Wabash County Holds Onto Lowest Jobless Level In Southern Illinois

Wabash County continues to have the lowest unemployment rate in southern Illinois. The latest figures from the state’s department of employment security show Wabash County tied with Richland County for having the lowest jobless figure at 4.7% in August. Even though Wabash County has the lowest rate in the region, the jobless figure did tick up half a point from the 4.2% level recorded in July. Last August, unemployment locally stood at 6.5%.

In the Mt. Carmel-Olney area, employment gains were posted in Government, Leisure and Hospitality, and Educational and Health Services. Employment declined in Manufacturing, Construction, Natural Resources and Mining, and Professional and Business Services. No employment changes were reported in Financial Activities, Other Services, Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, and Information.

While Wabash and Richland counties are tied for the lowest unemployment in southern Illinois, the highest mark continues to be in Pulaski County at 9.6%.

WGH Board Hears COVID Update

As you might expect, the recent surge in positive COVID cases has translated into increased patient activity at Wabash General Hospital. At last night’s Wabash General Hospital board of directors meeting, hospital president/CEO Karissa Turner said while August was an extremely busy month, Wabash General was never in a position to turn away patients from med/surg beds because the facility was full. Turner also said patient volume in the emergency department was higher last month as well…

Monday, Wabash General had a med/surg census of 9 with one COVID positive patient. Turner said the up and down nature of COVID cases also makes it difficult to manage staffing wise as well.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE A DEATH INVESTIGATION AND SUSPECTED HOME INVASION IN CLAY COUNTY

Edgewood, IL – On September 26, 2021, the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) - Zone 8 was requested by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office to assist with a death investigation and suspected home invasion. Roger Courson, an 80-year-old male, was found deceased in his home near Edgewood by a family member on Sunday, September 26 at approximately 11 a.m. 

It was determined that a safe, multiple firearms and a television were taken from the Courson residence.  The investigation is being led by the ISP DCI Zone 8 and is still open and ongoing.  The cause and manner of death are pending. No further information will be disseminated at this time.  Anyone with information is asked to contact ISP Division of Criminal Investigation in Effingham at (217) 342-7861.

Golf Cart/UTV Drivers Urged To Obey Rules And Be Safe

Mt. Carmel Police Chief Mike McWilliams is warning golf cart and UTV owners…obey the rules or face the consequences. McWilliams told the city council that his department has been receiving complaints of various issues ranging from underage drivers, to drivers using unauthorized street crossings, to children hanging unsafely off of golf carts, and at least one golf cart operator driving with open alcohol. He said drivers of golf carts and UTV’s are bound by the same traffic laws as other motorists and his officers are aiming to keep everyone safe… 

Another issue is that many of those with golf carts and UTV’s are currently driving with an expired permit. McWilliams said of the 167 permits, 64 are currently not compliant with the $50 permit. Since the expiration dates of the permits are staggered, the city is exploring a way to make all of them come due at the same time because the honor system isn’t working. Fines for an expired permit range from $200 to $250.

Gaga Ball To Be Latest Addition To City Park

A gaga ball pit will be the newest addition to the offerings at the Mt. Carmel City Park. City Commissioner Eric Ikemire, also a Mt. Carmel Kiwanian, said the club was fronting the money for the new pit that will bring gaga ball to the park. Gaga ball is is a fast paced, high energy sport played in an octagonal pit and has been dubbed a kinder gentler version of dodge ball. City officials haven’t decided yet what part of the park the gaga pit will be located.

Click the link to learn more about gaga ball: https://www.gagacenter.com/nyc/about/what-is-gaga

Photo: https://www.campgroundviews.com

An example of a gaga ball pit and is not indicative of what the pit in Mt. Carmel’s City Park will resemble.

Wilson: Harvest Progress Is Phenomenal

After hitting a bump in the road with the rain this past week, harvest activity has ramped back up in the area. Certified crop advisor Mike Wilson of Wabash Valley Service Company says early indications are very promising for this year’s yields…

Princeton man arrested on multiple drug charges

On September 26, 2021, at 2:25 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Loren Barchett was dispatched to an unconscious person in a vehicle in the 100 block of Southwest Mill Street in Patoka. Upon arriving in the area Deputy Barchett located a White 2012 Volkswagon Jetta that had the unconscious male inside. Then with the assistance of Patoka Town Marshal Darryl Chamberlain Deputy Barchett began an investigation into the incident. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Barchett placed 21-year-old Trevor Dehosse into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Jail Mr. Dehosse was charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamines, and Possession of Paraphernalia. He remains in custody on 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.

911 report of a disturbance leads to arrest of two

On September 26, 2021, at 2:08 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a disturbance in the 300 block of East Sinclair Street in Fort Branch. Upon arriving on scene Deputy U.B. Smith located the disturbance and with the assistance of Haubstadt Officer Riley Farmer and Fort Branch Officers Trenton and Tyler Harker he conducted an investigation into the incident. At the conclusion of his investigation 49-year-old Gregory Howard of Fort Branch and 46-year-old Lisa Geier of Mount Carmel were taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail Mr. Howard was charged with Battery and Interfering With The Reporting Of A Crime. Ms. Geier was charged with Battery.

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

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE TROOPER STRUCK BY COMMERCIAL VEHICLE WHILE ASSISTING MOTORIST

St. Elmo, IL - On September 26, 2021, at approximately 6:03 a.m., Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated a traffic crash involving an ISP District 12 Trooper on Interstate 70 eastbound near milepost 76 in Fayette County.

On the above date and time, an ISP Trooper was stationary at the above location inside of a fully marked squad car with the emergency lights activated, assisting a stopped motorist on the right shoulder.  A Truck-Tractor Semi-Trailer (TTST) traveling east on Interstate 70 failed to yield to the stationary emergency vehicle and veered off the roadway and onto the right shoulder. The front end of the TTST struck the rear driver’s side of the squad car. 

The ISP Trooper sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment and released. The driver and passenger of the TTST were transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Pedro Espinoza, a 58-year-old male of Sunland, CA, was charged with a violation of Scott’s Law, Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident and Improper Lane Usage. A person who violates Scott’s Law, commits a business offense and faces a fine of no less than $250 or more than $10,000 for a first offense. If the violation results in injury to another person, the violator’s driver’s license will be suspended for a mandatory period of anywhere between six months and two years. 

So far this year, there have been 19 ISP squad cars struck in relation to Scott’s Law and 12 Troopers have sustained injuries from Scott’s Law-related crashes. The ISP would like to remind the public of the requirements of Scott’s Law, otherwise known as the “Move Over” law. When approaching an emergency vehicle, or any vehicle with their emergency or hazard lights activated, drivers are required to slow down AND move over.

“I’m very proud of District 12 Troopers and all ISP Troopers working throughout the state risking their lives to keep our roadways safe,” stated District 12 Commander Lieutenant Kerry Sutton. “These crashes are completely preventable, and I am asking the public to avoid putting the lives of others at risk by making responsible choices when behind the wheel; always move over when you approach a stationary vehicle on the side of the road,” stated District 12 Commander, Lieutenant Kerry Sutton. 

School Board Votes 7-0 To Pass Covid-19 Testing Policy

Meeting in a rare Friday evening special session, the Wabash District #348 school board tonight approved a student COVID-19 testing policy. The policy comes on the heels of a rough week of positive tests of high school students with some students tested without the knowledge or consent of parents. Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer laid out the details of the policy that started by addressing the testing topic…

The five point plan also included guidance on how to cut down the spread of COVID among Aces athletes…

Bleyer said many voices were heard in drafting the policy…

The policy was approved by the school board on a unanimous 7-0 vote with all school board members in attendance at the special meeting.

Also at this evening’s meeting, school board member Kyle Peach read two letters he received this week.

District #348 Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer listens to a question at Friday’s special meeting.

District #348 school board member Susie Wood listens to an answer from school nurse Stephanie Kolb.

District #348 school board member reads one of two letters he received this week into the record at this evening’s special school board meeting.