Congratulations to the Students of the Month for October at Allendale School.
Front row - Ava Waldroup (Kindergarten), Oliver Ritchey (3rd Grade), Carly Robinson (2nd Grade), Nova Baxley (1st Grade)
Back row - Lainie Paschke (4th Grade), Gabby Schneider (Jr. High), Kelsey Morgan (Jr. High)
Olney, Ill. -- Illinois Eastern Community Colleges received high marks from Intelligent.com, as the education research website ranked Frontier Community, Lincoln Trail, Olney Central and Wabash Valley among the top community colleges in Illinois and the nation.
A trusted resource for program rankings and higher education, Intelligent.com evaluates each school on academic quality, graduation rate, tuition costs, and student resources. Top picks are recognized for their exceptional reputation, affordability, and capacity to furnish students with the essential tools and resources required to excel academically and to successfully graduate.
LTC and WVC secured the 8th and 22nd positions on Intelligent's 2024 List of Best Community Colleges in the U.S., while FCC and OCC distinguished themselves as the 2nd and 3rd Best Community Colleges in Illinois, with LTC also achieving an impressive 6th ranking. All four colleges consistently make appearances on these prestigious lists.
The selections are indicative of the colleges continuing efforts to provide academic excellence at an affordable cost.
“The Illinois Eastern Community Colleges District is comprised of four individual community colleges that each offer various college and career programming and unique campus environments, yet function with a shared vision, which is to see students succeed,” said LTC President and IECC Vice-Chancellor of Institutional Outreach Tona Ambrose. “Our multi-site system provides built-in opportunities to collaborate, share best practices, and engage in cross-district strategies that allow for optimal educational experiences and outcomes for all students. This ‘family-style’ framework definitely makes IECC a great district to be a part of.”
As LTC’s President, Ambrose is delighted to see national recognition of the college.
“Being ranked nationally and in the top ten in Illinois is a positive recognition for Lincoln Trail College and affirmation that our goals, initiatives and commitment to the IECC mission are being achieved,” she said. “This ranking points to the fact that we are performing well in various aspects, such as academic excellence, student outcomes, and other relevant areas. This is also encouraging as it can reinforce for prospective students that Lincoln Trail College is a great place to consider when choosing a postsecondary college and career path.”
WVC President and IECC Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs Matt Fowler believes the honor underscores the institution's unwavering dedication to academic excellence and student support.
“On behalf of the faculty and staff of Wabash Valley College, it is certainly an honor to be recognized in the top 2 percent of community colleges nationwide,” he said. “All of us at Wabash Valley College take great pride in supporting students in their learning, discovery, leadership development and engagement both on and off-campus. It’s our desire to foster a great sense of belonging while supporting success both inside and outside of the classroom.”
In its selections, Intelligent commended FCC for its efforts to make earning an associate degree, a high school equivalency degree or training for a new career accessible to all students.
FCC President and IECC Vice-Chancellor of Academic Affairs Dr. Jay Edgren said, “We are fortunate at Frontier to be a smaller college with a hometown, family feel. I believe this is appealing to students. With smaller faculty/student and advisor/student ratios, we are able to provide students the time needed to answer their questions, and, overall, help meet their needs. We strive to keep students engaged in and out of the classroom and help them have a positive experience on campus. These aspects of FCC certainly contribute to our excellent retention and completion metrics and have contributed significantly to our ability to consistently receive national recognition such as this.”
Intelligent's commendation of OCC highlighted the institution's diverse range of Career and Technical Education programs, which include health sciences, office administration, massage therapy and automotive technology.
“The No. 3 ranking for OCC validates the hard work and dedication of the faculty and staff at Olney Central College,” said Chris Simpson, OCC President and IECC Vice-Chancellor of Business Operations. “This type of recognition doesn’t just happen. It is the result of a commitment made to deliver exceptional educational services to our students.”
Intelligent.com provides hundreds of program rankings on its website as well as information about financial aid, internships and even study strategies. A complete list of rankings is available at the site.
About Illinois Eastern Community Colleges:
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges is a network of four community colleges located in the southeastern region of Illinois. Committed to providing accessible, high-quality education, IECC offers a wide range of academic and career-focused programs to serve the diverse needs of its students and communities. For more information, please visit www.iecc.edu.
On 11/06/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Arsenio J. Smith, age 33, of Princeton Indiana for Burglary to Motor Vehicle. The arrest was a result of an investigation into multiple vehicles being entered in the College Drive / College View Drive area. Police were first called to North /South Drive area to a report of a car alarm going off around 4:00am this morning. While police investigated, they located a suspicious vehicle parked in a residential driveway on South Drive. An officer approached and found the above defendant pretending to be asleep in the back seat. When speaking to Smith, they found several discrepancies in his story as to why he was parked at this residence. An officer spoke to the homeowner and discovered the homeowner did not know the subject. As police continued to speak to residents and examine video footage from various neighbors, they had a resident on College View Drive and another on College Drive report having video of a subject entering their unlocked vehicles. Items located in the car matched that of what the suspect was wearing at the time of the burglary. Based on the video footage Smith was placed under arrest. Smith had an assortment of loose change and U.S. Currency that may have come from other unknown victims. Smith was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a pre-trial detention determination by the court. If anyone found their vehicle entered overnight, they are encouraged to call the Mt. Carmel Police Department to file a report.
As the Wabash County Health Department prepares to host a blood drive tomorrow, the American Red Cross is again putting out a call for blood donors. With the holidays just around the corner, you are being asked to take an hour or so out of your day and give the gift of life. Red Cross spokeswoman Sharon Watson says this time of year, donating blood can become an afterthought.
All blood types are needed, especially type O, as that is usable for patients of all blood types. Tomorrow’s blood drive is at the First Baptist Church at 130 West 6th Street from 1 to 6pm.
Wabash General Hospital also has scheduled a blood drive for Thursday, November 16th.
On October 21, 2023, at 4:44 a.m. Deputy U.B. Smith observed an individual near a construction site dumpster located in the 2700 block of West Broadway. Upon approaching the individual Deputy Smith recognized the individual as 28 year old Taylor Slaton of Princeton. At that point Deputy Smith began an investigation as to why Mr. Slaton was at this business after normal business hours. During the investigation it was determined that Mr. Slaton was taking items from the business’ dumpster without permission. Further illegal drugs were found in Mr. Slaton’s possession. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Smith placed Mr. Slaton into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Theft with a Prior Conviction, Possession of Paraphernalia With a Prior Conviction, Possession of Marijuana with a Prior Conviction, Possession of Methamphetamines over 5 grams, and Possession of Hypodermic Needles. He has since posted a $1250 bond.
Assisting Deputy Smith in his investigation was Deputy Wyatt Hunt.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
On October 22, 2023, at 9:20 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Logan Lashbrook conducted a traffic stop on a Black 2005 Chrysler Pacifica after observing an equipment violation on the vehicle while it traveled on State Road 64 near County Road 350 West. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Lashbrook identified the driver as 47 year old Juana Martinez of Princeton. While speaking with Mr. Martinez Deputy Lashbrook observed clues that indicated that Mr. Martinez had been drinking. At that point Deputy Lashbrook began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Lashbrook placed Mr. Martinez into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated with a Prior Conviction and Operating as a Habitual Traffic Violator. He has since posted a $750 bond.
Assisting Deputy Lashbrook in his investigation was Deputy Quinten Might as well as Princeton Officers Bryce Jutzi and Matthew Perry.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
On October 27, 2023, at 5:05 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a disturbance in the 200 block of West Gibson Street in Haubstadt. Upon arriving at the residence Deputy Might spoke with all parties at the residence and conducted an investigation into the disturbance. At the conclusion of his investigation 19 year old Steven Roach of Haubstadt was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Criminal Confinement. He has since posted a $1500 bond.
Assisting Deputy Might in his investigation was Deputy Bart Wagner.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
On October 29, 2023, at 4:09 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a disturbance in the 2500 block of East Warrenton Road near Haubstadt. Upon arriving at the residence Deputy Wyatt Hunt and Sergeant John Fischer began an investigation into the disturbance report. After speaking with all parties involved 37 year old Dustin Tenbarge of Haubstadt was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail Deputy Hunt charged Mr. Tenbarge with Intimidation with a deadly weapon and Battery. He remains in custody on a $750 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
On October 29, 2023, at 9:48 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Logan Lashbrook conducted a traffic stop on a White 2012 Nissan Sentra after observing the driver unable to maintain their lane of traffic on State Road 168 near Fort Branch. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Lashbrook detected the odor of burnt Marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and began a roadside drug investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation he placed 38 year old Felecia Pharris of Patoka into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Ms. Pharris was charged with Possession of Paraphernalia and Possession of Methamphetamines. She has since posted a $750 bond.
Assisting Deputy Lashbrook in his investigation was Deputy Jennifer Robb.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 9 Commander, Captain Douglas, announces the results of Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) held in Marion and Wabash County during October.
These OREPs provided extra patrol coverage for the ISP so officers could focus on saving lives by making sure all vehicle occupants were buckled up.
Violations Enforcement Activity
Safety Belt Citations 24
Child Restraint Citations 1
Total Citations 33
Total Written Warnings 10
Most motorists know safety belts save lives, but some ignore their safety and that of their families by neglecting to use safety belts and child restraint devices. These patrols reinforce the occupant protection message by focusing on those who ignore the law. Lives can be saved if people simply “buckle up!” This project is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.