Allendale School Board To Meet Monday Morning
Still No Drone For Sheriff's Department
The Wabash County Sheriff’s Department won’t be getting a drone any time soon. That after Monday’s county board meeting at which commissioner Scott West’s motion to purchase the $13,000 drone died for lack of a second. West said he had studied the issue and had talked with Mt. Carmel Police Chief Mike McWilliams who said sharing use of the drone with the county wasn’t something that was feasible. Sheriff Derek Morgan has been fighting to buy the drone for the last several months but commissioners Tim Hocking and Rob Dean have been reluctant to approve the purchase. Again on Monday, Morgan stressed the importance of the drone saying the recent Lawrence County manhunt for a wanted fugitive was delayed more than 3 hours because of the lack of availability of drone with thermal imagining capability….
Hocking and Dean were both hung up on the cost of liability insurance to the county which is $2,000 a year. Dean said the city had flown its’ just 4 times in the last year and he wasn’t convinced the purchase was a wise one for the county. After West’s motion died for lack of a second, the issue was tabled until the next county meeting on November 6th.
County Continues Prepping Tax Bills
Property tax bills could soon hitting Wabash County mailboxes. At Monday’s county commissioner meeting, County Clerk Janet Will reported her office has sent out the tax levy and extension approval report to the taxing districts which have until next Monday to return them. Will said a few more reports will then need to be completed before sample tax bills can be printed. After that, you can expect to see your tax bill in your mailbox.
Allendale School Board Notes
At the October 2023 Allendale School Board meeting held in the Library of Allendale School, the board:
Approved the Administrator and Teacher Salary and Benefits report to be placed on the school website for 2023-2024.
Approved to abate $10,000 from the Capital Projects Fund to the Debt Service Fund.
Tabled as to whether or not to send any members to the IASB conference in Chicago next month.
Approved to discard obsolete/excess sound system from the gym (two receivers and two microphones).
Approved the resignation of Andy Polston as Assistant Basketball Coach as of October 11, 2023.
Approved the hiring of Clayton Meeks as Assistant Basketball Coach effective October 11, 2023.
Three Arrested Following Traffic Stop
On 10/19/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested three Mt. Carmel residents following a traffic stop at 7th & Poplar Street. Prior to the stop, the arresting officer observed a black 2003 Ford truck operating with expired registration. When speaking to the driver, identified as Daisha N. Cardinal, age 33, the officer requested she show her hands that were concealed in her hoodie pocket, due to officer safety concerns. When Cardinal did so, she dropped a mesh bag from her hoodie. When asked about the bag, Cardinal began acting erratic, attempted to conceal the bag once again, and appeared as if she was going to flee. As the officer attempted to detain Cardinal, Cardinal yelled for another occupant of the vehicle, Timothy D Morrison, age 23, to help her at which time he exited the vehicle. Cardinal continued to resist and attempted to toss the bag to Morrison. Morrison was ordered back into the vehicle while Cardinal was secured. Inside the bag, officers discovered two hypodermic syringe needles and a clear cellophane wrapper containing suspected methamphetamine. The remaining two occupants, Morrison and Zachary D. Burns, age 25, were asked to exit the vehicle. Officers uncovered four needles in the back seat area where Burns was seated. Officers also found an additional hypodermic syringe needle that had been placed inside a drink up in the back seat area. Furthermore, officers located four cotton balls that were stiff and had a crystalized substance on their exterior. Items such as these are commonly used in the process of injecting narcotics, such as methamphetamine. Along with the cotton balls, officers located a metal tin that contained a white crystalized residue inside of it as well. Finally, officers found a bottle of suspected urine which is commonly used to defraud a drug screen. The cotton balls and substance taken from the mesh bag both tested positive for methamphetamine. Each of the three suspects admitted ownership of certain items located during the incident. Cardinal was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Hypodermic Syringe Needle, and Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer. Morrison was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine while Burns was charged with Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe Needle. All subjects were transported to the Wabash County Jail for processing and later released on Notices to Appear. The Mt. Carmel Police Department was assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office.
Reckless Driver Complaint Leads To Arrest Of Sumner Man
On 10/15/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested James R. Lancaster, age 42, of Sumner, on a Richland County Failure to Appear Warrant. Lancaster’s arrest was a result of a reckless driver complaint from a concerned motorist. When the officer located the suspect vehicle, a 2006 Buick, he observed traffic violations as well. A stop was conducted on outer College Drive where Lancaster was identified as the driver. Lancaster returned with the above warrant at which time he was placed under arrest. Lancaster was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued the warrant and held pending the posting of a $500 cash bond or extradition back to Richland County.
Chamber Accepting Nominations For Business & Employee Of The Year
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
The Wabash County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Business of The Year Award. The Chamber will be honoring a local business that has gone above and beyond the call of duty in our community this year.
Nominations for the Business of the Year can be made by anyone. The business being nominated must be a Wabash County Chamber Member. Nominations (business name or organization and why they should be awarded this honor) should be sent to the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce office at 601 N. Market Street Mt. Carmel, IL 62863 or emailed to Ldhipsher@wabashcountychamber.com. Deadline for nominations is Wednesday, October 25th, 2023.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating our 76 years with Chamber Members at the Annual Banquet this year. The Business of the Year is always exciting to do because we get some great nominations and have so many amazing members.” according to the deciding committee. A full list of Chamber members can be found at www.wabashcountychamber.com under “Members”. “Last year was a tremendous celebration and we look forward to another great banquet this year” stated Chamber Director, Lesley Hipsher.
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
The Wabash County Retail Merchants Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Employee of The Year.
Retail Merchants spokesperson Sharon Harris said the award is handed out to the employee who goes “above and beyond” the call of duty. Nominations can be made by employers, co-workers, or customers. This award will be given out at the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Tuesday, November 14TH. The employee must be employed by someone that is a member of the Retail Merchants Committee. A list of Retail Merchant members can be found at www.wabashcountychamber.com under "Use My Gift Check".
Nominations should be in paragraph form and can be sent to the WSJD studio at 331 N. Market, or nominations may also be emailed to wsjd@live.com by October 25, 2023.
IECC Board Summary
The Board of Trustees of the Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 met Tuesday night, October 17th at Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, Illinois.
Board approval was given for revisions to the following policies:
• Moving Policy 300.5 (College Board Treasurer) to become Policy 100.39 (College Board Treasurer)
• Minor updates were made to College Auxiliary Services, Policy 100.33
• Elimination of Assignment of Credit, Policy 500.7 and the subsequent creation of Credit Hour Policy, Policy 800.8
The Board approved a corrected 2023-2025 Academic Calendar to reflect April 19 as the last day students may withdraw from classes for the spring semester 2024.
The Board approved a lease agreement pertaining to the newly constructed recreational facility at Lincoln Trail College, with a scheduled completion date of November 3, 2023. The building will be occupied by the Crawford County Recreation Center for the purpose of delivering recreational and fitness opportunities for area residents.
The Board approved cost recovery fee for the Electrical Distribution System program. This fee will be added to EDS 1210 (Flagging and Traffic Control) to cover the cost of the ATSSA certification examination.
The Board approved the health and dental insurance options for the 2024 Calendar Year negotiated with Blue Cross Blue Shield.
The Board conducted a Bond Issuance Hearing concerning the intent to sell bonds for the community college purposes of paying claims against the District. Following the hearing, the Board approved a resolution to issue bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $6,500,000.
The Board approved a non-binding resolution of support for the construction of a new student service and athletic facility at Frontier Community College. Members of the Frontier Community College Foundation have expressed a desire and willingness to partner with IECC to fundraise for the project.
The bid committee recommendation was approved for acceptance of the bid received from Vaughn Equipment, Inc. of Fairfield, Illinois in the amount of $52,924 for the purchase of a new dry 2 van trailer for Frontier Community College. The funds to support the purchase were made available through the Illinois Postsecondary Perkins grant.
The following personnel were employed: Holly O’Brien, Mental Health Specialist effective November 20, 2023; Emily Rivera, Coordinator of International Students, Athletics, & Student Activities, FCC effective October 23, 2023; and Robin Johnson, Business Office Assistant, FCC effective October 23, 2023.
Change in employment status effective October 23, 2023 was approved for Jodi Robinson from Administrative Assistant, FCC to Coordinator of Academic Affairs, FCC.
Approval of a wage increase and change in position title for Jamie Carman from Director of Academic Records to Director of Academic Advising & Academic Records effective October 23, 2023.
A $1,000 one-time bonus for six MIT instructors was approved.
Resignation ratification was approved for Alyssa Maglone as Assistant Dean of Academic Services effective October 13, 2023.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 6:15 p.m. at Frontier Community College, Fairfield.
Sumner Man Arrested On Meth & Other Charges Following Traffic Stop
On 10.10.23 at 3p.m. a Wabash County Sheriff's deputy stopped a 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander at Main and Hackberry Streets in Bellmont for suspended registration. Upon making contact with the driver, 45-year-old John C. Davis of Sumner, Il the deputy advised him the reason for the stop. Davis advised he had gotten the registration plates from the person he purchased the vehicle from. Davis advised the deputy that his driver's license was suspended as well. Identification and insurance information was requested at this time. Davis could not produce insurance and was detained. Upon an inventory search of the vehicle the deputy found a black case containing a clear glass container containing a crystalline substance believed to be methamphetamine. Once asked about the substance Davis advised there was more methamphetamine in the vehicle. (a field test later showed positive for methamphetamine)
Davis volunteered to the deputy that methamphetamine assisted him with working and coaching baseball for Jr. High. Davis was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he was processed and released with a notice to appear, due to the Pre-Trial Fairness Act. Davis' charges: possession of meth, less than 5 grams, suspended registration, driving suspended, and operating an uninsured vehicle. Davis is set to appear in court on Nov.7th, 2023 at 1:30 p.m.
Mt. Carmel Residents Spent $27 Million With Amazon In 2021
THE CITY OF MT. CARMEL CONTINUES TO STUDY THE FLOW OF SPENDABLE INCOME BY IT’S RESIDENTS. MAYOR JOE JUDGE RECENTLY MET IN CHICAGO WITH DEVELOPERS, WHO ANALYZED STATISTICS ABOUT SPENDING HABITS BY CITIZENS OF THE CITY AND SOME SURROUNDING AREAS. JUDGE TOLD THOSE AT CITY COUNCIL MEETING THAT CITY RESIDENTS SPENT 27 MILLION DOLLARS WITH AMAZON IN 2021. THE MAYOR SAID SOME OF THE STUDIES EXPLORE WAYS THAT BUSINESSES THAT SUPPLY THE MOST POPULAR ITEMS PURCHASED ONLINE, COULD BENEFIT BY LOCATING HERE.