IECC Board Notes

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges’ Board of Trustees approved the updated Technology Plan for FY2019 through FY2021 at the regular meeting Tuesday, July 17, 2018 at Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel.  The Plan was developed by the Technology Committee and establishes a blueprint that sets forth IECC’s Information Technology vision, its strategic directions, and the action plans for supporting the academic experience of students and strengthening the educational mission of faculty and staff.

Trustees approved the revision of the Tobacco Free and Smoke Free policy. 

Updates to the 2018-2019 IECC Catalog were reviewed and approved for publication. 

The board adopted the prevailing rate of wages as determined by the Illinois Department of Labor for the counties of Crawford, Richland, Wabash and Wayne.

The Board approved a report on compliance with Drug Free Schools and Campus

Regulations.  The Board certified that the district has adopted and implemented a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees. IECC’s 2018 biennial review identified recommendations which will maintain the effectiveness of the program by regular review and update to IECC’s website to ensure the accuracy and availability of information pertinent to alcohol, drugs, treatment and resources. 

            In an effort to continually focus on the quality, cost and need of its academic programs, the Board reviewed and approved the District’s 2018 Program Review Report.

            An affiliation agreement was approved with the Office of Dr. Bachar Malek for the Certified Medical Assistant Program at Lincoln Trail College.

            Approval was given for an emergency repair to replace the heat exchanger on an HVAC unit at Olney Central College. 

The Board approved an articulation agreement between Illinois Eastern Community Colleges and the University of Southern Indiana located in Evansville, Indiana.  The agreement is for the Graphic Arts and Design Program. 

Existing athletic training services agreements were extended with Crawford Memorial Hospital for athletic training services to Lincoln Trail College and to Wabash General Hospital for athletic training services to Wabash Valley College and Frontier Community College.  Each of the colleges are required to provide athletic training services that are consistent with requirements set by the Illinois Athletic Trainers Practice Act. 

Board members John Brooks and Gary Carter were reappointed to the Board Audit Committee.  The committee is charged with oversight of the District’s annual audit.

Anna Bunting was employed as Manager of Food Services at Wabash Valley College, effective July 18, 2018.

Kathryn Sutton was employed as Custodian/Groundskeeper at Frontier Community College, effective July 23, 2018. 

Juliana Pickford was employed as a nursing instructor, effective August 9, 2018. 

Resignation ratifications were approved for Ashlee Spannagel, Program Director of Grants

& Compliances at the District Office, effective July 20, 2018, Tim Gallion, Upward Bound Counselor, located at Lincoln Trail College, effective August 22, 2018, and Hayley Kirkham, Upward Bound Counselor, located at Lincoln Trail College, effective August 25, 2018. 

Next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held at Frontier Community College, Fairfield, Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at 7:00 p.m.

City Council Votes To Build New Sidewalk On West Side Of Oak Street

The new Oak Street sidewalk from 3rd to 9th Street will be built on the west side of the street as originally designed. Two weeks ago, local businessman Rick Andrews complained to the council that constructing the sidewalk on the west side would pose a safety hazard for large trucks visiting his two businesses in that area. But last night, city clerk Rudy Witsman said he had spoken to Mt. Carmel Public Utility officials about relocating several poles on the east side of the street….

In addition, if any of the soil on the former Snap On Tools property is contaminated, the city would also be responsible for paying for the clean up. Commissioner Eric Ikemire said because of the unknown costs to the city, he supported keeping the sidewalk on the west side. The vote to do so was unanimous.

A view of the east side of Oak Street and the power poles that the city council decided would be too costly to relocate. 

District #348 School Board Raises Pay To Play Fee; Sets Family Cap

After voting last month to resume paying for the transportation for athletes and band members, the Wabash District 3-48 school board has approved fee increases in the pay to play policy. At last night’s monthly meeting, the school board increased the per sport fee $25 to $100 with a $200 per athlete cap, and a $500 district-wide family cap for both junior high and high school athletes and band members. Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer explained the thinking behind the numbers…

Board president Tim Schuler said he hoped the district finances would continue to improve to the point that the fees could be revisited again next year. Former Superintendent Tim Buss proposed doing away with the pay to play fees in March, but the board repeatedly tabled making a decision until last night’s meeting, which was Bleyer’s first as superintendent. Bleyer said the increased fees would generate about $5,000 in revenue that would help to offset the cost of reassuming the transportation of athletes and band members.

School Board member Kyle Peach (L) confers with District #348 Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer prior to Monday's board meeting. 

Mt. Carmel Crime Of The Week

The Crime Of The Week as released by MCPD.

District #348 Personnel Matters

The Wabash District #348 school board took action on these personnel matters at their Monday monthly meeting.

Detroit man arrested after brief pursuit

On July 14, 2018, at 11:33 p.m. Gibson County Special Deputy Tyler Martin attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a silver passenger car for speeding on US 41 near County Road 550 South when the vehicle fled. Deputy Martin was able to stop the vehicle near Tulip Tree Drive and place the driver 35 year old Antoine Lapsley of Detroit into custody. At that point Deputy Martin began a roadside investigation that resulted in Mr. Lapsley being transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Possession of Marijuana, Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, and Reckless Driving. Mr. Lapsley has since posted a $1,000 bond. 

Assisting Deputy Martin in his investigation was Sgt. John Fischer of the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office, Sgt. Steve McNeece of the Princeton Police, and Nathan Brown of the Fort Branch Police Department. 

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

Plastics Company Expanding in Evansville, Moving Production to Indiana

EnCom Polymers Inc., a compounder of high performance polymers for multiple industries, announced plans today to expand its headquarters in southwest Indiana, creating up to 56 new jobs by 2021.

"Indiana has a strong reputation for making products that power our world, but we're also innovating new solutions that are driving industries forward," said Elaine Bedel, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). "With a fiscally predictable, pro-growth business climate, entrepreneurs and small businesses like EnCom Polymers can expand and create new, skilled jobs for Hoosiers with confidence."    

The privately-owned business will invest more than $14.9 million to purchase and upgrade the 58,000-square-foot building at 4825 N. Sprint St. in Evansville that it is currently leasing. The renovations will also include the installation of new, state-of-the-art equipment, including four production lines, a lab line, an injection molder and a full testing laboratory, allowing EnCom to produce its custom plastics products in-house rather than relying on out-of-state manufacturers. The company plans to have its first production line installed and operational by September with additional lines being installed soon after. 

EnCom, which currently employs 14 associates at its Evansville headquarters, plans to hire immediately for 17 positions in manufacturing and professional service. With this expansion, the company's production, business development, logistics, R&D, quality, and safety and compliance departments will all be centralized in southwest Indiana. Interested applicants should apply online.

"We are grateful for the forward-looking leadership style our community leaders have exhibited, which will allow us to take our company to the next level of performance and service," said Rick Kaskel, CEO of EnCom Polymers. 

Established in 2001, EnCom creates custom plastics solutions by using polymer chemistry specifically designed for the end application process. The company was originally formed to serve automotive companies in the Midwest and their tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers, but has since expanded to serve a variety of industries, including telecommunications, medical, electrical and electronic, material handling and industrial. The company's plastic products, which can also include a variety of enhancements such as glass, mineral, talc and flame-retardants, include nylon, polycarbonate, polypropylene and other compounds.

“EnCom’s decision to consolidate its operations in Evansville and its multi-million-dollar investment in training, facilities and equipment is a strong show of confidence in our city and local workforce," said Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke. "EnCom leaders thoroughly investigated other options and determined our community is the best place for the company’s future growth and prosperity.” 

The IEDC offered EnCom Polymers up to $550,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company's job creation and investment plans. These incentives are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Evansville will consider additional incentives at the request of the Growth Alliance for Greater Evansville. 
 

Two Lawrence County Teens Seriously Injured After Swerving At Each Other Goes Wrong

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
 
WHAT:                    Personal Injury Crash
 
WHERE:                  Christy Ave. approximately 0.5 miles south of Sumner, IL.    Lawrence County

WHEN:                    07/13/2018  5:47 p.m.       
 
VEHICLES:             UNIT 1 Blue 2004 Chevrolet pickup IL Reg: 1901949B (Injury)

UNIT 2 Silver 2002 GMC pickup IL Reg: 1851383B (Injury)
 
DRIVER:                  UNIT 1- (INJURY/TRANSPORT) 17 y/o male Sumner, IL

UNIT 2- (INJURY/TRANSPORT) 17 y/o male, Lawrenceville, IL

PASSENGERS:        None

CHARGES:              No charges
 
TRANSPORTS:       UNIT 1- Driver (INJURY/TRANSPORT) 17 y/o male Sumner, IL
UNIT 2- Driver (INJURY/TRANSPORT) 17y/o male, Lawrenceville, IL
 
 
PRELIMINARY:       A preliminary investigation revealed that Unit 1 was Southbound on Christy Ave. 0.5 miles south of Sumner, in Lawrence County.  Unit 2 was Northbound at the same location.  According to the driver of Unit 2, both drivers were acquaintances and jokingly swerved at each other.  As the vehicles met, Unit 1 struck Unit 2 in the driver's side door forcing it off the roadway and into the East ditch.  Both vehicles then caught on fire and quickly became fully engulfed.  Passers by were able to remove both drivers from their vehicles.  The driver of Unit 1 was flown from the scene, via helicopter, to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, IN.  The driver of Unit 2 was transported via ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, IN and was later transferred to Deaconess Hospital. 

The driver of Unit 1 sustained a fractured jaw, fractured tibia, facial lacerations and a severe concussion.  The driver of Unit 2 sustained a fractured leg and lacerations to both legs.