On 2/09/2022, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Devan R. Twitchell, age 29, of Mt. Carmel, on a Wabash County Warrant for Armed Violence, Aggravated Battery, and Possession of Methamphetamine. The warrant stems from the alleged stabbing incident on 2/04/2022 in the 300 block of N Market Street. Twitchell was located in the 300 block of N Market Street, where he was taken into custody without incident. Twitchell was transported to the Wabash County Jail, issued the warrant, and held on a $7,500 cash bond.
Busy Festival Season Lined Up In Mt. Carmel
As we begin to get things back to normal from the COVID shutdowns of the last two years, the Mt. Carmel City Council has given the go ahead for two new events to attract visitors to town.
The first is a resurrection of the Lone Ranger Festival presented by John Clancy of the Little Egypt Arts Center. Clancy said part of his effort will include a pledge drive looking to erect a Lone Ranger statute with Mt. Carmel’s own Brace Beemer, the original radio voice of the masked man. Clancy said he hoped to have the festival the weekend of June 17th, which is also the weekend for Roots ‘n Que.
Speaking of bar-be-que, Mt. Carmel may once again be hosting a Kansas City Bar-Be-Que Society competition in September. Chris and Tina Howton plan the professional and backyard cooking competition for September 17th. The event is called “Smokin’ For Garrett” in memory of their 19 year old son Garrett who was killed in a tragic boating accident in 2014. The Howton’s have hosted the event since then in Boonville, but have since moved to Mt. Carmel. Information is available online at https://www.smokinforgarrett.com/ or the group’s Facebook page.
January COVID Numbers Top 1,100 In Wabash County
The month of January was by far the worst month for positive COVID-19 cases in Wabash County. To illustrate just how bad of a month it was, Wabash County Health Department administrator Judy Wissel reported to county commissioners yesterday that there were 1,167 positive cases last month while during all of 2021, the case count locally was 1,467…just 300 more than January.
But there may be some good news in positive cases according to Wissel. She said while it’s too early to tell for sure, there’s been a little slow down in the numbers in the last week to 10 days. She said part of the decline may be attributed to COVID testing being cancelled several days last week because of the week. But, cases in northern Illinois have started a downward trend and numbers locally seem to trend along those same lines, just a week or two later. COVID testing at the health department was also very busy as Wissel said 3,000 individuals were tested last month. Testing continues daily at the health department between 11 and 3.
Mt. Carmel Man Picked Up On FTA Warrant
On 1/29/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Johnathan M. L. Schrodt, age 37, of Mt. Carmel, on a Wabash County Failure to Appear Warrant. Schrodt was located in the 500 block of N Walnut Street where he was taken into custody. Once in custody, the arresting officer located a glass smoking device containing suspected methamphetamine residue inside it on Schrodt’s person. Schrodt was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued the warrant along with a charge for possession of drug paraphernalia. Schrodt was later released on a Notice to Appear in court.
Stabbing At Market Street Business Results In Arrest
On 2/02/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Devan R. Twitchell, age 29, of Mt. Carmel, for Aggravated Battery and Possession of Methamphetamine following an altercation in front of Infinite Ink Tattoo Shop in the 300 block of N Market Street. Officers were called to the scene after a male subject arrived at the Mt. Carmel Police Department with multiple stab wounds from a knife. The suspect was identified as the above defendant who works and lives in the 300 block of N Market. Officers located Twitchell inside Infinite Ink at which time he was detained pending further investigation. Evidence at the scene indicated Twitchell and the victim had a verbal confrontation over Twitchell’s work on a tattoo recently. This escalated to a physical confrontation which ultimately ended with Twitchell allegedly stabbing the victim four times with a 4-inch pocketknife. Twitchell was also found to have a clear bag of a crystallized substance which later field tested positive for methamphetamine. Twitchell was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he later released on a $350 cash bond.
City Cleaning Up Ordinances
The Mt. Carmel City Council will meet in regular session this evening and commissioners are expected to continue efforts to clean up outdated and obsolete ordinances. Mayor Joe Judge…
One recent ordinance focus has been making sure property owners live up to their responsibility in maintaining their property so the city doesn’t get stuck with high demolition costs. The effort began with commercial property owners but is now expanding to the residential side according to Judge…
The city council is also reorganizing the number of liquor licenses allowed in Mt. Carmel. The reorganization includes reducing the number of Class B licenses for establishments that sell beer and wine from 5 to 2; Class D or club licenses from 5 to 4; and Class F licenses for retail sales from 5 to 3. The reduction comes on the heels of criticism from some after the city granted a license for a package liquor store to locate in the former Family Video location on Walnut Street.
City's Share Of Gambling & Cannabis Taxes Ahead Of Budget
The city’s portion of video gaming tax continues to run way ahead of budget. For the fiscal year that ends April 30th, the is already $55,000 ahead of the total budgeted for FY 21-22. The city budgeted $60,000 for the entire year, but has already collected more than $105,000.
The city’s share of cannabis tax is also already ahead of the total yearly budget. $6,000 in income from the cannabis tax was budgeted and there’s already been more than $7,200 collected.
Mt. Carmel Man Arrested On Various Charges Following Friday Incident
On 02.04.22 at approximately 2:46 p.m. the Wabash County Sheriff's Office responded to the area of Keepes Funeral Home on North Cherry St. reference a man yelling and screaming. Once on scene the deputy reported the man, identified as 47-year-old Dennis Windle of Mt. Carmel fled north bound on foot. The deputy followed Windle north bound to the 1800 Block of cherry Street, as vehicles both north bound and south bound were stopping in the road. During the attempt to stop Windle and speak with him he ran into a yard on the west side of Cherry street where a family was outside. Windle was ordered to stop where he produced a knife and subsequently threw the knife at an MCPD officer. Windle was subdued all the while being angry, and combative with law enforcement. Windle was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Windle was charged with aggravated assault, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. On February 6th, 2022 Windle's bond was set at $250 cash and he was released.
Vincennes Man Arrested for Threatening Father while Sledding with his Children
Knox County – Yesterday afternoon, February 6, at approximately 3:40, Indiana State Police responded to the 4000 block of East Fox Run Drive, Vincennes, after it was reported that a male had threatened to shoot another male for riding a four-wheeler and pulling his two children on a sled in a nearby common area. When troopers arrived, they identified the male that allegedly made the threat as Gary Sorgius, 68, of Vincennes. Troopers conducted an on-scene investigation and concluded Sorgius did not have a weapon in his possession at the time of the incident, but he allegedly made the threat he was going to shoot the male on the four-wheeler and yelled to another person to get his gun. Sorgius was arrested and taken to the Knox County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.
Arrested and Charge:
Gary Sorgius, 68, Vincennes, IN
Intimidation, Level 6 Felony
Arresting Officer: Master Trooper Brett Pool, Indiana State Police
Assisting Officer: Master Trooper Gary Goodman, Indiana State Police
Mt. Carmel City Council Agenda
AGENDA
CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Monday February 7th, 2022 at 5:00 pm
· Call to Order
o Pledge of Allegiance
o Roll Call
· Approve Minutes
o Minutes of meeting held 1/24/2022
· Visitors (topic discussed by visitor(s) is limited to 5 minutes)
o Gary Chalcraft-Vacating an alleyway
o John Clancy-Art festival
· Reports and Communications
o Mayor Judge
o Commissioner Meeks Streets, Cemeteries and Parks
o Commissioner Ikemire Finance and Senior Citizens
o Commissioner Dulgar Water and Sewer
o Commissioner Zimmerman Fire, Health & Safety, City Hall and Garbage
· Staff Reports
o Ryan Turner Brady Waldrop
o Michael McWilliams Francis Speth Mike Gidcumb
· New Business
o Consent Agenda
§ Ordinance 2065-1st reading-Regulation of vacant properties
§ Ordinance 2068-1st Reading-Amend Chapter 4-number of alcohol license allowed in the City
o Removal of items from the Consent Agenda
o Consideration of Consent Agenda
§ Pay all bills bearing proper signature
o Consideration of items removed from the Consent Agenda
· Executive Session
· Motion to Adjourn