WABASH COUNTY IS CURRENTLY UNDER MEDIUM RISK FOR COVID AND MODERATE RISK FOR THE FLU, ACCORDING TO WABASH COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT HEAD, JUDY WISSEL. WISSELL ALSO REPORTED HER DEPARTMENT HAS SECURED TWO SMALL GRANTS, WITH MORE DETALS FORTHCOMING. SHE PRAISED HER EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR DILIGENCE IN SECURTING THE GRANTS. WABASH COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS CONTINUING TO ISSUE FLU , COVID, AND R.S.V. SHOTS.
Extreme Cold Had No Impact On Local Schools
Tuesday was the first day back for students in Wabash District #348 following the long MLK, Jr. holiday weekend. A weekend that saw temperatures here dip below zero and wind chills value making it feel much worse. But at Tuesday night’s District #348 school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer said the extreme cold caused no issues as students returned to school….
Tuesday night’s meeting was held a day late because of Monday’s holiday.
Shelby Says Changes Being Made To Parking Pass Distribution
A mother of a Mt. Carmel High School again appeared before the Wabash District #348 school board this week pressing for changes to how parking passes are distributed at MCHS. Shelly Harris began her push back in August when she said under the current process, those with high grade point averages are given first crack at the most coveted parking spots. Harris said the experience can be humiliating for those with lower GPA’s as they stand and wait to be called to get their pass. She was back at Tuesday night’s school board asking if any decisions had been made on changing the process. High school principal Andrew Shelby assured her that changes are in the works….
In the past, passes had been distributed on a first-come, first-served process divided by class with seniors getting first dibs.
Operation Share Holiday Figures Released
Another successful Operation Share campaign is in the books. According to WADI’s Debbie Meyer who helps to coordinate the campaign, 244 Wabash County families received a Thanksgiving food basket which is down slightly from the 269 families served in 2022. While the Thanksgiving number was down from the previous year, the Christmas figures were up. Meyer said 337 families received a Christmas food basket, up from 308 in ’22. And, 387 local kids received Christmas toys through Operation Share, 17 more than the year before. On behalf of herself and the Wabash County Ministerial Association,
Meyer thanked “everyone who supported Operation Share, either by making a cash donation, food and toy donations, or volunteering their time to help with the set up and distribution. I know I say this every year, but we could not do Operation Share without the support of our community”.
Kevin McGinnis of the ministerial association says the bell ringing campaign brought in $6,323.06 while the mail campaign and other donations brought in another $15,297 for a total of $21,620.06.
McGinnis Wins Allendale Spelling Bee In 25th Round
Allendale School held its annual Spelling Bee on Friday, January 12th. Participating in the Spelling Bee were the following students: Braxton Culp, Holly Paschke, Grasyn Morgan, Jayce Weiss, Kelsey Morgan, Abigail Hipsher, Keilob Escobedo, and Conner McGinnis. Kelsey Morgan, a 7th grader, finished second as she bowed out in the 24th round. Conner McGinnis, an 8th grader, is the Spelling Bee Champion as he spelled the word "flitting" correctly to nail it down in the 25th round. Kelsey received a $10 cash prize from the Student Council and Conner received a $25 LifeSaver Bond from Allendale First National Bank and a free year subscription to Britannica Online for Kids.
ISP FIGHT BACK AGAINST VEHICLE HIJACKING AND MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is targeting vehicle theft, hijacking, and related violent crimes using a $10 million Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council grant from the Illinois Secretary of State.
“With the use of increased patrol presence, air operations support, automated license plate readers, investigations, and forensic services, the Illinois State Police is dedicated to stopping vehicle thefts and hijacking crimes,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.
From October through December 2023, ISP missions resulted in the following:
Vehicles recovered – stolen and/or hijacked
251
Stolen vehicle arrests
19
Hijacked vehicle arrests
0
Firearms seized as a result of stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery
16
Missions targeting stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery and related violent crime
53
K9 used for stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery and related violence crime
17
Air Operations targeting stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery and related violent crime
3
Forensic laboratory assignments related to stolen/hijacked vehicle
1,366
Highlights of ISP vehicle recovery efforts:
November 21, 2023, at approximately 11:36 p.m., ISP, with the assistance of automated license plate readers, pursued a Volkswagen taken in an aggravated vehicular hijacking. The vehicle crashed in the 7000 block of S. Lafayette Street in Chicago and four suspects were taken into custody. A firearm was also recovered.
November 29, 2023, at approximately 8:05 p.m., ISP, with the assistance of automated license plate readers and air support, pursued a stolen Hyundai on I-94 at 26th Street. The Hyundai crashed in the 2000 block of W. 167th Street in Hazel Crest and two suspects were taken into custody and a firearm was recovered.
December 13, 2023, at approximately 9:00 p.m., ISP, with assistance from air support, located a stolen vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle fled and stopped in the 18000 block of River Drive in Hazel Crest where multiple suspects fled on foot into the residence. Another stolen vehicle fled this residence and parked at a residence in the 100 block of Shabbona Drive in Park Forest where one suspect fled inside the residence. Four suspects were taken into custody between the two residences. Two stolen vehicles and four firearms were recovered.
Wabash District #348 School Board Agenda
Regular meeting is pushed back a day because of MLK, Jr. Holiday..
Owensville Man Arrested after Overnight Chase
Gibson County – Thursday night, January 11, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Trooper Kincaid stopped the driver of a silver 2011 Dodge on US 41 near CR 350 East for driving 75 mph in the 60 mph zone. As Trooper Kincaid was approaching the vehicle the driver fled northbound on US 41 and then east on CR 350 E at a high rate of speed. The driver eventually crashed into a ditch at the intersection of CR 350 E and CR 350 S. The driver fled on foot but was found a short distance away from the crash and was arrested without further incident. The driver was identified as Fernando T. Ramirez, 19, of Owensville. Ramirez was taken to the Gibson County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.
Arrested and Charges:
Fernando T. Ramirez, 19, Owensville, IN
Resisting Law Enforcement, Level 6 Felony
Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor
Driving While Intoxicated – Refusal, Class C Misdemeanor
Arresting Officer: Trooper Kincaid, Indiana State Police
Assisting Officers: Trooper Stein, Trooper Buchanan, Trooper Marsee, Trooper Boeckman, Trooper Fox, and Sergeant Brown
Assisting Agencies: Gibson County Sheriff’s Department, Oakland City Police, and Fort Branch Police
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
1st Tax Installment Due Tuesday
Wabash County Treasurer Angela Broster would like to remind that the first installment is due Tuesday, January 16, 2024. Also, the Courthouse and local banks will be closed on Monday, January 15, 2024 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
The Treasurer’s office will be open all day Friday, January 12th from 8am to 4pm.
Over the weekend payments can be made at the Bank branches, First Mid, First Bank and First National Bank on Saturday, January 13, 2024 until noon as well as the payment drop box in front of the Courthouse. If using the drop box please include a phone number with your payment. If you are mailing in your payment, please make sure it will be postmarked on or before the due date of January 16, 2024.
If you have any questions, please call the office at 618-262-5262.
Suggestions Sought To Name Riverview Stadium Building
School officials are looking for your help in naming the new multi-purpose building at Riverview Stadium. With the new concession stand/rest room/locker rooms/classroom building nearing completion, school officials have opened up the naming process to the community. The building at Riverview Stadium Plaza will be used by multiple activities including sports, band, educational class time, meetings, banquets, and other events. You can submit your suggestion by going to the District 3-48 web site. Officials ask that suggestions not be submitted for naming the building after an individual. The deadline to submit a suggestion is January 19th.
As far as how the complex is coming along, the gates, graphics, painting, and remaining finishing touches are almost complete. Additionally, the first round of commemorative brick markers has been placed and soon, the final contractor, architect, and Regional Office of Education inspections will be conducted. Once they are completed, the building will be turned over to the District, and preparations will be made for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Click here to suggest a building name: https://www.wabash348.com/page/help-name-the-new-building-at-mchs
