Sober Ride Indiana offers discounts on rides for NCAA tournament

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana is once again a destination for basketball fans this month. To help people stay safe while visiting, Sober Ride Indiana is offering a discount on sober rides.

Gainbridge Fieldhouse is hosting the first two rounds of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on March 22 and 24. The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) encourages fans to designate a sober driver to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

“The NCAA Tournament is a time for fans to come together and cheer on their favorite team,” said Devon McDonald, Executive Director for ICJI. “We want everyone to enjoy the games, but safety is our top priority.”

Sober Ride Indiana is working to prevent impaired driving around the NCAA tournament by offering $10 off Uber and Lyft rides, with up to 1,000 redemptions available each day. Ride credits are available from March 21-24.

Ride credits can only be redeemed between the hours of 5 p.m. and 3 a.m. Rides are available if they originate in or have a destination of Indianapolis or Fort Wayne.

ICJI created Sober Ride Indiana in 2020 to combat impaired driving, particularly around high-risk holidays and events. The program receives federal funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

To redeem a $10 ride credit, visit SoberRideIndiana.com. Click on "Redeem Ride Credits" and follow the instructions for the chosen ride service. Tips are not included in the discount, and users are responsible for any charges exceeding $10. Possession of the code does not guarantee the availability of the credit.

Summary Of IECC Board Meeting

The Board of Trustees of the Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 met Tuesday night, March 19th at Lincoln Trail College, Robinson, Illinois.

The Board recognized Student Trustee Guadalupe Amicone for her service to the Board of Trustees and the IECC district. Ms. Amicone is a student at Lincoln Trail College who ran on the platform of improving student housing and access to healthy meal options on campus.

Progress was made on both fronts this year, and Chancellor Gower and the Trustees pledged to continue work on those matters in the upcoming academic year. The next student trustee, Jorri VanDyke, is a student at Olney Central College and will be seated during the April 2024 Board of Trustees meeting at Olney Central College.

Brandon Weger, Program Director of Institutional Assessment & Effectiveness presented the 2024 IECC Fact Book to the Board. Among the highlights discussed were:

• IECC had a 4.1% increase in headcount serving 17,497 students, 2,276 of these were degree or certificate seeking students.

• Retention of students from Fall 2022 to Fall 2023 saw marked improvements with an average retention rate of 68% for full-time students and 61% for part-time students. Both numbers are well above the national average.

• 942 students completed degrees or certificates at one of IECC’s four campuses. A total of 1,356 credentials were awarded.

The IECC Fact Book has been developed to provide stakeholders of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges information about the students in our District, enrollment history, the degrees and certificates granted, the financial aid received and distributed, and the District’s budgets and operations.

The Board approved the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held on February 27, 2024.

Board approval was given for revisions to the following policies:

• Minor updates were made to Policy 300.20 (Operating Cash Reserve), Policy 300.21 (Procurement Standards for Federal Grant Awards), Policy 400.1 Selection and Employment, Policy 400.4 (Holiday, Leave, and Benefit Policy –2 Non-Bargaining Unit Employees), and Policy 400.31 (Personal and Workspace

Appearance – Non-Bargaining Unit).

• Deletion of Policy 500.23 (Nursing Student Progression/Remediation Policy) as the testing referenced in the policy will no longer be used as a measure of achievement effective May 31, 2024.

The Board approved the 2025-2027 Academic Calendar and AY23 IECC Fact Book.

Affiliation agreements were approved with Clay County Hospital and Medical Clinics; Fairfield Memorial Hospital; Joyner Therapy Services; R&T Physical Therapy LLC; and Wabash General Hospital.

The Board waived the second reading and approved Policy 200.8 Campus Closures and Interruptions that ensures clarity in decision-making responsibilities, establishing communication channels, and setting clear expectations for students and employees.

Calendar Year 2023 Report for the IECC 403(b) Plan was accepted by the Board provided by Marsh & McLennan Agency.

The Board approved a lease agreement with Wabash Telephone Cooperative for the Lincoln Trail College Campus commencing March 20, 2024 with an initial term expiring June 30, 2024.

A three-year proposal received from Martin Hood, PLLC for audit services was approved.

Bid committee recommendations were approved for acceptance of the bid received from Kay Bee Electric for a total of $1,472,990 for a solar array project at Olney Central College. Once installed, the solar array will generate approximately 23% of the power necessary to operate Wattleworth Hall. With state and federal incentives, the array is expected to pay for itself in a nine year period. The Board also approved a bid received from WorldStrides Travel for a total of $104,400 for the TRIO Upward Bound Education Trip 2024.

Personnel matters included the approval of the employment of Abbygail Gangloff as College Admission Representative at Lincoln Trail College effective April 22, 2024.

Changes in employment status were approved for Heather Watts from Office Assistant to Administrative Assistant to the Dean at Lincoln Trail College and Jackie Shamhart from Administrative Assistant to the Dean & President to Administrative Assistant to the President at Lincoln Trail College March 25, 2024.

Approval of proposed non-college employment was approved for Joe Brown at KTDA 3 Trucking in Mt. Erie, Illinois and JB Express Transportation in Cisne, Illinois.

Resignation ratification was approved for Alexis McGrail as TRIO Upward Bound Counselor effective March 29, 2024.

Retirement ratification was approved for Linda Horn as Allied Health Advisor at Olney Central College effective July 1, 2024.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 6:15 p.m. at Olney Central College, Olney, IL.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE IS OFFERING $90K+ FOR NEW TROOPERS

SPRINGFIELD – To recruit the best and brightest into one of the premier law enforcement agencies in the country, the Illinois State Police (ISP) is now offering just over $90,000 in starting compensation for all new troopers.   With the tight labor market, the increase in starting pay and benefits for first year troopers allows ISP to remain competitive and attract qualified candidates who are dedicated to pursuing justice and protecting the public.

“Our Illinois State Police officers nobly serve our communities and help keep us safe,” said Governor JB Pritzker.  “Raising the starting pay for Illinois State Police troopers reflects the respect my administration has for those who serve and our commitment to continuing to grow their ranks.” 

ISP continues to modernize the agency to address challenges facing law enforcement, while meeting the needs of Illinois’ many different communities.  It is imperative ISP attracts strong future officers to ensure public safety needs are met while maintaining high standards.

“ISP holds its officers to the highest standards and the compensation must reflect the value we place on the sacred work they do,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.  “While law enforcement across the nation always face continuously evolving challenges, ISP will not compromise in its search for those committed to integrity, service, and pride.”  

Effective July 1, 2024, new troopers will earn a total amount of compensation above $90,000 upon graduation from the Illinois State Police Academy.  To allow more people the opportunity to apply and earn this increased pay, ISP extended the deadline for the next round of applications to May 1, 2024.

To become an ISP trooper, all applicants must meet the following criteria to apply: 

Must be 21 years of age.  An applicant 20 years of age may apply if they have successfully completed an associate degree or 60 credits hours at a regionally accredited college or university. 

  • Cannot have been convicted of a felony

  • Must possess a valid driver's license at the time of application

  • Willing to accept an assignment anywhere in the state of Illinois

 

In addition to meeting the minimum application criteria, applicants must also complete ONE of the following options:

Option One:

Associate degree or at least 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university.  

For those who apply under Option One, official, sealed transcripts showing a degree or credit hours earned are required at the time of application submission.

Option Two

Education requirements are waived if applicant meets ONE of the following:

  • Honorably discharged AND has been awarded at least one of the qualifying medals by the United States Armed Forces.  

  • An active member of the Illinois National Guard or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces AND has been awarded at least one of the qualifying medals as a result of honorable service during deployment on active duty.  

  • Honorably discharged AND served in a combat mission by proof of hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay during deployment on active duty.  

  • Three years of full active and continuous United States Armed Forces duty, which also includes a period of active duty with the State of Illinois under Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States Code pursuant to an order of the President or the Governor of the State of Illinois, and received an honorable discharge.  

For those who apply under Option Two, a DD-214 Long Form must be provided at the time of application submission. 

Effective January 1, 2024, the new “Option Three” allows for current law enforcement officers with three years of continuous service at the same law enforcement agency to join the ranks of ISP quickly. 

Option Three

Education requirements are waived if an applicant meets ALL of the following at the time of application:

  • Successfully completed basic law enforcement training

  • At least three years of continuous, full-time service as a peace officer with the same police department

  • Currently serving as a peace officer 

For those who apply under Option Three, a copy of their law enforcement officer certificate must be provided at the time of application submission. 

For more information about being an Illinois State Trooper and to complete and application, visit the ISP Merit Board website at https://www.illinoistrooper.com/, or email ISP.Recruitment@illinois.gov.

 

IHSA State Finals return to Champaign and Bloomington-Normal

State finals are in the books for high school boys' and girls' basketball around the state, and that means the end of a contract with host sites in Champaign and Bloomington-Normal.

However, Illinois High School Association leaders plan on exploring new contracts with the University of Illinois State Farm Center and Illinois State University's CEFCU Arena.

According to I-H-S-A Executive Director Craig Anderson, the Board is amidst contract negotiations with the host sites.

The previous three-year contracts were short-term deals to fit format changes.

But now, Anderson says the Board wants to explore five-year contract extensions with both Universities.

In other news, the I-H-S-A plans to explore possible implementation of a shot-clock at an upcoming board meeting.

Road closure planned for State Road 65 near Owensville

GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a road closure for State Road 65 near Owensville.


Beginning on or around Monday, March 25, crews will close State Road 65, two miles south of Owensville, over Black River. This road closure will allow for a bridge reconstruction project. This project is expected to last through the beginning of May, depending on the weather.


The official detour for this closure is State Road 168 to U.S. 41 to State Road 68. Local traffic will have access up to the point of closure.

Oakland City man arrested for battery on law enforcement

On March 17, 2024, at 3:14 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a disturbance in the 10000 block of East 50 North near Oakland City.  While enroute to the residence officers were notified that a male subject was out of control and was breaking things in the residence.  Upon arriving Sgt. Loren Barchett spoke with the caller and observed damage caused by an individual who was staying at the residence.  At that point Sgt. Barchett called for an ambulance to come to the scene.  While waiting on the ambulance Deputy Logan Lashbrook attempted to perform a pat down of the subject, 22 year old Noah Wilkins when Mr. Wilkins physically began to resist Deputy Lashbrook.  Deputy Lashbrook placed Mr. Wilkins into custody and transported him to the Deaconess Gibson Emergency Room Doctor where he was medically cleared for transport to the Gibson County Jail.  Upon arriving at the Jail Mr. Wilkins was charged with Battery on an Officer and Resisting Law Enforcement. 
 
Assisting Sgt. Barchett in his investigation was Deputy Logan Lashbrook, Oakland City Police Chief Tim Gaines, Princeton Officer Matt Perry, and Princeton Officer David Jones.
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Crash leads to arrest of Oakland City woman

On March 18, 2024, at 3:41 p.m. Gibson County Sheriff’s Sgt. Loren Barchett observed two individuals standing outside two vehicles that were stopped on County Road 1025 South and US 41.  Upon approaching the individuals Sgt. Barchett discovered that a traffic accident had just occurred.  At that point Sgt. Barchett conducted an investigation into the accident.  While investigating the accident he discovered that 34 year old Chantel Powell of Oakland City was operating her Teal 1997 GMC Sierra Truck while her Operator’s License had been suspended on a prior driving while suspended conviction.  Once Sgt. Barchett was finished with his investigation he placed Ms. Powell into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with Driving While Suspended/Prior. 
 
Assisting in this investigation was Deputy Logan Lashbrook and Deputy Michael Owens.   
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.