More housing is under construction for Wabash Valley College students. Developer Dean Kieffer of Kieffer Development says he’s building two new single story units adjacent to the three story complexes that were built a few years ago…
Kieffer said construction on the new units is progressing on time for student occupancy in August of 2024. The city is providing Kieffer with $110,000 in TIF funding to aid in construction of the new units.
The filing period starts Monday for candidates wishing to run in next year’s election. In Wabash County, the offices of circuit clerk, state’s attorney, and coroner will be on the ballot. In addition, the 6-year county board seat currently held by Tim Hocking will also be on the ballot. Nominating petitions are available in the county clerk’s office at the courthouse and may be filed there anytime between November 27th and December 4th. The primary election is March 19th and the general election is next November 5th.
AGENDA
CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, NOVEMBER 27, 2023 at 4:00 pm
· Call to Order
o Pledge of Allegiance
o Roll Call
· Approve Minutes
o Minutes of meeting held 11/13/2023
o Approve executive minutes from 10/16/2023
· Visitors (topic discussed by visitor(s) is limited to 5 minutes)
o Rick Andrews-Representing Easy Street Subdivision
· Reports and Communications
o Mayor Judge
o Commissioner Meador Streets, Cemeteries and Parks
o Commissioner Ikemire Finance and Senior Citizens
o Commissioner Meeks Water and Sewer
o Commissioner Zimmerman Fire, Health & Safety, City Hall and Garbage
· Staff Reports
o Ryan Turner Derek McCullough Luis Garcia
o Michael McWilliams Francis Speth Mike Gidcumb
New Business
o Consent Agenda
§ Pay all bills providing proper signatures.
o Removal of items from the Consent Agenda
· Old Business
o Open sealed bids for demolition of 115 Chestnut Street.
· Executive Session
o Consider discipline or removal of non-union employee.
· Motion to Adjourn
· Liquor Control Meeting-
Indiana State Police will be joining law enforcement agencies from across the state to make sure everyone gets to their holiday destination safely.
“This holiday season, we expect to see a lot of traffic on the roads. Please make smart decisions by not mixing drinking and driving,” said Devon McDonald, Executive Director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. “Be proactive and plan for a sober driver.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), impaired driving and fatal crashes spike during the Thanksgiving holiday. In 2021, 190 people throughout the nation died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in the holiday travel period ranging from the day before thanksgiving to the Monday following Thanksgiving.
NHTSA data shows there are more motor vehicle traffic crash fatalities during holiday periods due to increased travel time, more alcohol usage, and excessive driving speed.
Troopers will be on the roads on high alert for impaired drivers. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead to get home safely by designating a sober driver or by using public transportation or a ride service like Uber or Lyft. Never drive impaired or let friends get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking.
By working together, we can save lives and make sure there are no empty places at the Thanksgiving table this year.
For more information on impaired driving, please visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.
On 11/19/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Michael L. Hammond, age 51, of Mt. Carmel for Possession of Methamphetamine (More Than 5 grams but Less Than 15 grams) and Obstructing Justice. Prior to the stop, the arresting officer observed a blue Dodge truck operating with expired registration in the 600 block of N Walnut Street. The officer conducted a traffic stop and found Hammond to be the driver. During the stop, Officer Hopper and his K-9 Eleven arrived on scene and conducted a free air narcotics sniff around the exterior of the vehicle. Eleven alerted to the presence of narcotics coming from the vehicle resulting in a search. When Hammond was searched, the officer discovered a suspicious item concealed underneath Hammond’s pants. Hammond refused to remove the item so he was detained and transported to the jail for further investigation. Upon arrival, Hammond admitted he had a bag of methamphetamine hidden in his underwear. The officer removed the item and located approximately 9 grams of suspected methamphetamine, which later field tested positive. Hammond was turned over to jail staff where he was charged with the above offenses. Hammond is being held pending a pre-trial detention determination by the court.
On 11/17/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Gavin M. Roberts, age 40, of Mt. Carmel for Disorderly Conduct, Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, and Threatening a Public Official. The arrest was a result of two separate public complaints regarding Roberts’ behavior. First, police were notified of a male subject, later identified as Roberts, beating on the door of a residence in the 300 block of East 9th Street. This caller later signed a complaint against Roberts for Disorderly Conduct. Another caller reported Roberts yelling and behaving erratically at Jumpin Jimmy’s Gas Station. Officers arrived to the area and located Roberts near the Wagon Wheel Liquor Store, where police made contact. During this time, Roberts continued to yell excessively and incoherently. During police contact, Roberts became confrontational and threatened to attack the two officers. Roberts then bent down in a football stance and counted as if he was going to attack them. Suddenly, Roberts raised up and lunged at an officer at which time a taser was deployed on him. This deployment prevented Roberts from hitting the officer. With the assistance of a responding Wabash County Deputy, Roberts continued to resist but was placed under arrest at this time. Roberts was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he continued to kick the interior of the back seat of the squad car. Roberts was placed inside the Wabash County Jail where he was held pending a pre-trial detention determination by the court.
On 11/16/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Gary J. Reeves, age 47, of Mt. Carmel for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicating Compounds, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving While License Suspended or Revoked. The arrest stemmed from a traffic stop on a green Chevrolet truck in the 500 block of North Walnut Street for multiple violations of the Illinois Vehicle Code. In speaking to the driver, identified as Gary Reeves, they found his license was revoked and that he exhibited signs of impairment. Reeves initially refused to submit to field sobriety testing and was placed under arrest at this time, based on the officer’s observations. A search of the vehicle resulted in officer’s finding a glass smoking device containing suspected methamphetamine inside of it. Upon arriving at the Wabash County Jail, Reeves elected to submit to field sobriety testing. During this testing, the officer observed several clues to indicate impairment. Reeves was processed for the above offenses and later turned over to jail staff for further processing. Reeves was later released on a Notice to Appear.
On 11/15/23 at 10:58pm, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Kerry L. Keepes, age 64, of Mt. Carmel for Disorderly Conduct following multiple complaints from neighbors regarding excessive noise coming from his home in the 700 block of W 6th Street. On this incident, officers found that Keepes had repeatedly and excessively revved the motor up on his vehicle. One of these neighbors reported calling the police on seven different occasions due to this and similar violations. Consequently, the neighbor was allowed to sign a complaint against Keepes. Keepes was cited on scene and released on a Notice to Appear in court.
Tomorrow’s Golden Aces’ semifinal playoff game is on the road at Roxana. But even if it was at Riverview Stadium, Aces fans still wouldn’t be able to use the new concession stand and restrooms at the new multi-purpose building.
The timeline on when Phase Two of the project has shifted several times through the football season. Originally, Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer said Phase two would be finished before the season started on August 25th. But that was pushed back several times with the last update from Bleyer saying it would be ready for the fourth round of the playoffs, which is tomorrow.
At Monday’s District #348 school board meeting, Bleyer said now the facility will be completed by the end of the year. He said the bathrooms are installed and some of the lockers have arrived. Bleyer said a walk-through inspection with the regional superintendent of education on Wednesday would give the district the go ahead to inhabit the building.
A ribbon cutting that has already been postponed once won’t be rescheduled until the project is finished and the public is able to tour the entire building.
At the November 2023 Allendale School Board meeting held in the Library of Allendale School, the board:
Approved the 2023 Tentative Tax Levy. The Board will adopt the levy at the December 2023 meeting.
Reviewed and approved the 2023 Interactive School Report Card, which will be linked on the website.
Approved the membership for 2024 to the Southern Illinois Junior High School Athletic Association.
Approved the resignation of Karla McCowen, Head Cook.