Wabash County Assessor Debbie Gittings said her office is still accepting applications and renewals for all the property tax exemptions that are available to eligible property owners in the county.
State's Attorney's Monthly Report
Wabash County State’s Attorney Cassandra Goldman issued her monthly report to Wabash County Commissioners on Monday. Her office filed five misdemeanors in March, along with 11 felonies, 7 D-U-I’s, 3 cases for careless driving, and 114 traffic cases. $9,728 in fines were issued by her office, and $2,508 in restitution was made.
Two Big Events Coming Up For WCHD
On May 31st, the Wabash County Health Department is holding a “Kickoff to Summer” event at the department office. Kids can get school physicals and dental exams, plus many other activities are planned. Again the date: May 31st.
This Thursday, the Health Department is taking part in the A-O-K Conference at the W-V-C Auditorium. The topic: what every parent needs to know about screen time and social media’s impact on children.
State Makes Payment To Wabash County
Wabash County Treasurer Beverly McBride said the state issued a check for $14,545 covering salary reimbursement for March. Springfield still owes the county $35,738, McBride report. Also, Circuit Clerk Angie Crum told the board that her office collected 38-thousand dollars $37,810 in fines and fees in March.
Sheriff's Department Monthly Report
Wabash County Sheriff Derek Morgan has two openings to fill in his department: one deputy and one corrections officer. He also reported to commissioners Monday that his department worked 193 incidents in March, including 38 summons, 19 warrants and 20 crashes. Also, a new inmate telephone system should be operable next month, Morgan reports.
County Board Approves 2nd Amendment Resolution
The Wabash County Board of Commissioners took formal action on two matters at Monday’s regular meeting. Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution regarding the right to keep and bear arms, though it is an updated of a measure approved in 2007.
And, they approved spending $3,000 from the Hotel-Motel tourism tax for the new Roots And Cue music festival, which replaces Ribberfest. However, event organizers had requested $5,000.
Wabash District #348 Personnel Actions
At their monthly meeting Monday night, the Wabash District #348 school board acted on these personnel matters:
Kimmel Sentenced To 3 Years In Prison On Drug & Weapon Charges
Cassandra A. Goldman, Wabash County State's Attorney, reports that James N. Kimmel, a 48-year old Keensburg, Illinois man, 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 January 25, 2019, with Possession of Methamphetamine, a Class 3 Felony and February 4, 2019, with Possession of Weapon by Felon, a Class 3 Felony. Mr. Kimmel was sentenced to 3 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, to be followed by one year of mandatory supervised release (parole) in each case. Sentence will run concurrent.
FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF OFFENSE:
2019-CF-13:
That on the 24th day of January, 2019, in Wabash County, Illinois the Defendant, JAMES N. KIMMEL, committed the offense of POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE, in that said Defendant knowingly and unlawfully had in his possession less than 5 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine, other than as authorized in the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, in violation of 720 ILCS 646/60(a). A CLASS 3 FELONY
2019-CF-22 Ct. II:
That on the 24th day of January, 2019, in Wabash County, the Defendant, JAMES N. KIMMEL, committed the offense of POSSESSION OF WEAPON BY FELON, in that said Defendant, a person who has been convicted of a felony in Wabash County case 2017-CF- 160 knowingly possessed a Wards Western Field shot gun, model #35, serial number U112189, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/24-1.1(a). A CLASS 3 FELONY*
WVC TO OFFER BASIC PHYSICAL DEFENSE FOR WOMEN CLASS
Wabash Valley College will be offering a Women’s Self-Defense class taught by Melissa Smith, a certified Rape Aggression Defense Systems (R.A.D. Defense Systems) instructor.
The class consists of three, 3-hour sessions for a total of 9 hours (1/2 credit) and wlll run on Thursday, May 2 and Friday, May 3 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 4 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon in Main Hall, Room 211.
The Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) Systems is a program with realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women. The course begins with awareness, prevention, risk reduction, and avoidance, while progressing to the basics of hands-on interactions. Attendees will learn defense against the most common strikes, methods to disable your attacker by utilizing your strength, lifestyle awareness and empowerment to prevent attacks, and dynamic demonstration and practice of easy-to-use techniques.
The R.A.D. System class is a women-only course limited to 20 participants. Participants must be 12 years of age or older. Participants should wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring water and snacks.
Pre-registration or on-site is required. The cost of the 9-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 the Student Services Office: Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL , 618-262-8641, or 866-982-4322.
Instructor Melissa Smith and her family have lived in the area since 2009. She was introduced to R.A.D. Systems in 2001 while attending high school and has a passion for sharing this information with women of all ages in our community. R.A.D. Systems’ techniques provide options for women who could be attacked and help build self-confidence; empowering those who participate and teaching tools that could potentially help save lives and prevent attacks. Melissa completed the R.A.D. Defense Systems Instructor Certification through the Knoxville, TN Police Department in December of 2018.
Local Law Enforcement Receive Donation Of Officer Down Kits
On Friday, the Mt. Carmel Police Department and the Wabash County Sheriff's Office had the privilege of receiving Officer Down Kits donated by Ben Hauschild. These kits provide essential life saving tools in the event an officer or citizen is wounded from a gun shot.
Pictured in the photo (left-right) is Deputy D-Ray Etzkorn, Sgt. Mike McWilliams, Ben Hauschild and Officer Erin Peach.