Wabash County Real Estate Tax Bills In The Mail

Wabash County Treasurer, Angela L. Broster, would like to announce that the 2022 Paybable 2023 Real Estate Tax Bills were mailed out this morning, Monday, December 4, 2023.  Due dates are for first installment is Tuesday, January 16, 2024 and second installment is Friday, February 16, 2024.  Note it is the same DATE (the 16th in January & February), but different days of the week.  

 You can make payments in person, in the drop box out front of the courthouse, by mail, at the banks; First National Bank, First Bank and First-Mid.  Credit Card payments can be made by using www.govtechtaxpro.com and the credit card company charges a fee for processing payments.

 Any questions regarding your tax bills please call the Treasurer's office at 618-262-5262.  After your 2022 Paybable 2023 Real Estate Taxes are paid in full, you can sign up for our Prepayment plan for the 2023 Payable 2024 Real Estate Taxes.

Fort Branch man arrested for public intoxication

On December 2, 2023, at 11:39 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a man attempting to enter a residence in the 200 block of North Main Street in Fort Branch.  Communications Officer James Griswold was able to get a detailed description of the suspect and upon arriving in the area Deputy U.B. Smith located 37 year old Sergio Garcia Franco of Fort Branch pushing a bicycle in the area.  Upon speaking with Mr. Franco Deputy U.B. Smith detected the overwhelming odor of alcohol coming from him.  After a brief investigation it was determined that Mr. Franco had went to multiple homes in Fort Branch offering to clean their homes.  Once the investigation was complete Deputy Smith transported Mr. Franco to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Public Intoxication.  He remains in custody on a $550 bond
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

City Still Focusing On Mandated Lead Water Line Surveys

10 percent doesn’t sound like much, but it apparently is when it comes to the lead water line surveys the city has been pushing this year. Mayor Joe Judge says the city failed to reach the 10% goal before turning over the effort to an outside firm. As an incentive to complete the surveys, the city offered one month of free water service that would be drawn randomly. The winner of that free month of water service is Lisa Hockgeiger. Judge said 120 Water, which will take over securing the lead water line surveys going forward, was impressed the city was able to secure 223 of the surveys on its’ own. The state of Illinois has mandated that all water customers in the state comply with the survey to determine the location of lead water lines.

Easy Street To Officially Be Brought Into City's Street Maintenance Program

At their meeting next Monday, the Mt. Carmel City Council is expected to approve an ordinance that will incorporate Easy Street into the city’s street maintenance program. According to City Clerk Ryan Turner, Easy Street was never officially brought into the city’s maintenance program despite various recommendations over the last 40 plus years. Turner said the ordinance will be a formality as the city already maintains Easy Street. He said a review will be conducted of other city streets that may be in a similar situation.

Today Is Last Day To File To Run In 2024 Election

Today is the last chance for candidates to file to run in next year’s election. A second local race will appear on next year’s Wabash County’s ballot. Democrat Robert Moore has filed to run for the six year county commissioner seat now held by Tim Hocking, who has filed for re-election. The other county race will be for the Republican nomination for coroner as incumbent Shaun Keepes and Greg Wilkinson were first in line when the filing opened last Monday morning. Other filings are state’s attorney Kelli Storckman and circuit clerk Angie Crum. Those filing for precinct committee-person are Republicans Joeann Dardeen in Mt. Carmel precinct 4 and Tom Ford in Mt. Carmel #9; and democrats Sandra Ward in Mt. Carmel #6; Julia Lynn Wheeler in Mt. Carmel #7; Donald Kensell in Mt. Carmel #8; and Robert Moore in Mt. Carmel #9.

WGH Board Approves Expansion Of Albion Clinic

The success of Wabash General Hospital’s Albion Clinic has led the hospital to embark on a major expansion project there. At last Monday’s monthly meeting, the WGH Board of Directors approved a bid of $315,716 from Kieffer Brothers Construction for the expansion. Wabash General President/CEO outlined the scope of the work…. 

KARISSA TURNER ALBION #1

Turner said the hospital is trying to keep up with the demand from Edwards County patients… 

KARISSA TURNER ALBION #2

Wabash General has also purchased the former gas station at the intersections of Routes 130 and 15 that will be demolished and used for parking at the expanded clinic. The expansion in Albion comes on the heels of Wabash General growing its’ footprint in Lawrence County with the recent opening of a new orthopedic clinic in Lawrenceville. 

3 WGH Board Members Look For New Terms

Three members of the Wabash General Hospital board of directors are seeking reappointment to new terms. At Monday’s hospital board meeting, the reappointments of Toni Brines, Kevin Raber, and John Evans were recommended and forwarded to the county board which has the final say-so on the new terms. Brines currently chairs the hospital board and will remain in that position in 2024 if her reappointment is approved next week.

Some Water Bills Delayed

If you haven’t received your Mt. Carmel water bill this month, you should call city hall to see how much you owe. City clerk Ryan Turner told the city council yesterday that they’ve received several calls from residents saying they did not receive this month’s bill. Turner speculated the issue lies with the post office not delivering the bills. He said one way to avoid future delays is to sign up to have your bills sent electronically and have it paid via direct draft.