Early Voting Delayed In Wabash County

EARLY VOTING FOR THE JUNE PRIMARY BEGAN THURSDAYIN ILLINOIS, BUT NOT IN WABASH COUNTY. COUNTY CLERK JANET WILL TELLS US EARLY VOTING DIDN’T START YESTERDAY IN WABASH COUNTY BECAUSE THERE ARE NO BALLOTS PRINTED YET. SHE SAID THERE IS ONE MORE HEARING ON A CANDIDATE REGARDING AN “OBJECTION PENDING” SCHEDULED. ONCE THAT IS SETTLED, WILL SAID SHE HOPES TO AUTHORIZE BALLOT PRINTING NEXT WEEK AND THEN EARLY VOTING CAN BEGIN.  AND WHEN IT DOES, YOU CAN CAST YOUR BALLOT AT YOUR LOCAL COUNTY CLERK OR ELECTIONS OFFICE SAYS ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS SPOKESMAN MATT DIETRICH.

ADDITIONALLY, LOCAL ELECTION AUTHORITIES CAN START SENDING OUT VOTE BY MAIL BALLOTS TO THOSE WHO HAVE REQUESTED ONE. YOU CAN FIND MORE VOTING INFORMATION INCLUDING HOW TO REGISTER ONLINE AT: ELECTIONS DOT IL DOT GOV. THE PRIMARY WILL BE HELD JUNE 28TH.

NWS Says EF-2 Tornado Struck Wabash County Thursday Night

Overview

A Mesoscale Convective Vortex, known as an MCV, moved slowly eastward across southern Missouri during the day on Thursday May 19. Ahead of this feature, a strongly unstable airmass developed across our area. Initial storm development occurred in the Wabash River Valley of southeast Illinois around midday and moved into southwest Indiana during the early afternoon. These storms produced large hail up to the size of baseballs. Thereafter, a lull occurred during the mid afternoon before convection associated with the MCV began entering northern portions of southeast Missouri into southwest Illinois during the late afternoon and early evening. Embedded bowing segments lead to pockets of wind damage from near Chester into Perry County Illinois. Thereafter, the storms appeared to show a weakening trend for a few hours, before flaring up again later in the evening. Additional wind damage occurred across the Wabash River Valley into southwest Indiana with this final round of convection. An EF-2 tornado touched down in Wabash County Illinois around 9:30 PM, and produced significant damage around the Mt Carmel, IL area before straddling the White River along the Gibson/Knox County line in Indiana.

Thieves Stealing MCPU Wire

From MCPD:

As difficult as it is to re-establish power, it is even harder when thieves steal MCPU’s wire when they stop for a brief minute. Just earlier MCPU left wire on the ground as they were in the process connecting power lines. When leaving the wire briefly an unknown person(s) stole it. The wire was in the area of Poplar and Walnut between 1st and 2nd Street. Anyone with information is asked to contact MCPD at 262-4114 or Crimestoppers at 262-4258.

Mt. Carmel Woman Arrested For Third Time In A Month

On 5/17/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested April L. Swanson, age 38, of Mt. Carmel, for Criminal Trespass to Property for returning to a gas station at 9th & Mulberry after being given notice by the owners that she was not allowed on the property. Swanson was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where she is being held pending the posting of bond.

Mt. Carmel Man Arrested On Residential Burglary Charge

On 5/15/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Aaron J. Simmons, age 18, of Mt. Carmel, for Residential Burglary. Officers received a complaint allegedly Simmons kicked in a door and stole a T.V. from a residence located in the 200 block of West 12th Street and left. On 5/16/22, officers spoke to Simmons who admitted to kicking the door in but denied stealing the TV. Simmons admitted his behavior was retaliatory in nature due to actions from one of the residents at the home. Simmons was placed under arrest and taken to the Wabash County Jail where he was held pending a bond setting by a judge.

Poppy Day Coming Up Memorial Day Weekend

The Mt. Carmel VFW Poppy Day is returning again this month. The city council has approved the VFW’s request to be on city intersections the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend which is May 28th. Poppy Day has been a long time holiday tradition throughout the country. Since the VFW is a nationally recognized organization, 9th & Cherry, 5th & Walnut, and 13th & College intersections will be manned with volunteers collecting money in exchange for a poppy. 

Allendale School Board Notes

At the May 2022 Allendale School Board meeting held in the Library of Allendale School, the board:

Approved the 2021-2022 tentative amended budget which will be on display in the main office for the next 30 days.

Set the date of June 22, 2022 at 6:10 pm for the budget hearing on the amended 2021-2022 budget.

Approved the dates and time for the 2022-2023 School Board Meetings.

Approved to abate $15,000 from Capital Projects Fund to the Debt Service Fund.

Approved the FY23 Consolidated District Plan for grant funding.

Approved to discard obsolete/excess playground equipment.

Approved the resignation of Malynn McGee as Special Education paraprofessional.

Approved the hiring of Nick Waldroup as a Summer Enrichment Teacher.

Approved the hiring of Elizabeth Perry as a Summer Enrichment Teacher.

Approved the hiring of Tiffany Seaton as a Summer Enrichment Teacher.

Approved the hiring of Jonathan Bowser as Part-time Summer Custodian.

Superintendent Says Stadium Project On Schedule; Will Be Ready For 1st Game

The Mt. Carmel Golden Aces football team is scheduled to open the 2022 season on Friday night, August 26th at Riverview Stadium. But if you’ve been past the stadium or seen our photos on Facebook, you’re probably skeptical if that’s going to happen. The massive renovation is well underway with the concession stand and press box demolished, along with the scoreboard, and even goal posts are all gone along with the grass field. The 6-lane track is history as well. At Monday night’s District #348 school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer said the project is on schedule…

Bleyer said the stadium is almost recognizable, but it will soon be one of the best athletic complexes in the area…

 

On yesterday’s Morning Show, Bleyer said the new concession stand and press box won’t be ready for the new season. But, he said the new scoreboard will be good to go. 

IECC Board Meeting Summary

The Board of Trustees of Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 met Tuesday night, May 17th at Lincoln Trail College, Robinson, Illinois.  

Activity Fee allocations for Fiscal Year 2023 were approved. The Board adopts the allocation of student activity fees each year.  The allocation notes what percentage of each dollar will be turned over to an appropriate self-balancing account in the auxiliary fund.

After a thorough administrative review of current course fees; changes to certain course fees were approved by Trustees. 

Trustees approved the revision of three policies.  The Board approved a revised policy on Minimum Faculty Qualifications Requirements, Open Admission, and on International Student Health Insurance.   

An existing athletic training services agreement was extended with Crawford Memorial Hospital for athletic training services to Lincoln Trail College.  Each of the colleges are required to provide athletic training services that are consistent with requirements set by the Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act. 

            A bid was awarded for synchronous learning classrooms. Synchronous virtual classrooms operate much like traditional classrooms, with set study schedule and live discussions.  Classrooms will be installed at various locations across the IECC District, including at fifteen of the area high schools and at all four IECC campuses (Frontier Community College, Lincoln Trail College, Olney Central College, and Wabash Valley College).  The low bid received that meets all specifications was submitted by Synapsis for a total of $879,771.64.

            Seven affiliation agreements with area health care institutions were approved dealing with facility usage for IECC programs.            

              In personnel matters the Board approved the employment of Trevin Milner as Coordinator of

Public Information & Marketing at FCC, effective May 23rd; Allison Stephens as TRIO Upward Bound

Counselor located at OCC, effective May 23rd;  Angel Kerner as Advisor at LTC effective May 23rd;  and

For Clarence Burwell as Custodian at WVC effective May 25th.

            A Memorandum of Agreement with the IEA/NEA and Bargaining Unit Faculty was approved by the Board.

              Resignations were accepted for Andrea Puckett as Program Director of Financial Aid at the District Office, effective June 1st; Jamie Carman as Director of Advising & Retention at LTC, effective May 27th;  Pamela Schell as Program Director of Adult Education at FCC, effective May 21st; and for Holly Burns as TRIO Upward Bound Counselor located at WVC, effective May 10th. 

              A retirement was accepted for Jane Owen as Coordinator of Financial Aid located at WVC, effective July 1st.

Next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held at Olney Central College, Olney, on Tuesday, June 21st, at 6:15 p.m.