Unemployment Rate Now 5.7% In Wabash County

Slowly but surely, Wabash County’s unemployment rate is returning to pre-pandemic levels. The September jobless rate in Wabash County stood at 5.7% compared to 6.5% in August and the 3.5% mark in September of last year. Wabash County’s 5.7% was second only to Hamilton County’s 5.2% rate for the lowest in southern Illinois. The highest southern Illinois rate was 9.8% in Alexander and Pulaski counties. 

Olney - Mt. Carmel Area

Sep 2020 Sep 2019 Over the Year Change

Edwards County 6.3% 3.7 % 2.6

Lawrence County 7.1 % 4.7 % 2.4

Richland County 6.5 % 3.7 % 2.8

Wabash County 5.7 % 3.5 % 2.2

Wayne County 6.4 % 4.3 % 2.1

Olney – Mt. Carmel Area

Total nonfarm employment decreased by -925 compared to September 2019.

Employment gains were posted in Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+50).

Employment declined in Manufacturing (-275), Leisure and Hospitality (-250), Government (-150), Other Services (-125), Educational and Health Services (-125), Financial Activities (-25), and Professional and Business Services (-25). No employment changes were reported in Natural Resources & Mining, Construction and Information.

Note: Monthly 2019 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2020, as required by the U.S. BLS. Comments and tables distributed for prior metro area news releases should be discarded as any records or historical analysis previously cited may no longer be valid.

Mail-In Voting Popular In Wabash County

Wabash County is experiencing increased interest in mail-in voting, just as the rest of the country is in 2020. County Board chairman Tim Hocking reported last Monday that around 800 voters have already requested mail-in ballots. The election is November 3rd, which is now a holiday in Illinois. 

Effingham Woman Dead Following Two Vehicle Crash

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 12

WHAT:                      Two Unit Fatal Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   US 40 ¼ Mile west of Outer Belt West, Effingham County

WHEN:                      Oct. 24, 2020 at 8:08 a.m.

VEHICLE:                Unit 1- 2004 Tan Chevrolet

                                    Unit 2- 2017 Red Peterbilt Truck Tractor Trailer Combination

DRIVER:                   Unit 1- Deborah Hendricks, 67-year-old female of Effingham IL (Deceased)

                                    Unit 2- Jeremy Davenport, 26-year-old male of Quincy, IL (Transported to a local area hospital with injuries)

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred:  Unit 1 was traveling eastbound on US 40, ¼ mile west of Outer Belt West in Effingham.  Unit 2 was westbound on US 40 west of Outer Belt West. Unit 1 crossed over into the westbound lane and struck Unit 2 head on.    Units 1,2 came to rest in the westbound lane of US 40.   

CHARGES:               N/A

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

# # #

4 Vehicle Pile Up Closes I-70 For 3 Hours

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH RELEASE

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 12

WHAT:                      Four Unit Personal Injury Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   Interstate 70 westbound near Milepost 144.5, Clark County

WHEN:                      Oct. 24, 2020 at approximately 10:41 p.m.

VEHICLE:                Unit 1- 2016 Gray Ford

                                    Unit 2- 2020 White Freightliner Truck Tractor Trailer Combination

                                    Unit 3- 2016 White Volvo Truck Tractor Trailer Combination

                                    Unit 4- 2018 White Volvo Truck Tractor Trailer Combination

DRIVER:                   Unit 1- Daniel Reynolds, 49-year-old male of Saint Louis, MO

                                    Unit 2- Salaam Tarver, 25-year-old male of Syracuse, NY (Transported to a local area hospital with injuries)

                                    Unit 3- Jeyakkumar Somasuntharam, 52-year-old male of Scarborough, ON

                                    Unit 4- Grygorii Vorobets, 52-year-old male of Rochester, NY

PASSENGERS:         Unit 1- Juvenile, 8-year-old of Saint Louis, MO

                                    Unit 2- Juvenile, 17-year-old of Syracuse, NY                     

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling westbound on Interstate 70 and struck debris in the roadway. Unit 2 was stopped on the north shoulder of Interstate 70 westbound.  Unit 1 stopped parallel beside Unit 2, occupying both westbound lanes of Interstate 70. Units 3,4 were approaching Unit(s) 1 and 2.  Unit 4 struck Unit 3 from behind and pushed it into the rear of Unit 2. Westbound lanes were closed for approximately 3 hours during the traffic crash investigation; all lanes reopened at 2:30 a.m.  No further information is available.

CHARGES:               Pending Investigation

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

Report of a disturbance involving a firearm results in a 2 1/2 hour standoff

On October 25, 2020, at 7:06 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a disturbance in the 4400 block ow West County Road 125 North. The 911 caller advised during the disturbance a man identified as 40-year-old Justin D. Taylor of Rural Patoka had fired a handgun and then fled in a White Chevy Equinox. Deputies Bryce Jutzi, Sergeant Bruce Vanoven and Indiana DNR Officer Ryan McIntyre arrived on scene and began an investigation into the incident. During the investigation, the White Chevy Equinox was located at his residence. Upon being granted consent to search his residence the handgun and a long gun were taken into evidence, but Mr. Taylor was not located. At that point officers went back into service.

However, a short time later the victim called back in to report that Mr. Taylor was back at his residence with a gun. Again, Deputy Jutzi and officers from multiple agencies descended on the area to attempt to locate him. Officers were able to form a perimeter around a wooded area north of the victim’s residence until representatives from Vincennes Township could arrive on scene with a thermal imaging drone and assist with the search. Once the drone was in the air a K9 unit from the Evansville Police Department assisted in the search. After a two-and-a-half-hour search Mr. Taylor was located. At that time Mr. Taylor threatened to shoot the Evansville K9 if it was released. Officers on scene were able to speak with Mr. Taylor and ultimately, he was taken into custody.

Upon being transferred to the Gibson County Jail Mr. Taylor was charged with Criminal Recklessness With a Deadly Weapon, Intimidation With a Deadly Weapon, Resisting Law Enforcement, Intimidation of Law Enforcement With a Deadly Weapon, and Attempted Escape. He remains in custody on a $1250 bond.

Assisting arresting Officer Bryce Jutzi in his investigation were Officers from the Princeton Police Department, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana State Police, and Evansville Police. Further Firefighters from Vincennes Township were vital in this investigation.

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

Disturbance call leads to arrest of duo

On October 24, 2020, at 7:33 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Bryce Jutzi was dispatched to the 7000 block of South 1100 West to investigate a battery. Upon arriving in the area Deputy Jutzi located 33-year-old Brittany Marginet who had an outstanding warrant for a probation violation on a prior DUI. Upon speaking with Marginet Deputy Jutzi detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Ms. Marginet. Further Deputy Jutzi could see noticeable injuries on Ms. Marginet. During an investigation into the battery Deputy Jutzi discovered that Ms. Marginet had been struck multiple times by 43-year-old Timothy Dowdy. Ms. Marginet advised that Mr. Dowdy had fled the scene in her vehicle. Upon obtaining Ms. Marginet’s information she was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where she is being held without bail on the outstanding probation warrant.

Deputy Jutzi then went back to the area of the original scene and located Mr. Dowdy inside of Ms. Marginet’s vehicle. Upon speaking with Mr. Dowdy Deputy Jutzi detected the odor of alcohol and began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Jutzi placed Mr. Dowdy into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Dowdy was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Battery in the Presence of a Child. He remains in custody on a $750 bond.

Assisting Deputy Jutzi in his investigation was Deputy U.B. Smith and Owensville Officer Jason Wright.

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

More Changes In Illinois FOID Card Process

If it’s been a while since you’ve logged on to the Illinois State Police Firearm Owner Identification portal, you’ll notice some changes. This, as new hires to process more than 142,000 backlogged applications will take six months to train.

A recent update to the ISP website ISP.Illinois.gov includes an updated portal for FOID card and Concealed Carry Licenses applicants that requires a verified email address or cell phone to log in. Information about the cost to taxpayers for the updates, and whether it was outsourced, wasn’t immediately available.

The Illinois State Rifle Association said the additional steps requiring an email address or cell phone could be problematic.

“I feel that this is an additional hardship for those who are technologically challenged or for those who do not have a computer to receive emails or a smartphone to receive text messages,” said ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson. “We feel this will negatively affect hundreds of thousands of Illinois gun owners, Conceal Carry permit holders, Licensed Firearm Dealers, and Conceal Carry Instructors. We have notified our attorneys of this problem.”

State Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, said the update does provide an additional hurdle.

“It is in a way, but it’s also I think the ISP, they’re trying to modernize their system, trying to get it so people can get a response quicker on where their application is,” Caulkins said.

The latest numbers provided by state police on Friday reflect numbers reported earlier this month. There are 142,324 pending FOID applications. ISP says there were more FOID applications in the single month of June than from November 2019 to February 2020.

“If this trend continues, it is conceivable that Illinois could reach 3,000,000 FOID cardholders,” Pearson said of the flood of applications. “That would be the largest single voting block in the state.”

More people are being hired to help process the applications, ISP said, but training for the job takes a minimum of six months.

Caulkins warned the backlog will be compounded by a “tsunami” of FOID renewals that have been pushed back during the pandemic.

“It’s a mess, it just truly is a mess and until we do something about the FOID cards it’s going to get worse,” he said.

Under an emergency rule, expired FOID cards are valid for 18 months after the pandemic subsides.

“I give the [ISP] director credit for trying hard to correct a problem that predates him but until we actually get to the bottom of this and decide that the FOID card is not necessary, this is going to continue to be a problem,” Caulkins said.

People already go through background checks when they purchase firearms, Caulkins said, and the FOID is infringing on people’s Second Amendment rights.

The Illinois State Rifle Association said it is continuing to pursue legal action against the state over the delays. The group encourages anyone who has been stuck in limbo to contact the group.

Rising COVID Cases Send Some School Districts Back To Remote Learning

Some Illinois school districts that planned to switch from remote learning to in-person learning are changing course because of rising COVID-19 cases, to the frustration of parents and students.

Cary School District 26 in McHenry County is going back to remote learning Tuesday after returning kids to the classroom the week before. In a letter to families, school officials said the health department determined the school metrics used in making decisions regarding learning models have exceeded the threshold of three of the four metrics in order to remain in the hybrid model. 

In DuPage County, the Elmhurst and Naperville school districts have delayed plans for in-person learning because of an increase in COVID-19 cases. Bill Doyle, a parent in Naperville, recently told the school board that the news was devastating.

“My kids were ecstatic to go back to school this week,” Doyle said. “I cannot tell you the gut punch they felt when my wife broke the news to them after dinner that they are now delayed two more weeks.”

Crystal Lake School District 155 is going back to remote learning two weeks after it welcomed students back as part of a hybrid model. In a letter to parents, Superintendent Steve Olson said the reversal was necessary.

"We recognize that this isn’t an ideal situation and many of us are frustrated for various reasons, but it is our responsibility to do our part to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 while McHenry County is experiencing ‘substantial’ community transmission,” he said.

Schools in Farmington in Fulton County recently closed temporarily, but not because of rising COVID-19 cases in the area. A teacher tested positive, so the district went to remote learning for one week, but will return to the classroom.

Despite being located in a region of the state placed under restrictions from the governor, the Carbondale and Marion school districts, in Region 5, continue to offer in-person learning, as do the Bourbonnais and Kankakee school districts in Region 7.

Two Injured In Gallatin County Rear End Wreck

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 19

WHAT:                      Two Vehicle Personal Injury Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   Illinois Route 142 at Long Lane Road, Gallatin County

WHEN:                      Oct. 25, 2020 at 5:24 p.m.

VEHICLE:                Unit 1- 2012 Silver Chrysler 200

                                    Unit 2- 2019 White Dodge Charger

DRIVER:                   Unit 1- 17 year old female from Harrisburg, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with minor injuries.

                                    Unit 2- 17 year old male from Eldorado, IL – Uninjured

PASSENGERS:         Unit 1- 17 year old female from Eldorado, IL – Transported by private vehicle to an area hospital with minor injuries.

                                    Unit 1- 15 year old female from Harrisburg, IL – Uninjured

                                    Unit 2- Myqual Callamore, 18 year old male from Eldorado, IL – Uninjured

                                    Unit 2 – Bradley Williamson, 23 year old male from Eldorado, IL - Uninjured

PRELIMINARY:       A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred:  Unit 2 was traveling south on Illinois Route 142 approaching Long Lane Road in Gallatin County. Unit 1 was also traveling south, behind Unit 2. The driver of Unit 2 slowed to turn left onto Long Lane Road. The driver of Unit 1 failed to slow and struck the rear of Unit 2.

CHARGES:               The driver of Unit 1 was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Johnson County Crash Kills 3 Vienna Teens, Injures 3 Others

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 22

WHAT:                      Single Unit Fatal Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   Ozark Road at Locust Street, Johnson County

WHEN:                      Oct. 25, 2020 at approximately 2:46 a.m.

VEHICLE:                Unit 1- 2010 Black Ford

DRIVER:                   Unit 1- Jordan Davidson, 18-year-old male of Vienna, IL (Deceased)

PASSENGER:           Juvenile, 17-year-old of Vienna, IL (Deceased)

                                    Juvenile, 15-year-old of Vienna, IL (Deceased)

                                    Juvenile, 15-year-old of Vienna, IL (Transported to a local area hospital with injuries)

                                    Juvenile, 15-year-old of Vienna, IL (Transported to a local area hospital with injuries)

                                    Juvenile, 15-year-old of Harrisburg, IL (Transported to a local area hospital with injuries)

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred:  Unit 1 was westbound on Ozark Road near Locust Street.  Unit 1 ran off the roadway to the right and struck a tree.  No additional information is available. 

CHARGES:               Pending Investigation                                                                                

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law