On 7/04/21, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Todd A. Adams, age 45, of Oakland City, Indiana and Jeremy R. Blair, age 39, of Mt. Carmel, each for Battery along with an additional charge on Adams for Domestic Battery. Officers were called to a residence in the 100 block of East 10th Street in regard to a fight in progress between a father and a step-father. Upon arrival, officers found evidence to indicate that Adams had caused bodily harm to his ex-wife which resulted in a physical dispute between Blair and Adams. Both subjects were charged and later released on Notices to Appear in court.
Report Of Suspicious Subject Leads To Arrest Of Mt. Carmel Man
On 7/03/21, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Zachary V. Keepes, age 31, of Mt. Carmel, for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Possession of a Firearm While Intoxicated, and Illegal Transportation of Alcohol following a report of a suspicious male on Easy Street. Upon the arrival of officers, they located the suspect parked in the roadway in a black Chevrolet truck. The Chevrolet then began to travel west on Easy Street. A traffic stop was conducted at which time the arresting officer became suspicious that the driver was impaired on alcohol. Field sobriety testing was conducted where the officer noted several clues to indicate impairment. Keepes was placed under arrest at this time. Keepes advised the officer there was a loaded handgun in the vehicle. Keepes has a valid conceal carry license. The firearm was taken as evidence. During an inventory of the vehicle, an open alcoholic beverage was located as well. Keepes was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and later released on a Notice to Appear in court.
Albion Man Arrested By MCPD On FTA Warrants
On 7/2/21, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Roger A. Conover, age 36, of Albion, on a Washington County Failure to Appear Warrant as well as an Edwards County Failure to Appear Warrant. Conover was observed in the 1000 block of Pear Street where he was arrested and transported to the Wabash County Jail pending the posting of a $400 cash bond or extradition back to one of the issuing counties.
Mt. Carmel Man Picked Up On Lawrence County FTA Warrant
On 7/6/21, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Clayton S. Kirkman, age 35, of Mt. Carmel, on a Lawrence County Failure to Appear Warrant after an officer observed him in the 500 block of Cedar Street. Kirkman was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued the warrant and is being held on a $1000 cash bond pending extradition back to Lawrence County.
Mt. Carmel Woman Free On Bond After Domestic Battery Arrest
On 07.05.21 at 1:30 a.m. the Wabash County Sheriff's responded to 2941 Wabash 6 Ave. to a report of a domestic disturbance. As the deputy arrived on scene a male and female ran into the residence from the front porch. The deputy made contact with another person in the residence and was invited in. A male subject fled the residence through a back window and could not be located. After a short investigation 46 year old Laura York of Mt. Carmel was placed under arrest for domestic battery. York was taken to the Wabash County Jail where she later posted bond on the 6th of July.
Website Ranks Best Illinois Counties To Live
A website that ranks the best schools and places to live in the country has ranked the top counties to live in Illinois.
Niche ranks counties by using a variety of factors including schools, cost of living, job opportunities and home values.
The most livable county is DuPage County just outside Chicago. DuPage County also showed up in the national rankings at #9. Niche lists Clarendon Hills, Naperville and Hinsdale as the best places to live in DuPage County.
Lake County was ranked second followed by McLean County in third.
Charlie Moore, president and CEO of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, says housing affordability helped put McLean County near the top of the list.
“The cost of a home in Bloomington-Normal or in McLean County compared to that of Cook County or DuPage County really is amazing on what you can buy per square foot in McLean County than you can in large major metro markets,” Moore said.
The median home value in McLean County is $167,000 compared with $308,500 in DuPage County.
The rest of the county rankings:
4. Champaign
5. Sangamon
6. Cook
7. Kane
8. Peoria
9. Will
10. St. Clair
11. Kendall
12. Monroe
13. Jackson
14. McHenry
15. Madison
16. Woodford
17. Piatt
18. Rock Island
19. DeKalb
20. Macon
21. Winnebago
22. Effingham
23. Brown
24. Tazewell
25. McDonough
Nationally, Los Alamos County in New Mexico was ranked as the most livable county in America, receiving an A+ grade from Niche. Johnson County in Kansas was second, followed by Hamilton County in Indiana.
Fairfield Man Arrested In Allendale On Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse Warrant
On 07.06.21 the Wabash County Sheriff's Office received information about a wanted person staying at 202 E. Marshal St. in Allendale. The Sheriff's Office responded to the residence and located 26 year old Randy Jacob Crews of Fairfield. Crews was wanted on an active warrant out of Wabash County on a charge of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse. The charge stems from a joint investigation with the Department of Child & Family Services from a 2018 incident. Crews is being held on a $3,000 cash bond along with a Illinois Department of Corrections No Bond warrant.
Pritzker Announces New Package of Incentives for Vaccinated Frontline State Employees
Press release from Governor JB Pritzker’s office:
SPRINGFIELD – As Illinois continues to lead the Midwest in vaccinating its residents, Governor Pritzker announced a new pilot program offering a range of incentives to state employees who work in direct care facilities and receive at least one dose of the vaccine. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA), the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) and the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) announced the drawings to eligible employees in late June and will announce winners on July 19.
Dozens of frontline employees will be chosen in drawings conducted by the Illinois Lottery. Lucky winners will receive:
Cash bonuses: ranging from $5,000 to $10,000
State prizes: a choice among lifetime hunting and fishing licenses, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum passes or memberships, and State Fair admissions and concert passes
Airline vouchers: first-class tickets to any domestic U.S. destination or coach tickets to any international destination on American Airlines
Sports tickets: home game tickets to cheer on the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Fire FC and St. Louis Cardinals
“Our state employees have worked tirelessly on the frontlines throughout the pandemic and I’m thrilled to announce this new opportunity to encourage them to get vaccinated,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “By further increasing state employee vaccination rates, we’re not just protecting our staff, we’re protecting our vulnerable residents in state facilities and our surrounding communities. Getting vaccinated is truly how we protect ourselves from new variants and put this pandemic behind us.”
“While our vaccination rates in Illinois are good, we cannot let our guard down,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “Across Illinois, we are seeing COVID-19 variants that spread more easily and quickly, and are more dangerous. Right now, the vaccines available have proven to be effective against these variants. However, if the virus is allowed to further circulate, it can and will mutate further. Getting vaccinated now can help stop the spread and mutation of the virus, and protect you and those around you.”
From the onset of the pandemic, frontline state employees have protected Illinois’ most vulnerable residents from IDHS developmental centers and psychiatric hospitals to IDVA veterans’ homes to IDJJ and IDOC facilities. To recognize their ongoing service to the state, employees who have taken at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose by July 12, 2021, will be entered into the free drawing. State agencies announced the drawings to eligible employees in late June.
“Increasing levels of vaccination rates is the only way that we can win the battle against COVID-19 and return to a sense of normalcy, said IDHS Secretary Grace B. Hou. “We want to make sure that every one of our health care workers who wants a vaccine can get one, and I hope that this latest effort inspires an even greater level of participation from our heroic staff.”
“Our IDVA employees have shown tremendous courage during this pandemic to care for our veterans, and I could not be any prouder,” said IDVA Acting Director Terry Prince. “I’m excited about this opportunity to reward them for protecting themselves and our veterans by getting vaccinated.”
“I am excited to participate in this pilot program that recognizes our amazing employees who have been vaccinated and gives our workers additional incentive to choose vaccination,” said IDJJ Director Heidi Meuller. “At IDJJ we are aware that vaccination is the best tool we have to protect all Illinoisans—including our state employees and the people they care for—against this deadly pandemic. IDJJ is grateful for the ongoing diligence and creativity of the Illinois Department of Public Health, as well as this administration, in their efforts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to maintain the health and public safety of the citizens of Illinois.”
“IDOC staff have demonstrated extraordinary courage, dedication and resiliency throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” said IDOC Director Rob Jeffreys. “We implemented a robust vaccination plan within our correctional facilities and thousands of employees took part. I am pleased they will have the opportunity to be rewarded for their selflessness and commitment to protecting the health and safety of their colleagues, incarcerated individuals, families and communities.”
“American Airlines is proud to play a role in this effort by Governor Pritzker to boost vaccination rates in the state of Illinois,” said Nate Gatten, Senior Vice President of Global Government Affairs for American Airlines. “We know vaccines are key to beating the virus and getting back to activities like visiting loved ones and traveling for leisure and business. We commend and appreciate all those who’ve worked on the frontlines during the pandemic, and our team welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the important work happening at the local, state and federal level to defeat COVID-19.”
“We’re happy to assist Governor Pritzker’s efforts in encouraging state employees who work at direct care facilities to be vaccinated,” said Ted Phillips, Chicago Bears President and CEO. “Public and private entities working together allows us to continue the progress we’ve made against the virus and its impact on our communities.”
“The Chicago Cubs are happy to be part of this collaborative public-private effort to increase the State's vaccination rates and protect frontline workers who are essential to providing services to Illinois citizens,” said Julian Green, senior vice president, Communications, Chicago Cubs. “We know the power of baseball brings families and friends together and hope many employees who are looking for opportunities to have an enjoyable and safe summer take advantage of this special offer.”
“It will be an honor to host state employees who work at direct care facilities,” said Chicago Fire FC President Ishwara Glassman Chrein. “There’s nothing like a soccer match on a beautiful summer night on the lakefront. In fact, we would like to invite all Illinoisans to experience a Chicago Fire game this year. Our players are so appreciative that fans and supporters are back at Soldier Field, cheering them on for the entire 90 minutes.”
“We’re honored to support Governor Pritzker’s efforts to encourage state frontline employees to get vaccinated,” said Cesar Vargas, Chief External Affairs Officer of Anheuser-Busch, which donated the Cardinals tickets. “As a leading American manufacturer and the country’s largest brewer, our people and our communities are at the center of everything we do, and that includes encouraging vaccinations so that we can all come together safely again. We’re proud to play a role in the safe and strong reopening of our country, including supporting national vaccine efforts, helping our hospitality sector recover, and investing $1 billion in our operations over the next two years to support the more than 2 million U.S. jobs created by the beer industry. Thank you to Gov. Pritzker for your work to help end the pandemic and for including Anheuser-Busch in your efforts.”
Prizes may be transferable, at the discretion of the awarding agency, and cash awards will be considered taxable income. Those who can attest they would take the vaccine, but have a documented medical or religious exemption, may also be entered into the drawing.
More than 7.1 million Illinois adults (72.2 percent) have received at least one dose of the vaccine — surpassing President Joe Biden’s goal of vaccinating 70 percent of adults before the Fourth of July.
This initiative builds upon ongoing efforts to encourage Illinoisans to get vaccinated. Last month, Gov. Pritzker introduced a new $10 million ‘All In for the Win' promotion that rewards all vaccinated Illinoisans by automatically entering them into a series of cash and scholarship lotteries with prizes — up to $1 million. To learn more about All In for the Win, visit allin.illinois.gov. And in May, Gov. Pritzker announced 50,000 Six Flags tickets – valued at $4 million – and targets at the World Shooting Complex as free incentives for residents to get the shot.
Vaccines are widely available at no cost to residents. To find the nearest provider, visit vaccines.gov, text your zip code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233.
Changes Made To 2022 Election Dates In Illinois
The 2022 election in Illinois will look a whole lot different from past elections. Thanks to Senate Bill 825, Wabash County Clerk Janet Will says the primary next year has been moved from March to June 28th. That has resulted in changes also being made to filing dates for candidates. Will said petitions will be available starting January 13th with the filing period March 7th through 14th. Offices up for election next year in Wabash County include county clerk, sheriff, treasurer, and a 6-year seat on the Wabash County Board currently held by Rob Dean. Lawmakers in Springfield said the reason for the change in the primary date next year is the lateness of getting final totals from the 2020 Census.
Wissel: Surge Of COVID-19 Cases In Wabash County
After several weeks of very few or no new cases, Wabash County is currently seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases. Health Department administrator Judy Wissel reported on the new wave of cases at yesterday’s county board meeting…
Responding to a question from county board chairman Rob Dean, Wissel said a third of the new cases originated from one location with the rest of the cases being from random sources. She said the health department continues to offer all three vaccines.
