One Injured In I-57 Crash

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT  
 
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
 
WHAT:  Personal Injury Crash  
 
WHERE:   Interstate 57 Northbound near milepost 176 (1 mile south of Neoga)    

WHEN:  Approximately 6:27 PM on 3/09/18  
 
VEHICLES:  Unit #1 – Red 2010 Ford Focus    Unit #2 – White 2010 Dodge Caliber      

DRIVER:  Unit #1 – Brianna K. Morton, 21, Champaign, IL.              

Unit #2 – Katie A. Reis, 23, Naperville, IL  

 PASSENGERS: Unit #1 – Jeffrey D. Morton, 55, Champaign, IL
 
CHARGES:  Brianna K. Morton was cited for Improper Lane Usage
 
TRANSPORTS: Reis was transported by ambulance to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon for treatment of minor injuries.  
 
PRELIMINARY:   Preliminary investigative details indicate Unit 1 was traveling northbound in the left lane of I-57. While trying to execute a lane change into the right lane, Unit 1 struck the rear driver’s side of Unit 2 which was already occupying the right lane. The collision caused Unit 2 to skid off the roadway into the median, striking several wooden crash posts, and then overturn before coming to rest on its top in the southbound lanes of traffic. The driver of Unit 1 also lost control and entered the center median, striking the ditch/embankment in the median before coming to rest in median.  
 
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

Law Enforcement Drill Held At Allendale School

Today, Allendale CCSD 17 held its annual Law Enforcement Drill at the school.  State Police Sgt. Mark Zimmerman, State Police Officer Ashley Reeder, and Wabash County Sheriff Derek Morgan all met with Superintendent Bob Bowser to discuss plans for how students, faculty, and staff should react in situations of a soft lockdown, as well as a hard lockdown. 

The group also took a tour of the building to determine what can be done to make it safe for all within the building during a school day. 

Then at 10:03 am, a soft lockdown drill took place involving all students, faculty, and staff, with the officers walking around to observe how everyone was reacting and handling the situation.  Following the drill, an assembly for all students in Kindergarten through 8th grade convened in the gymnasium in order to hear from Officer Zimmerman and Sheriff Morgan on topics related to the drill, as well as bullying. 

Students, faculty, and staff did a fantastic job in the drill and are very appreciative of local Law Enforcement coming to our school to provide their expertise as to how to stay safe in an instance where a soft lockdown or hard lockdown are needed.  Students were also reminded that the Sheriff's Department will be in the building on a daily basis and ready to listen to students if they have information to share to keep the school community safe. 

Mr. Bowser also reminded students of the Text-A-Tip line and will be distributing cards with the phone number to all junior high students and faculty/staff members thanks to SRO Erin Peach.

State Police Officer Mark Zimmerman and Sheriff Derek Morgan observing a passing period at Allendale School.

State Police Officer Mark Zimmerman speaking with students, faculty, and staff following the soft lockdown drill.

State Police Officer Ashley Reeder, Sheriff Derek Morgan, Superintendent Bob Bowser, and State Police Officer Mark Zimmerman in the assembly with students, faculty, and staff.

ISP SEIZE 432 POUNDS OF CANNABIS LAST TWO DAYS TRAFFIC STOPS ON I-70

District 12 Illinois State Police troopers patrolling Interstate 70, conducted traffic stops which yielded a total of 432 pounds of illicit cannabis in the past two days.  The street value of the seized cannabis was approximately $1,080.000.00.

On Tuesday, March 6, 2018, at approximately 8:11 a.m., an ISP trooper initiated a traffic stop on a red Toyota passenger car for traffic violations on Interstate 70 near Effingham. During the traffic stop, approximately 71 pounds of cannabis was discovered.  The driver, Matthew Taffer, 23, of Leesburg, VA was charged with Cannabis Trafficking.  Mr. Taffer was incarcerated at the Effingham County Jail.  The Effingham County State’s Attorney and Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force assisted with the investigation.     

On Wednesday, March 7, 2018, at approximately 1:44 p.m., an ISP trooper initiated a traffic stop on an RV for traffic violations on Interstate 70 near St. Elmo.  The traffic stop resulted in the discovery of 361 pounds of cannabis.  The driver, Christian Peralta Martinez, 34, of Miranda, CA. and the passenger, Shawn Hulsey, 33, of Leggett, CA were charged with Cannabis Trafficking.  Both were incarcerated at the Fayette County Jail.  The Fayette County State’s Attorney and the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force assisted with the investigation.     

“The Illinois State Police remain focused on battling the unlawful trafficking of illicit substances and criminal activity in and around our communities ” said ISP District 12 Commander, Captain Cory Ristvedt. 

Plan Now For MCHS Parent-Teacher Conferences

In order to better accommodate the parents of our students the Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held on March 20 & 22 from 4-7 p.m. The signup procedure is:

1.     Parents may call the school office at 262-5104 or may stop by during

       school hours (7:30 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.) to make appointments.  Students

       may also set these appointments up for their parents in the Main Office

       at the school.  Parents or guardians can email Kimberly Lee klee@wabash348.com.

2.     An appointment schedule for each teacher will be kept in the school office.

       Appointments will be 15 minutes in length with a short break in between each one.

3.     There is no deadline for sign-up; however, the sign-up procedure will be on a

        first come-first serve basis.

4.     Parents are encouraged to sign-up for appointments prior to 4:00 P.M. on

       Monday March, 19..  This way, an appointment schedule can be furnished

       to each teacher in order to properly prepare for their upcoming conferences.

5.     Parents who cannot attend a conference on these scheduled dates are encouraged to

       contact individual teachers for appointments on other dates or send an email.

AOK Resource Guide To Be Distributed By WCSO

On Wednesday, March 7th, 2018, Wabash County Sheriff J. Derek Morgan, AOK Coordinator Tristan Barbre, and Wabash County Health Department Administrator Judy Wissel signed a Parent Resource Guide Collaborative Agreement. This agreement will allow the All Our Kids Network Parent Resource Guide to be distributed  to families by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department when responding to non-emergency calls in the Wabash County Community. The Parent Resource Guide is used to easily identify resources both emergent and non-emergent within Wabash County. By distributing this guide, the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department is helping families better identify resources to meet each family’s specific needs. The Wabash County Sheriff J. Derek Morgan has been an active member of The All Our Kids Network since 2017.  

Deceased Terre Haute Suspect Identified

The Indiana State Police, along with Vigo County Coroner Dr. Susan Amos, have utilized fingerprints to positively identify the deceased suspect from 2123 4th Avenue Terre Haute on March 06, 2018. 

Deceased: Michael R. Reynolds, age 36, of Terre Haute, IN. 

Indiana State Police Putnamville District detectives continue to investigate two separate events; one, the suspect’s death as a result of presenting a threat and succumbing to lethal force by ISP South SWAT and two, the apparent wounding of the suspect the night before, by the Terre Haute Police Department. 

ISP detectives are conducting many interviews today and more will occur over the next few days. Indiana State Police Crime Scene Investigators and Laboratory Services continue to process many items of evidence. The Terre Haute Police continue to work alongside ISP at various junctures and related events. 

When ISP completes the two investigations, all documentation, etc., will be submitted to the Office of Vigo County Prosecutor Terry Modesitt for review… 

The original homicide scene on Putnam Street is being investigated by the Terre Haute Police Department. All questions about this investigation should be directed to their agency.  

Mt. Carmel City Council To Meet Monday

AGENDA

CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Monday March 12, 2018 at 5:00pm

· Call to Order

· Pledge of Allegiance

· Invocation

· Roll Call

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

· Mayor’s Report

COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:

· Eric Ikemire Streets, Cemeteries and Parks

· Joseph Judge Finance and Senior Citizens

· Justin Dulgar Water and Sewer

· Rod Rodriguez Fire, Health & Safety, City Hall, Garbage and Civil Defense

STAFF REPORTS:

· Rudy Witsman

· Kelli Storckman

· Mike Gidcumb

BUSINESS:

· Presentation of Consent Agenda

o Approve the minutes of the regular Council meeting held 2/26/2018

o Approve payment of all bills bearing the proper signature

· Removal of items from the Consent Agenda

· Consideration of Consent Agenda

· Consideration of items removed from the Consent Agenda

· Executive Session (if needed)

· Motion to Adjourn

Beall Woods SP- March Programs

Woodpecker 101

How many species of woodpeckers can be found in Beall Woods? Which species drills holes in horizontal rows to extract tree sap?  Do all woodpeckers have similar feeding and nesting behaviors? Learn the answers to these questions on Saturday, March 17th. The program will begin at 9am with a presentation inside the Visitor Center. A guided hike will follow the presentation. Don’t  forget your binoculars! 

Wildlife & Nature Photography with Ron Young

Sit back, relax, and go on an adventure while viewing photographs taken by Ron Young on Saturday, March 24th at 1pm. Young will show a diverse sampling of photographs that he has taking over the past few years including wildlife, wildflowers, buildings, and landscapes. He began taking photos in 1996 and has developed a passion for photography over the years. Young strives to capture the uniqueness found in nature and enjoys sharing the stories that go along with the image. 

For more information, please call the park's Visitor Center 618-298-2441.

Beall Woods State Park 2018 Spring Programs

March

17th - Woodpecker 101, 9am-11am

24th - Wildlife and Nature Photography with Ron Young, 1pm

April

6th - Woodland Wildflower Hike, 1pm

7th -  Falconry, 1pm

13th - Woodland Wildflower Hike, 1pm

14th - Woodland Wildflower Hike, 2pm

28th - Norm Cline Photography, 2pm

May

19th - Kids to Park Day "Tricky Tracks", 9am-11am

26th - Bird Friendly Backyard, 10am  /  Bingo, 2pm

June 

2nd - Fishing With Dad Day, Registration 8:30-9am / Fishing 9-10:30am

9th - Youth Fishing Derby, Registration 8-8:30am / Fishing 8:30-10:30am

15th, 22nd, 29th - Junior Naturalist Programs Ages 8 to 11, 9-11am

23rd and 30th - Leaf Litter Critters, 9-11am

Photo by Norm Cline

Princeton woman arrested on alcohol charge

On March 4, 2018, at 7:36 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Jennifer Loesch conducted a traffic stop on a Yellow 2004 Chevy Cavalier for having improper headlights on Embree Street in Princeton. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Loesch identified the driver as 18 year old Patience Stephens of Princeton. While speaking with Ms. Stephens Deputy Loesch observed alcoholic beverages located in plain view inside the vehicle. At that point Deputy Loesch began a roadside investigation and placed Ms. Stephens into custody. At the conclusion of her investigation Deputy Loesch transported Ms. Stephens to the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with Minor Possession of Alcohol and Possession of Paraphernalia. She has since posted a $450 bond. 

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