Tomorrow is the last day of the 2022-23 school year in Wabash District 3-48 and Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer says they’re doing something with the last day….
Bleyer said this was a rare school year in which no snow days were used. The school year will end tomorrow with a two hour early dismissal.
For the first time since October of 2020, Mt. Carmel will host an electronic recycling event this Saturday in the former Shopko parking lot. The event runs from 9 to noon and Mayor Joe Judge says the recycling event is much needed as illegal dumping is on the rise…
And Judge says besides being against the law, illegal dumping costs everyone in the end…
Most items will be recycled for free, but some will incur a fee. Saturday’s electronic recycling event is being cosponsored by the First National Bank.
FARMERSVILLE – The Illinois State Police (ISP) announced the death of another victim in multiple crashes that occurred on May 1, 2023, at approximately 10:55 a.m. on both northbound and southbound Interstate 55, between mile markers 72 and 78 near Farmersville in Montgomery County. Ruth M. Rau, 81-year-old from Sorento, IL succumbed to injuries last evening while in the hospital. A total of 72 vehicles are known to be involved in the crashes and 37 people were transported to area hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to critical. There are now eight fatalities associated with the crashes, including the following names previously released.
Shirley Harper, 88-year-old from Franklin, WI
Joseph Bates, 73-year-old from Crystal Lake, IL
Donna Bates, 71-year-old from Crystal Lake, IL
Earl LeGrand, 64-year-old from Florissant, MO
Michael Zinchuk, 55-year-old from Champaign, IL
Amy Zinchuk, 54-year-old from Champaign, IL
Otto Medina-Salazar, 58-year-old from Carthage, MO
ISP recognizes the impact of this tragic event and offers its condolences to families and friends mourning their loss. ISP thanks all its first responder partners and sister agencies for their tremendous work and assistance during this incident.
SALEM – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 8 announced the arrest of 21-year-old Justin M. Bullard of Iuka, IL for one count of First Degree Murder (Class M Felony), one count of Aggravated Driving Under the Influence (Class 2 Felony), one count of Reckless Homicide (Class 3 Felony), and one count of Aggravated Street Racing (Class 4 Felony). ISP also arrested 27-year-old Derrik P. Coomer of Salem, IL. for one count of Aggravated Reckless Driving (Class 4 Felony).
On May 4, 2023, at approximately 9:07 p.m., ISP Troop 9 responded to a two-unit crash at the intersection of US Route 50 and Hotze Road in Marion County. Unit 2 was traveling westbound on US Route 50 and entered the intersection with a green light. Unit 1, driven by Bullard, was traveling eastbound on US Route 50 and had a red light. Bullard disregarded the red light and struck Unit 2, which was turning left on Hotze Road. The driver of Unit 2 was pronounced deceased on scene.
After a thorough and extensive investigation, including reviewing hours of surveillance footage, ISP DCI determined that Bullard had been driving under the influence of alcohol and at excessive speeds while racing another car, driven by Coomer, just prior to the crash. On May 16, 2023, the Marion County State’s Attorney’s Office (MCSAO) approved the above charges for both drivers. Both Bullard and Coomer were incarcerated at the Marion County Jail. Bullard is being held on a $1,000,000, with 10% to apply bond and Coomer is being held on a $250,000, 10% to apply bond. No further information will be disseminated.
Justin M. Bullard (M/21)
Derrik P. Coomer (M/27)
ULLIN – The Illinois State Police arrested 42-year-old Samuel L. Lewis from Cairo, IL, on charges approved by the Alexander County State’s Attorney’s Office (ACSO) for First Degree Murder (Class X Felony).
On May 9, 2023, at approximately 11:58 p.m., the Illinois State Police (ISP), Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 7 was requested by the Cairo Police Department to investigate a shooting which occurred on the 2400 block of Sycamore Street in Cairo, IL. Lafayette D. Woods, a 34-year-old male from Cairo, IL, was pronounced deceased as a result of the shooting.
On May 16, 2023, following a thorough investigation, Samuel Lewis was arrested on First Degree Murder charges by ISP DCI Zone 7, with the assistance of the Alexander County Sheriff’s Department, and the Cairo Police Department. Lewis is currently in custody at the Tri-County Detention Center in Pulaski County on a $2,000,000 bond warrant.
If you have any information on the events that occurred, you can contact the ISP DCI - Zone 7 at 618-845-3740 (Ext: 281). The investigation is open and on-going and no further information will be disseminated at this time.
Allendale CCSD 17 held its 8th Grade Promotional Ceremony on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Receiving promotional certificates were the following students:
Kate Andrews*
Ava Bates*
Isaiah Courter*
Jason Ford*
Jax Gher
Hayden Hendrix*
Lucas Isaac*
Lillie Keeling*
Preston Perry
Levi Potts*
Daniel Riggs
Landon Wilford*
* these students were recognized for being on Honor Roll for at least three grading periods
Awards presented on this night were:
American Legion Award - Ava Bates and Daniel Riggs
Math Award - Kate Andrews and Isaiah Courter
Spelling Award - Isaiah Courter
Reading Award - Kate Andrews and Isaiah Courter
Language Arts Award - Kate Andrews and Isaiah Courter
Accelerated Reader Award - Hayden Hendrix
Science Award - Kate Andrews and Isaiah Courter
Social Studies Award - Isaiah Courter
Health Award - Kate Andrews
Accelerated Reading Honor Wall (100 points) - Kate Andrews, Ava Bates, Isaiah Courter, Jason Ford, Hayden Hendrix, Lucas Isaac, Lillie Keeling, Levi Potts, Landon Wilford
All-Year Athlete Award - Landon Wilford
Also on this night, Allendale CCSD 17 recognized Mrs. Darlene Smith for 25 years of service within the district. Mrs. Smith is retiring at the end of this school year. She will be missed by students, faculty, staff, and parents. But, we wish her enjoyment in her retirement years.
Allendale School is proud to announce the May Students of the Month:
front row - Madison Lofton (Kindergarten), Carly Robinson (1st Grade), Maxton Wilford (2nd Grade)
back row - Ava Jones (4th Grade), Lillie Keeling (Jr. High), Quentyn Blythe (Jr. High)
absent - Wesley Weir
The Board of Trustees of the Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 met Tuesday night, May 16th at Olney Central College, Olney, Illinois.
Board approval was given for revisions to the following policies:
• Title change of Policy 100.9 from Substance Abuse Policy to Alcohol-free/Drugfree Campus Policy.
• Pertinent elements of Policy 400.19 were incorporated into Policy 100.9 resulting in the deletion of Policy 400.19.
The Board approved an easement to allow Ameren Illinois to proceed with installing primary power lines to a new transformer to provide electrical service to the new recreation center.
A resolution making the official declaration of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges intent to reimburse the District for expenditures previously made through future bond proceeds for construction projects across the District was approved.
The Board authorized the District to procure a temporary structure to house Broadband Telecom activities, not to exceed available coverages through the Business Interruption policy.
A resolution to establish the Decennial Committee on Local Government Efficiency as required by Public Act 102-1088 was approved by the Board.
The Board authorized the District to work with the State of Illinois Capital Development Board on the transformer replacement project at Wabash Valley College.
Bid committee recommendations were approved for acceptance of the bid received from Homes by Schuetz in the amount of $43,175.08 for the FNB Field Support Area Improvements at Frontier Community College.
Employment was approved for John McCarty, Music Instructor, LTC and Austin Alexander, Social Sciences Instructor, LTC effective August 7, 2023; Phil Britton, Head Baseball Coach, OCC effective July 1, 2023; Terrance McGee, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, WVC effective June 1, 2023; Cindy Smith, TRIO Student Support Services Counselor, IECC effective May 22, 2023; and Amanda Andrews, International Student Liaison, WVC effective May 22, 2023.
Resignation ratifications were approved for Tyson Murray, College Admissions Representative, LTC effective May 1, 2023 and Tabatha Niduaza, Director of Instructional Services, WVC effective May 31, 2023.
Retirement ratification was approved for Beth Wilson, Nursing Instructor, FCC effective August 10, 2023.
Next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, June 20, at 6:15 p.m. at Wabash Valley College, Olney
The District #348 school board approved these personnel items at their meeting Monday night at MCGS.
On 5/10/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Jaymason C. Hineman, age 24, of Carmi, IL for Involuntary Servitude. Police were called to investigate Hineman due to allegations that he, in acting as a local restaurant manager, knowingly subjected, or attempted to subject, employees to labor or services by using intimidation and exertion of financial control over said employees. Hineman was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.