Perhaps the worst kept secret in Mt. Carmel has now apparently been made official. A new cannabis dispensary is coming to the former A T & T building at 9th and Chestnut Streets. Workers have been busy the last several weeks gutting the interior of the building preparing for a new business. While there has been no confirmation of the rumors that a cannabis dispensary was going to open there, those rumors have now been confirmed as signage has gone up on the building stating that Nirvana was coming soon there. Nirvana currently has dispensaries in Arizona, Maryland, Michigan, and Ohio. Their website states Nirvana is committed to providing high-quality and innovative Cannabis products to customers & patients, with an experience that is catered to their individualized needs. There’s no word as to when the Mt. Carmel location will open.
School Board Approves Facility Usage Agreement For District Buildings
The Wabash District #348 school board Monday night adopted a facility usage policy.
The policy was adopted following a statement from former District #348 administrator Rick Johnston. His statement plus the explanation of the policy can be heard in their entirety by clicking the links below. . The usage policy is also below,
Former District #348 administrator Rick Johnston makes his point during his presentation to the school board Monday night.
Bryant reacts to Governor’s Budget and State of the State Address
Springfield, IL – State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) released the following statement in response to the Governor’s budget and state of the state address:
“Once again, the Governor has shown that he will continue to prioritize his radical noncitizen welfare agenda over the needs of Illinois families. He’s spent two billion dollars of taxpayer money on programs for noncitizens over the last two years, money that should have been spent on lowering costs for Illinoisans and aiding our state’s most vulnerable citizens.
“To add insult to injury, he now wants to use Illinoisans as the piggy bank for this noncitizen spending by raising taxes by more than a billion dollars. It is utterly outrageous for the Governor to demand the people of our state fund this migrant crisis he actively sought to create. It is time for lawmakers to prioritize Illinois families and urge Governor Pritzker to end his noncitizen welfare agenda.”
MCPD Issues Warning On Facebook Scam
Mt. Carmel Police recently took a report of a local resident falling victim to a Facebook Marketplace Scam when trying to purchase an item. Here are a few tips in how to avoid falling victim:
1. Paying or communicating outside of Facebook
One of the first signs of a scam is when the seller or buyer asks you to pay or communicate outside of Facebook. This could be through a wire transfer, Venmo, PayPal, or another app. Scammers do this to avoid Facebook's Purchase Protection policies and to make it harder for you to get your money back if something goes wrong. They might also try to convince you to call or chat outside of Facebook, where they can't be monitored by Facebook.
To avoid this scam, always use Facebook Checkout to pay for items on Facebook Marketplace. This way, you can benefit from Facebook's Purchase Protection policies and dispute resolution process. Also, keep all your communication on Facebook Messenger, where you can report any suspicious or abusive messages.
2. Mailing items
Another common scam is when the seller asks you to pay for an item before they mail it to you. They might send you fake shipping information or screenshots to make you think they have sent the item, but in reality, they have taken your money and run. Alternatively, they might send you a different or damaged item than what you paid for.
To avoid this scam, always inspect and pick up items in person whenever possible. This way, you can verify the condition and functionality of the item before paying. If you have to receive an item by mail, use a tracking number and only pay after you have received and inspected the item.
3. Refunding an overpayment
This scam involves the buyer sending you an overpayment, usually in the form of a check, and asking you to refund the difference. They might claim that they made a mistake or that they need the money for some urgent reason. However, the check will bounce after a few days, leaving you without the item and the money.
To avoid this scam, never accept overpayments or refund any money to buyers. Only accept the exact amount agreed upon for the item. If someone sends you an overpayment, return it to them and cancel the transaction.
4. Counterfeit items
Some scammers sell fake or counterfeit items on Facebook Marketplace, such as designer clothing, electronics, or jewelry. They might use stolen photos or descriptions from legitimate sellers or websites to make their items look authentic. However, once you receive the item, you will realize that it is a cheap knock-off or not working at all.
To avoid this scam, be wary of items that are priced too low or too good to be true. Always check the seller's profile and reviews to see if they have a history of selling counterfeit items. If possible, ask for more photos or videos of the item to verify its authenticity.
5. Verification code (this one is the most important to avoid)
This scam involves the buyer asking you to send them a verification code that they claim is needed to prove that your listing is not a scam. However, the code is actually a multi-factor authentication code that they use to hack into your account and change your password. They might also use your personal information from your profile to compromise your other accounts.
To avoid this scam, never share any verification codes with anyone on Facebook Marketplace. These codes are meant for your security and should only be entered on official websites or apps. If someone asks you for a verification code, report them to Facebook and block them.
Wabash District #348 February 2024 Personnel Matters
Approved by school board Monday night….
Kevin Kling Hired As MCGS Assistant Principal
At their monthly meeting Monday night, the Wabash District #348 hired Kevin Kling as assistant principal at Mt. Carmel Grade School. Kling will begin in the new position on July 29, 2024.
Somerville man arrested on multiple charges after attempting to break into a residence
On February 20, 2024, at 9:15 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a residence being broken into a residence in the 10000 block of South 675 East. While enroute to the scene deputies were advised that the suspect had left in a white van. Upon arriving in the area Deputy Quinten Might located a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle. After following the vehicle a short time Deputy Might observed the vehicle cross the center of the roadway and almost strike another vehicle. At that point Deputy Might conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as 32 year old Dustan J. Brummett of Somerville. While speaking with Mr. Brummett Deputy Might detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver and began a roadside DUI investigation. During the investigation Mr. Brummett was positively identified as the suspect who had attempted to enter the residence on 675 east. Once the investigation was completed Mr. Brummett was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Brummett was charged with Burglary, Possession of Methamphetamines, and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.
Assisting Deputy Might in his investigation was Sgt. John Fischer and Indiana State Trooper Johnathan Lukeman.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
On 2nd Thought: No School Eclipse Day In District #348
The Wabash District #348 school board has approved a change to the school calendar for the current school year. Previously, the school calendar called for school to be in session on Eclipse Day on Monday, April 8th. But at last night’s school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer said circumstances have proven that not to be possible…
To make up for school being out on April 8th, the board approved Bleyer’s suggestion that school will be in session on Monday, April 1st which had originally been the last day of Spring Break.
Knotts Gets 40 Years In Child Porn Case
24-year-old Alexander Knotts has been sentenced to 40 years in prison on Class X dissemination of child pornography felonies. The Mt. Carmel man was arrested in October of 2022 when investigators with the Illinois Attorney General’s office, with the assistance of the Mt. Carmel Police Department, conducted a search at Knotts’ residence in the 200 block of East 12th Street in Mt. Carmel and discovered evidence of child pornography. Originally, Knotts was charged with five counts of dissemination of child pornography, Class X felonies, each punishable by up to 30 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.
During a sentencing hearing Tuesday in Wabash County Circuit Court, Judge William C. Hudson sentenced Knotts’ to 20 years in prison on two of the counts with the terms to be served consecutively. In exchange for the guilty plea from Knotts’, the other charges were dismissed. Testimony during the sentencing hearing revealed Knotts did not create any of the content but viewed videos that included girls under the age of 13 with some even being infants and toddlers. While out on bond awaiting sentencing, Knotts was arrested last month by MCPD for possession of drug paraphernalia. The arrest was part of the Attorney General office’s efforts to investigate and prosecute child pornographers in Illinois.
Alexander Knotts is led back to the Wabash County Jail after being sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Mt. Carmel Man Arrested On Meth Delivery & Conspiracy Warrant
On 2/16/2024, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Brandon H. Rayborn, age 39, of Mt. Carmel on a Wabash County Warrant for Delivery of Methamphetamine and Conspiracy stemming from a 2021 MCPD investigation into the sale of methamphetamine by Rayborn. Rayborn was located at a residence in the 1000 block of West 5th Street where he was taken into custody after a brief struggle. Rayborn was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued the warrant and held pending a pre-trial detention determination by the court.