Today’s the first day of the 2022 Ag Days Festival in uptown Mt. Carmel. Things begin tonight with the Little Miss contest as 10 young ladies will vie for the coveted title. Lesley Hipsher of the chamber office is organizing tonight’s contest and she says it should be a lot of fun…
Ag Days entertainment this week includes the Perry Case Band tomorrow night, the Smoke Rings Friday, and the Duke Boys wrap things up on Saturday.
2021 File Photo: Lexi Kimmel is crowned as 2021 :Little Miss Ag Days
Opening arguments will begin Wednesday morning in the sexual assault trial of an Allendale man. After two days of jury selection, a 12 person jury plus two alternates was seated late this afternoon in the trial of 53-year-old Adam Vaira who 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. Vaira has been free on a $30,000 cash bond since he turned himself in to authorities on May 5th of last year.
On 7/31/2022, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Preston Cory Pierce, age 33, of Mt. Carmel, for Domestic Battery following a domestic dispute at a residence in the 1100 block of W 4th Street. Officers arrived at the scene to investigate the complaint when they discovered evidence indicating Pierce had battered another family member inside the home earlier in the day. Pierce was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.
On 7/27/2022, Mt. Carmel Police arrested David L. Allen, age 63, of Browns, for Driving Under the Influence of Drugs & Alcohol and Illegal Transportation of Alcohol following a traffic stop in the area of 9th & Mulberry Street. The officer suspected Allen of impairment so a roadside sobriety check was conducted which illustrated several clues to indicate impairment. Allen admitted to consuming alcohol and prescription pills. Allen was placed under arrest and processed for Driving Under the Influence. Allen was later released on a Notice to Appear in court.
On 8/1/2022, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Christopher A. Howell, age 42, of Mt. Carmel, for Violation of an Order of Protection following a verbal dispute at a residence in the 600 block of West 6th Street. While on scene, the officers learned that another resident inside the home had an active Order of Protection against Howell out of Indiana. Howell was placed under arrest, transported to the Wabash County Jail, and held pending a bond setting by a judge.
On 7/28/2022, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Matthew S. Doan, age 29, of Mt. Carmel, for Disorderly Conduct, due to repeated non-emergency 911 calls to the Wabash County 911 Dispatch Center. The last call being a request for a police officer to give him a ride to his mother’s due to the heat. Doan was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and later released on a Notice to Appear.
Employment at Wabash General Hospital has crossed the 500 mark. Human Resources director Bridget Shepard reports there are now 504 employees at WGH, with the recent surge with hirings coming in the athletic training department. WGH continues to be Wabash County’s largest employer.
COVID cases continue to increase in Wabash County. At yesterday’s Wabash County Commissioner meeting, health department administrator Judy Wissel reported there were 272 cases locally with one death….
The 272 July figure does not include positive results from home tests.
Wissel also reported that a back-to-school immunization clinic will be held at the health department on August 9th and the drive thru flu clinic will be October 5th at Public Utility’s fleet garage from 7am to 6pm.
Jury selection resumes today in 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. During the first day of jury selection yesterday, eight jurors were seated. Vaira has been free on a $30,000 cash bond since he turned himself in to authorities on May 5th of last year.
Wabash County Circuit Court has been awarded a technology grant totaling $64,053.88 from the Technology Modernization Funding Program offered by the Illinois Supreme Court and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. Wabash County Resident Judge William Hudson and Circuit Clerk Angela Crum sought the funding made available to county courts throughout Illinois by obtaining bids for equipment upgrades and drafting the grant proposal.
Video and audio upgrades, including new computers, monitors, and speakers for the courtroom are just some of the many enhancements to the court made possible by the grant. The award will also fund new equipment that will enhance the court’s ability to conduct proceedings remotely via Zoom video conferencing. The Circuit Clerk’s Office will benefit from server upgrades and backup software.
Resident Judge William Hudson stated, “I am grateful that Wabash County is a recipient of this grant. The new technology will enable all participants to have a more efficient and user-friendly experience.” Second Circuit Chief Judge, Melissa Morgan added, “The Second Circuit greatly appreciates the Administrative Office and the Supreme Court for this opportunity to upgrade our court systems. Judge Hudson and Circuit Clerk Crum have secured these funds that will provide for these upgrades without passing on the costs to the people of Wabash County, and it has been my pleasure to assist them in this process.”
Wabash County Resident Judge William Hudson and Circuit Clerk Angela Crum