Olivia Alka places 2nd in The District 5 Agriculture Education Career Development Event

MCHS SOPHOMORE MOVING ON TO STATE
BY NINA GEILING, AGRICULTURE TEACHER

"Getting Corney with Corn"

The District 5 Agriculture Education Career Development Event was held on Tuesday, December 8th where FFA Member Oliva Alka submitted a lesson plan "Getting Corney with Corn" consisting of 3 objectives with worksheets, note sheets, and a PowerPoint, prior to the event.  Each participant would then teach an Intro to Agriculture Education class presenting a ten-minute segment of their designed lesson to a room of students while the judges observed. The individuals participating were scored on their lesson plan, delivery of lesson as well as follow up questions. Oliva Alka placed 2nd in the district and will be moving onto state on March 6th at the University of Illinois!

Congratulations Olivia!!

Truck Driver Dead In Fiery I-70 Crash In Effingham County

ISP FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT  

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12 

WHAT:                      Single Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   Interstate 70 Eastbound Milepost 92 at the exit to Interstate 57 Southbound, Effingham County

WHEN:                      Dec. 09, 2020 at approximately 1:52 a.m.         

VEHICLE:                Unit 1- 2010 White Freightliner Truck Tractor Semi Trailer Combination

DRIVER:                   Unit 1- Pending notification of next of kin – Deceased

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling east on Interstate 70 at Milepost 92 in Effingham County. The driver of Unit 1 attempted to take the exit to Interstate 57 southbound and failed to negotiate a curve. Unit 1 left the roadway, overturning in the median and catching fire. The driver of Unit 1 was pronounced deceased on scene. The name of the driver will be released by the Effingham County Coroner’s office. The exit ramp to Interstate 57 southbound remains closed and should open in the next hour. This crash remains under investigation and no further information is available.

Ways To Recall Illinois Politicians Explored

Statehouse Republicans are looking to make Illinois voters aware there is a power they can have to clean up government throughout the state – they just have to change the state constitution.

The state’s voters approved the limited recall of a governor state constitutional amendment ten years ago after the Blagojevich saga. A recall effort must meet a number of benchmarks.

State Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, and state Rep. Mark Batinick, R-Plainfield, Tuesday proposed three constitutional amendments expanding recall to practically every elected office in the state of Illinois.

Batinick said one would simplify the recall provision for governor and expand it to all constitutional officers, including the Auditor General, Senate president and speaker of the House.

“The politicians need to start looking over their shoulder a little bit and when you have somebody like the speaker, who literally is not accountable to the people of the state, the people who have a lot of control over him, I think that that is a problem,” Batinick said.

Longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has held the post since 1983 for all but two years. Madigan has chaired the state Democratic party since 1998, giving him a nexus of political power by controlling how millions is spent on elections for Democrats who in turn support him every two years.

Madigan has also been implicated in a nearly ten-year-long bribery scheme, but has not been charged with a crime.

The Speaker of the House is elected by state Representatives. The Senate President is elected by members of the state Senate. Voters have little say. Another office voters don’t have a say on is the Auditor General. That’s selected by the legislature.

Along with the comptroller, treasurer, and attorney general, the first proposed amendment would require 12 percent of the number of votes cast for governor the preceding election for a recall election.

Another proposed amendment would allow voters to recall members of the legislature. That would require 12 percent of the number of votes cast for governor in that specific district.

A third would allow local elected officials to be recalled with a sliding scale of signatures needed, depending on the number of registered voters.

“We have an auditor general for years who has not explained his campaign finance violations,” Batinick said.

Auditor General Frank Mautino was found to have violated campaign finance law years ago from his time as a state legislator but there’s been little consequence. A civil case against Mautino is pending in the Illinois Supreme Court.

“We have a sitting state Senator that’s indicted,” Batinick said.

State Sen. Tom Cullerton, D-Villa Park, has pleaded not guilty to embezzling from a labor union in a pending case. He remains in the Senate, but former Senate President John Cullerton shift his chairmanship from the Labor Committee to the Veterans’ Affairs committee. The move allowed Tom Cullerton to keep his extra stipend.

“If you just Google ‘redlight camera’ and look at mayors, Google townships and look at corruption,” Batinick said, “so this is pervasive throughout government and the people of the state of Illinois deserve more power to recall these individuals when something bad happens.”
Barickman said other states’ voters have such power. Illinois should too.

“These rules can be changed,” Barickman said. “We can change them through the legislature as Representative Batinick and I have proposed here or they can be changed by a petition drive led by citizens.”

Proposed constitutional amendments through the legislature require three-fifths of each chamber before going to voters. That is if legislative leaders advance such measures.

The bar for citizen-led constitutional amendments is high and such amendments could face legal challenges.

Voters get to sound off on proposed changes to the state constitution every two years on a statewide ballot, if they’re certified. The most recent election had the proposed progressive income tax change lawmakers approved for the ballot. That was rejected by voters.

State Begins To Prep Public For Vaccine Roll-Out

After the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Tuesday deemed the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine safe and effective, Illinois officials are working to assure the public the same.

The FDA is expected to make a decision Thursday on whether to approve the vaccine. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said if approved, the vaccine will undergo further scrutiny by Illinois health officials.

“I’ve said it before and I will say it again. Illinois will only distribute a vaccine that is deemed safe, and we are one of many states that have established additional review panels,” Pritzker said.

If approved, Illinois officials believe a shipment could arrive in the state next week, but Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said it will take time before every Illinoisan can get vaccinated.

“Due to the limited supply of this vaccine available in the U.S., it will take months to roll out the vaccine to the priority groups, and even longer for it to be given to the general public,” Ezike said.

Joining the governor at his daily COVID-19 briefing was Bonnie Blue, one of the first participants in the Moderna vaccine trial at the University of Illinois. Blue said when the vaccine becomes available, take it.

“I’m here. I’m fine,” Blue said. “I did not have horrible side effects from anything.

It was not clear if Blue was given the vaccine or a placebo during the clinical trial.

Blue also encouraged Illinoisans to wear masks, use hand sanitizer and visit with friends and family by phone or video to reduce the spread of the virus.

On Tuesday, the state marked another milestone, surpassing 800,000 cases of the coronavirus so far, as IDPH reported 7,910 new confirmed and probable cases, as well as 145 additional deaths.

Since the start of the pandemic, IDPH has reported a total of 804,174 COVID-19 cases and 13,487 deaths.

Lawmakers Struggle With Ideas To Fix Illinois' Budget

There’s still no clear direction on how Illinois lawmakers and the Democratic governor will balance the state budget that’s around $4 billion out of whack. A Republican leader says there should be across the board cuts.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he’s eying cuts before tax increases.

“So that’s what I’ve been focused on and I will say I have not yet heard back from the leaders of what their best proposals are on what cuts there needs to be made,” Pritzker said. “So I’m awaiting their response.”

House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, reportedly talked with the Legislative Black Caucus about increasing revenue instead of cuts.

A spokesman for Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, issued a statement urging Republicans to produce recommendations for cuts.

"Republicans made it clear deep budget cuts were a better alternative to a Fair Tax," said Harmon spokesman John Patterson. "The voters have spoken. We now look forward to our colleagues across the aisle offering up the Republican cuts for public review."

Assistant Senate Majority Leader Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago, wasn’t specific about the cuts, but said they’re also looking to reverse some tax incentive programs.

“We’ll have to evaluate those things and determine whether or not some of those loopholes have to be closed in order to increase the revenue flow so we don’t have to cut as many vital programs,” Cunningham said Tuesday.

Messages seeking comment from Senate GOP leadership communication staff were not immediately returned.

House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, said he told the governor what to do in a phone call shortly after the election.

“The question came up of how we're going to solve the budget,” Durkin said. “The governor asked me what was my plan, I said ‘governor we need to go back, I’d like for you to go back to 2019 where you issued a statement that you were asking for six-and-a-half percent cuts across the board from your agencies.”

In September of 2019, Pritzker issued a memo to state agencies he controls ordering them to find 6.5 percent in cuts for the upcoming budget. Durkin said he has yet to see the results of the order. In May 2020 legislators didn’t incorporate such cuts and instead passed the largest budget in state history.

For the state’s Fiscal Year 2021 spending plan of around $42 billion, 6.5 percent would shave off around $2.7 billion. Pritzker announced before Thanksgiving the state would be borrowing around $2 billion from a federal loan program, but that would be short-term borrowing.

The governor has said he can find efficiencies in some areas on his own, but may need legislative action to shore up other spending. Lawmakers aren’t expected back in session until just before the new general assembly is seated the second week of January.

Princeton man arrested on auto theft charge

On December 7, 2020, at 12:07 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report that a Red 2003 Chevy S10 had been taken from a residence in the 500 block of Bittner Street in Owensville. Deputy Jennifer Loesch was dispatched to the scene and opened an investigation. During her investigation 29-year-old Jeffery Abbott Jr. was found in possession of the vehicle in Princeton and was detained. At the conclusion of her investigation Deputy Loesch transported Mr. Abbott to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Abbott was charged with Automobile Theft. He remains in custody on a $750 bond.

Assisting Deputy Loesch in her 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.

IECC Board Meeting Recap

The Board of Trustees of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, District No. 529 met Tuesday night, December 8, 2020, at Olney Central College, Olney, Illinois, and following a public hearing on the tax levy, Trustees certified the district’s levies for the calendar year 2020.

Updates were authorized for the current Board policy on Americans with Disabilities Act.  Revisions were approved to the policy to ensure services to students who will benefit from academic accommodations. 
The Board approved the Certification of Compliance with the Truth in Taxation Law and approved the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Designation of Tax Levy Year.  The Governmental Accounting Standards Board is the organization that establishes accounting and financial reporting standards in the United States. 

The board acted on recommendations affecting health care programs.  Affiliation agreements were approved with area health care agencies and an agreement was approved to ensure smooth transition for the District's Associate Degree in Nursing students to transfer to McKendree University’s Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.  Student handbooks have been updated and were approved for the District’s Associate Degree in Nursing Degree and Radiography Programs, and for Olney Central College’s Medical Office Program.

Trustees conducted a semi-annual review of closed session minutes. Under the Open Meetings Act, the board is required to examine closed session minutes at least twice a year.

Trustees approved an agreement with Wabash Area Development Corporation’s Head Start Program and Wabash Valley College’s Small World Child Development Center.  Under the agreement, each party will work to increase success for families leaving Head Start and going into Kindergarten.

Additions were approved to the  District’s updated Return to Play Plan.  The Return to Play Plan is IECC’s guide for navigation of COVID-19 for the District’s athletic programs.  

Employment was approved for Tyler Burr, Coordinator of Public Information & Marketing at WVC, and effective December 9, 2020. Change in status was approved for Andrea Pampe from Assistant Dean of Student Services at Olney Central College to Director of Instructional Services at Olney Central College, effective January 5, 2021; for Steve Patberg from Assistant Dean of Student Services at Wabash Valley College, to Registrar at the District Office,  effective January 5, 2021; and for Lynne Welker from Administrative Assistant to the Dean at Olney Central College, to Administrative Assistant to the Dean and President at Olney Central College, effective December 9, 2020.

Resignations were approved for Jennifer England as Health Sciences Specialist for the Title III Program at Frontier Community College, effective January 11, 2021; for Lauren Salesberry as Administrative Assistant to the President at Olney Central College, effective November 17, 2020; and for Linda Schalasky as Custodian at Lincoln Trail College, effective January 1, 2021.

Next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, January 19, at 7 p.m. at Frontier Community College, Fairfield, Illinois.

Scouts Raise $3,100 For Shop With Fireman/Cop/EMT Program

During Thanksgiving Week, Scouts BSA Troop 293G conducted a community service project for their Citizenship in the Community merit badge which is required in order to attain the rank of Eagle Scout.

Each Scout who earned the merit badge had to do a total of eight hours community service for a nonprofit within their community in order to earn the badge. The Scouts decided to do a fundraiser for the local “Shop with a Cop/ Fireman/ EMT” of Wabash County in order to help some of the lesser fortunate local children have a brighter Christmas.

The Scouts rang the bell at Buy Low in Mt. Carmel from 8 AM to 8 PM Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday the week of Thanksgiving taking a break on Thanksgiving Day and then coming back on that Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM.

Once the final tally was counted, these Scouts had collected $3,100 in the 46 total hours they spent on their community service project!

Scouts BSA Troop 293G would like to thank Buy Low for allowing them to execute their project as well as everyone from the Mt Carmel Fire Dept., Mt Carmel Police Dept., Wabash County Sheriffs Dept., and all of the Wabash County EMTs for putting together this very worthwhile program to help the children of Wabash County.

If you would like to donate to the Shop with a Cop/Fireman/EMT program please reach out to Capt. Mark Seaton at the Mount Carmel Fire Dept.

Mike Wilson Named National Certified Crop Advisor Conservationist Of The Year

WASHINGTON – Today, Michael Wilson of Allendale, Ill., was named this year’s recipient of the Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Conservationist of the Year Award.

The 2020 Award was announced by Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Acting Chief Kevin Norton during a virtual ceremony held by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The CCA Conservationist of the Year Award annually recognizes a certified crop adviser who exhibits dedication to exceptional conservation delivery and customer service and has shown to be a leader in their industry.

“Mr. Wilson has made significant contributions to the agriculture industry through his experience and dedication to conservation,” said National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) CEO Jeremy Peters while presenting the award. “His work and achievements truly make him a leader of stewardship and soil health.”

“Admirably, Mr. Mike Wilson is a true example of NRCS’s mission of delivering conservation solutions so agricultural producers can protect our natural resources and feed a growing world,” said Acting Chief Norton. “It takes partners like those in agribusiness with an eye toward natural resource conservation to achieve our goals to increase the overall stewardship of our nation’s farming, ranching and forest landowners’ operations on private lands.”

This year’s award recognizes Wilson’s over 30 years of crop advising experience. He currently works for the Wabash Valley Service Company with a group of CCAs to reach growers on about 600,000 acres in southeast Illinois. His work includes demonstrating to farmers practices and products to increase Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE), maintain or improve yield, and reduce nutrient loss to the environment. His teamwork with growers has resulted in an increased use of nitrogen stabilizers, with 85 percent of all nitrogen applications receiving a stabilizer in the product.

“Agricultural retailers and their employees play a dynamic and trusted role in conservation planning and Mike is a great example of this. ARA congratulates Mike on his award and is proud to be a partner in this annual recognition,” said Daren Coppock, President and CEO of the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA).

“TFI has known Mike for many years now, and it is no surprise to us that he was chosen as the Conservationist of the Year,” said Corey Rosenbusch, President and CEO of The Fertilizer Institute (TFI). “His commitment to conservation and to the principles of 4R Nutrient Stewardship is exemplary and reflects the values of agricultural retailers across the country who work with farmers to implement best practices.”

“Mike is a great example of the value of Certified Crop Advisers working closely with farmers and ranchers to promote conservation stewardship,” said Nick Goeser, CEO of the American Society of Agronomy (ASA), Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) and Soil Science Society of America (SSSA). “Not only is he a conservation and agriculture leader, but Mike is dedicated to training the next generation of CCAs to continue the legacy of economic and environmental sustainability.”

“Soil health and conservation are critical elements of agriculture sustainability,” said Dr. Barb Glenn, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). “We congratulate and thank Mike for his committed stewardship of our natural resources.”

Wilson was named a 4R Advocate by The Fertilizer Institute in 2013 for his commitment to helping growers implement the principles of 4R Nutrient Stewardship. He is also a regular guest speaker at Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, Ill., and works to support students by hosting field trips and tours of the Wabash Valley Service Company’s operations.

“Mr. Wilson is a natural teacher, and his real-world experience … always elicits questions from students about how to implement these strategies in our region of Illinois,” said Steve Hnetkovsky, assistant professor of agriculture at Wabash Valley College and Wilson’s nominator for the award. “He is a force of nature when it comes to advocating for responsible nutrient management and stewardship of our soil resource.”

Dean Elected County Board Chairman

Monday’s Wabash County board meeting was the first of the county’s fiscal year and that meant a reorganization of the board. Rob Dean was named chairman who takes over the position from Tim Hocking. Typically, the chairmanship rotates each year among the three commissioners. Yesterday was also the first meeting for new commissioner Scott West and new state’s attorney Kelli Storckman.