Health Board Approves More Renovations At WCHD

The Wabash County board of health has approved spending more than $100,000 to continue renovations at the health department. At Wednesday’s health board meeting, administrator Judy Wissel laid the groundwork for the projects…

And the bulk of the work will take place in the basement at the health department….

In addition, heaters will be installed in the basement for a total of almost $48,000 for the work on the lower level of the building. In the upstairs, the health board approved spending over $17,500 on new windows and over $11,000 for flooring to replace the carpeted areas. And the final piece of the improvements approved yesterday was spending over $23,000 for a new digital sign at the health department.

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….

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

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…

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.