On 5/29/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Domonick X. Powell, age 21, of Mt. Carmel, for Domestic Battery, following a domestic dispute in the 1000 block of West 5th Street. Officers arrived at the scene and found evidence of Powell grabbing his girlfriend by the throat during the argument. Powell was transported to the Wabash County Jail, where he was charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.
Pair Arrested For Allegedly Stealing Items From Old IGA Property
On 5/28/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Chase D. Linson, age 25, and Clyde W. Wilkinson, age 35, both of Mt. Carmel, for Theft over $500, following a theft of a metal radiator/compressor and copper tubing from the old IGA property in the 900 block of N Walnut Street. Officers were called to the scene regarding individuals actively loading items up from the rear of the building and then leaving in a vehicle. Officers quickly responded and located the suspects and vehicle. Both individuals were charged accordingly and held pending a bond setting by a judge. More arrests are possible as this investigation continues to unfold.
Mt. Carmel Man Faces Several Charges Following Traffic Stop
On 5/27/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Robert M. Hinderliter, age 35, of Mt. Carmel, on a Wabash County Warrant for Aggravated Battery and additional charges of Unlawful Use of Weapon and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia following a traffic stop in the 600 block of N Walnut Street. The officer knew Hinderliter was wanted for the warrant when he made the stop. After taking Hinderliter into custody, the arresting officer located a glass smoking pipe with suspected methamphetamine residue inside of it. Also, during the search, the officer found a 9.5-inch blade-length combat hatchet with three sharp points and three other knives. Hinderliter was transported to the Wabash County Jail, where he was served the warrant and the charges mentioned above. Hinderliter was later released on a $3000 cash bond.
Vaira Jury Trial Delayed Until August
Over the objection of Wabash County State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman, the sexual assault trial of an Allendale man has been pushed back to August.
53-year-old Adam Vaira was 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.
But, during a hearing last Thursday, defense attorney Melissa Duran successfully argued for the trial to be delayed until August 1st in Wabash County Circuit Court. She cited the defense’s inability to track down two witnesses as one of the reasons for the delay.
The trial is expected to last 4 days. A final pre-trial conference in the case is set for July 21st. Vaira was arrested last May 5th, 2021. The charges stem from alleged incidents that occurred between May of 2000 and January of 2007 with victims under 13 years of age.
Vaira has been free on a $30,000 cash bond since he turned himself in to authorities on May 5th of 2021.
Revised 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
• Liquor Control Meeting
o Application for Class H restaurant Liquor License El Cactus Cuisine
Two Hurt In I-70 Crash
ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Two Vehicle Personal Injury Traffic Crash
WHERE: Interstate 70 westbound at milepost 85, Effingham County
WHEN: May 28, 2022 at approximately 2:36 a.m.
VEHICLES: Unit 1- 1993 White Honda Accord
Unit 2- 2010 Black Jeep Cherokee
DRIVER: Unit 1- Braden S. Doxey, 21-year-old male from Greenwood, IN – Transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Unit 2- Jill R. Yager Gorz, 44-year-old female from Columbus, OH – Transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
PASSENGER: Unit 2- Lucas Gorz, 43-year-old male from Columbus, OH
PRELIMINARY: A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling westbound on Interstate 70 near milepost 85. Unit 2 was traveling westbound on Interstate 70 in the same location. For unknown reasons, Unit 1 struck Unit 2. The drivers of Unit 1 and Unit 2 were transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
CHARGES: The driver of Unit 1 was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash, Improper Lane Usage, and Driver Required to Wear Seatbelt.
Clay County Motorcyclist Injured After Hitting Deer
ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Single Vehicle Personal Injury Traffic Crash
WHERE: US Route 45 north of Iola Road, Clay County
WHEN: May 29, 2022 at approximately 10:12 a.m.
VEHICLE: Unit 1- 1998 Black Harley Davidson Motorcycle
DRIVER: Unit 1- Lewis D. Charlton, 69-year-old male from Louisville, IL – Transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
PRELIMINARY: A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling south on US 45 north of Iola Road when they struck a deer, causing the motorcycle to be laid down on the it’s right side. Unit 1 driver fell off the motorcycle and the motorcycle continued south before coming to rest in the middle of the southbound lane.
Victims Released From Hospital Following Saturday Crash
Two victims involved in a side by side accident in rural Wabash County are back at home after being airlifted from the scene Saturday evening. Wabash County Sheriff Derek Morgan says a full report on the accident hasn’t been completed by his department yet, but we do know the victims were airlifted from Mesa Lake and taken to a regional hospital for treatment of their injuries. But, Morgan told us yesterday the two had been treated and released.
Recent accidents in the area involving golf carts and side by sides have drawn concern from Mt. Carmel Fire Chief Francis Speth….
In addition to Saturday’s crash in Wabash County, Wayne County accident recently involving a golf cart left four people injured. City Clerk Ryan Turner said there have not been any crashes in the city of Mt. Carmel involving golf carts or side by sides.
One of the two victims in Saturday’s crash is loaded into a waiting AirEvac helicopter.
PHOTO CREDIT: Norman Cline
Pool Opening Delayed To Next Weekend
Today is typically opening day for the Mt. Carmel City Pool, but a lack of lifeguards has pushed that opening back until next Saturday, June 4th. Mayor Joe Judge said a lifeguard certification class will take place starting tomorrow. If you’re interested in being a lifeguard at the City Pool, you can contact City Hall tomorrow to sign up for the certification.
District #348 School Board Approves New WCEA Contract
The Wabash District #348 school board has approved a new four year contract with the Wabash County Education Association, which represents the district’s employees who are not teachers or administrators. Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer said the new deal is fair for both sides..
As for the contract status with District #348 teachers, that contract with the Wabash County Teachers Association is set to expire at the conclusion of the upcoming 2022-23 school year.