IDOT Engineer: Bridge Work To Last 45 More Days

Work on the Wabash River Bridge in Mt. Carmel is scheduled to last another 45 days. That’s the word this morning from Illinois Department of Transportation Construction Engineer John Nava-Sifuentes of the IDOT District #7 office in Effingham. According to Nava-Sifuentes, the project consists of “applying an epoxy to the wearing surface to make the bridge last longer”. He said Stage 1 of the project should wrap up by the end of next week at which time the lane closure will switch to the westbound lane. Nava-Sifuentes said crews are aware of motorist delays and asked for drivers to exercise patience in their commutes.

Mt. Carmel Police Chief Mike McWilliams released a statement asking motorists to adhere to the traffic signals and the traffic stop lines when approaching the bridge. He said motorists are crossing the white lines, where the sensors are located, causing both sides to stay on red.

“This morning, traffic was backed nearly to 9th Street with morning commuters trying to get to work. MCPD assisted these motorists by providing traffic control; however, it is imperative that motorists follow the traffic signals, including the white stop lines, to keep the lights functioning properly,” McWilliams said.

He finished by saying “MCPD will do our best to assist traffic when needed but please follow these rules to keep everyone safe and traffic moving as best we can”.

Another traffic headache is scheduled to begin Thursday as the Cherry Street Bridge will be closed and traffic will be detoured around Poor Farm Road. IDOT says that Illinois 1 between 11th and 12th streets in Mount Carmel will close for the removal of the bridge over an abandoned railroad starting tomorrow. The existing bridge has concluded its life cycle. Rather than building a new bridge, it is more cost-efficient to replace the existing bridge with a road. Benefits include a long-term cost savings and less time for Illinois 1 to be closed. A detour will be posted utilizing North Market Street/College Drive and 1550th Boulevard. Work is expected to be complete by mid-August

Lane restrictions scheduled on Lynch Road for bridge repairs

VANDERBURGH COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane restrictions for Lynch Road near Evansville.

Beginning on or around Monday, July 11th, Lynch Road over Interstate 69 will be restricted to one lane for both east bound and west bound traffic. The alternating lane closure will allow crews to perform a polymeric overlay to the bridge. Bridge work is expected to last through the end of August, depending on the weather.

During restrictions a 45 mph speed limit will be in place with a 15’0” width restriction.

Mt. Carmel Woman Arrested On Battery Charge

On 6/28/2022, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Emma G. Koonce, age 19, of Mt. Carmel, for Battery. Police were called to a residence in the 100 block of N Market Street regarding Koonce striking another female repeatedly who was seated on her porch. Koonce was later located at her residence where she was charged and released from the Wabash County Jail after posting bond.

Traffic Stop Leads To Arrest Of Mt. Carmel Man

On 6/28/2022, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Devan R. Twitchell, age 29, of Mt. Carmel, for Driving While License Suspended and Possession of approximately 46 grams of Cannabis. Twitchell was stopped when the arresting officer observed him driving and knew him to have a suspended license in the 100 block of E 1st Street. Once stopped, Twitchell admitted to having a “large” amount of cannabis in his possession. After Twitchell was charged, he was released on a Notice to Appear in court.

Feb. 2022 Mug Shot Of Devan R. Twitchell

Mt. Carmel Man Arrested After Altercation With MCPD

On 7/04/2022, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Dennis M. Windle, age 48, of Mt. Carmel, for Criminal Damage to Government Supported Property, Aggravated Assault, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Officers were called by a resident in the 400 block of W 3rd Street at approximately 3:26am to check on a male subject yelling threats and acting aggressive. Officers arrived at the scene and at which time Windle ran towards the patrol vehicle while throwing a bag striking the front windshield. This busted the window due to heavy objects inside of the bag. Both officers exited their patrol vehicles when Windle begin aggressively walking towards them with an unknown object in his hand. Windle failed to stop when ordered and was tased where he was then taken into custody. Earlier this year Windle threw a knife at an officer while failing to obey police commands. After being given appropriate medical treatment, Windle was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he is being held pending a bond setting by a judge.

Princeton Man Arrested By MCPD On Various Drug Charges

On 6/30/2022, Mt. Carmel Police arrested William J. Devers, age 26, of Princeton, Indiana, for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Earlier on this date, Devers had been stopped by MCPD and cited for Driving While License Suspended. The vehicle was impounded by Glenn’s Towing by police order due to no valid driver and no valid registration. Later on this date, Devers arrived at the Glenn’s Towing yard and requested to remove a few items from the vehicle as well as a bag placed inside the air filter compartment under the hood of the vehicle. Glenn’s Towing contacted MCPD since this was an unusual request and Devers left the scene. Once an officer arrived, they found (2) baggies of suspected methamphetamine (later field tested positive) and (7) pills of Alprazolam, a Schedule IV narcotic. Officers later located Devers at a residence in the 100 block of W 6th Street. Devers was questioned and placed under arrest. Devers is being held at the Wabash County Jail pending a bond setting by a judge.

Mt. Vernon Boy Dies after Fireworks Incident

Posey County – Indiana State Police, Mt. Vernon Police and the Posey County Coroner are currently investigating a fireworks incident that claimed the life of an 11-year-old Mt. Vernon boy.

Last night at approximately 9:42 p.m., Posey County 911 Dispatch received a call regarding a child being seriously injured from a fireworks incident at 932 N. Canal Street in Mt. Vernon. The child died while being transported to an Evansville Hospital.

This is an on-going investigation. An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow.

This incident is being investigated by the Indiana State Police, Mt. Vernon Police Department, and the Posey County Coroner.

Deceased:

• Camrynn Ray McMichael, 11, Mt. Vernon, IN

Kentucky Man Dead In So. Illinois Motorcycle Crash

ISP TRAFFIC FATAL CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 22

WHAT:                      Single Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   US Route 45 at Mary’s Lane, Massac County

WHEN:                      July 3, 2022 at approximately 12:10 p.m.

VEHICLE:                Unit 1- 2021 Black Harley Davidson Motorcycle

DRIVER:                   Unit 1- Charles P. Turner, 66-year-old male from Mayfield, KY - Deceased

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred:  Unit 1 was traveling northbound on US Route 45 at Mary's Lane. For unknown reasons, Unit 1 drove off the right side of the roadway and through the grassy ditch before ramping the embankment to Mary's Lane and becoming airborne. Unit 1 driver was ejected from the motorcycle.  The driver of Unit 1 was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries and later succumbed to his injuries.

Mt. Carmel Man Arrested On Sexual Assault Charge

On 04.11.22 the Wabash County Sheriff's Office to a report of an incident alleging criminal sexual assault. Upon taking the complaint an investigation was conducted by the Sheriff's Office. On 06.29.22 an arrest warrant was issued for Michael W. Haase, 21 of Mt. Carmel. Haase was taken into custody by the Mt. Carmel Police on 06.30.22 in the area of 7th and Poplar streets in Mt. Carmel. Haase was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he was processed. Haase posted a $10,000 cash bond on 07.01.22 and was released. The class 1 felony carries a possible penalty of a minimum of 4 years in prison but not more than 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. 

Judge Responds To Overpass Criticism

Sunday’s derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in Mt. Carmel brought a flood of social media as to the need for Mt. Carmel to have a railroad overpass. At Monday’s city council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge said he saw many of the posts and responded by saying the city has pushed for many years for an overpass without success….

Judge urged residents to contact their elected officials at the state and federal levels to voice support for an overpass. The mayor said politicians tend to react more favorably to a project that generates a lot of support. Judge said an overpass in Mt. Carmel would cost $16 million.