Knox County Coroner Arrested for Official Misconduct

Knox County – Wednesday night, March 22, Indiana State Police arrested Knox County Coroner Karen Donovan, 40, of Vincennes, for Official Misconduct, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance.

Indiana State Police Detectives initiated an investigation in April of 2022 after receiving information of misconduct. Last night a search warrant was executed at Donavon’s residence in Vincennes and detectives located methamphetamine and fentanyl.  Donovan was arrested and taken to the Knox County Jail where she later posted bond and was released.

Arrested and Charges:

  • Karen Donovan, 40, Vincennes, IN

  1. Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony

  2. Possession of Schedule II Controlled Substance (Fentanyl), Level 6 Felony

  3. Official Misconduct, Level 6 Felony

Assisting Agencies: Knox County Sheriff’s Office and Vincennes Police

                                                                     

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law

Mt. Carmel Man Sentenced To 6 Years In DOC

Kelli Storckman, Wabash County State’s Attorney, reports that Willie F. Burks III, a 42-year old Mt. Carmel, Illinois man, was sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections by the Honorable Circuit Judge William C. Hudson in Wabash County Circuit Court. State’s Attorney Storckman advises that the Defendant was charged October 6, 2022 with two counts of Aggravated Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, both Class 4 Felonies. On March 20, 2023, Mr. Burks was sentenced to 6 years in the Department of Corrections, to be followed by one year discretionary Parole.

FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF OFFENSE:

COUNT 1: AGGRAVATED FLEEING OR ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE A POLICE OFFICER

That on the 18th day of September, 2022, in Wabash County, Illinois, the Defendant, WILLIE F. BURKS, committed the offense of AGGRAVATED FLEEING OR ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE A POLICE OFFICER, in that said Defendant attempted to elude police officers, after being given an audible signal by police officers in the manner prescribed in subsection (a) of Section 11-204 of this Code and such attempt to elude was at a rate of speed at least 21 miles per hour over the legal speed limit, in violation of 625 ILCS 5/11-204.1(a)(1). A CLASS 4 FELONY

COUNT 2: AGGRAVATED FLEEING OR ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE A POLICE OFFICER

That on the 4th day of October, 2022, in Wabash County, Illinois, the Defendant, WILLIE F. BURKS, committed the offense of AGGRAVATED FLEEING OR ATTEMPTING TO ELUDE A POLICE OFFICER, in that said Defendant attempted to elude police officers, after being given an audible signal by police officers in the manner prescribed in subsection (a) of Section 11-204 of this Code and such attempt to elude was at a rate of speed at least 21 miles per hour over the legal speed limit, in violation of 625 ILCS 5/11-204.1(a)(1). A CLASS 4 FELONY

Mt. Carmel Man Sentenced To Prison On Drug Charge

Kelli Storckman, Wabash County State’s Attorney, reports that Roger K. Burns, a 67- year old Mt. Carmel, Illinois man, was sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections by the Honorable Circuit Judge William C. Hudson in Wabash County Circuit Court. State’s Attorney Storckman advises that the Defendant was charged March 17, 2022 with Possession of Controlled Substance, a Class 4 Felony. On March 20, 2023, Mr. Burns was sentenced to 2 years in the Department of Corrections, to be followed by one year parole.

FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF OFFENSE: That on the 16th day of March, 2022, in Wabash County, Illinois the Defendant, ROGER K. BURNS, committed the offense of POSSESSION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, in that said Defendant knowingly and unlawfully had in his possession twenty (20) Alprazolam, a Scheduled IV controlled substance, other than as authorized in the Controlled Substances Act, in violation of 720 ILCS 570/402(c). A CLASS 4 FELONY

Accidentally Flashing Headlights At Officer Results In Arrest Of Mt. Carmel Woman

On 3/18/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Monyck S. O’Bryant, age 25, of Mt. Carmel, for Possession of Methamphetamine, Driving While License Suspended, and a Richland County Illinois Warrant for Failure to Appear. The arresting officer stopped O’Bryant after she began flashing her headlights at the officer in what the officer took as a request for assistance. Upon making contact, the officer recognized O’Bryant and knew her to have a suspended license. O’Bryant admitted she flashed the lights while attempting to turn them on in an unfamiliar vehicle. Furthermore, O’Bryant returned with the above warrant resulting in her arrest. In doing so, the officer located a plastic baggie containing suspected methamphetamine, which a field test result later confirmed. O’Bryant was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was charged accordingly and held pending a bond setting by a judge.

West Liberty Woman Killed In Tuesday Crash

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE INVESTIGATE

FATAL TRAFFIC CRASH 

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police Troop 9

  

WHAT:                      Two Vehicle Fatal Crash

  

WHERE:                   Illinois 130 near 1400 North, Richland County

 

WHEN:                      March 21, 2023 at approximately 3:00 p.m.

  

VEHICLES:              Unit 1- 2016 Gray Dodge Truck

                                    Unit 2- 2015 Black Chrysler Van

 

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1- Timothy Johnson, 55-year-old male from Dundas, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.

                                     Unit 2- Meledy Blumberg, 55-year-old female from West Liberty, IL - Deceased

 PRELIMINARY:      The preliminary investigation indicates the following:  Unit 1 was traveling north on Illinois 130 near 1400 North in Richland County. Unit 2 was traveling south at the same location. For unknown reasons, Unit 1 driver crossed the center line and struck Unit 2. Unit 1 driver was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. Unit 2 driver was pronounced deceased on scene by the Richland County Coroner.                                 

                                    The roadway was closed for approximately 5 hours during the crash investigation.

 This crash is still under investigation and no further information is available.

 

IECC Board Meeting Summary

The Board of Trustees of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges District No. 529 met Tuesday night, March 21 at Frontier Community College, Fairfield, Illinois.

The Board recognized Student Trustee Raechel Hnetkovsky for her service to the Board of Trustees and the IECC district. Raechel is a student at Frontier Community College majoring in Nursing. The next student trustee, Guadalupe Amicone, will be seated during the April 2023 Board of Trustees meeting at Lincoln Trail College.

Board approval was given for revisions to the following policies:

• Policy and Procedures to addresses Complaints Policy 100.16

• Transfer Credit Policy 500.9 to include language pertaining to a student’s ability to complete an associate degree via the reverse transfer of credit.

• Reinstatement of Academic Integrity Policy 500.25 & Hazing Policy 500.28 with revisions to allow for the inclusion of general policy statements and the removal of procedural language suitable for and found with the Student Code of Conduct.

The Board approved an agreement with Clay County Hospital to develop an apprenticeship program that will allow Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) students to enroll in IECC’s Registered Nursing Program and have all associated tuition and fees paid by the hospital. The Board also approved an affiliation agreement with Back & Body Works, Rural Med EMS, Richland County Circuit Clerk, and Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center.

The Board approved the changes to the Nursing Program & Medical Laboratory Technician Fees beginning in the Fall 2023 term for first year nursing students.

The recommendation for the acceptance of the Calendar Year 2022 Report for the IECC 403(b) Plan was approved by the Board.

The following bids were approved by the Board:

• A bid in the amount of $74,400 from WorldStrides/Brightspark Travel in St. Charles, IL for the TRIO Upward Bound 2023 Education Trip.

• A bid in the amount of $46,850.60 from ILMO Products Company in Mt. Vernon, IL for the purchase of four welders for Olney Central College’s Welding Technology program.

• A bid in the amount of $49,975 from Eagleson Automotive Center in Olney, IL for the purchase of a 15-Passenger Van for Lincoln Trail College.

Employment was approved for Nancy Stremme as Program Director of Cosmetology at Olney Central College effective February 27, 2023; Melanie Wiseman as Executive Administrative Assistant at West Richland Center effective March 13, 2023; Javier Milla Munoz as Head Women’s and Men’s Soccer Coach at Lincoln Trail College effective March 27, 2023; Amy Lemke as Payroll & Benefits Specialist effective March 27, 2023; Mark Blevins as Technology Systems Specialist effective March 27, 2023; and Nickie Daniel as Human Resource Coordinator effective March 27, 2023.

A change in employment status for Nick Knapp from Temporary IECC Project Manager to permanent IECC Project Manager effective March 22, 2023 and Jackson Hemrich from Temporary Full-time Welding Instructor to Temporary Full-time Welding Specialist at Lincoln Trail College effective May 15, 2023.

Resignations were received from Alex Morais as Head Men’s & Women’s Soccer Coach at Lincoln Trail College effective February 21, 2023 and Hunter Meritt as TRIO Upward Bound Counselor at Lincoln Trail College effective May 12, 2023.

Retirement notification was received from Vicki Thompson as Retention Coordinator at Olney Central College effective June 30, 2023.

The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at 6:15 p.m. at Lincoln Trail College.

Work Starts On Phase Two Of Stadium Renovation

Phase two of the Riverview Stadium renovation project has gotten underway. At Monday’s District #348 school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer said equipment has been positioned to start the work which includes the construction of a new concession stand/locker room/restroom building….. 

Bleyer said parking is on the Stadium’s lower level is being restricted to Golden Aces Way and the Jr. Aces football field parking lot. In addition to the multi-purpose building, other elements of Phase 2 include a  Plaza walkway featuring commemorative bricks currently for sale, and parking. Officials are hopeful Phase 2 can be completed ahead of the football season opener on August 25th against Gibson Southern. 

Commissioners Considering Proposal To Sell River Camps


At their previous meeting, the Mt. Carmel city council released the process for those occupying river camps to secure their spots. At Monday’s meeting, Ron Peach asked the council to consider putting lots up for bids instead of leasing them. Peach said he occupies 5 lots along the river and he would consider buying all 5 if given the opportunity. Since the item wasn’t on Monday’s agenda, the council took Peach’s request under advisement and will revisit it at their next meeting in two weeks.

City Council Approves Two More Circus Performances

The Mt. Carmel City Council has approved allowing the Kiwanis Club to hold two more circus performances next month in the Southgate Industrial Park. Previously, the council approved two circus performances on April 22nd at 2 and 4pm. At Monday’s city council meeting, Kiwanian Wayne Walden was granted approval to have two more performances the following afternoon on Sunday, April 23rd.