Unemployment At 5.1% In Wabash County

One year into the pandemic, Wabash County’s jobless rate in March stood a point and a half higher than it did last March.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports Wabash County’s unemployment rate was 5.1% in March compared to 3.6% in March of 2020.

According to the state, total nonfarm employment in southeastern Illinois was down 625 over the last year while employment gains were posted in trade, transportation, and utilities. Declines were reported in educational and health services, manufacturing, leisure and hospitality, natural resources and mining, construction, and financial activities. The lowest jobless rate in southern Illinois last month was in Randolph County at 4.4%, while the highest was in Pulaski County at 10.3%. 

City Fighting To Get Share Of Federal Rescue Funds

Mt. Carmel officials are crossing their fingers they’ll see a windfall from President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Act that is targeting monies to local municipalities. At Monday’s City Council meeting, Judge spotlighted what the city is in line to receive… 

In other financial news from this week’s meeting, the council adopted the budget for the new fiscal year that begins May 1st. Finance Commissioner Eric Ikemire said the budget was again “bare-bones” as it has been the last couple of years. One item that was included in the budget is the extensive repairs to the 3rd and Walnut Street area where a major water main break last year nearly depleted the city’s water supply. Water Commissioner Justin Dulgar said the estimated cost on that project is $135,000. 

Judge: Lifeguards Needed For City Pool To Open

Mt. Carmel Mayor Joe Judge says the City Pool is on track to open this summer, if one obstacle can be overcome…. 

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Judge said anyone over the age of 15 is welcome to apply for a lifeguard position by picking up an application at City Hall. He said officials will work with the applicant on obtaining the required certification. Because of the pandemic, lifeguard certification training has been halted for two years making it difficult to fill the positions.  

Allendale School Board Notes

At the April 2021 Allendale School Board meeting held in the Library of Allendale School, the board:

Authorized Superintendent Bowser to prepare a tentative 2021-2022 School Budget.

Set school fees for the 2021-2022 school year.

Approved the following end of year dates: Teacher Institute on Monday, May 24; 8th Grade Promotion Night on Monday, May 24; Awards Day on Tuesday, May 25; and the Last School Day on May 25.

Approved the purchase of two new BlueBird, 65-passenger school buses with gasoline engines.

Approved the resignation of Evelyn Newell, Assistant Cook/Custodian, effective May 28, 2021.

Approved the resignation of Alyssa Hopper, PreK Aide and Parent Coordinator, effective the end of the 2020-2021 school year.

Approved the resignation of Kila Garrett, Special Education Aide, effective the end of the 2020-2021 school year.

Approved an end of year field trip for all grade levels, to be approved by administration.

Approved to discard obsolete/excess equipment that was presented to the board

Early Morning Crash On I-70 Injures Casey Man

ISP INVESTIGATES TRAFFIC CRASH WITH INJURY

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

WHAT:                      Single Unit Traffic Crash with Injury

WHERE:                   Interstate 70 eastbound at Milepost 115, Greenup, Cumberland County.

WHEN:                      April 22, 2021 at 2:52 a.m.

VEHICLE:                Unit 1 – Yellow 2016 Ford F-350 Service Truck

DRIVER:                   Unit 1 – Joshua A. Devull, a 35-year-old male from Casey, IL - Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

PRELIMINARY:      Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling eastbound on Interstate 70 at Milepost 115, in the right lane.  The driver of Unit 1 fell asleep and drifted off of the roadway to the left, into the median.  Unit 1 struck several yellow crash barrels in the median prior to stopping inches from a concrete bridge support column.  The driver of Unit 1 was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. No further information will be disseminated at this time.

CHARGES:               The driver of Unit 1 was cited for Improper Lane Usage and Failure to Wear a Seatbelt.

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

Trespassing Complaint Leads To Arrest Of Mt. Carmel Woman

On 04.19.21 Wabash County Sheriff’s deputies responded to E 1020 Ln., reference a trespassing complaint. Once on scene they spoke to a female who had been driving around on private property without the owner's permission. When deputies made contact with the driver they located open alcohol within the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Consent to search the vehicle was granted and deputies located a clear pipe within a cigarette pack which contained residue, commonly associated with methamphetamine. A search of the individual's person revealed another clear pipe with suspected methamphetamine residue.

Tina M. Davis, 56 of Mt. Carmel was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia issued a notice to appear and released. Davis is scheduled for a court appearance on May 24th.

Judge Approves New Video Gaming Establishment On W. 9th Street

Acting as liquor control commissioner, Mayor Joe Judge has approved another video gaming establishment license. The applicant is for Pepper’s Gaming Parlor set to locate behind Dollar General at 1524 West 9th Street. Judge pointed out the license is the last video gaming liquor license available in Mt. Carmel. He said if any more establishments apply, the city council would have to approve expanding the number of licenses available.

New #348 School Board Members Sworn In

Meeting for the first time since the April 6th election, the Wabash District #348 school board last night reorganized for the coming year. Tim Schuler was re-elected board president, Kyle Peach replaces Neil Earnest as vice-president, and Janice Alka will remain as board secretary. Darlene Underwood was re-appointed district treasurer for a two year term. Before the election of officers, Schuler, Peach, Theresa Hocking, and new board member Mary Susan Wood were sworn in after winning new terms earlier this month. The board will continue to meet at 7pm on the third Monday of every month at the grade school.

New District #348 school board member Mary Susan Wood listens after being sworn in prior to the board’s regular meeting Monday night.

Board member Theresa Hocking is sworn in to a new term on the board Monday night.

Board president Tim Schuler reads the oath of office as he is sworn in to a new term.

Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer and school board member Kyle Peach at Monday’s meeting.

Dieterich Woman Injured In Three Vehicle Crash

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT  

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by

Illinois State Police District 12 

WHAT:                      Personal Injury Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   US Route 45 at 500 North, Effingham County

WHEN:                      Apr. 19, 2021 at approximately 1:52 p.m.

VEHICLES:              Unit 1- 2010 Black Chevrolet Camaro

                                    Unit 2- 2020 Blue Freightliner Truck-Tractor Semi-Trailer Combination

                                    Unit 3- 2005 White Toyota Sedan

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1- Landon Back, 18-year-old male from Effingham, IL

                                    Unit 2- Timothy Dodson, 61-year-old male from Polo, IL

                                    Unit 3- Elizabeth Feldhake, 21-year-old female from Dieterich, IL – Transported by ambulance to a regional hospital with serious injuries.

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling south on US Route 45 near 500 north in Effingham County. Unit 2 was traveling south on US Route 45 in front of Unit 1. Unit 3 was traveling north at the same location. The driver of Unit 1 attempted to pass Unit 2 and noticed Unit 3 approaching. Unit 1 driver pulled left onto the shoulder to avoid striking Unit 3. The driver of Unit 3 swerved left to avoid Unit 1 and struck Unit 2 head on in the southbound lane. The driver of Unit 3 was transported by ambulance to a regional hospital with serious injuries. Both Unit 1 and Unit 3 drivers reported no injuries.

CHARGES:               Unit 1 driver was cited for Improper Lane Usage and Improper Overtaking on Left.

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

Disturbance call leads to arrest of Owensville man

On April 17, 2021, at 8:27 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a disturbance in the Warrick Street Trailer Park located at 501 W. Warrick Street. Upon arriving in the area Deputy Brian Naas opened an investigation into the incident. During the investigation Deputy Naas collected statements from witnesses. Upon speaking with 40-year-old Adam Tucker of Owensville who had been identified as the suspect in a battery that had occurred he was Mirandized and questioned. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Naas placed Mr. Tucker into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Jail Mr. Tucker was charged with Battery and Possession of Methamphetamines. He has since posted a $1500 bond.

Assisting Deputy Naas in his investigation was Deputy Bryce Jutzi and Haubstadt Officer Joshua Hoover.

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