The date has been set for this fall’s health and wellness extravaganza at Wabash General Hospital. Danielle Stevens told the WGH board at their meeting last evening that the extravaganza will be held on September 29th at the hospital.
MCPD Hires New Officer
The Mt. Carmel Police Department has hired a new officer. Ashton Walker will begin training at the police academy on August 29th and will be ready for field training in December and then be on the road as MCPD’s newest officer. According to police chief Mike McWilliams, Walker is already a member of the Mt. Carmel Fire Department and National Guard so he already has a background in emergency training.
City Council Unanimously Approves Sewer Rate Increase
Beginning next month, sewer rates in Mt. Carmel will be increasing for the first time in seven years. At yesterday’s City Council meeting, water and sewer commissioner Justin Dulgar ran down the increases that were approved unanimously by commissioners….
Dulgar said the city has borrowed $3.4 million from the EPA to pay for previous upgrades to the sewer plant. He said the increase in rates will not only be used to pay off the loan, but also to help cover other costly repairs the sewer department is tackling including the massive break at 3rd and Division. There, Dulgar said 1,200 feet of sewer line wlll need to be replaced…something he said would be “pretty expensive”. In fact, since the EPA has no provisions for loans for emergency projects such as this, the city is seeking local financing to pay for the work. Otherwise, the repairs would have to be halted during the lengthy EPA loan process.
Dulgar pointed out that the sewer and water departments operate as stand-alone entities within the city budget and money out of the city’s general fund can’t be used to pay for anything related to those two departments. They are totally dependent on user fees.
Crews were busy this morning working on the 3rd & Division Street sewer project.
Crews were busy this morning working on the 3rd & Division Street sewer project.
GREENUP MAN ARRESTED FOR FIRST DEGREE MURDER
GREENUP – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 8 announce the arrest of Lonnie L. Glidewell, a 57-year-old male from Greenup, IL, for First Degree Murder (Class M Felony).
On August 20, 2022 at approximately 9:23 p.m., the ISP DCI – Zone 8 was requested by Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office to conduct a homicide investigation in Greenup, IL. A male, later identified as Colten L. Oakley, a 36-year-old of Westfield, IL, was located deceased with gunshot wounds outside of a residence in the 2000 block of County Road 1300 North in Cumberland County.
On August 22, 2022, the Cumberland County State's Attorney's Office charged Glidewell with First Degree Murder (Class M Felony). Glidewell is currently detained at the Cumberland County Jail with a $1,000,000 bond, 10% to apply.
ISP DCI – Zone 8 was assisted by the Greenup Police Department, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Cumberland County Coroner’s Office and ISP Crime Scene Services. No further information is available at this time.
One Of Two Victims In House Explosion Passes Away
One of the two victims in Friday evening’s house explosion in rural Wabash County has passed away. Sheriff Derek Morgan confirms that 66 year old Kevin Murphy died at a Louisville hospital after being airlifted there following the 5:39pm explosion. Murphy’s wife, Sue, was also airlifted to a Louisville hospital where she’s reported to be in ICU in stable condition. Morgan said a group of neighbors pulled one victim from the residence before the residence was completely engulfed in flames. Investigators with the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s office arrived on the scene last night and are continuing to investigate today.
Sheriff Derek Morgan Interview On House Explosion
Interview with Wabash County Sheriff Derek Morgan on house explosion northwest of Allendale.
Crews Respond To Report Of House Explosion In Northern Wabash County
Emergency crews have responded to a report of a house explosion in northern Wabash County. We’ll have more details as they become available.
Mt. Carmel City Council Agenda
AGENDA
CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Monday August 22, 2022 at 5:00 pm
· Call to Order
o Pledge of Allegiance
o Roll Call
· Approve Minutes
o Minutes of meeting held 08/8/2022
· Visitors (topic discussed by visitor(s) is limited to 5 minutes)
· Reports and Communications
o Mayor Judge
o Commissioner Meeks Streets, Cemeteries and Parks
o Commissioner Ikemire Finance and Senior Citizens
o Commissioner Dulgar Water and Sewer
o Commissioner Zimmerman Fire, Health & Safety, City Hall and Garbage
· Staff Reports
o Ryan Turner Brady Waldrop
o Michael McWilliams Francis Speth Mike Gidcumb
New Business
o Second reading of Ordinance No. 2076-Change in basic rates for water and sewer.
o Consent Agenda
o Removal of items from the Consent Agenda
o Consideration of Consent Agenda
o Consideration of items removed from the Consent Agenda
· Executive Session
· Motion to Adjourn
Mayor Offers Updates On Road Projects
From Mayor Joe Judge:
Friday Project Update.
Wabash River Bridge project is getting closer to being done. IDOT told me today it looks like they will remove barriers on Tuesday.
Cherry Street project is still moving forward well and they are scheduled to start soil stabilization late next week and that will be weather dependent.
3rd Street Sewer is going to a longer project than thought. So we have asked for a extension of the closed road permit through all of next week.
Photo Credit: Joe Judge
Back-to-School Is Time to Review Emergency Preparedness Plans
SPRINGFIELD – As millions of children and college students go back to school this month, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) recommends that all families review their own emergency preparedness plans and school safety plans. Whether your children are in school, on a bus, at music practice, or with their traveling sports league teams, planning and shared information is critical. “Severe weather and other emergencies can happen at any time,” said IEMA Deputy Director Scott Swinford. “Parents should especially discuss with their children where to go for shelter, who to communicate with, and how to communicate with them during an emergency.” Here are some tips to better prepare for the upcoming school year:
• Teach children with cell phones about “Text First, Talk Later.” The “IM OK” text message gets through phone congestion easier than phone calls do.
• Explain the basics of weather preparedness for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, fire evacuation, flash flooding, etc.
• Make a family communications plan.
• Update your emergency contact information on file at your child’s school.
• Consider adding a relative or trusted friend to the school’s information file as they may have to pick your kids up during an emergency.
• Fill out a backpack emergency card for your student’s backpack and your wallet.
• Learn more about school plans for disaster or emergency reunification.
• Encourage young students to take emergency drills seriously and ask questions to help them remember what to do.
• Encourage any college student to make a disaster preparedness kit.
• Speak to college students about ensuring that they are signed up for weather alerts and opt-in alert warning services at college.
• Download and discuss the free Safe2Help Illinois helpline and app. More tips can be on our website at Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA): www.Ready.Illinois.gov