Clancy Will Not Attempt To Buy Back Former Arts Center Building

After the Mt. Carmel City Council announced this the former Little Egypt Arts Center would be sold, former building owner John Clancy sent a statement to WSJD saying he will not attempt buy the building back from the city.

Here’s the story from Monday’s City Council meeting:

https://wsjd.fm/new-blog-1/2023/11/1/city-plans-to-sell-former-arts-center

Here’s Mr. Clancy’s statement:

I have been encouraged by many local and out-of-state supporters to place a bid on 500 North Market Street, the former Little Egypt Arts Center, which until recently was both my home and business.

I thank all of you.

At this time I will not offer a bid on the property.

The reason for this is that I have learned, over the last five years, that the City of Mount Carmel, the current administration, Clerk and Inspector, have a profoundly anti-arts venue policy and disposition.

Any attempt to re-establish an Arts Center in this city as it is currently governed would be building an edifice on sand as the tide rolls in.

I only hope (and pray) that the City does not decide to tear down this beautiful and historic building.

We don't need any more empty lots in this town.

Respectfully,

John Clancy

President

Little Pharaoh Enterprises

Three Arrested After Two Vehicles Reported Stolen

On 11.01.23 the Wabash County Sheriff's office and Mt. Carmel Police Department received a call that a stolen American Freight box truck had a tracking device on it and was southbound on Highway 1 from the St. Francisville area. Units from both agencies headed toward the area and located the stolen vehicle on the lot of Mt. Carmel Stabilization's Training center on the west side of highway 1. It appeared the vehicle was offloading furniture onto another . 

WCSO & MCPD performed a felony stop in the parking lot and took 3 individuals into custody. John M. Planinsek Jr. 37 of Rockdale, IL, Melissa M. Ferguson, 34 of New Lenox, IL, and Stanley D. Cochran Jr., 54 of Braidwood, IL were all charged with Possession of a Converted vehicle amongst other charges. A second vehicle involved, a Ford F350 K&N Steel truck out of St.Louis, Mo. was also found to be stolen. 

All three are lodged in the Wabash County Jail awaiting a detention hearing under the pre-trial fairness act. 

John M. Planinsek Jr. 37 of Rockdale, IL

Melissa M. Ferguson, 34 of New Lenox, IL

Traffic Stop Results In Multiple Charges For Mt. Carmel Man

On 11/01/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Cole W. Stewart, age 26, of Mt. Carmel for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Driving While License Revoked and Illegal Operation of Off Highway Motorcycle following a traffic stop at 11th & Cherry Street.  Prior to the stop, the arresting officer observed Stewart operating a camouflage-colored motorized dirt bike on Pear Street.  The motorized bike, which was not street legal, disregarded the stop sign at 11th & Pear Street in front of the officer.  The officer also knew Stewart had a revoked Illinois Driver’s License.  A traffic stop was initiated at which time the officer detected an odor of alcoholic beverage coming from Stewart.  Stewart refused to submit to a roadside sobriety check but was placed under arrest based on the officer’s observations.  Stewart was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was processed for the above stated charges and turned over to jail staff for further processing.  Stewart was later released on a Notice to Appear.  

City Addresses Issues At Brush Harbor

A few have ruined it for all. At Monday’s City Council meeting, public works director Mike Gidcumb said a big change has recently been made at the city’s brush harbor on Golden Aces Way…. 

Gidcumb said dumping anything other than brush is a violation of Illinois EPA regulations. Another issue with the brush harbor is complaints from residents when the city burns the big brush pile, something they are legally allowed to do by the EPA. City Clerk Ryan Turner said the city is working to alleviate those complaints…. 

The city does try to avoid burning the brush pile at times during the football season as it can sometimes smolder for days causing an even bigger nuisance for fans and tailgaters in the Jr. Aces field area. 

Council Considers Request To Offer Discount On Bike Permits

Should senior citizens get a discount on the $50 a year it costs to register a gas powered bicycle in Mt. Carmel? That’s what a resident asked the city council to offer at their regular meeting on Monday. The resident said the gas powered bikes are their only mode of transportation and the $50 is a hardship for many senior citizens who have limited resources. The city council took the request under advisement and will look into the issue further. 

City Plans To Sell Former Arts Center

The city is selling the former Little Egypt Arts Center at 5th and Market Streets. After taking possession of the building from John Clancy, Mayor Joe Judge said the city would renovate the structure to attract a retail business. But that plan has been scrapped and the city will now place the building on the market. Finance Commissioner Eric Ikemire asked that parameters be placed on the buyer of the property. Judge and city clerk Ryan Turner will work on those parameters and present them to the city council in two weeks. 

June 2022 File Photo

Ohio Man Nabbed By MCPD On DUI Charge

On 10/31/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Ryan D. Perry, age 42, of Ada Ohio for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol following a traffic stop in the 600 block of West 9th Street.  Prior to the stop, the arresting officer observed a red Nissan Pioneer commit multiple violations of the Illinois Vehicle Code.  In speaking to Perry, the officer developed suspicion that he was under the influence of alcohol.  Perry submitted to a roadside sobriety check where the officer observed several clues indicating impairment.  Perry was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was processed for DUI, issued a citation for improper turn, and turned over to jail staff for further processing.  Perry was later released on a Notice to Appear.  

Mt. Carmel Duo Arrested After Allegedly Stealing Food From Family Dollar

On 10/26/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Carly A. Kirkman, age 33, and Billy J. Dill, age 30, both of Mt. Carmel for Retail Theft.  Police were called to the 3rd Street Dollar General Store to the report of Kirkman and Dill stealing food items and were last seen running from the store.  Police arrived to the area and were able to view store video footage which confirmed the allegation and their identity.  Police later located the couple near Burger King and made contact. At first, both subjects denied the allegation but eventually admitted to taking food from the store and consuming it.  Both subjects were placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail.  Upon arrival, police recovered pills identified as Buprenorphine Hydrochloride in Kirkman’s purse.  These pills are a Schedule III Controlled Substance and require a prescription, which was not present.  Kirkman was given an additional charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance as well.  Both were processed and released on a Notice to Appear. MCPD was assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office.  

UPDATE ON SHOOTING OF ILLINOIS STATE POLICE OFFICER

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) today provided an update on the condition of Trooper Dakotah Chapman-Green and the investigation into his shooting.  On Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at 10:47 p.m., ISP Trooper Chapman-Green stopped 37-year-old Cristobal Santana from Chicago in the 1600 block of Toronto Road in Springfield.  During the traffic stop, the suspect fired at least 10 gunshots hitting Trooper Chapman-Green several times, and struck him repeatedly causing facial fractures, a skull fracture, and a brain bleed.  The suspect fled the scene, but was taken into custody at 1:58 a.m. on October 25, 2023.  Trooper Chapman-Green remains hospitalized.  The suspect was taken to the hospital for injuries sustained during the apprehension and remains in the hospital.

“By the Grace of God, Trooper Chapman-Green survived this brutal attack,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.  “Police officers across the state take an oath to protect the lives of Illinois citizens and too often that means facing diabolical, hateful, vicious evil that no innocent human being should ever have to face.  We live in a free country, but there is no freedom without the law, there is no law without law enforcement, and there is no law enforcement without brave souls like Trooper Chapman-Green and those standing here with me today willing to do this noble, but dangerous work.” 

On Friday, the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office filed two counts of Attempted First Degree Murder, one count of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm to a Police Officer, one count of Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer, and one count Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon against Santana. 

ISP continues to investigate this shooting and will work with the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office to provide more information as it becomes available.  

Video of the traffic stop can be found here: https://youtu.be/LSvCYf0_WkM.  Video of the news conference will be available on the Illinois State Police Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/ILStatePolice

Donations may be made to the Chapman-Green family by visiting the Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation website at https://www.isphf.org/isphf-donate-online-to-isphf/, or via U.S. mail to Illinois State Police Heritage Foundation, P.O. Box 2210, Springfield, Illinois 62705-2210. On the website, please ensure to note in the comments section, “Trooper Chapman-Green Fund.”  

Confirmed: 9th Street Project To Start Next Spring

A little bit of good news for the much delayed project to resurface much of 9th Street in Mt. Carmel. At yesterday's City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge said the state’s department of transportation has told him the bid letting for the project was moved back to a January bid letting…. 

On June’s “Ask The Mayor” show, Judge said then the state was planning for a January bid letting. But since then, the state delayed the date again, only to tell city leaders last week they were going back to the January letting. Judge said that the project should start in April and be finished sometime late next year. Of that nearly $4.5 million project price tag, Judge said the city’s share will be just over $88,000 with the bulk of the money coming from state and federal sources.