Adjustment In Hours Coming To Mt. Carmel City Hall

Mt. Carmel City Hall’s lobby is currently closed to the public because of at least one employee testing positive for COVID-19. But when city hall reopens to the public, Mayor Joe Judge said there’ll be an adjustment in hours. He said starting around the first of the year, City Hall will be closed during the lunch hour to limit workers’ exposure to the virus. Presently, workers stagger their lunch hours so city hall can remain open throughout the day.

Officials also announced over the weekend that the Mt. Carmel Fire Station is closed to the public until further notice. If you need non-emergency assistance, you can call 262-4311 and for emergencies, call 9-1-1.

Logistical Issues May Complicate Vaccine Distribution

Many states in the U.S. are hinging their COVID-19 mitigation strategies on the availability of a widely available vaccine. An issue bound to arise is the extremely cold temperatures the most promising experimental vaccines need to be kept at and the logistics of delivering them across the country.

Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine is estimated to remain stable at standard refrigerator temperatures of 36° to 46°F for 30 days. Longer storage means a required temperature of mRNA-1273 needs -4°F for up to six months.

Pfizer’s most-promising vaccine is even more fickle, requiring a storage temperature of minus 92 Fahrenheit, which the company says will last 10 days in one of their specialized containers.

Dispersing the vaccines across the country while keeping their temperature low is going to prove a monumental challenge in need of business-government cooperation not seen since World War II, said Mike Kucharski, co-owner and vice president of Summit Cold Storage in the Chicago area.

“It’s going to go over the rail, it’s going to go over the road, it’s going to definitely hit air cargo to be shot all over places,” he said. “All hands on deck will be needed to get this out to all the people.”

The additional cost, Kucharski said, is likely to be significant.

“These trucks are delivering other essential goods and Pfizer, to cover these loads, they’re going to have to pay more,” he said.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said last week that he expects federal dollars to account for much of the cost of the distribution of the eventual vaccine for COVID-19.

‘Circus’ of picking next Illinois House speaker could compound state’s problems

Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, has not been charged in the ComEd bribery scheme and maintains he’s done nothing wrong. That hasn’t kept even more Democrats announcing they won’t support the speaker.

Utility ComEd has admitted it paid $1.3 million over nine years in bribes to Madigan associates in an effort to influence the speaker. Five people, including three former ComEd officials, have been charged in the scheme. One pleaded guilty in September. Two were charged late Wednesday, as were two others, including close Madigan associate Michael McClain.

Since then, enough House Democrats have come out publicly to say they won’t support Madigan for another term as speaker, a role he’s held for all but two years since 1983.

Longtime Illinois politics professor and observer Kent Refield noted two instances over the past 50 years, before Madigan was speaker, where balloting for leadership in the General Assembly took dozens of rounds.

“If the stakes were not so high and we were not in so much trouble fiscally, and in terms of our public health, this would be a great circus to watch,” Redfield said. “But there are real problems that need to be addressed and this is shaping up to be a real diversion that the governor would like off the table yesterday.”

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Thursday it’s up to Democrats who will be speaker, but stopped short of calling a special session for such action.

“Look, the legislators themselves know what they need to consider,” Pritzker said. “They’re the ones who ultimately are going to decide whether the speaker is going to continue.”

Redfield said with Madigan projected to have lost enough support, dooming his chance to win another historic term, there could be some collaboration to get to 60 votes.

“There certainly is precedent for some minority party members crossing over to elect a speaker of the House,” Redfield said. “It’s just one more fascinating turn in a year that’s been beyond crazy.”

House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, doesn’t expect any such horsetrading.

“This is a problem with the Democrats,” Durkin said. “We are in the minority. They’re the ones that have to make a decision, put on their big boy and big girl pants and do something that’s right for the state of Illinois.”

Durkin and Republicans demanded a new speaker be chosen immediately.

Madigan and Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, canceled fall session. They’re not back until just before the new Legislature is seated in January. The governor could call them back, but he has not indicated he will.

Some Illinois Counties Vote To Cut Off Chicago, Make New State

Several counties in downstate Illinois voted in the recent election to break off from the state of Illinois to create a new one.

Among the counties who voted in favor were Christian, Shelby and Moultrie Counties, as reported by ABC 20. In Christian County, the proposal passed 6,858 to 3,049. Shelby County voted in favor, 8,470 votes in support and 3,189 against. In Moultrie County, 4,610 voted for it and 1,969 against.

Moultrie County Chairman, David McCabe, said what residents voted on was an advisory referendum to have discussions with other counties.

“It’s going to have to go before the legislature so there’s a process that’s going to have to play out, but this initial vote shows there are a number of citizens that are in favor of at least talking about this,” McCabe said.

“Whether it actually gets to a separation or not remains to be seen, but it does show there’s dissatisfaction and concern within the citizens of downstate Illinois,” McCabe said.

One of the groups working toward a separate state is 'New Illinois.'

“There’s a lack of accountability, absorption of power into one geographic point and that allows not just one growth of supermajorities,” State Chairman of 'New Illinois' G.H. Merritt told ABC 20.

“What happens is it addresses the interest economy and needs of a major area, but neglects the rest of the state,” Merritt said.

McCabe echoed that sentiment.

“A lot of the money I’m familiar with goes to Chicago for the tollway and transportation and a lot of those kinds of things which, you know, takes it away from downstate Illinois,” McCabe said.

The county-level resolutions are different from the “New Illinois” movement.

The board voted to include the referendum on the ballot after a group of several residents approached them and asked to have it included, stated McCabe. After some preliminary questions on the part of the board, the group came back and presented more information at several subsequent meetings.

“The reason the county board voted to do that is because we had a group of citizens that asked us to,” McCabe said.

“And it was carried by a fairly wide margin so I think there’s a number of citizens within the county that think it’s time that the voices are heard a little more throughout the state of Illinois. And I think that’s what this does; it gives those citizens more clout to visit with other powers that be within the state government to show that there is a growing concern within downstate Illinois about the disparity between Cook County and the rest of Illinois," McCabe said.

Pork Industry Bouncing Back After COVID-19 Disruptions

After a summer of supply disruptions thanks to COVID-19, the pork industry is back on track.

In Illinois, Jennifer Tirey, executive director for the Illinois Pork Producers Association, said plants are back up to approximately 95% capacity.

“The biggest change was that we were able to identify the issues in the packing plants and get our animals harvested in a timely manner,” Tirey said. “The bottleneck occurred when we had shutdowns in the packing plants."

When the coronavirus hit, employees were either sick or afraid to come to work. Since then, packing plants have focused on creating a safe work environment so that employees could return, statedTirey.

“I don’t expect we’ll be back up to a hundred percent because our packing plants had to make changes within their plants to protect the safety of their employees,” Tirey said.

The industry learned some valuable lessons in the last several months, she said. 

“Our supply chain can be very fragile; so it’s very important to keep an eye on that situation and making sure that our labor force at the packing plants continue to stay well, and that we are able to support them and make sure they are safe and healthy in the packing plants because it’s so important in order to get our product to market,” Tirey said.

While things are looking better now, Tirey says the pandemic is unpredictable and there’s always a chance things could go south again. She said she hopes they’ll keep what they’ve learned in mind.

 “I’m hopeful we won’t see the same things happening with our supply chain, but we always have to be on alert to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Tirey said.

Over the summer, Illinois pork farmers were fortunate in that they did not have to dispose of many market sized hogs, Tirey said. Many who ended up with stock they couldn’t process gave animals to food banks.

“During this pandemic, they would rather see this protein going to family in need than to have to put an animal down unnecessarily,” Tirey said.

MCJHS Band Meets Composer, Randall Standridge

WRITTEN BY ELLEN WALL, BAND AND CHOIR/VARSITY DIRECTOR:

On Friday, November 20 the Mount Carmel Junior High Band had a special guest speaker attend their class via a Google Meet meeting. Mr. Randall Standridge, who is a well-known band composer from Arkansas, met with the 7th & 8th-grade band students and teacher, Ellen Wall to discuss what it is like to be a composer. They also discussed several of his pieces that the band is currently working on. The band hopes to present several of his pieces via video concert soon.

MCHS MUSIC STUDENTS ATTEND 2020 ILMEA SENIOR LEVEL DISTRICT VIRTUAL FESTIVAL

WRITTEN BY MAGGEE BLEYER - STUDENT/MUSIC DEPT/INTERACT CLUB:

On Saturday, November 21st, selected Mount Carmel High School students attended the 2020 ILMEA Senior Level District Virtual Festival. ILMEA, in the past, held this festival at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, festivals had to be virtual this year. Besides the circumstances, students still participated in the festival and enjoyed their special ILMEA experience.  There were two masterclass sessions overall for the festival. The first sessions ran from 9:00 to 10:45, and the second sessions began at 11:00 and ended at noon. The sessions focused on teaching students about the structures of their voice/instrument, enlightening them on music techniques, answered questions from the students, and also explored music-related careers. 

Students auditioned virtually last month for ILMEA. Auditionees were either accepted into Senior Vocal Jazz, Senior Choir, Senior Band, and or Senior Jazz Band. As a result of making ILMEA and participating in the virtual ILMEA festival, students have a greater chance of being accepted into All State or Honors Choir/Band. 

MCHS student attendees include:  

Senior Vocal Jazz sessions - Maggee Bleyer and Jonathon Bader

Senior Choir sessions - Riley Allen, Chase Dowdy, Elijah Gill, Macy Mandrell, James Martin, Timothy Rosignol, Brady Kolb

Senior Jazz Band I Saxophone - Hannah Shular

Senior Jazz Band I Trombone - Elijah Sherman

Senior Band I Tuba - Jacob Wall

Wabash County Homes & Businesses Asked To Decorate

If your Hustle & Bustle batteries are a bit weak this year, why not get a recharge for yourself, your family and your friends by entering your home or business in “The Sights & Sounds Of Christmas” decorating contest, presented by Christmas Uptown! It’s free to enter, and open to all Wabash county residents & businesses.

No specific theme has been named, encouraging entrants to decorate in whatever style brings out their best Christmas Spirit!

Several changes have been incorporated for 2020. In addition to the “Sights & Sounds Of Christmas Grand Champion”, judges will present a “North Pole Neighborhood” award for a block, street, urban or rural neighborhood (as determined by the judges) with the most impressive group of displays.

Also new this year is the “Merry & Bright Business Award”, “That’s My Favorite” People’s Choice as voted for on Facebook Wednesday & Thursday, December 16th/17th, and two or more additional winners in categories as chosen by the judges. Think “Best Depiction of a Hollywood Christmas Movie”, “My Favorite Christmas Carol”, or even the “Clark Griswold Award” (you might guess what that could be for). Only our creative judges will know until the announcement Friday morning!.

Winners receive a yard sign to display throughout the Christmas season, a $25 Retail Merchants Committee gift check, and a wall plaque to display permanently in their home or business. They also earn bragging rights until December of 2021!

Forms are available at the drive-thru facilities of First Bank, First Mid Bank & Trust, and First National Bank, as well as the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce @ 601 Market Street (lower level).

They can also be downloaded from the forms page on the Wabash County Chamber website or completed directly online from the “Christmas Uptown Mt. Carmel” Facebook page.

Deadline to enter is Monday, December 14th @ 4pm. Judges will travel the county on the 14th & 15th, and winners will be announced Friday, December 18th @ 7:45am on the WSJD 100.5 “Morning Show”.

The contest is made possible by the Mt. Carmel Eagles, Retail Merchants Committee, Jeff Thompson & Sons Oil Production, Mt. Carmel Lions Club, Travis Thompson Oil Corp., and MotoRad. Please message the Facebook page with questions.

Alan Clem accepts his RMC Gift check from Santa, while Sights & Sound of Christmas committee member and event co-sponsor Travis Thompson presents the Grand Champion his yard sign for display during the Christmas season. Clem also received the “Best Use of Sound” award for the second consecutive year. A total of 14 homes entered the 2019 contest, themed “Christmas Around The World”. The contest was open to anyone living in Wabash County, Illinois.

Francisco man arrested on DUI charge

On November 18, 2020, at 10:25 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Bryce Jutzi conducted a traffic stop on a 2004 Toyota Camry for failing to maintain its lane of travel on State Road 64 near County Road 200 East. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Jutzi detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver 30-year-old Charles Thacker of Francisco. At that point Deputy Jutzi began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation he placed Mr. Thacker into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail Mr. Thacker was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. He 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.

Patoka woman arrested for driving on a suspended license

On November 20, 2020, at 1:27 p.m. Deputy Brian Naas conducted a traffic stop on a White 1999 Nissan Pathfinder on US 41 near County Road 225 North. Upon approaching the vehicle he observed the registered owner 26-year-old Tia Hibbard of Patoka driving the vehicle. Deputy Naas ran Ms. Hibbard through the Indiana Data And Communications System and discovered that she was operating her vehicle while her operators license was suspended on a prior driving while suspended conviction. At that point Deputy Naas placed Ms. Hibbard into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with Driving While Suspended Prior. She has since posted a $650 bond.

Assisting Deputy Naas in his investigation was Deputy U.B. Smith.

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