WGH REPORTS STRONG GROWTH IN ENT AND AUDIOLOGY SERVICES

Wabash General Hospital's Ear, Nose and Throat and Audiology programs are experiencing significant growth following their first year of operation.

During Monday evening's Hospital Board of Directors meeting, Vice President of Professional Services Andrew Kleinschmidt presented a report highlighting the success of both programs.

Kleinschmidt said ENT specialist Dr. Garrett Ni has exceeded expectations since joining the hospital last year, with strong patient satisfaction scores and steadily increasing demand for services.

During his first year, Dr. Ni generated more than 7,300 relative value units, or RVUs, a standard measurement of physician productivity.

More than 3,000 of those units were generated during the most recent quarter, compared to just 977 during the program's first quarter of operation.

Kleinschmidt said the ENT program recorded 1,547 patient encounters, with 878 patients, or approximately 57 percent, coming from outside Wabash County.

He said those numbers demonstrate the hospital's growing ability to attract patients from throughout the region.

Dr. Ni has also begun developing a facial plastics program, although Kleinschmidt said demand for traditional ENT services has grown more quickly.

Meanwhile, the hospital's Audiology program is experiencing similar success.

Kleinschmidt reported that audiology patient volume increased 58.2 percent when comparing the program's first six months with its most recent six months.

Audiologist Mary Schroeder has served 575 unique patients, accounting for 927 patient encounters during the first year.

The program is averaging approximately 77 patients per month and has also seen strong interest in its hearing aid services.

Kleinschmidt credited Schroeder for the program's success and said patient satisfaction scores have been very positive.

He told board members that the hospital made substantial investments in both ENT and Audiology services and plans to return early next year with a more detailed financial analysis examining revenues, expenses and equipment costs.

Kleinschmidt said the continued growth of both programs demonstrates the significant demand for specialty healthcare services in Mount Carmel and the surrounding region.

Domestic Battery Charge Sends Mt. Carmel Man To Prison

A Mt. Carmel man has been sentenced to five years in prison for two felony theft counts after violating the terms of an offender initiative program.

Wabash County State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman announced today that Judge William Hudson sentenced 29-year-old Lucas Wolfe to the Illinois Department of Corrections on two counts of Class Three felony theft.

Storckman says Wolfe was initially placed in the Offender Initiative Program for the theft offenses, but violated its terms by committing a domestic battery that caused bodily harm to a female victim.

Wolfe pleaded guilty to the theft and domestic battery cases on October twenty-seventh and received the prison sentence as part of the plea agreement.

He will serve six months of mandatory supervised release after leaving prison.

WGH BOARD REVIEWS FINANCING OPTIONS FOR MAJOR RENOVATION AND EXPANSION PROJECT

The Wabash General Hospital Board of Directors continued discussions on its proposed renovation and expansion project during Monday evening's meeting, hearing an update on interest rates, borrowing costs and the hospital's overall financial position.

Kyle Hemminger with Cain Brothers told board members that while interest rates have remained volatile, the hospital is in a strong financial position to move forward with what could be the largest capital project in its history.

The hospital previously approved 3.25 million dollars for architectural and engineering services as part of the project's final design phase.

During Monday's presentation, Hemminger reviewed a financing model based on a 75-million-dollar total project, including approximately 60 million dollars in borrowing and 15 million dollars in hospital funds.

He explained that rising interest rates have increased the projected annual debt payments from approximately 4.6 million dollars in January to nearly 5 million dollars today. That's an increase of roughly 360-thousand dollars annually, primarily due to higher borrowing costs.

Despite those increases, Hemminger said the hospital's financial performance remains strong.

He pointed to healthy profitability, substantial cash reserves and relatively low existing debt, saying Wabash General compares favorably with financial benchmarks used by national credit rating agencies.

Hemminger also expressed confidence that the hospital could qualify for an investment-grade bond rating, which would help support financing for the project.

Under the current model, the proposed bonds would be repaid over 30 years, with final maturity in 2057. A 35-year repayment option could reduce annual payments but would increase the total interest paid over the life of the bonds.

Hemminger said the hospital's current earnings provide more than three times the projected annual debt service requirements, giving the organization adequate financial capacity to meet its obligations while maintaining operations.

He cautioned that interest rates are unlikely to return to the historically low levels seen in recent years, making financing decisions an important part of the project's planning.

The presentation was informational, with no final bond financing decision announced during Monday's meeting.

MT. CARMEL POLICE URGE CAUTION DURING HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-TREATING

Mount Carmel Police are reminding motorists to use extra caution this weekend as children take to the streets for Halloween trick-or-treating.

During Monday afternoon's Mount Carmel City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge delivered a safety reminder on behalf of Police Chief Erin Peach, who was unable to attend the meeting.

Judge said Chief Peach wanted to emphasize the importance of slowing down and remaining alert while driving Friday and Saturday evenings.

With large numbers of children expected to be out trick-or-treating, Judge warned that some may be wearing dark-colored costumes, making them more difficult for drivers to see, especially after sunset.

Motorists are encouraged to reduce their speed, watch carefully for children crossing streets and remain alert in residential neighborhoods.

Official trick-or-treating hours in Mount Carmel are Friday, October 30th, and Saturday, October 31st, from 4 until 8 p.m. each evening.

City officials are asking everyone to do their part to help make Halloween a safe and enjoyable experience for children and families throughout Mount Carmel.

WGH UNVEILS PROPOSED $134.8 MILLION OPERATING BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027

Wabash General Hospital officials are projecting continued financial growth in the coming year, with a proposed fiscal year 2027 budget calling for nearly 135 million dollars in operating revenue.

During Monday evening's Wabash General Hospital Board of Directors meeting, Chief Financial Officer Lynn Leek presented the first reading of the proposed budget.

Leek reported that the spending plan projects 134.8 million dollars in total operating revenue, an increase of 8.3 percent over fiscal year 2026 projections.

She said the anticipated growth is being driven primarily by outpatient services and the continued expansion of the hospital's professional clinic services.

Operating expenses are budgeted at approximately 127 million dollars, reflecting investments in additional staffing positions, merit-based wage adjustments and inflation-related cost increases.

The proposed budget projects 7.9 million dollars in operating income and 11.8 million dollars in total net income.

It also includes 12.8 million dollars in capital investments, along with approximately 4.7 million dollars in positive net cash flow after operating and capital expenses.

Leek described the proposal as a balanced and financially responsible budget designed to maintain the hospital's strong financial performance while supporting continued growth and investment in healthcare services.

Monday's presentation marked the first reading of the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget. The board is expected to approve the budget at their November meeting.

JUDGE CLARIFIES NO PROPERTY TAX INCREASE FOR NEW MT. CARMEL AQUATIC CENTER

Mount Carmel Mayor Joe Judge wants residents to know they will not see a property tax increase for the city's new aquatic center when their upcoming property tax bills arrive.

During Monday afternoon's Mount Carmel City Council meeting, Judge said he recently met with Wabash County Clerk Janet Will to review the impact of the 2024 referendum, in which voters within Mount Carmel's corporate city limits approved a proposed property tax increase to help fund the new aquatic center.

Despite voter approval of the referendum, Judge emphasized that no additional property taxes are being collected for the project.

The mayor explained that the bonds and interest section of the upcoming property tax bills will show a zero for the aquatic center, and no additional tax for the project is being collected elsewhere on those bills.

Judge said the city has received several calls from residents concerned about how the new facility would affect their property taxes.

He stressed that the aquatic center is currently receiving adequate funding to move forward without imposing the additional property tax.

Judge also noted that County Clerk Janet Will provided him with the finalized county tax report, which confirmed the zero amount under bonds and interest.

The mayor said the city remains committed to managing the aquatic center project responsibly while protecting taxpayers and keeping residents informed about how their tax dollars are being spent.

Judge concluded by thanking the community for its continued support as construction continues on the new Mount Carmel Aquatic Center.

WGH Earns Healthgrades Five-Star Distinction for Hip Fracture Treatment for Ninth Consecutive Year

Wabash General Hospital has once again been recognized by Healthgrades, the nation's leading resource for information about physicians and hospitals. Wabash General Hospital has earned a Five-Star Rating for Hip Fracture Treatment for the ninth consecutive year, demonstrating the hospital's ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional orthopedic care and positive patient outcomes.

This achievement places Wabash General Hospital among a select group of hospitals nationwide recognized for consistently providing high-quality care for patients suffering hip fractures, a condition that often requires timely intervention, specialized treatment, and comprehensive rehabilitation.

Wabash General Hospital's achievement is based solely on patient outcomes. Unlike rankings that incorporate surveys or reputation scores, Healthgrades evaluates hospital performance using objective clinical measures, including risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates, across many common conditions and procedures at hospitals nationwide.

The impact of choosing a high-performing hospital is significant. Healthgrades' 2027 analysis found that if all hospitals performed at the level of five-star rated facilities during the 2023- 2025 study period, 227,229 lives could have been saved and 158,138 complications could have been avoided.

Patients and community members can visit Healthgrades to learn more about how the organization identifies top-performing hospitals and healthcare providers.

To learn more about the orthopedic and rehabilitation services available at Wabash General Hospital, visit www.wabashgeneral.com

CROSSVILLE MAN SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS IN PRISON FOR METHAMPHETAMINE CONSPIRACY

A 45-year-old Crossville man has been sentenced to 17 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections following a methamphetamine investigation in Wabash County.

Wabash County State's Attorney Kelli Storckman announced Monday that Jonathan Acord was sentenced by Circuit Judge William Hudson after being convicted of Methamphetamine Conspiracy, a Class X felony.

The conviction stems from an April 28th traffic stop in Mount Carmel, during which Acord and a co-defendant were found in possession of nearly 100 grams of methamphetamine.

According to Storckman, an investigation conducted by Wabash County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Kumala revealed that Acord had conspired with others to purchase and transport methamphetamine from Indiana into Illinois for distribution.

The investigation ultimately led to the felony conviction and 17-year prison sentence.

Acord will serve his sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

MT. CARMEL MAN PLEADS NOT GUILTY CHARGES, REMAINS IN CUSTODY

A 56-year-old Mount Carmel man charged with criminal sexual abuse and aggravated battery will remain in custody following a preliminary hearing Monday in Wabash County Circuit Court.

Jeremy Jay Drew appeared before the court with his attorney, Public Defender William Easton, while the state was represented by State's Attorney Kelli Storckman.

During Monday's hearing, the court found probable cause for the charges to proceed. Drew waived formal arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty.

Drew faces a Class 2 felony charge of criminal sexual abuse and a Class 3 felony charge of aggravated battery stemming from an alleged incident involving a 20-year-old woman on October 5th.

According to court records, Drew is accused of slapping the woman's buttocks and touching her pubic area.

The criminal sexual abuse charge is classified as a Class 2 felony because of Drew's previous conviction for aggravated criminal sexual abuse in 1999.

Drew was previously denied pretrial release following an October 7th court appearance.

During Monday's proceedings, the court reaffirmed that Drew's continued detention is necessary to prevent a real and present threat to the community or a specific individual, finding that no conditions or combination of conditions of release could adequately address that threat at this time.

Drew's next court appearance is a final pretrial hearing scheduled for November 16th at 9:30 a.m. A jury trial is scheduled to begin December 7th.

Drew remains in the Wabash County Jail.

The charges against Drew are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Judge Remembers Late Fire Chief

Former Mt. Carmel Fire Chief Allan Kidd is being remembered for his years of service and dedication to the community. Kidd died Saturday at the age of 74.

At Monday’s Mt. Carmel City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge asked those attending to join in a moment of silence in honor of the retired chief.

Judge extended condolences to Kidd’s family, friends, and those who served alongside him, saying a life dedicated to serving others leaves a lasting impact.

MAYOR JOE JUDGE ON ALLAN KIDD

Kidd dedicated thirty-seven years to the fire department, retiring as fire chief. His service continued after retirement as a volunteer at Wabash General Hospital. He was honored as Community Volunteer of the Year by the Wabash General Foundation.

A funeral Mass for Allan Kidd will be held Thursday at one p.m. at St. Mary’s Church.