Road closure planned for State Road 68 in Gibson County

GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a road closure for State Road 68 in Gibson County.

Beginning on or around Friday, August 23, crews will close State Road 68 in Gibson County near Haubstadt. This closure will occur over Big Creek.

This road closure will allow crews to perform a polymeric overlay to the bridge over Big Creek. This project is expected to take a week to complete, depending on the weather.

The detour for this project is State Road 65 to State Road 168 to U.S. 41. Local traffic will have access up to the point of closure

COVID Still A Thing

Don’t look now, but COVID is still around. Wabash County Health Department administrator Judy Wissel told county commissioners Monday that there have been quite a few cases in the community.  She stressed extra diligence is needed with hand hygiene and if anyone is experiencing a fever with their symptoms, they should stay home.

Wissel also said the health department’s drive thru flu clinic will be October 2nd at the Public Utility fleet garage at 410 Mulberry Street from 7am to 5:30pm. If you’re unable to make it that day, flu vaccines will be available at the health department by appointment.

School Board Approves Changes To MCJHS Athletic Eligibility

At their meeting Monday night, the Wabash District #348 school board tightened up eligibility standards for junior high school athletes. MCHS athletic director Kyle Buss explained the changes to the school board…

Buss said no changes were needed for the high school student handbook as it already aligns with the Illinois High School Association. Under that standard, student-athletes with 2 F’s are eligible with the third F making them ineligible.

Allendale School Board Notes

At the August 21, 2024 Allendale School Board meeting held in the Library of Allendale School, the board:

● Approved the tentative 2024-2025 Budget and will display it in the school office for the next 30 days.

● Set the 2024-2025 Budget Hearing for September 25, 2024 at 6:05 p.m.

● Voted to not release the closed session verbatim minutes.

● Approved a three year contract with the Allendale Education Association.

● Approved Support Staff salaries for the 2024-2025 school year.

● Approved the resignation of Kim Halik, Individual Aide, effective August 13, 2024.

● Approved the resignation of Clayton Meeks, Assistant Boys Basketball Coach, effective immediately.

● Approved the hiring of Steve Sherman as a Long-term Substitute for Junior High Mathematics.

● Approved the hiring of Sarah Courter as Yearbook Sponsor for the 2024-2025 school year.

● Approved the hiring of Kim Schalasky as a Part-time Individual Aide for the 2024-2025 school year.

IECC Board Trustees Meeting Summary

The Board of Trustees of the Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 met Tuesday night, August 20th at Olney Central College, Olney, Illinois.

The Board approved the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held on July 16, 2024.

The Board accepted the 2024-2025 Dual Credit Model Partnership Agreement with Mission III Academy in Albion, IL. The Board also approved an agreement with Northern Illinois University to allow IECC to host OSHA training.

Board waived a second reading and approved revisions to the following policies:

• Ethics Policy for Employees that includes a category change from 100.27 to 400.32 due to the policy being specific to employees only.

• Prevailing Wage Law Policy 100.7 to reflect IECC’s commitment to be in compliance with the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act.

• Holiday, Leave, and Benefit Policy-Non-Bargaining Unit Employees 400.4 to reflect changes to Bereavement Leave benefits.

• Tuition Waiver Policy 500.14 to better outline IECC’s current and aspirational practices related to the use of tuition waivers.

The Board selected Trustee Browning and Trustee Ridgley to serve as members of the Audit Committee to review the annual audit and complete the Audit Report.

The Board authorized Dr. Gower to proceed with the execution of an amendment to the Trust Agreement with the State of Illinois for the construction of the Applied Technology Center at Olney Central College to proceed with this Capital Development Board project.

The IECC Program Review Report FY24 was accepted by the Board and will be submitted to the Illinois Community College Board.

The Board approved an amended personnel report that reflected the following changes:

• Removal of a Board proposed Memorandum of Agreement with the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Education Association on certain retroactive economic items for AY 2024.

• Removal of a request for outside employment to allow Trustees to vote on that personnel item independently from the other items in the Personnel Report.

The following personnel were employed: Abigail Holdrieth, English/Speech Instructor at Lincoln Trail College effective August 26, 2024; Bart Nation, TRIO Upward Bound Academic Counselor at Wabash Valley College effective September 2, 2024; Colin Walls, Custodian at Lincoln Trail College effective August 26, 2024; and Caleb Kamplain, TRIO Student Support Services Counselor at Lincoln Trail College effective August 26, 2024.

Changes in employment status were approved for Julie Dehart from Health Science Specialist, FCC to Medical Lab Technical Instructor, FCC effective October 1, 2024; Danyelle Ayres from Part-time Adult Education Adjunct Instructor to Coordinator of ICAPS & Instruction effective August 26, 2024; Taryn Bunting, Trina Dunkel, and Justn Young from Financial Aid Coordinator to Financial Aid Specialist effective September 2, 2024; Stephanie Corley, Brittany Longbons, and Sara Newkirk from Student Services Specialist to Financial Aid Representative effective September 2, 2024; and Annie Matthews from Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Instruction, OCC to TRIO Student Support Services Academic Advisor, OCC effective August 26, 2024.

Previously approved pay increases for Full-time Non-Bargaining Unit Employees were reviewed and accepted for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.

A special assignment was approved for Jane McCormick as Lead Instructor.

The Board approved position title changes for the following TRIO Upward Bound Counselors to TRIO Upward Bound Academic Counselors: Rachel Carter, Grae Drake, Rusty Foerster, Kristie Markman, and Jade Colclasure. Additionally, position titles changes were approved for the following TRIO Upward Bound Coordinators to TRIO Upward Bound Academic Coordinators: Candice Young, Julie Auteberry, and Christy Morley.

Proposed non-college employment was approved for Angelia Williams at Good Samaritan Hospital, Vincennes, IN; Dustin Wiggins at Centerpoint Energy in Evansville, IN; Rob Mason at SIUC School of Physics & Applied Physics in Carbondale, IL; Megan Bunnage at St. Vincent Hospital for Women and Children; and Vanessa Lowe at Deaconess in Evansville, IN.

Educational level changes were approved for Phil Thorsen, Carrie Brown, Steve Hnetkovsky, and Becky Coleman.

Resignations were approved for Kyrah Buchanan as Program Advisor, Allied Health, LTC effective July 19, 2024; John McCarty as Music Instructor, LTC effective August 2, 2024; Andrea Loll as Director of Enrollment Management, LTC effective August 30, 2024; Ken Pryor as of Emergency Preparedness and Director of Safety and Emergency Preparedness effective August 16, 2024.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 6:15 p.m. at Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL.

High-Speed Pursuit Lands Rosedale Man in Jail

Vigo County - August 21, 2024, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Indiana State Police Master Trooper Ty Lightle observed a black pickup truck traveling northbound on US 41 near Head Road.  The truck appeared to be traveling above the posted 55 MPH speed limit. Activating his radar, he received a reading of 70 MPH.  Master Trooper Lightle, in his fully marked police car, activated his emergency lights and attempted to make a traffic stop. The driver ignored Master Trooper Lightle’s emergency lights and a pursuit ensued.  The truck continued southbound reaching speeds in excess of 140 MPH, traveling off road near the Wabash River bottoms in an attempt to evade troopers.  Shortly thereafter, the truck made its way back onto US 41 near Evans Drive, traveling northbound.  Master Trooper Jeremy Lewis and an off duty Vigo County Deputy observed the truck driving directly towards them.  Both officers immediately activated their emergency lights. The driver of the truck, seeing that there was no escape, ended the pursuit by turning into a parking lot, coming to a stop.  A felony traffic stop was conducted, and the driver was taken into custody.  

The driver was then identified as Marc R. Welsh, age 38, of Rosedale, Indiana.  Further investigation by Master Trooper Lightle also revealed that Welsh displayed signs of impairment.  Welsh was offered the opportunity to take a certified chemical test, but he refused.  He was arrested and taken to the Vigo County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.  

Arrested and Charges:  Marc R. Welsh, 38, Rosedale, IN 

  • Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Felony 6

  • Criminal Recklessness with a Vehicle , Felony 6

  • Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated (prior), Felony 6

  • Reckless Driving, Class B Misdemeanor

Assisting Agencies:  Vigo County Sheriff’s Department and Peffley and Hinshaw Wrecker Service. 

Photo:  Marc Welsh 

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

Three Federal Workers Indicted on PPP Loan Fraud Charges

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A federal grand jury returned indictments charging three Metro East residents for scheming to falsely obtain more than $20,000 each in pandemic relief funds through the Paycheck Protection Program.

In response to financial hardships created by the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Small Business Administration utilized the Paycheck Protection Program to offer relief and forgivable loans to struggling businesses. Under PPP, business owners could apply for loans to offset operational costs for payroll, employee benefits, facility expenses and other bills.

“Countless small business owners and employees fell on hard economic times during the COVID-19 pandemic, and PPP loans allowed many to keep their families fed and lights on,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “In one of the most prevalent and widespread fraud crimes in history, the greedy individuals who sought to steal from the federal government under false pretenses and enrich themselves with PPP funds will be held accountable under the law.”

Katherine L. Liggins, 36, of Belleville, is facing one count of wire fraud and one count of material false statement for allegedly lying to acquire more than $20,000 in PPP funds.

Eric C. Scott, 43, of Belleville, is facing one count of wire fraud and one count of material false statement for allegedly applying for and spending more than $20,000 in PPP funds under false pretenses.

Tamika N. Wilson, 44, of Belleville, is facing two counts of wire fraud, two counts of material false statement and two counts of material false document. Wilson is accused of applying for and receiving more than $40,000 in PPP loans she was not entitled to.

“These indictments send a clear message that VA employees will be held accountable if involved in fraudulent activities,” said Special Agent in Charge Gregory Billingsley with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Central Field Office. “The VA OIG thanks the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their efforts in this investigation.”

The defendants also used misinformation to apply for loan forgiveness and each was approved.

At the time of the alleged misconduct, Liggins, Scott and Wilson were full-time employees of the Veterans Affairs Regional Office in St. Louis County.

An indictment is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

Wire fraud convictions are punishable by up to 20 years’ imprisonment and material false statement and document convictions may lead to up to five years in federal prison. 

Agents with the Department of Veteran Affairs Office of Inspector General are contributing to the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Verseman is prosecuting the case.