Wabash County Jobless Rate 2nd Lowest In Southern Illinois In January

Wabash County had the second lowest southern Illinois unemployment rate in January according to figures released Thursday by the state’s department of employment security. The jobless rate stood at 4.3% in Wabash County, trailing only the 4.2% mark in White County for the lowest rate in the southern part of the state. The 4.3% rate was down slightly than the 4.4% rate in December and the 6.6% rate in January of last year. 

Unemployment decreased in all 21 counties in the Southern Region compared to one year-ago as area employers continued to show demand in Retail Trade, Health Care and Social Assistance, Transportation and Warehousing, and Educational Services in January. Decreased hiring demand occurred in Public Administration and Accommodation-Food Services compared to January 2017.

Top occupations for hire included Truck Drivers, Registered Nurses, Retail Sales, Health Services Managers, Customer Service Representatives and Insurance Sales Agents.

While White County had the lowest January jobless rate, the highest in southern Illinois was Johnson County at 8%.

The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment. A person who exhausts benefits, or is ineligible, still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.

2nd Graders Look To Trap Leprechauns

Mrs. Cheesman and Mrs. Stanley’s class built Leprechaun Traps.  Kindergarten and First grade students came to visit.  The Second grade students did a fantastic job explaining how their trap worked.  Maybe they will catch a leprechaun yet!

Students in Miss Holden’s 2nd Grade class recently participated in Leprechaun Trap Home Challenge.  Students developed their own trap design and then created their version of a leprechaun trap.

St. Patrick's Day Patrols To Be Increased

Illinois State Police (ISP) District 12 Commander, Captain Cory Ristvedt, announces emphasis on deterring and stopping impaired driving during the St. Patrick’s Day weekend.  ISP Troopers will strictly enforce the Fatal Four violations of DUI, Speeding, Distracted Driving, and Failure to Wear Seat Belt.  These are the traffic violations which are most attributed to fatal crashes.   
 
“If you drive impaired, expect to be pulled over”, said Captain Ristvedt.  “Plan ahead and designate a sober driver:  Together, let’s keep the roads safe”, he added.  
 
Alcohol is a leading factor in fatal traffic crashes, especially during celebratory weekends.  The ISP is reminding motorists to help keep the roadways safe by planning ahead and designating a driver, calling a cab, or using a rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft.  Everyone wins if the weekend fatal crash score is zero. 

Gibson County Fair Concert Headliners Announced

Gibson County fair is proud to announce 2 new rising Country stars headlining the 2018 Fair Friday July 13th.  Singer/songwriter Ashley McBryde who's first single release is now climbing the charts "A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega" from her new album "Girl Going Nowhere".   McBryde has opened shows for Eric Church, Chris Stapleton and Miranda Lambert, has played the Grand Ole Opry several times and shared the stage with Luke Combs at the Ryman Auditorium.  Co-Headlining and taking the stage first will be the Duo Walker McGuire who's Top 40 debut single “Til Tomorrow” has been streamed 34 million times and they are out playing shows all over the country featuring their new single "Lost”.  It will be a special night at the Gibson County Fair Friday July 13th.  Two new up and coming Country acts Ashley McBryde and Walker McGuire. Show time is 7:30.  Concert being presented by TOYOTA Motor Manufacturing Indiana Inc. and your Local Indiana TOYOTA Dealers.  Gibson County Fair July 8 to 14 Princeton Indiana.  Admission is $7, Children 9 and under free, get up close in front of stage for an additional $10.

2 Injured in Olney Crash

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

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

WHAT: Personal injury accident.

WHERE:  Rt. 130 at W. Butler St. in Olney (Richland County)

WHEN: 04:15 PM 03/16/18  

VEHICLES: Unit #1 – Green, 1996, Ford pickup.
Unit #2 – Silver, 2015, Chevrolet passenger car.
DRIVER: Unit #1 – William R. Derler, 53, of Olney, IL.
Unit #2- Carl J. Kessler, 78, of Olney, IL.        
PASSENGERS: Unit #1- Colden Derler, 22, of Dundas, IL.

CHARGES: Driver of Unit #1 was charged with failure to yield at an intersection and operating an uninsured vehicle.

TRANSPORTS: The passenger of Unit #1 and driver of Unit #2 were transported to Carle Richland Memorial Hospital

PRELIMINARY:   Preliminary investigative details indicate Unit #1 was traveling East bound on West Butler St. stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Rt. 130 in Olney.   Unit.#2 was traveling North bound on Rt. 130 at Butler St.  Unit #1 began to travel E/B across Rt. 130 on W. Butler pulling in front of unit #2.  Unit #2 struck the passenger side of Unit #1.  Unit #1 rolled onto its driver’s side.  Both units came to a rest in the middle of the intersection.
   
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

“OVER THERE” REMEMBRANCE DISPLAY AT WVC

As part of the Wabash Valley College spring musical production OVER THERE, a “Remembrance” board will be on display in the Brubeck Arts Center lobby.  The “Remembrance” display will include photos and short family anecdotes from World War I. The musical, OVER THERE, is a centennial celebration of our troops in WWI.  Anyone wishing to submit a short narrative or a photo of a family member who served or lived during WWI for the display can leave those items at the WVC Bauer Media Center.  Archival family photos will be digitally scanned and then returned.  Digital prints will be made of the photos for the “Remembrance” display.  Please submit photos and narratives by Wednesday, March 14.  OVER THERE opens on Thursday night, March 15 at 7:30 and runs Friday and Saturday nights.  A final matinee performance will be at 1:30 on Sunday, March 18.

MCES 3rd Quarter Perfect Attendance-Kindergarten

MCES celebrated 3rd quarter perfect attendance today. Perfect attendance is given when a student has not missed any days, not been tardy and has not had to leave early. So happy these students were able to reach that goal from January 3 - March 9.

Kindergarten: 1st Row: Ezekiel Baumgart, Caden Christie, Cara Dill, Matalei Greer and Mrs. Nancy Vargo. 2nd Row: Andrew Hagerty, Annie Hagerty, Jager Hammond, Jackson McCleave, and Landen McCoy. 3rd Row: Brittany Moore, Kalin Perry, Henry Reed, Colton Smith, Edith Mae Sutton and Morrison Taylor

Work Expected To Start Soon On Villas Of Holly Brook

Work should begin soon on the new Villas of Holly Brook facility on Mt. Carmel’s west side. Just before Christmas, Mayor Bill Hudson said Unique Homes, based in Charleston would build a multi-million-dollar facility west of the Super 8 on outer West 9th Street. At Monday’s City Council meeting, Hudson said ground should be broken soon on the facility…

City Clerk Rudy Witsman said the plat could be finalized by the council in a couple of weeks with construction starting soon after. The Villas of Holly Brook is expected to employ 45 full time and 25-part time employees.

Future of Mt. Carmel's Water Supply Coming Soon

As the Mt. Carmel City Council gets closer to making a decision on the future of its’ drinking water supply, water commissioner Justin Dulgar is urging the public to get more involved in the process.

At Monday’s City Council meeting, Dulgar said the city faces four options regarding the future of its’ drinking water…join the Wabash Valley Water Commission and buy the water; build a new water plant for $8 million, upgrade the existing facility for $5.5 million, or do nothing until forced to do so by the EPA. The Mt. Carmel water plant was built in the 1930’s and most recently upgraded in 1990 when the city switched from river water to well water. 

Dulgar said a public hearing on the matter will be held next month and he hopes local residents become engaged in the decision making process.

No matter what direction the city decides to go, Dulgar said it would be 2023 before the new facility would be ready. And even when this problem is solved, Dulgar said the city still faces the problem of aging and crumbling water lines around town.

Oak Street Sidewalks May Result From Revolving Loan Funds

Installing new sidewalks along Oak Street from 3rd to 9th Streets could be one of the projects funded by the city’s former revolving loan fund. The state has done away with the revolving loan fund program and communities like Mt. Carmel now are able to use those funds for various projects.

At Monday’s City Council meeting, city clerk Rudy Witsman said there is currently $356,000 available in the fund. The city also has the option of buying out the remaining loans to bring the total to almost $400,000. No decisions have been made on how the money will be spent, but Witsman said one possibility is the sidewalk project that would make Oak Street safer for walkers and bicyclists.

Commissioners took Witsman’s proposal to purchase the outstanding loan balances under advisement.