Despite passing both the Illinois House and Senate, Governor JB Pritzker has vetoed House Bill 24-71, the Healthy School Meals For All legislation. At this week’s District #348 school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer updated the board on the program…
The program is estimated to cost around $115 million in the first year, and up to $194 million in future years, depending on how many schools and students opt-in.
The Board of Trustees of the Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 met Tuesday night, June 20th at Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, Illinois.
The Board recognized the Wabash Valley College Men’s Baseball team for finishing in second place in the NJCA World Series Championship.
The Board gave approval to print the 2023-2024 IECC academic catalog and to post it on the website in preparation for the upcoming academic year.
Board approval was given for revisions to the following policies:
• Changes to Policy 100.21 Gramm Leach Bliley (GLB) Act Policy and Information Security Program to comply with the new GLBA requirements.
The Board authorized the Chancellor to accept coverage of the District’s Property, Casualty, and Liability Insurance with Wright Specialty.
A resolution was adopted to authorize certain expenditures from the Operations and Maintenance Fund, such as operations & maintenance and custodial salaries.
A resolution was adopted authorizing inter-fund loans during the 2023-2024 fiscal year, with the loans to be repaid to the original fund within the academic year.
A resolution was adopted authorizing the permanent transfer of approximately $143,000 in interest earned in the Working Cash Fund to the General Fund on or before June 30, 2023.
Approval was given for the district to pay accrued bills for a short period following the end of the fiscal year June 30th. By July 30th all accrued bills received during this run-out period will be paid and a report given to the Board of Trustees the following month.
Lease agreements were renewed between the District and certain locations and entities throughout the District.
The Board approved a resolution to honor and appreciate the service of Terry Bruce by renaming the West Richland Center as The Terry L. Bruce West Richland Center.
Bid committee recommendations were approved for acceptance of the bid received from GatesAir, Inc. in the amount of $66,605.50 for the Radio Station Transmitter at Wabash Valley College; rejection of the bid received from Homes by Schuetz in the amount of $62,822.41 for the Wabash Valley College Science Building East Canopy Replacement; acceptance of the bid received 2 from Joiner Sheet Metal & Roofing in the amount of $253,800 for the Wabash Valley College Main Hall Roof Replacement; and acceptance of the bid received from Vaughan Equipment, Inc. in the amount of $40,750 for a flatbed trailer for Frontier Community College.
The following personnel were employed: Michelle Brooks, Director of Small Business Development Center, IECC and Rachel Refenes, Head Volleyball Coach & Student Life Coordinator, WVC; Russell Foerster, TRIO Upward Bound Counselor, OCC; Rachel Carter, TRIO Upward Bound Counselor, LTC; William Lamb, Maintenance/Groundskeeper, OCC all effective June 26, 2023.
The Board approved contracts for Chancellor Ryan Gower and Presidents/Vice Chancellors Jay Edgren and Matt Fowler effective July 1, 2023.
Changes in employment status were approved for Paul Bruinsma from Dean of Instruction, FCC to Chief Academic Officer, IECC effective July 1, 023; Teresa Baker, Part-time to Full-time Food Service Manager, OCC effective August 1, 2023; Tim Zimmer, Director of Academic Advisement, WVC to Director of Instructional Services, WVC effective July 5, 2023; Aaron Biddle, Temporary to Full-time Head Baseball Coach, WVC effective June 26, 2023; Jon Wright, Part-time Theater Coordinator, OCC to Full-time Theater Director, OCC effective June 26, 2023; and Stephanie Corley, Part-time Office Assistant, OCC to Full-time Student Services Specialist, OCC effective June 26, 2023.
Under Personnel actions the Board approved a Special Assignment for Ernie Majors for Team Lead, Operations & Maintenance at Wabash Valley College.
A resignation ratification was approved for Leticia Avila as Custodian, WVC effective June 6, 2023.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, July 18, at 6:15 p.m. at Frontier Community College, Fairfield
The Wabash District #348 school board approved these personnel matters at Monday night’s meeting….
On June 16, 2023, at 3:15 a.m. Gibson County Deputy U.B. Smith conducted a traffic stop on a Black Chevy Avalanche in the 300 block of South Main Street in Princeton after he observed the vehicle make several improper lane changes. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Smith identified the driver as 39 year old Christopher Daggett of Vincennes. During his roadside encounter Deputy Smith detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from inside the vehicle and began a DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation he placed Mr. Daggett into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. Mr. Daggett has since posted a $650 bond.
Assisting Deputy Smith in his investigation was Deputies Loren Barchett and Wyatt Hunt. Also assisting was Princeton Officer Zach Strickland.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
On June 15, 2023, at 12:11 a.m. Gibson County Deputy U.B. Smith checked on a Grey 2023 Subaru Outback that was stopped partially in the road on Old US HWY 41 near County Road 150 South in Princeton. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Smith identified the driver as 66 year old Tony Cloyd of Vincennes, Indiana. While speaking with Mr. Cloyd Deputy Smith detected clues that would indicate that the driver was intoxicated. At that point Deputy Smith began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation Mr. Cloyd was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. He has since posted a $450 bond.
Assisting Deputy Smith in his investigation was Sheriff Bruce Vanoven.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
On June 18, 2023, at 2:43 a.m. Deputy Wyatt Hunt conducted a traffic stop on a White Chrysler 200 after observing the vehicle strike a landscape boulder at the On The Fly Convenience Store in Haubstadt, Indiana. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Hunt detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver 25 year old Mackenzie Vincent of Princeton. At that point Deputy Hunt began a roadside DUI investigation that resulted in Ms. Vincent being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail Ms. Vincent was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated with a prior OWI conviction. She has since posted a $750 bond.
Haubstadt Town Marshal Josh Hoover worked the automobile accident. Also assisting in the investigation was Sergeant John Fischer and Deputy Loren Barchett.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
From Sheriff Derek Morgan: On 06.19.23 at 1401 hrs. the Wabash County Sheriff's Office responded to the area of 9624 N 1550 Blvd. in rural Wabash County reference, a one vehicle crash.
For unknown reasons a 1999 Dodge truck pulling a trailer driven by 57-year-old Troy Hinderliter, of Mt. Carmel, lost control on the gravel roadway. The vehicle and trailer struck a ditch and overturned in the roadway. Once emergency crews arrived on scene it was determined that Mr. Hinderliter was deceased.
The Wabash County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Wabash County Coroners' Office, Mt. Carmel Fire Department, and the Wabash General Ambulance Service.
On 6/18/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Jacob M. Brown, age 31, of Mt. Carmel for Criminal Damage to Property following an incident at a river camp in the 800 block of Hydraulic Ave, otherwise known as River Road. Police were called to the scene when the camper resident reported a window being damaged from Brown knocking on the door aggressively during a child exchange. Brown was later located, charged, and released on a Notice to Appear.
On 6/17/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Tura B. Buchanan, age 38, of Mt. Carmel for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. Prior to the arrest, MCPD received a report alleging Buchanan operating her black Dodge while intoxicated on alcohol. The arresting officer located Buchanan just south of Mt. Carmel on E 920 Lane at Highway 1, being that she was stopped in the middle of the road. The officer made contact and found the driver to be Buchanan. Buchanan exhibited signs of impairment from alcohol so a roadside sobriety check was given. This check revealed several clues indicating impairment. Buchanan was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was processed for DUI and Illegal Transportation of Alcohol. Buchanan was turned over to jail staff for further processing and held pending the posting of bond. MCPD was assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office.
On 6/17/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Mark A. VanVleet, age 53, of Mt. Carmel for Violation of an Order of Protection following an officer observing VanVleet in the presence of a protected party at a residence in the 1100 block of W 3rd Street. VanVleet was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.
