A July 19th sentencing date has been set for 19 year old Kiara Graves who pleaded guilty yesterday to a Class 1 felony charge of criminal sexual assault. Graves was arrested March 2nd by Mt. Carmel Police following an investigation that found Graves had committed a sex act on a 14 year old girl who was unable to give knowing consent to the act. Appearing in Wabash County Circuit Court yesterday, Graves entered the guilty plea to the charge in exchange any possible prison sentence would not exceed 6 years. A Class 1 felony in Illinois carries a possible prison term of 4 to 15 years. Graves was the second arrest stemming from the same investigation with the first being Joshua Anderson the day before. Based on State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman recommendation, Judge William C. Hudson ordered Graves released from the Wabash County Jail on her recognizance. She had been held on a $10,000 cash bond in the Wabash County Jail.
WGH Move To New Medical Office Building Nearly Complete
The last major piece of the expansion project takes place today at Wabash General Hospital as the former oncology building is torn down. Jeff Guisewite, Incoporated workers were scheduled to demolish the building yesterday, but the aftermath and clean up from last week’s tornado caused a one day delay. At last night’s WGH board of directors meeting, President/CEO Karissa Turner said oncology moved their operations to the new medical office building last week. She said specialty clinics such as pain management, pulmonary, and neurology have also moved into the new building as well. Turner said the move in is a coordinated effort…
She said the Chestnut Street providers will be in the new medical office building on June 6th with administrative offices being the last to move on June 16th.
Crews were busy this morning demolishing the former WGH oncology clinic.
Crews were busy this morning demolishing the former WGH oncology clinic.
Mt. Carmel City Council Agenda
AGENDA
CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Tuesday May 31, 2022 at 5:00 pm
· Call to Order
o Pledge of Allegiance
o Roll Call
· Approve Minutes
o Minutes of meeting held 5/16/2022
· Visitors (topic discussed by visitor(s) is limited to 5 minutes)
· 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
o Removal of items from the Consent Agenda
o Consideration of Consent Agenda
§ Pay all bills bearing proper signature
§ Ordinance 2075-No Parking Zones-Second Reading
o Consideration of items removed from the Consent Agenda
· Executive Session
· Motion to Adjourn
Robinson Man Killed In Lawrence County Crash
ISP INVESTIGATES FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Two Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash
WHERE: Illinois Route 1 at 1650 North, Lawrence County
WHEN: May 23, 2022 at 3:45 p.m.
VEHICLES: Unit 1 – 2003 Tan Chevrolet Silverado
Unit 2 – 2021 White Toyota Minivan
DRIVERS: Unit 1 – James R. Love, 76-year-old male from Robinson, IL – Deceased
Unit 2 – Lesa J. Crouse, 60-year-old female from Robinson, IL
PASSERNGERS: Unit 2 – Blake W. Hale, 27-year-old male from Robinson, IL – Transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling southbound on Illinois Route 1, while Unit 2 was traveling northbound on Illinois Route 1. For unknown reasons, Unit 1 crossed over the center line and struck Unit 2, causing Unit 1 to roll over off the roadway. The driver of Unit 1 was pronounced deceased on scene by the Lawrence County Coroner’s Office. No further information will be disseminated.
Allendale Students Of The Month
Allendale School is proud to announce the Students of the Month for May:
Front Row (left to right) - Wylie Price (Kindergarten), Mackenzie Haynes (1st Grade), Adalyn Archer (2nd Grade), Casey Burton (3rd Grade)
Back Row (left to right) - Adrienne Lawrence (Jr. High), Preston Perry (Jr. High), Tommy Hughes (4th Grade)
Isham Files Motion To Reconsider 45 Year Sentence
A Mt. Carmel man ordered to spend 45 years in prison on a sexual assault charge wants the court to reconsider his sentence. 31-year-old Jeffrey Isham was convicted by a Wabash County jury last December on a Class X felony charge of predatory criminal sexual assault for a September 2019 incident with a then 11 year old family member. Since his February 14th sentencing, Isham filed an appeal which has already been dismissed by the appellate court because a hearing hasn’t been held yet on the motion to reconsider sentence. Public defender James Lane represented Isham in the case but has since withdrawn. Rhonda Blades has been appointed as Isham’s attorney. She is to meet Tuesday with state’s attorney Kelli Storckman to determine a date for the motion hearing. Isham is currently housed in the Shawnee Correctional Center where he has begun serving his sentence.
Covalt Sentenced To 120 Years On Child Porn Charges
33-year-old Chad Covalt has been sentenced to 120 years in prison after being found guilty last month of 29 child pornography charges.
During a sentencing hearing this morning in Wabash County Circuit Court, State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman outlined state statutes that mandate sentences on child porn charges be served consecutively but are limited to each course of conduct the crimes are committed. Storckman successfully argued that Covalt’s crimes occurred during two courses of conduct resulting in Judge William C. Hudson sentencing Covalt to 60 years in prison on each course of conduct. The 120 years in prison is eligible for 50% time served credit for a minimum of 60 years.
In announcing the sentencing, Hudson cited the fact that Covalt offered no excuses, no remorse, and no testimony in allocution. Hudson read a victim impact statement from one of the victims who said she had been emotionally broken by Covalt’s crimes and has considered suicide because of it. She said her life had been ripped in pieces and struggles with nightmares.
Before the sentencing hearing, Hudson denied a defense motion for a new trial. Covalt was arrested in May of last year after his ex-wife found child porn images on his cell phone and turned them over to authorities. Hudson found him guilty on 29 child porn charges during a one day bench trial.
Chad Covalt is led back to the Wabash County Jail after being sentenced to 120 years in IDOC on child porn charges.
Sexual Assault Charge Reduced Against Bone Gap Man
A charge of predatory criminal sexual assault against a Bone Gap man has been reduced in Wabash County Circuit Court. During a preliminary hearing this morning, Wabash County State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman reduced the Class X felony sexual assault charge facing 38 year old Keith Armstrong to a Class 2 felony of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. During today’s hearing, Storckman amended the charge which reduces Armstrong’s possible prison sentence from 6 to 30 years on the Class X felony to 3 to 7 years on the Class 2 felony if he is convicted. After Judge William C. Hudson found probable cause on the amended charge, Armstrong entered a not guilty plea. Over the objection of Storckman, Hudson reduced Armstrong’s bail from $500,000 ($50,000 cash) to $10,000 ($1,000 cash). A pre-trial hearing in the case is set for July 18th. Armstrong was arrested by MCPD on May 11th, 2022.
Motion Hearing To Delay Jury Trial Set For Thursday In Vaira Case
A hearing on a motion to delay the sexual assault trial of an Allendale man is scheduled for Thursday in Wabash County Circuit Court. 52-year-old Adam Vaira is scheduled to go on trial June 6th on two Class X felony charges of predatory criminal sexual assault and four Class 2 felony charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a family member under 18. During a hearing last Thursday, defense attorney Melissa Duran indicated she would be filing a motion to delay the start of the trial over the objection of state’s attorney Kelli Storckman. Vaira was arrested last May 5th. The charges stem from alleged incidents that occurred between May of 2000 and January of 2007 with victims between 13 and 17 years old. Vaira has been free on a $30,000 cash bond since he turned himself in to authorities on May 5th of this year.
Hearing For New Trial In Covalt Case Set For Monday
A convicted sex offender is due back in Wabash County Circuit Court Monday looking for a new trial. 33-year-old Chad Covalt of Mt. Carmel was found guilty last month of 29 child pornography charges by Judge William C. Hudson during a one day bench trial. Covalt faces a prison sentence of 6 to 30 years on each of the 29 counts, but before his scheduled sentencing Monday, Hudson will hear arguments on defense attorney Daniel Shinkle’s motion for a new trial. Covalt was arrested in May of last year after his ex-wife found child porn images on his cell phone and turned them over to authorities.
