Circuit Judge Melissa Morgan Re-Elected to Second Term as Chief Judge

Circuit Judge Melissa A. Morgan has been re-elected Chief Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit of Illinois for a second consecutive two-year term that began January 1, 2024. Judge Morgan was re-elected to the position by her fellow Circuit Judges.

The position of Chief Judge is called for by Article VI of the Constitution of the State of Illinois and subject to the authority of the Illinois Supreme Court, the Chief Judge has general administrative authority over the judicial circuit. Duties of the Chief Judge include assignment of judges and court reporters to particular counties, dissemination of information to judges and officers of the court, administration of the circuit’s Court Services/Probation Department, and interaction with the Circuit Clerks of each county.

The Second Judicial Circuit encompasses the 12 Southern Illinois counties of Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne and White. The Circuit is served by fifteen Circuit Judges, 12 of whom are elected by their resident counties and 3 of whom are elected circuit-wide. The Circuit is also served by an additional six appointed Associate Judges.

Judge Morgan has served as a Circuit Judge since 2006 when she was elected circuit-wide to succeed the Honorable George W. Timberlake upon his retirement in December of 2006. At that time, Judge Morgan became the first female elected as a circuit-wide judge for the Second Judicial Circuit. When Judge Morgan was first elected to the position of Chief Judge by her colleagues, she also became the first female ever elected Chief Judge for the Second Circuit.

During her first term as Chief Judge, Judge Morgan initiated a program known as “Lawyer in the Library” with grant funding secured from the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice and the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. The program consists of a local attorney meeting one-on-one with individuals and providing them with free legal coaching, document review, e-filing, and referrals regarding civil issues. Only in its second year, this program is now offered in four counties in the Circuit: Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, and Richland. Judge Morgan has also worked with the Administrative Office to secure funding for technology advancements including “For the Record” electronic recording in virtual courtrooms throughout the Circuit. Per Supreme Court Rule 42, she also serves on the Conference of Chief Circuit Judges working alongside other Chief Judges from across the state.

The Chief Judge’s Office is currently located at the Jefferson County Justice Center in Mt. Vernon. Persons may contact the Chief Judge by writing to 911 Casey Avenue, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 or by calling (618) 244-8036.

Mt. Carmel Man Arrested After Allegedly Fraudulently Obtaining Oil Field Equipment

On 1/22/24, Travis L. Stout, age 29, was transported back to Wabash County on a Wabash County Warrant for Felony Theft following a theft investigation by the Mt. Carmel Police Department.  In December 2023, officers responded to a local oilfield pump and supply company to take a report that Stout had unlawfully purchased nearly $1000 worth of oilfield supplies by charging it to his prior employer without his authorization.  The report was submitted to Wabash County States Attorney Kelli Storckman who requested an arrest warrant.  The warrant was authorized and later served by the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office when investigating an unrelated matter.  The Wabash County Sheriff’s Office returned Stout back to Wabash County where he was issued the warrant and later released on pre-trial conditions. 

Mt. Carmel Man Faces Several Charges Following Search

On 1/23/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Brandon L. Garrett, age 31, of Mt. Carmel for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Hypodermic Syringe/Needle and Unlawful Use or Possession of Weapon by Felon.  Prior to the arrest, police located Garrett at a residence in the 1000 block of Pear Street while they conducted a search of the residence as part of pre-trial release condition on another subject, who resides at this home.  Garrett, who is on mandatory supervised release (Parole) from the Illinois Department of Corrections, allowed an officer to search his back pack.  In doing so, the officer found (4) hypodermic syringes, a digital scale, and a rope with a large magnet tied at the end, known as a monkey’s fist.  A monkey’s fist is commonly used as a weapon to inflict significant injury to another.  Garrett was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a pre-trial detention determination.

Altercation With DoorDash Driver Results In Arrest Of Mt. Carmel Man

On 1/17/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested William W. Wolf, age 66, of Mt. Carmel for Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Damage to Property following an incident at Wolf’s home in the 200 block of E 6th Street.  The arrest stemmed from an incident where Wolf allegedly became upset with a Door Dash driver who delivered his items to the house next door, by accident.  When Wolf noticed this, he began yelling vulgar statements towards the driver, threatened to have her fired, and then threw sticks at her and her vehicle.  One of the sticks struck the vehicle and caused a significant scratch to the passenger side.  The victim wished to sign a complaint against Wolf and was allowed to do so.  Police located Wolf at his residence at which time he was taken to the Wabash County Jail for processing and later released on a Notice to Appear.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE ANNOUNCE ARREST IN FAYETTE COUNTY MURDER

SAINT PETER – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 8 announce the arrest of a 17-year-old male from Saint Peter, IL for First Degree Murder (Class M Felony) and Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm (Class 1 Felony).

 On January 20, 2024 at approximately 8:13 p.m., ISP DCI Zone 8 was requested by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department to conduct a homicide investigation in Saint Peter, IL.  A 14-year-old male was shot and killed inside a residence in the 700 block of North 2200 Street. 

 After a thorough investigation, the Fayette County State's Attorney's Office will be charging the 17-year-old with First Degree Murder and Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm on January 24, 2024.  The 17-year-old is currently in custody at the Fayette County Jail.   

 ISP DCI Zone 8 was assisted by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department, Fayette County  Coroner, ISP Troop 9 Patrol, and ISP Crime Scene Services.  No further information is available at this time.

WGH Board Votes To Terminate Contract With Alliant

A relationship that has lasted more than 30 years is coming to an end. The Wabash General Hospital Board of Directors has voted to terminate the management contract with Alliant Management. At Monday evening’s monthly board meeting, Wabash General President/CEO Karissa Turner explained the background that led to the termination…. 

KARISSA TURNER ON TERMINATING ALLIANT CONTRACT

Alliant and Wabash General’s biggest accomplishment came in the form of two key employees. Former president/CEO Jay Purvis and former CFO Steve McGill were both Alliant who eventually came to WGH on a full time basis. The two were instrumental the growth explosion the local hospital has seen over the last 15 years. Turner pointed out that Alliant’s focus in recent years has shifted from rural hospitals such as WGH to markets in the southern part of the country, primarily Florida. To illustrate Wabash General’s phenomenal growth, board member Janet Storey reported that 2023 was the best ever financially for the hospital. 

Mt. Carmel Man Arrested On Sex & Child Porn Charges

On 1/20/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Reece L. Shoemaker, age 27, of Mt. Carmel on a Massac County Illinois Warrant for Child Pornography, two counts Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, and two counts Traveling to Meet a Child.  Shoemaker was arrested at his residence in the 500 block of Cedar Street and transported to the Wabash County Jail pending extradition to Massac County. 

Pedestrian Picked Up By MCPD On Meth Charge & FTA Warrant

On 1/19/24, Mt Carmel Police arrested Dereck L. Cross, age 45, of Mt. Carmel for Possession of Methamphetamine as well as an FTA Warrant out of Wabash County.  Police observed Cross walking at 4th & Poplar Street.  The officer knew Cross had the arrest warrant and made contact.  During the arrest, officers located a clear baggie containing suspected methamphetamine on his person.  A field test kit later confirmed this suspicion.  Cross was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending the posting of bond on the warrant.

Trooper Struck and Seriously Injured Along I-65 in Indianapolis

Indianapolis, IN - An Indiana State Trooper was struck and critically injured by a vehicle on I-65 near 30th Street in Indianapolis. Trooper Azariah Keith stopped on the left shoulder of I-65 southbound at the 116 mile marker to help a stranded motorist change a flat tire. He finished changing the tire and the motorist was pulling away when another southbound vehicle lost control and struck Trooper Keith before colliding with the back of his police car.

January 20, 2023 at approximately 8:45 p.m., Trooper Keith located the disabled vehicle and stopped to help. Recognizing the vehicle was on a curve and a narrow shoulder, a second trooper responded to assist with traffic control before the curve. The second trooper was blocking the left lane just prior to the curve where Trooper Keith was. Trooper Keith finished the tire change at 9:17 p.m. and was putting his equipment away in his trunk. A 2018 Chevrolet Equinox driven by 22 year old Armaandeep Singh of Indianapolis, was approaching the scene in the left lane, believed to be at a high rate of speed, swerved around the trooper who was blocking the left lane, lost control and crashed into the concrete median barrier, struck Trooper Keith then Trooper Keith's police car. Trooper Keith suffered critical injuries and was immediately tended to by the other trooper on scene. Trooper Keith was taken by ambulance to a local hospital where he is currently in stable but serious condition.

Armaandeep Singh has been arrested on the preliminary charges of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated causing serious bodily injury. He was transported to a local hospital then subsequently transported to the Marion County Jail. After field sobriety testing, Singh was given a certified test for intoxication by way of blood draw, the results of that test are pending.

Indiana State Police Detectives, along with crash reconstruction team members responded to the scene to assist with the investigation. The southbound lanes of I-65 were closed for nearly three hours while the scene was processed.

Singh was arrested based upon probable cause, actual charges will be determined by the Marion County Prosecutor's Office upon review of the case. All suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court. 

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Indianapolis Fire Department, Indianapolis Emergency Medical Service and Eskenazi Hospital staff.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE MAKE ARREST FOR CANNABIS TRAFFICKING IN JEFFERSON COUNTY

MOUNT VERNON – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Patrol Troop 10 announce the arrest of 48-year old Mikhail V. Subbotin of Lawrenceville, GA for Possession of Cannabis – More than 5000 grams, Cannabis Trafficking, and Possession with Intent to Deliver Cannabis.

On January 17, 2024 at approximately 11:41 a.m., a trooper patrolling in the area of Interstate 64 eastbound near milepost 71 observed a vehicle driving at speeds above the posted speed limit and initiated a traffic stop. The Trooper spoke with the driver, now identified as Subbotin. The smell of cannabis emitted from the vehicle and a consensual search of the vehicle revealed several boxes filled with suspected cannabis.

With assistance from ISP Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, over 400 pounds of cannabis was removed from the vehicle. The case was presented to the Jefferson County State’s Attorney’s Office and the above-mentioned charges were approved. Subbotin is in custody at the Jefferson County Jail. No further information is available.