On 1/01/2023, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Craig W. Wiseman, age 48, of Robinson, Illinois for Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Driving While License Suspended, Operating Uninsured Vehicle, and Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident following a vehicle crash at College Dr & Park Rd. The driver of one of the vehicles involved, later identified as Wiseman, fled on foot following the crash. While MCPD officers investigated the collision, Deputy Cheadle and his K-9 from the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office arrived and conducted a track. Deputy Cheadle and K-9 Kiki located Wiseman nearby where he was taken into custody and issued the above citations. Wiseman was later released on a Notice to Appear.
Mt. Carmel Man Arrested Following Domestic Dispute
On 12/28/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Christopher A. Howell, age 43, of Mt. Carmel, on a Wabash County Warrant for Violation of an Order of Protection, a new charge of Violation of an Order of Protection, and Domestic Battery following an incident at a residence in the 600 block of W 10th Street. Police were called to the home regarding Howell violating a valid Order of Protection as well as an allegation that Howell had battered two different family members over the last day during a dispute. Officers later located Howell in the area of 10th & Cedar where he was taken into custody. Howell was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued the above charges and warrant. Howell is being held pending a bond setting by a judge.
Failure To Return U-Haul Leads To Drug Warrant Arrest
On 12/28/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Steven M. Martin, age 40, currently of Mt. Carmel, on a Clark County Indiana Warrant for Dealing/Possessing Methamphetamine. Police made contact with Martin at a home in the 400 block of E 8th Street regarding Martin’s failure to return a U-Haul truck after 17 days. While speaking to Martin, police learned of the above warrant, which returned extraditable. Martin was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued the warrant and is being held pending extradition back to Clark County.
SHIP Applications To Be Reviewed Soon
If you applied for one of the city’s small home improvement program or SHIP grants, Mayor Joe Judge has announced that your application will be reviewed soon….
The city is providing a total of 20 $1,000 SHIP grants available.
Shop With Cop/Fireman Another Big Success
Mt. Carmel’s shop with a cop and fireman serves more kids than most other similar programs. Police Chief Mike McWilliams told the city council this week that Walmart employees in Princeton were impressed with the turnout for Mt. Carmel’s Shop with a Cop and Fireman day earlier this month…
More than 40 Wabash County families were aided by the Shop with a Cop and Firefighter event. McWilliams also thanked Jacob’s Well for hosting the families before the shopping event in Princeton.
Keensburg Man Arrested Following Domestic Disturbance
On 12/27/22 at 1631 hrs. the Wabash County Sheriff's Office responded to 6378 2nd St. in Keensburg reference a domestic battery that had taken place. When the deputy arrived on scene, he learned that 23-year-old Michael G. Whipkey II, was trying to leave the residence when another family member tried to stop him. Whipkey II, pushed the family member and proceeded outside the residence.
A search for Whipkey II was conducted, he was not found at that particular time.
Later in the evening around 1900 hrs. the residence called back and advised Michael Whipkey II, had returned home. Whipkey II, was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Whipkey remains in the Wabash County Jail as of report time.
Falling Asleep At The Wheel Leads To Major Mt. Carmel Drug Bust
On 12/24/22, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Joseph D. Scales, age 46, of Washington, Indiana for Possession of Methamphetamine following an incident in the roadway of 13th & Cherry Street. Police were called to the area due to a silver Chevy being stopped in the roadway, the vehicle still running and in gear, with the driver appearing to be asleep with his foot on the brake. Once on scene, officers contacted the above defendant/driver and had him place the vehicle in park. As Scales attempted to gather his registration and insurance, he began moving items around to conceal something. Officers had Scales exit the vehicle and found the cover to a set of digital scales and a large amount of a crystallized substance inside a cup. The officers also found spoons and elastic bands that are commonly used to ingest narcotics intravenously. Furthermore, officers recovered multiple bottles of suspected urine which is commonly utilized to defraud drug screenings. Scales was placed under arrest at this time and transported to the Wabash County Jail. The crystallized substance field tested positive for methamphetamine and had an approximate weight of just over 200 grams.
On 12/27/22, a search warrant was prepared by State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman and granted by Judge Michael Valentine for the further examination of Scales’ vehicle that had been secured in impound. Officers from the Mt. Carmel Police Department and the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force were able to recover approximately 70 grams of suspected crack cocaine that was concealed in a hidden compartment within the vehicle. Hypodermic syringes, a set of digital scales, and a liquefied substance in a vial were also recovered.
Scales is being held at the Wabash County Jail on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of a Controlled Substance-Cocaine. Scales has a $75,000 cash bond and more charges are anticipated. MCPD was assisted by the Illinois State Police on the initial incident as well.
Police chief Mike McWilliams talked about the the bust at Tuesday’s city council meeting….
Mount Carmel native moves cargo with a forklift aboard USS Nimitz
PACIFIC OCEAN (Dec. 22, 2022) U.S. Navy Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Quinton Krug, from Mount Carmel, Ill., uses a forklift to move cargo in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is in 7th fleet conducting routine operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Caylen McCutcheon)
Judge Issues Stern Warning To Gaming Establishments
Mt. Carmel Mayor Joe Judge has put the city’s gaming establishments on notice….clean up your act or the city will step in and do it for you. At yesterday’s city council meeting, Judge issued a stern warning in response to what he said were a lot of complaints related to the gambling outlets…
Judge did not elaborate what the complaints had been other than saying the city was taking the issues seriously.
Trash Not Picked Up This Week? Call City Hall
Trash pickup in Mt. Carmel has been a mess this week. Various factors have led to several residences not having their trash picked up on time or not at all. Even though Monday was a federal holiday, Republic Services was running where they could. The recent snow and cold weather have prevented trash trucks from getting to some parts of the city. Garbage commissioner Susan Zimmerman reported at yesterday’s city council meeting that the trash trucks probably will not be going down alleys until they’re clear of snow and ice. She said anyone whose trash hasn’t been picked up this week should call city hall.