02/20/2018-Mt. Carmel Police arrested 18 year old Caleb M. Czak of Mt. Carmel after police were called to 418 N. Walnut Street reference a disturbance. When police arrived on scene they were told Czak was acting in a disorderly manner and threatening individuals at the residence. It was reported that Czak resisted police when he was arrested on the disorderly conduct and assault charge. Czak was eventually arrested and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Czak was charged with disorderly conduct, assault, aggravated assault, and resisting/obstructing a peace officer. Czak was held pending the posting of bond.
Mt. Carmel Man Arrested For Domestic Battery
02/22/2018-Mt. Carmel Police arrested 34 year old Matthew D. Swift of Mt. Carmel after police saw him standing outside of 231 S. Mulberry Street. The arresting officer knew Swift was wanted on a Wabash County Warrant charging him with domestic battery. Swift was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was held pending the posting of $1000.00 cash bond.
West Salem Woman Charged With Driving On Suspended License
02/22/2018-Mt. Carmel Police arrested 25 year old Tiffani D. Zuber of West Salem after MCPD stopped her for a traffic violation. During the traffic stop it was discovered that Zuber was driving on a suspended driver’s license. Zuber was arrested and transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was held pending the posting of $150.00 cash bond.
CLAY COUNTY, ILLINOIS MAN SENTENCED ON DRUG RELATED CHARGES
Ryan T. Harmon, 44, of Xenia, Illinois, was recently sentenced to federal prison on drug related charges, Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
On February 21, 2018, Harmon was sentenced to 120 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release following his imprisonment. Harmon had previously pleaded guilty to three counts in a federal indictment.
Count 1 charged that from on or about June 2016, until on or about January 3, 2017, in Clay County and Marion County, within the Southern District of Illinois, and elsewhere, Harmon conspired to knowingly and intentionally distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, Alpha-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone (Alpha-PVP), in violation of federal law.
Count 2 charges that on January 3, 2017, in Marion County, Harmon attempted to possess with the intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing Alpha-PVP.
Count 3 charges that on December 29, 2016, in Clay County, Harmon possessed with the intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing Alpha-PVP. Alpha-PVP is also known as “Flakka” or “Gravel.” It is a dangerous synthetic drug that is similar to the street drug commonly known as “bath salts.”
Harmon admitted in documents filed with the federal court that he and other co-conspirators would order Alpha-PVP over the internet from China. After the Alpha-PVP arrived in Southern Illinois, Harmon and others would split the Alpha-PVP amongst themselves for use and for further resale.
the investigation in this case was conducted by the Flora Police Department, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Illinois State Police Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force, and the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois (MEGSI).
TWO ILLINOIS POSTAL EMPLOYEES INDICTED FOR THEFT AND DELAY OF UNITED STATES MAIL
On February 21, 2018, a federal grand jury for the Southern District of Illinois returned two separate indictments against former United States Postal Service employees who had been employed in Post Offices in Belleville, Illinois, and Godfrey, Illinois, announced Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois.
In the first indictment, Brianna N. Burrage, 22, of Belleville, Illinois, was charged with unlawful delay of United States Mail while working as a letter carrier at a Belleville, Illinois Post Office. The indictment alleged that in September of 2017, Burrage, failed to deliver thousands of pieces of United States mail by placing the mail in large trash bags in her personal vehicle over a several week period.
The second indictment charged Amber J. Brawley, 36, of Godfrey, Illinois with theft and embezzlement of United States Mail while working as a postal employee at a Godfrey, Illinois Post Office.
The indictment alleged that in August of 2017, Brawley stole items from the United States Mail and converted the contents of the mail for her own use. Burrage and Brawley both face up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The investigations were conducted by the United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General and are being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ranley R. Killian.
Area Students At WVC Friday For Annual Event
Area high school students will converge on Wabash Valley College tomorrow for the annual cadaver procedure performed by Wabash General Hospital surgeons. The procedure, which is performed before approximately 540 area students, has proven hugely popular with science and biology teachers as it gives their students a rare glimpse of a surgery. This year, orthopedic surgeons Drs. Julko Fullop and Justin Miller will demonstrate an open fixation of a fracture to the students. WVC uses the day as a recruiting tool for students to showcase their nursing program along with the anatomy and physiology classes.
File Photo
Wabash County Delinquent Tax Sale Held
Last week’s delinquent property tax sale is being deemed a success by county treasurer Beverly McBride. According to McBride, 101 parcels of real estate were sold bringing in $68,963. 11 mobile homes were sold for $856. She said just 10 oil well parcels were sold which is well below average. Only 8 buyers showed up for the auction which is also an unusually low number according to McBride who said Hamilton County’s auction was also the same day and that perhaps attracted more buyers there. As far as this year’s taxes, McBride said property tax prepayment are way up as $163,000 has already been paid, more than the $94,000 that was paid during the entire prepayment window last year. Prepayments can be made anytime in the treasurer’s office.
January Wabash County Sheriff's Department Report
At Tuesday’s county board meeting, Wabash County Sheriff Derek Morgan delivered his monthly report for January. Morgan said his office served 26 summonses, 30 warrants, and handled 23 crashes. The sheriff said the winter weather last month played a role in the increased number of accidents. Jail population on Tuesday stood at 10, which was pared down thanks to the return of state’s attorney Cassandra Goldman who has been off on medical leave. She returned to work on Tuesday.
No Trash Pickup Thursday In Mt. Carmel
From City Clerk Rudy Witsman: We have just been notified by Republic Services that today’s residential route collection will not be picked up until tomorrow.
Board Looks To Hire New Superintendent Monday
It looks like the Wabash District #348 school board will meet its’ timetable to hire a new superintendent after all. Right before Christmas, the school board began interviewing candidates to replace the retiring Tim Buss. Last month, board president Tim Schuler said the process was taking longer than expected and the board might not meet the February 26th timetable originally announced to hire the new superintendent. But, the board’s agenda for Monday night’s regular meeting reveals the board will approve the contract for the new superintendent, who hasn’t been announced publicly. The new superintendent will take over for Buss on July 1st. The search for the new superintendent was overseen by the Illinois Association of School Boards. Monday night’s school board meeting starts at 7pm in the elementary school library.
WABASH COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOLS
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
NORTH INTERMEDIATE CENTER OF EDUCATION
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26 2018 - 7:00 P.M.
1. Call to order / Roll call
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Board Minutes (January 22, 2018 Regular Meeting, January 23, 2018 Special Meeting, January 30, 2018 Special Meeting, February 5, 2018 Special Meeting, February 8, 2018 Special Meeting, February 14, 2018 Special Meeting)
b. Approval of Monthly Bills
c. Approval of Financial Report
d. Approval of Correspondence
e. Approve Administrative Reports
f. Approve 2018-19 School Calendar
4. Visitors
a. Tim King – King’s Financial Consulting
5. Accept reports
a. MCHS CEO Program (Shawn Storckman & MCHS Students)
6. Unfinished Business
7. New Business
a. Consideration and action on a Resolution abating the Working Cash Fund of Wabash Community Unit School District #348, Wabash County, Illinois
b. Consideration and action on a Resolution providing for the issue of $2,596,000 Taxable General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2018 of Wabash Community Unit School District #348, Wabash County, Illinois, for the purpose of increasing the Working Cash Fund of said School District, providing for the levy of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser therof.
c. Approve the Contract of the new Wabash CUSD #348 School Superintendent
8. Employment of Personnel and Strategic Planning
a. Executive Session pursuant to Section 2(c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act: “The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees.
9. Adjournment
