Allendale School Board Notes

At the August 18, 2021 Allendale School Board meeting held in the Library of Allendale School, the board:

● Approved the tentative 2021-2022 Budget and will display it in the school office for the next 30 days.

● Set the 2021-2022 Budget Hearing for September 22, 2021 at 6:10 p.m.

● Voted to not release the closed session verbatim minutes of March 17, 2021; April 21, 2021; May 19, 2021; June 23, 2021.

● Approved a 3-year contract with the Allendale Education Association.

● Approved the retirement letter for Darlene Smith at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.

FBI Cracking Down On Vax Card Scammers

More businesses and schools are requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination, but scammers have stepped up to take advantage by selling counterfeit vaccine cards. 

FBI spokesperson Jillian Kaehler says using a fake proof-of-COVID vaccination card or selling one can land you in prison.

“Utilizing fake cards or creating them potentially results in wire fraud charges as well as the abuse of a government seal,” Kaeler said. 

A person who is convicted of wire fraud faces a prison sentence of up to 20 years, Kaehler said. Violators who are convicted of wire fraud also incur very substantive fines. The fine for counterfeiting the government seal that is on the COVID-19 vaccination card is $250,000. 

“If someone is multiplying cards and making bulk amounts of these cards, that is a lot of money in fines that can add up very quickly, as well as additional prison sentences,” Kaehler said. 

In July, a California doctor was arrested by the FBI for selling fake COVID-19 vaccine cards, Kaehler said. 

Counterfeiting a COVID-19 vaccine card is a felony because it involves tampering with an official government seal. 

“It all comes down to people taking advantage of that government seal, which carries a lot of trust. We do not want to see the unauthorized use of that seal,” Kaehler said. “People who are faking vaccine cards – creating them and duplicating them – that is a crime, and we will not stand for that.”

The FBI is also warning people not to take pictures of their vaccination cards and post the pictures on social media. 

“They contain a lot of personal information, such as your date of birth and your insurance. That can all be used to steal your identity,” Kaehler said.

Kaehler advises people to report instances fake vaccine cards and sales. File a report with the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL FBI. The FBI also takes reports anonymously on the website tips.fbi.gov.

U of I Team In Wabash County Conducting Study

A team from the University of Illinois has been back in Wabash County for a unique study. Wabash County highway engineer Dustin Bunting told county commissioners this week that the team is studying the number of plants, insects, and birds that congregate in the area of the Friendsville Avenue and Wabash 17 intersection…

Bunting said he was unsure how long, but said the U of I has been conducting the study every four or five years for a number of years.

West Liberty Man Killed In Early Morning Crash

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT  

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by

Illinois State Police District 12 

WHAT:                      One Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash       

WHERE:                   Illinois Route 121 at 775 North, Cumberland County

WHEN:                      Aug. 18, 2021 at approximately 6:10 a.m.

VEHICLES:              Unit 1 – 2006  Red Ford Expedition

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1 – Timothy O. Allison, 33-year-old male from West Liberty, IL – Deceased

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred:  Unit 1 was traveling north on Illinois Route 121 at County Road 775 N.  Unit 1 ran off the right side of the roadway, over corrected, crossed both lanes, and ran off the left side of the roadway. Unit 1 then struck a tree and a parked vehicle at a residence. The driver of Unit 1 was pronounced deceased on scene.

Evansville man arrested for driving without a license

On August 15, 2021, at 5:03 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Brian Naas conducted a traffic stop on a Silver 2011 Nissan after observing the driver fail to maintain their lane of travel on State Road 165 near Johnson. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Naas detected the odor of alcohol coming from driver 58-year-old Deon Fireline of Johnson. At that point Deputy Naas began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation, he transported Mr. Fireline to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. He has since posted a $650 bond.

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Evansville man arrested on DUI charge

On August 16, 2021, at 10:50 p.m. Indiana State Police Dispatch put out a Be On the Look Out for a vehicle traveling 25-30 mph while failing to maintain their lane of travel on Interstate 69 in Gibson County. Deputy Naas located the vehicle, a Gray 2008 Hyundai SUV traveling 39 mph in a 70 mph zone and conducted a traffic stop at the 22 mile marker. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Naas identified the driver as 49-year-old Derrick Patterson of Evansville, Indiana. While speaking with Mr. Patterson Deputy Naas detected indicators that Mr. Patterson may be under the influence. At that point Deputy Naas began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation, he placed Mr. Patterson into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving. He remains in custody on a $500 bond.

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

IECC Board Of Trustees Meeting Recap

The Board of Trustees of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges approved updated IECC COVID-19 guidelines Tuesday, August 17, at the regular meeting, held at Wabash Valley College.

A new policy on giving was adopted and the Board and Trustees approved utilization of the new policy which can be implemented for naming rights.

An ordinance was approved to acquire property at Frontier Community College.

The Board heard a detailed review of certain programs and services. This is part of a continual review process with a focus on quality, cost and need.

The Board approved a bid committee report for a 3-D Anatomy Visualization Table & Virtual Dissection Table for use in the allied health programs at Frontier, Lincoln Trail, Olney Central and Wabash Valley; and for a Synchronous Auditorium Project to be used at Lincoln Trail, Olney Central, and Wabash Valley.

As a part of IECC’s commitment to provide a safe and crime free college environment, and in accordance with the Campus Security Enhancement Act of 2008, the Board approved the Violence Prevention Plan and Emergency Response Plans for each college. These plans outline violence prevention strategies and outlines the protocol for response should a violent act occur. Trustees also approved revisions to the Threat Assessment and Violence Prevention policy.

An easement was approved for the Trust Bank for property located on District property near Olney Central College.

Selection was made for a Construction Project Manager to further progress of the LTC Recreation Center.

Affiliation agreements were approved with area health care facilities.

The following personnel were employed:

Jane McCormick as Information Systems Technology Instructor at OCC, effective August 18, 2021; Chad Groves as Director of Instructional Support Services at OCC, effective August 23, 2021; Heather Watts as Office Assistant at LTC, effective September 8, 2021; Melissa Hines as Administrative Assistant at Nursing & Allied Health at OCC, effective August 23, 2021; Shayla Miller as Office Assistant at FCC, effective August 18, 2021.

A change of status was approved for Laurie Perry from Administrative Assistant in Human Resources at the District Office to Human Resources Coordinator at the District Office, effective August 19, 2021.

A temporary faculty contract was approved for Ashley Waggoner as English Instructor at LTC, effective August 18, 2021.

Resignations were accepted for Heather Gerch, as Office Assistant at FCC, effective August 7, 2021; and for Taylr Hall as TRIO Upward Bound Counselor, effective August 17.

Retirements were accepted for William Jankousky, Workforce Education Instructor, effective January 1, 2022; and for Jerry Booker as Groundskeeper at OCC, effective September 1, 2021.

Next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held at Frontier Community College, Fairfield, on Tuesday, September 21, at 7 p.m.

Johnson man arrested on DUI charge

On August 15, 2021, at 5:03 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Brian Naas conducted a traffic stop on a Silver 2011 Nissan after observing the driver fail to maintain their lane of travel on State Road 165 near Johnson. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Naas detected the odor of alcohol coming from driver 58-year-old Deon Fireline of Johnson. At that point Deputy Naas began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation, he transported Mr. Fireline to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. He has since posted a $650 bond.

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Wanted: Snowbirds to join IDOT’s snow-and-ice team

SPRINGFIELD –The calendar still says August, but the Illinois Department of Transportation is looking for qualified individuals to apply for seasonal positions to help with snow-and-ice removal across the state through its annual “snowbird” program. The temporary snowplow drivers are hired by IDOT every year on a full-time and on-call basis to help keep roads cleared throughout the winter.

“This is an excellent opportunity to earn some extra income while serving your communities by keeping roads open and safe for everyone during our challenging Illinois winters,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “While these positions are crucial to our frontline snow and-ice response efforts, they also have led to full-time jobs as highway maintainers and fulfilling careers at IDOT.”

Snowbirds are required to promptly respond to emerging weather situations for snow-and-ice removal and stay on alert to work in emergency conditions at any time, including nights, weekends and holidays. Applicants must have a commercial driver’s license and submit to a criminal background check. A pre-employment physical is required. Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Applicants will be selected based on availability, experience and qualifications. For additional information, including details on the application process, pay and the potential for benefits, please click here. Job postings will be made the week of Aug. 23.

A short animation video on the snowbird program is available on IDOT’s YouTube channel.

Each winter, IDOT has approximately 1,800 plows to put into service, providing coverage to nearly 16,000 miles of roads statewide, the equivalent of driving from New York to Los Angeles and back almost six times.

Wabash County Records 135 COVID Cases In 1st Half Of August

Through Sunday, Wabash County has recorded 135 confirmed cases of COVID-19 during the first half of August. Health Department administrator Judy Wissel told the county board yesterday afternoon that the local positivity rate is up to 16.1% leaving Wabash County in the orange level and in the high community transmission category. Wissel said the health department continues to test for COVID every day between 11 and 3 and with the recent surge of positive cases has created a need for more help in the testing trailer.

According to Wissel, she’d like to hire three new testers to help ease the workload on existing employees. Those interested should have some kind of health care work experience. All three vaccines continue to be available at the health department with walk ins welcome Monday thought Thursday between 8 and 4.

And with fall not far away, Wissel said plans are already in place for flu clinics. She said the tentative dates for the drive-thru clinics are October 6th and 9th at the public utility fleet garage on South Mulberry. Having it there, Wissel said, will allow the clinics to be held regardless of the weather.