Superintendent Comments On Passing Of Long-Time District Employee

At this past Monday’s Wabash District #348 school board meeting, superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer took time to remember long time district employee Bea Morgan who passed away December 12th at the age of 69……

 

Ms. Bea, as she was affectionately known,  served in a variety of capacities in District #348. She was a bus driver, recess aid, worked in the kitchen, and concession stand and subbed whenever and wherever needed.  Bea also served as Truancy Officer for the district. She was truly an Aces fan. She lived amd breathed for all Aces sports. She was the Lady Aces basketball manager, water girl, team mom and so much more. She drove the bus, attended all sporting events, drove the cheer leaders and cheered on the band.

Bleyer Updates School Board On Stadium Building Project

The end is near when it comes to the completion of Phase two of the Riverview Stadium renovation project. At Monday’s District #348 school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer offered board members an update on the project…. 

The completion of the multi-purpose building is the crowning touch of the project that included a new turf field, track, renovation of the stadium seating area on both sides of the field including a new press box. 

Photo Credit: Golden Aces Football Facebook Page

Former Belleville Attorney Indicted in Federal Court

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A federal grand jury returned an eleven-count indictment charging a former attorney for multiple instances of wire fraud in which he is alleged to have embezzled more than an estimated $1 million from a Belleville law firm and its client trust account.

Jason R. Caraway, 49, is facing 11 counts of wire fraud. If convicted, Caraway could face up to 20 years’ imprisonment and up to $250,000 in fines per count.

“Attorneys have a duty to protect their clients’ interests and must be held to the highest ethical standard,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Those who are overcome by greed and use their professional positions to embezzle from their employers and steal from innocent people will answer to the rule of law.”

Caraway was a partner at Caraway, Fisher & Broombaugh, P.C., a personal injury law firm in Belleville. According to the indictment, Caraway had control of the firm’s bank accounts and misappropriated funds by improperly spending client funds on personal and business expenses, issuing checks to himself, accepting settlements without client notification or payment, failing to pay medical lienholders from legal proceeds, and misapplying retainers without authorization.

“A lawyer, as an officer of the legal system, should demonstrate respect for our laws and protect the interests of the clients he represents,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. “When a lawyer chooses to enrich himself by stealing client funds, the FBI will work to hold him accountable.”

The indictment outlines 11 alleged situations in which Caraway embezzled funds. In two instances, Caraway is accused of forging the signature of two St. Clair County judges on phony court documents to further his fraud scheme.

An indictment is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

FBI Springfield Field Office led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Weinhoeft is prosecuting the case.

Kentucky Man Gets 15 Years in Federal Prison for Attempting to Entice a Minor

BENTON, Ill. – A district judge in southern Illinois sentenced a man from Paducah to serve 15 years in federal prison after he admitted to attempting to entice a purported 11-year-old child.

Michael M. Gott, 62, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted enticement of a minor. In addition to the 15-year prison sentence, Gott will serve five years of supervised release.

“Those who try to sexually abuse children deserve justice in proportion to the deviance of their behavior, which in this case was a significant federal prison sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “The United States Attorney’s Office and its law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively prosecute minor enticement cases and do all we can to protect children.”

In March 2021, an undercover agent with the FBI conducted an investigation on an online dating discussion forum to detect child predators. According to court documents, Gott began conversing with the undercover agent who was posing as the mother of a purported 11-year-old child. During the conversation, Gott made plans with the mother to engage in sexual conduct with the minor child.

“This sentence reflects the serious nature of Gott’s offense and demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to identify, investigate and arrest those intent on harming the most vulnerable members of our society,” said

FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. “The FBI will continue our efforts to thwart attempts to entice children, because every offender that lands in custody represents another step toward a safer community and a safer world for our children.”

Gott was arrested by agents while attempting to meet the purported pair and escort them to a hotel room he had rented in Paducah, Kentucky. FBI Springfield Field Office led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Bloodworth and David Sanders prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

Mt. Carmel City Council Agenda

AGENDA

CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Wednesday, December 27, at 4:00 pm

· Call to Order

o Pledge of Allegiance

o Roll Call

· Approve Minutes

o Minutes of meeting held 12/18/2023.

· Visitors (topic discussed by visitor(s) is limited to 5 minutes)

· 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 2nd reading of Ordinance 2101-Paid Personal Leave

o Consent Agenda

§ Pay all bills providing proper signatures.

o Removal of items from the Consent Agenda

o Old Business

o Open Bids for 500 N. Market Street

o Executive Session

o Motion to Adjourn

o Liquor Control Meeting-

Gibson County Jail hosts in person holiday visitation today

On December 23, 2023, Sheriff Bruce Vanoven and Jail Commander Amanda Loesch hosted in person holiday visitation for inmates who wished to participate in the visit.  Sheriff Vanoven commented today “The holidays are tough on everyone who is locked up and has a loved one who is locked up.  Today was just the Gibson County Sheriff’s way to say we understand, and although we can’t do much this small gesture is just a way to say you’re not forgotten, and people still care for you.”

 Inmates at the Gibson County Jail were given notification of the visit earlier this month.  Each inmate was given a choice whether or not they wanted to participate in this voluntary event.  If an inmate chose to participate they were allowed to pick two friends or family members to visit with in person for 30 minutes.  Once jail staff received the name of the two potential visitors a background was completed to make sure that there were not protective orders, restraining orders, or other legal reasons that the inmate and visitor were prohibited from coming for a visit. 

 Sheriff Vanoven went on to state “it was all hands on deck today and we had at least fifteen Corrections Officer, A Communications Officer, and other ‘elves’ working behind the scenes.  I am so incredibly proud of my people for making this event a success.”

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

Princeton man arrested after report of a disturbance

On December 20, 2023, at 5:29 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a 911 report of a disturbance in the 600 block of South 575 West near Princeton.  Upon arriving Sgt. Loren Barchett and Deputy Quinten Might began an investigation into the incident.  After speaking with all parties involved in the incident 42 year old Matthew Greer of Princeton was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail.  Upon arriving at the Jail Mr. Greer was charged with Interference with a Reporting a Crime, Criminal Mischief, and Possession of Marijuana.  He remains in custody on a $650 bond. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
 

WGH Board Hears Updates On Construction Projects

Wabash General Hospital officials expect a project to add exterior dining at the hospital be completed next Spring. At Tuesday’s board of directors meeting, Doug McPherson reported that a pre-construction meeting on the project was held Monday as ARC Construction plans to begin work on January 15th with a May 15th completion date expected.

The board is also exploring the construction of a stand alone out-building for biohazard materials that would free up space inside the hospital.

In addition, a renovation of the housekeeping space is being explored as they are looking into flooring replacement, paint, lighting, and other general updates. McPherson reported there haven’t been updates to the original housekeeping space since 1983.

$3.2 Million In Wabash County Property Taxes Collected

Wabash County taxpayers have paid about a quarter of the real estate taxes due. Wabash County treasurer Angela Brewster reported to county commissioners that her office has collected $3,273,135 in property taxes so far, amounting to about 24% of what was levied. The installment is due January 16th with the second installment due a month later on February 16th. Payments may be made at the treasurer's office, the drop box in front of the courthouse, local banks, and online at govtechtaxpro.com.