CONCEALED CARRY RECERTIFICATION COURSE TO BE OFFERED AT WVC JANUARY 19

If you are interested in recertifying your Illinois Concealed Carry Permit, now is your opportunity to enroll in the IECC Concealed Carry Recertification course that provides the 3 hours of required training. This course is for any Illinois Concealed Carry permit holder that needs to take the recertification training.

Five years ago, in the fall of 2013, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges started offering the Concealed Carry Program. The first students through the program will be coming up for their recertification time.

Training includes: Updates to the Law; Changes to the FOID Act and Unlawful Use of Weapons; Review of Handgun Fundamentals; Dry and Live Fire Drills.

Pre-registration is required. MUST have your Illinois Concealed Carry Permit to take the course. Two courses will be offered on Saturday, January 19 at the Wabash Valley College Advanced Technology Building. Students may take the class from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., or from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. The cost of the 3-hour Recertification class is $50. D Ray Etzkorn is the instructor. For more information or to get registered, contact the Student Services Office: Wabash Valley College-Mt. Carmel, 866-982-4322, or Frontier Community College-Fairfield, 877-464-3687. If you have questions concerning the program, contact the Concealed Carry Coordinator, Bryan Hart, at hartb@iecc.edu, or call 618-879-9420 and leave a message.

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WGH’s New President & CEO Announces Organizational Changes at WGH

Wabash General Hospital’s new President & CEO, Karissa Turner, has announced organization changes effective January 1, 2019.  These changes are being made to facilitate our ability to address the rapidly changing healthcare environment, the growth of WGH, and the needs of our community.

 Katie Potts has been promoted to the Executive Assistant.  She will assist Mrs. Turner, as well as, be responsible for Medical Staff Credentialing.  Mrs. Potts has worked for WGH as an assistant since 2013.  Also, the Administrative Assistants will report to Mrs. Potts.

 Tamara Gould has accepted the Senior Executive Vice President of Hospital Operations/Chief Operating Officer position.  The Executive VP of Clinical Services/Chief Nursing Officer, Executive Vice President of Finance/Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Emergency Services, Vice President of Professional Services, Vice President of Quality, Director of Plant Operations, and Director of Radiology will all report directly to Mrs. Gould. Mrs. Gould will report directly to Mrs. Turner.

 Kim Pearson has been promoted to the Executive Vice President of Clinical Services/Chief Nursing Officer.  She will be responsible for the following departments: Anesthesia, Case Management, Lab, Med/Surg, Monitored Care Unit, Respiratory Therapy, Sleep Study, and Surgery.  Sherri Speth has also accepted the Director of Case Management position.

 Steve McGill is the Executive Vice President of Finance/Chief Financial Officer.  The Hospital Controller, Lynn Leek, reports directly to Mr. McGill.  Mrs. Leek is responsible for the Assistant Controller, Health Information Management, Information Technology, Materials Management, and Pharmacy.  Alex Wease has been promoted to the Assistant Controller and is responsible for Accounts Payable, Admitting, and the Business Office.  Janice Winschief has accepted the Admitting Team Leader position.

 Eldo Deisher has accepted the Vice President of Emergency Services position.  He will be responsible for the Emergency Department Physician Group, Emergency Department, and Emergency Medical Services Department.  Greg Winemiller has accepted the Director of Emergency Medical Services position.

 Andrew Kleinschmidt has been promoted to the Vice President of Professional Services.  The Director of Oncology, Director of Orthopaedic Services, and Director of Physician Services will report to Mr. Kleinschmidt.  Leann Lear will continue as the Director of Physician Services and Amanda Hershey has been promoted to the Assistant Director of Physician Services.  Mrs. Lear and Mrs. Hershey will be responsible for all of the Primary Care offices, the Specialty Clinic, the Surgeon’s Office, and Wellness/Occupational Health. 

 Katheryn McWhirter has accepted the Vice President of Quality & Risk Management position.  Along with quality and risk management, she will be responsible for Care Coordination, Employee Education, Infection Control, and Patient Experience.

 Vicki Stipp has joined the Administrative Team as the new Administrative Assistant.  Her primary responsibilities will be to assist Mrs. Gould and Mrs. Pearson.

 Bridget Shepard is the Executive Vice President of Human Resources.  She is responsible for the Dietary Department, Human Resources, and Payroll.  Mrs. Shepard will report directly to Mrs. Turner.

 Danielle Stevens has accepted the Executive Vice President of Business Development and Foundation position.  She will continue to be responsible for all of the hospital’s marketing and the WGH Foundation.  Mrs. Stevens will report directly to Mrs. Turner.

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Traffic Stop Lands Henderson Man In Jail On Drug Charge

On 1/03/19 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Donald S. Howard, age 49, of Henderson, KY, for Possession of a Controlled Substance following a traffic stop at 3rd & Poplar Street. During the stop Officer Hopper and his K-9 Ace arrived on scene to conduct a free air narcotics sniff to the exterior of Howard’s Toyota.  Ace alerted to the presence of narcotics so a search of the vehicle was conducted.  Officers found open alcohol and the controlled substance Tramadol inside the vehicle.  Howard was placed under arrest at this time.  Howard was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.  Mt. Carmel Police were assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office. 

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Mt. Carmel Woman Jailed For Driving Drunk With Children In Vehicle Following Crash

On 1/03/19 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Tasha N. Sayge, age 32, of Mt. Carmel, for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Endangering the Life of a Child following a traffic crash in the area of 9th & Walnut Street.  While investigating the traffic crash officers found signs of impairment on one of the drivers - Tasha Sayge.  Following a roadside investigation Sayge was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail.  Sayge had two children present in the vehicle at the time of the crash.  The children were released to another party prior to the officer’s arrival.  Sayge was processed and held pending the posting of bond.  Mt. Carmel Police were assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office.

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Mt. Carmel Woman Arrested For DUI With Child In Vehicle

On 1/03/19 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Bobbi S. Allen, age 33, of Mt. Carmel, for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Endangering the Life of a Child following a traffic stop.  Allen was stopped in the 1100 block of Chestnut Street for a traffic violation when the officer found signs of impairment on Allen.  Following a roadside investigation Allen was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail.  There was a child present in Allen’s vehicle that was turned over to a family member.  Allen was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was charged and held pending the posting of bond.

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Chief Addresses Social Media Concerns Over Suspicious Individuals

Mt. Carmel Police Chief John Lockhart is looking to put the public’s mind at ease after social media blew up this week with reports of suspicious people walking around the city. According to the chief, police identified the three people as being from out of the area. One of them was arrested on a drug charge and is being held in the Wabash County Jail while the other two are no longer in the area. Lockhart said he hoped fears would be assuaged by the information that the three are not a threat to anyone locally. The trio had been seen around town including fast food restaurants this week.

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WEMA Moves Into Former ROE Space

The Wabash County Emergency Management Agency has moved into space formerly occupied by the Regional Office of Education at their Market Street headquarters. WEMA director Gerald Brooks told the county board this week that volunteers completed the move at no cost to the county. The move included re-routing phone lines into the new space as well as taking down the regional office’s signage in front of the building.

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