SUNFEST SET FOR APRIL 22 AT WABASH VALLEY COLLEGE “COME HAVE FUN AT WVC!”

Wabash Valley College invites everyone to come and join them on April 22, from 11:a.m. – 4:00 p.m. for the 4th Annual SunFest.  SunFest is a student-led event to draw attention to their community garden and F.R.E.S.H. program on campus that helps combat food insecurity among the students on campus and the people in the community.  The garden donates all the food it grows to WADI to provide fresh fruits and veggies to those that need it, and F.R.E.S.H. is the food pantry on the campus to help provide the students with food they may not be able to get otherwise.

SunFest will have live music, food, and games for everyone to enjoy.  They even have a NEW Dreamsicle drink for everyone to try.  There will be two different bands this year.  They have Year of Hip Hop, and Ethan Stevenson Band.  The Year of Hip Hop plays hip-hop as their name suggests, but they bring a good message for everyone.  The Ethan Stevenson Band is more of a folk rock band and very enjoyable listening music.  They will have various selections of grilled food available for everyone.  The NEW Dreamsicle drink is a refreshing drink made of vanilla ice cream, orange sherbet, and Sprite all mixed together.  There will be the various games and activities for everyone to do , such as a scavenger hunt and corn hole.  They invite you to come join them for some good music, food, and games to welcome the warmer weather.

If you would like to donate to these hunger-fighting initiatives, please contact Jennifer Stroughmatt at 618-263-5013 to learn more about how you can help!

 

 

MCJHS Hosts 4 Team Meet

Mt. Carmel Junior High School hosted a track meet on Monday, April 9th.  The teams competing were Mt. Carmel, St. Mary's, Allendale, and Parkview (Lawrenceville).  Here were the team results.  

Boys:

1st Place - Mt. Carmel 86

2nd Place - Parkview 50

3rd Place - Allendale 31

4th Place - SMS - 0

Girls:

1st Place - Mt. Carmel 54

2nd Place - SMS 51

3rd Place - Parkview 50

4th Place - Allendale 13


Boys’ Results

Boys’ Results

Boys’ Results

Boys’ Results

Girls’ Results

Girls’ Results

Girls’ Results

Girls’ Results

Wabash General Opens Orthopaedic Clinic at Clay County Medical Clinic

After the successful openings of the Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Clinics in Carmi, Fairfield, Lawrenceville, and Albion, Wabash General Hospital will open another off-site orthopaedic clinic at Clay County Hospital Medical Clinic located at 929 Stacey Burk Drive, Flora, Illinois on May 1, 2019.  Wabash General Hospital is honored to be able to provide high quality orthopaedic care close to home to the Clay County area. 

President & CEO of Wabash General Hospital, Karissa Turner, stated, “We are very grateful that Clay County reached out to us to bring high quality orthopaedic services to their area.  We are thankful for their tremendous support in making our new partnership a success for their community.  Our orthopaedic team brings many years of experience and knowledge to the service area.  We look forward to serving the residence of Clay County!”

Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr. Julko Fullop will see patients on alternating Wednesdays.  Dr. Julko Fullop is a Mount Carmel native and has practicing since 2005.  He graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Medicine before completing his residency at University of Florida Shands Hospital.  He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.  No physician referral is necessary.  Please call 618-508-8020 to schedule an appointment.

 

WGH Named 2019 Best Places to Work in Illinois

Wabash General Hospital was recently named as one of the 2019 Best Places to Work in Illinois. The awards program began in 2006 and is promoted by The Daily Herald Business Ledger in partnership with the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, MRA-The Management Association, the Small Business Advocacy Council and Best Companies Group. 

“It is an honor to be selected as one of the top 100 Best Places to Work in Illinois 2019.  I would like to thank the employees of Wabash General Hospital for taking the time to complete the survey.  This award is a testament to our staff’s hard work, dedication, and teamwork,” stated Bridget Shepard, Executive Vice President of Human Resources.

“I have enjoyed working for Wabash General Hospital for the past 5 years. I have always felt encouraged to succeed. Wabash General Hospital has created a family environment where everybody is there for each other. Wabash General Hospital has made being seen by Family Practice, Internal Medicine, General Surgery and Orthopadeics so convenient for our patients by adding multiple satellite clinics to the surrounding areas,” stated Brittany Longbons, Team Leader at Wabash General Hospital Albion Medical Clinic.

Sherry Parrott, Respiratory Therapist, said, “I think Wabash General Hospital has the best staff, best physicians, and provides the best quality of care!  I know that’s my opinion, but I am sticking to it!”

This statewide survey and awards program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Illinois, benefiting the state's economy, workforce and businesses. The 2019 Best Places to Work in Illinois list is made up of 30 companies in the small employer category (15-99 U.S. employees), 21 companies in the medium employer category (100-499 U.S. employees), and 18 companies in the large employer category (500 or more U.S. employees). Wabash General Hospital has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Illinois in the medium category.

“I have been with WGH for a year and half now after working at my previous job for 17+ years. I was very nervous to change my career path but decided to take a leap of faith. I have not regretted my decision for a second! WGH has made we feel very welcome from day one and has continued to do so. I am very fortunate to work with the people I do and to be a part of such a great team!” stated Melanie Cropper, Registered Nurse at Wabash General Hospital Primary Care – Chestnut Street.

To be considered for participation, companies had to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

- Have at least 15 employees working in Illinois;

- Be a for-profit or not-for-profit business or government entity;

- Be a publicly or privately held business;

- Have a facility in the state of Illinois; and

- Be in business a minimum of one year.

Companies from across the state entered the two-part process to determine the Best Places to Work in Illinois. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process in Illinois and also analyzed the data and used their expertise to determine the final rankings.

Wabash General Hospital will be recognized and honored at the Best Places to Work in Illinois awards ceremony coordinated by The Daily Herald Business Ledger on Thursday, May 9. The final rankings will be announced at the event, posted on the Business Ledger website (www.dhbusinessledger.com), and published in a special commemorative section on June 24.

“I love working at WGH because there is a mutual desire of everyone to always be improving!  Some places are content doing things the way they have always been done but at WGH there is an attitude of always trying to find ways to do things better,” said Dr. Justin Miller, Orthopaedic Surgeon.  

Denise Henne, Cook at WGH, said, “Working in the WGH Dietary Department is the best!  I am so thankful for the opportunity to work here.  Our department runs on friendship, teamwork, and fun.   WGH has embraced my love to cook with encouragement, training and the support of new ideas.  I am blessed to be a part of this hospital.  It has become a part of my heart and truly is a dream job!”

Carol Kitchene said, “WGH is a great place to work because I am able to work with top notch doctors, and we are able to give great quality care close to home.  Most of all, for the 18 years that I have been here at WGH, we are like family.  We all genuinely care about each other like family does.  I think it shows in taking care of patients.  Everyone works as team players and helps each other out between departments to make sure the patient gets the best care.”

President & CEO Karissa Turner stated, “We are very honored to receive this special designation.  WGH values our employees and our culture reflects that.  We believe that treating employees right and cultivating a positive experience and working environment leads to a better patient care experience and quality outcomes.  I am proud of the WGH leadership, staff, and medical staff for their commitment to work as a team striving to deliver exceptional care to our service area.  We are very blessed to have such a great group of individuals working for WGH.  We could not expect anything better!”

For more information on the Best Places to Work in Illinois program, visit www.BestPlacestoWorkinIL.com.

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WABASH VALLEY COLLEGE OFFERING NIGHT CLASS IN MANUFACTURING

 Wabash Valley College is pleased to announce a collaborative project with the Mt. Carmel Area  Economic Alliance to improve employability and manufacturing skills of local residents.  Night classes will run Thursday nights from 6 p.m. – 8:50 p.m. at the Advanced Technology Center at 214 West Third Street, Mt. Carmel, IL.  Students will learn techniques and skills in various advanced manufacturing topics to improve their employability, productivity and ability to advance in their current positions.  Instructors are subject-matter experts in the field of advanced manufacturing.  Courses are typically one night a week (Thursday) for five weeks.

April 25 – May 23:  Topics in Engineering Technology:  Precision Measurement

Topics in Engineering Technology:  Precision Measurement focuses on a special topic or current issue in engineering or engineering-related area.  Topics include precision measurement, inspection methods, and quality control.  Included will be the techniques of precision measurement and the theory of measurement calibration. 

Pre-registration or on-site is required.  The cost of the 15-hour course is $52 for in-District students, while the cost for enrollees over 60 years old is $32.  For more information or to get registered, contact your local Student Services Office:  Wabash Valley College-Mt. Carmel, IL, 618-262-8641, or 866-982-4322.

 

 

Packed Room Greets Arender At Preliminary Hearing

The Wabash County courtroom was standing room only this afternoon 28-year-old Thomas Arender appeared in court for his preliminary hearing. Arender is the Wabash County man charged with a Class 4 felony of aggravated cruelty after allegedly starving a dog to death earlier this year.

During the brief appearance, Arender waived his preliminary hearing and arraignment was set for May 14th at 11am.

More than 30 people showed up for the hearing, many of them wearing black t-shirts with the slogan “Never Again…” The Wabash County Animal Shelter Buddies’ Cheryl Bassett said those attending today’s hearing are looking for justice for the pit bull named Zeus….

Bassett said it’s hard to tell whether Zeus’s plight is isolated or starvation of pets is more widespread than people realize…

Also today, Arender’s court-appointed attorney William Easton filed a motion for discovery seeking evidence in the case from state’s attorney Cassandra Goldman.

Arender is accused of depriving adequate veterinary care and humane treatment to the pit bull. The dog was first taken to the Wabash County Animal Shelter by a family member of Arender’s. Zeus was then taken for veterinary care but was too malnourished to survive and died a day and a half later.

Arender remains free on a $10,000 bond.  A condition of Arender’s bond is that he surrendered any pets and not be in charge of the care of any pets.

Shelter Buddy Joy Roberts passes out t-shirts before today’s hearing.

Shelter Buddy Joy Roberts passes out t-shirts before today’s hearing.

A portion of the crowd that gathered in the lobby of the Wabash County Courthouse before today’s hearing.

A portion of the crowd that gathered in the lobby of the Wabash County Courthouse before today’s hearing.

Snow Sentenced To 3 Years In DOC On Drug Charge

Cassandra A. Goldman, Wabash County State's Attorney, reports that Jamie Kay Snow, a 41-year old Mt. Carmel, Illinois woman, was sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections by the Honorable Circuit Judge Michael J. Valentine in Wabash County Circuit Court.

State's Attorney Goldman advises that the Defendant was charged September 30, 2016, with Possession of Controlled Substance, a Class 4 Felony. Ms. Snow was sentenced to 3 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, to be followed by one year of mandatory supervised release (parole).

FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF OFFENSE:

That on the 28th day of September, 2016, in Wabash County, Illinois the Defendant, JAMIE KAY SNOW, committed the offense of POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, in that said Defendant knowingly and unlawfully had in her possession four alprazolam tablets, a controlled substance, other than as authorized in the Controlled Substances Act, in violation of 720 ILCS 570/402(c). A CLASS 4 FELONY