Prosecutors Office for their review. 

Yesterday, October 16, Gibson County Sheriff Deputies served an arrest warrant on Mr. Overbey while he was at work at the Toyota Manufacturing Plant located in Gibson County. 

Mr. Overbey is charged with Sexual Misconduct With a Minor and Child Seduction. He remains in custody on a $10,000 bond. 

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyo nd a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Wabash 12 Avenue Reopens To Traffic

This note to county motorists – Wabash 12 Avenue is once again open to through traffic. It had been closed for mining operations.

GATA To Add More Red Tape For Local Agencies

A new state mandate is going to make life a lot tougher for Wabash County officials. Called the Grant Accountability and transparency Act, or GATA for short, the law will force more stringent accounting guidelines on every department and agency. There are still a lot of unanswered questions, too. Highway Engineer Dustin Bunting says each road district may need to be registered with GATA. And Health Department administrator Judy Wissel is still trying to determine how it will affect the many grant-funded services her department offers.

State Catches Up On Payments to District #348

For a change, there’s some good financial news for Wabash District #348 when it comes to payments from the state. At last night’s school board meeting, superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer said the district has received all of the money it had coming from the state for the previous school year…

Bleyer’s comments on the state payment was the only report made at last night’s meeting before the board entered into a lengthy executive session to discuss personnel employment.

Wabash County Sheriff's Monthly Report

Sheriff Derek Morgan told the county board Monday that his office served 45 summons and issued 31 warrants during September. Deputies also worked 13 crashes during the month.

Early Voting Now Underway

Early voting is already underway in Wabash County. County Clerk Janet Will said 155 people have already taken advantage of the added times, whether by voting or requesting ballots by mail. The election is set for November 6th.

29% Of Wabash County Property Taxes Collected So Far

Tax collection is off and running in Wabash County, according to Treasurer Beverly McBride. She told county commissioners Monday that 29% of taxes are in, or $3,174,000, with another $7,823,000 left to collect. McBride also said Springfield still owes the county $14,524.51 in salary reimbursements for September.