On 6/18/2020, Mt. Carmel Police cited Matthew M. Berberich, age 37, of Mt. Carmel for Criminal Trespass to Property. Berberich had previously been issued notice that he was no longer allowed on the property of T.P. Trailer Park located at 1149 West 3rd Street. Berberich was released with a Notice to Appear in court. On 6/25/2020, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Berberich who was again located on the T.P. Trailer Park property. Berberich was located hiding in a shed and taken into custody. Berberich was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending the posting of bond. Later on 6/25/2020, after the posting of bond, Berberich was arrested once more on the property. Berberich was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending the posting of bond.
Mt. Carmel Man Foiled In Attempt To Hide Stolen Car Jack In Baby Stroller
On 6/18/2020, Mt. Carmel Police cited Thomas E. Fugate, age 31, of Mt. Carmel, for Theft. Officers were investigating the theft of car jack that had been stolen from outside a residence in the 300 block of West 4th Street. Fugate was observed taking the jack by a witness. Fugate was later located in the 200 block of West 3rd Street while pushing a baby stroller. Fugate was placed under arrest and the jack was located inside the stroller. Fugate was issued a Notice to Appear and court and was released.
File Photo: Wabash County Jai
Mt. Carmel Man Picked Up On Meth Warrant
On 6/24/2020, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Tyler L. Wade, age 26, of Mt. Carmel, for a Wabash County Warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine. Wade was stopped while operating a vehicle in the 400 block of West 6th Street. Wade was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued the warrant as well as a citation for Driving While License Suspended. Wade is being held on a $1000 cash bond.
WGH Looking For New Location For Fairfield Ortho Services
Wabash General Hospital officials are looking for a new home for their Fairfield orthopedic clinic. Since 2014, Wabash General had utilized space at Fairfield Memorial Hospital for the clinics. But, WGH President and CEO Karissa Turner told the board of directors Monday that she had been notified of Fairfield Memorial’s intention to terminate the agreement effective September 21st. Turner said the termination of the agreement won’t drive Wabash General from the Fairfield market…
According to Turner, Wabash General’s Dr. Justin Miller is the only orthopedic surgeon practicing in the Fairfield community as Dr. Karsten Slater and physician assistants also provide care there.
As State Heads To Phase 4 Friday, Outlook Unclear On Path Toward Phase 5
Illinois won't be restriction-free until there is an effective treatment or vaccine for COVID-19 under Gov. J.B. Pritzker's reopening plan, but it's not yet clear on how long that could take.
There were distinct timelines laid out in the governor’s reopening plan to move from Phase 2 to Phase 3 and then to Phase 4. But to get to Phase 5, when all restrictions would be lifted, there needs to be an effective treatment, a vaccine or widespread immunity.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker reiterated what many health professionals across the country are finding.
“The federal government provided us with Remdesivir to distribute and we did and it’s actually been somewhat effective from what we understand for hospitals that have used it,” Pritzker said.
Another drug, hydroxychloroquine, which was touted by President Donald Trump, didn't perform as well. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently removed its emergency use pronouncement for COVID-19.
Pritzker urged hospitals across the state to take part in research trials for treatments.
“We’re not making decisions about therapeutics at the state level,” Pritzker said. “That’s really going to be an FDA decision and of course there’s a lot of trials out there that are ongoing.”
U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, a Republican from Oregon, said during a congressional hearing Tuesday that health officials are “building the plane as they fly” to manage the crisis.
“We released the first recommendations on testing and surveillance three weeks ago and are preparing to release recommendations on therapeutics and vaccines very soon,” Walden said.
Pritzker said he wants everyone to get a vaccine, but said he’ll consult with the White House's top expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, on the issue.
“I have been in somewhat regular touch with Dr. Fauci, not on this subject particularly, but in my next conversation with him I’ll certainly ask him what he thinks the right kind of measurement on goes first is because I really value his opinion,” Pritzker said.
Fauci told a U.S. House committee this week a vaccine could be ready by the end of this year or early next year.
Road Closure Scheduled for SR 65 Between Owensville and Cynthiana
GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a road closure on State Road 65 between Owensville and Cynthiana for a small structure replacement project.
Beginning on or around Monday, July 6, contractors will begin the installation of a four-sided box culvert on S.R. 65 about 2 miles north of the intersection of S.R. 68. This project will require a complete excavation of the old culvert and replacement of the new, requiring the use of all lanes of traffic.
During the operation, the road will be closed around the clock. Work is scheduled to last until the end of July depending upon weather conditions. Local traffic will have access up to the point of closure but all through traffic should use the official detour using S.R. 68, S.R. 165 and S.R. 65.
INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.
Schedule For Mt. Carmel's Fantastic 4th Celebration
Schedule For Mt. Carmel's Fantastic 4th Celebration
Fatal Crashes On The Rise In Illinois
Fatal crash rates increased in Illinois in April despite a significant drop in traffic while the state remained under a stay-at-home order.
Preliminary estimates from the National Safety Council show a year-over-year 36.6% increase nationally in fatality rates per miles driven in April, in spite of an 18% drop in the total number of roadway deaths compared to April 2019. Illinois’ fatality rate rose 6 percent. The actual number of miles driven dropped 40% compared to the same time period last year.
National Safety Council Statistics Manager Ken Kolosh said with fewer cars on the roadways, some drivers put the peddle to the metal.
“Traffic congestion helps maintain or decrease the speed that we travel at,” he said. “Now with the more open roads, people are using that as a ticket for speeds that are certainly unsafe.”
For the three-day Independence Day holiday period starting July 2, NSC estimates 405 potential fatalities, with alcohol as an expected primary factor in nearly 40% of the deaths.
“Summer holidays tend to be high-fatality holidays compared to winter holidays and the big reason for that is the increased prevalence of alcohol,” Kolosh said.
While Illinois saw an increase in the percentage of fatalities, two neighboring states saw sharp declines. Indiana and Iowa both saw a 16% decrease. Connecticut had the largest increase at 45%
“Even without traffic, our roads were no safer,” said Lorraine Martin, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. “It is heartbreaking to see the carnage on our roadways continue, especially when our medical professionals should be able to focus intently on treating a pandemic rather than preventable car crashes.”
Robinson Driver Seriously Injured In US 50 Crash In Richland County
ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police
District 12
WHAT: Two Vehicle Personal Injury Crash
WHERE: US 50 at 1500 East, Richland County
WHEN: June 23, 2020 at 1:21p.m.
VEHICLES: Unit 1- 2014 Blue Toyota Prius
Unit 2- 2015 White Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer Combination
DRIVERS: Unit 1- Tyler Tennyson, 27 year old male from Robinson, IL - airlifted to a regional hospital with life threatening injuries
Unit 2- Tony Biagi, 63 year old male from Centralia, IL - uninjured
PRELIMINARY: A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Units 1 and 2 were both traveling East on US 50 near 1500 East in Richland, County. The driver of Unit 2 began slowing in traffic to make a right hand turn. The driver of Unit 1 failed to reduce speed and drove into the back of Unit 2. Unit 1 driver was airlifted to a regional hospital with life threatening injuries. Unit 2 driver was uninjured. The roadway was closed for approximately 30 minutes during the crash investigation.
CHARGES: Unit 1 driver was cited for Operating a Vehicle with a Suspended Driver’s License and for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Groups Pushing For Illinois Not To Reopen Too Quickly
Amid the chorus of Illinoisans frustrated with the state’s cautious reopening plan, a new coalition of labor, public health and other industry organizations wants Illinois to “follow the science” and ignore calls to reopen the state faster.
Open Safe Illinois calls the voices pushing to reopen businesses a “small, vocal minority” and points to polling that shows most people are still concerned about the new coronavirus.
“We have not defeated the coronavirus, only slowed its spread,” said Abe Scarr, coalition coordinator and director of the Illinois Public Interest Research Group. “Until we have an effective vaccine or treatment for COVID-19, which could take years, it’s critical that decision makers stay the course to protect the health and well-being of Illinoisans.”
Coalition members include: AgeOptions, AIDS Foundation Chicago, Alzheimer's Association - Illinois Chapter, Business and Professional People in the Public Interest, Chicago Federation of Labor, Chicago Jobs Council, Citizen Action Illinois, Coalition for the Homeless, Common Cause Illinois, Elevate Energy, Everthrive Illinois, Friends of the Forest Preserves, Heartland Alliance, Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Illinois Environmental Council, Illinois PIRG, Illinois Public Health Association, Prairie Rivers Network, Rainbow Push Coalition, Respiratory Health Association, SEIU HealthCare, Sierra Club Illinois, and United Food and Commercial Workers 881.
Many labor union employees have stayed on the job because Gov. J.B. Pritzker deemed labor, construction, health care, and food-related businesses "essential." State workers, some employed by SEIU Healthcare, have either remained on the job or have been sent home with pay.
Some business groups have criticized Pritzker for taking an approach to reopening that is slower and more restrictive than other states. An analysis by consumer data website WalletHub found Illinois had the most stringent restrictions of any state in the nation as of May 23. The site updated its metrics Tuesday to show the state ranks 41st overall.
An analysis of state data by financial nonprofit Wirepoints contends portions of Illinois should be much further along with lifting restrictions at this point.
“The data supporting that claim is overwhelming, especially when the downstate numbers are compared with those of the Chicagoland region,” Wirepoints President Ted Dabrowski said. “Case positivity rates downstate have collapsed for nearly two straight months and never reached the highs seen in Chicagoland. Per capita hospital admissions have also been just a fraction of those in the Northeast region. And there was never the risk of running short of hospital resources downstate like there was in Chicago.”
The coalition points to other states that reopened at a faster pace and have since seen an increase in COVID-19 cases.
“Gov. Pritzker’s measured, public health-driven approach has slowed the spread of COVID-19 and saved lives,” said Tom Hughes, executive director of the Illinois Public Health Association. “It’s critical that we stay the course and continue to make decisions based on the best available data and public health analysis.”
Pritzker released guidance for Phase 4 of his reopening plan on Monday. As of Tuesday, Illinois had reported 137,224 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 6,671 deaths. The daily positivity rate has been slowing in recent weeks.