WGH Board Approves Plan For New WGAS Sleeping Quarters

The Wabash General Hospital Board of Directors has approved a project to build sleeping quarters at the ambulance service base. Last year, the board approved plans only to run into obstacles causing those plans to be scrapped. At their meeting this week, the board approved the $226,000 project outlined by chief operating officer Tamara Gould…

The need for the sleeping rooms is necessitated by the hospital going to 24 hour shifts for medics. That shift has allowed Wabash General to attract a full staff of medics, which hasn’t occurred in recent memory.

The hospital board also continues to explore its’ future building needs and those plans received a boost this week by the District #348 school board. At their meeting Monday night, the school board voted to sell a parcel of land that was part of the elementary school property and adjacent to hospital property. The land is being sold for $40,000. The WGH board continues to work on a master facility plan to alleviate lack of space at existing buildings.

The area outlined in yellow is the parcel of land sold this week by the District #348 school board to Wabash General Hospital.

Still Time To Get Your Flu Shot

Even though it’s February, it’s still not too late to get your flu shot. Dr. Thomas Selby is the chief of staff at Wabash General Hospital, and he told the hospital board of directors this week that flu is still a big problem locally…

Because of the flu outbreak, Wabash General Hospital will be under Visitor Restrictions until further notice to protect patients and staff. No one under the age of 18, unless a patient, will be allowed to visit, including in patient rooms, waiting rooms, lobby, and cafeteria.

Allendale Students of the Month for January

Allendale School would like to announce the Students of the Month for January:

Allendale School would also like to thank Project Success for the Taco Tierra Cards students will receive for being a Student of the Month.

Front Row - Sophia Breen (Kindergarten), Jayce Weiss (1st Grade), Teagan Polston (2nd Grade), Emma Ford (3rd Grade)

Back Row - Jax Gher (4th Grade), Holly Doerr (Junior High), Cydnie Lawrence (Junior High)

Bellmont Woman Among Three Arrested Today In Gibson County

On January 31, 2019, at 9:25 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a suspicious person at a residence in the 5000 block of South 225 West. Upon arriving Deputy Jennifer Loesch located 27 year old Charlene Read of Bellmont, Illinois inside an out building near the residence. At that point Deputy Loesch began an investigation into the incident and discovered that Ms. Read and a friend identified as 52 year old Timothy Herring of Grayville, Illinois had wrecked an Orange 2015 Jeep Cherokee in the area and entered the property without the owner’s permission. During Deputy Loesch’s investigation Mr. Herring returned to the scene in a vehicle driven by 47 year old Bruce Brady of Fort Branch. At that point Deputy Loesch finished her investigation before taking Ms. Read and Mr. Herring into custody. Deputy Lienemann also placed Mr. Brady into custody after running him through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles and discovered that he ha d never received a valid operator’s license.

Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Herring was charged with Trespassing. He remains in custody on a $1300 bond. Ms. Read was charged with Trespassing, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Possession of Marijuana. She also remains in custody on a $1300 bond.

Bruce Brady was charged with Operator Never Licensed and he has since posted a $450 bond.

Assisting Deputy Loesch and Deputy Lienemann in their investigations was Conservation Officer Duane Englert.

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

Opioid Alternative Pilot Program Launches

SPRINGFIELD – Individuals looking to register for the Opioid Alternative Pilot Program (OAPP) can now do so on-line through the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System at https://etk.icts.illinois.gov.  The OAPP, which is part of the Medical Cannabis Pilot Program (MCPP), was created through the Alternative to Opioids Act of 2018.  The OAPP allows access to medical cannabis for individuals who have or could receive a prescription for opioids as certified by a physician licensed in Illinois.
 
The Opioid Alternative Pilot Program was designed to provide people with an option to manage their pain.  Opioids can be highly addictive in a very short period of time and this program offers qualifying individuals an alternative.
 
The first step is for individuals to see their physician.  The patient’s physician must complete a certification using the Illinois Cannabis Tracking System.  After the physician certification, patients will create a user account to register online, at a licensed medical cannabis dispensary, or at a local health department that offers assistance.  Along with the physician certification, a passport-like photo, copy of driver’s license/state ID, proof of Illinois address, and $10 payment are required.  Once all the required information is uploaded into the system and the payment is submitted, the individual will receive an electronic medical cannabis registry card.  The registered patient must present the eRegistry card at the dispensary they selected to purchase medical cannabis as soon as the same day.  The OAPP registration is valid for 90 days.  If the physician agrees the patient should continue to use medical cannabis, a new registration can be submitted for another 90 day period. 
 
At this time, the OAPP and MCPP are two separate registration systems.  An individual cannot be enrolled in both programs at the same time.  Should an individual who is registered in the OAPP want to apply to the traditional MCPP, their OAPP registration will be cancelled at the time they submit an application to MCPP.  Beginning February 1, 2019, individuals who apply for the traditional MCPP will receive provisional access to dispensaries for a period of not more than 90 days while IDPH reviews their application.  
 
Individuals who applied to the MCPP on-line between December 1, 2018, and January 31, 2019, will receive notification about their provisional access to a dispensary provided they applied with an email.  If they did not provide an email, they can obtain more information about how to update their application information via the IDPH website.
 
More information about the OAPP and the MCPP can be found www.dph.illinois.gov website.

911 report of a disturbance at Fort Branch Huck's results in arrest of Robinson man

On January 28, 2019, at 10:52 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 call from the Huck’s Food and Fuel Gas Station located at the intersection of US 41 and State Road 168 in Fort Branch. The caller reported that an intoxicated male was in the business causing a disturbance. Deputy U.B. Smith arrived and located the intoxicated subject 45 year old Richard Johnson of Robinson, Illinois. During his investigation Deputy Smith discovered that Mr. Johnson had taken some items from the Huck’s store without paying. At that point Mr. Johnson was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Public Intoxication and Theft. Mr. Johnson has since posted a $650 bond. 

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

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE ANNOUNCE SUPER BOWL WEEKEND ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS

Springfield, Illinois -- Illinois State Police (ISP) officials announce enforcement plans for the upcoming Super Bowl weekend.  ISP Troopers statewide will strictly enforce     FATAL-4 violations, which include; DUI, Speeding, Distracted Driving and Seat Belt compliance, all of which are leading factors in fatal traffic crashes. 

The ISP is urging motorists to celebrate responsibly and make safety their number one priority during the upcoming Super Bowl weekend. During the 52nd Super Bowl weekend in 2018, ISP Troopers made over 60 DUI arrests and issued over 2,300 citations statewide, including over 760 speed, 320 seatbelt, and 160 alcohol related citations.  During the 2018 Super Bowl weekend, ISP also investigated three alcohol related crashes and one fatal traffic crash.
 
ISP Troopers will focus their efforts on the FATAL- 4 violations, with an emphasis on identifying impaired drivers, with the goal of reducing fatal and injury traffic crashes. If you drive impaired, expect to be pulled over and arrested. Alcohol is a leading factor in fatal traffic crashes and because of this, ISP is encouraging motorists to help keep the roadways safe by planning ahead and designating a sober driver, calling a cab, or using a ride-share service such as Uber or Lyft to arrive safely at your destination.

“Driving under the influence is still the number one cause for traffic crashes and fatalities, during the holidays, and Super Bowl weekend is no different,” said ISP Acting Director Brendan Kelly.  “Illinois State Police enforcement will be targeting impaired drivers and violators who jeopardize the safety and well-being of fellow motorists on Illinois roadways,” he stressed.

ISP would like to remind the public to avoid the Fatal-4; drive sober, don’t speed, limit distractions, and buckle up.  Also, please be sure to watch for vehicles parked or sitting on the side of the road with their hazard lights on.  If you see them, move over if possible, slow down, and Give Them Distance.

WGH DIETITIAN LAURA LUECKE SPEAKS TO WVC’S NUTRITION STUDENTS

Laura Luecke, Registered Dietitian for Wabash General Hospital, teamed up again this semester with Carla Cadwalader, Nutrition instructor at Wabash Valley College, to speak to WVC students about lifestyle diseases.  Lifestyle diseases are diseases associated with the way a person or group of people lives.  They include atherosclerosis, heart disease, and stroke; obesity and type 2 diabetes; and diseases associated with smoking and alcohol and drug abuse.  Luecke has worked with Cadwalader for four years now helping students at the start of the semester to figure their BMI, set a health goal for the semester, and answer numerous questions that students have about overall health.

This resource provided by our local hospital each semester builds a bridge between our community hospital and students who are often far away from home and familiar resources.   Luecke returns at the end of each semester to see if students have achieved their health and nutrition goals.  Cadwalader says that students often make evident changes, such as giving up soda, losing weight, and trying new foods.  Students are encouraged to set measurable goals that they can achieve in one semester.  Wabash Valley College appreciates the community resources that our local professionals bring to the WVC classrooms. 

Mt. Carmel Woman Sentenced To 3 Years In Prison On Meth Delivery Charge

Cassandra A. Goldman, Wabash County State's Attorney, reports that April L. Swanson, a 34-year old Mt. Carmel, Illinois woman, was sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections by the Honorable Circuit Judge Michael J. Valentine in Wabash County Circuit Court.

State's Attorney Goldman advises that the Defendant was charged December 3, 2018, with Delivery of Methamphetamine, a Class 2 Felony. Ms. Swanson was sentenced to 3 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, to be followed by two years of mandatory supervised release (parole).

FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF OFFENSE:

That on the 21st day of July, 2018, in Wabash County, Illinois, the Defendant,

APRIL L. SWANSON, committed the offense of METHAMPHETAMINE DELIVERY, in that said Defendant knowingly and unlawfully delivered less than five (5) grams of a substance containing methamphetamine to a Mt. Carmel Police Department confidential source, in violation of 720 ILCS 464/55(a)(1). A CLASS 2 FELONY

Lauryn Russell Lyme Disease Legislation Already Helping Patients

WOODHULL… A downstate Republican Representative says efforts he led to pass legislation for Illinoisans suffering from Lyme Disease are already having a positive effect on patients.

“Getting the word out about Lyme Disease, and its sometimes-complicated diagnosis and treatment, has been critical to this effort,” said State Representative Dan Swanson (R-Alpha).

Swanson passed legislation last year named the “Lauryn Russell Lyme Disease Prevention & Protection Law” —named after a Mercer County Jr. High School student. Swanson, Lauryn Russell and Lauryn’s mother, Jennifer, have been through an emotional rollercoaster over the past year in getting the bill through the legislative process, being served an Amendatory Veto by Governor Bruce Rauner which gutted key elements of the legislation, and then successfully leading a unanimous veto override in both chambers to enact the original legislation into law.

“It hasn’t been an easy process, but this legislation is so important to Lyme patients. The ability to receive treatment when you have previously been insufficiently treated, is life changing,” Rep. Swanson continued.

In addition to educational components of the legislation, it also allows physicians to prescribe more aggressive treatment for Lyme Disease without the fear of disciplinary action by the State’s Physician licensing bureau. Lauryn, along with many other patients, had to seek treatment out of state due to potential disciplinary action that could be taken against her Illinois physician if they had attempted to treat her long-term Lyme Disease. Advocates for Lyme Disease sufferers say the current recommended treatment of the disease, 10 to 21 days of antibiotics, is insufficient for people with acute or long-term levels of the disease.

“Already, we have heard of Illinois patients and physicians agreeing to a more aggressive Lyme Disease treatment plan for this tick-borne disease,” Swanson continued. “More than 200 cases of Lyme Disease were reported in Illinois last year. We also know this is a highly underreported disease and there are many more cases out there. Awareness and education are key— if physicians know they can treat their patient fully, we believe we will see far better quality of life for these patients who suffer from this tick-borne illness,” Rep. Swanson urged.

As for Lauryn and her mother, Jennifer, they continue their advocacy through the organization they formed following Lauryn’s diagnosis, “Spotlight on Lyme QCA”, which can be found online at spotlightonlymeqca.com.