IECC Board of Trustees Meeting Summary - February 27, 2024

The Board of Trustees of the Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 met Tuesday night, February 27th at Frontier Community College, Fairfield, Illinois.

Board approval was given for revisions to the following policies:

• Moving Policy 500.18 (Transfer Degree Educational Guarantee) to become Policy 800.10 (Transfer Degree Educational Guarantee).

• Minor updates were made to Policy 500.19 (Technical Degree/Certificate Educational Guarantee) and Policy 500.33 (Student Consumer Information Disclosure Policy).

•Updates were made to Policy 500.21 (Student Military Policy) to ensure new federal regulations are addressed concerning provisions when students are called for service.

Affiliation agreements were approved with Master’s Hands, Inc. NFP, Renewal Rehab, LLC, Trilogy Rehab Services, LLC dba Synchrony, Edwards County Farm Bureau, and Empower Me.

The Board approved the Illinois Consortium for International Studies and Programs (ICISP) Cost Recovery Fee for students interested in study abroad opportunities.

The Board waived the second reading and approved changes to Policy 300.15, Revolving Fund and Utility Fund. The change allows IECC to better manage payment of bills and meet its obligations under 110 ILCS 805/3-27.3.

The Board approved the sale of approximately five acres in Crawford County, IL. The land was formerly the location of the Lincoln Trail College “South Campus” (Harry L. Crisp Building). After the destruction of the building, the Board determined that it no longer needed the land for community college purposes.

The Board approved the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 tuition and fee rates to be effective with the Summer 2024 term. In-District Tuition will be set at $135 per credit hour.

Bid committee recommendations were approved for acceptance of the bid received from Eagleson Automotive, Olney, IL for the purchase of one passenger van in the amount of $45,911.06 and acceptance of the bid received from OneRoom, Inc, Springfield, IL in the amount of $866,384.22 for Synchronous Learning Classrooms project. This project is principally funded through a USDA grant.

The following personnel were employed: Jesus Gonzales, Head Men’s & Women’s Soccer Coach at Lincoln Trail College; Rachel Greenwood, International Student Liaison at Lincoln Trail College and Olney Central College; Juliet Graham, Student Service Specialist at Wabash Valley College; and Melissa Hardiman, Custodian at Wabash Valley College effective March 4, 2024.

Changes in employment status were approved for Rodney Ranes from Interim Program Director of Adult Education to Program Director of Adult Education effective September 1, 2024 and Christy Morley from TRIO Upward Bound Counselor to TRIO Upward Bound Coordinator at Wabash Valley College effective March 4, 2024.

Approval of proposed non-college employment was approved for Dustin Wiggins at CenterPoint Energy in Evansville, IN.

Retirement ratification was approved for Laurel Cutright as Math Instructor at Olney Central College effective May 10, 2024.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 6:15 p.m. at Lincoln Trail College, Robinson, IL.

Evansville man arrested for burglary

On February 27, 2024, at 5:24 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report that an unknown person entered a residence in the 500 block of East Poplar Street in Fort Branch.   Multiple officers were dispatched to the residence since the caller who lived in the neighborhood could not identify the suspect and they never saw the suspect leave the residence.  Upon arriving on scene law enforcement made entry to the residence and after brief search they located 29 year old Sebastian Denton of Evansville.  After a brief investigation by Deputy Quinten Might, Mr. Denton was placed into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Burglary.  Mr. Denton remains in custody without bond at this time.
 
Assisting Deputy Might in his investigation was Sgt. Loren Barchett, Deputy Michael Owens, and Haubstadt Officer Bryan Munnier.
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Road Issues Subject Of Thursday Public Hearing

A group of concerned Wabash County residents in Road District #2 have banded together hoping to see improvements made to their roads. Wabash County Highway Engineer Dustin Bunting announced details of a public hearing this week…

Jeff Lavier is a resident of road district two and he told county commissioners last week that district two road commissioner John Jones told him the district had no money for rock, fuel, or equipment to maintain the roads. That’s something county commissioner Tim Hocking took issue with…

Bunting said the road district had roughly $14,000 before receiving property tax distributions last month and this month. Plus, Bunting said the road district could have up to $400,000 available in motor fuel tax funds. According to the public notice for Thursday’s hearing, the purpose is to hear complaints about the alleged willful and wanton failure to repair and maintain roads within the district. The next road district commissioner election is in April of next year.

WGH Offering 20% Discount On Some Outstanding Bills

Wabash General Hospital is offering patients a way to save money on outstanding bills they may owe WGH. At last evening’s hospital board meeting, CFO Lynn Leek laid out the details of the plan called the Tax Season Discount…

Leek said there are some exceptions to the offer…

For more information on how to take advantage of the Tax Season Discount, you can contact the Wabash General business office.

Laundromat Uniform Thief Arrested

On 2/26/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Brittny M. Byrns, age 36, of Mt. Carmel for Theft Over $500.  The arrest stemmed from a Mt. Carmel Police Department investigation into the theft of uniforms from the laundromat on 2/21/24.   Officers learned that a local college baseball player had left his uniforms in one of the washers overnight.  When he came back on 2/22/24, he found that the uniforms had been stolen.  With the assistance of the laundromat owner, video footage found a female that officers knew as the above defendant committing the theft.  A representative of the college signed a complaint against Byrns later that afternoon. 

Police attempted to locate Byrns with no success; however, Byrns did arrive at the Wabash County Courthouse for an unrelated court matter on 2/26/24.  After the hearing, officers placed Byrns under arrest.  Byrns admitted she still had the uniforms and officers later recovered them from her residence.  Byrns was taken to the Wabash County Jail where she was issued her charge and held pending a pre-trial detention determination. 

As a side note, MCPD encourages the public to avoid leaving your clothes unattended when using the laundromat.  It is very difficult to recover the property once it is gone and it takes a significant amount of time for video footage to be reviewed, particularly overnight. 

SPC Increases Severe Storm Threat; Morning Show Interview With NWS Lead Forecaster

On today’s Morning Show, we visited with National Weather Service lead forecaster David Humphrey about the threat of severe weather tonight and overnight.

In their mid-morning update, the Storm Prediction Center has upgraded our area to an Enhanced (level 3 of 5) risk for severe storms for tonight. The threats for damaging winds, tornadoes, & large hail are all increasing.

Poseyville man arrested on OWI charge

On February 25, 2024, at 8:51 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Logan Lashbrook conducted a traffic stop on a White 2005 Ford Escape in the 11000 block of South 200 West near Haubstadt after observing multiple traffic violations.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Lashbrook detected the odor of alcohol coming from inside the vehicle and also observed an open beer can inside the vehicle.  At that point Deputy Lashbrook asked the driver 41 year old Joshua White of Poseyville to step out of the vehicle and he began a roadside DUI investigation.  Once the investigation was complete Mr. White was placed into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail.  Upon arriving at the jail Mr. White was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated.  He was also issued citations for Operating a Motor Vehicle Without Financial Responsibility and Driving Left of Center. 
 
Assisting Deputy Lashbrook in his investigation was Owensville Town Marshal Rodger Leister.
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

District #348 Calendar Looking Different For Next Year

The Wabash District #348 school board has approved the school calendar for the 2024-25 school year. Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer said there are several changes to next year’s calendar including an earlier start time. The new year will begin with teacher institute days August 6th, 7th, and 8th with the first day for students set for Friday, August 9th. Other changes include there being no school on Election Day, November 5th. Bleyer said the state is mandating schools be closed on Election Day with districts being given no opt-out option. In addition, there’s no school on Monday, November 4th to make that a four-day weekend. Christmas Break will be longer next year with the last day set for December 20th with a two-hour early dismissal and classes resuming on January 6th. Spring Break next year is March 24th through 28th and the last day of school will be May 16th.

Buckskin man arrested on multiple charges

On February 24, 2024, at 4:22 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of subject refusing to leave a residence in the 8600 block of South 850 East.  Upon arriving on scene Deputy Quinten Might spoke with the caller and it was determined that 39 year old Theodore Ziliak of Buckskin had battered a person at the residence.  After the battery Mr. Ziliak punched a stove top and in the residence.  Upon locating Mr. Ziliak Deputy Might attempted to speak with Mr. Ziliak, but he failed to respond to Deputy Might’s directions and Deputy Might along with other officers took him into custody.  Upon being transported to the Gibson County Jail Mr. Ziliak was charged with Resisting Law Enforcement, Battery, and Criminal Mischief.
 
Assisting Deputy Might in his investigation was Sgt. Loren Barchett and Deputy Logan Lashbrook.  Also assisting in the investigation was Oakland City Officers Jeff Hill and Zachary Scraper.
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Traffic stop leads to arrest of Princeton man on OWI charge and Possession of Stolen Firearm

On February 24, 2024, at 8:33 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a vehicle stopped in the roadway on US 41 near Fort Branch.  The caller provided a detailed description of the vehicle, and although the driver of the vehicle attempted to leave the area Fort Branch Police Chief Darrell Parker conducted a stop on the Red 2006 GMC Truck.  When Deputy Logan Lashbrook arrived on scene he identified the driver as 29 year old Colby Fisher of Princeton.  While speaking with Mr. Fisher Officer Parker detected clues that Mr. Fisher may be under the influence of an unknown intoxicant.  At that point Deputy Logan Lashbrook began a roadside DUI investigation.  At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Lashbrook placed Mr. Fisher into custody.  In a search of the vehicle illegal drugs and a stolen firearm were located.  Upon being transported to the Gibson County Jail Mr. Fisher was charged with Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession of synthetic Substance, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. 

Assisting Deputy Lashbrook and Officer Parker in their investigation was Sgt. Loren Barchett

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.