ISP TO CONDUCT OCCUPANT RESTRAINT ENFORCEMENT PATROLS

Carmi – Illinois State Police (ISP) District 19 Interim Commander, Lieutenant Kerry Sutton, announces the ISP will conduct Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) in Wabash, Edwards, and White Counties during November. OREPs allow the ISP to focus on safety belt and child safety seat laws. Illinois law requires all vehicle passengers (front and back) to be buckled up.

Safety belts are still one of the most effective safety devices in vehicles, estimated to save nearly 14,000 lives each year. Half of vehicle occupants killed in a traffic crash were not properly buckled up. The objective of this program is to increase occupant restraint compliance through education, child seat inspections, and enforcement.

Sheriff: SAFE-T Act "Absolute Mess"

Like a lot of other counties in the state, Wabash County law enforcement and court officials are trying to come to grips with how things will change with the implementation of the SAFE-T Act which eliminates cash bail and decriminalizes drug possession. Currently, Wabash County’s public defender James Lane works part-time, but state’s attorney Kelli Storckman said the SAFE-T, which is scheduled to go into effect January 1st, will force changes…

Wabash County is part of the 2nd judicial circuit which has acted as a pilot circuit for the SAFE-T Act and sheriff Derek Morgan says the early results on eliminating cash bail have not been promising…

Storckman said the SAFE-T Act is facing fierce opposition from the Illinois Sheriff’s Association and the Illinois State’s Attorney’s Association which she hopes results in changes. She said several counties have filed lawsuits against the SAFE-T Act and that she has one ready to file arguing the law is unconstitutional. Wabash County Commissioners took Storckman’s and Morgan’s information under advisement and took no action yet.

Allendale School Board Notes

At the October 2022 Allendale School Board meeting held at the cafeteria of Allendale School, the board:

Approved the Administrator and Teacher Salary and Benefits report to be placed on the school website for 2022-2023.

Approved to abate $10,000 from the Capital Projects Fund to the Debt Service Fund.

Voted to not send any members to the IASB conference in Chicago next month.

Approved the hiring of Sue Thompson as an After-School Tutor effective October 13, 2022.

Approved the hiring of Ron Witsman as the part-time night custodian effective October 3, 2022.

Approved the hiring of Haleigh Buchanan as Head Basketball Coach for 2022-2023.

Approved the hiring of Andy Polston as Assistant Basketball Coach for 2022-2023.

Approved the resignation of Luke Laws as part-time night custodian effective September 30, 2022.

Violating Probation Sends Evansville Man To Prison For 3 Years

Kelli Storckman, Wabash County State’s Attorney, reports that Charles C. Brown, a 43-year old Evansville, Indiana man, was sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections by the Honorable Circuit Judge William C. Hudson in Wabash County Circuit Court. State’s Attorney Storckman advises that the Defendant was charged June 16, 2022 with Forgery, a Class 3 Felony. On August 23, 2022, Mr. Brown was placed on Probation for 24 months. After admitting to a violation of his probation on October 18, 2022, Mr. Brown was sentenced to 3 years in the Department of Corrections, to be followed by 12 months discretionary of mandatory supervised release (parole)

FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF OFFENSE: That on the 6th day of June, 2022, in Wabash County, Illinois, the Defendant, CHARLES C. BROWN, committed the offense of FORGERY, in that said Defendant, with the intent to defraud XXXXXXXXXX, knowingly delivered to XXXXX, a banking corporation, being a check in the amount of $963.00 payable to XXXXXXXXX from the United State Treasury, knowing it to have been thus altered, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/17-3(a)(2). A CLASS 3 FELONY

Champaign Woman Gets 3 Years On Meth Possession Charge

Kelli Storckman, Wabash County State’s Attorney, reports that Kimberly G. Gawthorp, a 59-year old Champaign, Illinois woman, was sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections by the Honorable Circuit Judge William C. Hudson in Wabash County Circuit Court. State’s Attorney Storckman advises that the Defendant was charged January 3, 2019 with Possession of Methamphetamine, a Class 3 Felony. On March 11, 2019 Ms. Gawthorp was placed on Probation for a period of 2 years. After a hearing to revoke that probation, Ms. Gawthorp was sentenced to 3 years in the Department of Corrections, to be followed by 12 months discretionary of mandatory supervised release (parole)

FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF OFFENSE:

That on the 2nd day of January, 2019, in Wabash County, Illinois the Defendant, KIMBERLY G. GAWTHORP, committed the offense of POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE, in that said Defendant knowingly and unlawfully had in her possession less than 5 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine, other than as authorized in the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, in violation of 720 ILCS 646/60(a). A CLASS 3 FELONY

City Looks To Use ARPA Money To Aid Homeowners

Some property owners in Mt. Carmel may reap benefits from the city’s share of American Rescue Plan funds. At Monday’s city council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge outlined his plans for the Small House Improvement Program, or SHIP…

If approved by the council at their next meeting, qualifying homeowners could use the SHIP money to repair roofs, porches, and exterior stairs and steps; foundation and structural improvements; accessibility improvement for occupants with disabilities; along with other improvement activities.

IECC Board Of Trustees Meeting Summary

At their regular meeting held Tuesday, October 18, 2022, on the campus of Olney Central College, Trustees accepted the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Biennial Review Report and authorized its submission to the Department of Education.  The District is required to report every two years on compliance to specific requirements set by the U.S. Department of Education.    The report certifies that requirements have been met for the creation of programs that IECC has adopted and implemented to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees.   

            The Board reviewed and accepted the Institutional Record of Student Complaints. This record is reviewed annually for Frontier Community College, Lincoln Trail College, Olney Central College, and Wabash Valley College.

            Affiliation Agreements were approved with Flora Rehabilitation & Health Care Center and PT Solutions Holdings, LLC.   

            The Board authorized the District to seek bids and quotes to procure used vehicles that meet required specifications, while adhering to all other procurement procedures and policies. The vehicles will be used for transporting students.

            The Board approved a 12-month contract with DaCott Energy Services, Ltd for electric power service.

            Employee health and dental insurance rates were approved for the 2023 calendar year.

Trustees approved a Health Savings Account contribution of $1,000 for each eligible employee who is enrolled in the District’s Qualified High Deductible Health Plan for calendar year 2023.

The Board of Trustees affirmed IECC’s Mission, Vision, and Values as presented. IECC recently introduced the forward-facing portion of a new Strategic Plan – Forward Together. 

 Trustees approved a bid from Laerdal Medical Corporation in the amount of $77,268.38 for a SimMom Manikin for Olney Central College’s Nursing Program.  The manikin will first be used at Frontier Community College, but it is expected to travel across the district for training purposes.

   The Board approved the employment of Jamie Carman, Director of Academic Records, DO, effective November 7, 2022, Sueko Davis, Custodian, LTC, Avery Miller, Custodian, OCC, and Leticia Avila, Custodian, WVC, all effective October 24, 2022.

               A change in status was approved for Maverick Fisher, Welding Specialist, Title III, OCC, to Welding Instructor, OCC, effective January 9, 2023.          

            Resignations were accepted from Stephen Murray, Workforce Education Instructor, effective September 30, 2022, James Brenneman, Head Baseball Coach, FCC, effective September 30, 2022, Michael Carpenter, Head Men’s Basketball Coach,  WVC, effective September 23, 2022, John Asa Deffendall, Bookstore Manager, WVC, effective October 7, 2022, Michele Anderson, Coordinator, Employment & Benefits, DO, effective October 14, 2022, Laurie Perry, HR Coordinator, DO, effective November 18, 2022, Adam Roesch, O & M Team Leader, WVC, effective October 18, 2022.  The Board granted permission to hire an Assistant Director of Human Resources prior to the November Board of Trustees meeting.

Next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 6:15 p.m. at Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, Illinois.  

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Pair Arrested Following Tuesday Traffic Stop

On 10/18/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Derrick J. Hadra, age 40, of Mt. Carmel for Unlawful Possession of Weapon by Felon and Tara Day Jones, age 44, of Mt. Carmel for Possession of a Controlled Substance following a traffic stop at 10th & Parrish Street on a 2019 Chrysler 300 for a traffic offense.

While on the stop, Officer Daniel Hopper and his K-9 Eleven arrived on scene to conduct a free air narcotics sniff around the exterior of the Chrysler. In doing so, Eleven alerted to the presence of narcotics inside. A search of the vehicle resulted in officers locating a loaded Bryco brand .380 semi-automatic handgun, 5 ½ Hydrocodone pills, and 4 Lorazepam pills. Both medications are a controlled substances and require a doctor’s prescription.

Afterward, Hadra admitted to being the owner firearm; however, Hadra is a convicted felon making his possession unlawful. Jones admitted knowledge of the pills inside this vehicle, which is registered to her, and could not provide proof of a prescription.

Both Hadra and Jones were placed under arrest at this time and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Both were charged accordingly with Hadra being held pending a pre-trial detention hearing. Jones was released on a Notice to Appear in court after processing.

ILMEA 2022 HIGH SCHOOL AUDITION RESULTS

ILMEA 2022 HIGH SCHOOL

The following students were selected by audition for the Illinois Music Education Association District Festival

VOCAL JAZZ

Noah Alka Senior, Jazz Tenor
Karson Ash, Jazz Tenor
Audrey Baker, Jazz Soprano
Anthony Bleyer, Jazz Bass
Allyson Bobbitt, Jazz Alto
Chase Dowdy, Jazz Tenor
Emma Etheridge, Jazz Alto
Nathaniel Garrison, Jazz Tenor
Temperance Gawthorp, Jazz Alto
Jaden Heinrich, Jazz Bass
Macy Mandrell, Jazz Soprano
James Martin, Jazz Bass
Alexa Norrick, Jazz Soprano
Maycee Randall, Jazz Alto

SENIOR CHORUS

Noah Alka, Tenor II
Karson Ash, Tenor II
Audrey Baker, Soprano II
Lathan Beal, Bass I
Anthony Bleyer, Bass I
Allyson Bobbitt, Alto I
Kyndall Boze, Soprano II
Chase Dowdy, Tenor II
Emma Etheridge, Alto II
Levi Folsom-Margelin, Tenor I
Nathaniel Garrison, Tenor I
Temperance Gawthorp, Alto I
Ava Giese, Soprano I
Jaden Heinrich, Bass I
Faith LaVarier, Alto I
Macy Mandrell, Alto I
James Martin, Tenor II
Alexa Norrick, Soprano II
Maycee Randall, Alto II
Ailee Seals, Alto I

SENIOR BAND

Karly Mandrell, Trombone
Aiden McBroom, Percussion

SENIOR ORCHESTRA

Natalie Roberts, Alto Sax
Elijah Sherman, Jazz Trombone

SENIOR JAZZ BAND

Elijah Sherman, Jazz Trombone

ISP DISTRICT 12 TROOPER STRUCK AND TWO FATALITIES IN TWO SEPARATE SCOTT’S LAW RELATED CRASHES LESS THAN AN HOUR APART

On October 18, 2022, Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated two separate Scott’s Law Violations that occurred less than an hour apart involving injury to a trooper and two deaths. The first violation involved a traffic crash in District 12 - Effingham where an ISP Trooper received minor injuries.  The second violation involved two construction workers who were fatally injured while setting out construction barrels in District 14 – near Burlington, IA. 

On October 18, 2022, at approximately 7:25 a.m., Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic crash involving an ISP District 12 Trooper, on the ramp from U.S. Route 45 to Interstate 57 southbound in Effingham.  The Trooper was on the right shoulder with emergency lights activated, parked behind a truck-tractor semi-trailer (TTST), while investigating a traffic crash.  The Trooper was gathering information from the driver of the TTST involved in an earlier hit-and-run.  The Trooper was on the driver’s side external floorboard of the TTST’s cab partially in the vehicle, when a passing TTST struck the Trooper and the cab.  The Trooper was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and has since been treated and released.  The uninjured driver of the passing TTST, 42-year-old Eric D. Trevino of Temple Bell, TX, was issued a citation for a violation of Scott’s Law – Improper Passing of a Stationary Emergency Vehicle.

Also, on October 18, 2022, at approximately 8:03 a.m., two construction workers from a Burlington, IA company were struck and killed after being hit by a passenger car.  The workers were walking behind their stationary pickup truck and trailer, which had its yellow construction lights activated, setting construction barrels for a work zone on the Great River Bridge of U.S Route 34 westbound as it crosses the Mississippi River.  A 2016 Mazda CX5 traveling westbound struck a barrel and continued on, striking the two construction workers causing fatal injuries. 

The workers are identified as Pearson J. Franklin, 20-year-old of New London, IA and Andrew Whitcomb, 35-year-old of Burnside, IL.  The driver of the Mazda, Emily Johnson, 21-year-old of Gladstone, IL, was written citations for Scott’s Law – Improper Passing of a Stationary Emergency Vehicle, Improper Use of Electronic Communication Device, and Failure To Reduce Speed To Avoid a Crash.  Johnson received minor injuries as a result of the crash.

There have been 19 ISP squad cars struck in relation to the Move Over Law and eight Troopers have sustained injuries from Move Over Law-related crashes.  ISP is reminding the public of the requirements of the Move Over Law, otherwise known as the “Scott’s 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.  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.  Additional information can be found at the following link:

https://isp.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=21430274bef64fc5a19d8dcc191ff3f8