Extreme temperatures could cause pavement failures, department prepared for road buckling

Remain alert, anticipate slowdowns and temporary work zones

 

SPRINGFIELD – With extremely high temperatures and increasing humidity in the forecast, the Illinois Department of Transportation is cautioning the public to be on the lookout for pavement failures on roads throughout the state.

 Pavement failures or blowouts occur when prolonged high temperatures cause the road to expand and buckle up or blow out, resulting in uneven driving surfaces. Precipitation and humidity increase the potential for buckling. ​

 Pavement failures can be reported to IDOT by calling (800) 452-4368 or by reaching out to law enforcement via 911.

 Additionally, if you must travel during extreme heat, bring drinking water. Becoming stranded could be dangerous without proper hydration, as dehydration can occur quickly in these conditions.

 For more information about pavement failures and how they occur, take a look at this educational video created by IDOT.

County Okays Emergency Warning System

Wabash County Commissioners have approved teaming with other local entities to implement a system designed to better inform the public when emergencies strike. Sheriff Derek Morgan told commissioners Monday that idea of needing a better notification system was spawned by Mt. Carmel Public Utility’s David James. After tornadoes hit parts of the county, James gathered local first responders to discuss ways to improve communication among the different agencies….

The new communication system with Ever Bridge will be administered through the Emergency Telephone Services Board and include the sheriff’s department, WEMA, the health department, Mt. Carmel City Police and Fire Departments, public utility, and Wabash General Hospital. The county’s share will be just over $1,000 a year for three years. No timetable for getting the system on line was offered at Monday’s meeting.

Commissioners Approve Placing Antennas On Storm Siren Poles

Wabash County Commissioners have approved a request from a company to place antennas on the poles that hold the storm sirens in Mt. Carmel. WEMA Director Mark Seaton told commissioners Monday that the company, Utility Pipe Sales, will put up the antennas to aid in reading water meters in Mt. Carmel. Seaton said the antenna would not interfere with triggering or operating the storm sirens. The proposal was approved as long as no issues are caused by the antennas with the storm sirens.

2025 ARRL Field Day — June 28 – 29

Ham Radio Operators On the Air for Nationwide Event

Ham radio operators from the around the country will be

participating in a national amateur radio exercise from 1 PM

LOCAL time on Saturday until sun down Saturday evening or 12

NOON local time on Sunday, depending on their

circumstances June 28th thru June 29th. The event is ARRL

Field Day (www.arrl.org/field-day), an annual amateur radio

activity organized since 1933 by Amateur radio relay

leagueARRL, The National Association for Amateur Radio in the

United States.

Hams from across North America participate in Field Day by

establishing temporary ham radio stations in public locations to

demonstrate their skill and service. Their use of radio signals,

which reach beyond borders, bring people together while

providing essential communication in the service of

communities. Field Day highlights ham radio’s ability

to work reliably under any conditions from almost any location

and create an independent, wireless communications network

without the need for "normal" infrastructure, (commercial power,

internet, or wired communication carriers)

Some hams from will also use the radio stations set up in their homes or their backyards and other locations to operate individually or with their families. Many hams have portable radio communication capability that includes alternative energy sources such as generators, solar panels, and batteries to power their equipment.

This year's event is also noteworthy given that a particularly active hurricane season is predicted. Hams have a long history of serving our communities when storms or other disasters damage critical communication infrastructure, including cell towers, . Ham radio functions completely independently of the internet and phone systems and a station can be set up almost anywhere in minutes. Hams can quickly raise a wire antenna in a tree or on a mast, connect it to a radio and power source, and communicate effectively with others

During last year's Field Day 2024, more than 31,000 hams participated from thousands of locations across North America. According to latest Federal Communications listings there are just under 800, 000 and amateur radio licensees in the US, and an estimated 3 million worldwide.

Among the tenets of the Amateur Radio Service is developing and practicing skills in radio technology and communications, and even contributing to international goodwill. Hams range in age from as young as 5 to older than 100. A self-study license guide is available from ARRL: The ARRL Ham Radio License Manual (www.arrl.org/shop/Ham-Radio-License-Manual). For more information on area operating locations, go online to "www.arrl.org" in the page's upper right search box, type "field day locator." A map showing balloons marking operating locations will appear. Locate the area you are interested in, click on the nearest balloon and you will see specific contact information and directions to the location.

FBI seeking information in defacement of federal building in Carbondale

CARBONDALE, Ill. – As a follow up to the statement released on June 11, 2025 regarding the defacement of the Senator Paul Simon Federal Building located at 250 West Cherry Street in Carbondale, Illinois on the evening of June 10, 2025, the FBI Springfield Field Office is offering a reward up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the unknown suspect in the attached PDF and/or URL.

 

If any persons have any information concerning this case, please contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) and reference “CARBONDALE ILLINOIS FEDERAL BUILDING” or submit a tip online at “TIPS.FBI.GOV”

 

For more information: https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/defacement-of-federal-building

After Threats Of Closure, State To Keep Mt. Carmel DMV Open

No public announcement was ever made, but the Illinois Secretary of State officials informed Mayor Joe Judge that the local driver’s license facility on West 2nd Street would be closing. However with the help of State Senator Terri Bryant and State Representative Dave Severin, Judge says the state has backtracked and is close to securing a deal to move to a new location in Mt. Carmel. Judge said since November, he made five trips to Springfield pleading the city’s case for keeping the local DMV open…

As for the future location of the Secretary of State’s office..

Judge declined to say where the state is attempting to work out a lease to relocate the DMV.

IECC Board Summary-June 2025

The Board of Trustees of the Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 met Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at Lincoln Trail College, Robinson, Illinois.

Professors Carrie Brown and Kim Shucker recognized President Tona Ambrose for being awarded the Phi Theta Kappa Paragon New President Award. The award is given to a new Community College President that has shown exceptional commitment to student development. Chancellor Gower recognized Dr. Edgren for 11 years of service to Frontier Community College and to the IECC District. Chairman Carter recommended that the Board pass a formal resolution recognizing Dr. Gerald “Jay” Edgren for his outstanding service to Illinois Eastern Community Colleges in light of his upcoming retirement.

The Board approved the minutes of the Board of Trustees regular meeting held on May 27, 2025. The semi-annual review of executive session minutes as mandated by Section 2.06 of the Open Meetings Act was conducted and the Board approved Chancellor Gower’s recommendations.

A resolution was adopted authorizing inter-fund loans during the 2025-2026 fiscal year, allowing the District to loan dollars between funds provided the loans are repaid to the original fund within the academic year.

A resolution was adopted to authorize certain expenditures from the Operations and Maintenance Fund, such as utilities, O&M salaries and other soft expenses.

The Board waived a second reading and approved revisions to the Credit for Prior Learning Policy 500.5 to reflect the changes for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) entering the RN program to allow them to receiving academic credit based on prior learning in academic or clinical settings..

Affiliation agreements were approved with Clay Co. Rehabilitation Center; CTF Illinois; Edwards Co. Health Office; Rehabilitation & Performance Institute; Stone Bridge Memory Care; Trilogy Rehab Services, LLC; Wabash Co. Health Department; Kid’s Kingdom Preschool Inc. Day Care Center; and SIHF Healthcare.

Approval was given for the district to pay accrued bills for a short period following the end of the fiscal year June 30th. By July 30th all accrued bills received during this run-out period will be paid and a report given to the Board of Trustees the following month.

A resolution was adopted authorizing the transfer of approximately up to $250,000 in interest earned in the Working Cash Fund to the General Fund and $1,500,000 from the Working Cash Fund to the Liability and Protect n Fund on or before June 30, 2025.

Lease agreements were renewed between the District and certain locations and entities throughout the District.

The Board authorized the Chancellor to accept coverage of the District’s Property, Casualty, and Liability Insurance with Wright Specialty. Insurance costs for the District were up approximately 25% due to claim history, age of the buildings, and market conditions.

A resolution was adopted providing for the issue of $6,175,000 Taxable General Obligation Community College Bonds, Series 2025A, and $865,000 General Obligation Community College Bonds, Series 2025B, for community college purposes. These bonds will be used to pay claims against the District and planned capital projects in the District.

The Board approved a Trust Agreement with First National Bank in Olney for the Capital Development Board Project replacing the roof of the John D. Stull theater and gymnasium at Olney Central College. The Board authorized to the Chancellor to deposit the District’s local share of $265,000 into trust once the account is established.

The Board authorization for an emergency repair project for the foyer flooring in the theater at Olney Central College.

The Board approved the purchase of three full Snap-on tool kits to be made available to students of the WVC Diesel Program. Funding will come through the FY24 Innovative Bridge & Transitions Grant Program. Approval was also given for the purchase of Upward Bound STEM Space Utilizing Cooperative Purchasing and grant dollars.

Change in employment status was approved for Rob Jackman from Perkins Project Coordinator to Program Director of Perkins effective June 23, 2025.

The following Assessment Stipend Special Assignments for FY26 were approved: Kelly Payne, Director of Assessment, $5,000 + 3 hours release time; Kimberly Wellen, English/Communications Discipline Facilitator, FCC, $1,000; Connor York, English/Communications Discipline Facilitator, LTC, $1,000; Kelly Payne, English/Communications Discipline Facilitator, OCC, $1,000; Jill Winter, English/Communications Discipline Facilitator, WVC, $1,000; Travis Matthews, Faculty Coordinator of Student Learning Assessment, LTC, $4,000; Kelly Payne, Faculty Coordinator of Student Learning Assessment, OCC, $4,000; Scott Balding, Faculty Coordinator of Student Learning Assessment, WVC, $4,000; Kimberly Wellen, Faculty Coordinator of Student Learning Assessment, FCC, $4,000; Catherine Singleton, Humanities/Fine Arts Discipline Facilitator, FCC, $1,000; Jena Combs, Humanities/Fine Arts Discipline Facilitator, LTC, $1,000; Mari Yamato, Humanities/Fine Arts Discipline Facilitator, OCC, $1,000; Steve Patberg, Humanities/Fine Arts Discipline Facilitator, $1,000; Nixie Hnetkovsky, Life & Physical Science Discipline Facilitator, FCC, $1,000; Carrie Brown, Life & Physical Science Discipline Facilitator, LTC, $1,000; Chris Mathews, Life & Physical Science Discipline Facilitator, OCC, $1,000; Chris Mathews, Life & Physical Science Discipline Facilitator, WVC, $1,000; Linda Monge, Math Discipline Facilitator, FCC, $1,000; Kim Schucker, Math Discipline Facilitator, LTC, $1,000; Tammie Bohnhoff, Math Discipline Facilitator, OCC, $1,000; Tammie Bohnhoff, Math Discipline Facilitator, WVC, $1,000; Austin Alexander, Social & Behavioral Science Discipline Facilitator, FCC, $1,000; Austin Alexander, Social & Behavioral Science Discipline Facilitator, LTC, $1,000; Jason Hortin, Social & Behavioral Science Discipline Facilitator, OCC, $1,000; and Drew McMurray, Social & Behavioral Science Discipline Facilitator, WVC, $1,000.

Resignation ratification was approved for Brady Martin as Academic Advisor, WVC effective June 6, 2025.

Retirement ratification was approved for Katy Head, Lead Custodian, WVC effective July 31, 2025.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 6:15 p.m. at Olney Central College, Olney, IL.

Mt. Carmel Man Arrested For Allegedly Choking & Kicking Dog

On 6/15/2025, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Hector A. Vazquez, age 30, of Mt. Carmel for Cruel Treatment to an Animal following an incident in the area of 6th & Walnut Street.  Before the arrest, an off-duty MCPD officer observed Vazquez choke and kick his dog while walking in the area.  Officers located Vazquez and the dog at 7th & Walnut, where he was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail.  Vazquez was issued the above charge and later released on a Notice to Appear.  The dog was turned over to the Wabash County Animal Shelter Buddies after the actual dog owner/Vazquez’s father, agreed to surrender the dog to the shelter, due to the incident. 

Altercation Lands Mt. Carmel Woman In Jail

On 6/15/2025, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Rebecca A. Dudley, age 55, of Mt. Carmel for Disorderly Conduct and Intimidation following an incident at an apartment complex in the 200 block of N Division Street.  Police were called to the complex regarding an allegation that Dudley had yelled death threats and profanity towards two juveniles who were attempting to enter the apartment complex.  The juveniles were able to enter their grandmother’s apartment with assistance from another sibling.  The children expressed fear of Dudley after hearing the threats of harm.  The grandmother was allowed to sign a complaint against Dudley for the above offenses, resulting in her arrest.  Dudley was transported to the Wabash County Jail, where she was charged and held pending a pre-trial release determination by the court.  MCPD was assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office.