IECC DUAL CREDIT CLASSES HAVE BIG IMPACT ON LOCAL STUDENTS

Local students are seeing a big impact from dual credit classes taken at Frontier Community College, Lincoln Trail College, Olney Central College, and Wabash Valley College. Dual credit classes allow high school students to take college-level classes and earn college credit while still in high school.

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges put together a report reviewing the last six academic years of dual credit students at each high school within the District. The report provides an overview of student demographics, enrollment, and course information.

Edwards County

Edwards County High School saw 217 students participate in dual credit classes. Students saved $340,961.33 in college expenses with an average savings per student of $1,571.25 per student. The average amount of credit per student was 11.53. Of the students taking dual credit classes, 41 percent were first-generation college students.

Grayville

Grayville High School saw 81 students participate in dual credit classes. Students saved $196,860.52 in college expenses with an average savings per student of $2,430.38 per student. The average amount of credit per student was 17.83. Of the students taking dual credit classes, 26 percent were first-generation college students.

Lawrenceville

Lawrenceville High School saw 142 students participate in dual credit classes. Students saved $177,910.65 in college expenses with an average savings per student of $1,252.89 per student. The average amount of credit per student was 9.19. Of the students taking dual credit classes, 24 percent were first-generation college students.

Mt. Carmel

Mt. Carmel High School saw 580 students participate in dual credit classes. Students saved $1,129,903.04 in college expenses with an average savings per student of $1,948.11 per student. The average amount of credit per student was 14.29. Of the students taking dual credit classes, 27 percent were first-generation college students.

Lincoln Trail College President and Vice Chancellor of Institutional Outreach Tona Ambrose says dual credit students see other benefits from taking college-level classes besides cost savings. Students are exposed to college-level work and academic rigor and dual credit puts students on an accelerated path to degree or certificate completion.

“Taking dual credit classes can provide a strong foundation for future success in higher education and beyond, making them a valuable option for motivated students. These dual credit experiences can also improve college and career readiness, increase a student’s confidence in their academic abilities, and allow students an opportunity to explore various career fields that will help them make more informed decisions about their future academic and career paths.”

Dual credit classes are available to students planning to pursue an associate degree and transfer to a four-year university or students planning on pursuing a degree or certification in career and technical education. Students intending to complete an associate degree and transfer to a four-year university can take advantage of IECC’s Three-to-Your Degree program, which can shorten the time to degree completion. Some CTE programs at IECC allow students to get a head start in their programs or complete a certificate program while still in high school.

IECC Director of Dual Credit Erin Volk says that dual credit classes can be very advantageous to first-generation college students. “Taking dual credit classes can give students, especially first-generation students, a stronger support system and the guidance necessary to determine whether college is the right choice for them.”

Students should begin thinking about dual credit classes as they begin planning for their junior year of high school. Black and Volk say that students should start by talking with their school counselor to discuss course planning and the selection of courses. Students wanting to enroll in a dual credit or dual enrollment course can speak with an advisor at any of the four colleges in IECC. Advisors can help guide students on course selection to lead to an academic program of study.

Ambrose says overall, dual credit offers lots of benefits to families. “Through our Three-to-Your Degree program, students and their families can easily navigate and understand the list of general education college course offerings that are intentionally mapped out and to be taken during a student’s junior and senior year in high school, combined with one more year at an IECC school after graduation, which culminates into an associate's degree or certificate. Again, this allows for significant savings and a seamless academic process. Additionally, our IECC dual credit programs create a strong relationship between our high schools and our IECC schools, leading to a smoother post-secondary transition.”

9th Street Project Becoming Closer To Reality

Howell Paving was the lone bidder for the long-awaited resurfacing of 9th Street in Mt. Carmel. The Mattoon company’s bid came in at $3,847,998 for 1.6 miles of resurfacing, ADA improvements, and traffic signal upgrades on 9th Street from two-tenths of a mile east of Empire Street to Cherry Street in Mt. Carmel. The Illinois Department of Transportation reported on its’ website that Howell’s $3.8 million bid was within a reasonable approximation of the estimate. State Senator Terri Bryant has been in contact with I-DOT’s Effingham office and on yesterday’s WSJD Morning Show, she said work could still start at some point this year….

The contract calls for the work to be completed in 110 working days.

WSJD File Photo of 9th Street

Deputies serve search warrant and arrest one

On August 12, 2024, at 11:35 a.m. Deputies with the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office and Oakland City Police Chief Tim Gaines went to 110 East Mill Street in Oakland City, Indiana to serve a search warrant after Wood Memorial School Resource Officer Jim Tucker received information that illegal drugs were located inside the residence.  Upon arriving on scene 40 year old Michael Clements of Oakland City was served the search warrant and a search of the premises was conducted.  At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Tucker placed Mr. Clements into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Invasion of Privacy, Neglect of a Dependent, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia.
 
Assisting Deputy Tucker in his investigation was Deputies Wyatt Hunt and Chad Craney.  Also assisting were Oakland City Police Chief Tim Gaines and Sheriff Bruce Vanoven.
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Details Of District #348 Separation Agreements Revealed

In the last few months, the Wabash District #348 school board has approved two separation agreements with administrators. Up until now, the details of those agreements have been kept confidential, but a Freedom of Information Act request made by WSJD sheds light on how much the two agreements will cost the district and ultimately taxpayers.

The first agreement was approved by the school board at their April 15th meeting with former junior high principal Steve Holt. The terms of the agreement state that Holt and the district will mutually part ways on June 30th of 2025. Until then, Holt will be on paid administrative leave. While on paid administrative leave, Holt will receive the same salary and benefits that he received during the prior academic year. The agreement goes on to state that Holt will not be required to use vacation, personal, or sick leave during the time he is on paid administrative leave. In consideration for Holt’s resignation and in order to assist him with the purchase of optional service credit, the board agreed to pay Holt $32,593.93.

The second agreement was reached last Monday during a special school board meeting with former MCHS principal Andrew Shelby. The agreement between the district and Shelby stated that he resigns all positions within the district on August 2nd. In consideration for Shelby’s resignation, the board approved to pay him $26,000. It is the second settlement Shelby has made with a school district. In 2014, Shelby was paid more than $95,000 after being placed on administrative leave at Herrin Elementary School. School officials there cited a “difference in educational philosophy” as the reason for the separation. After resigning his Mt. Carmel position, Shelby has now taken a job as Assistant Program Administrator position at The School Association for Special Education in DuPage County.

Wanted Evansville man arrested on drug charges

On August 11, 2024, at 3:19 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Quinten Might of the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to New Lake located at 2209 South 1350 East near Oakland City to assist Oakland City Police Officer John Pace in serving an arrest warrant on 57 year old Bryan Blair of Evansville for Failure To Appear on a Larceny Charge out of Vanderburgh County.  Upon arriving at New Lake Mr. Blair was taken into custody.  During an inventory of Mr. Blair’s vehicle multiple illegal drugs were located.  After a brief investigation Mr. Blair was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of a Schedule Drug, and Possession of Paraphernalia. 

 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 Illinois man on DUI charge

On August 9, 2023, at 11:52 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Michael Bates conducted a traffic stop on a Black 2017 Subaru Outback for speeding on State Road 64 near Richland Creek Drive in Princeton.  Upon initiating the stop near the intersection of Hart and Brumfield Deputy Bates detected the odor of Marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.  At that point Deputy Bates identified the driver as 48 year old Clancy Green of Homewood, Illinois.  While speaking with Mr. Green Deputy Bates observed clues that Mr. Green may be under the influence of alcohol.  At that point Deputy Bates began a roadside DUI investigation.  At the conclusion of his investigation Mr. Green was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia. 

 Assisting Deputy Bates 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.

Martin County Man Arrested After Vehicle Pursuit

Martin County – Saturday evening, a vehicle pursuit led to the arrest of Steven A. Kiser, 61, Odon, IN. He was incarcerated in Martin County to face preliminary charges for Resisting Law Enforcement with a Motor Vehicle (Level 6 Felony), Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash (B Misdemeanor) and Reckless Driving (C Misdemeanor). 

Saturday, August 10, 2024, at approximately 8:15 p.m., Indiana State Police Master/Trooper Jarrod Lents initiated a traffic stop on a 2019 Buick passenger car on US 50 near 2nd Street in Loogootee for traveling 51-mph in a 35-mph zone. The driver of the Buick, later identified as Steven Kiser, did not stop and led the trooper on a vehicle pursuit with speeds up over 80-mph. The chase continued into Daviess County, where the Buick left the roadway and ran over a mailbox. The Buick turned around and drove back into Loogootee. The vehicle pulled into a church parking area and came to a stop. Kiser was taken into custody without incident.

 Master Trooper Lents was assisted by Trooper Andrew Watson, the Martin County Sheriff's Office, and the Loogootee Police Department. 

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

Illinois duo arrested after welfare check conducted at local gas station

On August 11, 2024, at 3:43 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Chad Craney conducted a welfare check on a truck and trailer located at the Fast Track Gas Station located at 329 E. Broadway Street in Princeton after observing the trailer had no visible registration was in a state of severe disrepair.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Craney identified 38 year old Clayton Dunlap of Flat Rock, Illinois and 50 year old Thomas Bilskie of Lawrenceville, Illinois working on the vehicle.  While speaking with both individuals Deputy Craney asked dispatch to run both individuals through the Illinois Bureau of Motor Vehicles.  It was at the point that Deputy Craney discovered that both individuals had suspended drivers licenses.  Assisting Officer Deputy U.B. Smith conducted search of the vehicle where Methamphetamines were located.  Once the roadside investigation was finished both Dunlap and Bilskie were taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail.  Upon arriving at the jail Mr. Dunlap was charged with False Informing.  He is also being held on an outstanding warrant out of Knox County for Domestic Battery, Strangulation, and Interfering in the Reporting of a Crime.  Mr. Bilskie was charged with Dealing Methamphetamines, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamines, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Maintaining a Common Nuisance. 

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