#348 School Board To Hold Special Meeting Friday To Discuss COVID Policy

The Wabash District #348 school board will meet in special session tomorrow evening to consider a policy that would cover the rules and mechanism in COVID-testing of students and athletes.

The new policy is the result of concerns expressed at this week’s school board meeting regarding testing of athletes that took place Monday, most without the knowledge or consent of parents. Board member Ryan Peter asked those in charge of drafting the testing policy to keep one thing in mind…. 

Peter said at Monday’s meeting, neither the IHSA nor IDPH have any rules or penalties covering students who refuse to take a test. Friday’s special meeting takes place at 5pm at the grade school. 

Allendale School Board Passes Balanced Budget

At the September 2021 Allendale School Board meeting held in the library of Allendale School, the board:

Adopted the 2021-2022 Budget which shows revenue $1,995,187 and expenditures of $1,983,227 for a balanced budget of $11,960 in the black.

Reviewed and approved the serious safety hazard areas on each bus route.

Approved the 2021-2022 Textbook List.

Authorized Superintendent Bowser to hold the Annual Emergency and Crisis Response Plan meeting in the month of October.

Approved membership to the Southern Illinois Junior High School Athletic Association for the 2022 calendar year

IECC Board Meeting Recap

At their regular meeting held Tuesday, September 21, 2021, on the campus of Frontier Community College, Trustees adopted a revised schedule for meeting dates, times, and locations of the last three meetings for the 2021 calendar year.  The revised meetings include:

            Tuesday, October 19, 2021, 6:15 p.m., Lincoln Trail College

            Tuesday, November 16, 2021, 6:15 p.m., Olney Central College

            Tuesday, December 14, 2021, 6:15 p.m., Wabash Valley College

            Trustees approved a Health Savings Account contribution of $1,000 for each eligible employee who is enrolled in the District’s Qualified High Deductible Health Plan for calendar year 2022.  

            Employee health and dental insurance rates were approved for the 2022 calendar year.

The Security Report was approved and is an annual report that meets requirements under The Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.  The report contains crime information for the past three years, relevant policy statements, and training and educational programming related to campus safety and security, crime prevention, alcohol and drug use, and sexual misconduct.

            Trustees approved a bid for Design and Construction of a new entrance sign at Olney Central College at a cost of $55,919.31 with T. Ham Signs of Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

            Affiliation Agreements were approved with six area health care facilities for IECC clinical programs. 

            The Board approved the employment of  Michael Patilla as Vocal/Instrumental Music Instructor at Lincoln Trail College, effective August 16, 2021; for Pamela Schell, Program Director, Adult Education at Frontier Community College, effective September 27, 2021; for   Micah Drummond as Covid Care Coordinator for the District, effective August 31, 2021; for  Emma Rudolphi as Director of Cozy Corner at Olney Central College, effective September 27, 2021; for Michele Anderson as Coordinator of Human Resources at the District Office, effective October 4, 2021; for Chelsea Dulany as Office Assistant at Frontier Community College, effective September 27, 2021; for Christy Morley as TRIO Upward Bound Counselor located at Wabash Valley College, effective September 27, 2021; and for Lucas Harms as Custodian at Wabash Valley College, effective October 4, 2021.

            A change in status was approved for Brady Martin from TRIO Upward Bound Counselor to TRIO Upward Bound Coordinator, effective September 27, 2021.

              Five resignations were accepted from Stephanie Nuttall as Program Director for Title III,  effective September 21, 2021; from Beverly Mathews, as Director of Cozy Corner at Olney Central College, effective August 28, 2021; from Beth Graham as Custodian at Wabash Valley College, effective August 26, 2021; from Shawn Poindexter, Information Systems Technician at Lincoln Trail College, effective September 25, 2021; and from Rhonda Webster as Custodian at Lincoln Trail College, effective September 18, 2021.  

Next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, October 19, at 6:15 p.m. at Lincoln Trail College, Robinson, Illinois.  

Mt. Carmel Man Gets 10 Years On Possession Of Stolen Vehicle Charge

Kelli Storckman, Wabash County State’s Attorney, reports that Richard H. Perry, III, a 45-year-old Mt. Carmel, IL man, was sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections by the Honorable Circuit Judge William C. Hudson in Wabash County Circuit Court on September 21, 2021.

 State’s Attorney Storckman advises that the Defendant was charged July 10, 2020 with Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and was sentenced to 10 years in the Department of Corrections to be followed by 1 year of mandatory supervised release (parole). Perry will serve 50% of his sentence under truth in sentencing

Mt. Carmel Man Saluted For Lifesaving Actions

A Mt. Carmel man who played a big role in saving another man’s life last month was saluted at Monday’s City Council meeting. Steve Wolfe was at Buy Low on August 5th when James Trottier suffered a seizure and stopped breathing. Mayor Joe Judge takes over the story from there…

Wolfe is a Mt. Carmel Public Utility lineman who had undergone CPR training. Training that ended up saving Trottier’s life. Judge said Wolfe’s actions were an example of someone stepping up in the time of need….

Judge also announced Monday that based on Public Utility’s lead, all city employees will soon undergo CPR training as well.

MCPD Chief Mike McWilliams (L) and Mayor Joe Judge (R) with Steve Wolfe and the plaque presented on Monday.

MCPD Chief Mike McWilliams (L) and Mayor Joe Judge (R) and MCPD officer David Houser with the plaque he received for his efforts to save James Trottier’s life last month.

Wabash District #348 September 2021 Personnel Matters

The District #348 school board approved these personnel moves at their meeting Monday night:

Peter Presses School Board For COVID Testing Answers

The COVID situation took up a majority of the discussion at last night’s Wabash District #348 school board meeting. The discussion centered around rapid tests that were administered yesterday to members of the JV football team and the Golden Aces soccer team. Board member Ryan Peter said the district had been following state guidance on COVID protocols throughout the pandemic…at least until yesterday….

Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer said he would be meeting with administrators and the athletic department to develop a COVID plan when it comes to testing of athletes and what happens if a student-athlete refuses to take a test. Once that plan is developed, it will be sent to the school board to vote on via email before it is implemented. Peter and board member Susie Wood wanted to make sure that parental consent to testing is included in the plan.

Mt. Carmel Man Arrested For Aggravated Cruelty To Animals

On 9/20/21, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Harold C. Merris, age 84, of Mt. Carmel, for felony-level Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, following a complaint of Mr. Merris shooting and killing a cat in the 300 block of South Drive with a high powered b.b. gun.  Officers arrived at the scene, spoke to witnesses, and later charged Mr. Merris after the animal owner elected to pursue charges.  Merris was released on a Notice to Appear in court due to current jail restrictions because of Covid-19.  

31 Positive COVID Cases Today In Wabash County

Monday was one of Wabash County’s worst days since the pandemic began early last year. At this afternoon’s county commissioner meeting, health department administrator Judy Wissel reported on the latest COVID numbers…

Earlier today, Health Department issued a public notice yesterday to anyone that attended District #348 homecoming activities this past Friday or Saturday could have potentially been exposed to confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. While the public notice was unspecific on what homecoming activities were included, multiple high school students tested positive for COVID today.  If you experience any COVID symptoms, the health department asks that you be tested. And, if believe you may have been a close contact, the health department requests you call them at 263-3873. And on that subject, Wissel asked for the public’s cooperation in ending hateful conversations health department staff have had to endure, especially in the last week.

City: Don't Call Us, Call County With Animal Control Issue

If you have an animal issue in the Mt. Carmel, city officials want you to know they’re not in charge of the animal control officer or what he does, or doesn’t do. City Administrator Ryan Turner says the animal control officer falls under the purview of the county….

Turner said calls, some from some very upset people, have come into the police department and city hall seeking assistance, something the city can’t be provide.