Fast drivers at Lake Froman have caused the county to take action. At this week’s regular meeting, County Board chairman Rob Dean said he had instructed highway engineer Dustin Bunting to put up the gate on the west side of the county park to cut down on speeders. He also said he has talked with Sheriff Derek Morgan trying to get motorists to slow down. Dean said the park was a “race track” at times, especially at night with the number of speeders there.
Turner Updates Board On Timeline Of WGH Construction Projects
Look for construction activity to ramp up next week at Wabash General Hospital. At Monday’s WGH board of directors meeting, hospital president/CEPO Karissa Turner updated board members on the medical office building construction project….
Turner said the MRI truck will be relocated to the north side of the hospital campus on June 3rd. The main entrance of the hospital will be shut down on June 1st….
Turner said once the medical office building is occupied, the oncology building will be torn down March 25th of next year. Turner said work on the addition to the orthopedic clinic will start June 7th and completed by January 12th of next year with renovations of the orthopedic clinic done by next April. In the main hospital, Turner said the kitchen will close October 21st and remain closed until February 4th. She said plans are already in motion to cover the time the kitchen is closed. Turner stressed the construction dates will likely change as the project progresses.
WGH Photo
Wabash General Hospital Receives the 2021 Women’s Choice Award® as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience
Wabash General Hospital has been named one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience by the Women’s Choice Award®, America’s trusted referral source for the best in healthcare. The award signifies that Wabash General Hospital has been ranked within the top 100 hospitals of similar size based on number of beds, of which there were four categories. Wabash General Hospital was 23rd out of 1057 in the small size category.
Patients today are more involved in their care and demand a greater experience throughout their entire journey of care putting more pressure on healthcare providers to find ways to become more patient centered to meet these demands.
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, good patient experience positively correlates to disease management, adherence to treatment plans and health outcomes. Providing good patient experience is also good for business as it results in greater employee morale and satisfaction thereby reducing turnover and helping recruit top talent. It also keeps patients loyal and happy and less likely to change providers or systems again helping the bottom line.
There is also strong correlation between providing good patient experience throughout her journey and improved clinical quality measures including increased HCAHPS scores making the investment a win-win for all. According to a survey of healthcare consumers, 82% of consumers would switch a healthcare provider as the result of a bad experience. And 86% of women would travel up to 50 miles for a hospital that was rated best inpatient experience.
“Hospital choice is a critical decision, particularly for women, who make over 80% of healthcare decisions and providing a great experience for her throughout her patient journey is a win-win for all involved. Our designation makes it easier for her to choose a hospital where she and her family are more likely to have a better experience and outcome” said Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women’s Choice Award. “To help women simplify their choices, the 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience are awarded because they excel in the patient’s willingness to recommend, as well as doctor communications, staff help, cleanliness, providing recovery information, explanation of medications, communication by nurses and peacefulness of the room at night.”
Wabash General Hospital is one of a total of 400 award recipients representing the hospitals that have met the highest standards for patient experience in the U.S. by the Women’s Choice Award.
Karissa Turner, President & CEO of Wabash General Hospital, stated, “I’m incredibly proud of the work of our entire healthcare team at WGH. Our efforts to be the number one provider of choice stems from a system wide approach to providing the best experience to our patients. From the board, medical staff, administration team and all staff we work as a unified team to making our delivery system the best you can find in the area. Our team resiliently excelled throughout the challenging COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that patient experience was a top priority. We have the best team of healthcare professionals committed to the communities they serve actively demonstrating our motto, “People you know, helping people you love.” We couldn’t be more proud of the team for making our dreams of providing the best patient experience a reality. I encourage all healthcare consumers to research their healthcare providers for reviews and customer experience ratings before selecting a care provider.”
The methodology used to select Wabash General Hospital as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience is unique in that it evaluates specific Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey results along with primary research about women’s healthcare preferences.
The Women’s Choice Award collects the data for the following HCAHPS survey measures and uses a weighted average to award the best hospitals for patient experience:
· Effective communication with nurses and doctors
· Responsiveness to requests for help
· Providing patient recovery information
· Explanation about medications before being administered
· Bathroom and room cleanliness
· Peacefulness of room at night
· Patient recommendation rating
For more information on America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience, please visit https://womenschoiceaward.com/best-patient-experience
Georgia Man Injured In White County ATV Crash
ISP INVESTIGATES TRAFFIC CRASH WITH INJURY
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 19
WHAT: Single Unit ATV Crash with Injury
WHERE: County Road 2450 N eastbound at County Road 625 E, Burnt Prairie, White County
WHEN: April 29, 2021 at 4:10 p.m.
VEHICLE: Unit 1 – Green 1996 Honda Rancher ATV
DRIVER: Unit 1 – Joel R. Rosenbeck, a 40-year-old male from Waverly Hall, GA - 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 County Road 2450 N in rural White County. Upon approaching the intersection with County Road 625 E, the driver attempted to make a right-hand turn. Unit 1 overturned and the driver was thrown from the ATV. The driver of Unit 1 was transported by ambulance 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 Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (DUI), Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash, and Illegal Operation of an ATV on a Public Roadway.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
City Council Meeting Moved To 3pm Monday
Mt. Carmel Public Utility has scheduled a power outage from 5 pm to 7 pm Monday May 3rd so the Council meeting start time has been changed to 3 pm Monday May 3rd.
AGENDA
CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Monday May 3, 2021 at 5:00 pm
· Call to Order
o Pledge of Allegiance
o Roll Call
· Approve Minutes
o Minutes of meeting held 4/19/2021
· Visitors (topic discussed by visitor(s) is limited to 5 minutes)
o Dennis Miller
· Reports and Communications
o Mayor Judge
o Commissioner Meeks Streets, Cemeteries and Parks
o Commissioner Ikemire Finance and Senior Citizens
o Commissioner Dulgar Water and Sewer
o Commissioner Madden Fire, Health & Safety, City Hall and Garbage
· Staff Reports
o Rudy Witsman Dave Easter
o Brady Waldrop Ryan Turner
o Mike Gidcumb Francis Speth
· New Business
o Swearing in of Susan Zimmerman as City Commissioner
o Consent Agenda
o Removal of items from the Consent Agenda
o Consideration of Consent Agenda
§ Pay all bills bearing proper signature
o Consideration of items removed from the Consent Agenda
· Executive Session
· Motion to Adjourn
· Liquor Control
o Dan Peach – Eagles – Request for Special Use Liquor License for Roots and Que event
IECC SEATS NEW BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Olney, Ill. -- Illinois Eastern Community Colleges seated its new Board of Trustees on April 27. The Board also recognized Dr. Andy Fischer for his time on the board. Fischer, who also served as the Chairman of the Board for many years, announced his decision to not seek re-election late last year.
“Dr. Fischer has been an excellent chair for the IECC Board of Trustees,” says Chancellor Dr. Ryan Gower. “I don’t know if people fully appreciate how much work goes into serving in this capacity. Dr. Fischer was a steady hand that helped lead IECC through both good and difficult periods. He is a person of great vision and integrity, and we will miss his voice and leadership on our board.”
Five candidates, Jan Ridgely, Barb Shimer, Roger Browning, Brady Waldrop, and Jeffrey Cutchin sought election for three seats on the Board. Incumbents Ridgely and Shimer were re-elected, and Waldrop won the third seat. There were only 72 votes that separated the second-leading vote-getter and the fourth leading vote-getter.
“This race, like many at the state and national level, indicates how important it is for citizens to engage the process and vote,” says Gower.
In addition to Waldrop, a new Student Trustee joined the Board at April’s meeting. Sania Borom is from Wabash Valley College. “I wanted to run for the Student Trustee position because I wanted the students attending IECC to have the best opportunities and receive a good education, says Borom. “I am hoping to add new ideas and beneficial feedback for what the students at IECC need.”
“New voices and new perspectives are going to be important as we navigate the changes ahead,” says Gower. “Higher education, our resources, the needs of our students, and the needs of area employers, are changing rapidly. We have to keep pace. I believe Mr. Waldrop and Ms. Borom, as an attorney and a student, will each have unique opinions and viewpoints that will help us as we change and grow.”
The Board elected Gary Carter as its new Chairman. “Gary is an entrepreneur. His background in business and his connections in our communities made him an excellent choice to serve as our new chairman,” says Gower. “Higher education needs to think differently about how we achieve our mission. Chairman Carter understands that, and I believe he will challenge us to find new ways to work more efficiently and more effectively.” Trustee Brenda Culver was elected to serve as the Vice-Chair of the Board.
In addition to Carter, Ridgely, Shimer, Waldrop, Culver and Borom, John Brooks, and Alan Henager also serve as Trustees.
Toyota Indiana Welcomes Two, All-New Vehicles to Line-Up; Princeton Plant Will Invest $803 Million, Add 1,400 Jobs
NEWS PROVIDED BY
With its 25th anniversary right around the corner, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (TMMI) is poised to celebrate with gusto as it announces an investment sure to drive the team through the next 25 years and beyond.
Today, Toyota announced an $803 million investment and 1,400 new jobs at the Princeton, Ind., auto-manufacturing plant in preparation to introduce two all-new, three-row SUVs designed with the active Gen Y American Family in mind. What's more, only one will bear the Toyota name. The other will officially introduce the Lexus line to Toyota Indiana.
But, clout and luxury isn't all the investment will bring. While these new vehicles will be announced at a later date, both will join a diverse, electrified product portfolio and will help the company get another step closer to Toyota's global aim towards carbon neutrality by 2050—all this while furthering its mission of mobility and happiness for all.
Speaking of happy, these new additions will have customers bursting at the seams when they get a glimpse of the cutting-edge technology featured in both vehicles. When on sale, customers can expect a semi-automated driving system—which will allow for hands-free driving in certain conditions—a remote parking system allowing the driver to park and unpark from outside the vehicle using a smartphone, and a digital key that turns a user's smartphone into their key and allows them to share it digitally. Both the Lexus and Toyota versions will offer seating for up to eight passengers.
And, the Princeton automaker aims to achieve this goal with not only the type of vehicles produced but the production process itself. Toyota Indiana's environmental team has created thousands of metric tons in CO2 savings for the plant and invested over $4 million on CO2 reduction projects with another $2.7 million committed for the coming year. All of this ladders up to the products Toyota produces.
"Over the past 20 years, Toyota has led the way with more electrified vehicles on the road than all automakers combined," said Ted Ogawa, president and CEO of Toyota Motor North America. "This investment and new vehicle line-up will allow us to continue our work with electrification, expand our portfolio to around 70 models globally by 2025, and meet the needs of our customers while we accelerate towards carbon neutrality."
And, the team is well-positioned to take on this challenge. With more than 7,000 employees already, the investment will add another 1,400 and cement its ability to take on two new vehicles.
"Selecting Toyota Indiana for this opportunity shows the confidence Toyota has in our employees to take on new and exciting challenges," said Leah Curry, TMMI president. "Expanding our Toyota family by 1,400 is a challenge we are eager to accept. This is a testament to the strong workforce in the Southwest Indiana region. We're waiting with open arms to welcome new people and products to the family and can't wait to get started."
The $803 million investment will be used to prepare the manufacturing line for the new vehicles, production-employee training, as well as provide supplier re-tooling at their facilities. Since the first Tundra—the original TMMI vehicle—rolled off the production line in 1998, Toyota's total investment in the Princeton site is $6.6 billion. TMMI currently assembles the all-hybrid Sienna minivan, Highlander/Highlander Hybrid SUV and Sequoia full-size SUV, and has the capacity to assemble more than 420,000 vehicles annually.
"Toyota has been an incredible partner to the state of Indiana for nearly 25 years, and we're thrilled to continue that partnership in order to drive our economy forward," said Governor Eric J. Holcomb. "Indiana is proud to be home to the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in the nation, while providing a skilled workforce that is contributing to the success of companies across a variety of industries. I can't thank Toyota enough for the role they play in the strength of our manufacturing sector."
You can find video footage for this announcement, here.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana in Princeton, Indiana
Indiana Man Arrested On Bridgeport Blacktop For Speeding With Young Kids In Vehicle
On 04.25.21 at approximately 4:04 p.m. a north bound passenger car was clocked on radar at 95 mph in a 55 mph zone on the E 1200 Rd. (Bridgeport blacktop) The driver, Cory J. Folsom, 33 of Winslow, IN had three passengers with him. Two of the passengers were under the age of 2. Folsom was charged with speeding 95 in a 55, illegal transportation of alcohol and two counts of endangering the life or health of a child. Folsom was released from the scene with a court date and the three passengers were picked up on scene by another party.
Olney Man Arrested After Incident In Allendale
On 04.20.21 at approximately 2:25 p.m. the Wabash County Sheriff's Office responded to an address in Allendale reference an unwanted person. Once the deputy completed the call he advised the male subject involved in the call that he should refrain from driving due to his level of alcohol consumption.
At approximately 3:45 p.m. the deputy was conducting a traffic stop on Highway 1 south of Allendale. When the deputy was walking back to his patrol vehicle he observed the car involved in his previous call where he had told the owner to refrain from driving. The driver looked at the deputy and waved at him, allowing the deputy to identify him as the person from the earlier call.
The deputy finished his traffic stop and went to investigate the driver that had just waved at him. The car was traveling at 56 mph in a 40 mph zone and when the deputy initiated a traffic stop the car pulled onto the lawn at 17940 Highway 1 in Patton.
Following that traffic stop, 39 year old Kevin B. Milligan of Olney was taken into custody for several charges. Milligan was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was cited for Driving under the influence, driving revoked, speeding, illegal transportation of alcohol, and operating an uninsured vehicle. Milligan was processed and released with a date to appear in court.
IECC Board Honors Dr. Fischer; Elects New Officers
The Board of Trustees of the Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 reorganized for the next two years, at the regular meeting, Tuesday, April 27, at Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel.
Dr. G. Andrew Fischer was honored for his years of service to the IECC District and Board. Dr. Fischer, who has most recently served as Board Chairman, announced his retirement from the Board late last year.
Following adoption of a resolution for the election returns of April 6, the oath of office was administered to trustees Barbara Shimer, Robinson, Jan Ridgely, Olney, and Brady Waldrop, Lawrenceville. All Trustees were seated for six-year terms, expiring in 2027.
The oath of office was also administered to Sania Borom, who was seated for a one-year term as student member of the Board of Trustees. A student at Wabash Valley College, she succeeds student trustee Sutton Dunn.
Trustee Gary Carter was elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Trustee Brenda Culver was elected Vice-Chairman.
Trustee Barbara Shimer was elected Secretary Pro Tempore.
Ryan Hawkins was re-appointed District Treasurer.
Renee Smith was re-appointed Board Secretary and District Ethics Officer.
All of the officers were elected unanimously.
Action was taken to adopt all rules, regulations, policies and actions of prior Boards of Trustees.
A resolution was adopted listing the dates, times and locations of regular monthly meetings for the remainder of calendar year 2021. The meetings will continue to be held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., except for the December meeting, which will be held on the second Tuesday. Meeting location will rotate between the four colleges, as follows:
Tuesday, May 18, 2021, 7 p.m., Frontier Community College
Tuesday, June 15, 2021, 7 p.m., Lincoln Trail College
Tuesday, July 20, 2021, 7 p.m., Olney Central College
Tuesday, August 17, 2021, 7 p.m., Wabash Valley College
Tuesday, September 21, 2021, 7 p.m., Frontier Community College
Tuesday, October 19, 2021, 7 p.m., Lincoln Trail College
Tuesday, November 16, 2021, 7 p.m., Olney Central College
Tuesday, December 14, 2019, 7 p.m., Wabash Valley College
Trustees approved eleven articulation agreements between IECC and McKendree University, located in Lebanon, Illinois. These agreements facilitate the smooth transfer from IECC’s programs to the universities’ programs.
A lab fee of $120 was approved for the Unmanned Aerial Systems Program.
Two affiliation agreements were approved with Providence Family Practice for LTC’s Certified Medical Assistant Program and with St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital for FCC’s Medical Lab Technician Program.
Trustees approved a new District policy on catalog terms that will clarify individual student graduation requirements.
To comply with recently approved State of Illinois legislation, the Board approved the SURS Deferred Compensation Plan. This plan is employee funded and provides another investment option for eligible employees.
Activity Fee allocations for 2021-2022 were approved for FCC, LTC, OCC and WVC. The Board adopts the allocation of student activity fees at the colleges each year. The allocation notes what percentage of each dollar will be turned over to an appropriate self-balancing account in the auxiliary fund.
An architectural services contract was approved with Walk Architecture for improvements to the LTC Natatorium.
Bid committee recommendations were approved for acceptance of the bid received from Central State Construction for a total of $1,786,230 for HVAC work for District buildings; and for acceptance of the bid received from Brightspark Travel for a total of $58,710 for the TRIO Upward Bound Student Trip for 2021.
Contracts were approved for Chancellor Ryan Gower, FCC President Jay Edgren, LTC President Zahi Atallah , OCC President Rodney Ranes, and WVC President Matthew Fowler.
Employment was approved for Joshua Hoffert, Workforce Education Instructor, effective May 1, 2021; for Stephen Murray, Workforce Education Instructor, effective May 1, 2021; for Tyson Murray, Advisor, LTC, effective April 29, 2021 and for Shawn Poindexter, Information Systems Technician, LTC, effective April 28, 2021.
Resignation ratifications were approved for Sarah Burke, Nursing Instructor, located at WVC, effective May 14, 2021; for Mary Morris, Assistant Professor at FCC, effective May 15, 2021; and for Luke Stuckey, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at LTC, effective May 29, 2021.
Retirement ratifications were approved for Dr. Winifred Wolven, Professor at LTC, effective May 15, 2021; for Rickey Lamb, Instructor at Workforce Education, effective June 1, 2021; and for Scott McCallen, Broadcast Services Specialist at WVC, effective July 1, 2021.
Next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, May 18, at 7 p.m. at Frontier Community College, Fairfield.