IECC Board Meeting Summary

The Board of Trustees of the Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 met Tuesday night, July 18th at Frontier Community College, Fairfield, Illinois.

Board approval was given for revisions to the following policies:

• Withdrawal of Policy 100.14 Board of Trustees Mailing List Policy as a result of the mailing list requirement being repealed.

• Minor clarifying additions were made to Board Member Leadership Training Policy 100.33

The Board approved the CAISA and SAFE Memoranda of Understanding to comply with the Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act.

An affiliation agreement was approved with Memorial Health System (PTA only).

The Board approved the Ethical Recruitment and Admission of Students Policy 500.39. This new policy complies with federal regulations related to ethical behaviors related to the marketing, recruiting, and admission of students.

The Board approved a Trust Agreement with First National Bank in Olney that authorizes the Capital Development Board (CDB) to request funds or make payment on account during the completion of the Broadband Telecom Program project at Lincoln Trail College.

The Board also approved the RAMP Fiscal Year 2025 project. Bid committee recommendations were approved for acceptance of the bid received from Homes by Schuetz, Olney, IL in the amount of $58,040.65 for the Science Building East Canopy Replacement for Wabash Valley College and acceptance of the bid received from Cleary Building Corp., Olney, IL in the amount of $407,538 for a new storage building for Lincoln Trail College.

The following personnel were employed: Tona Ambrose, LTC President/Vice Chancellor of Institutional Outreach and Chris Simpson, OCC President/Vice Chancellor of Business Operations effective August 7, 2023; and Todd Byerline, Workforce Education Instructor effective August 1, 2023.

Changes in employment status were approved for Mari Yamato from part-time to full-time Art Instructor, OCC effective August 7, 2023; Jade Montgomery from Assistant Softball Coach to Head Softball Coach & Bookstore Manager, WVC effective July 24, 2023; Collin Maynard, 2 Assistant Baseball Coach, LTC to Temporary Head Baseball Coach, LTC effective July 24, 2023; and Morgan McCoy from Accounts Receivable Clerk, FCC to Student Services Specialist, FCC effective July 24, 2023.

Under Personnel actions the Board approved a Special Assignment for Dana Goodwin for Athletic Director at Lincoln Trail College. Approval of proposed non-college employment was approved for Angelia Williams at Good Samaritan Hospital, Vincennes, IN.

Resignation ratifications were approved for Kevin Bowers as Athletic Director & Head Baseball Coach, LTC effective June 30, 2023; Andy Cougill as District Librarian effective August 15, 2023; and Christina Staley as Early Childhood Instructor, WVC effective July 10, 2023.

A retirement ratification was approved for Debbie Bryant as District Learning Specialist (Title III) effective July 31, 2023.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, August 15, at 6:15 p.m. at Lincoln Trail College, Robinson.

#348 School Board Approves New Contract With WCTA

The Wabash District #348 school board  has approved a new four year contract with the district’s teachers. The new Wabash County Teachers Association contract calls for 5% raises the first two years and 4% raises each of the final two years of the deal that will run until August of 2027. Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer also said all coaching stipends are being increased significantly this year. But, it will be the only stipend increase during the four year contract. Board president Tim Schuler said the increase in stipends will put them in the middle of other surrounding school districts.

Lane restrictions planned for I-69

VANDERBURGH COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane restrictions for I-69 near Evansville.

Beginning on or around Monday, July 24, crews will begin daily lane restrictions on I-69 in Evansville, near the intersection of Fuquay Road and Pendleton Avenue. Lane restrictions will allow crews to perform spot improvements to the roadway.

Restrictions will occur between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. Work is expected to be completed by the end of the week, depending on the weather.

Lane restrictions for U.S. 41 for new pavement

KNOX COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces alternating lane restrictions for U.S. 41 in Knox County.

Lane restrictions have begun on U.S. 41 between North Hillcrest Road to the Kelso Creek Bridge in Knox County on both north and south bound lanes. These restrictions will allow crews to begin a road paving project on U.S. 41. During restrictions a 14-foot width restriction will be in place.

As work completes on one lane of traffic, lane restrictions will alternate sides to allow for the other lane of traffic to be worked on. Delays of up to 20 minutes are expected during these traffic changes.

The project is expected to be completed by late October, depending on the weather. INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.

Mt. Carmel Woman Held On $50,000 Cash Bond Following Drug Arrest

On 7/17/23, at approximately 1:30pm, the Mt Carmel Police Department, Wabash County Sheriff’s Office and Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force (SEIDTF) executed a narcotics search warrant in the 1000 block of North Pear St in Mt Carmel.  The search warrant stemmed from an extensive investigation into the illegal sales of methamphetamine in Wabash County.  During the search, various items associated with the sale and distribution of methamphetamine were recovered.  The resident, Tara Day Jones, age 45, of Mt. Carmel was arrested just prior on a Wabash County Warrant on two counts of Methamphetamine Delivery – one count a Class 1 and the other count a Class X with the delivery amounts between 15-100 grams, as presented by Wabash County State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman and authorized by Wabash County Circuit Judge William Hudson.   Tara Day Jones was taken into custody by SEIDTF agents while attending Wabash County Court on an unrelated felony drug case.  Day Jones is being held on a $50,000 cash bond from the arrest warrant with more charges probable. 

The Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force is comprised of officers from the Mt Carmel Police Department, Salem Police Department, Robinson Police Department, Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, and the Illinois State Police. 

Otwell man arrested on DUI charge

On July 14, 2023, at 9:22 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of an intoxicated driver leaving the area of Toyota Motor Manufacturing.  The reporting party advised dispatch that the vehicle was an Orange 2006 Chevy Cobalt and was headed towards Oakland City.  Deputies Jennifer Loesch and U.B. Smith located the vehicle on State Road 64 near West Street and conducted a roadside DUI investigation.  At the conclusion of their investigation 34 year old Eric Jackson of Otwell was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail.  Upon arriving at the Jail Mr. Jackson was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.  He remains in custody on a $1300 bond.   
 
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Duo arrested for minor consumption

On July 15, 2023, at 12:45 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of an underage party in the 1800 block of North Old Petersburg Road near Princeton.  Deputy U.B. Smith and Ben Kiesel went out to the residence and conducted an investigation.  As a result of their investigation 20 year old Jacob Carr of Princeton, and 20 year old Camry Jones of Evansville were taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail.  Ms. Jones was charged with Minor Consumption by Deputy U.B. Smith, and Mr. Carr was charged with Minor Consumption and False Informing by Princeton Officer Ben Kiesel.  Both have since posted bond.      
 
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Sullivan, Indiana man arrested for Disorderly Conduct

On July 15, 2023, at 2:48 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a fight in progress in the 1800 block of North Old Petersburg Road near Princeton, Indiana.  Multiple officers were dispatched to the scene, and while on scene 34-year old Devon Norton of Sullivan, Indiana was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Disorderly Conduct.  He remains in custody on an $1100 bond. 
 
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Single vehicle accident leads to arrest of Owensville man on DUI charge

On July 15, 2023, at 1:30 a.m. Deputy Bart Wagner was dispatched to a possible wreck near the area of Garfield Avenue and County Road 50 East near Princeton.  Upon arriving Deputy Wagner observed a wrecked 2018 Gray Dodge Charger in the ditch.  Upon speaking with the driver 23-year old Trace Matsel of Owensville Deputy Wagner detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver and at that point he began a roadside DUI investigation.  At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Wagner transported Mr. Matsel to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.  He has since posted a $450 bond.    
 
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.