Allendale School 3rd Quarter Honor Roll:

Allendale School is proud to announce the third quarter Honor Roll:

front row - Rhett Andrews, Olivia Smith, Michael Smith, Braden McGinnis, Isabella Monroy, Cameron Kolb, Tristan Bray, Ashleigh McGinnis

second row - Lauren Fisher, Chandler Cusick, Roland Foster, Hallie Courter, Mark Vaupel, Avery Swift, Brayden Wilford, Alex McGinnis, Blake McDonald, Kenadie Homan, Kollin Kelsey

third row - Trent Casburn, Jordis Riley, Cydnie Lawrence, Matthew Jackson, Clay Morgan, Carlos Monroy, Chloey Wheeler, Chloe Cusick, Holly Doerr, Raven Adams

fourth row - Caleb Schneider, Josey McCowen, Jonathan Bowser, Sam Medler, Konner Kelsey

Sosnowski advances “babysitting bill” to protect parents from being charged with child neglect, abandonment

Bipartisan legislation to allow single or working parents with a child over age 12 to babysit younger children at home alone was approved by the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee in a unanimous 19-0 vote. The bill, sponsored by State Representative Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, lowers the minimum age at which a child can be home without supervision from 14 down to 12.

Currently under state law, a child under the age of 14 who is left without supervision for “an unreasonable amount of time” is considered neglected; and a parent or other individual responsible for a child’s welfare can be charged with child abandonment for leaving a minor under the age of 13 without supervision by a responsible person over the age of 14 for a period of 24 hours or more.

“We should protect single and working parents from a harsh state law under which they can be charged with neglect and lose custody of their kids for leaving a minor under the age of 14 home without supervision,” Representative Sosnowski said. “Illinois has by far the most restrictive law of its kind in the nation. My bill would reduce the threshold to children under the age of 12, recognizing that working parents who struggle to afford child care should not live under the fear of losing their kids simply for working hard to support their family.”

Sosnowski’s legislation is House Bill 2334. It has one Democrat and one Republican as Chief Co-Sponsor; Representative Anne Stava-Murray, D-Naperville, and Representative Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro. 

Nationwide, current state laws that define a certain age when children may be left home alone range from age 6 in Kansas to age 14 in Illinois. While 45 states have statutes on this subject, only 14 specify a certain age, with the most common age being 10.

Fatal Accident on Interstate 64

Spencer County: Shortly after noon today, Indiana State Troopers responded to a fatal accident on I-64 west of Ferdinand near the 60 mile-marker.

Multiple Indiana State Police Accident Reconstructionists were on scene for over five hours piecing together the events that lead up to this tragedy.

Preliminary investigation efforts reveled an eastbound vehicle drove off the north side of the roadway,crossed over the median before colliding with a westbound 2016 Freightliner semi being driven by Paul Reckner, 32, Sweetwater, Texas.

Reckner was not injured during the crash but he was transported to a local hospital by a trooper for a certified chemical test, which is standard protocol for persons involved in an injury accident. Drugs and alcohol are not suspected to be a factor at this time. 

The deceased's vehicle was removed from the crash scene and taken to the Carter Township Volunteer Fire Department where an autopsy was performed. Unfortunately, due to the severity of the impact the Spencer County Coroners Office will not be able to make a positive identification for several days.

Troopers were assisted by: Santa Claus Police Department, Spencer County Sheriff's Department, Carter Township Volunteer Fire Department, Spencer County Coroners Office & INDOT.

Harrison County Man Dies at West Boggs Lake

ndiana Conservation Officers are investigating the death of a Harrison County man that occurred at West Boggs Lake in Daviess County.

Herbert Stickler (79) of Ramsey, Indiana was fishing with a family member when his fishing lure got snagged on a log. While attempting to free his line, Stickler fell in the water. An attempt to rescue him by his fishing partner was unsuccessful.

An autopsy performed today determined the cause of death to be related to a medical condition and not a drowning.

The water where the accident occurred was approximately three to four feet in depth. Stickler was not wearing a life jacket when he entered the water. The incident occurred Wednesday April 3, 2019 around 1:30 pm.

Responding agencies include the Daviess County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, West Boggs Park Rangers, Daviess County Coroner’s Office, and Southwest Medical EMS.

Indiana Conservation Officer strongly encourage wearing a life jacket while boating or near water. For more information on water safety click the link below.

CONCEALED CARRY COURSE TO BE OFFERED AT WVC April 11-13

If you are interested in obtaining your Illinois Concealed Carry License, why not enroll in the next Concealed Carry course being offered by Illinois Eastern Community Colleges which will be offered at Wabash Valley College at the Advanced Technology Center on Thursday and Friday nights, April 11 and 12, from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m., and on Saturday, April 13, from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. D Ray Etzkorn is the instructor for this class.

Not only will attendees learn the minimum information required by the Concealed Carry Act, but through the use of lecture and range drills, attendees will learn how to safely handle a handgun and hone their skills, as a marksman, and survive a real-world encounter. Whether you are new to handguns or more experienced, this course is designed to make everyone a more knowledgeable and accomplished shooter. Through the teaching of current trends and techniques, students will learn and understand how to maintain the proper mindset, skills, and abilities that come with “bearing arms” for the purpose of self-defense.

Pre-registration is required. The cost of the 16-hour course is $175 for in-District students, which includes tuition and fees, and must be paid in advance to reserve a seat in the course. The cost for enrollees over 60 years old is $92. For more information or to get registered, contact your local 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.

CONCEALED CARRY RECERTIFICATION COURSE TO BE OFFERED AT WVC APRIL 20

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 must now take this recertification course to be recertified.

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, April 20 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.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT WORKSHOPS

Southern 14 Workforce Investment Board, Illinois Department of Employment Securities and Illinois Eastern Community Colleges will be hosting a series of Community Employment Workshops. The Workshop will feature information on effective job searches, on-line applications, interviewing skills, and ideas for furthering as well as funding education. Additionally, IDES staff will be on hand to assist with resumes, job searches, and applications. Bring your information, and we will help you leave the Workshop with a Work-Ready resume.

There will be two upcoming events in Mt. Carmel. On Friday, April 26, the Workshop will be held at the Mt. Carmel Public Library, located at 727 Mulberry Street, from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The second event will be held on Tuesday, April 30, from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Wabash Valley College in the Brubeck Arts Center Theatre Lobby, located at 2200 College Drive. Come and stay as little or as long as you would like!

Additional information can be found at www.iecc.edu

COUNTRY Financial® Presents Donation To Wabash County Sheriff’s Department

COUNTRY Financial Representatives Tia Morgan, Jody Smith, Billy Stinson & Dane Schmucker are pleased to announce Wabash County Sheriff’s Department as a 2019 recipient of a $1,500 COUNTRY Financial Operation Helping Heroes Donation. The COUNTRY Financial Reps presented the donation to Sheriff Derek Morgan, in March, 2019 to assist with the purchase of Ballistic Panels for Bullet Proof Vests for their officers.

Wabash County Sheriff, Derek Morgan, commented, “The Sheriff’s office wouldn’t be able to purchase the added protection that these Ballistic Vests will give our deputies without this contribution from COUNTRY Financial. The Sheriff’s office appreciates COUNTRY Financial and its representatives. You can tell that COUNTRY Financial cares!”

“Our local sheriff’s department goes above and beyond, serving others selflessly and providing an invaluable service to our community,” said the Reps. “COUNTRY Financial is proud to support our first responders, active duty military and veterans through Operation Helping Heroes donations in the communities we serve.”

COUNTRY Financial initiated Operation Helping Heroes in 2015 to support non-profit events and programs that benefit active duty service members, veterans and their families. More recently, Operation Helping Heroes expanded to provide support for emergency first responders. In 2019, COUNTRY Financial and its financial representatives have already provided more than $50,000 in donations to first responders and service members.

Criminal Trespass Charges Filed Against Mt. Carmel Man

04/03/2019-Mt. Carmel Police arrested 53 year old Kevin R. Harms of Mt. Carmel after police noticed him on private property in the 200 block of N. Walnut Street.  Police were informed that Harms was barred from the property.  Harms was arrested and charged with criminal trespass to real property.  Harms was held in the Wabash County Jail pending the posting of bond.

Mt. Carmel Woman Jailed On Retail Theft Warrant

04/03/2019-Mt. Carmel Police arrested 59 year old Lisa C. Shearer of Mt. Carmel on a Wabash County retail theft warrant.  Police observed the defendant in the 100 block of W. 1st Street and placed her under arrest.  Police transported her to the Wabash County Jail where she was held pending the posting of $500.00.