City Council OK's Help For New Facility & Jobs

The Mt. Carmel City Council last night approved a resolution to help facilitate the construction of the new multi-million-dollar Villas of Holly Brook on the city’s westside. Last month, Mayor Bill Hudson announced that Unique Homes based in Charleston would build the facility west of the Super 8 hotel on outer West 9th Street. Last night, the council adopted an inducement resolution that city clerk Rudy Witsman says would be very beneficial for both sides…

 

Witsman said paperwork on the project is still being completed so it’s not clear yet when construction might start. Last month, Hudson said the facility will employ 45 full time and 25 part time employees.

Photo of facility in Chatham, IL.

Photo of facility in Chatham, IL.

Head Sentenced To 3 Years In DOC On Meth Charge

Cassandra A. Goldman, Wabash County State’s Attorney, reports that Kevin M. Head, a 40-year old Evansville, Indiana man, was sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections by the Honorable Circuit Judge Christopher L. Weber in Wabash County Circuit Court.

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            State’s Attorney Goldman advises that the Defendant was charged December 29, 2017, with Possession with the Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine, a Class 2 Felony.  Mr. Head was sentenced to 3 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, to be followed by two years of mandatory supervised release (parole).

FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF OFFENSE:

That on the 28th day of December, 2017, in Wabash County, Illinois the Defendant, KEVIN M. HEAD, committed the offense of POSSESSION WITH THE INTENT TO DELIVER METHAMPHETAMINE, in that said Defendant knowingly and unlawfully possessed with the intent to deliver 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 646/55(a)(1).  A CLASS 2 FELONY       

Decision To Cancel Class A Tough Call

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With apologies to Shakespeare...To cancel or not to cancel. That is the question that has faced Wabash District #348 Superintendent Tim Buss countless times. This is his last year of having to make the always difficult call of whether or not school should be cancelled because of weather. He says it’s one part of his job he won’t miss when he retires June 30th….

Snowstorms Keep City Workers Busy

With Mt. Carmel seeing its’ first two measurable snowstorms of the season in the last 4 days, the city council last night spent a good part of the meeting issuing reminders and thank you’s. Street Commissioner Eric Ikemire said his crews were hampered by malfunctioning equipment used to clear streets on Friday, but he said they worked through the issues to clear streets….

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With yesterday’s new snowfall and temperatures today in the mid-teens and wind chills below zero, Mayor Bill Hudson says you should do the neighborly thing…

City Clerk Rudy Witsman said Republic Services is hoping to be able to pick up trash in Mt. Carmel today after cancelling yesterday because of the snow. He urged residents to put their trash out the night before pickup since crews will be working to make up for lost time. The good news is we’ll get back above freezing on Thursday and into the 50’s this weekend to hopefully make this winter wonderland a distant memory.

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Two Teens Avoid Serious Injury when Jeep Flips

Daviess County:  At approximately 11:08 last night Daviess County Dispatch Center received report of a single vehicle crash with possible entrapment.  Trooper Andrew Beaver was in the area and arrived on scene to find a 1994 Jeep Wrangler upside down in a deep ditch at the intersection of CR 1100 E and CR 1675 N. 

Preliminary investigation reveals that Ethan Malone, 16 of Odon was driving the Jeep north on CR 1100 E.  As he began to travel down a steep hill the Jeep traveled off the east side of the road and got stuck in a small ditch.  The passenger in the Jeep, Ian Bird, 17 of Odon, got out and attempted to push the vehicle out of the ditch while Malone steered the vehicle.  They successfully got the Jeep out of the ditch, however, due to the icy conditions, the Jeep began to slide out of control down the hill where it traveled into a steep ditch. This caused the Jeep to flip over onto its top before coming to rest at the bottom of the ditch. 

Malone was trapped in the vehicle for a short time but was able to free himself and crawl out of the wreckage.  Malone was wearing his seatbelt at the time which reduced his injuries.  He was transported to Daviess County Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.  Bird was treated at the scene for an abrasion on his hand from pushing the vehicle out of the smaller ditch.

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Assisting the Indiana State Police at the scene was the Daviess County Sheriff’s Department, South West Medical, and Odon Volunteer Fire Department. 

 

Investigating Officer:  Trooper Andrew Beaver

Shimkus Kicks Off Annual Valentines for Heroes Program

Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) is once again asking constituents to participate in his annual “Valentines for Heroes” program. The congressman’s district offices will collect valentines for distribution throughout the region to veterans and those currently serving in the military.

“Thousands of valentines have come into my offices every year since we began Valentines for Heroes,”Shimkus said. “Elementary and middle school classes, church youth groups, homeschoolers, senior citizens and constituents from every part of the district have been overwhelmingly generous and supportive of our military men and women, past and present.”

This year, valentines will be accepted at Shimkus’ offices until February 9 and will then be distributed to local VA and military facilities before Valentine’s Day.

Valentines may be dropped off or mailed to Congressman John Shimkus at any of his district offices:

  • 15 Professional Park Drive, Maryville, IL 62062
  • City Hall Room 12, 110 East Locust Street, Harrisburg, IL 62946
  • 101 North Fourth Street, Suite 303, Effingham, IL 62401
  • 201 North Vermilion Street, Suite 325, Danville, IL 61832

Constituents should return signed valentines without addressing them to a specific person; without signing their last name or including their address; and without sealing them in individual envelopes. All valentines are reviewed for content and appropriateness before distribution, and constituents can call the congressman’s Maryville Office at (618) 288-7190 with questions.

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State Rep. David Reis kicks off campaign for re-election

OLNEY, IL – With the March Republican Primary rapidly approaching, State Representative David Reis (R-Ste. Marie) has kicked off his campaign for re-election as State Representative for the 109th Illinois House District.

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“It is an honor and privilege to serve as your voice in the Illinois General Assembly,” Rep. Reis said. “I am truly humbled to serve the great people in the nine counties that make up this district. I want to thank the nearly 2,000 voters who signed my nominating petitions. We filed with the maximum number of signatures allowed, which showed a solid base of support among Republican voters.”

As our State Representative, David Reis stood up to Mike Madigan and the Chicago Democrat Machine. Reis opposed wasteful spending and repeatedly voted against the Democrats’ unbalanced budgets and Chicago bailouts. David will continue to push for reforms to help get Illinois back on the right track.

“We’ve got a lot more work to do to cut spending and pay our bills on time. To help balance the budget, I am sponsoring tough welfare reforms to cut down on fraud and save taxpayer dollars. My plan requires drug testing of welfare recipients, includes a work requirement to receive food stamps, and bans illegal immigrants from receiving taxpayer-funded benefits,” said Reis.

Representative Reis expressed his disappointment that his primary opponent chose to immediately go negative with a barrage of ads, rather than discussing with voters what his own agenda will be.

“With the election season upon us, we are already seeing a lot of mud-slinging in the race against me,” Reis said. “It is unfortunate that my opponent has chosen to go negative with false and misleading attacks. Let me set the record straight:

·         FACT #1: No, I did not side with Democrats on a 32% tax increase. For final passage of Senate Bill 9, I supported the Governor’s Veto and voted ‘No’ against the Madigan Democrats’ override motion, which made the income tax hike law.

·         FACT #2: During my time in office, I have consistently opposed Democrat tax increases. I voted against the 2011 Quinn/Madigan 67% income tax hike. I voted against Speaker Madigan’s income tax surcharge. I voted against the cigarette tax and the so-called “Amazon” Internet sales tax.

·         FACT #3: With the highest property taxes in the nation, I am fighting for real property tax relief for our families. I have repeatedly voted to freeze property taxes, to increase the general homestead exemption, the senior citizen homestead exemption and the senior citizen assessment freeze exemption.”

David Reis is 100% pro-life and pro-family values, and is proud to have the endorsement of right-to-life groups, including the Illinois Citizens for Life.

“Last year, I voted against and urged Governor Rauner to veto House Bill 40, which provides taxpayer-funded abortions on demand,” Reis said. “Like most Illinoisans, I was appalled when the Governor broke his promise to pro-life advocates and signed that horrendous bill into law.”

As a strong supporter of the Second Amendment, David Reis fought to protect the rights of gun owners and helped pass the Firearm Concealed Carry Act (P.A. 98-063), making Illinois the final state to allow concealed carry for its citizens. Reis consistently opposed the gun-grabbing agenda of the liberal Chicago politicians. His pro-gun voting record has earned David an A+ rating from the National Rifle Association.

“My record is clear – I am a Proven Conservative Voice for Our Families. It is my honor to serve as your State Representative and I would appreciate your continued support in the upcoming Republican Primary Election.”

Representative Reis has served his caucus as Assistant House Republican Leader since 2017. He also recognized the importance of top-notch constituent services in his re-election statement.

“It’s always been very important to me to be visible and accessible to constituents throughout the nine counties that I serve,” Reis said. “My legislative office does a great job with constituent services and I appreciate my staff’s hard work on behalf of the people of the 109th District. We hold regular traveling office hours and host outreach events throughout the district to bring services to every community we possibly can.”

David Reis is a farmer/businessman who lives in Jasper County on their family’s fifth-generation farm near the village of Ste. Marie, where the Reis’ have farmed for over 150 years. David is a proud supporter of Illinois agriculture and is honored to be endorsed by the Illinois Farm Bureau.

David’s wife, Maria Strelka Reis, is a special education teacher at the Nuttall Middle School in Robinson. They have two children, Nicholas and Adriana.


David is a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Newton, Sons of the American Legion, A.B.A.T.E., Jasper County Farm Bureau, Jasper County Chamber, Illinois State Rifle Association, National Rifle Association, National Federation of Independent Businesses and the Illinois Pork Producers Association.

Mt. Carmel Man Nabbed On Drug Charge

On 1/14/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested 44 year old Mt. Carmel resident Darrin L. Nation following a traffic stop on a red Ford truck for a registration violation in the area of 12th & Mulberry Street. Nation was found to have a suspended Illinois Driver’s License and no insurance as well. Nation was placed under arrest at which time the arresting officer searched the vehicle prior to tow. The officer located Methadone pills inside the vehicle which are a controlled substance and require a prescription from a doctor to possess. Nation was unable to produce a prescription and the pills were taken as evidence. Nation was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued the above traffic citations as well as a charge for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Nation is being held pending a bond setting by a judge.

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Olney Man Arrested On Meth Charge In Mt. Carmel

On 1/13/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested 24 year old Olney resident Christian M. Baca following a traffic stop in the 2000 block of N Cherry Street. Baca was stopped for a traffic violation and found to have a revoked Illinois Driver’s License. Baca was arrested at this time and a search of the vehicle was initiated prior to tow. During the search suspected methamphetamine was located in the vehicle as well. Baca was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged for Driving While License Revoked and Possession of Methamphetamine. Baca is being held pending a bond setting by a judge.

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