WVC Awards Scholarships to Mount Carmel High School Students at Honors Night

Wabash Valley College, a part of the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, proudly awarded scholarships to deserving Mount Carmel High School students during their Honors Night on Thursday, May 9th. These scholarships aim to support students in pursuing higher education and achieving their academic goals.

John L. Acree Scholarship::

Asher Kight was awarded the John L. Acree Scholarship, which is designed to encourage study in engineering, science, or math. The applicant must be a student graduating from a #529 in-district high school in spring 2024, with preference given to Mount Carmel High School graduates. This award helps aid with tuition costs for fall 2024 and spring 2025 at Wabash Valley College if the student remains enrolled full time. This award is valued at $4,000.

Don Horrall Scholarship:

Sophia Gamon received the Don Horrall Scholarship, established in honor of Don Horrall, one of the original members and the first president of the WVC Foundation. This scholarship encourages study in engineering, electronics, or math and is valued at $1,000.

Donald E. Dean Book Scholarship:

: Maci Farmer was awarded the Donald E. Dean Scholarship, a one year book scholarship that was established to assist a full-time Wabash Valley College student who is pursuing an associate degree. This scholarship is made possible through the generosity of the Donald E Dean family, in his memory. This scholarship is valued at $250.

Student Ambassador Scholarship:

: Sophia Gamon and Grayson Tinsley received the Student Ambassador Scholarship, which covers full tuition up to 16 credit hours per semester.

Steps to Success Scholarship:

: Additionally, 35 students were awarded the Steps to Success Scholarship, totaling $35,000 for up to two years, with an award of $500 per year.

Inaugural Wabash Valley Foundation Music and Theater Scholarship: Noah Alka was awarded the inaugural Wabash Valley Foundation Music and Theater Scholarship, valued at $1,500. This scholarship recognizes outstanding achievement and dedication in music and theater studies.

These scholarships signify IECC's commitment to supporting students' educational journeys and investing in their futures. Congratulations to all the deserving recipients

Oakland City man arrested on multiple charges after traveling 103 mph on I69.

On May 10, 2024, at 7:57 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Michael Owens conducted a traffic stop on a Blue 2020 Toyota Camry for traveling a 103 mph on Interstate 69 near the 27 mile marker.  Once the vehicle stopped the driver pulled halfway into the center median and part way into the passing lane.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Owens identified the driver as 19 year old Dylan Besing of Oakland City.  At that point Deputy Owens began a roadside investigation.  During the investigation Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia were discovered.  Once the roadside investigation Mr. Besing was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated w/ Endangerment, Criminal Recklessness, Reckless Driving, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia. 
 
Assisting Deputy Owens in his investigation was Deputies Logan Lashbrook and Shawn Holmes. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Haubstadt man arrested on OWI charge.

On May 11, 2024, at 1:14 a.m. Deputy Bart Wagner conducted a traffic stop on a Silver 2013 Chevy Silverado after observing the vehicle failing to maintain it’s lane of travel on US 41 as it traveled south from CR 350 South.  Upon stopping the car on US 41 and Oak Street in Fort Branch Deputy Wagner identified the driver as 54 year old Allen Bates of Haubstadt.  While speaking with Mr. Bates Deputy Wagner detected the odor of alcohol and began a roadside DUI investigation.  At the conclusion of that investigation Mr. Bates was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. 

 Assisting Deputy Wagner 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.

MCHS Honors Night Tonight; Graduation Saturday

The Mt. Carmel High School Class of 2024 will reap the rewards of their hard work tonight during Honors Night. The evening gets underway at 7pm as dozens of awards and hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships will be bestowed upon the graduating seniors. The MCHS

Class of ’24 will graduate Saturday morning at 10am in an indoor ceremony.

At Wabash Valley College, the 62nd annual commencement is tomorrow night at 7pm at the Spencer Sports Center.

Mt. Carmel Man Arrested For Allegedly Battering His Ex-Wife

On 5/03/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Christopher L. Batterton, age 47, of Mt. Carmel for Domestic Battery following a domestic dispute at a residence in the 400 block of N Walnut Street.  During their investigation, police found evidence along with witness statements that indicated Batterton had battered his ex-wife by striking her in the upper part of her body.  Batterton was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a pre-trial detention determination by the court. 

Road District #2 Clerk Resigns

The much-beleaguered Road District #2 in Wabash County has lost its’ clerk. At Monday’s county board meeting, chairman Scott West read the resignation letter from Cherise Stoll….

Road District Commissioner John Jones has been under intense pressure to resign because of his inaction that has made several roads nearly impassable. A public hearing was held on February 29th in which Jones was harshly criticized for his lack of work on district 2’s road despite having budgeted money available to do so. At that February hearing, State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman asked Jones to sign a letter of resignation she presented, but Jones refused.

Anyone interested in filling the Road District 2 clerk’s position should contact the county clerk’s office. The replacement will be appointed by the county board.