State of The City: Judge Says Mt. Carmel Better Positioned Than Most Other Communities

Mayor Joe Judge touched on a variety of topics during his annual State of the City address delivered following this past week’s City Council meeting. The mayor said Mt. Carmel is ahead of most other communities…

Judge said the keys to economic success is the ability to move goods and people and to do that, great roads are needed. He said the much anticipated 9th Street project is target to have bids let on June 9th with the sidewalk portion of the project to begin mid-summer and road resurfacing to start late this summer if the current schedule is kept.

Owensville man arrested for fleeing

On January 24, 2024, at 8:54 a.m. Gibson County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to Owensville to conduct a welfare check on a resident.  Upon arriving at the residence on North Third Street deputies could hear a verbal argument inside the residence. Deputy Bart Wagner knocked on the door and advised the parties inside that 32 year old Jeremy White had an outstanding warrant for his arrest.  Upon entering the residence it was discovered that Mr. White had ran out the back.  After a short foot pursuit Mr. White was taken into custody and transported by Deputy Jennifer Robb to the Gibson County Jail where she charged him with Resisting Law Enforcement Fleeing.
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Illinois 33 to close for tree removal north of Westport beginning next week

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that Illinois 33 will be closed in Lawrence County from Lasata Lane to County Road 1040N, northeast of Westport, for a tree removal project beginning Monday, Jan. 29.

A detour will be posted utilizing U.S. 50 and Illinois 1 from Lawrenceville to Robinson. The project is expected to be completed by Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Only local traffic will be permitted on Illinois 33 between Lasata Lane and 1040N. Motorists are encouraged to follow the posted detour and should allow for extra travel time. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment.

Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,000 miles of highway and nearly 10 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Four of Rebuild Illinois included approximately $12.1 billion of improvements statewide on 5,339 miles of highway, 533 bridges and 762 additional safety improvements.

For IDOT District 7 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict7 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

Mt. Carmel Man Arrested Following Domestic Dispute

On 01.22.23 at the hour of 1210, the Wabash County Sheriff's Office responded to 1113 N 1900 Blvd. to the report of a domestic battery in progress. When the deputy arrived an investigation to domestic battery was initiated. On scene it was found that 65-year-old, Richard C. Eblen of Mt. Carmel had shoved a member of the household and reportedly grabbed someone by the hair of the head and flung them off a bed.  Eblen was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Eblen made a court appearance on the 24th in Wabash County Circuit where a recognizance bond was issued and he was released. 

Monday Incident Lands Mt. Carmel Man In Jail

On 01.22.24 at 5:38 p.m. the Wabash County Sheriff's Office responded to a suspicious vehicle call at Highway 1 south at N 1120 Blvd. behind a machine shed. The vehicle was not affiliated with the business it was at. When the deputy arrived, he pulled in front of the vehicle and ordered the driver out of the van, a 2009 Silver Honda Odyssey, in which the driver began to reverse the vehicle's direction. The driver was ordered to stop once again and quickly accelerated in reverse and spun around attempting to flee around the back of the machine shed. The van then came to an abrupt stop and the driver fled on foot to the north. A short foot pursuit ensued with the deputy losing sight of the suspect in the vegetation. The deputy returned to the van and began looking into ownership when the driver appeared back at the van. Another short foot pursuit ensued and ended when the suspect was tased and taken into custody. 

43-year-old, Jason R. McGill was taken into custody on a Wabash County Warrant, Richland County Warrant, and a Vanderburgh County Warrant and also charged with fleeing or attempting to elude an officer. McGill was on pre-trial release provisions at the time he was taken into custody and is being held in the Wabash County Jail. 

Mt. Carmel Man Arrested For Allegedly Stealing Camper

On 01.23.24 at 1:09p.m. acting on a tip, the Wabash County Sheriff's Office responded to 10567 N 2350 Blvd., Allendale reference stolen property. Once on scene the deputy located a 2024 Northern Spirit XTR Camper that had been reported stolen out of Braidwood IL. Upon further investigation, Timothy D. Morrison  (23) of Mt. Carmel was taken into custody for possession of the camper. Morrison was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged with theft, over $10,000 but less than $100,000, a Class 2 Felony, processed and released under the Illinois PTFA with a notice to appear.  

Brazil Man Arrested for Child Molestation

Clay County - Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation after receiving information that a male and female, under the age of 14, had been molested. 

The information indicated that Tyler A. Maybaugh, age 34, of Brazil, Indiana, allegedly molested a male and female under the age of 14. 

After conducting forensic interviews, Putnamville detectives discussed their findings with the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office.  This discussion resulted in the immediate arrest today of Tyler Maybaugh.  Maybaugh was taken into custody without incident and is currently being detained at the Clay County Justice Center.

Investigating Officer:  Indiana State Police Trooper Detective Colton Maynor, assisted by Master Trooper Detective Ryan Winters and Trooper Kyle Hall of the Putnamville Post. 

Assisting Agency:  Putnam County Department of Child Services, and Susie’s Place. 

Arrested and Charges: Tyler A. Maybaugh, 34, Brazil, IN      

 Child Molestation, Class 4 Felony (3 counts)

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations, an

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.