MCHS Grad Headed To Air Force Academy

Maxwell Zimmerman, son of Mark and Susan Zimmerman of Mt. Carmel, IL, has been selected to attend the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Maxwell was 1 of 1,200 admitted into the class of 2025 out of over 9,700 qualified applicants. He began the process over a year ago and received a Congressional Nomination from Former Congressman John Shimkus in November 2020. In April 2021, Maxwell received his official appointment to the Academy. On May 21, 2021, Capt. Steven Zimmer presented Maxwell with his official Certificate of Appointment for the United States Air Force Academy Class of 2025. Maxwell will report to USAFA in June where he will complete six weeks of basic training before beginning his academic classes.

The United States Air Force Academy was “formed more than 60 years ago, [they] are a service academy where graduates earn a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force. United States Air Force Academy admissions is more selective with an acceptance rate of 11%. Half the applicants admitted to United States Air Force Academy have an SAT score between 1230 and 1440 or an ACT score of 28 and 33. In addition to academic performance and physical fitness, [the] admissions process carefully reviews strength of character and leadership potential.”

DNR director statement regarding George Rogers Clark cabin fire

Regarding yesterday’s fire that destroyed the George Rogers Clark cabin at Falls of the Ohio State Park, DNR Director Dan Bortner has issued the following statement.

“For twenty years, the reproduction of the George Rogers Clark cabin at Falls of the Ohio State Park has educated Hoosiers and our guests of the important role the site, and region, played in the history of our nation. This is where Merriweather Lewis and William Clark first met, in 1803, and began their journey of discovery together. It has long served as a peaceful place for Americans to meet, reflect, and celebrate events in their lives. We are deeply saddened by this loss.”

The DNR Division of Law Enforcement is working with state and local agencies to investigate the cause of the fire. Anyone who may have information is asked to contact Indiana Conservation Officer Central Dispatch at 812-837-9536.

More information on Falls of the Ohio State Park and the cabin is at on.IN.gov/fallsoftheohiosp.

Sheriff Says Domestic Disputes On The Rise In Wabash County

Wabash County Sheriff Derek Morgan reported to the county board this week that there seems to be a rise in the number of domestic disputes in the county.

In his written report, Morgan also said his department is still holding one inmate awaiting transfer to the department of corrections. Negotiations have been ongoing between the DOC and the Illinois Sheriff’s Association on reimbursing counties for housing prisoners who should’ve been in a state facility during the pandemic. But, Morgan reported the DOC gave the sheriff’s association an non-answer about negotiating payment last week. 

WGH Again Recognized As A Best Place To Work In Healthcare

Wabash General Hospital has been selected by Modern Healthcare as one of the 2021 Best Places to Work in Healthcare. The complete list of this year’s winners, in alphabetical order, is available at ModernHealthcare.com/bestplaceslist. Modern Healthcare will publish a special supplement featuring a ranked list of all the winners along with the September 20 issue of MH.

 "One year into the pandemic, we've seen the industry transform to meet the needs of its patients and employees," said Aurora Aguilar, Modern Healthcare's editor. "Time and time again, the most resilient and successful organizations show that empathy towards their staff, clear vision and compassion towards the patient buoys teams and sets them up for success. We congratulate the Best Places to Work in Healthcare for eliciting loyalty from their workforce and communities during harrowing times."

 President and CEO of WGH, Karissa Turner, stated, “As being the largest healthcare employer in our service area with 444 employees, Wabash General Hospital takes great pride in receiving this distinct recognition from Modern Healthcare for the second year in a row.  The leadership team at WGH values each and every employee at WGH.  We all have our own talents to share and when you facilitate a culture of family, trust, and teamwork, great things happen.  That’s what we are experiencing at WGH!  We value each team member for their contribution to providing high quality care while using their great skills to uplift our communities.  Our employees should be very proud of what they have accomplished together.  I’m extremely grateful to be able to serve with the WGH Family.”

 This award program identifies and recognizes outstanding employers in the healthcare industry nationwide. Modern Healthcare partners with the Best Companies Group on the assessment process, which includes an extensive employee survey.

 Wabash General Hospital will find out their ranking on the Best Places list and be celebrated at the 2021 Best Places to Work in Healthcare awards gala taking place on September 16 at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago. Information on the award gala and conference is available at ModernHealthcare.com/BestPlacesGala.

IDOT Releases $20.7 Billion Highway Plan

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced a 6-year, $20.7 billion highway improvement program.

As part of the Rebuild Illinois capitol plan, 2,779 miles of roads and 7.9 million square feet of bridge deck will be improved around the state. State officials say project selection was based on objective criteria, such as pavement conditions, traffic volumes and crash history.

“The projects in this multi-year plan will continue to create and support hundreds of thousands of jobs for hard-working Illinoisans across our state, bolstering our pandemic recovery in yet one more way,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday in Springfield.

Included in the plan are $5.7 billion for highway reconstruction and preservation, $4.8 billion for bridge improvements, $2.5 billion for strategic expansion, $1.4 billion for system support such as engineering and land acquisition, and $1.2 billion for safety and system modernizations.

Lawmakers passed the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan in 2019. It is funded in part by doubling the state's gas tax and tying annual gas tax increases to inflation.

“Moving forward across this state from metropolitan Chicago to downstate, and even to the very tip of Cairo, Illinois, where a major port project is underway, no stone will go unturned in bringing our transportation system back to life here in America,” said state Sen. Don DeWitte, R-St. Charles, the minority spokesperson on the Senate Transportation Committee.

It was also announced that Amtrak will resume full passenger rail service this summer. Passengers can reserve tickets for travel on the three state-sponsored routes connecting Chicago and Quincy, Carbondale and St. Louis beginning the week of July 19.

In accordance with CDC guidance, face masks are still required on public transit, including trains.

“As Amtrak begins our 50th year of service nationally, we look forward to growing our ridership back to normal and celebrating this fall when out Illinois IDOT partnership celebrates its 50th anniversary on Nov. 4,”  Amtrak Vice President Ray Lang said.

Amtrak has stations in 30 communities in Illinois and served more than a million riders annually prior to the pandemic.

ISP ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF WABASH/EDWARDS OREP

Illinois State Police (ISP) District 19 Commander, Captain Nathan Douglas, announces the results of an Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrol (OREP) held in Wabash and Edwards Counties during May. This OREP provided extra patrol coverage for the ISP so officers could focus on saving lives by making sure all vehicle occupants were buckled up.

Violations Enforcement Activity

Safety Belt Citations 13

Child Restraint Citations 0

Total Citations 14

Total Written Warnings 8

Most motorists know safety belts save lives, but some ignore their safety and that of their families by neglecting to use safety belts and child restraint devices. These patrols reinforce the occupant protection message by focusing on those who ignore the law. Lives can be saved if people simply “buckle up!” This project is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Roots 'n Que Receives Support From City And County Officials

Both the Wabash County Commissioners and Mt. Carmel City Council approved proposals Monday to help boost next month’s Roots ‘n Que Festival.

At the county board meeting, commissioners approved allocating $3,000 from the hotel/motel fund to help market the event.

A short time later, the city council approved a request from Terry Beckerman to shut down the 300 and 400 blocks of Market Street early on June 18th.

The city council also approved the Eagles’ request to host a beer garden during Roots ‘n Que. Spokesman David Brown said the fenced-in beer garden will be on the west side of Market Street near the 4th Street intersection. Brown said the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department will provide security for the beer garden. The beer garden will be a fundraiser for the Eagles who will donate proceeds on Friday to the sheriff’s office and on Saturday to the senior center for purchase of a new delivery van.

Roots ‘n Que is planned for June 18th and 19th.

Wabash County Slated To Receive $2.2 Million In Rescue Plan Funding

Wabash County officials are working hard attempting to secure the county’s share of funding through the federal government’s American Rescue Plan. County Commissioner Tim Hocking reported at Monday’s county board meeting that he has been working with treasurer Beverly McBride trying to satisfy the requirements for the county to receive the funding… 

Hocking said the money will have to be spent to reimburse the county for COVID-related expenses such as incurred by the health department. He also said the money might be able to reimburse revenue the county lost out on due to decrease court fines and fees. Once the money is received, the county will have until 2024 to spend it. 

Turner Thanks Commissioners For Support As Transition To New Position Begins

Monday marked Ryan Turner’s last City Council meeting as Mt. Carmel Police Chief. Starting June 1st, Turner is moving to City Hall where he’ll become city manager taking over for the retiring Rudy Witsman. At Monday’s meeting, Turner thanked the city council for their support…. 

Detective Sgt. Mike McWilliams will take over as police chief on June 1st while Eddie Johnson will assume the role of detective. 

WSJD File Photo: MCPD Chief Ryan Turner prays for law enforcement at the Wabash County National Day of Prayer observance on 5/6/21.

Pursued Vehicle Causes Accident and Sends Three to the Hospital

Vigo County - May 19, 2021, at approximately 8:25 p.m., Indiana State Police Putnamville Trooper Daniel Organ was patrolling in Vigo County.  While patrolling, he visually observed a white pickup truck that was traveling south on Lafayette Avenue above the posted speed.  Trooper Organ activated his radar and received a reading of 52 mph in a 30 mph zone.  Trooper Organ then attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver of the pickup truck disregarded the fully marked State Police car, with its emergency lights activated, and accelerated.  A pursuit then ensued.

The pickup truck turned from Lafayette Avenue onto 16th Street, then traveled through several city streets and alleys with the driver disregarding stop signs, driving recklessly through backyards and driving over brick and wood structures attempting to flee.  Trooper Organ eventually lost sight of the vehicle due to staying on the traveled portion of the roadway, but several bystanders, who witnessed the truck’s reckless driving, indicated to Trooper Organ the direction in which it continued to travel.  With the information provided, he continued to attempt to locate the pickup truck.  Upon traveling to the intersection of 13 ½ Street and Elizabeth Street, Trooper Organ observed that a passenger vehicle had been stuck on the driver's side and that the pickup truck, in which he was pursuing, was rolled over on the passenger side.  Trooper Organ immediately called for medical assistance and located the driver of the pickup truck to make sure that he was not going to cause further harm to anyone else.  Trooper Organ then began providing medical first aid to the driver and passenger of the struck vehicle.  

The driver of the pickup truck and the two occupants of the passenger vehicle were extracted out of the vehicles by the Terre Haute Fire Department.  All three were then transported to Union Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  

The driver of the pickup truck was then identified as Kenneth M. Rogers, age 37, of Terre Haute, Indiana.  Upon identifying Rogers, it was discovered that he had an active warrant out of Vigo County for resisting law enforcement.  During an inventory of Rogers’ vehicle, it was discovered that he was also in possession of marijuana, methamphetamine, and syringes.  Further investigation by Trooper Organ also revealed that Rogers was impaired. Once medically cleared from Union Hospital, Rogers was placed under arrest and is currently being held in the Vigo County Jail.  

Assisting:  Several Troopers from the Putnamville State Police Post, Terre Haute Police Department, Terre Haute Fire Department, and Lambert’s Towing.  

Arrested and Charges:  Kenneth M. Rogers, 37, Terre Haute, IN

• Resisting Law Enforcement with a vehicle causing serious bodily injury, Class 5 Felony

• Possession of methamphetamine, Class 6 Felony

• Unlawful possession of syringe (2 counts), Class 6 Felony

• Maintaining a common nuisance, Class 6 Felony

• Operating while intoxicated - endangerment, Class A Misdemeanor

• Driving while suspended (prior), Class A Misdemeanor

• Criminal recklessness, Class B Misdemeanor

• Possession of marijuana, Class B misdemeanor

• Operating a vehicle with schedule I or II controlled substance, Class C Misdemeanor

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.