Mt. Carmel Man Arrested For DUI By Sheriff's Deputy

On 01.28.23 at 3:45 a.m. the Wabash County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call reference a vehicle parked in the roadway. When the deputy arrived on scene, he found 23-year-old Samuel Ewald, passed out behind the wheel. The deputy eventually was able to turn the vehicle off and wake Mr. Ewald. A road side investigation resulted in Mr. Ewald being taken into custody and charged with driving under the influence. Ewald was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was processed and released to another person. 

Deputy Obliges Mt. Carmel Man Who Volunteers To Go To Jail

On 01.27.23 at 10:55 a.m. a Wabash County Deputy was on patrol and came across a Chevy passenger car in the ditch along N 900 Blvd.  The deputy made contact with the driver, 31-year-old James A. Mahan, Mt. Carmel whom advised he had run off the road. Mahan volunteered he was going to jail because he didn't have a license and he had a warrant. The deputy detained Mahan and confirmed he didn't have a driver's license and in fact had a Wabash County FTA warrant. Mahan's car was towed and Mahan was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he later posted $200 cash bond. 

Domestic Dispute Investigation Results In Weapons & Drug Charges For Mt. Carmel Man

On Monday,, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Courtney D. Hicks, age 49, of Mt. Carmel, for Unlawful Possession of Weapon by Felon (7 Counts), Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia following a domestic dispute investigation.  

Police were called to the area of T.P. Trailer Park in the 1100 block of W 3rd Street from an involved female. Upon arrival, officers were unable to locate either party involved at their residence or in the immediate area.  Officers eventually contacted one of the individuals, Hicks, who finally answered the door.  During the investigation officers located (3) handguns including one loaded, (2) shotguns, and a smoking device containing suspected methamphetamine residue inside, with all items laying in plain view.  

A further search resulted in officers recovering brass knuckles, a controlled substance identified as Pregabalin, scales, and other drug paraphernalia.  Hicks is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms.  Hicks claimed the other party involved, his girlfriend, left the area on foot before the police arrived.  

Hicks was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged accordingly and held pending a bond setting by a judge.  

The domestic investigation is still ongoing pending contact with the involved female.  The female was last seen walking on Walnut Street, after the incident, by an uninvolved party; however, police have been unable to locate her.   

MCPD was assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office.   

Wabash County Ends 2022 On Upbeat Economic Note

Wabash County ended 2022 with the lowest unemployment in southern Illinois. According to year-end data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security,

Wabash County’s jobless rate in December stood at just 2.9% which was not only the lowest in southern Illinois but also good enough for 7th lowest in the entire state. Brown County, in the west-central part of the state, had the lowest unemployment rate at just 1.8%.

In November, Wabash County’s rate was 3.3% which was also the rate in December of 2021. The I-D-E-S reports in the Mt. Carmel-Olney area, December employment gains were posted in government, natural resources and mining, leisure and hospitality, trade, transportation and utilities, and information. Payrolls decreased in manufacturing and education and health services. The highest December jobless rate in southern Illinois was again in Pulaski County at 6.6%. 

WGH Receives Another Prestigious Award

Wabash General Hospital is again being recognized for its’ excellence among other hospitals around the country. WGH has finished in the top fifth percentile of judging by Press Ganey for employee engagement and physician engagement. Alliant Management’s Chief Nursing Officer Paula Moore made the announcement at last Monday’s hospital board meeting saying it was a very impressive for WGH. Hospital President/CEO Karissa Turner said the awards surprised her as judging took place just as the COVID pandemic that stretched health care workers to the maximum was ending… 

Wabash General has been routinely recognized over the last several years for its’ excellence in various areas. 

Bleyer Updates School Board On MCGS Water Leak

At last week’s District #348 school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer addressed the Christmas Night water leak at the elementary school that caused extensive damage. According to Bleyer, recently installed water alarms detected the pending disaster. That triggered the Mt. Carmel Fire Department and First Responders rushing to the scene where they were joined by district officials and employees… 

While the situation was serious, Bleyer said the alarms prevented a holiday disaster… 

 The grade school library is still unusable because of the leak and the damage to the carpet. 

Yelling Profanities Results In Mt. Carmel Man's Arrest

On 1/25/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Kyle J. Windle, age 21, of Mt. Carmel, for Violation of a Stalking-No Contact Order.  The arrest was a result of a reported violation by the protected party in that Windle made unlawful contact by yelling profanities at them while at their apartment building in the 200 block of W 8th Street.  Following an investigation into the complaint, officers found probable cause and placed Windle under arrest.  Windle was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.