Railroad Crossing Repairs Scheduled for Fort Branch, Haubstadt

GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces two railroad crossing repairs scheduled for Fort Branch and Haubstadt beginning December 12. 

Railroad crews will work on two crossings as a part of this project: one on State Road 168 between North West Street and North Main Street in Fort Branch and one on S.R. 68 in Haubstadt between South Main Street and South First Avenue. Repairs will begin on or around Tuesday, December 12 and will take about 10 days to complete between both repairs. Work on each crossing will be completed separately. 

The official Detour for S.R. 168 uses U.S. 41 S.R. 68 and S.R. 65. The official detour for the closure on S.R. 68 uses U.S. 41, I-64, and S.R. 65. INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.

I-70 Semi Crash Injures 2

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12

WHAT: Injury Crash

WHERE: I-70 E/B at Milepost 69, Approximately 6 miles east of Vandalia

WHEN: 12/06/17 12:25 AM

VEHICLES: Unit #1 – Blue 2013 Freightliner Cascadia

Unit #2 – White 2011 Freightliner Cascadia

DRIVER: Unit #1 – Gary M. Dixon, 60, of Detroit, MI

Unit #2 – Kidane Feriew, 57, of Mc Kinney, TX

PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate Unit #1 was traveling eastbound in the right lane on I-70. At approximately milepost 69, Unit #1 struck the rear of the trailer of Unit #2. Unit #1 came to rest in the right lane, whereas, Unit #2 came to rest on the right shoulder. Drivers of both units were transported to Fayette County Hospital. ### All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

Wednesday's Child Receives $4,500 Grant From Orr Trust

Wabash County Wednesday’s Child Program was one of the recipients of the Frank Orr Charitable Trust 2017 grants. This week members of the Wednesday’s Child’s Board presented the $4,500 grant check for deposit to Robin Dean, Regional Deposit Manager First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust. The mission of the Wednesday’s Child Program is to improve the oral health of children of low income families in Wabash County by providing emergency dental care to identified school aged children. Wednesday’s Child Board members available for the presentation are front row: Robin Dean, Tristan Barbre, Nancy Vargo, Sandra Ward, Dr. David Miller and back row Dr. Bryce Miller and Kendra Grounds.

Harrisburg Man To Be Sentenced Next Month In Wabash County Sex Abuse Case

A 20 year old Harrisburg man will be sentenced January 30th on a Class 2 felony charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. William Catt was taken into custody by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office after a a nearly month long investigation. It’s alleged that Catt had a sexual encounter with a 14 year old earlier this year. Catt entered a guilty plea to the charge on October 3rd at which time a pre-sentence investigation and sex offender evaluations were ordered. Catt was in court today when the sentencing date was set. He faces 3 to 7 years in prison and fines of up to $25,000.

Iuka Man Killed After Car Hits Horse

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12

WHAT: Fatality accident.

WHERE:  6 miles south of Iuka on Rt. 161 Marion County

WHEN: 06:00 AM 12/05/17  

VEHICLES: Unit #1 – Red 15 Chevrolet Cruze

DRIVER: Unit #1 – Ronald W. Stuber, 78, of Iuka, IL.
       
PASSENGERS: Unit #1- Jeffery W. Stuber, 51, of Iuka IL.  Deceased.

CHARGES: None

TRANSPORTS: The driver of Unit #1 was transported to Salem Township Hospital

PRELIMINARY:   Preliminary investigative details indicate unit #1 was traveling east on Rt. 161 one mile west of Iuka Road when it struck a horse in the roadway.  Marion County Coroner’s office assisted in the crash investigation.  

Busy November For ISP District 19 Troopers

Illinois State Police District 19 Commander, Captain Cory Ristvedt, announced today activity and enforcement figures for the month of November. Troopers in District 19, which includes Wabash, Edwards, Wayne, White, Hamilton, Saline, and Gallatin Counties, recorded 1,308 incidents during the month.

Enforcement activity consisted of 644 citations and 778 written warnings, including 397 speeding citations, 4 DUIs, 81 occupant restraint citations, 7 criminal citations, and 290 written warnings for speeding. Troopers also assisted 37 motorists, conducted 195 Motor Carrier Safety Inspections, and investigated 60 traffic crashes. There were no fatal traffic crashes investigated by District 19 during November.

Moreover, 496 citations and 333 written warnings were issued for “Fatal Four” violations. These violations are most associated with fatal traffic crashes and include DUI, Speeding, Failure to Wear a Seatbelt, and Distracted Driving. 

Operation Share Seeks Bellringers

Bellringers needed for Operation Share!  Have an hour or two to give to serve others?  You are invited to help raise funds for local residents in need and 100% of all monies collected stay right here in Wabash County.  If you would like to ring on a Monday or Tuesday, please call Marge Dallas at 618.599.1400, Wednesdays or Thursdays, please call Larry Letson at 618.262.4209, and Fridays and Saturdays, please call Pastor Kevin McGinnis at 618.240.6243.

Road District 4 Bridge Work Almost Finished

The bridge project in Road District 4 is almost finished. Highway Engineer Dustin Bunting told the county board Monday that the only work remaining is seeding around the bridge. That could be completed this week, leaving only an inspection by Department of Transportation inspectors remaining. Bunting also several bridge inspections to complete in the next three months as well – 26 in all between now and March.

Wabash County Property Taxes Now Overdue

The final due date for real estate taxes has come and gone. A late fee of 1.5% on the second installment now applies, and the late fee for the first installment has now risen to 3%. Treasurer Beverly McBride told county commissioners on Monday that 95% of tax money has already been collected. That amounts to $10,389,466.71, according to McBride. Certified letters will go out to delinquent taxpayers on January 5th. The last day to pay to avoid having your name published in the newspaper is January 19th. And, a tax sale has been scheduled for February 16th, according to McBride.

New Voter ID Cards Mailed

Hopefully, you have received an updated voter card in the mail by now. But if you didn’t, please contact County Clerk Janet Will. They’ll be sure to get your address listed correctly, and get you a card in time for the March primary election.