Motorad Close To Acquiring Former Shopko Building For Expansion

A  deal could be reached by the end of this week that would lead a Mt. Carmel manufacturer to purchasing the former Shopko building on West 9th Street. Motorad officials were at yesterday’s city council to announce plans to shift part of their shipping operations to the Shopko building that has been vacant since 2019.

Vice president of operations Will Rushing told the council that the company has doubled its’ Mt. Carmel workforce adding 70 to 80 employees. But like many businesses, finding workers was difficult for Motorad as Rushing said the company has had to rely on close to 30 migrant workers to fill orders. But, back orders have been filled and the migrants contracts have been allowed to expire and they have returned home.

Rushing said while Illinois gets a bad rap for its’ business climate, it’s the employees that have kept the company in Mt. Carmel…

Once the building purchase is finalized, Rushing said it could be a month or two before cleanup is complete and some 20 to 30 workers are transitioned there.

Motorad’s Will Rushing speaks to the City Council Monday.

Governor Expects Increase In Vaccinations After FDA Approval

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said vaccinations will pick up in Illinois after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to the Pfizer vaccine, it could also lead to additional vaccine mandates.

The vaccine now carries the strongest endorsement from the FDA, as the United States becomes the first country to fully approve the shot.

At the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana on Monday, Pritzker said those who thought the vaccine was approved too quickly can rest easy.

“Now literally almost a year later, we now have so much research to show that these work,” he said. “I’m very happy about that. I think that means that many more people will choose to get vaccinated.”

A Kaiser Family Foundation survey from June found that 3 in 10 vaccinated adults would be more likely to get the shots if a vaccine were fully approved.

More than 200 million Pfizer doses already have been administered in the U.S. Many Americans may have held off receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, arguing the FDA had not given full approval. Private companies and institutions have also held back implementing vaccine mandates, citing the same concern.

“I do think there will be private institutions requiring vaccinations now that it is no longer under EUA (Emergency Use Authorization),” Pritzker said.

Pritzker has mandated that all state employees who work in congregate settings such as nursing homes and prisons be vaccinated by early October.

U of I Chancellor Robert Jones said the school already had a vaccination mandate in place.

“If you are a student, faculty or staff at this university, you are required to vaccinate,” he said. “If you are unable to vaccinate, you are required to test.”

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, more than 77% of Illinois adults have received at least one vaccine dose and more than 60% are fully vaccinated, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Pfizer’s vaccine is one of three in use in the U.S. Moderna has also applied for full approval. Johnson & Johnson, the only single-shot vaccine, has not yet to apply for full approval and remains in use under emergency authorization.

Critics say new sex education law goes too far

Starting next school year, schools in Illinois teaching sexual education lessons will start as early as kindergarten.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 818 Friday. His office said the measure will modernize sex education standards with age-appropriate content for grades K-12.

Schools don’t need to adopt the standards unless they teach sex education. Parents will be able to opt their children out. It doesn’t fully go into effect until Aug. 1, 2022.

Planned Parenthood of Illinois applauded the measure. The organization said the law will provide medically accurate personal health and safety education.

“Illinois schools will now be equipped to take an active role in preventing bullying, harassment, abuse, sexual violence, and interpersonal violence, which helps ensure all Illinois students can thrive,” Planned Parenthood Illinois Action President and CEO Jennifer Welch said. “And students will learn about healthy relationships and the experiences and needs of all students, including the LGBTQ+ community and those with disabilities, which promotes acceptance and understanding.”

The ALCU of Illinois also praised the measure.

“Years after changing Illinois law so that sexual health education is not simply abstinence-only, we are pleased that this new law will help students who have been stigmatized and or made invisible in these courses, such as LGBTQIA+ students and pregnant and parenting students, feel affirmed and seen in their classrooms,” ACLU of Illinois Director of Advocacy and Intergovernmental Affairs Khadine Bennett said.

But, before the measure passed in May, state Rep. Avery Bourne, R-Raymond, said it was a mistake to align the curriculum with the National Sex Education Standards from non-government groups.

“We are delegating all authority to an unaccountable national group that can change these standards at any given moment with no check at the state level or the school level,” Bourne said.

The measure eventually passed the House with the minimum 60 votes necessary for passage. Eight House Democrats were listed as not voting. Four Democrats in the Illinois Senate were also listed as not voting.

The law states the curriculum will align with and be updated alongside the National Sex Education Standards. Those standards are cultivated in part by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, or SIECUS. That group has the tag line “Sex Ed for Social Change.”

Among the standards for grades K-2 are defining gender expression, different kinds of families and types of sexual abuse. Grade 3-5 goes into anatomy, gender identity and sexual orientation. Grades 6-8 will learn about different types of sex, different types of sexual exploitation and trafficking. Grade 9-10 will learn about the history of “reproductive justice.” Grades 11-12 will learn about power and privilege within sexual relationships.

Before the measure was signed, parents’ rights group Awake Illinois founder Shannon Adcock said it goes too far.

“On paper it sounds so noble, but in practice it's extremely worrisome and when you look at the materials that has been proposed, it is, from parents’ perspective, grooming,” Adcock said. “It is sexual grooming of children.”

The measure requires the Illinois State Board of Education to provide the standards for schools that teach sex ed by August 2022.

Bridge Deck Overlay Scheduled for SR 57 Near Buckskin

GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a complete closure on State Road 57 for a bridge deck overlay project.

Beginning on or around Wednesday Sept. 1, contractors will close the S.R. 57 bridge spanning Smith Fork, north of S.R. 68 and just southwest of East County Road 950 South near Buckskin. Workers will apply a new driving surface to the bridge at this location.

During the project, the bridge will be closed around the clock. Work is expected to last for about five days depending upon weather conditions. Local traffic will have access up to the point of closure, but all through traffic should use the official detour following S.R. 68, I-69 and S.R. 64.

INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.

Mt. Carmel Man Pleads Not Guilty To Multiple Charges

A not guilty plea has been entered on behalf of a Mt. Carmel man facing various felony and misdemeanor charges tied to a Department of Natural Resources poaching investigation.

Richard Stringfellow was in Wabash County Circuit Court Monday where he waived his right to arraignment and his attorney Brady Waldroup, entered the not guilty plea on his behalf. A pre-trial conference in the case was set for September 27th. Stringfellow is free on a $3,500 cash bond after being arrested in June.

At the time of the arrests in June, DNR officials issued a press release saying the investigation into the alleged poaching began in January as evidence was uncovered with the aid of search warrants. In addition to Stringfellow, three juveniles were charged by authorities.

Fort Branch woman arrested on DUI charge

On August 19, 2021, at 10:53 p.m. Gibson County Deputy U.B. Smith conducted a traffic stop on a Black 2007 GMC Envoy after observing the vehicle make an improper turn onto Locust Street in Fort Branch and failing to maintain its lane of travel as it traveled through town. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Smith detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver 48-year-old Bridget Beard of Fort Branch. At that point Deputy Smith conducted a roadside DUI investigation, and at the conclusion of his investigation he transported Ms. Beard to the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. She has since posted a $450 bond.

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

Georgia Man Seriously Injured In I-70 Crash

ISP INVESTIGATES TRAFFIC CRASH WITH INJURIES

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12

WHAT:                      Two Vehicle Traffic Crash with Injuries

WHERE:                   Interstate 70 westbound just east of Milepost 128, Casey Township, Clark County

WHEN:                      August 20, 2021, at 6:47 p.m.

VEHICLES:              Unit 1 – Silver 2017 Dodge Ram Promaster Van

                                    Unit 2 – White 2015 Freightliner Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1 – Wesley R. LaPoncio, a 30-year-old male from Atlanta, GA – Airlifted to a regional hospital with serious injuries.

                                    Unit 2 – Solomon Craighead, a 60-year-old male from East St Louis, IL -Refused medical attention.

PASSENGER:           Unit 2 – Annie J. Shelley, a 75-year-old female from Ballwin, MO – Refused medical attention.

PRELIMINARY:      Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Both units were traveling westbound on Interstate 70, just east of Milepost 128 in the right lane. Unit 1 was directly behind Unit 2. Unit 1 struck the rear of Unit 2.  The driver of Unit 1 was air lifted to a regional hospital with serious injuries. The occupants of Unit 2 refused medical attention. No further information will be disseminated at this time.

CHARGES:               The driver of Unit 1 was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash and the driver Unit 2 was cited for Driving While License Revoked.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Two Dead In I-70 Crash

ISP INVESTIGATES FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12

WHAT:                      Three Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   Interstate 70 eastbound at Milepost 55, Mulberry Grove, Fayette County

WHEN:                      August 20, 2021, at 9:19 a.m.

VEHICLES:              Unit 1 – White 2020 Freightliner Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer

                                    Unit 2 – Blue 2005 Chevrolet Pickup pulling a trailer containing a car.

                                    Unit 3 – White 2008 Honda Odyssey

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1 – Bill Lard, a 55-year-old male from Los Angeles, CA - Airlifted to a regional hospital with serious injuries.

                                    Unit 2 – Ronald Grant, a 31-year-old male from Pleasant Hope, MO -Refused medical attention.

                                    Unit 3 – A 19-year-old male from Brick, NJ – Deceased (Name withheld pending next of kin notification).

PASSENGERS:         Unit 2 – Mariah S. Grant, a 29-year-old female from Pleasant Hope, MO – Refused medical attention.

Unit 3 – A 20-year-old female from Brick, NJ – Deceased (Name withheld pending next of kin notification).

PRELIMINARY:      Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling westbound on Interstate 70, near mile post 55. Units 2 and 3 were traveling eastbound on Interstate 70 at the same location. Unit 1 left the roadway to the left and traveled through the median. Unit 1 struck the trailer of Unit 2. Unit 1 then struck Unit 3, causing both units to skid into the south ditch. The driver of Unit 1 was airlifted to a regional hospital with serious injuries. The driver and passenger of Unit 2 refused medical attention. The driver and passenger of Unit 3 were pronounced deceased on scene. The ISP Traffic Crash Reconstruction Unit is continuing the investigation.  No further information will be disseminated at this time.

CHARGES:               The driver of Unit 1 was cited for Improper Lane Use and Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

SUSAN G. KOMEN® MORE THAN PINK WALK® EVANSVILLE TO RETURN IN PERSON THIS SEPTEMBER

Susan G. Komen, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, announced today that its signature fundraising event in EVANSVILLE will be held in-person once again, after being held virtually last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual fundraising event will be held SUNDAY, SEPTEMEBER 26, 2021 at EASTLAND MALL.  While the event will be hosted in-person this year, there will continue to be a virtual option to participate in the program and connect with the community from your own home or neighborhood for those who prefer that option.  Go to KOMEN.ORG/EVANSVILLEWALK to sign up and begin fundraising.

“After a year apart, we are excited to see everyone join together as one community,” said Rachel Smith, Development Director, Evansville. “The health and safety of our community are, and always have been, our top priorities. After consulting with local health officials, we are confident we can once again gather together as one community of hope and compassion, united by a desire to save lives from breast cancer.”

The local event brings together a community of hope and compassion to raise funds to save lives from breast cancer. Funds raised support Komen’s advocacy, research investments and support of people facing breast cancer today, ensuring everyone can get the care they need to live.

“While we’re excited to see our breast cancer community again, it’s not JUST about physically being together, it’s about the impact every one of us can make when we walk one more step and raise one more dollar,” said Rachel Smith. “Every one of us, no matter who we are or where we live, deserves a chance at living a long and healthy life.  Together, we will make certain that no one faces breast cancer alone.”

High Friction Surface Treatment Scheduled for S.R. 168 Near Fort Branch

GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane restrictions for State Road 168 near Fort Branch for a pavement project.

Beginning on or around Monday, Aug. 23, contractors will close one lane of S.R. 168 from County Road 700 South to C.R. 450, west of Fort Branch. Workers will be applying a high friction pavement treatment at this location. High friction pavement treatments are used to help motorists increase stopping distance and provide more traction in areas where applied.

Work is expected to last until mid-September depending upon weather conditions and will take place primarily in the evening and overnight hours.

INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.