Gibson County Man Killed Monday In ORV Wreck

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an off-road vehicle (ORV) accident that occurred yesterday, killing one Gibson County man and leaving his teen-age passenger in critical condition.

Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 call at 4:36 p.m., about an accident at the intersection of State Road 168 and County Road 550 East.

Initial investigation showed that a side by side ORV driven by Zane Wampler, 18, of Princeton, with a juvenile passenger, was traveling southbound on C.R. 550 E when it attempted to pull out onto S.R. 168. The ORV was struck by a pickup truck traveling eastbound on S.R. 168.

Wampler was ejected from the ORV. The juvenile passenger remained in the ORV. The juvenile passenger was taken by helicopter to St. Vincent Hospital in Evansville, where he is in critical condition. Wampler was transported by ambulance to St. Vincent Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The investigation is still ongoing.

Helmets and protective riding gear were not being worn at the time of the accident. Indiana Conservation Officers recommend using all available safety equipment, and Indiana law requires anyone under 18 that is operator or passenger on an ORV to wear a helmet. For more information on ORV safety, see offroad-ed.com/indiana

Assisting agencies from Indiana included Gibson and Vanderburgh County coroner’s offices, Owensville EMS, Fort Branch EMS, Oakland City EMS, Barton Township Fire Department, Fort Branch and Haubstadt fire departments, Stat Flight, Gibson County Sheriff’s Department, Haubstadt Police Department, and Indiana State Police.

COVID-19 Update From Mayor Joe Judge

From Mayor Joe Judge: As of today, there have been 105 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Illinois; these cases have been reported in 15 of the 102 counties in Illinois, but currently no confirmed cases in the City of Mt.Carmel or Wabash County. It is expected that positive cases may emerge in the coming days.

Governor Pritzker on Friday declared a State of Emergency and announced the closing of public schools across Illinois from March 17 through March 30th. At the Mayor’s office we are on web meetings daily with the Governor’s office and the CDC on updates on what the current situation is and what steps we need to communicate to our citizens.

Our foremost concern is the health and safety of our citizens. As of today, we have had no confirmed cases of COVID-19, but we expect that will change. Our goal is to limit and slow the spread of this virus, while minimizing the impact on our citizens. While we are taking every appropriate step, we are counting on citizens to use their common sense and good judgement. We are known for our compassion and resilience, and I am confident that spirit will prevail during this time period.

City Government

Mt.Carmel City Hall remains fully active including all City Departments. First Responders including Mt.Carmel Police Department and Mt.Carmel Fire Department are continuing to respond to any and all calls for service. Garbage and Brush service is continuing on schedule.

City offices remain open, although access to some offices may be limited. The City is making efforts to limit contact and reduce large group meetings. The City is working closely with Wabash General Hospital, WEMA, CDC, IDPH, Wabash County Health Department and many more organizations to minimize risk to citizens. Residents are encouraged to access City services online via the City’s website at www.cityofmtcarmel.com if at all possible. If you need to make a payment please use the drop box out front, unless you need to pay with cash in the lobby. And you can pay your Water Bill by credit card on our website also.

All city employees will report to work on their regular schedule until further notice. We have suspended all non-essential travel for city employees.

Mt.Carmel Police Department

The Mt.Carmel Police Department remains fully active and responding to any and all calls for service.

MCPD is urging citizens to use caution and not gather in large groups in an effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19. If you have an emergency, please call 9-1-1. For everything else, call our non-emergency number, 618-262-4114.

Mt.Carmel Fire-Rescue Department

The Mt.Carmel Fire-Rescue Department remains fully active and responding to any and all calls for service.

Citizens in need of transport or treatment for non-life threatening conditions (for example, fever or cough) should use personal vehicles or private ambulance services. For emergency or life-threatening situations, including shortness of breath or inability to catch your breath, please call 9-1-1. For everything else, call our non-emergency number, 618-262-4114.

It is imperative that we keep our paramedics in service by minimizing unnecessary contact, so they may be available to respond to life-threatening situations.

During this period of social distancing, Parks and Recreation encourages residents to take advantage of its outdoor recreation amenities. City parks, walking trails, athletic courts, fields and playgrounds remain open and available to the public. The City asks residents to use outdoor spaces thoughtfully and in accordance with public health guidelines.

Mt.Carmel Public Library

As of now, Mt.Carmel Public Library location is closed subject to change in the coming days.

Rides Mass Transit

Public transportation through Rides Mass Transit System is continuing on its regular schedule, but may be subject to change in the coming days.

Wabash Emergency Management Agency

The City is in active contact with administrators for the Wabash County Emergency Management Agency.

Please remember to call 9-1-1 only for life-threatening emergencies. For everything else, call our non-emergency number, 618-262-4114.

WC Cafeteria and Senior Center

The Cafeteria is open for take-out and home delivery only at this time.

Facebook Information

There has been a Facebook page set-up with the most up to date information on the COVID-19 information. https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=wabash%20county%20il%20covid-19%20preparedness&epa=SEARCH_BOX .

Mt.Carmel City Council

The Mt.Carmel City Council will conduct its regularly scheduled meeting at 5 p.m. Monday evening.

Thank You,

Mayor Joe Judge

City of Mt.Carmel

#348 School Board Approves 20-21 School Calendar

Despite the current school year being in limbo because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wabash District #348 school board last night approved the school calendar for the 2020-21 school year. Last month, the proposed calendar drew protests from the WCTA who lobbied against having all of Thanksgiving week off and a shorter Christmas break. Those changes were adopted in the calendar approved last night by the board.

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Indiana Health Department Announces 2nd COVID-19 Death

NDIANAPOLIS —The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) today announced that a second Hoosier has died from COVID-19. The patient is a Johnson County adult over age 60 who had been hospitalized. No further information about the patient will be released due to privacy laws.

 ISDH has received six new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing to 30 the number of Hoosiers diagnosed through ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. The new cases involve residents of Lake (2), Franklin (2) and Marion (2) counties and will be included on ISDH’s online dashboard at https://www.in.gov/coronavirus/. The full list of counties with cases is included in the dashboard, which will be updated daily at 10 a.m. Cases are listed by county of residence.

 

Wabash County Government Offices Remain Open

Wabash County Commissioners on Monday issued a statement sharing concerns about the nature and extent of the coronavirus. Currently, all County departments remain open to serve the public. You’re encouraged to call the office first to determine if your needs can be served over the phone or online instead of in person.  Those who need to make a payment through the circuit clerk’s office are reminded you can still do so on-line or by a toll-free phone call.

County Board Okays Tourism Requests

The Wabash County Board of Commissioners met in abbreviated fashion on Monday. The Board voted to make a six-thousand ($6,000) dollar payment from Hotel-Motel funds to Illinois South Tourism. That is the same amount as last year. And, the Board also voted to approve a one-thousand dollar ($1,000) contribution to the fledgling Mt. Carmel Pickelball Club for construction of tournament courts in City Park. Those funds will also come from Hotel-Motel funding.

Court Schedule Altered By COVID-19

Wabash County Circuit Court is adjusting its schedule in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Court cases in several categories ae postponed until further notice. They are: civil jury trials, traffic, misdemeanor, probate, small claims, family court, child support, law magistrate, simple law, tax, and marriage and civil unions. Please check the judici website for new court dates. No evictions or foreclosure orders will be entered during this period. Other court proceedings WILL be held as scheduled. They include: all matters with individuals in custody, criminal felony hearings, juvenile temporary custody and detention hearings, petitions for orders of protection, and stalking no contact orders, plus emergency hearings on family matters. Individuals with children should not bring their children to court.