Wabash County Spike In COVID Cases Not Resulting In Vaccination Spike

While positive cases of COVID-19 have spiked in Wabash County over the last 6 weeks, the same cannot be said of those getting the vaccine locally.

Since July 28th, Wabash County has had 407 new positive cases of COVID-19. But, that spike has not translated into a rush of those wanting get the vaccine. Six weeks ago, the health department said 36.1% were fully vaccinated in Wabash County. Fast forward to this week’s report released yesterday, the percentage has climbed just a little over three and a half percent to 39.7%, which is well below the 61% statewide who are fully vaccinated. This week, there have been 59 new cases reported in Wabash County with 79 current cases in isolation and 89 contacts of positive cases are in quarantine.

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge urged the public to do what is necessary to keep safe…

In addition, the health department reported three COVID-positive deaths this week along with 13 hospitalized with COVID. The one bright spot is Wabash County’s positivity rate which has dipped to 5.5%. 

Corzine To Be Sentenced Friday For Killing Jennifer Phelps

A Mt. Carmel man will find out tomorrow morning how many years he will spend in prison for killing his girlfriend last year. In July, 34-year-old Ruben Corzine entered an open plea of guilty to first degree murder in the 2020 stabbing death of 41 year old Jennifer Phelps at their residence at 909 Cherry Street. State’s attorney Kelli Storckman says Phelps was stabbed 37 times by Corzine.

According to his attorney, public defender James Lane, Corzine chose to plead guilty to not put the victim’s family though a trial. Corzine will be sentenced tomorrow morning by Judge Kimbara Harrell and faces anywhere from 20 to 60 years in prison with no good day credits being available to shorten his prison term.

Wabash County 4-H to Host a Fall Fun Fest

This year’s National 4-H Week, taking place from October 3rd through the 9th, is just around the corner.  In honor of this special time that celebrates 4-H, the Wabash County 4-H program will be hosting a Fall Fun Fest on Thursday, October 7, from 5:30pm-7:30pm at Beall Woods State Park.  This fun evening will include such outdoor activities as pumpkin themed games, a scavenger hunt, some fall crafts, and making s’mores and roasting hot dogs.  In addition to all of this, participants will have an opportunity to meet some of the county’s club leaders and enroll in 4-H. If you bring a friend your name will be put into a drawing for a prize!

The overarching goal of 4-H is youth development.  Participating young people have the opportunity to cultivate life skills while having fun with friends.  Since the enrollment season is entering full swing, the Fall Fun Fest will be an excellent opportunity to sign up for 4-H.  All youth from ages 5 to 18 are welcome.  There is no cost to attend.  If you plan to participate in this fun event, please RSVP by calling the University of Illinois Extension office at 262-5725.

ISP Releases Details Of Wabash/Edwards Seat Belt Detail

Illinois State Police (ISP) District 19 Commander, Captain Nathan Douglas, announces the results of an Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrol (OREP) held in Wabash and Edwards Counties during September. This OREP provided extra patrol coverage for the ISP so officers could focus on saving lives by making sure all vehicle occupants were buckled up.

Violations Enforcement Activity

Safety Belt Citations 11

Child Restraint Citations 1

Total Citations 12

Total Written Warnings 10

Most motorists know safety belts save lives, but some ignore their safety and that of their families by neglecting to use safety belts and child restraint devices. These patrols reinforce the occupant protection message by focusing on those who ignore the law. Lives can be saved if people simply “buckle up!” This project is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Chip And Seal Street Work Slated To Start Today

Chip and seal work on Mt. Carmel streets is slated to start today. Officials are unsure which streets will be done on which days by the contractor. But, they asked if you see crews in your neighborhood, move your vehicle off the street so the work doesn’t have to go around it.

Summer Chip & Seal program

• Kieffer Ave to 400 feet west

• Lot 18 Norman Dr to Lot 14 Cherry Hill Dr.

• Fred Drive Cherry Hill Dr. to South End

• Norman drive from Kieffer Ave. to West End

• Evergreen Lane from Sarah to 200 feet North

• Sarah from Debra to Michael

• Michael from Patrick to North End

• Pear from 9th to Fourth

• 7th from Poplar to 250 feet West

• Elm from 5th to 4th

• Ash from 6th to 4th

• Hackberry from 5th to 3rd

• Daniel from 2nd to Ficklin

• Cherry from 2nd to McDowell

• Hydraulic from Stein to levee

• Golden Aces Way from Hydraulic to 5th

• 4th from Golden Aces Way to West End

• 4th from Golden Aces Way to Levee

• Various Alleys

City Cutting Back And Moving Recycling Center

Mt. Carmel officials are cutting back on the city’s recycling program after continued abuses by those using the bins on Railroad Street. The recycling bins were relocated earlier this year from Golden Aces Way, but issues have arisen of people placing unacceptable items in the bins causing the city to pay Republic Services close to $1000 every time they were deemed unacceptable. So now, it was announced at yesterday’s city council meeting that the recycling center would return to it’s former location and hours would be severely curtailed going from what was once a six day a week operation to just three days on Mondays, Friday’s, and Saturday. It’s hoped having someone on hand to supervise those dumping recyclables will help solve the problem.

September Off To Rough Start For Wabash County COVID Stats

August was a rough month for COVID-19 cases in Wabash County and September is starting off even rougher. Health department administrator Judy Wissel told county commissioners yesterday that August totaled 325 positive cases and one death. But, through the first week of this month, there have already been at least 59 cases and three deaths.

The health department held a vaccination clinic last Thursday as 160 vaccines were given. Wissel said the health department is providing walk in vaccination clinics on Thursdays at the health department. In addition, Wissel said her office can give the third dose of vaccine to those with immunocompromised conditions and should be able to give the booster vaccine to others later this month.

Testing is still available daily between 11 and 3 as the health department is testing between 50 and 100 people every day.

MCHS Homecoming Plans Released

Homecoming will be Friday, September 17 and 18

Dress Up Days will be all week
Monday: Movie Characters
Tuesday: America Day
Wednesday: Western Day
Thursday: Throwback to favorite Decade (70's, 80', etc...)
Friday: Maroon and Gold Day

Pep Session will be Friday at 2:30 on Stadium

Parade will leave school at 3:30 and go uptown

Game at 7:00

Crowning of Queen is at Halftime

Saturday, September 18

Dance is at City Park Shelter House from 7:30 to 10:00

$5 admission

WSJD File Photo: Riverview Stadium was full for Homecoming 2019.

Wabash County Board Of Commissioners Agenda

Tuesday, September 7th, 2021

4:30pm at County Clerk’s office at Wabash County Courthouse

AGENDA

  1)  Call to order:

  2)  Approve minutes of previous meeting:

  3)  Commissioner’s reports:

  4)  Officer’s reports:

  5)  Old Business:

        a. Intergovernmental Agreement regarding the phone system in the county, city and 911 building.

        b. Establish a contingency plan for the future of the Wabash County Animal Shelter.

        6)  New Business:

              a. Kyle Smith, 911 Coordinator and Connie Larry, Assessor, to discuss a new aerial flight of Wabash County.

              b. Janet Storey with Watler Accounting will present the 2019-2020 Audit Report.

  7)  Executive Session:

        8)  Correspondence:

  9)  Approval for payment of claims presented:

10)  Adjournment:

Mt. Carmel City Council Agenda

AGENDA

CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday September 7, 2021 at 5:00 pm

·         Call to Order

o   Pledge of Allegiance

o   Roll Call

·         Approve Minutes

o   Minutes of meeting held 8/23/2021

·         Visitors (topic discussed by visitor(s) is limited to 5 minutes)

o   Constance Folsom

·         Reports and Communications

o   Mayor Judge                                      

o   Commissioner Meeks             Streets, Cemeteries and Parks

o   Commissioner Ikemire            Finance and Senior Citizens

o   Commissioner Dulgar             Water and Sewer

o   Commissioner Zimmerman    Fire, Health & Safety, City Hall and Garbage

·         Staff Reports

o   Ryan Turner                            Dave Easter                

o   Brady Waldrop                        Michael McWilliams              

o   Mike Gidcumb                         Francis Speth                           

·         New Business

o   Holly Brook-New sign request

o   Consent Agenda

§  Resolution 684-Engineering fees 13th and College

§  Open bids for paving projects

o   Removal of items from the Consent Agenda

o   Consideration of Consent Agenda

§  Pay all bills bearing proper signature

o   Consideration of items removed from the Consent Agenda

·         Executive Session  

·         Motion to Adjourn