Future Plans For City Pool Remain Murky

Talks continue about what the future of the Mt. Carmel City Pool will look like. City officials have been poring over a 60-plus page study from Burbach Aquatics of Platteville, Wisconsin that the city council commissioned last November at a cost of $2,750.

At last week’s City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge said the study offered no big surprises and reinforced what they already knew…needed upgrades will be expensive. Judge said one of Burbach’s proposals was for an aquatic center that featured a splash park and indoor pool in addition to a zero-entry Olympic sized outdoor facility. That price tag came in at $11 million, something city officials did not consider. This comes after the city’s bid for a state grant to cover the costs of the improvements was rejected. The city council gave Judge and city clerk Ryan Turner permission to continue talks with Burbach… 

Judge has said the costly repairs now needed at the pool are due to inaction by city leaders over the years and kicking the can down the street. 

Traffic Stop Results In Three Arrested

On 07.27.22 at 1340hrs. the Wabash County Sheriff's Office made a traffic stop on Highway 15 just west of N 1300 Blvd. The 2002 Ford Explorer was stopped for speeding. The deputy asked the driver for his information as well as his passengers which all free and willing provided. 

The front passenger, 44-year-old Isac L. Fancher, of Edgewood, Illinois had an active FTA warrant out of Effingham County. Fancher was ordered out of the vehicle and refused. Fancher was eventually removed from the vehicle and placed into custody. Fancher was also found to have less than 5 grams of methamphetamine on his person when being removed from the vehicle. Once the roadside investigation was complete the driver, 58-year-old, William M. Wilson of Edgewood, IL, was also taken into custody. 

Fancher and Wilson were both charged with possession of meth less than 5 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of cannabis in an unsecured container, and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Another passenger, 51-year-old Chad W. Wiley, 51 of Clay City, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and issued a notice to appear on scene. 

 

44-year-old Isac L. Fancher, of Edgewood, Illinois

58-year-old, William M. Wilson of Edgewood, IL,

Mt. Carmel Man Arrested For DUI Following Tuesday Crash

On 07.26.22 at 2320 hrs. the Wabash County Sheriff's responded to a report of a one vehicle crash on Friendsville Ave. Unit # 1 driven by Chase M. Linson, 20, of Mt. Carmel. It was found that Linson was north bound on Friendsville Ave. when for unknown reason(s) the vehicle crossed the south bound lane of traffic and left the road, coming to rest on the west side in the ditch of E 2100 Ln. 

Evidence at the scene led the deputy to place Linson into custody where he was taken to the Wabash County Jail and charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and illegal transportation. Linson was later released with a notice to appear in court. 

RMC Duck Race Tonight

It may not a billion dollars, but a total of $2,000 cash will be up for grabs tonight at the 23rd annual Wabash County Retail Merchants Committee’s Duck Race. Darren Gottman of the RMC says there are a variety of ways to get a piece of the cash tonight… 

Before the Duck Race at 7pm, the Merchants are inviting the public out for a free swim starting at 5. Free hot dogs will be handed out too. Proceeds from tonight’s Duck Race will go towards Merchants Park. 

Vaira Sexual Assault Trial Set To Start Monday

Jury selection is set to start Monday morning for the sexual assault trial of an Allendale man. 52-year-old Adam Vaira is charged with 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. 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. Two previous trial dates in May and June were continued until this Monday’s date. Four days have been blocked off for the trial. Vaira has been free on a $30,000 cash bond since he turned himself in to authorities on May 5th of last year.

City Council To Consider Sewer Rate Increase

Mt. Carmel sewer commissioner Justin Dulgar is laying the groundwork for a rate increase on city sewer customers. At this  week’s city council meeting, Dulgar said over the last seven years, the city has completed an aeration project, an outfall project, and a digestor project costing a total of $3.6 million. $3.5 million of that amount was covered by an EPA loan the city will have to pay back.

Dulgar said he’s reluctant to raise rates, but the time has come…

Dulgar said this would be the first increase in sewer rates in 7 years. He said if the city council approves, the base sewer rate on the first tier would go up $4.25 a month and 50 cents for the first 1,000 on the second tier. Dulgar said he will have a presentation at the August 8th for the council to consider adopting.  If approved by the council, the rate increase, expected to generate a quarter million dollars a year, would go into effect in September or October.

August 14th Last Day For City Pool In 2022

Time is running out in the 2022 swimming season at the Mt. Carmel City Pool. Mayor Joe Judge announced at this week’s city council meeting that August 14th will be the last day for the year. He said while he would like to keep the pool open longer, the availability of lifeguards makes that unfeasible. The Wabash County Animal Shelter Buddies annual dog swim will be the last event at the pool this year and that is set for Monday, August 15th.