On 6/07/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Daniel R. Caddell, age 45, of Mt. Carmel, for Residential Burglary, Unlawful Possession of Weapon by Felon and an Illinois Department of Corrections Warrant for Parole Violation. Police were called by a concerned citizen regarding a possible burglary taking place at a home in the 400 block of W 10th Street. Police investigated the complaint and found evidence to indicate Caddell had been in the home earlier in the day with his employer and returned unauthorized to look for a phone he left behind. Caddell reentered the home and was observed by a neighbor carrying items out of the house and into the garage. It should be noted that the residents of the home were gone and in the process of moving during this time. These items included several firearms including rifles, shotguns and a muzzleloader, among other things. After gathering these items in the garage, Caddell left the area in a truck. The concerned citizen suspected Caddell had intentions of stealing the firearms so she contacted the police. Caddell is a convicted felon, on parole, and prohibited from possessing firearms. Police also learned Caddell did not have the authority from any involved parties to be at the home or remove property. Police located Caddell and placed him under arrest before transporting him to the Wabash County Jail. Caddell was charged and held pending return to the Illinois Department of Corrections. MCPD was assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office.
Mt. Carmel Man Picked Up On Indiana Auto Theft Warrant
On 6/07/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Lewis E. Sutton, age 47, of Mt. Carmel on a Vanderburgh County Indiana Warrant for Felony Auto Theft. Sutton was observed walking in the 400 block of N Division Street where he was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Sutton is being held pending extradition back to Vanderburgh County.
CHRISTMAS UPTOWN APP BENEFITS FROM MARKET STREET MTC
Ashley Cushman, Market Street MTC’s newest board member (left), is shown here presenting a $500 check to Brittany Campagna, Chairman of the 2023 “Christmas Uptown” event scheduled for Friday, December 1st. The funds will be used to continue development of the Christmas Uptown App that went live last November, just prior to CU22. Over 500 individuals downloaded and made use of the app during the event. Plans are to make the app available at both The App Store and Google Play, as well as to expand the event information available to the user. First National Bank has been CU’s primary partner in the development of the app, along with the City of Mt. Carmel and Wabash County Tourism. In all, over 40 Wabash County businesses and groups partner to make Christmas Uptown one of the region's most anticipated Christmas activities. If you would like to become a partner, contact Brittany by phone (1-618-263-8405), or email (campagna.brittany@gmail.com).
Market Street MTC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to make improvements and support the development of the city’s central business district. Projects have included the build out of Merchants Park/Harris Insurance Pavilion, benches, intersection planters, and beautification around the Veterans Memorial Monument at the Wabash County Courthouse. Additional projects will be announced in the near future. More information about MSMTC may be found on their Facebook page, or by calling 1-618-263-2093.
Not Turning Down Loud Music Leads To Arrest Of Mt. Carmel Man
On 6/06/23, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Mt. Carmel Police arrested Kerry L. Keepes, age 63, of Mt. Carmel for Disorderly Conduct following a public complaint about excessively loud music in the 700 block of W 6th. Police arrived to the scene and spoke to the complainant. Prior to police arrival, the music had been turned down, so the police left the scene. Shortly thereafter, the complainant called back saying the music had been turned back up. Officers made contact with the resident, identified as Keepes and advised him to reduce the volume of the music as it was disturbing the neighborhood. Keepes complied briefly but again turned the volume up. Officers made contact again and allowed the complainant to sign charges since the music could be heard in excess of 500 feet away. The complainant noted he could not hear his television from inside his home due to the music. Keepes was placed under arrest, transported to the Wabash County Jail for processing, and later released on a Notice to Appear in court.
Man On Bike Busted With 2 Baggies Of Meth
On 6/05/23 at approximately 2 a.m., Mt. Carmel Police arrested Bryan M. Potter, age 32, of Mt. Carmel for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Controlled Substance, Unlawful Use of Weapon and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia following a traffic stop on a bicycle in the area of 4th & Hackberry. The stop was conducted due to the bicyclist operating without a headlamp, traveling down alleys and through a yard. Due to recent criminal behavior in this area, police made contact. In doing so they identified Potter as the operator and that he possessed two baggies of methamphetamine, a pipe used to ingest narcotics and the controlled substance Suboxone. Potter also had a large Bowie style knife in his possession. Potter was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.
West Salem Man Sentenced To 15 Years On Wabash County Drug Charge
Kelli Storckman, Wabash County State’s Attorney, reports that Steven T. Taylor, a 51-year old West Salem, 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 on March 1, 2019, with Possession with the Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine, a Class X Felony, following a traffic stop and investigation conducted by the Wabash County Sheriff's Department. In February of 2023, Taylor entered a plea of guilty to the charge and faced a sentencing range of 6-15 years under the terms of his plea agreement. On May 30, 2023, Mr. Taylor was sentenced to 15 years in the Department of Corrections, to be followed by eighteen months of mandatory supervised release.
Dean Resigns From Board Of Health
Rob Dean has resigned his seat on the Wabash County Health Board. Dean announced his resignation at yesterday’s regular meeting of the Wabash County Commissioners…
Dean is recovering from a broken leg and attended the meeting via cell phone. He has been a member of the health board for the past 12 years and clashed repeatedly with health department administrator Judy Wissel over a variety of issues. His criticism came to a head in April when he spent 20 minutes at a county board meeting alleging secret emails, reckless spending, and possible retaliation. He was unsuccessful in his efforts to cut Wissel’s pay and was critical of bonuses given to health department employees during the pandemic.
County commissioner Scott West will replace Dean as the county commissioner representative on the health department. County commissioners yesterday also reappointed Cindy Bishop and Mark Brines to three-year terms on the health board. Wissel is attempting to find a physician to replace Dr. Thomas Selby on the health board when his term expires June 30th. Selby now lives in Ohio but still serves on the local health board.
ISP Investigating Fatal Crash on I-64 in Perry County
(Perry County) - The Indiana State Police is investigating a fatal crash that occurred sometime yesterday. At approximately 6:31 P.M. Perry County Sheriff’s Department received a call of an overdue motorist from Virginia. A Maria Booker, 35, of Locust Grove, Virginia left Colorado earlier in the day and no one was able to make contact with Booker for several hours. Indiana State Police along with Perry County Sheriff’s Department began to look on I-64 for Booker in the last known location from a family member. At approximately 7:20 P.M., Perry County Sheriff’s Department located a 2018 Chevrolet near the 75.5-mile marker down an embankment in the heavily wooded area. The driver was found to be deceased.
Through license and registration information, positive identification was made that the deceased driver was Maria Booker. Virginia State Police were contacted to make the death notification. An autopsy is pending.
Investigating Officer: Trooper Teresa Bowling
Assisting Officers: Sergeant Brian LaRoache, Master Trooper Timothy Weisenberger, Trooper Jonathan Villanueva, Trooper Andrew Recker, and Trooper Austin Collins
Assisting Agencies: Perry County Coroner, Perry County Sheriff’s Department, Perry County Fire and EMS
WGH Board Approves New Equipment Purchase
The Wabash General Hospital board of directors has approved spending $95,000 for three C-MAC video laryngoscopes. Wabash General chief operating office Tamara Gould told the hospital board that the hospital’s anesthesia providers recommended the units be purchased…
The new equipment will replace scopes that were 8 to 11 years old and had reached their end of life.
Garbage Commissioner Clarifies Holiday Trash Pickup
Last Monday’s Memorial Day holiday apparently caught some residents off guard about trash pickup. As has been the case for the last several years, Republic Services picks up trash regardless of whether a holiday falls on trash pickup day. The only exception is if Christmas Day falls on the trash pick up day. Mt. Carmel garbage commissioner Susan Zimmerman says a plan is being put together for people whose trash might not be picked up on a holiday…
Zimmerman also said trash toters should have plenty of space left between them and any vehicles, mail boxes, or other objects when they’re set out curbside.