Wabash County Health Department administrator Judy Wissel told Wabash County Commissioners Monday that it appears demand for the COVID-19 vaccine is beginning to slow locally. She said some of the recent vaccine clinics haven’t been full and several appointments are open for the next clinic being held today at Parkview Christian Church where the Moderna vaccine is being given. Wissel said vaccines are available to anyone 16 and over in Illinois, but the health department only has the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines that require the recipient to be at least 18 years old. So far, the health department has given 7,884 vaccines in Wabash and Edwards Counties which does not include the vaccines Wabash General Hospital gave to its’ employees. According to Wissel, Wabash County has recorded 1,289 COVID cases, with 12 currently in isolation and 10 in quarantine. As of yesterday, the county’s positivity rate had edged up to 6%.
Litter Continues To Be Issue At City Park
Recent improvements to the Mt. Carmel City Park have translated into increased crowds using the park. And that has led to more litter according to Mayor Joe Judge…
Judge said there are plenty of trash toters that are dumped weekly to handle the trash. On a similar note, commissioner Tom Meeks said another toters is needed at the 5th Street boat ramp as the one there is overflowing with litter being a problem there as well.
USDA Approves WGH Financing; Construction Starting On Expansion Project
Construction activity is about to ramp up at Wabash General Hospital after the USDA approved financing for the $14.6 million expansion project. Hospital officials have been awaiting final approval at the federal level of the financing that will enable the project to begin. President/CEO Karissa Turner has said the financing delay could possibly aid the project as the contractor has indicated difficulties in obtaining construction materials because of a COVID-caused backlog. Prep work started this week on the construction site at 13th and College Drive with construction fencing and a construction trailer being moved in sometime in the next couple of weeks. Hospital officials advise motorists to drive with caution in the construction area as heavy equipment will be going in and out of the 13th Street area near the hospital. The centerpiece of the project is a two-story, 32,000 square foot medical office building that consolidates several physician offices into one building adjacent to the hospital.
Illinois State Police Announces March Activity and Enforcement
Illinois State Police District 19 Commander, Captain Nathan Douglas, announced today activity and enforcement figures for the month of March. Troopers in District 19, which includes Wabash, Edwards, Wayne, White, Hamilton, Saline, and Gallatin Counties, recorded 1,588 incidents during the month.
Enforcement activity consisted of 614 citations and 1,326 written warnings, including 331 speeding citations, 62 occupant restraint citations, 10 criminal arrests, and 483 written warnings for speeding. Troopers also assisted 64 motorists, conducted 171 Motor Carrier Safety Inspections, and investigated 36 traffic crashes. There were no fatal traffic crashes investigated by District 19 during March.
Moreover, District 19 issued 426 citations and 577 written warnings for “Fatal Four” violations. These violations are most associated with fatal traffic crashes and include DUI, Speeding, Failure to Wear a Seatbelt, and Distracted Driving.
Indiana State Trooper Arrested for Sexual Battery and False Informing
(Crawford County, IN)-This morning, investigators from the Indiana State Police arrested Ryan L. Griffith, a four-year veteran of the Indiana State Police, following an investigation into an alleged sexual battery which took place on February 27, 2021. The incident was originally reported to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, who then requested the Indiana State Police in Jasper conduct the investigation.
Griffith, who was off duty at the time, was alleged to have touched the female victim in an unwanted manner at a private residence in Crawford County.
Griffith is also alleged to have provided false information to investigators during the investigation, which upon its conclusion was turned over to a Special Prosecutor for review. As a result of that review, the following charges have been filed in the Crawford County Circuit Court:
Sexual Battery, Level 6 Felony
False Reporting, Class B Misdemeanor
Griffith was taken into custody without incident and incarcerated in the Crawford County Jail, where he is being held on a $7,500.00 cash bond. He has been placed on administrative leave without pay until the conclusion of the criminal proceedings, at which time, an internal investigation will be conducted to determine departmental discipline.
All Suspects Are Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty in a Court of Law
WVC Foundation creates John L. Acree Memorial Scholarship
The Wabash Valley College Foundation has created the John L. Acree Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship was created in honor of John L. Acree to encourage study in engineering, science or math. John was a 1989 graduate of Wabash Valley College and a 1991 graduate of the University of Illinois with a degree in engineering.
The amount of the scholarship will be $3,000, split between the Fall and Spring semesters. The applicant must be a graduating senior from a District 529 high school, or established residency requirements in accordance with policies established by the Board of Trustees of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges. Applicants also must have a minimum current GPA of 3.25 or above and must be accepted as a full-time, associate degree-seeking student at Wabash Valley College.
Preference will be given to an applicant who meets one of the following criteria. The applicant: is a relative of John and Kim Acree, is a Mount Carmel High School graduate, has an overall GPA of 3.25 or greater during high school, or is pursuing a course of study in engineering, math, or science.
Interested students can find the application online at iecc.edu/wvc/admissions-aid/scholarships under “Incoming Freshmen Scholarships.” For more information, please call WVC’s Financial Aid department at 618-262-8641.
NINE NEW BUSINESSES COMING TO THE AREA
Yes, you heard that right! Mount Carmel CEO will be holding their Seventh Annual CEO Trade Show on Monday, April 19th from 4:30 to 7pm at the brand new shelter house in the Mount Carmel City Park. These nine students, hailing from Edwards County, Grayville, and Mount Carmel High Schools, will be showcasing their work, selling products, taking orders and making connections with people interested in their efforts.
This free event is open to anyone in the region with an interest in entrepreneurship, community growth, and youth leadership. Come out to support not only these businesses but the multi-community funded program that allows our youth real hands-on experience in business.
Mark your calendars for the Seventh Annual CEO Trade Show Monday, April 19th from 4:30 to 7pm at the shelter house in the Mount Carmel City Park. Be a part of the excitement of CEO- Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities
2021 Wabash County Consolidated Election Results
Final Results
Wabash Community Health Center Receives FQHC Status
Wabash Community Health Center is pleased to announce it has received Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) look alike status by Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). Federally Qualified Health Centers are community-based health care providers that receive funds from the HRSA Health Center Program to provider primary care services in underserved areas.
Wabash Community Health Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality, affordable health care to all members of our community, which means we treat patients regardless of their ability to pay for services. Our health center provides primary care and behavioral health services. The Wabash Community Health Center was born from a collaboration between Wabash General Hospital and Wabash County Health Department in an effort to better meet the physical health and mental health of our community all under one roof.
Wabash Community Health Center provides comprehensive medical care from infants to elderly adults. Our providers can help diagnose, treat and prevent problems, helping you stay healthy. We also provide assistance with vaccines, such as flu and pneumonia.
Wabash Community Health Center offers behavioral health services to help patients struggling with mental health and substance abuse. Our services include psychiatric services for adults and children, plus counseling and therapy.
New patients are welcome and you can schedule an appointment by calling 618-263-4970. No one will be denied services due to an inability to pay. There is a discounted fee schedule available to all who qualify. Wabash Community Health Center is located at The Depot at 1001 N. Market Street in Mount Carmel, Illinois. For more information, please visit our website at www.wabashchc.com and follow us on Facebook.
Outdoor Prom Planned May 1st In Uptown Area
Weather permitting, next month’s Mt. Carmel High School prom will be held outdoors in the 300 block of Market Street. At yesterday’s city council meeting, junior class parent Tracie Guard received the council’s blessing to hold prom and after prom uptown including Merchants Park on May 1st. Guard said walk-thru will start at 5:30pm and continue with after prom ending at 2am. To accommodate residents in the uptown area, Guard said music that night will end at 11pm. In addition to the 300 block of Market Street being closed to traffic, part of the 100 block of West 4th Street will also be closed from the city parking lot to Market Street. In the event of rain, Guard said prom would move to the Anderson Building.