Wabash County Real Estate Tax Bills Mailed

Wabash County Treasurer Beverly McBride announced this morning that the real estate tax bills were mailed December 2nd and the first installment will be due January 8, 2021 with the second installment due February 5, 2021.

In light of the continuing threat posed by coronavirus to the public health, the county is asking that when you pay your property taxes this winter that you choose, if possible, one of the no-contact options available. No contact options include: US mail, Treasurer's drop box or online credit card payment at http://www.govtechtaxpro.com.

You may also pay at the following banks: First Bank, First Mid Bank and First National Bank in Mt. Carmel and Allendale. These banks have drive thru service available for your convenience. The treasurers office will welcome those who need to make payments in person, but please be aware that there will be restrictions to entering the Courthouse, and a safety protocol will be enforced. All of this information was included in the bills that were mailed out.

If you have any questions, please call the Treasurer's office at 618-262-5262. The office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

ISP Donates To Mt. Carmel's Shop With Fireman/Cop

Mt. Carmel’s Shop With A Fireman/Cop program got a boost this afternoon with a donation from the Illinois State Police District 19 post in Carmi. Typically, the Carmi post holds a benefit auction and distributes the proceeds to area non-profit groups. But this year, the auction was scrapped and troopers made donations to the fund which are being distributed by troopers..

Trooper Adrian Meyer presented MCFD Captain Mark Seaton with a check this afternoon in front of the fire station. Seaton oversees the program and said this year’s Shop With A Fireman/Cop will see some changes. Namely, Seaton will not be going to businesses personally soliciting donations. Instead, businesses and individuals can drop off their donations at the fire station or mail them to the fire station.

L-R: MCFD firefighter Tyler Kruse, ISP Trooper Adrian Meyer, MCFD Captain Mark Seaton, MCFD Captain Terry McGuire.

Eldorado Woman Killed In Single Car Crash

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 19

WHAT:

Single Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash

WHERE:

Illinois Route 142 just south of North County Line Road, Saline County

WHEN:

Dec. 2, 2020 at approximately 1:52 p.m.

VEHICLE:

Unit 1- 2004 Silver Toyota Solara

DRIVER:

Unit 1- Taryn Hopkins, 39-year-old female from Eldorado, IL - Deceased

PRELIMINARY:

A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling south on Illinois Route 142 near North County Road in Saline County. The driver of Unit 1 failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway and struck an embankment. Unit 1 became airborne and struck a utility pole and overturned, coming to rest in a field. The driver of Unit 1 was pronounced deceased on scene. This crash is still under investigation and there is no further information available at this time.

Bill Introduced To Eliminate Cash Bail In Illinois

An Illinois lawmaker has introduced a bill to get rid of the cash bail system in the state.

Illinois, an outlier in how it handles bonding out of jail after an arrest, would see cash bail eliminated under the proposed legislation.

In 2017, Illinois became one of just a handful of states that don’t use a bail bondsman in its court system. Instead, Illinois, Kentucky, Oregon, and Wisconsin, all require 10% payment of the total bail in payment before the arrested individual can be released before trial. Alaska, California, New Jersey, and New York have all moved largely away from cash bail.

State Sen. Robert Peters announced in November legislation that would eliminate cash bail entirely.

“For many people, the definition of ‘criminal justice’ ends at the point of arrest, but it’s important to realize the true size of the entire system,” Peters said in a release. “The reality is that the criminal justice system is large, wide-reaching, and full of systemic injustice from top to bottom. The hope is that the Pretrial Fairness Act will be the first in a long series of reforms to reshape the system that has destroyed so many families.”

The bill would need to be considered in the final days of the current 101st General Assembly or be refiled in January once the new session commences.

Peters appeared on an episode of the Indivisible Chicago Podcast with Sharone Mitchell, Director of the Illinois Justice Project, to discuss how cash bail disproportionately affects low-income minorities and can lead to more crime.

“When you take away a man or a woman’s ability to put food on the table, educate themselves, go to work, then you increase those criminogenic factors that increase the harm that our communities are trying to shake,” Mitchell said.

Prosecutors and the law enforcement community oppose ending cash bail, saying it removes a tool to keep potentially-dangerous criminals locked up. The Illinois Sheriff’s Association, Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council, Chicago Lodge 7 Fraternal Order of Police, the Illinois Police Benevolent and Protective Association, and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, coalesced in March to oppose another measure that would have ended cash bail.

Due to COVID-19 related difficulties, the bill has yet to appear on the Legislature’s online portal but Peters says the bill number will be Senate Bill 4025.

Illinois State Police Announces November Activity and Enforcement

Carmi, IL – Illinois State Police District 19 Commander, Captain Nathan Douglas, announced today activity and enforcement figures for the month of November. Troopers in District 19, which includes Wabash, Edwards, Wayne, White, Hamilton, Saline, and Gallatin Counties, recorded 1,669 incidents during the month.

Enforcement activity consisted of 703 citations and 1,290 written warnings, including 8 DUIs, 445 speeding citations, 52 occupant restraint citations, 13 criminal arrests, and 483 written warnings for speeding. Troopers also assisted 60 motorists, conducted 115 Motor Carrier Safety Inspections, and investigated 86 traffic crashes. There were no fatal traffic crashes investigated by District 19 during November.

Moreover, District 19 issued 539 citations and 550 written warnings for “Fatal Four” violations. These violations are most associated with fatal traffic crashes and include DUI, Speeding, Failure to Wear a Seatbelt, and Distracted Driving

WGH Board Salutes Late Board Member

A moment of silence was observed at last week’s Wabash General Hospital board of directors meeting to honor the memory of Robert Bethards, who passed away in late October at the age of 90. WGH President/CEO Karissa Turner said Mr. Bethards was an important part of the Wabash General board and its’ foundation for many years…

Turner said Mr. Bethards could always be counted on when needed…

Mr. Bethards served on the WGH Board from April of 1974 until December of 1983. He was original member of the foundation board serving from July of 1979 until his passing on October 28th.

Photo credit: WGH Foundation

Louisiana Man Arrested By MCPD On Domestic Battery Charge

On 11/19/2020, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Kellen J. Chatelain, age 38, of Slidell, Louisiana, for Domestic Battery following a dispute at a residence in the 1300 block of North Cherry Street. Upon further investigation, officers found evidence to suggest Chatelain had battered his girlfriend during the dispute. Chatelain was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Chatelain was charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.

Mt. Carmel Man Jailed On Domestic Battery Charge

On 11/30/2020, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Marshall R. Keneipp, age 42, of Mt. Carmel, for Domestic Battery following a dispute at a residence in the 300 block of N Market Street. Upon further investigation, officers found evidence to indicate Keneipp had battered his girlfriend during the dispute. Keneipp was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Keneipp was charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.

Princeton man arrested on DUI charge

On November 30, 2020, at 3:19 a.m. Gibson County Deputy U.B. Smith was dispatched to a motor vehicle accident in the area of Brumfield and Embree Street in Princeton. Upon arriving on scene Deputy Smith located a White 2019 Chevy Tahoe that had struck a guardrail. While speaking with the driver 36-year-old Andrew Memmer of Princeton Deputy Smith detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage. At that point Deputy Smith began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of the investigation Mr. Memmer was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. He has since posted a $650 bond.

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Three Dead In Southern Illinois Fire

The following is a joint media release from the City of Zeigler Fire Department, City of Zeigler Police Department and Franklin County Coroner's Office:

(ZEIGLER-ILLINOIS) The City of Zeigler Fire Department was alarmed for a residential structure fire at 611 Vaux Street in Zeigler just after noon Monday. 911 callers reported the home was fully engulfed with persons still trapped inside and at least one person was outside of the residence in need of medical attention. A Box Alarm response was immediately initiated bringing several area Fire Departments to the scene for mutual aid. Upon arrival at the scene of the incident the first arriving engine company reported extreme fire conditions present with the home being fully involved as reported. First arriving police officers from the Zeigler & Christopher Police Departments and firefighters all attempted to enter the structure to rescue any victims but were unable to do so. A defensive fire attack was required to bring the fire under control.

One female patient was located outside of the residence and was treated by Abbott EMS Paramedics until she was airlifted from the scene to a burn center. Franklin County Coroner Marty Leffler has confirmed a total of three victims have perished in the fire. One adult and two children. At this time, the names of deceased are being withheld until identification can be confirmed and autopsies are pending. One firefighter was injured at the scene and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. The firefighter has been treated and released.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the City of Zeigler Police & Fire Departments, Franklin County Coroner's Office, Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, and Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigators.

At this time, no further information will be released due to the ongoing investigation.