At Tuesday’s County Commissioner meeting, Wabash County sheriff Derek Morgan outlined his department’s timeline for the new K-9 unit. Morgan said the new dog will arrive in the U. S. within the next week and then spend a week getting acclimated to its’ new environment in Tennessee. After that, the K-9 will spend 4 to 5 weeks in training before deputy Chase Cheadle will join the training for another 4 weeks. Morgan said Crimestoppers is paying the dog which will be a single purpose K-9 meaning it’ll only be used for tracking and drug purposes. Former Wabash County K-9 handler Keagan Bogard will assist in the training process according to Morgan. The sheriff’s department is close to taking possession of a new pick up truck which will be used as the new vehicle for the K-9 unit.
Allendale School Board Notes
At the June 2022 Allendale School Board meeting held at Allendale School, the board:
Adopted the 2021-22 amended budget. It shows a budget with operating funds revenue of $2,150,458 and operating funds expenditures of $1,979,444.
Appointed Superintendent Bowser as the district Authorized IMRF Agent for the 2022-23 school year.
Approved a Risk Management Program for the 2022-2023 school year.
Adopted the Student Handbook, Student Conduct Code, and Internet/Computer Network Usage documents for 2022-2023.
Employed Mr. Britt Shepherd as the district bookkeeper for the 2022-23 school year.
Employed Sue Thompson as Special Education Paraprofessional for 2022-2023.
Employed Talley Wyatt as Learning Loss/PreK Paraprofessional for 2022-2023.
Adopted IMRF Policy 6.75 Approved to discard obsolete/excess equipment
Natural Gas Prices Soar
The price for natural gas has doubled since April. Nicor Gas spokesperson Jennifer Golz says that’s a cost Nicor passes on to customers without profiting. It may not be a big deal to most customers in the summertime, but it will be if the price doesn’t come down by the fall when people start turning on their furnaces.
The $1.11 per therm on the most recent bills reflects uncertainty in the market due to the energy supply. Golz says it’s affected by things like politics and conflicts around the world. The utility company has a service called the Community Connection Center to help people find financial aid paying their utility bills and cutting their energy use. There’s financial aid to cover bills. And there are rebates for insulating and sealing a home.
IECC Board Of Trustees Meeting Summary
The Board of Trustees of Illinois Eastern Community College District #529 held its regular monthly meeting at Olney Central College, Olney, on June 21, 2022.
A public hearing on the community college district budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022 was set for Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at 6:15 p.m., at Frontier Community College. The tentative budget will be available for public inspection at the District Business Office, 233 East Chestnut Street, Olney, on and after Friday, June 24, 2022.
A resolution was adopted authorizing the permanent transfer of approximately $80,000 in interest earned in the Working Cash Fund to the General Fund on or before June 30, 2022.
A resolution was adopted authorizing inter-fund loans during the 2022-2023 fiscal year, with the loans to be repaid to the original fund within one year.
A resolution was adopted to authorize certain expenditures from the Operations and Maintenance Fund, such as custodial salaries.
The Board approved coverage of the District’s Property, Casualty, and Liability Insurance with Wright Specialty.
Approval was given for the district to pay accrued bills for a short period following the end of the fiscal year June 30. By July 30 all accrued bills received during this run-out period will be paid. and a report given to the Board of Trustees the following month.
An affiliation agreement was approved between the District and the Deaconess Hospital Henderson, Kentucky location.
Lease agreements were renewed between the District and certain locations and entities throughout the District.
Special assignments for the coming academic year were approved for all four colleges, including lead instructors, advisors, coordinators, managers, directors, some athletic personnel, and operations and maintenance team leaders.
The following personnel were employed.
Roger Eddy, Interim President, OCC, effective July 1, 2022.
Dane Inman, College Admission Representative, DO/WVC, effective June 27, 2022.
Joseph Jackman, Perkins Project Coordinator, DO, effective July 5, 2022.
Tyler Henry, Information Systems Technician, FCC, effective June 27, 2022.
The employment status Krystle Riggle was changed from Coordinator of Financial Aid, LTC, to Program Director of Financial Aid, DO, effective May 30, 2022.
The employment status of Trina Dunkel was changed from Student Services Specialist, WVC/DO, to Coordinator of Financial Aid, WVC/DO, effective June 27, 2022.
The employment status of Marty Fatheree was changed from Maintenance/Custodian, OCC, to Maintenance Worker, WRC, effective June 27, 2022.
The employment status of Chelsea Dulaney was changed from Office Assistant, FCC, to Student Services Specialist, DO/FCC, effective June 27, 2022.
Three personnel resignations were accepted.
Brent Todd, Dean of Instruction, LTC, effective June 22, 2022.
Emma Rudolphi, Director of Cozy Corner, OCC, effective June 15, 2022.
Sarah Kennedy, Custodian, LTC, effective August 6, 2022.
All trustees were present at the June meeting.
Next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held at Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, Tuesday, July 19, at 6:15 p.m.
Accused Sexual Predator Has Trial Delayed
A July 5th jury trial for a Florida man charged with the alleged assault of a child under the age of 13 has been pushed back a month in Wabash County Circuit Court. 40 year old Thomas Rosche of Bradenton, Florida, formerly of Mt. Carmel, was arrested April 20th by the Sarasota, Florida Sheriff’s office on a Wabash County warrant for two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault on a child less than 13 years old.
During an appearance yesterday in Wabash County Circuit Court, defense attorney’s Rhonda Blades’ motion to delay the trial was granted. The new trial date is August 1st. The warrant was the result of a Mt. Carmel Police Department investigation into the alleged sexual abuse of two victims under the age of 13.
Rosche’s arrest was the second in this investigation with 32-year-old Lona McKee of Robinson being arrested in December of 2021 for Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault less than 13 years of age and Permitting the Sexual Abuse of a Child. Yesterday, McKee’s August 1st trial date was vacated with a pretrial date now set for July 11th. She remains free on a recognizance bond while Rosche remains lodged in the Wabash County Jail on a $20,000 cash bond.
Mt. Carmel Man Gets 15 Years On Meth Charge
A 47 year old Mt. Carmel man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to a Class X felony meth charge in Wabash County Circuit Court. Dustin Jones was arrested on March 24th on a Wabash County warrant for delivery of methamphetamine at a residence in the 21-00 block of College Drive. Upon his arrest, MCPD officers found approximately 70 grams of suspected meth in multiple packages and over $1,000 in cash. Appearing in Wabash County Circuit Court yesterday, Jones was sentenced to 15 years in the Department of Corrections, of which he must serve at least 75%. The sentence was based on Jones’ criminal history. After his arrest, Jones will be on 18 months of parole. Jones’ arrest was the result of a narcotics investigation by the Illinois State Police with assistance from the Mt. Carmel Police Department.
Mt. Carmel Man Picked Up On Effingham County Warrant
On 6/21/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Matthew D. Matlock, age 36, of Mt. Carmel, on an Effingham County Failure to Appear Warrant for Possession of Controlled Substance. Police located Matlock laying on the sidewalk in the 1500 block of N Cherry Street, reportedly unconscious. Once police arrived, they found Matlock intoxicated but alert. After declining medical treatment, Matlock was found to have the above stated warrant and was placed under arrest. Matlock was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he is being held on a $500 cash bond pending extradition back to Effingham County, Illinois.
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE K-9 GETS BODY ARMOR
PESOTUM – Illinois State Police (ISP) K9 Odin will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Odin’s vest is sponsored by Don and Misty Fike of Galesburg, IL. and will be embroidered with the sentiment “Born to Love-Trained to Serve-Loyal Always.” Delivery is expected within eight to ten weeks.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc., established in 2009, is a 501(c)(3) charity whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. This potentially lifesaving body armor for four-legged K9 officers is U.S. made, custom fitted, and National Institute of Justice (NIJ) certified. Since its inception, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided more than 4,682 vests to K9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million, made possible by both private and corporate donations.
The program is open to U.S. dogs that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K9s with expired vests are also eligible to participate. There are an estimated 30,000 law enforcement K9s throughout the United States.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $960 will sponsor one vest. Each vest has a value of $1,744-$2,283, weighs an average of 4-5 lb., and comes with a five-year warranty. For more information, or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please call 508-824-6978. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. provides information, lists events, and accepts donations at www.vik9s.org, or you may mail your contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718.
ISP WARNING MOTORISTS NOT TO ENGAGE IN AGGRESSIVE DRIVING BEHAVIORS
CHICAGO – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is warning the public not to engage in aggressive driving behaviors as the number of reported road rage incidents resulting in expressway shootings is increasing. Motorists are not only at risk of being involved in a traffic crash due to road rage, but there is now the danger of being involved in an expressway shooting.
“Over the past year, we’ve seen an increase in reported road rage incidents escalating into violence,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “As we head into summer, high temperatures can lead to hot tempers and people losing their cool, even the dangerous or deadly use of firearms. Getting ahead or getting even with another drive is not worth the risk of a deadly crash or violence. Keep calm and stay alive.”
From January through mid-June, approximately 35% of expressway shootings ISP responded to in the Chicago area were classified as road rage incidents, according to self-admissions from victims or witnesses. That’s up from roughly 12% for all of 2021 for Chicago-area expressway shootings documented as road rage related.
Examples include a victim driving on I-90 in the afternoon earlier this month when one round was fired through his window. ISP located the vehicle with the help of license plate readers and the driver admitted to the road rage incident. In another situation, a victim driving on I-94 stated he was involved in a road rage incident and his vehicle sustained 20 defects, or bullet holes.
Motorists should recognize the warning signs of aggressive driving to avoid becoming involved in a potentially dangerous situation. Tailgating, cutting off other vehicles, improper lane changes, distracted driving, and speeding are all examples of aggressive driving that could lead to a crash or a potential road rage incident. Victims of aggressive driving or road rage incidents should never engage or confront the driver. The best action to take is to ignore the aggressive driver and call 911 immediately. Motorists who are being followed by an aggressive driver should drive to the nearest police department when possible, or drive to a well-lit, populated area and call 911.
Smith & Berberich Step Down As Aces' Coaches
At Monday night’s District #348 school board meeting, the board acted on these personnel matters:
MCJSH Principal Andrew Shelby introduces Shea Brock and Dawn McGee to the District #348 school board. Brock was hired as MCHS science teacher while McGee replaces Rachel Galatas as MCJSHS secretary/bookkeeper. Both hires start with the 2022-23 school year.
MCGS Principal Brianne Foster introduces Debbie Wankel to the school board. Wankel was hired Monday night as MCGS 6th grade RTI Assistant replacing Sara Ditterline who transferred to MCES.