More improvements are coming to the Mt. Carmel City Park. City Clerk Ryan Turner reported on the first change at the last city council meeting…
In addition, Mayor Joe Judge said the new kiddie land playground equipment will be installed soon. And, despite warmer weather…the rest rooms at the city park won’t open until April 1st. Judge said the rest rooms are unheated and must be winterized and opening them before cold weather is no longer a threat isn’t an option.
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police Troop 7
WHAT: Two Vehicle Fatal Crash
WHERE: Illinois 130 approximately ¼ mile south of 300 North, Coles County
WHEN: February 13, 2023 at approximately 5:30 a.m.
VEHICLES: Unit 1 – 2003 White Toyota Highlander
Unit 2 – 2019 White Hyundai Sonata
DRIVERS: Unit 1 – 50-year-old male from Fairfield, IL - Deceased, pending next of kin notification
Unit 2 – 47-year-old male from Mattoon, IL - Deceased, pending next of kin notification
PRELIMINARY: The preliminary investigation indicates the following: Unit 1 was traveling north on Illinois 130 approximately ¼ mile south of 300N in Coles County. Unit 2 was traveling south at the same location. For unknown reasons, the driver of Unit 1 crossed the center line and struck the front of Unit 2. The drivers of Unit 1 and Unit 2 were pronounced deceased on scene by the Coles County Coroner. The roadway was closed for approximately 4 hours during the crash investigation.
This crash is still under investigation and no further information is available.
Mt. Carmel, IL - Homecoming 2023 will be observed at Wabash Valley College on Saturday, February 18, with several activities in store for WVC students, alumni, and the public.
WVC is hosting Olney Central College, with the Lady Warriors playing at 1:00 p.m. and the Warriors at 3:00 p.m. in the Spencer Sports Center.
Coronation of the 2023 Homecoming King and Queen will take place during halftime of the Warriors game. The WVC study body has selected candidates from the various participating clubs, and an election is being held for the student body to select the King and Queen.
Following the games, the WVC Student Senate will host a homecoming dance, open to all WVC students, upstairs in the gym until 7 p.m. The free event will feature music, refreshments and door prizes.
Candidates for King and Queen are: Clay Dempsey and Jalyn Shoemaker representing WVC Archery, Nicklas Williams and Kamie Johnson representing WVC Baseball and Softball, Simon Wilson and Shaulana Wagner representing WVC Basketball, Joel Schrock and Holly Lofton representing the Marketing Business Management Club, Malerie Peach representing the WVC Cheerleaders, Maddison Oliver representing Collegiate Farm Bureau, Elliott Gill and Sara Melo representing the Health Professionals Club, Jackson Soucie and Mai Anh Nguyen representing the International Club, Cheyenne Edington representing the TOY Club, Dawson Cochran and Maggee Bleyer representing the Radio/TV Club, Cheaney Archer representing the Social Services Club, Micah Henson and Donna Freeland representing the Student Senate, Parker Linson and Brie Cline representing the Student Nurses Association, Rylan Robb and Mikayla Renck representing the Rotoract Club, and Meredith Gillard representing WVC Volleyball.
Homecoming activities are sponsored by the WVC Student Senate and Warrior Athletics.
Wabash County Young Leaders will be hosting a new fundraiser tonight to raise money for the Wabash County Ag in the Classroom program. Handbag Bingo is the brainchild of Regan Wright….
In addition to Michael Kors, the 10 designer handbags include brands such as Coach, Kate Spade, and others. Doors at the VFW open at 4:30 and bingo starts at 6:30 tonight.
On 2/07/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Andrew A. Childers, age 32, of Mt. Carmel, for Unlawful Sale or Delivery of a Firearm. Last year, MCPD received a complaint regarding a handgun being stolen from a residence. Recently, police obtained information that Childers was in possession of the stolen firearm and attempting to sell it. An undercover officer was able to purschase the firearm with Childers being taken into custody afterward. Childers was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge. MCPD was assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office and the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force.
On 2/03/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Jarrod W. Marriott, age 29, of Mt. Carmel, for Violation of an Order of Protection following an incident at 11th & Hillcrest Dr. Officers arrived to the area regarding an allegation that Marriott was within 500 feet of a protected person’s residence. Marriott was still within the protected area at this time and was taken into custody. Marriott was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.
On 2/09/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested David A. “Bub” Banks, age 58, of Mt. Carmel, for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Ammunition with a Revoked FOID Card, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia following a traffic stop in 11th & Poplar Street for a violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code. During the stop, officers located a glass smoking device containing suspected methamphetamine residue and an assortment of different types of ammunition. Additionally, officers also located a clear bag of suspected methamphetamine on Banks’ person that later field tested positive as such. Banks was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he has been charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.
Mt. Carmel Mayor Joe Judge is thanking Wabash County Commissioners for their recent $10,000 donation to the WC Cafeteria and Senior Center…
Judge said the state prevents the city from charging a set fee for the senior center meals and instead lists a suggested donation. He said those donations have really dropped off in the last six months. Combined with increasing food costs, the senior center has been struggling with its’ finances. Judge said it’s appreciated if those getting meals can pay the suggested donation if they’re able.
A Wabash County jury deliberated approximately two hours today before finding 61 year old John Dardeen on a Class 2 felony charge of meth delivery of more than 5 grams. During today’s second day of testimony, Dardeen took the stand in his own defense admitting to the jury that he did sell cannabis, but denied selling methamphetamine to a confidential source on two occasions last year. Following closing arguments, the jury received the case at about 11am and returned their guilty verdict just before 1:30pm. After the sentence was read, Judge William C. Hudson revoked Dardeen’s bond based largely on his testimony that he was selling cannabis out of his residence. Dardeen had been free on a $2,000 cash bond but is now lodged in the Wabash County Jail awaiting his sentencing on March 20th. The Class 2 felony carries a possible term of 3 to 7 years in the department of corrections.
John Dardeen is led to the Wabash County Jail Wednesday after being found guilty of meth delivery.
At Monday’s Wabash County Commissioners meeting, health department administrator Judy Wissel reiterated what we reported on earlier this week…that Wabash County is at a substantial transmission level for COVID. She reminded residents to stay home if you are sick. The health department is testing weekdays for COVID and is still offering the flu vaccine and COVID vaccines.