Allendale School Board Notes

At the December 2022 Allendale School Board meeting held in the library of Allendale School, the board:

Adopted the 2022 Payable 2023 Tax Levy with an aggregate increase of 4.99%.

Each board member received a document to begin the Superintendent Evaluation process, which will be gathered and presented next month.

Approved the update of Policy 7:70 concerning absenteeism and truancy.

Approved the resignation of Mackenzie Thread as after-school tutor, effective immediately.

Approved the hiring of Talley Wyatt as after-school tutor beginning in January.

In attendance at the board meeting to address board members were Eli Linson and Mackinley Jefferson.

Christmas Break Coming At Good Time For Flu Ravaged Schools

Christmas break couldn’t be coming at a better time for Wabash District #348 as the flu has ravaged local schools in recent weeks. At Monday’s District #348 school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer said it’s been a rough month for absenteeism’s…..

 Christmas break in District #348 schools begins with a two hour early dismissal today and classes will resume January 4th.

At Monday’s county commissioner meeting, Wabash County Health Department administrator Judy Wissel said the county remains in high transmission levels for flu and COVID. She said if people are sick, they should remain home. The health department continues to offer testing weekdays and the COVID and flu vaccines are still available.

At yesterday’s Wabash General Hospital board of directors meeting, chief of staff Dr. Lauren Croft said while the county is in the high transmission level, masks are again mandatory in the hospital and its’ associated offices.

Winter Driving Tips From ISP Jasper Post

With colder temperatures in the forecast, it won't be long until winter driving conditions become the norm for many across the state, even here in the Jasper District.   

Below are a few tips, along with information gathered from our friends at the National Highway Traffic Administration (NTHSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In 2020, an estimated 25,000 injury crashes occurred in wintry conditions (NHTSA).  

What can you do now? 

  • Tires - As outside temperatures drop, so does the tire's inflation pressure. Ensure your tires are correctly inflated to the recommended pressures. To find the recommended pressure for your vehicle, check the label on the driver's side door jam or in the owner's manual. Don't use the tire pressure listed on the tire's side, as this is generally the maximum pressure, not the recommended pressure. The tread should be at least 2/32 of an inch or greater on all tires. Remember your spare! 

  • Snow tires? - All-weather tires are great for everyday use, but tests have shown that snow tires can significantly increase your traction on snow and ice compared to all-season tires. All-Wheel drive, traction control, and other computerized systems on your car are great for helping to maintain or regain traction, but they won't increase your traction.  

  • Battery - Your car's battery is also negatively affected by cold temperatures. Now is an excellent time to check your battery and charging system.  

  • Wipers - Worn or damaged wipers are no match for snow and ice. Check and replace them if needed.  

  • Wiper Fluid - During heavy snow or on a slushy roadway, it is easy to empty your washer reservoir. Make sure to top it off now with a winter-grade fluid.  

  • Emergency Kit - Even for the safest drivers, crashes, breakdowns, and getting stuck on an unplowed road can happen. Don't be caught off-guard; have an emergency kit with a blanket, flashlight, jumper cables, road flares, or emergency lights available. You may also want to pack a small shovel and some kitty litter or sand to help get "unstuck." 

When you hit the road. 

  • Make sure you dress appropriately when headed out - coat/gloves/hat? That quick trip to the store could turn into an hour's wait for a wrecker or dig yourself out.     

  • Clear your windows and lights of snow and ice, and make sure you can see and BE SEEN. 

  • Leave early.

  • Slow down. 

  • Increase your following distance. Instead of your normal 3-second distance, increase it to eight or ten seconds on slick roadways.  

  • Accelerate and brake slowly and smoothly.  

  • Turn off your cruise control. 

  • Buckle UP / Phone Down

Be patient and courteous with others.

  • Don't crowd snowplows or drive beside the truck on two-lane roads. Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) employees will be working very hard to keep the roads moving; give them the space they need.  

  • Check on family and neighbors who may not be capable of driving in winter conditions.

Vincennes Couple Killed In Crash on US 41

Knox County – Monday evening, December 19, at approximately 6:40 p.m., Indiana State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on US 41 at Industrial Park Boulevard that claimed the lives of a Vincennes couple.

Preliminary investigation revealed Russell L. Wilson, 60, of Princeton, was driving a 2015 Peterbilt tractor-trailer west on Industrial Park Boulevard toward US 41. After stopping at US 41, Wilson started to proceed across the northbound lanes to continue south on US 41 but stopped in the crossover due to southbound traffic. Wilson’s trailer was blocking both northbound lanes. Craig Wissel, 68, of Vincennes, was driving a 2015 Toyota Sienna north on US 41 and collided into the trailer. Wissel and his wife, Jane Wissel, 68, died at the scene. They were both wearing seat belts. Wilson was not injured.

The investigation is continuing.

Investigating Officer: Master Trooper Gary Goodman, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the Knox County Coroner’s Office

Contested Races Set For Mt. Carmel City Council & District #348 School Board

The filing period for next April’s consolidated election ended today and there will be races for Mt. Carmel City Council and District #348 school board.

For Mt. Carmel City Council, five candidates filed for the four seats. Incumbents Susan Zimmerman, Eric Ikemire, and Tom Meeks filed along with challengers Darrel Thompson II, and Tyson Meador to vie for the four commissioner positions. Current commissioner Justin Dulgar is not seeking another term due to a pending move to Florida next year. Joe Judge was the only person to file to run for mayor assuring him an uncontested second term.

For District #348 school board, long time board member Neil Earnest is not seeking another term meaning there will be at least one new school board member. Incumbents Ryan Peter and Janice Alka filed to run for re-election along with challengers Michael Stinson, Jamie McCorkle, Jonathan Miller, and Gregg Wilcox. Three school board seats will be available on the April ballot.

In Allendale, Jon Michael Deisher is not seeking another term opening up a spot on the District #17 school board. Filing to fill the spot is newcomer Eric Haines while incumbents Miles Marcotte and Gary Buchanan are on the ballot for new terms as well.

The consolidated election in Illinois is Tuesday, April 4th, 2023.

Walmart Theft Investigation Leads To Arrest Of Two By MCPD

On 12/15/2022, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Kristjan D. Sant, age 23, of Salem, Illinois for Possession of Methamphetamine and Ellen R. Boyce, age 34, of Centralia, Illinois for Obstructing Identification following an investigation into a retail theft that had just occurred at the Princeton, Indiana Walmart.  MCPD was contacted by the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office regarding two individuals in a white Ford Escape with Illinois registration coming towards Illinois from Walmart.  MCPD officers located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop in the 400 block of N Walnut.  In speaking to the driver, Kristjan Sant, they found he did not possess a valid license.  While Sant had his wallet out, officers located a clear bag of suspected methamphetamine inside of it, which was later field tested to confirm.  Sant was taken into custody at this time. 

As Gibson County continued their investigation into the allegation, officers found numerous items in the rear of the vehicle from Walmart, still tagged, and with no receipt available to indicate a purchase.  During this time, Sant’s passenger provided several false names to avoid providing her identity.  Ultimately, officers found her identity to be Ellen Boyce who had an active warrant for her arrest out of Marion County Illinois; however, the warrant was not extraditable.  Once a Gibson County Deputy arrived and completed their investigation, both Sant and Boyce were transported to the Wabash County Jail where they were charged accordingly and later released on a Notice to Appear.  Charges from Gibson County are pending.   

2022 Illinois firearm deer season preliminary harvest totals 76,854

NOTE: Wabash County deer hunters killed 122 deer during the first firearm season and 54 the second season for a total of 176. 163 deer were killed in 2021 during firearms season.

SPRINGFIELD – Hunters in Illinois took a preliminary total of 76,854 deer during the seven-day 2022 Illinois Firearm Deer Season that concluded Dec. 4, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).

Comparatively, hunters harvested a final total of 70,411 deer during the firearm season in 2021.

The preliminary harvest for the second segment of the 2022 firearm season Dec. 1-4 was 24,500, compared with 21,477 during the second season in 2021. The preliminary harvest for the first segment of this year’s firearm season Nov. 18-20 was 52,354 deer. Remaining 2022-23 deer season hunting opportunities in Illinois include:

• Late-winter antlerless-only deer season and Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) deer season, in designated counties only, Dec. 29, 2022, through Jan. 1, 2023, and Jan. 13-15, 2023

• Archery deer season continues through Jan. 15, 2023.

Details on the late-winter season are available at https://bit.ly/20222023LWH.

Details on the CWD season are available at https://bit.ly/20222023CWDSeason.

A map showing the counties open to the late-winter and CWD seasons can be found at https://bit.ly/LateWinterCWDMap.

For more deer hunting information, visit https://bit.ly/IDNRDeerHunting.