The Mt. Carmel City Council Monday night heard the first reading of two ordinances that regulate cannabis and where cannabis establishments can locate. In highlighting the ordinances, City Clerk Rudy Witsman said the state had given local government the authority to limit where businesses that sell, grow, or assimilate cannabis…
If no changes are made, the ordinances are expected to be adopted at the council’s next meeting in two weeks.
A program created in 1991 at Western Illinois University may help Mt. Carmel develop strategies to deal with challenges many small communities face. The program is called Mapping The Future Of Your Community and the manager of the Illinois Institute For Rural Affairs at WIU, Giesele Hamm was at Monday’s city council meeting. She said Mapping has helped over 140 communities in more than 60 Illinois counties find ways to overcome obstacles and thrive. Hamm outlined how the process would bring the community together under a common vision; develop an action plan to assist in making the vision a reality; promotes and encourages volunteerism. Getting the entire community to buy in to the program is essential…
Hamm said the Mapping process takes a unique approach to what communities have and don’t have…
The cost of the program would be $6,134 which Hamm said most communities seek corporate or community contributions to cover. The city council took Hamm’s proposal under advisement on Monday.
Vanderburgh County – This morning at approximately 12:18, Trooper Fulton was patrolling SR 66 near Big Cynthiana Road when he stopped the driver of a 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck for driving 104 mph in a 60 mph zone. The driver was identified as Andrew Goebel, 49, of New Harmony. Goebel displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests. Further investigation revealed he had a blood alcohol content of .12%. He was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.
Arrested and Charges:
Andrew J. Goebel, 49, New Harmony, IN
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
Reckless Driving, Class C Misdemeanor
Arresting Officer: Trooper Zack Fulton, Indiana State Police
Vanderburgh County – Last night at approximately 10:00, Trooper Widner was patrolling US 41south of I-64 when he stopped the driver of a 2005 Mercury for failing to signal properly at US 41 and Rusher Creek Road. Due to suspicious activity, Trooper Widner requested a K-9 unit from the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office. The K-9 arrived and alerted to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. Officers searched the vehicle and located a black box containing methamphetamine, synthetic marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms and several Schedule II and III drugs. Officers also found a digital scale on the floor board that was covered with white powder.
Further investigation revealed the narcotics belonged to the passenger, Philip Campbell, 42, of Princeton. He was also in possession of over $1,000 in cash. Campbell was arrested for dealing narcotics and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held on bond. The driver was released.
Arrested and Charges:
Philip Campbell, 42, Princeton, IN
Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 3 Felony
Dealing Schedule I, II and III Drug, Level 3 Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 5 Felony
Possession of Schedule I Drug, Level 6 Felony
Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
Arresting Officer: Trooper Tyler Widner, Indiana State Police
Assisting Agency: Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office
INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced additional steps the state will take to reduce the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Indiana. As of noon today, the state has 12 Hoosiers who have tested presumptively positive for COVID-19.
“This is a time when we must do all we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19, protect our most vulnerable populations and reduce their potential to acquire or spread this virus,” said Gov. Holcomb. “While some actions are drastic, now, not later, is the time to act.”
Here are the actions Gov. Holcomb is initiating today.
Non-essential gatherings must be limited to no more than 250 people. This includes any event or gathering of people who are in one room or a single space at the same time, such as cafeterias, churches, stadiums, meeting and conference rooms, auditoriums and the like. This guidance applies to professional, social, community and similar other gatherings. Detailed guidance will be posted on the Indiana State Department of Health website by the end of the day.
Effective immediately, school corporations will be provided with a 20-day waiver of the required 180 instructional days for use as needed for the remainder of the academic year. The waived days do not need to be used consecutively and can be leveraged as needed.
If a school corporation has evidence of community spread or a confirmed positive test for coronavirus, officials should consult with the Indiana Department of Education and the Indiana State Department of Health for additional steps. Schools should plan now for broader closures, including eLearning and remote classroom options.
The Department of Education will release additional guidance detailing the process for submitting waiver requests as early as Friday.
Schools should follow the guidelines for non-essential gatherings as they make decisions about non-essential extra-curricular or co-curricular activities.
Child care and adult day care facilities should institute social distancing and minimize large gatherings. Temporary suspension of operations should be done in consultation with the Family and Social Services and ISDH in the instance of documented community spread.
Nursing facilities and hospitals should restrict and screen visitors. Any individual who is allowed to visit is restricted to the patient’s room. Visitors are not allowed if they present with any of this criteria:
Display signs or symptoms of illness, especially respiratory illness
Have traveled internationally or been in contact with someone with a respiratory illness in the past 14 days
Reside in a community with a known COVID-19 case
Those who are less than 18 years of age
The Indiana Department of Correction has suspended visitation at all facilities as a precaution for the health and safety of IDOC staff and offenders.
Individuals over 60 years of age or those with a known underlying health issue such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease should limit their public exposure. Whenever possible, friends and family should arrange to provide food and other essential items.
Those who run senior centers and congregate meal services should consider suspending congregate meals services and arrange for home delivery
Encourage businesses to utilize telework policies, if available
Governor Holcomb is also issuing guidance for state employee operations. The state will suspend all non-essential out-of-state and international travel beginning today and for the next 45 days. The state is also providing employees with guidance about the use of leave and remote work options for limited durations while ensuring the delivery of essential state services. The guidance is attached.
“I fully expect there will be additional actions warranted in the coming days,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Just as we have since the beginning of the year, we are working with partners at all levels to secure all necessary resources for any escalation of this virus.”
If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus:
Stay home unless you need to seek medical care.
Avoid public areas and public transportation
Stay away from others as much as possible, especially people who are the most at risk such as older adults with multiple medical problems and those with a weakened immune system
Don’t shake hands
Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening such as difficulty breathing and call your doctor or healthcare facility before you seek care.
More information may be found at the ISDH website at https://on.in.gov/COVID19 and the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
Chicago — In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Illinois, Governor JB Pritzker issued an executive order that directs the Department of Agriculture to accept all cannabis craft grower, infuser and transporter license applications via mail rather than accept them in-person.
“We are committed to taking every precaution to protect the health and safety of all Illinoisans” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This executive order follows the latest precautionary recommendations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention while still allowing people across the state to submit their application and take part in this new industry.”
The deadline to submit applications for Adult Use Cannabis Craft Grower, Infuser, and Transporter licenses has been extended to March 30, 2020. All applications received after 5pm Central today must be submitted via United States Postal Service certified mail. Submissions via UPS, FedEx, or other mail delivery services will not be accepted.
Applications submitted via certified mail must be post-marked on or before March 30, 2020 and mailed to the following address:
Illinois Department of Agriculture
c/o Bureau of Medicinal Plants
P.O. Box 19281
Springfield, IL 62794-9281
Additional details about the updated application process can be found online here. The Illinois Department of Public Health has a statewide COVID-19 hotline and website to answer any questions from the public or to report a suspected case: call 1-800-889-3931 or visit IDPH.illinois.gov.
In light of recent developments regarding COVID-19, the NJCAA has made the decision to postpone national championship events for the upcoming DI and DII men's and women's basketball tournaments. DIII men's and women's basketball championships, currently underway, will work with an expedited schedule that will conclude on Friday, March 13.
Originally scheduled to begin the week of March 16, the four upcoming national championship events – DI men, DI women, DII men, and DII women will aim for a tentative start date of Monday, April 20.
The DIII men's and women's national championships, currently underway, will cancel all consolation games and will move semifinal and championship games to Friday, March 13.
Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President & CEO expressed his sentiments regarding the situation. "Due to the concerns surrounding the safety and security of our student-athletes and those involved with Division I and Division II NJCAA championships, we are postponing the tournaments and maintaining a fluid mentality to see these tournaments take place with a tentative start date.
We have two main objectives in this situation - first and foremost is to protect the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, college personnel, and fans. Second is to make sure our student-athletes receive the national championship experience that they have worked so hard for."
Start dates for each of the respective tournaments are tentative and the NJCAA will continue to follow all state and local mandates, restrictions, and regulations as it impacts its member institutions and national championship events.
“With news everywhere about COVID-19/Coronavirus, I wanted to let the residents of Wabash County know that the Circuit Court is taking the situation seriously and planning accordingly,” said Resident Circuit Court Judge William C. Hudson.
“The Administrative Office of Illinois Courts (AOIC) is closely monitoring the reports and recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and the Illinois Department of Public Health regarding COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The AOIC is in constant contact with the local courts regarding safety and preventive measures.
In accordance with recommendations by the AOIC, the Wabash County Circuit Court will be observing and instituting the following measures for those attending court:
1. WASH YOUR HANDS with soap and warm water before and after attending court; restroom facilities are on both floors of the courthouse.
2. COVER YOUR COUGH or sneeze into your upper sleeve or a tissue that you throw away.
3. STAY AT HOME if you or a household member has a fever or other symptoms of COVID-19 or any other airborne illness and call the Circuit Clerk’s office (618 262-5362) to have your case continued.
Court personnel will increase cleaning of frequently touched surfaces. Additionally, the Wabash County Circuit Court has an Emergency Plan for a wide number of emergency situations, including public health emergencies, that is reviewed annually.
At this point in time, these simple measures will help Wabash County Residents minimize their chances of contracting COVID-19, while still having access to the courts,” concluded Resident Circuit Court Judge William C. Hudson.
Join Illinois Master Naturalist, Bob Shelby, as he discusses the physical and behavioral characteristics of the Greater Prairie Chicken. Discover how the bird’s population has declined over time and what is being done to help sustain the state’s population. Shelby began working out of Prairie Ridge SNA in 1999 and still assists with the translocation of the Greater Prairie Chickens from Kansas.The presentation will begin at 2pm on Saturday, March 14th inside the visitor center at Beall Woods State Park. Please call 618-298-2441 for additional information.
Photograph by Bob Shelby
ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by
Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Fatal Crash
WHERE: US-50 at Juniper Road, Clay County
WHEN: 03/10/2020, 4:25 p.m.
VEHICLES: UNIT 1 – Yellow School Bus (No passengers)
UNIT 2 – Red Ford Focus
DRIVER: UNIT 1 – Northrop, Lawrence C. 72, Flora IL
UNIT 2 – Kerrick, Samuel L. 53, Salem IL
PASSENGERS: Unit 1 – NONE
Unit 2 – Kerrick, Bridget D. 42, Salem IL (Fatal)
CHARGES: UNIT 1 – N/A
TRANSPORTS: UNIT 1 – Unit 1 No Injuries
UNIT 2 – Driver was transported to Clay County hospital by private vehicle, suffering minor injuries. Passenger was transported to Clay County Hospital via ambulance.
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate Unit 1 was traveling Eastbound on US-50 when a deer entered the roadway from the South. Unit 1 struck the deer head on causing it to go airborne into the westbound lane of traffic. Unit 2 was traveling Westbound on US-50 when it struck the airborne deer causing it to impact and pass through the front windshield. The passenger of unit 2 was transported via ambulance to Clay County Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. The crash is still under investigation.