The Wabash District #348 school board has gotten its’ first look at the tax levy for the current taxing year payable next year. Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer explained the tax levy to the school board at their November meeting…
The tax levy will be on display until their December meeting when it will be formally adopted.
Early response has been good to the city’s new SHIP program. SHIP is the acronym for the Small Home Improvement Program recently approved by the city council that provides Mt. Carmel homeowner the opportunity to apply for 10 $2,000 grants that will be doled out. At last week’s city council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge said there’s still time to apply…
The $20,000 for the program is being paid for out of the city’s share of ARPA money. SHIP applications can be picked up at city hall.
VANDERBURGH COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane restrictions for US 41 near Evansville.
Beginning on or around Wednesday, November 30, crews will close the right lane of US 41 southbound. This closure will occur at the railroad crossing along the roadway near Lynch Road. This closure will allow crews to make repairs to the crossing. The project is expected to take two days to complete, depending on the weather.
Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year. AAA is predicting 54.6 million people will be heading out for the holiday. Of those, nearly 49 million will be traveling by car, a rebound to almost pre-pandemic levels. This time of year is also associated with higher drinking rates, which, combined with the sheer number of drivers on the road, makes it an especially dangerous time for motorists.
To prevent crashes, the Indiana State Police Jasper Post will ramp up enforcement as part of the Safe Family Travel campaign. Starting this week, officers will be out in greater numbers conducting saturation patrols designed to discourage impaired driving and promote seat belt use. Safe Family Travel operations begin before Thanksgiving each year and run through New Year’s Day. The extra high-visibility enforcement is funded with grants provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI). Lt. Jason Allen, Commander of the Jasper Post, said, “The holiday season is a very special time of year. May you enjoy many blessings and fellowship with friends and family. Thank you for not drinking and driving and for doing your part to ensure everyone reaches their destination safely.”
According to NHTSA, drunk driving and fatal crashes spike during the Thanksgiving holiday season. This can be attributed, in part, to cultural phenomena like “Blackout Wednesday” or “Drinksgiving,” an event synonymous with heavy alcohol consumption. This year’s holiday also comes at a time when fatal crashes and dangerous driving are up across the state and nation. In Indiana, 932 people lost their lives on the road last year, a 4% increase from 2020. Of those fatalities, 12 occurred during the Thanksgiving holiday season, with more than half (7) found unbuckled at the time of the crash. On average, approximately one-fourth of the state’s traffic fatalities are caused by drunk drivers. “Impaired driving is life-threatening, but even more so around the holidays,” said Robert Duckworth, ICJI Traffic Safety Director. “With so many ride options available, there’s no reason that should be the case. We’re asking everyone to plan accordingly and to make safety a priority. Our goal is zero fatalities this year.”
With officers on high alert, motorists are encouraged to plan to get home safely by designating a sober driver or by using public transportation or a ride service like Uber or Lyft. Even if one drink is consumed, never drive impaired or let friends get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking. It’s also important to wear a seat belt, put away distractions and follow posted speed limits. Travelers are encouraged to check road conditions before each trip and to leave with plenty of time to reach their destination safely. “We’re anticipating a very busy travel season this year, so for those sharing the road, remember to slow down, drive sober and buckle up,” said Devon McDonald, ICJI Executive Director. “Most fatal crashes are avoidable, not inevitable. We want everyone to make it to the Thanksgiving table safely.”
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal in Indiana and all 50 states. Those who choose to drive impaired are not only risking their life and the lives of others but also could face an arrest, jail time, and substantial fines and attorney fees. The average drunk driving arrest costs up to $10,000. Motorists are encouraged to contact the department or call 911 if they encounter an impaired or unsafe driver on the road.
For safety tips, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving. To learn more about the Indiana State Police and career opportunities, visit www.indianatrooper.com today.
If you need a boost in your Christmas Spirit (or if you’re already overflowing), then you should consider entering your home or business in “The Sights & Sounds Of Christmas” decorating contest, presented by Christmas Uptown! It’s free to enter, and open to all Wabash county residents & businesses.
No specific theme is being announced this year, encouraging entrants to decorate in whatever style highlights your best talents, whether it’s Traditional, Ultra Modern, or Griswald! There will be no Grand Champion winner this year, but in addition to the “Merry & Bright Business Award” and “That’s My Favorite” People’s Choice (as voted for on Facebook Wednesday & Thursday, December 7th & 8th), we’ll announce at least 6 additional winners in categories chosen by the judges.
Think “Best Depiction of a Hollywood Christmas Movie”, “My Favorite Christmas Carol”, or even the “Clark Griswold Award”!. Only our creative judges will know until the announcement Friday morning!. Winners receive a yard sign to display throughout the Christmas season, a $25 Retail Merchants Committee gift check, and a wall plaque to display permanently in their home or business. They also earn bragging rights until December of 2023!
You may also enter and request not to be judged, just included on the map! Forms are available at the drive-thru facilities of First Bank, First Mid Bank & Trust, and First National Bank, as well as the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce @ 601 Market Street (lower level). They may also be downloaded from the forms page on the Wabash County Chamber website or completed directly online from the “Christmas Uptown Mt. Carmel” Facebook page.
Deadline to enter is Monday, December 5th @ 4pm. Judges will travel the county on evenings of the 5th & 6th (if necessary), and winners will be announced Friday, December 9th @ 8am on the WSJD 100.5 “Morning Show”.
The contest is made possible by the Mt. Carmel Eagles, Retail Merchants Committee, Jeff Thompson & Sons Oil Production, Mt. Carmel Lions Club, Travis Thompson Oil Corp., and MotoRad. Please message the Christmas Uptown Facebook page with questions.
ISP Press Release:
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is increasing public safety by providing updates and clarity to two firearm ownership tools aimed at keeping firearms out of the hands of those who pose a significant threat to themselves or to others.
Today, ISP adopted updates approved by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) to the administrative rule governing Clear and Present Danger reporting under the Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID) Act. The updated rule, which allows for a broader use of Clear and Present Danger reports, was proposed in the wake of the July 4, 2022 shooting in Highland Park. Clear and Present Danger reporting is a mechanism upon which ISP may revoke or deny a FOID for an individual who poses a serious threat.
“When determining whether to issue or revoke a FOID card, it is imperative ISP has as much information and evidence as possible,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Updates to this administrative rule will strengthen ISP’s ability to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals.”
Prior to the Clear and Present Danger Emergency filing in July 2022, administrative rules required a subject’s clear and present danger had to be “impending,” or “imminent.” The statutory definition in the FOID Act, more broadly defines Clear and Present Danger as simply requiring “physical or verbal behavior, such as violent, suicidal, or assaultive threats, actions, or other behavior.” The changes to the approved rule makes the definition of “clear and present danger” more consistent with what is written in the FOID Act and is not constrained by the immediacy of a situation. The broader definition can better inform current or future decisions on FOID card revocations or denials based on risks to public safety.
The rule outlines that Clear and Present Danger reports submitted to ISP from a certified medical professional, school administrator, or law enforcement agency that don’t meet the definition of Clear and Present Danger under the FOID Act will be retained for five years, similar to other mental health reports submitted by mental health practitioners and facilities. The rule change also allows ISP to maintain and use a Clear and Present Danger report in instances when the individual did not have a FOID card or was not actively seeking a card at the time the Clear and Present Danger report was submitted. The rule will be included in the upcoming Illinois Register.
Another tool to increase public safety is the Firearms Restraining order (FRO), which allows law enforcement officers and family or household members to obtain a court order temporarily restricting an individual who is determined to be at risk of harming themselves or others from securing or maintaining access to firearms, ammunition, or firearm parts while respecting the individual’s constitutional rights and providing a judicial procedure for challenging the Order.
The Commission on Implementing the Firearms Restraining Order Act (Commission) recently approved a model policy to provide an overall framework law enforcement can follow to secure and execute a Firearms Restraining Order (FRO).
“It is important law enforcement agencies know how to safely and legally execute a Firearms Restraining Order,” said Director Kelly. “The model policy created by the Commission contains procedures that allow law enforcement agencies to comply with all firearms laws while respecting individuals’ constitutional and due process rights.”
The policy addresses procedures for law enforcement in the following areas among others:
petitioning for a FRO (either emergency or six-month)
serving a FRO issued by the court
securing firearms, ammunition, and firearm parts surrendered by subject of the FRO
executing a FRO search warrant
returning firearms, ammunition, or firearm parts
attending court hearings
training
Each Illinois law enforcement agency may make small modifications to the model policy but must adopt a policy that aligns with the model.
The Commission was created through Public Act 102-0345 and appointed on June 8, 2022 to develop the model policy with consultation from Illinois counties and others states with similar laws that have seen successful implementation. The Commission is chaired by ISP Director Kelly and includes the following members:
Gregory E. Ahern, Jr. – Judge, Circuit Court of Cook County
Lance Camp – Henry County Public Defender
Cordelia Coppleson – Assistant Attorney General, Illinois Attorney General’s Office
Kevin Doyle – Sheriff, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
J. Hanley – Winnebago County State’s Attorney
Jodi Hoos – Peoria County State’s Attorney
Russ Idle – Chief, Galesburg Police Department
Ana Lalley – Chief, Elgin Police Department
Mike Magno – Lieutenant, Chicago Police Department
Jennifer Martin – Violence and Injury Prevention, Illinois Department of Public Health
Jamie Mosser – Kane County State’s Attorney
Darren Popkin – Sheriff, Montgomery County, Maryland, Law Enforcement Expert
Eric Rinehart – Lake County State’s Attorney
Cheryllynn Williams – Deputy Director, Illinois Law Enforcement Standards Training Board
Dan Wright – Sangamon County State’s Attorney
Kimberly Wyatt – Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, King County Prosecutor’s Office, National District Attorneys Association Designee
The model policy can be found on the ISP website at https://isp.illinois.gov/Foid/StatutoryRegulation.
On 11/18/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Charles R. Leek, age 39, of Grayville, for Possession of Methamphetamine and Driving While License Revoked following a traffic stop in the 1600 block of W 9th Street. The arresting officer knew Leek to have a revoked driver’s license and made a traffic when he observed him operating a blue Toyota Corolla During the stop, Ofc. Hopper and his K-9 Eleven conducted a free-air narcotics sniff on the vehicle's exterior. Eleven alerted to the presence of drugs inside the Toyota, which led to a subsequent vehicle search. In doing so, the arresting officer located a plastic magnetic box between the driver’s seat and the center console. The officer located a clear bag of suspected methamphetamine inside the box. Leek was taken to the Wabash County Jail, where he was charged pending the determination of a pre-trial release.
On 11/20/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Heather Ajayi, age 52, of Mt. Carmel, for Domestic Battery. Police were called to Ajayi’s residence in the 1000 block of W 5th Street to a report of a physical dispute. Once police arrived, they found evidence that Ajayi had battered her adult daughter during an argument the two were having. Ajayi was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail pending the determination of a pre-trial release.
On 11/19/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Darrin L. Nation Jr., age 28, of Mt. Carmel, for Domestic Battery. Police were called to a residence in the 600 block of W 5th Street for an unwanted person. Upon arrival, police determined that a physical dispute had occurred evidence that resident Darrin Nation had battered another resident in the home during the argument. Nation was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail pending the determination of a pre-trial release.
On 11/17/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Mary R. Compton, age 65, of Mt. Carmel, for Permitting the Sexual Abuse of a Child. This arrest resulted from a follow-up investigation to the earlier arrests of Joshua A.R. Anderson and Kiara Graves, who have both been sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections for Criminal Sexual Assault. It is alleged that Compton knew of their illegal behavior and allowed it to occur inside her home while she was present. Compton was secured in the Wabash County Jail pending a pre-trial detention hearing.