Unemployment Up In Wabash County; Still Lowest In Southern Illinois

The latest unemployment figures show Wabash County’s jobless rate in July increased over the last month. The 4.7% rate was up compared to the 3.9% mark in July of ’23. But even with the increase, Wabash County’s rate continues to be the lowest in southern Illinois, tied with Hamilton County. Other area rates include 5.6% in Edwards County, 7.3% in Lawrence County, 5.3% in Richland County, and 5.4% in White County. The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports that in the Mt. Carmel-Olney area, total nonfarm payrolls were unchanged between July 2023 and July 2024. Payrolls increased among employers in the Private Education Health Services, Natural Resources-Mining, and Leisure-Hospitality sectors. Payroll employment was unchanged for employers in Financial Activities, Information and Trade-Transportation-Utilities. In the region, employers in the Manufacturing, Construction, Professional-Business Services and Government sectors had a lower number of employees in July 2024 than in July 2023. The highest unemployment rate in southern Illinois continues to be in Pulaski County at an even 10 percent.

Local Chamber Keeps Busy During Chamber Week

The Wabash County Chamber of Commerce has had a busy week marking Illinois Chamber of Commerce Week with a variety of events….

LESLEY HIPSHER ON CHAMBER WEEK

That’s Chamber executive director Lesley Hipsher who says those fun events continue this evening at the City Park…..

LESLEY HIPSHER ICE CREAM SOCIAL 9 13 24

The chamber’s biggest event of the year is the annual banquet set for November 12th.

Mayor Joe Judge signs a proclamation designating this as Chamber Week.

Photo Courtesy: Wabash County Chamber of Commerce

Thursday morning accident with injury nets arrest of two on alcohol charges.

On September 12th, 2024 at approximately 6:55 a.m. the Gibson County Sheriff`s Office received a call about an accident with injuries in the 6100 block of West County Road 100 N.  Sgt. Fischer arrived on scene at 7:08 a.m. and identified the two females involved as Emma Madison, age 18 of Princeton and Haliey Mattingly, age 19 of Petersburg.  Ms. Madison stated she was the driver.  During the course of the investigation, Sgt. Fischer found probable cause to believe that Ms. Madison had operated a vehicle while intoxicated.  During the roadside investigation Sgt. Fischer also found that the passenger had been drinking and was possessing alcohol as well. Sgt. Fischer arrested both subjects and they were transported to the Gibson County Jail.  Ms. Madison was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a BAC over .15% and operating a vehicle while intoxicated with endangerment.  She was also charged with minor consumption, possession and transportation.  Ms. Mattingly was charged with minor consumption, possession and transportation.  Assisting Sgt. John Fischer was Detective Jennifer Loesch with the Gibson County Sheriff`s Office.

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

 

Wabash County Board Of Commissioners Agenda

Monday, September 16, 2024 at 4:30pm at Courthouse

AGENDA

1) Call to order:

2) Approve minutes of previous meeting:

3) Commissioner’s reports:

4) Officer’s reports:

5) Old Business:

a. ARPA Ordinance

b. Construction of County Highway Building

6) New Business:

a. Accept the resignation of Nathan Stevenson from the WGH Board.

b. Consider renewal of the Midwest Telecom Maintenance & Support Services.

c. Review the ROE #20 Budget for FY 25.

7) Executive Session:

a. Personnel

8) Correspondence:

9) Approval for payment of claims presented:

10) Adjournment:

Mt. Carmel City Council Agenda

AGENDA

CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, September 16, 2024 at 4:00 pm

· Call to Order

o Pledge of Allegiance

o Roll Call

· Approve Minutes

o Minutes of meeting held 09/03/2024.

o Minutes of meeting held 09/06/2024

· Visitors (topic discussed by visitor(s) is limited to 5 minutes)

· Reports and Communications

o Mayor Judge

o Commissioner Meador Streets, Cemeteries and Parks

o Commissioner Ikemire Finance and Senior Citizens

o Commissioner Meeks Water and Sewer

o Commissioner Zimmerman Fire, Health & Safety, City Hall and Garbage

· Staff Reports

o Ryan Turner Derek McCullough Luis Garcia

o Michael McWilliams Francis Speth Mike Gidcumb

o WEMA Representative

New Business

o Consent Agenda

§ Pay all bills by providing proper signatures.

o Removal of items from the Consent Agenda

o Subdivision of parcel

o Old Business-

o Executive Session-

o Discuss compensation of union employees and contract negotiations.

o Motion to Adjourn-

o Liquor Control Meeting-Immediately after council hearing= N/A

City Council Goes Against Zoning Board Vote In Rejecting Couple's Request For Special Use Permit

The Mt. Carmel City Council has rejected the advisory vote of the zoning board and denied a local couple’s attempt to place a manufactured home on their property. Herb and Shirley Goodman were seeking a special use permit to put the 32 by 60-foot manufactured home on their premises at 202 West 10th Street. Last month, the zoning board approved the special use permit for the Goodman’s. But at their meeting last week, the city council, which has the final approval on all zoning matters, decided to go against the zoning board’s vote. Public Works Director Mike Gidcumb told the council the request didn’t meet existing city guidelines…

MIKE GIDCUMB ON SPECIAL USE 9 3 24

The Goodman’s said they had planned to demolish their home currently at that location and place the manufactured home there. Commissioners cited since similar requests had been made in the past, and they didn’t want to set a precedent by approving the Goodman’s request.

Council Passes Resolution Supporting Sidewalk Program

Upon the recommendation of city clerk Ryan Turner, the city council has approved a resolution that will hopefully lead to improve sidewalks along Market Street…

RYAN TURNER SIDEWALK RESOLUTION

The city is working with Horner and Shifrin applying the grant that would result in next sidewalks, landscaping, and lights along Market from 3rd to 6th Streets.

Owensville Father Arrested for Pointing a Firearm at One of His Children

Owensville Father Arrested for Pointing a Firearm at One of His Children

An investigation by Indiana State Police has led to the arrest of an Owensville father for allegedly striking and pointing a loaded firearm at one of his children.

During the investigation, Indiana State Police detectives revealed Austin McGill, 24, was caring for his three children inside his residence on Sunday morning, September 8. During an incident, McGill allegedly struck and then pointed a loaded firearm at his eight-year-old stepdaughter.  The children’s mother was not at home during this alleged incident.

After reviewing the information obtained by detectives, the Gibson County Prosecutor’s Office filed criminal charges against McGill and an arrest warrant was issued. At approximately 12:30 this afternoon, Indiana State Police arrested McGill after he turned himself in at the Gibson County Jail. McGill is currently being held on bond.

Arrested and Charges:

Austin McGill, 24, of Owensville, IN

Pointing a Firearm at Another Person, Level 6 Felony

Neglect of a Dependent, Level 6 Felony

Domestic Battery, Level 6 Felony

Investigating Officers: Master Trooper/Detective Wes Kuykendall and Sergeant/Detective Brad Chandler, Indiana State Police

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

Bryant, Severin Join Illinois Farm Bureau and IDNR for Town Hall Regarding Deer Crop Destruction

MT. VERNON, IL – More than 125 concerned farmers, hunters, and conservationists aired concerns during a town hall event in Mount Vernon hosted by State Senator Terri Bryant, State Representative Dave Severin, the Illinois Farm Bureau, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources on Thursday. The subject of the meeting revolved around problems related to the overpopulation of deer that are harming and destroying large plots of agricultural land, especially in southern central Illinois.

 Senator Bryant says she appreciates the concerns of those in attendance, noting that she has been working to bring IDNR’s attention to the destruction of crops by deer herds for several years.

 “This is not a new problem. It is a growing problem,” Bryant said. “Rep. Severin and I have brought the IDNR and Farm Bureau together to hear your concerns and to entertain good ideas to manage a growing deer population that continues to destroy crops and cost the average farmer a lot of money that they frankly don’t have to lose.”

 Rep. Severin has also been heavily involved in helping to identify solutions for concerned farmers after a visit to Frey Farms in rural Wayne County, where he was made aware of the increasing damage to cash crops throughout the region.

 “Frey Farms is a number one pumpkin producer in our country, and they are experiencing crop loss that costs them hundreds of thousands of dollars every year,” Severin said. “A doe will poke its hoof into a pumpkin, take one bite of it, and then move on to another pumpkin and ruin it. Take that times thousands of deer, thousands of times per year, and you have a serious economic problem. If we take that example and apply it to the story of every farmer in the room for today’s town hall meeting, we’re talking millions of dollars of damage in economic impact to our agricultural community. Senator Bryant and I wanted to hear directly from our farmers and conservation leaders, and provide IDNR and the Farm Bureau with the opportunity to hear first-hand the damage that’s being done.”

 The meeting was a balance between IDNR and Farm Bureau informational presentations, and included questions and suggestions from the gathered audience. Some solutions proposed by attendees included extending hunting hours and the shotgun hunting season, expanding nuisance permits, ending the practice of prioritizing out-of-state applicants for deer tags in the annual lottery, and changing how IDNR calculates the deer population.

 Bryant and Severin were joined by Jefferson County Board Member and Illinois Farm Bureau District 17 Director John Howard in organizing and facilitating the meeting. Howard noted the large crowd provides a window into just how large the problem of crop destruction by deer herds has become.

 “You can tell by the crowd that this is an issue that is of great concern, and one that unfortunately is not going away unless IDNR, the legislature, and agencies involved in rulemaking regarding land management and wildlife population management get going on solutions,” Howard said. “I was encouraged by some of the ideas brought forward by local residents who turned out in a big way to drive home the point that the status quo simply cannot remain. Our farmers are losing millions because we have laws and regulations that don’t allow landowners to take care of these problems on their own. Southern Illinois farmers are conservationists and have no desire to wipe out deer or pest populations altogether. We are all for the responsible thinning of these herds of deer that are causing serious harm to our agricultural economy.”