Motorized Bicycles Draw Scrutiny Of MCPD

You’ve probably seen them around town…motorized bicycles often times disobeying traffic laws and being a nuisance and safety hazard to themselves and other motorists. Mt. Carmel Police Chief Mike McWilliams has announced that his officers will begin cracking down on the motorized bicycles…

McWilliams said operators of motorized bikes are required to use hand signals, yield for other motorists, and drive on main state highways. He said it’s only a matter of time before there’s a serious accident…

McWilliams said the aim of increased attention isn’t to write tickets, but to keep the motorized bike riders and other motorists safe.

Storckman Honored By The Guardian Center

Wabash County State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman was honored Friday night with The Guardian Center’s “Friends of the Children” award. Since becoming state’s attorney, Storckman has been a strong advocate for children sending several offenders to prison who committed crimes against minors.

Also recognized that the Denim & Diamonds banquet at the Anderson Building, Nicole Bradfield was recogized for 10 years as an advocate for The Guardian Center.

The Guardian Center director Sheryl Woodham presented the awards at the banquet that included entertainment by The Dueling Pianos.

Sheryl Woodham, director of The Guardian Center, presents Wabash County state’s attorney Kelli Storckman with the “Friends of the Children” award.

Sheryl Woodham, director of The Guardian Center, presents Nicole Bradfield with an award recognizing her 10 years as an advocate for The Guardian Center.

Entertainment was provided by The Dueling Pianos.

Mt. Carmel City Pool Hours & Pricing

Current Open Swimming Hours:

Monday thru Friday 12:30pm - 5pm

Saturday and Sunday 1pm-5pm

Admission $2.50

Children under 3 Free

Starting on Tuesday we will be selling Season Passes at Concession stand and City Hall

Single Season Pass $50.00

Family of 2 Pass $90.00

Family of 4 Pass $150.00

Add an Additional Pass for $25.00 ( Only Available on Family of 4 Pass).

Family Passes are immediate family living in same household. Each Pass is an individual pass assigned to one person.

Swim Parties at 6-8pm Monday thru. Sunday available

If your business wants to sponsor a Free Swim Day please contact City Hall for more information.

Marion County Crash Claims Life Of Odin Man; Seriously Injures Three Others

ISP FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12

WHAT:                      Two Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   Selmaville Road, south of Lazy Acre Road, Marion County

WHEN:                      June 4, 2022 at approximately 11:13 p.m.

VEHICLES:              Unit 1- 2005 gray Volkswagen Beetle Convertible

                                    Unit 2- 2010 blue Nissan Altima Sedan

           

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1- Audrey R. Pugh, 18-year-old female from Centralia, IL – Transported by medical helicopter to an area hospital with injuries

                                    Unit 2- 43-year-old male from Odin, IL – Deceased

 

PASSENGERS:         Unit 1- Adult female – Transported by medical helicopter to an area hospital with injuries

                                    Unit 1- Juvenile female– Transported by medical helicopter to an area hospital with injuries

                                   

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling southbound on Selmaville Road near Lazy Acre Road. Unit 2 was traveling northbound at the same location. Unit 1 crossed over into the northbound lane and struck Unit 2 head-on. All three occupants of Unit 1 were transported by medical helicopter to an area hospital with injuries. The Driver of Unit 2 was pronounced deceased on scene by the Marion County Coroner. The investigation is still ongoing. No further information is available at this time.

 

CHARGES:               Pending Investigation.

 

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

City To Close On Purchase Of Arts Center Building Monday

The City of Mt. Carmel is expected to close Monday on the purchase of the Little Egypt Arts Center at 500 and 502 Market Street. At this past week’s city council meeting, city attorney Brady Waldroup said everything is in order for the closing to be finalized Monday. Mayor Joe Judge said the city intends to demolish the 502 Market Street building at look to preserve the 500 Market Street building for potential retail space.

Meanwhile, Mt. Carmel resident Terry McGregor spoke at a recent City Council meeting expressing concerns about the Little Egypt Arts Center at 5th and Market Streets, less than a block away from his home. McGregor complained that music from the arts center is too loud and plays well into the night. He also brought up rumors he had heard that the soon to be displaced arts center will be moving to the former Mt. Carmel Cleaners location in the 400 block of Market Street. If that happens McGregor said the back door of the arts center would open into the back yard of his residence. Little Egypt owner John Clancy was at the meeting and apologized to McGregor about the music and he would remedy the situation. Clancy also confirmed that since he had sold his buildings to the city for $15,000, he would be moving the business, but didn’t confirm McGregor’s information about moving just up the street.

On a related note, Clancy said due to his relocation, the Lone Ranger Festival he had planned for this summer has been scrapped with hopes of it starting in 2023. 

  

WSJD File Photo

City To Review Tornado Response

What did first responders get right and what areas might they improve should another tornado hit Mt. Carmel? That’ll be the focus of a 30-day review Mayor Joe Judge announced at Tuesday’s city council meeting…

One area the city has already improved is gaining access to spots that storms might make inaccessible is the purchase of a UTV. Police Chief Mike McWilliams said the May 19th tornado caused some streets and many alleys to become inaccessible to police vehicles. He said the UTV would have been helpful in getting at least one elderly victim out of harm’s way and get treatment. The UTV was purchased with funds from the golf cart/UTV sticker fee according to McWilliams.

STRANDED/DISORIENTED MOTORIST FOUND SAFE BY WABASH COUNTY AUTHORITIES

From Sheriff Derek Morgan:

On 06.02.2022 at approximately 2:17 p.m. the Wabash County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call of a driver in distress. The call was mapped via the 911 system to the very rural area of South Division St. in Mt. Carmel. Mt. Carmel Police Department joined the rescue efforts searching from the Wabash River bridge to the south division location. 

 A deputy located 75 year old Peggy L. Reliford of Moro, IL whom was hung up in the mud of a farm road near the Wabash River. MCPD used their newly acquired Kawasaki Mule to transport Reliford from the scene to the Wabash General Ambulance which was in the area. The ambulance service had been crossing the river bridge and asked if they were needed, thus they staged themselves on south division.

 Reliford was transported to Wabash General Hospital to be evaluated. During the incident it was found that Reliford was being sought by Madison County authorities as she had left to get gas in Missouri the day prior. Reliford told Mt. Carmel Dispatch she had stayed in her car overnight.

 I want to thank the Mt. Carmel Police Department for the quick response and use of their Mule and dispatchers that are on point, as well as the Wabash General Ambulance personnel for their monitoring of our radio frequency as they were returning from a run.  Top notch communication between all agencies involved. 


Troopers Revive Man in Cardiac Distress at Indy 500

Indianapolis – Sunday, Indiana State Police troopers, who were working a traffic detail at the Indianapolis 500 were able to revive a race fan who suffered a cardiac episode on Georgetown Road. 

Sunday at approximately 9:42 a.m., Indiana State Police troopers were directing and monitoring traffic on Georgetown Road for the 106th Indianapolis 500 and were advised a man had collapsed on Georgetown Road south of 25th Street.   

Responding troopers found Robert Purgh, 80, Burlington, IA, lying in the street unconscious and not breathing. Troopers and Susanne McAllen, who identified herself as a nurse, started life-saving measures. Trooper Dakota Anderson retrieved his issued Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and Indiana State Police Sergeant Katie Salzman retrieved her issued rescue breathing mask for McAllen to use. Trooper A.J. Coffee applied the AED, and Anderson started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by doing chest compressions. McAllen provided rescue breaths. Anderson administered two rounds of chest compressions and was relieved by Indiana State Police Captain Shea Reliford who performed three additional rounds of chest compressions. A shock was administered from the AED. Before the arrival of medical personnel, Purgh regained a pulse. He was transported to Methodist Hospital. At last check, Purgh is stable, awake, and speaking with hospital staff. 

“The AED made all the difference," stated John Fruehling, Purgh’s son-in-law, who was with Purgh. "Doctors said without the AED and CPR, Robert wouldn’t be here."

Troopers receive CPR training every two years. 

Most Indiana State Police troopers have an AED to carry in their police cars while on patrol. Many of the AEDs were donated by the Bolt for the Heart organization. Their stated goal is to save as many lives as possible by placing AEDs in all law enforcement patrol cars. More Information can be found about the Bolt for the Heart organization online at https://boltfortheheart.com/.  

All Systems Go For Saturday Pool Opening

It appears everything is set for the Saturday opening of the Mt. Carmel City Pool. At Tuesday’s city council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge said 11 individuals are undergoing lifeguard certification this week to provide more than enough guards for this summer, if all pass the training. An American Red Cross representative surveyed the city pool offering some good news as well according to Judge…

If a lifeguard doesn’t pass certification as a deep water guard, Judge said they could certify as a shallow water guard.

Judge said two pumps that caused the pool to close early last season have been refurbished at a cost of $50,000. He said if the city is able to add a splash park at some point in the future, those pumps will still be able to be used.

Season passes will also be offered this year with a single pass costing $50, a family pass for two at $90, and a family of four pass for $150. One caveat to the family pass, Judge said all of those using it must live in the same household.