On 4/6/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Curtis N Spicer, age 44, of Albion, IL, for Disorderly Conduct following an incident at local business on 4/1/22. Police were called to the scene to the report that Spicer became upset with the business which led to profanity and him throwing a chair while inside the establishment. This behavior alarmed and disturbed both the employee and another customer. MCPD worked to locate Spicer which resulted in Spicer turning himself in where and being charged accordingly. Spicer was released on a Notice to Appear with a court date set on April 25th, 2022.
Pritzker Signs Legislation Cementing COVID-19 Sick Leave Protections for Vaccinated School Staff
SPRINGFIELD - Joined by stakeholders, advocates and lawmakers, Gov. JB Pritzker signed House Bill 1167, a measure that will keep students and teachers safe in the classroom without penalizing vaccinated school employees for taking COVID-required leave for themselves or their children. Ensuring support for all working families, the legislation protects all hourly school employees in addition to classroom teachers, such as bus drivers, food service providers, and administrative personnel.
"We want to ensure that our school children see the fewest disruptions to their in-person learning due to the public health crisis," said Governor JB Pritzker. "The bill I signed into law today fulfills that promise by guaranteeing that if a teacher has done their part to keep their classroom safe for their most vulnerable students, they won't have to worry for a second about their pay or their paid time off should COVID-19 affect their livelihood. At a time when we want to bring people into the education professions, this bill will help Illinois retain and attract teachers and support staff."
"For the last two years, we have lauded our educators and support staff for their Herculean efforts in keeping our schools running and our students learning, all while keeping them safe and healthy," said State Rep. Janet Yang Rohr (D-Naperville). "With this Covid wage and benefit protection legislation, we're putting real action behind our words and making a difference for the teachers and staff that make a difference every day for our students and community."
"This is a step to recognize those who have done all they can to protect themselves, their families, their students and their schools, but still end up facing hardships because of the pandemic," said Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park). "They've played by the rules, done everything that was recommended, and they shouldn't lose sick days or pay for doing the right thing. I want to thank the governor for working together with us to find a common-sense approach to address this situation."
"Our state is in the middle of a growing teacher and education employee shortage," said Kathi Griffin, President of the Illinois Education Association. "We have thousands of open public education positions right now. We need to be doing everything we can to attract young people to the profession and to also show those who've chosen education as their life's work that they are respected. Providing COVID administrative days and paycheck protection for hourly employees is one way we can do that. House Bill 1167 would provide much needed relief to our teachers and support staff who've worked diligently to not only provide a quality education for students but also work to keep their students, schools and their communities safe over the past two years."
"The pandemic has been emotionally and economically daunting for us all, especially educators, school staff, and their families who have been on the front lines of COVID's effects from day one," said Illinois Federation of Teachers President Dan Montgomery. "By signing this bill today, Governor Pritzker has provided important relief and ensured that education personnel can afford to take time off if they or their families become ill with COVID-19. His leadership will help keep our students and communities healthy even as new variants arise and COVID rates in our state fluctuate over time."
HB 1167 requires school districts, public universities, and community colleges to pay educational support personnel and contractors during any school closure and provides paid administrative leave to vaccinated employees for purposes related to COVID-19.
The legislation delivers on a promise to offer the following protections for educators, school employees, and their families in more than 800 school districts statewide:
• Paid administrative leave for every employee of a public school district established under Article 10 or Article 34 of the School Code, public university, and public community college who meets the following criteria:
o fully vaccinated or has received the required doses to become fully vaccinated within five weeks of the effective date of the Act.
o required, or whose child is required, to be excluded from school because of a positive COVID-19 test result or close contact with a person who had a confirmed case of COVID-19.
o has been required by the school or school district policy to be excluded from school district property due to COVID-19 symptoms.
• Restoration of sick leave for every employee of a public school district, public university, and public community college who meets the following criteria:
o fully vaccinated or has received the required doses to become fully vaccinated within five weeks of the effective date of the Act, and
o who has previously used their sick time because they or their child were required to be excluded from school because of a positive COVID-19 test result or close contact with a person who had a confirmed case of COVID-19.
o has been required by the school or school district policy to be excluded from school district property due to COVID-19 symptoms.
• Maintains wage protections for all hourly school employees, including but not limited to, custodians, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, classroom assistants, or administrative staff. This protection applies for the entire 2021-22 school year, including any days that a school has already closed or switched to e-learning which caused the paraprofessional to go without pay or take their own earned paid time off.
This legislation is effective immediately.
“Drop it and Drive” during Distracted Driving Awareness Month
SPRINGFIELD – All distractions – whether texting, eating, or talking – can be dangerous when you’re behind the wheel. Throughout April, the Illinois Department of Transportation is teaming up with the Illinois State Police and more than 200 local law enforcement agencies to promote Distracted Driving Awareness Month, save lives, and make Illinois roads safer.
“Distracted driving is a serious issue that also is preventable,” said Cynthia Watters, IDOT’s bureau chief of Safety Programs and Engineering. “Plenty of people think they’re excellent drivers and can multitask. Distractions behind the wheel jeopardize your safety, your passenger’s safety, and the well-being of those around you when you shift your attention from the road.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 26,004 people died in crashes nationwide involving a distracted driver between 2012 and 2019. While overall crash fatalities decreased slightly from 2018, distraction-related fatalities increased by 10%. The number of deaths linked to driver distraction reached 3,142 nationwide, accounting for nearly 9% of all crash fatalities in 2019. This represents a 10% increase since 2018. Distraction accounted for the largest increase in reported causes of fatalities in 2019.
Distracted driving continues to be a problem in Illinois and takes many forms. In 2020, 9,432 crashes on Illinois roads involved a distracted driver. In Illinois, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while using an electronic communication device to text or make a call unless using hands-free mode.
“We’ve all seen people trying to text and drive, or who are distracted by something else while on the road,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds puts your life and the lives of others at risk. Distracted driving is unsafe and irresponsible, and the consequences can be deadly.”
To keep your attention on the road where it belongs, remember these tips:
• If you need to send a text or check your phone, pull over and park your car in a safe location.
• Make a passenger your “designated texter.” Let them use your phone to respond to calls or messages.
• Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving.
• Cellphone use can be habit-forming. Struggling to not text and drive? Put the cellphone in the trunk or back seat.
Using a mobile phone while driving is dangerous, but getting caught can also be expensive and embarrassing. Save your money and maybe even a life – wait until you reach your destination to text or call. Remember: Drop it and Drive!
The Illinois distracted driving safety campaign is administered by IDOT with federal traffic safety funds.
Police To Crack Down On Park Speeders
As crowds pick up at the city park, police are going to crack down on speeders and make sure everyone is safe. Mayor Joe Judge said the parks advisory committee had met recently and requested the police department conduct a traffic study and to address those speeding through the park continues…
Police Chief Mike McWilliams said his officers had just recently begun to focus on speeding at the city park.
Officials Ask Motorists To Obey No Parking Signs Near Little League Park
Little League season is here and with it comes an influx of vehicles to South Market Street all looking for a place to park. One place not to park though is in front of the Mt. Carmel Public Utility garage at 410 South Mulberry Street. Public Utility President David James was at Monday’s City Council looking for the city’s help…
James request is timely because commissioner Justin Dulgar, who also serves on the Little League board, said there are record numbers in the amount of players signed up for the younger leagues. He said 93 kids are signed up for t-ball alone. Opening Day for Mt. Carmel Little League is Saturday, May 7th.
Evansville Man Arrested after Driving 107 mph on Lloyd Expressway
Vanderburgh County – Tuesday night, April 5, at approximately 8:25 p.m., Trooper Aaron Hadley was operating radar on the Lloyd Expressway near Wabash Avenue when he observed a 2015 Hyundai Genesis traveling east at 107 mph in the 40 mph zone. The driver of the vehicle exited the Lloyd Expressway onto Fulton Avenue. Trooper Hadley stopped the vehicle near Second Street and Fulton Avenue and identified the driver as Wesley Hunt, 35, of Evansville. During a search of the vehicle, approximately 66 grams of marijuana was located. Hunt was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he later posted bond and was released.
Arrested and Charges:
Wesley Hunt, 35, Evansville, IN
Reckless Driving, Class C Misdemeanor
Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
CENTRALIA MAN ARRESTED FOR FIRST DEGREE MURDER
Effingham, IL - On April 5, 2022, Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 8 announce the arrest of Ricky J. Norwood Jr., a 31-year-old male from Centralia, IL, for First Degree Murder (Class M Felony).
On August 23, 2015, 24-year-old, Dustin Rhynes was discovered deceased with a fatal gunshot wound in an alleyway in Centralia, IL. ISP DCI Zone 8 was requested by Centralia Police Department to lead an investigation into the shooting death of Rhynes.
On March 8, 2022, Ricky J. Norwood Jr. was formally charged with First Degree Murder (Class M Felony), filed in the Circuit Court for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Illinois in Marion County. On April 4, 2022, Norwood was arrested by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and is currently being held at the Marion County Jail on $1,000,000 bond (10 percent to apply). No further information is available at this time.
Mt. Carmel Motorcyclist Arrested After Leading Cops On High Speed Chase
On 04.02. 22 a Wabash County Sheriff's Deputy observed a motorcycle speeding, 85 mph in a 55 mph zone on E 400 Rd. The deputy initiated a traffic stop in which the motorcycle took off at a higher rate of speed, continuing south bound on E 400 Rd. The motorcycle attempted to turn onto Highway 1 (south bound) and lost control of the cycle. Upon crashing in the intersection the driver of the motorcycle took off his helmet and threw it into the roadway before running off into a field north of the intersection. The subject was apprehended by the deputy in the field.
38 year old Matt D. Swift of Mt. Carmel was taken to the Wabash County Jail. Swift was charged with fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, speeding 85 in a 55 mph zone, driving revoked, operating a vehicle without registration, and possession of methamphetamine, less than 5 grams. Swift is currently being held pending the posting of bond.
Traffic Stop Leads To Charges For Sumner Woman
On 04.01.22 at 8 p.m. a Wabash County Deputy observed a 2009 Ford passenger car operating with suspended registration. Once the Deputy stopped the vehicle he detected a strong smell of raw cannabis within the vehicle. Upon further investigation the driver was found to have over 30 grams of cannabis inside the vehicle.
66 year old Judy D. Royse of Sumner Illinois was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Royse was issued citations for operating an uninsured vehicle, driving on suspended registration, and possession of cannabis of 30 grams but under 100. (Class A Misdemeanor) Royse was released with a notice to appear in Wabash County Court.
Intermittent Lane Closures Scheduled for SR 64 In Princeton
GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane restrictions for State Road 64 in Princeton for a pavement and traffic signal project.
Beginning on or around Thursday, April 7, contractors will begin a project to modernize three signals in Princeton and repave about a mile of S.R. 64 between U.S. 41 and Brown Street. Workers will begin by working on curb ramps and sidewalks in preparation for the signal equipment and work will be in intermittent locations. Following the signal modernization, crews will begin milling and repaving on S.R. 64.
Work is expected to last until the end of September, depending upon weather conditions. During the project, one lane will be open at all times with lane closures controlled by flagging operations where appropriate. Lane closures will be performed day-to-day at intermittent locations during the sidewalk and traffic signal portion of the work.
INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.