The Mt. Carmel City Council is getting closer to making a decision on whether to locate solar power array on the property at the city’s sewer plant. The council has been considering the idea since a Pennsylvania company presented a plan that commissioners eventually decided contained too many unknowns and possibly put the city at financial risk. Now, the city is looking into having Morton Solar and Electric build the array with the city paying for the system with a loan and state and federal rebates. According to City clerk Ryan Turner, recent measurements taken at the proposed location indicated the solar array would fit. Turner said it was now time for the council to decide whether to move ahead with the solar program or scrap it completely. After input from the council, Turner said he will look into getting interest rates from local banks and present funding information at their next meeting on August 19th.
Additional Arrest Made in Lowell Badger Homicide
Sullivan County - An additional arrest has been made in the Lowell R. Badger homicide investigation. The homicide occurred sometime between Friday, December 7th, and the morning of December 8th, 2012.
A warrant was issued by Sullivan Superior Court, the Honorable Judge Hugh Hunt, on August 13, 2024, for a Richard D. Taft, age 39, for murder. The Indiana Department of Corrections served the warrant to Taft who is currently incarcerated at the Michigan City Correctional Facility.
Arrested and Charges: Richard D. Taft, 39
Murder
Burglary resulting in bodily injury (2 counts), Class A Felony
Assisting Agencies: Sullivan County Prosecutor’s Office, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department, Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office, IPAC and the Indiana Department of Corrections.
Indiana State Police Reminds Drivers: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
Drive sober or get pulled over. That’s the warning the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post is issuing to drivers as they gear up for the annual end-of-summer impaired driving enforcement campaign. Starting August 16 through September 2, the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post will join with officers across the state to increase patrols and sobriety checkpoints to crack down on those driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The extra high-visibility enforcement is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).
“Driving drunk or drug-impaired is a problem for everyone,” said James Bryan, ICJI’s Traffic Safety Director. “Making the choice to operate a vehicle while impaired is never the right option.”
Alcohol-impaired driving continues to contribute to many deaths in Indiana. In 2023, around 20% of all traffic fatalities in Indiana involved alcohol impairment. Drug-impaired driving is another major contributor to deadly crashes. In 2023, nearly a quarter of all traffic fatalities involved drug impairment.
“We want our community members to understand that it’s our first priority to keep people safe, so we’re asking everyone to plan ahead if they know they’ll be out drinking,” said Lieutenant David Cox, Commander of the Putnamville State Police Post.
Drivers should be safe during this Labor Day holiday by planning if they intend to drink. Even if you only have one drink, designate a sober driver or use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely. Never drive impaired or let friends get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking.
For more information on impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
Severin Leads Highway Renaming Ceremony Honoring Fallen Firefighter Kody Vanfossan
CHRISTOPHER, IL - State Representative Dave Severin says he was honored to help lead an honorary ceremony south of Christopher on Tuesday that renamed a section of Highway 148 as the Firefighter Kody M. Vanfossan Memorial Highway. The change comes as a result of the passage of HJR 36 in the 103rd General Assembly. Severin was the lead sponsor of the House Joint Resolution in the Illinois House, and Senator Terri Bryant carried the legislation through the Illinois Senate. Both officials were on hand during the ceremony to offer remarks and honor Kody Vanfossan.
"I am honored to be here today to recognize Kody Vanfossan for giving his life in service to his community. My final memory of Kody was when I saw him at the Christopher Lion's Club Pancake Breakfast when he was with his fellow firefighters. Words can only do so much, but our actions by marking this location in Kody's name, that is really what helps to honor the sacrifice Kody made," Severin said. "I am thankful to Senator Bryant for carrying this in the Senate, and for IDOT and local law enforcement and local fire protection districts for being here today and providing protection for today's ceremony."
Severin introduced Brent Vanfossan of the Christopher Fire Department who offered his thanks as well. Brent Vanfossan is Kody's father. He served alongside his son Kody the day he lost his life fighting a 6-alarm commercial fire in Christopher.
"Kody died doing what he loved to do, and we are truly thankful for everyone that came out today," Vanfossan said.
State Senator Terri Bryant honored the Vanfossan family and thanked Kody for serving his community, nothing that he died an 'honorable man'.
"This has been a long time coming," Senator Bryant said, citing recent rules changes in the Illinois Senate that allowed the legislation to move forward. "We are setting that right today, and also celebrating a life that was too short but was lived in a way of sacrifice. As a mother of a former firefighter and a current police officer, when that tone goes off, your heart drops, and you can't help but pray that the worst doesn't happen. In this case, this was a young man who answered that call, and we will remember Kody as an honorable man and a man of service and sacrifice."
The road renaming ceremony honoring Vanfossan took place at the intersection of Yellow Banks Road and Illinois Route 148 south of Christopher, adjacent to the cemetery where Kody Vanfossan was laid to rest following his passing from injuries sustained while fighting a structure fire in his hometown on May 5, 2019.
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.
