The state is caught up with money it owes Wabash County. Treasurer Beverly McBride reported Monday that Springfield cut two checks this month totaling $39, 969 covering salary reimbursement for October, and that month’s sales tax receipts as well. McBride also told commissioners that 78% of taxes have now been collected, or $8,617,560. That leaves only $2,380,000 left to collect, according to McBride.
Closing Of Counseling Centers Causes Scramble For Services
The recent closing of all area offices of the Southeastern Illinois Counseling Center has left some counties scrambling to keep services going. Wabash County Health Department Administrator Judy Wissel told the county board Monday that the state has asked if her office could take over Edwards County’s substance abuse and mental health counseling programs. The state has offered only six-thousand dollars to take it on. Wissel said they’re still hoping for more from Springfield. She said other counties have also stepped up to absorb some of Edwards County’s services.
County Highway Department Preps For Winter
The Wabash County Highway Department is ready to battle Old Man Winter – though it will cost them more to do it. Highway Engineer Dustin Bunting told county commissioners Monday that they have 50 tons of salt at the ready to use on roads – with anther truckload due any time soon. The latest contract, though, shows a marked increase in the price of salt. It will cost $81.72 per ton, up from last year’s cost of $64, an increase of 22%.
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE READY FOR BUSY THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY TRAVEL PERIOD
Illinois State Police (ISP) District 19 Commander, Captain Cory Ristvedt, would like to remind motorists that the ISP is ready for the beginning of the holiday travel period. The ISP will be stepping up enforcement patrols as the holiday driving season begins. The goal is to make the roads safe for all motorists.
Traditionally, the Wednesday before the Thanksgiving holiday marks the beginning of the busy holiday travel period. Beginning on Wednesday, November 21st, through Sunday, November 25th, expect high traffic volumes on interstates and roads throughout the region. The ISP is urging the motoring public to adhere to the rules of the road. Statistics continue to show that fatal crashes increase on the interstates during the Thanksgiving holiday period.
Over the holiday weekend, officers will patrol the interstates, conduct Road Side Safety Checks (RSC) and participate in other traffic enforcement details to identify the “Fatal Four” moving violations most associated with fatal traffic crashes: Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Speeding, Failure to Wear a Seat Belt, and Distracted Driving. A special emphasis on DUI enforcement and DUI patrols is planned throughout the long weekend.
In addition, the ISP will be joining the Illinois Department of Transportation and other law enforcement agencies throughout the state in the 2018 Thanksgiving Holiday Click It or Ticket campaign, November 16th – 26th. The goals of the program are to increase voluntary compliance with the seat belt laws and reduce the number of serious injury and fatal traffic crashes. Officers will utilize Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) and Seat Belt Enforcement Zones (SBEZ) during the campaign.
“Our goal for this Thanksgiving holiday weekend remains the same as for each holiday weekend, to reduce the number of fatal traffic crashes on our roadways,” said Captain Ristvedt. “We continue to ask motorists for their assistance with this goal by following the speed limit, buckling up, and not driving distracted or under the influence,” he added.
WVC FOUNDATION ANNUAL CHILI SUPPER IS NOVEMBER 28
The annual Wabash Valley College Foundation Chili Supper will be held on Wednesday, November 28 with serving from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Red Café.
Foundation Directors will be serving delicious chili, hot dogs, sandwiches and homemade desserts. Carry-outs are also available. This will be an excellent “break” from Thanksgiving Dinner and all those turkey leftovers. Bring your family out for the Chili Supper and then why not attend the Lady Warriors and Warriors basketball games in the Spencer Sports Center with the Lady Warriors playing at 5:30 and the Warriors at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $5 for Chili and Drink (FREE refills on Chili), or 2 Hot Dogs, Dessert & Drink, or 2 Sandwiches, Dessert & Drink. Extra Hot Dog or Sandwich is $1. Desserts are $1.
Tickets are available from any Foundation Director or in the WVC Administration/Foundation Building on the WVC Campus.
Donations Being Accepted For Shop With Cop/Fireman
Donations are now being accepted for Mt. Carmel Shop with A Cop and Fireman program. Fire Department Captain Mark Seaton is canvassing local businesses seeking donations that helped more than 60 youngsters last year according to fire commissioner Rod Rodriguez…
Donations can be dropped off at the fire department or city hall.
WSJD File Photo
Mt. Carmel City Employee Nominated For Big Award
A Mt. Carmel City employee is up for a big award according to water commissioner Justin Dulgar…
The award will be handed out in Effingham in February.
Big Week For Mt. Carmel Grant Applications
Mt. Carmel Commissioner Joe Judge has been adept at writing and landing grants for various projects and groups locally. He said this could be a big week in terms of the latest round of grants…
Judge again thanked Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Indiana for the $20,000 check that was received last week to help fund the meals on wheels program in Mt. Carmel.
Mayor Offers Update On Villas Of Holly Brooks Building
Lots of progress has been made on the new Villas of Holly Brooks facility on Mt. Carmel’s westside. Mayor Bill Hudson offered an update at Monday’s City Council meeting…
Holly Brook officials have said they hope to have the facility late 2nd or early 3rd quarter of next year.
Hudson Salutes Local Veterans For Honor 200 Award
At Monday’s City Council meeting, Mt. Carmel mayor Bill Hudson cited our report from last week that Tom Ford and Loyal Andy Anderson had been chosen as two of the Honor 200 veterans in state…
If you missed last week’s story on the honor, you can find it here:
https://wsjd.fm/new-blog-1/2018/11/13/two-mt-carmel-veterans-honored-by-state?rq=honor
