If you’re tired of bagging your falling leaves, there’s good news because the city leaf vac program starts tomorrow. Public Works Director Mike Gidcumb told the city council yesterday that crews ran trials on the equipment last week and they’re prepared to start on the leaves tomorrow around the city.
MCHS Illinois State Scholars Announced
Congratulations to our 2024 Illinois State Scholars! This year, eight students from MCHS were selected as Illinois State Scholars. Those students are: Eric Acree, Wyatt Alka, Chandler Cusick, Lauren Fisher, Marissa Goldman, Maria Kennard, Shade Loudermilk, and Carleigh Wright.
The State Scholar Program recognizes students attending approved high schools for outstanding academic achievement based upon standardized test scores and performance-based academic data. State scholar designation provides honorary recognition with no monetary award. Congratulations again to our scholars, and keep up the good work!
WGH Approves Additional Funding For New Lawrenceville Ortho Clinic
An additional $200,000 has been allocated by the Wabash General Hospital Board of Directors to finish work on the new WGH orthopedic clinic in Lawrenceville. At their monthly meeting on Monday, hospital president President/CEO Karissa Turner said the new facility is impressive….
$250,000 has already been spent on those upgrades as Kieffer Brothers Construction has been handling the project. The hospital board Monday also approved just under $100,000 to put radiological equipment in the new facility. The installation of that equipment is being delayed until Ameren runs three-phase power to the building. Turner said perhaps the most impressive aspect of the project is the speed in which it is being completed as she explained it took about a month from the time the building was acquired to its’ opening. Reviews of the new building have been completely positive from the Lawrenceville community.
Parent Continues Push To Change Parking Pass Policy At MCHS
A local parent is continuing her push to make the distribution of parking passes at Mt. Carmel high School a fairer process. Shelly Harris has spoken during the public comments portion of the last three Wabash District #348 school board meetings. Harris says the current process calls for the passes for the most coveted parking spots to be allocated based on grade point average. That process, Harris contends, is embarrassing for students who might put in the effort in the classroom, but don’t have a high GPA.
At last week’s school board meeting, Harris said despite from what she’s been told by school administrators, the GPA-based distribution is a new one as parking passes had previously been given out on a first-come, first-serve basis…
Harris’s social media posts on the subject have generated more than its’ fair share of comments..many siding with her viewpoint, while others contend the GPA way is a good carrot to offer students to strive for a higher GPA. The school board has yet to respond publicly to Harris’s concerns.
Restaurant Developer Targeting Mt. Carmel
Mt. Carmel appears to be on the radar of a developer looking to site national chain restaurants around southern Illinois. Mayor Joe Judge says he recently met with the developer who represents 15 different restaurants…
Judge didn’t offer any time line as to when the developer may make a decision on whether or not to build in Mt. Carmel or what possible restaurants may be located here. On his Facebook page, Judge recently asked residents what national chain restaurant they’d like to see locate in Mt. Carmel.
Mt. Carmel Man Jailed After Allegedly Biting & Trying To Strangle MCPD Officers
On 10/25/23 at approximately 5am, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Hayden H. Cullison, age 22, of Mt. Carmel for Aggravated Battery to a Peace Officer (2 counts), Resisting a Peace Officer and Disorderly Conduct following an incident in the 600 block of N Walnut Street. Prior to the contact, an officer on patrol observed Cullison attempting to tamper with an unoccupied Ford truck parked on the parking lot. The officer knew the owners of the vehicle so he made contact with Cullison. Cullison began to run from the scene but stopped as another officer arrived. Cullison repeatedly claimed ownership of the vehicle and became argumentative when the officer questioned his ownership claim. After some discussion, Cullison was allowed to leave the scene. A short time later the actual vehicle owners arrived to relocate their truck. Cullison became confrontational with the owners. The owners became fearful of Cullison due to his aggressive behavior and called for police to return. When officers arrived, they found the owners were unable to exit their vehicle to take the truck due to Cullison’s demeanor. The owners requested to sign charges against Cullison for his disorderly and alarming behavior. Officers attempted to place Cullison under arrest at which time he became physically combative. During the arrest, Cullison bit one officer on the leg and attempted to strangle another officer with their radio microphone cord by wrapping it around the officer’s neck. Cullison was stopped from doing so and eventually placed under arrest before being transported to the Wabash County Jail. Upon arrival, Cullison continued to be non-compliant and resistive. After a brief struggle, officers and jail staff secured Cullison in the Wabash County Jail. The involved officers then received medical treatment at Wabash General Hospital and were released later in the morning. Cullison is being held pending a pretrial detention determination.
Grayville Woman Arrested On Drug Charge Following Traffic Stop
On 10/24/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Charli J. Sullivan, age 26, of Grayville, for Possession of a Controlled Substance following a traffic stop at 7th & Plum Street. The arresting officer made the stop on a 2007 Buick for a violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code. During the stop, Ofc. Hopper and his K-9 Eleven arrived on scene and conducted a free air narcotics sniff around the exterior of the Buick. Eleven alerted to the presence of narcotics resulting in a search of the vehicle. In doing so, officers located 14 Clonazepam pills inside Sullivan’s purse. Sullivan admitted to the pills, which are a schedule IV controlled substance that requires a prescription. Sullivan did not possess a prescription and was placed under arrest. Sullivan was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was charged with the above stated offense. Sullivan was later released on a Notice to Appear.
Mt. Carmel Man Arrested For Allegedly Choking Wife
On 10/22/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Roddy A. Courtright, age 68, of Mt. Carmel for Aggravated Domestic Battery following a domestic dispute at 1149 W 3rd Street. Upon arrival to the trailer park, police found that during the dispute, Courtright grabbed his wife by the throat and choked her. Another subject at the scene admitted they called 911 after witnessing the incident. Police began to check the area for Courtright as he had already left the residence before their arrival. Eventually, the arresting officer located Courtright hiding in some bushes near the trailer. Courtright was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was held pending a pretrial detention determination by the court.
Longtime Banker Robin Dean Announces Retirement
Robin Dean, Southern Regional Deposit Manager, will be retiring on October 31st after 40 years of service to First Mid.
Robin began her banking career in 1983 in the Trust Operations area with Security Bank. She later moved into the brokerage area and planned trips for senior clients, which allowed her to travel to every continent, including Antarctica. In 1989, when Security Bank was acquired by Old National, Robin continued to plan travel and held the position of Marketing Officer before transitioning to Assistant Manager and then Branch Manager. When Old National was acquired by First Mid in 2015, she became the Southern Regional Deposit Manager through the rest of her career.
Robin says, “To say that this has been a wonderful career would be an understatement. For 40 years, I have been able to work with some amazing people. I am a passionate Rotarian and will be the District Governor of Southern Illinois – River to River in 2024. My career has afforded me the opportunity to send both of my children to college and now that they are off and doing amazing things, it’s my time to enjoy our little retirement home in Florida, continue my Rotary journey, and leave a giant impact on the world at large but particularly an impact on my grandchildren. Time is the best gift to give someone you love, and I plan to spend a lot of time with each of them.”
In lieu of a public celebration, Robin has chosen to make a donation to the Rotary Foundation.
Thank you for your dedication to First Mid, Robin. Congratulations and best wishes for a happy retirement!
WGH Board Agrees To Lease At Former Fearheiley Lumber Property
The Wabash General Hospital Board of Directors has approved a three year lease agreement for the hospital to utilize a portion of the former Fearheiley Lumber location at 1002 Market Street. At yesterday’s board meeting, WGH senior executive vice president of hospital operations and chief operating officer Tamara Gould outlined how the hospital will utilize the property…
The three year lease is for $2,750 a month for a total of $99,000. Gould said Wabash General had received a $234,000 grant that will be partially used to pay for the lease as well as building upgrades and other training expenses. Fearheiley Lumber closed in 2020 after 128 years in business.
