Wabash County Early Voting Information

NOTICE

EARLY VOTING DATES

Public Notice is hereby given that “Early Voting” in

Wabash County shall be conducted prior to the

November 5, 2024 General Election at a temporary

polling site in the County Clerk’s Office in the

Courthouse, 401 Market Street, Mt. Carmel for:

Precincts #1 through #16

on the following dates:

Thursday, September 26th – Friday, September 27th

8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Monday, September 30th – Friday, October 4th

8:00 am – 4:0

Monday, October 7th – Friday, October 11th

8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Tuesday, October 15th – Friday, October 18th

8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Monday, October 21st – Friday, October 25th

8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Monday, October 28th – Friday, November 1st

8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Saturday, November 2nd

9:00 am – 12:00 noon

Monday, November 4th

8:00 am – 4:00 pm

State law requires the election authority to verify the

signature of the Early Voter. Voters do not need a

reason for “Early Voting” but Early Voters are

prohibited from voting at the polls on Election Day.

Please call the Wabash County Clerk’s Office for

any questions regarding Early Voting. 618-262-4561.

Janet L. Will

Wabash County Clerk

Evansville man arrested during traffic stop

On October 15, 2024, at 4 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Michael Bates conducted a traffic stop on a White 2023 Hyundai Tucson for speeding in the area of CR 550 East and CR 500 South.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Bates detected the odor of Marijuana coming from inside the vehicle while speaking with the driver 24 year old KeShawn Bolton of Evansville.  At that point Deputy Bates began a roadside investigation.  At the conclusion of his investigation he placed Mr. Bolton into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Driving While Suspended/Prior, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia. 
 
Assisting Deputy Bates in his investigation was Deputy Levi Sims.
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Mount Carmel man arrested for never having a valid license

On October 14, 2024, at 11:02 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Eric Powell conducted a traffic stop on a Black 2016 Chevy pickup for speeding on State Road 64 near County Road 275 West.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Powell identified the driver as 25 year old Rodin Vazquez Garcia of Mount Carmel.  During the roadside encounter it was discovered that Mr. Garcia had never been issued a valid operator’s license.  At that point Deputy Powell placed Mr. Garcia into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Never Licensed. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MCPD Chief Comments On Officer Involved Shooting

At yesterday’s Mt. Carmel City Council meeting, Police Chief Mike McWilliams addressed Thursday night’s officer involved shooting that left 16 year Uriah Howder dead of a single gun shot wound to the chest…

MIKE MCWILLIAMS SHOOTING #1 10 14 24

McWilliams continued his comments with this…

MIKE MCWILLIAMS SHOOTING #2 10 14 24

Following the short six-minute open session of the meeting, the council adjourned into executive session in which they requested McWilliams to be a part of. No action was taken by the council following the executive session.

Princeton man arrested on DUI charge

On October 13, 2024, at approximately 3 a.m. Gibson County Communications Officer Tiahanna Berry received a 911 report that a Blue Ford Truck with Ohio plates was all over the roadway on US 41 and would sit at traffic lights well after the lights had turned greened.   The caller stayed behind the vehicle until it parked at the Subway located at 7990 S Professional Drive in Fort Branch. 
 
Deputy Michael Bates located the vehicle and upon approaching the running vehicle he observed 47 year old Christopher Holmes passed out behind the wheel.  Further Deputy Bates observed multiple empty beer bottles in the back seat.  Deputy Bates woke Mr. Holmes up to conduct a welfare check, and upon speaking with Mr. Holmes he detected the overwhelming odor of alcoholic beverages.  At that point Deputy Bates performed a DUI investigation.  Once that investigation was completed Mr. Holmes was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.
 
Assisting Deputy Bates in his investigation was Fort Branch Officer Louis Jerrell.
 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE INVESTIGATES OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTING IN MOUNT CARMEL

MOUNT CARMEL – The Mount Carmel Police Department (MCPD) requested the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 8 to investigate an officer involved shooting that occurred October 10, 2024 at approximately 9:18 p.m.  MCPD officers responded to a domestic disturbance in the 40 block of Lambert Drive, Mount Carmel, Wabash County.

Preliminary investigative findings indicate upon arriving at the above residence, members from the MCPD encountered a juvenile suspect with a knife. An officer discharged their firearm, striking the suspect and another juvenile.  Officers immediately rendered aid to both individuals who were transported to an area hospital. The suspect was pronounced deceased by the Wabash County Coroner.

ISP continues to investigate the officer involved shooting and will provide its findings to the Wabash County States Attorney’s office for review once complete. The investigation is ongoing and no additional information is available at this time.

Officer Involved Shooting On Lambert Drive Leaves One Person Dead

The investigation continues into an officer involved shooting in Mt. Carmel that has left one person dead.  MCPD Chief Mike McWilliams says the shooting happened as officers were investigating a domestic dispute on Lambert Drive. No officers were hurt. Illinois State Police tell us that at 10 p.m. last night Mt. Carmel Police requested an investigation to the officer involved shooting. McWilliams says the officer involved is on administrative leave, as is standard procedure in these type of situations.

City Hits Pause Button On Solar Project

The proposed solar project at Mt. Carmel’s sewer plant has been put on hold. Last year, the city council approved a contract showing intent to move forward with Keystone Energy to place a solar array on the southern portion of the city property at the wastewater treatment plant. Keystone proposed to build and own the system and take advantage of state and federal credits. But city attorney Derek McCullough told the council that if those government credits go away, the city would be responsible for making up the difference. Brad Morton of Morton Solar and Electric then submitted an alternative proposal in which the city pays for the construction of the project and owns the system. The city explored financing for the Morton project, but Mayor Joe Judge said now’s not the right time to move forward with the plan…

JOE JUDGE PAUSES SOLAR PROJECT

It was hoped the project would eventually pay for itself from the move saved on the solar power in addition to state and federal credits.

ISP ANNOUNCES INTERSTATE 57 TRAFFIC SAFETY ENFORCEMENT OPERATION RESULTS

PESOTUM – Illinois State Police (ISP) officers from eastern and southern Illinois joined forces to combat aggressive and unsafe driving behaviors along Interstate 57 from October 3-7, 2024. The operation focused its efforts on Interstate 57, starting at milepost zero in Alexander County all the way up to milepost 257 on the northern Champaign County border.

Patrol officers from ISP Troops 7, 9, and 10, with assistance from ISP central and south Special Operations Group’s Fatal Four team saturated the interstate, enforcing Illinois Vehicle Code violations, especially speeding. Speeding is a contributing factor in nearly one-third of all fatality crashes. Officers also focused on Motor Carrier Safety Inspections for commercial motor vehicles, a function unique to ISP officers. Over a quarter of all fatal crashes involving large trucks occur on the interstate. By focusing on this known data and taking proactive steps to correct unsafe driving behavior, ISP strives to decrease fatal and personal injury crashes on the interstate.

It should be noted that during this high-visibility traffic enforcement detail there were no fatal crashes, and only five accident reports filed for all 257 miles of Interstate 57.

 

Operation Results

Speeding Citations Issued: 599

Speeding Warnings Issued: 484

Motor Carrier Safety Inspections: 198

Move Over “Scott’s Law” Citations Issued: 16

Criminal Arrests: 6

Suspended/Revoked/No Driver’s License Citations: 46

As ISP’s increased enforcement to save lives and combat personal injury and fatal crashes on the interstate systems has evolved, the need for additional troopers to carry out this important work has increased.  

ISP reminds the public that the Move Over Law, also known as “Scott’s Law,” requires all drivers to move over when approaching an emergency vehicle, or any vehicle with its emergency or hazard lights activated.  A person who violates the Move Over Law faces a fine of no less than $250 and no more than $10,000 for a first offense.