River Camp Auction Next Month

If you’ve ever wanted to own a river camp, you’ll get your chance next month. Mayor Joe Judge said an online auction will be held next month on the 13 parcels along River Road….

JUDGE RIVER CAMP AUCTION 9 3 24…

JOE JUDGE RIVER CAMP AUCTION 9 3 24

The river camps have always been on city property, but squatters had occupied the lots without paying the city any compensation. So, the city took action to reclaim the properties and kick the squatters off. The lots have now been surveyed and exact details of the auctions and the available lots will be released at a later date according to Judge.

Judge Meets With Skate Park Supporters

Is a skate park in Mt. Carmel’s future? At yesterday's city council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge said he had recently met with a group interested in bringing a skate park to town….

JOE JUDGE ON SKATE PARK

Currently, Judge said skaters are using their own skate equipment at the city park pavilion. He said the group has been very respectful of the city’s property and has caused no problems.

City Holds Farmland Lease Auction

Just two bidders showed up yesterday at a lease auction for the city of Mt. Carmel’s two parcels of farmland. Ed Timberlake was the winning bidder on 17 acres of ground near Braun Mobility on the city’s west side. His bid was $275 an acre. The second parcel was 528 acres near the airport in Lawrence County. Ivers Farms bid $315 an acre to keep the lease with the city.

Wabash County Commissioner Agenda

September 3, 2024

Tuesday

AGENDA

1) Call to order:

2) Approve minutes of previous meeting:

3) Commissioner’s reports:

4) Officer’s reports:

5) Old Business:

a. ARPA Ordinance

b. Construction of County Highway Building

c. Appoint Election Judges for 2024-2026.

6) New Business:

a. Proposed Phase 2 HVAC System Upgrades

b. Proposed Investment Policy by Watler Accounting.

7) Executive Session:

a. Personnel

8) Correspondence:

9) Approval for payment of claims presented:

10) Adjournment:

Last Hurrah For City Pool Is Tonight

You have one last chance to swim at the Mt. Carmel City Pool before it’s closed forever. The Wabash County Animal Shelter Buddies will host their annual dog swim this evening from 5 to 8pm at the iconic landmark. City officials have tried for years to keep the pool within regulations, but various equipment failures have now made that impossible. The Illinois Department of Public Health recently found at least 4 critical violations and ruled the pool wouldn’t be allowed to operate in 2025 until those violations were corrected. Mayor Joe Judge says bringing the pool up to code would cost $11 million while building a new aquatic center would be cheaper coming in at just over $8 million. City voters will decide in November whether to approve a property tax increase to fund $3.5 million of the new pool.

The Mount Carmel City Pool was first opened in 1937. The pool has had several updates through the years. It is known for its Zero-Entry feature, meaning you can walk directly in the pool without the use of a ladder or steps.

The pool went out with a whimper over the holiday weekend as just 27 people showed up to swim on Saturday and 137 visited the 87 year old pool on Sunday.

This evening the Shelter Buddies will have hot dogs and pup cups available plus $20 micro-chipping. Admission is $5 a dog.

Holiday Moves City Council Meeting To Tuesday

AGENDA

CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 4:00 pm

· Call to Order

o Pledge of Allegiance

o Roll Call

· Approve Minutes

o Minutes of meeting held 08/19/2024.

· 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

o WEMA Representative

New Business

o Consent Agenda

§ Pay all bills by providing proper signatures.

o Removal of items from the Consent Agenda

o Resolution 707- Support of an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program Grant Application for Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements for Market Street

o Old Business-

o Ordinance 2111-Ordinance approving a special use for placement of manufactured home-second reading

o Executive Session-

o Discuss compensation of union employees and contract negotiations.

o Discuss the price setting for a particular piece of City-owned property.

o Motion to Adjourn-

o Liquor Control Meeting-Immediately after council hearing= N/A

Traffic Stop Leads To DUI Arrest Of Mt. Carmel Man

On 8/26/24, at approximately 2pm, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Tyler D. Roberts, age 34, of Mt. Carmel for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol following a traffic stop in the 200 block of South Chandler Drive.  Prior to the stop, the arresting officer observed a white Hyundai SUV fail to stop at the stop sign posted at 13th & Walnut Street and for the driver texting while driving.  In making the stop, the officer identified Roberts as the driver and detected an odor of alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle.  The officer requested Roberts submit to a roadside sobriety check and Roberts agreed to submit to that request.  During the standardized testing, Roberts showed numerous clues to indicate impairment.  Roberts was placed under arrest for Driving Under the Influence and transported to the Wabash County Jail.  Roberts was processed for DUI and issued additional citations for Disobeying a Stop Sign, Improper Use of Electronic Device and Illegal Transportation of Alcohol due to an alcoholic beverage being located in the car.  MCPD was assisted by the Illinois State Police during the stop.  Roberts was later released on a Notice to Appear.

 

Addition Of Chiropractic Services A Positive For WGH

Even though Wabash General Hospital is one of the few hospitals that has a chiropractor on staff, the addition of Dr. Lawrence Speir has been a beneficial one. At their meeting on Monday, the WGH Board of Directors heard a report of just how beneficial his addition has been. VP of professional services Andrew Kleinschmidt told the board that Speir is seeing up to 40 patients a day as he splits time between the Albion medical clinic and the orthopedic center in Mt. Carmel. Wabash General President/CEO Karissa Turner said adding chiropractic services has been a good one…

KARISSA TURNER ON DR. LAWRENCE SPEIR

Before joining WGH, Speir had practiced in Albion since 2004.

Shelburn Man Arrested for Domestic Battery of Juveniles 

Sullivan County - Indiana State Police Putnamville Post initiated a criminal investigation on May 9, 2024, after receiving information from a Shelburn Town Marshall, concerning allegations of domestic battery of two juveniles.

The investigation revealed that Caleb J. Bays, age 34, Shelburn, Indiana, had allegedly committed domestic battery on two victims less than fourteen years of age.  This allegation took place in Sullivan County.

After reviewing the investigation, Sullivan County Prosecutor Ann Mischler asked for a warrant to be issued for Bay's arrest.  A warrant was issued by the Sullivan Circuit Court on August 27, 2024, and Bays was arrested yesterday, without incident, by the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department.  He is currently being held in the Sullivan County Jail on a $16,000 bond. 

Investing Officer:  Indiana State Police Master Trooper Detective Angie Hahn of the Putnamville Post.

Assisting Agency: Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department, Shelburn Town Marshall Officer Matt Price, Sullivan County Department of Child Services, and Susie’s Place.

Arrested and Charges:  Caleb J. Bays, 34, Shelburn, IN

  • Domestic Battery of a person less than 14 years of age (2 counts)

Under the law, criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.