City Looking To Curb Vandalism At City Park

Vandalism at the City Park has drawn the ire of Mt. Carmel Mayor Joe Judge. At Monday’s City Council meeting, Judge said the latest round of damage came this past weekend… 

Other damage has included spray painting on the park’s shelter house. And Judge says the city has already taken steps to stop the vandalism… 

The park has seen major improvements since Judge became mayor with the addition of the pickleball courts, new restrooms and shelter house. Judge said the new cameras offer a 360 degree view of the park with night vision that can spot the license plate number of any would-be vandal.  And the mayor wrapped up his comments with a final warning…. 

Police chief Mike McWilliams said his officers have stepped up patrols of the city park as well spending at least 30 minutes of each shift in the park. 

The new restrooms at the City Park were the most recent victims of vandalism according to Mayor Joe Judge.

"She Loves Me" Opens Tonight At MCHS

Tickets are available for all four performances of the Mt. Carmel High School production of “She Loves Me” that opens tonight. Considered by many to be the most charming musical ever written, “She Loves Me” is a warm romantic comedy with an endearing innocence and a touch of old-world elegance. Macy Mandrell has the lead part of Amalia and she says the music in “She Loves Me” is special… 

Performances are tonight, tomorrow night, and Saturday night at 7pm with a Sunday matinee at 2. Tickets are available online at https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?ticketing=mchsm  

Lane Restrictions Scheduled for SR 64 For Paving Near Oakland City

GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane restrictions for State Road 64 for paving operations.

Beginning on or around Tuesday, April 26, contractors will restrict S.R. 64 to one lane while crews mill and pave from the east side of Francisco to the intersection of S.R. 57 in Oakland City. This operation is included in the reconstruction of S.R. 64 already under way in Francisco. Workers will mill down the top layer of pavement and replace it with new asphalt.

During this project traffic will be controlled by flagging operations. The restriction will include a lane width of 12-feet. Wider loads should seek an alternate route using the nearest numbered state, U.S. or Interstate Routes.

This phase of the project is expected to last until the end of June, depending upon weather conditions.

INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.

Allendale School Board Notes

At the April 2022 Allendale School Board meeting held in the Library of Allendale School, the board:

Authorized Superintendent Bowser to prepare a tentative 2022-2023 School Budget.

Set school fees for the 2022-2023 school year.

Approved the following end of year dates: 8th Grade Promotion on Monday, May 23; Teacher Institute on Tuesday, May 24; Awards Day on Wednesday, May 25; Last School Day on Wednesday, May 25.

Approved the hiring of Carly Jester as Cheer Coach for 2022-2023

Mt. Carmel Man Sentenced To 8 Years In Prison On Vehicle Burglary Charges

Kelli Storckman, Wabash County State’s Attorney, reports that David R. Harms, a 34-year old Mt. Carmel, Illinois man, was sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections by the Honorable Circuit Judge William C. Hudson in Wabash County Circuit Court.

State’s Attorney Storckman advises that the Defendant was charged July 24, 2021, with 2 counts of Burglary, A Class 3 Felony. Mr. Harms was sentenced to 4 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, to be followed by 12 months of mandatory supervised release (parole) on each count. Sentence to run consecutively.

FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF OFFENSE:

COUNT I BURGLARY

That on or about July 24, 2021 or July 25, 2021, in Wabash County, Illinois, the Defendant, DAVID RYAN HARMS, committed the offense of BURGLARY, in that said Defendant, without authority, knowingly entered a vehicle owned by XXXXXXXX, being a Red Dodge Journey, with the intent to commit therein a theft, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/19-1(a). A CLASS 3 FELONY

COUNT II BURGLARY

That on or about July 24, 2021 or July 25, 2021, in Wabash County, Illinois, the Defendant, DAVID RYAN HARMS, committed the offense of BURGLARY, in that said Defendant, without authority, knowingly entered a vehicle owned by XXXXXXX and XXXXXXXX, being a Silver Chevrolet Blazer with the intent to commit therein a theft, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/19-1(a). A CLASS 3 FELONY

Original Release From Mt. Carmel Police Department posted on wsjd.fm 7/26/21:

On 7/25/21, Mt. Carmel Police arrested David Ryan Harms, age 33, of Mt. Carmel, for Burglary to Motor Vehicle, following police reports of over 50 vehicles being burglarized throughout 7/24-7/25/2021 in various locations around Mt. Carmel. During the investigation, officers learned of information implicating Harms in the crimes. Wabash County State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman and officers from the Mt. Carmel Police Department completed a search warrant for a residence in the 400 block of Cedar Street. The search warrant was granted by Wabash County Circuit Judge William Hudson. Officers served the search warrant at this time, where numerous items that had been reported stolen were located. Mr. Harms was also located at the home. Harms was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail, where he is held pending a bond setting by a judge. Harms is also on parole status with the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Wabash County Jail mug shot from 2019

IECC Board Approves Resurfacing WVC Gym

The Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 Board of Trustees held its monthly meeting on Tuesday night, April 19th at Frontier Community College, Fairfield, Illinois.  All trustees were in attendance, including John Brooks, Roger Browning, Gary Carter, Brenda Culver, Jan Ridgely, Barbara Shimer, Brady Waldrop, and student trustee Raechel Hnetkovsky.

Raechel Hnetkovsky was seated as the student trustee.    Ms. Hnetkovsky is a student at Frontier Community College.  She thanked the Board for the opportunity to represent the students of the Illinois Eastern District.

Trustees approved a new policy concerning COVID 19 leave and made revisions to the policy that addresses students who repeat courses at IECC.

Affiliation agreements were approved with Robinson Rehab & Nursing, Horizon Health Community Hospital, and Horizon Health at Fox River.

An increase in the truck driving program fee was approved to reflect the current cost of operating a semi-truck.  Changes were also approved to the list of specific programs that are assessed a Student Professional Liability Fee.  

In other action Tuesday evening, the board awarded a bid to D & R Bennett, Incorporated for resurfacing of the Wabash Valley College gymnasium. 

The Board approved employment for Ken Anderson as CETL Instructional Designer for the District Office, effective April 25, 2022;  Alexandre Morais as Men & Women’s Soccer Coach at  LTC, effective June 1, 2022;  James Glash as Head Men’s Basketball Coach at OCC, effective April 25, 2022; Curtis Miller as College Admission Representative located at OCC,  effective May 11, 2022;  Jandi Cravens as Office Assistant at LTC, effective April 25, 2022; Billy Fornwalt as Truck Driving Instructor for WVC, effective May 16, 2022.

The Board accepted resignations from Sheri Gray as Director of Instructional Services at OCC, effective August 1, 2022; Taylor Held as  TRIO Upward Bound Counselor located at OCC, effective April 5, 2022;  Amy Hohlbaugh as Student Services Specialist located at FCC, effective May 13, 2022; Lucas Harms as Custodian at WVC, effective March 29, 2022; Terry Chrtt as Information Systems Technician at FCC, effective May 14, 2022.

                       The Board accepted a retirement from Sandra Craig as Director of the Learning Resource Center at WVC, effective August 1, 2022.

Next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at 6:15 p.m. at Lincoln Trail College, Robinson.

Allendale Students Enjoy Musical Assembly

Allendale School would like to thank Dennis Stroughmatt and Doug Hawf for providing a musical assembly today for our K-8 students and faculty/staff. They did an outstanding job of bringing Creole and Cajun music to Allendale School and enriching our educational knowledge. We would also like to thank the Wabash Valley Arts Council out of Mt. Carmel for sponsoring this assembly. It was an outstanding show!

A Visit To MCPD Earns Mt. Carmel Man A Jail Stay

On 4/19/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Dakota G. Clem, age 20, of Mt. Carmel, on a Madison County Illinois Warrant for Failure to Appear on a charge of Impersonating a Police Officer. Clem came to the Mt. Carmel Police Department on an unrelated matter when it was learned Clem was wanted. Clem was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he is being held with no bond pending extradition back to Madison County.