Irelan Guilty On All Counts

A Wabash County jury has found 39-year-old Nicholas Irelan guilty on all eight counts against him following a trial that concluded Wednesday morning.

Irelan, who represented himself during the trial with Public Defender Easton serving as standby counsel, was convicted on four Class 4 felony charges and four Class A misdemeanor charges.

Wednesday’s proceedings began with a hearing on Irelan’s motion for a directed verdict, which was denied. The court then advised Irelan of his right to testify or remain silent. Irelan chose not to take the witness stand.

The defense called Officer David Houser as a witness before both sides presented closing arguments and the jury received its instructions.

Jurors began deliberating at 10:38 Wednesday morning.

About 20 minutes later, the court received a note indicating jurors had mistakenly signed the wrong verdict form on the first count. After meeting with prosecutors, Irelan and standby counsel, the court provided the jury with new blank guilty and not-guilty verdict forms and instructions on how to correct the error.

At 11:13 a.m., the court was notified that the jury had reached verdicts on all eight counts.

Jurors returned to the courtroom at 11:25 and found Irelan guilty on Counts One through Eight. Judgments of guilty were entered on all eight counts.

The probation department has been ordered to prepare a pre-sentence investigation report.

Irelan is scheduled to return to Wabash County Circuit Court for sentencing on November 12th at 10:30 a.m.

Irelan was found guilty of stalking, cyberstalking, harassment through electronic communications and harassment by telephone. The charges stemmed from allegations involving his ex-wife, who told investigators she received hundreds of threatening phone calls and text messages.

County Board Approves Plans For Expanded Solar Project

The Wabash County Board has approved an amendment to RWE’s Friendsville solar project, increasing the planned project capacity by 25 megawatts.

The amended permit adds eight parcels totaling about 435 acres to the project. RWE says the expansion will increase the project’s total capacity from 425 to 450 megawatts, with roughly 3,300 acres ultimately containing solar equipment.

Company officials say the additional land became available in part because reclaimed mine areas were ready sooner than expected. They also cited increased landowner interest and changes in the MISO interconnection study timeline.

RWE estimates the expanded project could generate approximately 81-point-5 million dollars in local property tax revenue over its 40-year lifespan, about 10 million dollars more than the previous permit. The company also estimates the project will create about 300 construction jobs and four permanent full-time positions.

During the public hearing, Wabash County Chamber officials and the Mount Carmel Area Economic Alliance spoke in support of the expansion.

The county said the amended application had been reviewed and found to be in compliance with state law and the county’s 2026 solar ordinance. The board unanimously approved the amendment.

Olney man sentenced to 40 years for producing child pornography

BENTON, Ill. – A district court judge sentenced an Olney man to 40 years in federal prison after he admitted to producing child pornography.

George T. Grove, 49, pleaded guilty to two counts of production of child pornography for creating child sexual abuse material of a 13-year-old victim.

“Sex crimes are vile offenses. There is no amount of prison time sufficient for those who violate children,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.

According to court documents and information discussed at hearings, Grove admitted to creating two videos of child sexual abuse material with a cell phone of a 13-year-old victim in July 2024. During the investigation, officers discovered the defendant was exchanging alcohol, money and drugs with minors for nude photos and sex.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Office, the Olney Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Sanders prosecuted the case.

Update: Name Released In Route 15 Fatality

Authorities have identified the pedestrian killed Monday night in a crash on Illinois Route 15 in Wabash County.

Wabash County Coroner Shaun Keepes says 70-year-old Rudy Lee Calvin of Mount Carmel was pronounced dead at the scene.

Illinois State Police say the crash involving a passenger vehicle and pedestrian occurred around 8:12 Monday night on Route 15 east of East 500 Road. The Coroner’s Office was called to the scene at approximately 8:39 p.m.

An autopsy was performed Tuesday.

Illinois State Police, the Belmont Fire Department, first responders and the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene. No other injuries were reported.

Route 15 was closed while authorities investigated and reopened at approximately 1:18 Tuesday morning.

Keepes says the coroner’s report remains preliminary, and additional information will be released when appropriate as the investigation continues.

Pedestrian Killed In Wabash County Crash

A pedestrian was killed Monday night in a crash on Illinois Route 15 in Wabash County.

Illinois State Police say the crash involved a passenger vehicle and a pedestrian east of East 500 Road at approximately 8:12 p.m.

Troop 9 officers investigated the crash. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

Route 15 was closed during the investigation and reopened at approximately 1:18 Tuesday morning.

State Police have not released the pedestrian’s identity or any additional information about the crash.

MCFD Takes Part In Fire Prevention Week

The Mt. Carmel Fire Department is taking its fire safety message into local schools as part of Fire Prevention Week.

Fire Commissioner Susan Zimmerman provided an update during last Monday afternoon’s Mt. Carmel City Council meeting.

Fire Prevention Week is being observed this week, with this year’s theme, “Charge into Fire Safety: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.”

Zimmerman said the campaign will focus on the safe use and charging of lithium-ion batteries, which are found in a growing number of everyday household devices.

As part of Fire Prevention Week activities, Mt. Carmel firefighters will speak with various classes and provide fire station tours for local school children. The department will use those opportunities to teach students about fire prevention and safety.

Zimmerman also reported the department recently held a firefighter appreciation dinner for the families of Mt. Carmel firefighters.

She said the event was an opportunity to recognize not only the firefighters, but also their families and the sacrifices they make when a family member serves with the fire department.

Zimmerman said the department wanted those families to know their support and sacrifices are appreciated.

Solar Public Hearing Set For Wednesday

The Wabash County Board received an update on an amended solar application during its September meeting.

County officials said a hearing on the amended application is scheduled for Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.

The location of the hearing had not been finalized at the time of the county board meeting because a jury trial was taking place and could affect which room is available.

The county board did not take further action on the solar application during the meeting, with officials simply noting the upcoming hearing.

County Looking At Tight General Fund Budget

Wabash County officials say the county’s general fund is under significant financial pressure as work continues on the next budget.

The board recently met with department heads and Bellwether to review department budgets.

Officials say the county is looking at a deficit budget, particularly in the general fund, while several other county funds remain in better shape.

The board cited rising health insurance costs, state and unfunded mandates, and declining revenue from sources including the personal property replacement tax and heavy use tax.

Board members say they are looking for additional ways to reduce expenses as the budget is finalized.

Wabash County Commissioners Act on Bids for Surplus Vehicles

The Wabash County Commissioners acted on bids for several pieces of surplus county property during their recent meeting. Commissioner Scott West was absent.

Commissioners accepted a $4,011 bid from Justin Morris for a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe previously used by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department as a K-9 vehicle. The Tahoe had more recently been used by the County Assessor’s Office.

Five bids were received for the vehicle, ranging from $300 to $4,011. County officials said the Tahoe had seen considerable use and had not been utilized much in recent years.

Commissioners also considered bids on two former ambulances.

Wabash County Emergency Management Agency Director Mark Seaton reported two bids were received for a 1990 Chevrolet ambulance. Commissioners accepted the high bid of $3,000 from TP Properties LLC, submitted by Jake Pettyjohn. Seaton said the offer met the reserve price established for the vehicle.

A bid of $1,578.18 was received for a 1986 Chevrolet ambulance, but commissioners rejected that offer because it did not meet the county’s reserve price of approximately $4,000 to $4,500.

The county plans to put the 1986 ambulance back out for bid in the coming weeks. Officials also discussed advertising the vehicle through Facebook Marketplace in addition to local advertising in hopes of attracting additional bidders.

Mt. Carmel Fall Big Trash Collection Begins Today

Mt. Carmel’s fall big trash collection begins this Friday, but residents are being reminded of a major change to this year’s program.

Garbage Commissioner Susan Zimmerman provided details during Monday afternoon’s Mt. Carmel City Council meeting.

Zimmerman stressed there will be no curbside pickup. Instead, Mt. Carmel residents will need to take their large trash items to the Brush Arbor Recycling Center on Golden Aces Way.

The program is available only to Mt. Carmel residents who are city water customers.

Residents will be required to show their water bill when dropping off items. Zimmerman said either a physical copy or an electronic version displayed on a phone will be accepted.

Renters whose water service is included in their monthly rent can stop by Mt. Carmel City Hall and obtain a water coupon. That coupon can then be presented to staff at the recycling center.

There is no limit on the number of trips residents can make to dispose of eligible items during the collection period.

The Brush Arbor Recycling Center will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Extended hours will also be offered on Tuesday, October 6th, and Friday, October 16th, when the facility will remain open until 7 p.m.

Zimmerman again reminded residents that large trash should not be placed along the curb, as Republic Services will not be providing curbside collection during the fall cleanup.