On 05/28/2018, Mt. Carmel Police were dispatched to the 100 block of Southview Drive reference a domestic disturbance. Police responded and spoke with 51 year old Jeffery B. Sutton of Mt. Carmel. It was reported that Sutton was irritated with family members and was not cooperating with the MCPD Officers. Sutton was arrested after it was reported that he spit on one of the responding officers. Sutton was arrested and charged with resisting arrest and aggravated battery. Sutton was transferred to the Wabash County Jail and held pending the posting of bond.
Reckless Driver Complaint Results In Meth Arrest & Other Charges
On 05/28/2018, Mt. Carmel Police received a complaint of a reckless driver on Rt 1 at Sugar Creek. The caller advised the driver of the vehicle was all over the roadway. Mt. Carmel Police were able to locate the suspect vehicle and stopped it after they observed a vehicle violation. During the traffic stop, MCPD Officers discovered suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the car. The driver was also in possession of another person's debit card and the vehicle registration did not belong on the vehicle police had stopped. Police identified the driver as 50 year old Sheila A. Ours of Mt. Vernon, Indiana. Police arrested Ours and transported her to the Wabash County Jail where she was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of another person's credit card, possession of drug paraphernalia, and unlawful display of registration. Ours was held pending the posting of bond.
Lunch Wagon To Start Serving Meals On Monday
Today is the first day of summer vacation for students in Wabash District #348. But just because school is out for the next two and a half months, doesn’t mean local kids will have to go without a good hot meal throughout the week. The Lunch Wagon will begin distributing free lunches on Monday to Wabash County kids of all ages up to 18 at 6 locations daily Monday through Friday. Melissa Smith is the Lunch Wagon organizer and she says the meals will consist of food found in cafeterias….
The lunches are free and serving begins at 10:30 at Cherry Street Estates, then to the MCES parking lot at 11:15; Lambert Drive at noon; and 12:45 at Lincoln Park. Meals will also be served daily in Friendsville at 11am, and Allendale at noon. Donations to the Lunch Wagon program can be made online at myParkviewchurch.com.
Wabash County's Jobless Rate Dips To 3.1% In April
If you’re looking for a job, you should be able to find one. That’s the take away from the April unemployment figures from the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Last month, Wabash County’s jobless rate fell to 3.1%, down from 4% in March, and 4.5% in April of last year. IDES spokesman Bob Gough says the figures show the economy continues to improve…
For the second month in a row, Wabash County had the lowest jobless rate in southern Illinois, tied with Randolph County at 3.1%. Other area rates include 3.4% in White and Edwards Counties; and 4.3% in Lawrence County. Area employers continued to show demand in Transportation and Warehousing, Professional Services, Manufacturing, and Wholesale Trade in April. The highest unemployment rate last month in southern Illinois was in Pulaski County at 6.3%.
Multiple Charges In DUI Crash Near Flora
ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Personal injury accident.
WHERE: Old US 50 2 miles west of Flora.
WHEN: 1:30 AM 05/30/18
VEHICLES: Unit #1 – Silver, 08, Dodge Durango.
DRIVER: Unit #1 – Nadia M. Young, 23, of Flora, IL.
PASSENGERS: Unit #1- Male Juvenile of Flora, IL.
CHARGES: Driver of Unit #1 improper lane usage, DUI, failure to report an accident and child endangerment.
TRANSPORTS: Both occupants were transported to Clay County Hospital in Flora.
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate unit #1 was traveling west bound on Old US 50 2 miles west of Flora when it left the north side of the roadway striking a culvert and coming to a rest in a yard. The driver left the scene of the accident. Later, due to injuries, an ambulance and law enforcement were contacted by a third party.
Perfect Attendance Awards At MCES
It is an honor to award MCES students with their perfect attendance awards for all year. No absences! No tardies! No leaving early! Second Grade: Alivia Peach, First Grade: Carter Dill and John Mason Potts, Kindergarten: Cara Dill and Annie Hagerty.
Second Grade: Alivia Peach
First Grade: Carter Dill and John Mason Potts
Kindergarten: Cara Dill and Annie Hagerty
Driver Sent To Hospital After Winds Blow Semi Off Route 130
ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Personal Injury Crash
WHERE: IL 130 and Jasper County 500N
WHEN: 05/31/2018 at 11:48 am
VEHICLES: Unit #1 – White, 2014, Volvo Truck Tractor Semi
DRIVER: Unit #1 – Zhenning Yang, 40, of Temple City, CA
PASSENGERS: N/A
CHARGES: N/A
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate that Unit #1 was traveling southbound on Illinois 130 just south of Jasper 500N. Unit #1 was struck by a strong cross wind blowing to the east. Unit #1 was blown over onto its left side and slid into the east ditch. The driver was transported to ST. Anthony’s Hospital.
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Reis and Righter Join to Assist New Harmony Bridge Reopening
Springfield....State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) and State Representative David Reis (R-Ste. Marie) are pleased to announce the passage of SB 2804 through the Illinois House and Senate. The legislation reflects a combined effort by the two legislators to try to reopen the New Harmony Bridge that connects Illinois and Indiana over the Wabash River in deep rural Southeastern Illinois. The legislation creates a commission in Illinois that will be charged with cooperating with the New Harmony Bridge commission in the State of Indiana.
“After falling into disrepair due to a lack of funding for upkeep, the New Harmony Bridge has been closed to traffic for many years,” Reis said. “I am proud to be working with Senator Righter to establish a commission that can work with the State of Indiana to help raise money to reopen the bridge. The people of White County will benefit from an economic and a transportation standpoint. I am pleased that this issue is moving forward, and I look forward to the Governor signing this very important bill.”
SB 2804 creates the “New Harmony Bridge Compact Act” and says that three commissioners shall be appointed to enter into a compact on behalf of the State of Illinois with the State of Indiana to create the New Harmony Bridge Bi-State Commission with the eventual goal of the Commission being the reopening of the New Harmony Bridge.
“I want to thank Senator Righter and Representative Reis for their assistance in passing this legislation to aide in getting this bridge back open for the region. The reopening of the New Harmony Bridge will certainly assist in economic development for White County,” said White County Bridge Commission member Spud Egbert.
Mayor Eric Hennin of Phillipstown also expressed his thanks to Righter and Reis and regional partners that helped drive the issue for the State of Illinois.
"I am very impressed with Senator Righter and Representative Reis' quick, thorough work to solidify this step of the process,” Hennin said. “A big thank you to each of them, Spud Egbert, and the residents of Phillipstown for their efforts as this bridge provides direct value for residents on both sides of the Wabash. I appreciate the Illinois General Assembly's efficient work to improve this important piece of infrastructure."
"I am pleased with the swift and unanimous vote from the House,” said State Sen. Dale Righter (R-Mattoon), who carried the legislation in the Senate. “I want to thank Rep. Reis and all the local officials in White County for their hard and quick work on this issue. This legislation is just the first step - but a necessary and important first step - in giving the opportunity to rehab the bridge and possibly reopen the bridge one day."
Having cleared both the House and Senate in the final days of Session, the legislation will now be sent to the Governor for his signature.
Crews Demolish Former Shurtleff Manor
Jeff Guisewite, Inc. crews are working this week to demolish and clear the former Shurtleff Manor nursing home on College Drive.
The McPherson Family recently donated the property to the Wabash General Hospital Foundation to use for possible future expansion projects.
Shurtleff Manor was an 84 bed facility that closed in the early 2000's.
Olney Man Sentenced To 5 Years In Prison On Wabash County Drug Charges
Cassandra A. Goldman, Wabash County State's Attorney, reports that Christian M. Baca, a 25-year old Olney, Illinois man, was sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections by the Honorable Circuit Judge Timothy R. Neubauer in Wabash County Circuit Court.
State's Attorney Goldman advises that the Defendant was charged December 27, 2017, with Possession of a Weapon by a Felon and Possession of Methamphetamine, both Class 3 Felonies. On January 16, 2018, the Defendant was charged with Use of Property, A Class 2 Felony. Mr. Baca was sentenced to 5 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, to be followed by two years of mandatory supervised release (parole). Sentences to run consecutive to a 5 year sentence to the Illinois Department of Corrections issued from the Richland County Circuit Court.
FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF OFFENSE:
2017-CF-202 Ct. 1
That on the 23rd day of December, 2017, in Wabash County, the Defendant, CHRISTIAN M. BACA, committed the offense of POSSESSION OF WEAPONS BY FELON, in that said Defendant knowingly possessed a black Bersa .380 ACP handgun, and the Defendant has been convicted of a felony under the laws of this State in Richland County 2013-CF-108, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/24-1.1(a). A CLASS 3 FELONY
2017-CF-202 Ct. 2
That on the 23rd day of December, 2017, in Wabash County, Illinois, the Defendant CHRISTIAN M. BACA, committed the offense of POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE, in that said Defendant knowingly and unlawfully had in his possession 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 646/60(a). A CLASS 3 FELONY
2018-CF-7
That on the 13th day of January, 2018, in Wabash County, Illinois, the Defendant CHRISTIAN M. BACA, committed the offense of USE OF PROPERTY, in that said Defendant knowingly used a vehicle, that being a 2008 White Pontiac G6, which was within the Defendant control, to help bring about a violation of this Act, to wit, being possession of methamphetamine, in violation 720 ILCS 646/35(a). A CLASS 2 FELONY
