R.P. Lumber Acquires Kieffer Lumber in Mount Carmel

September 23, 2022, Edwardsville, IL – R.P. Lumber Co., Inc. has acquired Kieffer Lumber in Mount Carmel, IL, making this the family-owned hardware and building materials retailer’s 59th Illinois location and its 85th location overall.

“For 50 years, Kieffer Lumber has served the citizens of Wabash County and the greater Illinois/Indiana bi-state area, and we are thrilled to have their team join the R.P. Lumber family,” said Robert Plummer, President & CEO of R.P. Lumber. “Recently, we have added locations in other states, but our roots are in Illinois, and we are excited to grow our footprint in the Land of Lincoln,” Plummer continued.

“My family has been in the hardware, lumber, and construction businesses for many years,“ said Duane Kieffer, who presently manages Kieffer Lumber, which was opened by his parents, Marge and Al Kieffer, in 1972. “We’ve been blessed with a good business and good customers, and now we’ve decided to hand the reigns to a peer of the highest caliber as our family made decisions regarding the next steps for our business,” Kieffer added.

In addition to offering high-quality lumber, shingles, siding, drywall and other building materials at competitive prices, R.P. Lumber will also feature a robust selection of hardware merchandise ranging from power tools and paint to plumbing and electrical supplies. Their experienced design team will specialize in designing everything from decks and patios to cabinets and countertops for kitchens and bathrooms. And from measurement to installation, they can help with doors and windows of every type. DIY homeowners will appreciate the expert advice and friendly service, and professional contractors – large and small – can rely on a full-service experience including online ordering and job site delivery.

“Some of my family will continue on with the business.  As we explored this process with professional advisers it was very important that we selected a buyer my parents and I would be comfortable with, and the team at R.P. Lumber checked the boxes that were important to us,” said Kieffer.  “Our community is important to us; our customers are important to us; our vendors are important to us; and our family is, of course, important to us.  We’ve worked adjacent to R.P. Lumber in this area for many years. We know them, and we could not be more excited about this transition. It’s a true win-win,” he added.

“This new location not only allows us to bridge the gap between several of our existing locations, but it helps us better serve some of our great Southeastern Illinois and Western Indiana customers.  Mt. Carmel is a community that we have admired for a long time, and Kieffer Lumber is an anchor in the community.  The Kieffer family has built a wonderful business. We were honored to work with them on this transaction, and we are excited to begin serving the market,” Plummer added.   

The transaction will close on Friday, September 23rd, 2022 and the store will begin operating as R.P. Lumber on Saturday, September 24th, 2022. The Kieffer Lumber team will remain on board - serving customers as they always have - while the company will look to hire additional staff and provide additional products and services to the region. 

 About R.P. Lumber

R.P. Lumber Co., Inc. is a family-owned, full-service retail home center and building materials supplier.  R.P. Lumber delivers its industry-leading “Best Service. Best Value.” promise by offering full-service delivery, complete hardware stores, lumber, drywall, roofing, kitchen cabinet design, and much more for professional contractors and homeowners alike.  R.P. Lumber has grown to a physical presence in 85 locations throughout Illinois, Missouri, Wyoming, Iowa, and Wisconsin.  The company also operates two truss manufacturing facilities, a robust ecommerce platform offering nearly 100,000 items for sale with the click of a button, and a wholly-owned subsidiary, R.P. Home & Harvest (www.homeandharvest.com), which operates 22 farm and home lifestyle stores across Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio.  R.P. Lumber was founded by Robert and Donna Plummer in 1977 in Staunton, IL and is now based in Edwardsville, IL.

Vaira Sentenced To Natural Life Plus 14 Years In Sex Crimes Case

Natural life plus 14 years. That’s the sentence handed down this afternoon in the sexual assault case of 53 year old Adam Vaira of Mt. Carmel. Vaira was convicted by a Wabash County Jury on August 5th of six sex crimes against family members. The charges included two Class X felonies of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and four Class 2 felony charges of aggravated criminal sexual abuse from incidents that occurred between May 1st 2000 and December 10th, 2002.

The charges were filed last year by State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman after Veira’s ex-wife contacted Mt. Carmel Police who turned the investigation over the Illinois State Police. Judge Michael Valentine sentenced Vaira to natural life on the Class X felonies, 7 years on three Class 2 felonies, and another 7 years on the sixth charge. The two 7 year sentences are to be served consecutively after the natural life term.

Before the sentencing hearing, Valentine denied defense attorney Melissa Doran’s motion for a new trial.

During this summer’s trial, family members testified as to the particulars of the sex crimes Vaira committed when the victims were under the age of 13.

Adam Vaira is led back to the Wabash County Jail following his August 5th, 2022 conviction.

Mt. Carmel Man Jailed On Child Porn Charge

On 9/22/2022, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Zachary B. Reed, age 35, of Mt. Carmel for Possession of Child Pornography.   The arrest stemmed from an ongoing investigation by MCPD regarding Reed having pornographic images of a child under the age of 13 on electronic devices belonging to him.  On this date, search warrants for two devices were prepared by States Attorney Kelli Storckman, and after review, authorized by Wabash Circuit Judge William Hudson.  Afterward, the investigating officer located multiple pornographic images of a child under the age of 13 on these devices.  Officers then located Reed and placed him under arrest.  Reed was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he is being held on a Class X Child Pornography charge.   

Mt. Carmel Woman Gets 7 Years On Meth Delivery Charge

Kelli Storckman, Wabash County State's Attorney, reports that Alexandria Swatsley-Vernon, a 27-year-old Mt. Carmel, IL woman, was sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections by the Honorable Circuit Judge William C. Hudson in Wabash County Circuit Court.

The defendant was charged with Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine, a Class 2 Felony, on August 10, 2021. On September 20, 2022, Swatsley-Vernon was sentenced to 7 years in the Department of Corrections, to be followed by 1 year of mandatory supervised release (parole). This arrest and conviction are the results of the Mt. Carmel Police Department's continued investigation into the illegal sale of methamphetamine within the City of Mt. Carmel.

Mt. Carmel Man Jailed On Domestic Battery Charges

On 9/13/2022, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Christopher J. Perry, age 36, of Mt. Carmel, on two counts of Domestic Battery following a dispute at a residence in the 900 block of Landes Street. Officers arrived at the scene and spoke to the involved parties and in doing so, found evidence to indicate Perry battered his girlfriend and her daughter during the dispute. Perry was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged with two felony counts of Domestic Battery. Perry was held pending a bond setting by a judge.

WSJD File Photo: August 2021

Mt. Carmel Man Pleads Guilty To Felony Charge In Alleged Poaching Investigation

47 year old Richard Stringfellow of Mt. Carmel has been placed on 24 months’ probation for his role in what the Illinois Department of Natural Resources called a poaching investigation.

Stringfellow was charged in June of 2021 with 14 counts including two Class 3 felonies. Appearing in Wabash County Circuit Court on Tuesday, Stringfellow pleaded guilty to the felony of unlawful possession of whitetail deer for commercial purposes. The information charged Stringfellow with having more than $300 worth of whitetail deer which had been taken in violation of the Wildlife Code.

Judge William C. Hudson accepted the plea agreement that saw the other 13 counts against Stringfellow dismissed.

In addition to the two years of probation, Stringfellow was ordered to pay over $31,000 in fines and fees and his hunting privileges in Illinois were suspended for life. During his probation, Stringfellow will not be allowed to possess firearms or other dangerous weapons.

State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman said, “…(Stringfellow’s) case did not include any animal torture like the juveniles and he had no criminal history, but we felt it important to suspend his hunting privileges for life due to his gross misuse of those privileges”.    

A number of personal items were also surrendered by Stringfellow including mounted deer heads, guns, a compound bow, spotlight, knife, and rifle cartridges. Even though it was originally listed to be surrendered, Stringfellow was allowed to keep his pickup truck that had been confiscated by DNR.

The investigation into alleged poaching near Mt. Carmel and across the Wabash River in Indiana began in January of 2021 and culminated with charges being filed 6 months later.  Three juveniles were also charged in the case. One of the three cases has concluded according to Storckman.  Indiana authorities have also filed charges as part of the investigation. Those cases are still open and pending. 

Three IECC Trustees Expected To Seek Re-Election

At their regular meeting held Tuesday, September 20, 2022, on the campus of Lincoln Trail College, Trustees approved the schedule of dates for the Trustee Election to be held April 4, 2023.  The terms of Gary Carter, Brenda Culver, and Roger Browning expire in 2023. All three trustees holding office are expected to seek reelection. Sheryl Childers was appointed Election Official, and Nickie Daniel Assistant Election Official.

             The Board appointed Alex Cline as Ethics Officer, following the retirement of Board Secretary Renee Smith.

 As a part of IECC’s commitment to provide a safe and crime free college environment, and in accordance with the Campus Security Enhancement Act of 2008, the Board approved the Violence Prevention Plan and Emergency Response Plans for each college. These plans outline violence prevention strategies and outlines the protocol for response should a violent act occur.  Trustees also approved revisions to the Threat Assessment and Violence Prevention policy.

  The Security Report was approved and is an annual report that meets requirements under The Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.  The report contains crime information for the past three years, relevant policy statements, and training and educational programming related to campus safety and security, crime prevention, alcohol and drug use, and sexual misconduct.

 Trustees agreed to provide the City of Robinson with a letter of support as they seek to extend the termination dates of the West Robinson Industrial Tax Increment District and the Downtown Robinson TIF District.

             A new policy detailing IECC graduation requirements was adopted, and the removal of temporary Covid-19 revisions were approved for Vacation and Leave & Benefit policies.

             Trustees approved a bid from Homes by Schuetz for installation of a new student sidewalk at Olney Central College at a cost of $42,350 inclusive of 2 alternates. A bid from Bobcat of Effingham for a mini excavator at Frontier Community College at a cost of $52,350 was approved. A bid from Steve Faulkner’s Chevrolet, Buick & GMC for pick-up trucks at Olney Central and Wabash Valley colleges at a cost of $80, 940 was approved.

             An Affiliation Agreement was approved with The Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis, LLC.

                The Board approved the employment of  Elaine Hasty, Spanish Instructor, IECC, effective September 26, 2022, Morris Nead, Project Director, Title III, FCC, effective September 26, 2022, Brittany Biddle, Retention Coordinator, WVC, effective September 26, 2022, Dennis Stroughmatt, Music & Theatre Specialist, WVC, effective September 26, 2022, Shanna Bradford, Data Analyst, DO, effective September 26, 2022, Brian Stevens, Groundskeeper, OCC, effective September 26, 2022, Hunter Meritt, TRIO Upward Bound Counselor, DO/LTC, effective September 26, 2022, Megan Hildebrand, TRIO Upward Bound Counselor, DO/OCC, effective September 26, 2022.  The Board gave administration approval to hire a Head Baseball Coach, FCC prior to the October 18, 2022 Board of Trustee meeting.             

            Resignations were accepted from Logan Marshall, Industrial Maintenance Instructor, OCC, effective December 31, 2022, Whitney McCullough, TRIO Upward Bound Counselor, DO, effective August 22, 2022.

               Next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, October 18, 2022 at 6:15 p.m. at Olney Central College, Olney, Illinois.  

ISP SQUAD CAR STRUCK AND A SEPARATE SCOTT’S LAW VIOLATION OCCURRED A FEW HOURS APART

SPRINGFIELD –  Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated two separate Scott’s Law Violations that occurred within a few hours apart. One violation involved a traffic crash with an ISP squad car in Chicago, and in the second violation, almost struck an ISP trooper in Collinsville. 

On Wednesday, September 20, 2022, at approximately 11:47 p.m., an ISP District Chicago Trooper was conducting traffic control for a crash on Interstate 90 southbound at Addison Street in Cook County.  The squad car was stationary with the emergency lights activated in the far-right lane.  A 2008 Black Mazda driven by Jessica Allen, a 32-year-old female of Chicago, IL, failed to yield to the stationary emergency vehicle and struck the rear of the ISP squad car.  Neither Allan nor the Trooper were injured in the crash.  Allan was cited for a violation of Scott’s Law – Improper Passing of an Emergency Vehicle, No Insurance, and Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident.

On Thursday, September 21, 2022, at approximately 1:02 a.m., an ISP District 11 Trooper was investigating a traffic crash on Interstate 270 westbound at milepost 0.5, Madison County. The squad car was stationary with emergency lights activated.  A Truck Tractor Semi-Trailer (TTST) failed to yield to the stationary emergency vehicle and almost struck the Trooper. The Trooper was able to jump out of the way of the TTST and sustained minor abrasions. The TTST continued traveling westbound on Interstate 270.  Another Trooper, in the area, was able to stop the driver of the TTST and issue the driver a citation for a violation of Scott’s Law – Improper Passing of an Emergency Vehicle.

There have been 19 ISP squad cars struck in relation to the Move Over Law and seven Troopers have sustained injuries from Move Over Law-related crashes. ISP is reminding the public of the requirements of the Move Over Law, otherwise known as the “Scott’s Law.” When approaching an emergency vehicle, or any vehicle with their emergency or hazard lights activated, drivers are required to slow down AND move over.  A person who violates Scott’s Law, commits a business offense and faces a fine of no less than $250 or more than $10,000 for a first offense. If the violation results in injury to another person, the violator’s driver’s license will be suspended for a mandatory period of anywhere between six months and two years.  Additional information can be found at the following link:

https://isp.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=21430274bef64fc5a19d8dcc191ff3f8

City Officials Remind Of Curfew For UTV & Golf Cart Drivers

Mt. Carmel officials have issued another reminder regarding rules governing UTV’s and golf carts on city streets. The latest reminder involves the hours UTV’s and golf carts are not permitted. In response to a question from Mayor Joe Judge, Police Chief Mike McWilliams said the UTV’s and golf carts are not to be on any city street between midnight and 6am. McWillliams said if you’re spotted out during those prohibited hours, you can expect to be pulled over by police. McWilliams also said officers continue to see UTV’s and golf carts on 3rd and 9th Streets which are state routes and those vehicles are not permitted to operate.  

The hours of operation are spelled out in the registration form all UTV and golf cart owners sign before receiving their city permit.

IDOT Pushes 9th Street Resurfacing Back At Least One Year

Motorists who have grown weary with the deteriorating surface of 9th Street in Mt. Carmel will have to wait even longer to see the roadway resurfaced. Ninth Street from Cherry Street west is maintained by the state department of transportation since it is a state highway. Mayor Joe Judge says the project had been included in the state’s 2022 transportation budget, which means the work would’ve been done sometime between now and next July. But, Judge says that has now changed…

Which means the work is now slated to be done anytime between July 1st of next year and June 30th of 2024. And, Judge says the state could still delay the project even further…

Judge said while drivers here are frustrated with the condition of the state highways, the problem of bad roads isn’t one limited to Mt. Carmel and is affecting all parts of Illinois.