City Council Approves West 9th Street Food Truck Park

Food truck vendors have been increasing over the last couple of years and now the city of Mt. Carmel is offering their owners a centralized spot to serve.

The Mt. Carmel City Council Monday night approved Mayor Joe Judge’s proposal to locate the food truck park near the former Shopko building which Motorad recently purchased….

Judge explains the area being used for the food truck park…

This is the area next to the former Shopko building and behind the Dollar General building that will be used for the food truck park by the city.

City Looking For Your Help To Clear Storm Drains Today

With heavy rains expected to continue today, Mayor Joe Judge is asking Mt. Carmel residents to pitch in and help city workers…

And as winter weather returns later this week, fire chief Francis Speth says you can help out first responders as well….

 Commissioner Tom Meeks said the city flood gates were installed yesterday in preparation for a 26 foot crest on the Wabash River this weekend.

SOUTH EASTERN ILLINOIS DRUG TASK FORCE ANNOUNCES CANNABIS TRAFFICKING ARRESTS

Effingham, IL – On Feb. 19, 2022, Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) South Eastern Illinois Drug Task Force (SEIDTF) agents assisted District 12 in the arrest of Delia Gonzalez-Salgado, a 29-year-old female from Salem, Oregon, Roberto Morales-Moreno, a 28-year-old male from Santa Maria, California, and Elder Ramirez-Bautista, a 24-year-old male from Santa Maria, California for Cannabis Trafficking More Than 5,000 Grams (Class X Felony).

 On Feb. 19, 2022, at approximately 9:11 a.m., an Illinois State Police (ISP) District 12 Trooper conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 70 eastbound near mile post 90 for traffic violations. Following the traffic stop, consent to search the vehicle was received, and suspected cannabis was found inside the vehicle. South Eastern Illinois Drug Task Force (SEIDTF) agents interviewed the occupants of the vehicle and during the course of the investigation all three occupants were arrested for Cannabis Trafficking.

 Gonzalez-Salgado, Ramirez-Bautista, and Morales-Moreno were all charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver Cannabis More Than 5,000 Grams and Cannabis Trafficking More Than 5,000 Grams (Class X Felony). Gonzalez-Salgado and Morales-Moreno received additional charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

 Gonzalez-Salgado, Morales-Moreno, and Ramirez-Bautista are all currently being held at the Effingham County Jail on a bond set at $100,000 at 10 percent. The investigation remains open and ongoing. No further information will be disseminated by the Illinois State Police.

 SEIDTF is comprised of the Salem Police Department, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, the Robinson Police Department, and the Illinois State Police. This investigation was a cooperative effort amongst the member police departments in an effort to curb drug usage and violence in the area.

Mt. Carmel Woman Held On Forgery Warrants

On 2/17/22, Shannon N. Fisher, age 30, of Mt. Carmel, was picked up in Richland County Illinois on a two count Forgery Warrant out of Wabash County. Fisher was transported back to Wabash County by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office. The warrant was a result of an MCPD investigation that alleged Fisher unlawfully signed two documents with another’s name. One document was to Mt. Carmel Public Utility and the other to the City of Mt. Carmel. Fisher was issued the warrant and is being held on a $3,000 cash bond.

Two Arrested For Domestic Battery Following 3rd & Market Street Incident

On 2/20/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Marshall R. Keneipp, age 43, and Jade L. McClane, age 35, both of Mt. Carmel, for Domestic Battery along with a Wabash County Warrant for Violation of Bail Bond against Keneipp. Prior to the arrest, the arresting officer observed Keneipp dragging McClane at the entrance of a building at 3rd & Market Street. The officer intervened and found evidence that McClane had battered Keneipp just prior by striking him in the face. It was also discovered that Keneipp had an active warrant for Violation of Bail Bond. Both individuals were transported to the Wabash County Jail where they were charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.

Incident With McDonald's Employee Sends Jasper Man To Jail

On 2/20/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Anthony W. Welp, age 49, of Jasper, Indiana for Aggravated Battery and Criminal Trespass to Real Property following an incident at McDonalds. Officers were called to the scene because of Welp demanding another employee’s information. When Welp was denied his request, he became upset and threatened bodily harm to the employee he sought information on. Welp then followed the employee he spoke to outside as they attempted to walk away from the suspect. Welp followed suit leading to Welp shoving the victim outside of the restaurant. The victim declined charges at that time under the request that Welp not return to the McDonald’s property. Welp later returned leading to charges being signed against him. Welp was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.

Edwards County Crash Sends Three To Hospital With Minor Injuries

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

 

WHAT:                      Two Vehicle Personal Injury Traffic Crash                                                  

WHERE:                   Illinois Route 15 at County Road 900 East, Edwards County

WHEN:                      Feb. 20, 2022 at approximately 9:13 a.m.                             

VEHICLES:              Unit 1- 2011 White Chevrolet Silverado

                                    Unit 2- 2010 Maroon Chevrolet Colorado

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1- Jeffery S. Browning, 53-year-old male from Grayville, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with minor injuries.

                                    Unit 2- Vickey I. Blair, 48-year-old female from Oakland City, IN – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with minor injuries.

PASSENGER:           Unit 2- Vickey S. Blair, 76-year-old female from Oakland City, IN- Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with minor injuries.

PRELIMINARY:      Preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 2 was traveling west on Illinois Route 15 at Edwards County Road 900 East. Unit 1 was traveling north on Edwards County Road 900 East at Illinois Route 15. Unit 1 failed to yield at the stop sign intersection at Illinois Route 15. Unit 1 continued to travel through the intersection and struck the front of Unit 2.

CHARGES:               Unit 1 driver was cited for Failure to Yield at a Stop Sign Intersection.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Spencer County Man Arrested For Allegedly Shooting Son

Spencer County-On February 19, 2022 Spencer County dispatch received a 911 call at approximately 6:08 P.M. A female stated her son was shot by her husband. Officers were dispatched to 3474 N CR 750 W Richland City. Upon arrival, officers found Justin Blair,40, with a gunshot wound to his abdomen. Justin was transported by ambulance to an Evansville hospital. Also located at the residence were Michael Blair,70, and Linda Blair,65.

Preliminary investigation revealed that an altercation between Justin Blair and his father Michael had occurred and that Michel had shot Justin.

Michael Blair was arrested for Domestic Violence Causing Serious Bodily Injury and is currently being held in the Spencer County Jail.

Wabash General Hospital Designated a 2022 Top 100 Critical Access Hospital

Wabash General Hospital in Mount Carmel, Illinois today announced it has been recognized as a 2022 Top 100 Critical Access Hospital. Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, this annual recognition program honors outstanding performance among the nation’s rural hospitals. To determine the 2022 list, the Chartis Center used the Hospital Strength Index, which assesses performance in eight areas: inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspective, cost, charge and financial efficiency. To see the complete list of recipients, please visit 100 top critical access hospitals, by state (beckershospitalreview.com). Wabash General Hospital is the only hospital in the State of Illinois to receive this recognition.

WGH President & CEO, Karissa Turner, stated, “I’m very proud of each and every one of the 460 staff members at WGH. Their hard work and commitment to making WGH the best healthcare provider does not go unnoticed. We are very thankful for the support we receive from the communities we serve and look forward to many more years. We couldn’t be more blessed and grateful for receiving this award.”

“Despite unprecedented adversity rural providers continue to display resiliency and a steadfast commitment to their communities,” said Michael Topchik, National Leader, The Chartis Center for Rural Health. “Honoring the Top 100 is one of the highpoints of our year. We are delighted to recognize the exceptional performance and innovation of this year’s recipients, particularly considering the extraordinary challenges facing America’s rural health safety net.”

Over the course of the last 12 years, the INDEX has established itself as the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital performance. Leveraging publicly available data, the INDEX is trusted by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations and state offices of rural health across the country to measure and monitor performance across a variety of areas impacting hospital operations and finance.

About Wabash General Hospital:

Wabash General Hospital is a critical access hospital located in Mount Carmel, Illinois. It provides quality health care to residents of Wabash County as well as those living in surrounding communities.

Our federal designation as a critical access hospital identifies us as a community hospital with fewer than 25 inpatient beds, 24-hour emergency care and no other hospital within 35 miles. Due to this status, Wabash General can offer a special inpatient rehabilitation program called Swing Bed. In addition to the Rehab to Home Program, inpatient and emergency care, our team offers family medicine (including pediatrics) and a variety of services. They include: six orthopaedic and sports medicine clinic locations, athletic trainers in 16 schools (high schools and junior colleges), cardiology, general surgery, hearing clinic, oncology/hematology, pain management, podiatry, pulmonary medicine, sleep medicine and women's health. At Wabash General Hospital, we are proud of the many awards that recognize our efforts to be the best, but we are most proud of the personalized experience we offer our patients and families. Our focus and dedication to make sure you receive personalized health care with loving, compassionate staff to serve you and your loved ones is the foundation of our motto, "people you know, helping people you love."