At their monthly meeting Monday, the Wabash District #348 school board approved these personnel matters:
Odom Honored By School Board Upon Retirement
Last night was the final school board meeting for longtime District #348 educator Sheila Odom who is retiring after 34 years in the district. Odom has held a variety of positions in the district most recently as principal at the elementary school. She is being replaced by Jake Newkirk who is transferring from the junior/senior high where he had been principal there. Board president Tim Schuler presented Odom with a gift at the conclusion of last night’s meeting.
School Board Sets Flat Student Fee For 2021-22 School Year
The Wabash District #348 school board has adopted student fees for the new school year that is set to begin in August and the new fee should be simpler for parents and administrators alike. At last night’s monthly meeting, the school board adopted a flat fee of $60 per student. In the past, the student fee has varied from student to student. But the flat fee levels the playing field according to Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer…
In addition, Bleyer said breakfasts and lunches at district schools will be free again this school year per an order from the USDA. The meals will be free for students and district employees.
Two Jailed Following Pursuit Of Stolen Vehicle
On 06.21.21 the Wabash County Sheriff's Office coordinated with the Henderson Kentucky Police Department to locate a stolen 2013 Ford F-150 from Wabash County, at approximately 4:43 p.m. A pursuit ensued and was eventually terminated by Henderson P.D.
Information was later obtained that the stolen Ford was en route back to Wabash County. The Mt. Carmel Police Department and Sheriff's Office setup at the Southgate complex in order to stop the vehicle. After about two hours it was determined the vehicle came into Mt. Carmel on the west side of town. An MCPD officer spotted the vehicle and before a traffic stop could be initiated the stolen Ford sped off. The pair were thought to be armed at the time of the incident.
The vehicle pursuit went through Mt. Carmel when the vehicle collided with a Wabash County Sheriff's Deputy at 3rd and Elm streets. From there the stolen Ford went east on 3rd St. and south on walnut crossing the Wabash river bridge. The pursuit continued through the Crawleyville area eventually ending in a beanfield in Gibson County.
27 year old Skylar Nicole Johnston of Grayville and 40 year old Brent Lee McPhall of Mason, MI were taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail by the Indiana State police. Both Johnston and McPhall will have to face their Indiana charges before facing a slew of charges in Illinois.
Mt. Carmel P.D. and the Wabash County Sheriff's Office were assisted by the Gibson County Sheriff's Office, Owensville and Fort Branch P.D. and the Indiana State Police.
Princeton pair arrested during warrant service
On June 21, 2021, at 9:57 a.m. Officers from the Princeton Police Department and Gibson County Sheriff’s Office went to the 500 block of South Second Avenue to serve an arrest warrant on 30-year-old Kory Helm of Princeton. Upon arriving Officers spoke with 32-year-old Jacquelyn Bregenzer of Princeton and informed them of the nature of their investigation. During the investigation Ms. Bregenzer was informed that if she hindered law enforcement in their investigation she would be placed into custody and charged with a crime. At the conclusion of the investigation Mr. Helm was found to be inside the residence and was taken into custody. Ms. Bregenzer was also arrested for Assisting A Criminal. While being taken into custody she was also found to be in Possession of a Scheduled Drug. Officer Jason Swan transported Mr. Helm and Deputy Loesch transported Ms. Bregenzer to the Gibson County Jail. Mr. Helm is being held without bond on a Failure To Appear charge. Ms. Bregenzer was charged with Assisting a Criminal and Possession of a Scheduled Substance. She has since posted a $650 bond.
Assisting in this investigation were and Princeton Officer Nefty Padilla and Sgt. Bruce Vanoven of the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Judge: City To Receive $862,000 in Recovery Funds
The city of Mt. Carmel stands to receive $862,000 in American Recovery funds once the necessary application is submitted. At last Monday’s city council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge said it’s unclear how the city will be able to spend the monies, but last week it was reported at the Wabash County board meeting, their $4.2 million will have to spend on COVID-related expenses. Judge said more information on the funding will be announced once the first distribution of $430,000 is released into city coffers which should be later this month.
ISP INVESTIGATE CCL INSTRUCTOR FOR IMPROPER TRAINING AND FORGERY
Springfield, IL – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Firearms Services Bureau (FSB) Investigative Support Unit (ISU) and the Macoupin County States Attorney Jordan Garrison charged Concealed Carry License (CCL) Instructor Terry Lumma, 60-year-old female of Shipman, IL with Forgery (Class 3 Felony) and Providing False Conceal Carry Weapon (CCW) Certification (Class A Misdemeanor).
“The Illinois State Police takes these types of allegations seriously and will investigate those who attempt to defraud the system and bring them to justice,” stated ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “The men and women of the Illinois State Police, Firearms Services Bureau, continuously strive to protect and maintain the integrity of the FOID and CCL.”
In December 2020, the ISP FSB received a complaint against Lumma. The complaint stated Lumma was not teaching the CCL classes according to the CCL Act 430 ILCS 66/75 (ilga.gov). After a five-month investigation, the FSB investigators found evidence to support the allegations of the complaint. The case was presented to the Macoupin County States Attorney Jordan Garrison, who made the determination to file criminal charges. Lumma was charged with Forgery and Providing False CCW Certification. Lumma was mailed a Notice to Appear and is scheduled to appear at the Macoupin County courthouse on June 23, 2021 at 8:45 a.m.
Due to this investigation, the ISP FSB determined that all the concealed carry certification courses hosted by Lumma, failed to satisfy the mandatory requirements for concealed carry firearm training set forth in the CCL Act. As a result, training certificates issued to over 200 students by Lumma and submitted to the ISP as part of their CCL application have been deemed invalid. All of these students were sent letters notifying them of their status and are being provided a grace period of 60 days from receipt of the letter to complete the requirements for a new, valid CCL. During the 60-day period, the ISP will deem the CCL holder as valid, if the CCL is otherwise in good standing.
In accordance with Section 75 of the Firearm Concealed Carry Act, 430 ILCS 66/75, qualified instructors are required to teach all applicants, who are not eligible for prior training credit, a minimum of 16 hours of instruction approved by the Illinois State Police prior to issuing an Illinois Concealed Carry License Training Certification.
The ISP FSB provides a list of CCL frequently asked questions: IL Firearm Applicant Portal (ispfsb.com).
Road rage incident leads to arrest of Indianapolis man
On June 18, 2021, at 5:04 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a road rage incident on US 41 near County Road 350 South. The reporting party was able to give a detailed description as well as a plate of the other party. Sergeant Bryan Small located the vehicle at the Casey’s Gas Station located at 810 E. Park Street in Fort Branch, and Deputy Brian Naas conducted a traffic stop on the Black 2009 Dodge Avenger. During the investigation he identified the driver as 29-year-old Jordan Wyatt of Indianapolis. Upon running Mr. Wyatt through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Deputy Naas discovered that Mr. Wyatt was operating the vehicle as a Habitual Traffic Violator. At that point Deputy Naas placed Mr. Wyatt into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail. Mr. Wyatt was charged with Operating a Vehicle While a Habitual Traffic Violator. He has since posted a $750 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
5 Dead In Fayette County Crash
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by
Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Two Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash
WHERE: US Route 40 east of Fayette County road N 1750 Street
WHEN: June 19, 2021 at approximately 3:14 p.m.
VEHICLE: Unit 1- 2005 Pontiac G6
Unit 2 - 2007 Ford Taurus
DRIVER: Unit 1- Lloyd A. Rowe, 50-year-old male of Brownstown, IL (deceased)
Unit 2 - Hailey E. Funneman, 22-year-old female of Effingham, IL (deceased)
PASSENGERS: Unit 2 - Coleton Price, 25-year-old male of Shumway, IL (deceased.
Unit 2 - James W. Bowlin, 43-year-old male of Effingham, IL (deceased)
Unit 2 - Jeana M. Kollman, 45-year-old female of Effingham, IL (deceased)
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate that Unit 1 was traveling westbound when for unknown reasons, the vehicle ran off onto the right shoulder. The driver of Unit 1 overcorrected which caused him lose control of the vehicle. Unit 1 skidded into the path of Unit 2 which was traveling eastbound. The collision caused both vehicles to skid into the south ditch where they came to rest. The driver of Unit 1 along with all four occupants of Unit 2 were pronounced deceased on scene. No further information is available.
City Waiting On State To Approve Repairing Water Leak On Cherry Street
If you’ve driven in the 1200 block of Cherry Street the last couple of weeks, you’ve probably noticed a big wet area on the pavement of the northbound driving lane. The wet pavements looks particularly out of place on days like this when the temperature is in the mid-90’s with sunny skies.
Mt. Carmel water commissioner Justin Dulgar tells us the water is coming from a line break, but the city is waiting on the state to approve the repairs since that part of Cherry Street is also a state highway (Route 1).
So until the state signs off on the repairs, you’ll continue to notice the wet pavement, even when summer temperatures dry up everything else.
