ISP ANNOUNCE ARREST FOR AGGRAVATED BATTERY TO A POLICE OFFICER

Effingham, IL - Illinois State Police (ISP) officials announce the arrest of Marcus Pocrnich, a 21-year-old male from Effingham, IL for Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer.

On June 27, 2021 at approximately 12:27 a.m., a District 12 Trooper was participating in a DUIE (Roadside Safety Check), when he observed what appeared to be a pistol between the driver seat and center console of a vehicle that he was checking. The Trooper attempted to gain control of the pistol after the driver refused to comply with the Trooper’s commands and locked his door. A brief struggle ensued between the driver and the Trooper. The driver grabbed the Troopers arm and accelerated, driving away and dragging the Trooper approximately 25 yards down the roadway before the Trooper was able to free himself. The driver ignored Troopers commands to stop and continued to drive away at a high rate of speed. ISP District 12 Troopers, along with officers from the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Effingham City Police Department and the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office pursued the vehicle before eventually taking the driver and all occupants of the vehicle safely into custody. The driver was identified as Marcus Pocrnich (M/21) of Effingham, IL.

The Trooper sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was treated and released at a local hospital. The Trooper is a 3.5-year veteran of the Illinois State Police. 

On June 28, 2021, the Effingham County States Attorney charged Pocrnich with two Counts of Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer, one Count of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding and one Count of Resisting a Police Officer Causing Injury. Pocrnich was also issued numerous traffic citations. The investigation remains open and ongoing and no further information is available at this time.

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Surveillance Camera Helps Nab River Camp Thief


On 6/28/21, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Richard H. Perry III, age 44, on a Theft charge following a theft complaint from a river camp on Hydraulic Ave. It was alleged that Perry stole a battery from a camper, which was caught on a surveillance camera nearby. Perry was later located in the 1000 block of Chestnut Street where he was issued the charge before being released on a Notice to Appear in Wabash Circuit Court.

Mt. Carmel Man Picked Up On Two White County Warrants

On 6/27/21, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Dakota L.A. Hosick, age 23, of Mt. Carmel, on two White County Theft Warrants as well as for driving while license suspended following a traffic stop in the 800 block of Walnut Street. Hosick was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail. He was cited for the traffic offense and issued the warrant being held pending extradition to White County, Illinois.

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Judge: Price Tag To Upgrade Pool Could Be $2 Million

The struggles continue at the Mt. Carmel City Pool. Various issues have plagued the city pool this summer starting with a lack of lifeguards that caused a delay to the traditional opening of the pool. Now, Mayor Joe Judge says there are a variety of other issues that need to be addressed sooner than later. Acting on Judge’s recommendation, the city council yesterday authorized Charleston Consulting to return to the pool and give an updated assessment of the pool’s needs. Judge said the future of the pool may hang in the balance in terms of which direction the council chooses…. 

Judge said improvements to the pool won’t be cheap… 

 

Added to the list of headaches, Judge said the pool is losing 4,000 gallons of water every day. The city has applied for a state grant that would pay for the majority of the work. But if the city doesn’t receive the grant, Judge said the USDA has loans available and part of the city’s COVID relief money might be targeted to the pool improvements.  

WGH Project Takes Big Step Forward

Wabash General Hospital officials and community leaders gathered at WGH Friday afternoon for a ceremony to mark the final steel beam being put into place for the new medical office building being constructed on the WGH campus. Hospital President/CEO Karissa Turner explained the significance of Friday’s “topping out” ceremony….

Turner said the project remains on scheduled to open next year.

Work on other aspects of the overall construction project continues at WGH including the expansion of the orthopedics/sports medicine center on College Drive.

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Regional Superintendent To Enact New Truancy Effort

The new school year is sure to bring some big adjustments for students, especially those who may not have taken remote learning as seriously as they should have. Dr. Beth Rister is the regional superintendent of schools and she told Wabash County Commissioners this week that a new truancy program is being developed at the grade school level trying to head off bad attendance habits at an earlier age. Rister said the new program will target students in third through fifth grade because once students get to junior high it’s often too late to emphasize the importance of daily school attendance….

 

 

Rister said the current truancy efforts aren’t working. She said an interview is planned for next week with a candidate to take on the position.

County Awaits Word On DOC Reimbursement Status

It’s unclear yet how much money Wabash County will receive out of the $25 million the General Assembly has approved to repay counties for housing inmates during the pandemic that should’ve been in state prison. Sheriff Derek Morgan told the county board recently that the $25 million will be divvied up among all Illinois counties, with the exception of Cook.