The Wabash District #348 school board took these personnel actions at their monthly meeting Monday night at MCGS….
Indiana Department of Education Announces School Allocations from American Rescue Plan Act
NOTE: North Gibson School Corp is set to receive $2,677,691.42, Gibson Southern $1,172,507.01, and East Gibson $974,841.12.
INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced today the estimated funds that public school districts across the state will receive as part of the third round of federal stimulus dollars (American Rescue Plan Act). Together, these school allocations total nearly $1.8 billion.
Planning allocations for public school districts are available here. Planning allocations for Indiana’s non-public schools, which together total an additional $78 million, will be released later this spring.
“Over the past year, this is the third round of federal funding allowing many Indiana schools access to unprecedented resources to sustainably invest in their future,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “While the needs may vary from one school to the next, it’s critical that schools are strategically planning to maximize their return on investment, in turn achieving the greatest outcomes for students.”
With this funding, schools can reimburse approved expenses incurred through September 2024 that address some of the greatest challenges schools continue to face as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Per federal requirements, schools must use at least 20 percent of these funds to support accelerated learning opportunities for students, as schools work to make up for lost instructional time due to COVID-19. These evidence-based interventions may include summer learning or enrichment, comprehensive afterschool programs, extended school years programs, etc. Additional information about allowable uses is available here.
Mt. Carmel Woman Arrested On Harassment By Telephone Charge
On 4/16/21, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Jessica K. Perry, age 37, of Mt. Carmel, for Harassment by Telephone following a complaint about repeated and harassing phone calls to the alleged victim. Perry had been warned prior to this date by police to cease contact at the request of the alleged victim, however, the calls continued according to the alleged victim. Perry was taken into custody at her residence in the 800 block of West 6th Street and transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was processed and later released with her court date.
Mt. Carmel Man Jailed On FTA Warrant
On 4/17/21, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Christopher J. Perry, age 35, of Mt. Carmel, on a Wabash County Warrant for Failure to Appear on a Criminal Damage to Property charge. Perry was located in the 200 block of Beauchamp Street where he was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Perry was issued his warrant and held on a $300 cash bond.
Drug Charges Filed Against Mt. Carmel Man After Being Picked Up On Theft Warrant
On 4/16/21, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Kevin L. Wagner, age 58, of Mt. Carmel, on a Wabash County Warrant for Theft. Wagner was observed operating a gold Buick in the 1900 block of N Cherry Street. The officer knew Wagner had an arrest warrant so a traffic stop was conducted. Prior to being stopped, the arresting officer observed Wagner deposit an item onto the roadway. An assisting Wabash County Sheriff’s Deputy recovered the item and found it to be a glass smoking device with suspected narcotics residue inside of it. Additionally, officers located a hypodermic needle hidden in the truck lining as well. Wagner was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued his warrant along with a statement of charge for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Hypodermic Needle. After jail processing, Wagner was released with a court date for said charges.
Evansville woman arrested on drug charge
On April 16, 2021, AT 1:52 p.m. Deputy U.B. Smith conducted a traffic stop on a Gray 2008 Dodge Pickup for making an unsafe lane change on US 41 near County Road 800 South. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Smith identified the occupants and began a roadside investigation. During the investigation Methamphetamines were found and 52-year-old Angel Gray of Evansville who was a passenger in the vehicle was taken into custody. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Smith transported Ms. Gray to the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with Possession of Methamphetamines. She has since posted a $750 bond.
Assisting Deputy Smith 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.
Princeton woman arrested on DUI charge
On April 16, 2021, at 3:22 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a possible impaired driver on US 41 near Fort Branch, Indiana. The caller provided a description of the vehicle and Deputy Brian Naas was able to locate the vehicle and upon following the vehicle he observed that the driver was having trouble maintain their lane of travel. At that point Deputy Naas conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as 56-year-old Jane Schoening of Princeton. During the traffic stop Deputy Naas observed an open bottle of alcohol inside the vehicle and began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Naas placed Ms. Schoening into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail Ms. Schoening was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. She has since posted a $650 bond.
Assisting Deputy Naas in his investigation was Captain Bryan Ellis.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Bridgeport Man Dead Following US 50 Crash
ISP INVESTIGATES FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Two Unit Fatal Traffic Crash
WHERE: US Route 50 westbound, just east of Illinois Route 33, Allison Township, Lawrence County
WHEN: April 16, 2021 at 1:26 p.m.
VEHICLES: Unit 1 – Red 2007 Dodge Dakota
Unit 2 – Green 2005 Chevrolet Uplander
DRIVERS: Unit 1 –Philip S. Cretors, a 55-year-old male from Bridgeport, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries where he succumbed to his injuries.
Unit 2 – Holly M. Fessler, a 52-year-old female from Petersburg, IN – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling westbound on US Route 50, just east of Illinois Route 33. Unit 1 had stopped in the right lane, put the vehicle in park, and had flashers activated. Unit 2 was also traveling westbound on US Route 50, just east of Illinois Route 33. Unit 2 struck the rear of Unit 1. Both parties were transported by ambulance to an area hospital, where the driver of Unit 1 succumbed to his injuries. The Illinois State Police Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit (TCRU) is continuing the investigation. No further information will be disseminated at this time.
CHARGES: The driver of Unit 2 was cited for Operating an Uninsured Motor Vehicle and Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
City Council Approves Change In Cell Tower Agreements
The city council has given preliminary approval to a change in the contract with American Tower for two cell towers on city property. The towers are on Railroad Street and at the golf course and bring in around $12,700 a piece annually for the city. Now, American Tower wants to pay the city a lump sum of $180,000 for each tower in exchange for a perpetual easement. Finance Commissioner Eric Ikemire said the city could take the $360,000 and put it in the bank and draw the interest. Barring any significant changes, the council gave City Clerk Rudy Witsman permission to accept the offer of the lump sum payments.
City Ending Fiscal Year On Positive Note
As the city of Mt. Carmel heads into the final two weeks of its’ fiscal year, finance commissioner Eric Ikemire says the city has done remarkably well given all that’s happened over the last 12 months because of the pandemic. One area that Ikemire highlighted was the city’s share of video gambling money. According to Ikemire, the city brought in $59,329 compared to the budgeted $60,000. Another area Ikemire said was a surprise was monies from the state…
Through 8 months, Ikemire said the city has collected $669,000 in sales tax which is down from the previous year but comparable to the two years prior. State income tax is at the highest level in the last four years at $671,000 through the first 10 months of the first year. The city council will approve the budget for the new fiscal year that begins May 1st at their next meeting on Monday.