On November 27, 2024, at 10:40 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Wyatt Hunt conducted a traffic stop on Gray 2020 Jeep Wrangler for disregarding the traffic signal at Main and Broadway in Princeton. Upon stopping the vehicle on Clark Street near Main Deputy Hunt approached the vehicle and detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver 52 year old Ora Martin of Haubstadt. At that point Deputy Hunt began a roadside DUI investigation. Once his investigation was completed he placed Mr. Martin into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.
Assisting Deputy Hunt in his investigation was Deputies Bart Wagner and Levi Sims. Also assisting were Sgt. Ben Kiesel and Bryce Jutzi of the Princeton Police Department.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Today Is Last Day To Pre-Pay Wabash County Property Taxes
Wabash Co. Treasurer, Angela Broster, would like to remind the community that the Prepayment deadline is on November 27, 2024. That’s in less than 2 weeks! It is very important for you to prepay your Real Estate taxes if you would like to be able to deduct them on your income taxes. This is due to the County converting to a new software system that the 2023 Payable 2024 Real Estate Taxes will not be out until after the first of the year in 2025.
If you have any questions regarding prepaying your Real Estate Taxes, please call the Treasurer’s office at 618-262-5262. No Prepayments will be accepted after November 27, 2024! After November 27th, you will have to wait until the Real Estate bills come out after the first of the year.
Mt. Carmel Man Sentenced To Prison On Child Porn Charges
29 year old Sean Willis of Mt. Carmel has been sentenced to prison on child pornography charges in Wabash County Circuit Court. Willis was indicted in May of last year by a statewide grand jury in Lee County on the two Class X felonies in addition to a third count of failure to register as a sex offender. The Illinois Attorney General’s office brought the case to the grand jury which was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Shannon O’Brien of the high-tech crime bureau in Chicago.
Bond at the time was set at $750,000 but was later reduced to $20,000 which Willis posted. Appearing in court Monday, Willis entered a guilty plea to the two-child porn charge in exchange for the sex offender registry charge being dropped. Judge Tara Wallace of Hardin County sentenced Willis to 14 years in prison on each count with the terms to run consecutively. The sentences will be served at 50%. Upon his release from prison, Willis will be on three years to life of mandatory supervised release. All electronic devices seized during the investigation were also ordered forfeited. Wallace also referred Willis to alcohol treatment while in prison. In addition to the prison sentence, Willis was fined $4,000 and ordered to pay court costs.
Take advantage of local pesticide applicator/operator testing
ALBION, Ill. – If you hold an Illinois license to apply pesticides, now is the time to check your expiration date. The Illinois Extension Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) collaborates with Extension offices and the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) to offer annual pesticide applicator/operator testing. Local in-person testing will be available in Edwards, Richland, and Wayne counties. To register online, visit the IDOA website at agr.illinois.gov/pesticides/in-person-testing.html or contact your local Extension office.
Testing locations and dates:
Albion, IL
Edwards County Farm Bureau community room
15 S. Fifth St., Albion, IL 62806
Dec. 6, 2024, Jan. 13, 2025, Feb. 7, 2025
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
To contact the Edwards County Extension office, call: 618-445-2934
Olney, IL
Richland County Extension office meeting room
306 S. Fair St., Olney, IL 62450
Dec. 20, 2024, Jan. 20, 2025, Feb. 21, 2025
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
To contact the Richland County Extension office, call: 618-395-2191
Fairfield, IL
Wayne County Extension office meeting room
2B Frontier Drive, Fairfield, IL 62837
Dec. 13, 2024, Jan. 24, 2025, March 7, 2025
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
To contact Wayne County Extension office, call: 618-842-3702
For more information regarding licensing requirements, study materials, resources, and additional testing and training opportunities, visit the Illinois Extension PSEP website at extension.illinois.edu/psep. You may also contact your local Extension office to see what study materials may be available to purchase. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Dana Hart at dbhart@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet access needs.
Wayne County Resident Circuit Judge Michael J. Molt Announces Retirement
Wayne County Resident Circuit Judge Michael J. Molt has announced his retirement. Judge Molt was elected to the bench in 2014 and retained in 2020. His last day of service will be November 30.
Judge Molt is a 1966 graduate of Fairfield Community High School. He attended and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in accounting in 1971, and earned his Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1974. Judge Molt has worked as an attorney and law partner in various capacities in Fairfield over the years, including as an attorney with Marshall, Feiger, Robinson, and Quindry, as a Trust Officer for the Wayne County Bank and Trust Company, and as a sole practitioner.
Judge Molt served the judiciary presiding over complex legal cases in Wayne County and across the Second Circuit throughout his tenure until December 2023, when he took a medical leave of absence. Commenting on his retirement, Judge Molt stated, “It has been an honor and privilege to serve as the Resident Circuit Judge of Wayne County, and I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the bench serving in that capacity. It was my hope and desire to complete my term in office which concludes in 2026; however, my current health situation is such that I am unable to do so. I want to express my sincere appreciation to Chief Judge Melissa Morgan and to the many judges that have covered my docket while I have been on medical leave. I further want to extend my gratitude to the voters of Wayne County who elected me to the position of Resident Circuit Judge of Wayne County, as it has truly been an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Second Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Melissa Morgan shared her thoughts on Judge Molt’s announcement adding, “Judge Molt’s unwavering commitment to upholding the law has earned him the respect and admiration of all who have had the privilege of appearing before him. He has always approached his service on the bench with a sense of responsibility and care, and his dedication to justice and fairness has left an indelible mark on those of us who have had the honor of working alongside him. On behalf of the Judges of the Second Judicial Circuit, we wish him continued healing as he embarks on this new chapter of his life and happiness in his well-deserved retirement.”
Franklin County Resident Circuit Judge Thomas J. Tedeschi Retires
The Second Judicial Circuit is honored to recognize Franklin County Resident Circuit Judge Thomas J. Tedeschi in his retirement from the judiciary. Judge Tedeschi was elected by the voters of Franklin County to serve as their Resident Circuit Judge in 2008. He was retained circuit-wide for the position in 2014 and then again in 2020.
Judge Tedeschi received his Juris Doctorate Degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law. Prior to coming to the bench, he was employed as a Probation Officer, Franklin County State’s Attorney Investigator, Police Officer, and Deputy Sheriff in Franklin County. Judge Tedeschi also served as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Franklin County, a position he held when he was elected Franklin County Resident Circuit Judge. Judge Tedeschi was elected Chief Judge of the Second Circuit and served in that capacity for eight years from 2014-2021.
Second Circuit Chief Judge Melissa Morgan commented on Judge Tedeschi’s retirement stating, “Judge Tedeschi has served the Second Circuit as Franklin County Resident Circuit Judge for 16 years, but his dedication to public service extends far beyond that. From his early work with our justice partners in law enforcement and as an Assistant to the State’s Attorney, to then serving as Franklin County Resident Circuit Judge and the Chief Judge of the Second Circuit, his service is a reflection of his unwavering commitment to the administration of justice. As he embarks on this next chapter of his life, the Judges of the Second Judicial Circuit congratulate him on his retirement.”
The Second Judicial Circuit is comprised of the counties of Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jefferson, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White.
Allendale Students Of The Month
Allendale School would like to Congratulate our November Students of the Month.
Back row- Samuel Waldroup( 4th), Zoie Majors (5th), Tessa White (8th)
Front row- Benjamin Keepes (1st), Rowdy Buchanan (2nd), Owen Weber (K)
Not pictured- Temperance Wagner (3rd)
Lanes reopening where possible for Thanksgiving holiday travel
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Thanksgiving holiday to minimize travel disruption.
Non-emergency closures will be suspended from 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, to 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2.
The following lane closures will remain in place during the holiday weekend. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through these areas. 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 stay alert for workers and equipment. At all times, please buckle and drive sober.
District 1
City of Chicago
Kennedy Expressway (Interstate 90/94) reversible lanes between Lawrence Avenue and Ohio Street; closed.
Kennedy between Milwaukee Avenue and Hubbard’s Cave; lane reductions continue.
Foster Avenue over the Kennedy; closed.
Kennedy at Foster Avenue; shoulder closures continue.
Ohio Street feeder ramp between Orleans Street and the Kennedy; lane reductions continue.
Ontario Street feeder ramp between Orleans Street and the Kennedy; lane reductions continue.
Outbound Kennedy west of Addison Street; right shoulder closed.
Cook County
Franklin Avenue between Runge Street and Mannheim Road (U.S. 12/45) in Franklin Park; lane reductions continue.
183rd Street at Pulaski Road in Country Club Hills; lane reductions continue on both roads.
La Grange Road (U.S. 12/20/25) between 87th Street and the Stevenson Expressway (I-55) in Lyons Township; lane reductions continue.
Southbound La Grange ramp to eastbound Archer Avenue (Illinois 171); closed, detour posted.
Outbound Stevenson ramp to southbound La Grange Road; closed, detour posted.
Inbound Stevenson ramp to northbound La Grange Road; closed, detour posted.
Inbound Eisenhower Expressway (eastbound I-290) between First Avenue (Illinois 171) and the Des Plaines River; right shoulder closed.
Old Chicago Road over Forked Creek in Wesley Township; closed, detour posted.
Cicero Avenue (Illinois 50) between 67th and 71st streets in Bedford Park; lane reductions continue.
Cermak Road between 19th Street and Gardner Road in Broadview and Westchester; lane reductions continue.
Ashland Avenue/Wood Street between 127th Street in Calumet Park and 147th Street/Sibley Boulevard (Illinois 83) in Harvey; closed, detour posted.
127th Street (Illinois 83) over the Cal-Sag Channel in Crestwood; lane reductions continue.
55th Street between Wolf and Brainard roads in Western Springs, La Grange and Countryside; lane reductions continue.
131st Street at Southwest Highway (Illinois 7) in Orland Park; closed, detour posted.
DuPage County
Lake Street (U.S. 20) over Illinois 390 (Elgin-O'Hare Expressway) in Hanover Park; lane reductions continue.
Kane County
Eastbound Chicago Street between Center Street and Liberty Street (Illinois 25) in Elgin; closed, detour posted.
U.S. 20 at State Street (Illinois 31) in Elgin; lane reductions on both roads continue.
McLean Boulevard between Stearns Road and Spring Street in South Elgin; closed, detour posted.
Lake County
Sheridan Road (Illinois 137) over Bull Creek, just south of Wadsworth Avenue in Zion; closed, detours posted.
Oak Spring Road over the Des Plaines River in Libertyville Township; closed, detour posted.
Sprucewood Lane and Lake Shore Drive in Lindenhurst; lane closures continue.
McHenry County
Millstream Road between River Road and Illinois 176 in Seneca Township; closed, detour posted.
Will County
Moen Avenue between Mound Road and Larkin Avenue in Rockdale; closed, detour posted.
Sioux Drive/Dove Drive between Sunset Drive and Eames Street (U.S. 6) in Channahon; lane reductions continue.
Essington Road between Pandola Avenue and Citadel Drive in Joliet; lane reductions continue.
Northwest Frontage Road between Jefferson Street (U.S. 52) and Black Road in Shorewood; closed, detour posted.
I-55 between I-80 and Jefferson Street (U.S. 52) in Shorewood and Joliet; right shoulders closed.
Illinois 59 at Seil Road in Shorewood; lane reductions continue.
I-80 at Wheeler Avenue in Joliet; all shoulders closed.
I-80 between River Road in Shorewood and Ridge Road in Minooka; all shoulders closed.
Between River Road and Houbolt Road in Joliet; all shoulders closed.
Between Houbolt Road and Larkin Avenue; all shoulders closed.
At Midland Avenue; all shoulders closed.
At Wheeler Avenue; all shoulders closed.
At Richards Street; all ramps closed.
Between Rowell Avenue in Joliet and Gougar Road in New Lenox; all shoulders closed.
Richards Street between Colburn Aveue and Fifth Street in Joliet; lane reductions continue.
Old Chicago Road over Forked Creek in Wesley Township; closed, detour posted.
Briggs Street over I-80 in Joliet; lane reductions and shoulder closures continue.
Illinois 394 at Burville Road; lane reductions continue
District 2
Lee County
Illinois 26 about 6 miles north of Ohio; lane reductions continue with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Rock Island County
I-88 about 10 miles west of Rock Falls; lane reductions continue.
Whiteside County
I-88 at U.S. 30 spur near Como; all ramps closed except for westbound I-88 to Lincoln Road (U.S. 30).
Winnebago County
Illinois 2 over the Rock River near Rockton; lane reductions continue.
I-39/U.S. 20 interchange just south of Rockford; lane reductions continue
Harrison Avenue (U.S. 20) at I-39 in Cherry Valley; lane reductions continue.
District 3
Bureau County
I-180 between mileposts 7 and 8; lane reductions continue.
District 4
Fulton County
U.S. 24 east of Illinois 78 near Little America; lane reductions continue with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Knox County
Illinois 78 at the railroad viaduct just south of Yates City; closed.
Marshall County
I-39 at Township Road 39, Sandy Creek and North Fork Sandy Creek north of Wenona; lane reductions continue.
Mercer County
U.S. 67 over Pope Creek 3 miles south of Viola; lane reductions continue with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Peoria County
Eastbound War Memorial Drive (U.S. 150) at Adams Street (Illinois 29) in Peoria; lane reductions continue.
Adams Street (Illinois 29) between Lorentz Avenue and Eureka Street in Peoria; lane reductions continue.
I-474 at Airport Road (exit 5) near Peoria; lane reductions continue.
Airport Road over I-474; lane reductions continue.
Illinois 78 over I-74; lane reductions continue with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Putnam County
Illinois 89 over Clear Creek and Clear Creek tributary north of Magnolia; lane reductions continue with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Stark County
Illinois 17/91 over the Spoon River west of Wyoming; lane reductions continue with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Tazewell County
U.S. 24 between Cummings Lane and Main Street in Washington; lane reductions continue.
I-155 at Illinois 122 and at Armington Road; lane reductions continue.
Cedar Street Extension (Illinois 116/8) in East Peoria; lane reductions continue.
District 5
Champaign County
Northbound I-57 ramp to westbound I-57 in Champaign; closed, detour posted.
Illinois 10 (Springfield Avenue) west of Mattis Avenue in Champaign; closed.
U.S. 136 east of Gifford; lane reductions continue.
Douglas County
I-57 between mileposts 202 and 215; lane reductions continue.
Edgar County
U.S. 150 west of Paris; lane reductions continue with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
McLean County
U.S. 24 2 miles east of Chenoa; lane reductions continue with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Illinois 9 east of I-55/74 in Bloomington; lane reductions continue.
Vermilion County
I-74 between Oakwood and Tilton; lane reductions continue.
I-74 between Bowman Avenue and U.S. 150 in Danville; lane reductions continue.
U.S. 150/Illinois 1 over I-74 in Tilton; lane reductions continue.
District 6
Cass County
Illinois 125 west of Virginia; lane reductions continue.
Sangamon County
I-55 at Pawnee/Illinois 104 (exit 82); lane reductions continue.
District 7
Effingham County
Fayette Avenue between Raney and Walnut streets in Effingham; lane reductions continue.
Lawrence County
U.S. 50 about 2 miles east of the airport interchange; lane reductions continue.
U.S. 50 just east of Sumner; lane reductions continue with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Macon County
U.S. 51 over Illinois 48 at Decatur; lane reductions continue.
Twin Lakes Road over I-72 west of Decatur; closed.
Wayne County
Illinois 15 about a mile west of Sims Road; lane reductions continue with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Illinois 15 about a mile west of County Highway 3; lane reductions continue with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
District 8
Madison County
Illinois 4 over U.S. 40 near Troy; lane reductions continue with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Southbound Illinois 111 just north of I-55/70 in Fairmont City; lane reductions continue.
Marion County
I-57 between Illinois 161 and the Jefferson County line (mileposts 106-110); lane reductions continue.
Illinois 37 between Salem and Alma; lane reductions continue with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Randolph County
Illinois 13 at Illinois 4 west of Tilden; closed to through traffic, detour posted.
St. Clair County
Eastbound I-70 ramp to eastbound I-64; closed, detour posted.
District 9
Alexander County
U.S. 60/62 bridge over the Mississippi River at Cairo; closed.
Old Illinois 3 south of Gale; closed.
U.S. 51 north of Cairo; lane reductions continue.
I-57 over the Mississippi River; lane reductions continue.
Franklin County
Illinois 34 about 2 miles east of Benton; lane reductions continue with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Gallatin County
Illinois 1 about 2 miles south of Illinois 13; lane reductions continue with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Jackson County
Illinois 3 north of Illinois 151; lane reductions continue.
Jefferson County
I-64 between U.S. 51 and I-57; lane reductions continue.
Illinois 142 about 4 miles east of Mount Vernon; lane reductions continue with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Johnson County
Illinois 146 just east of I-24; lane reductions continue with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Pope County
Illinois 145 over Bay Creek, just south of Illinois 146; lane reductions continue with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Illinois 145 over Bear Creek, just south of Bay Creek; lane reductions continue with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
Saline County
U.S. 45 near Texas City; lane reductions continue with traffic controlled by temporary signals.
White County
I-64 east of Grayville; lane reductions continue.
Williamson County
I-24 at milepost 2; lane reductions continue.
Illinois 148 just south of Grassy Road; lane reductions continue.
Southbound I-57 between mileposts 32 and 43; lane reductions continue.
Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,200 miles of highway and nearly 9 million square feet of bridge deck as part of Rebuild Illinois, which is investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. Accomplishments through Year Five of Rebuild Illinois include approximately $16 billion of improvements statewide on 6,541 miles of highway, 686 bridges and 986 additional safety improvements.
For more information on IDOT projects, click here. Follow us on Twitter at @IDOT_Illinois or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.
Rockin' Chicken Slated To Open In Former Long John Silvers Building
The Mt. Carmel City Council has approved TIF funding to bring a new restaurant to the former Long John Silvers location on West 9th Street. Steve Waddle and his wife Sherry McGivney were at yesterday’s City Council meeting asking for the funding to help bring their second Rockin’ Chicken location to Mt. Carmel. They currently operate one on North East 1st Street in a former Long John Silvers location in Evansville. He says the Rockin’ Chicken menu is different than most other restaurants…..
The Council agreed to use $40,000 in TIF funds to facilitate the $225,000 project. Waddle said he plans to start renovating the building in January with a planned Fall 2025 opening.
WSJD File Photo
Calumet City Man Sentenced to 12+ Years in Prison for Carbondale Mail Theft and Bank Fraud Scheme
BENTON, Ill. – A district court judge sentenced a Calumet City man to 154 months’ imprisonment for engaging in a bank fraud scheme using mail stolen from blue collection boxes in Carbondale.
Isaiah Jordan, 31, pleaded guilty in June to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, one count of theft of mail and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
“Communities depend on the U.S. Postal Service to communicate with loved ones and pay bills, but when thieves target collection boxes to steal checks and disrupt the public mailing system, the effects are evident throughout the region,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “I commend the Carbondale Police Department and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for leading this complex investigation and ultimately holding these criminals accountable.”
Charged co-conspirators Brian R. Nevils, 25, of South Holland, and Quentin S. Abrams, 25, of Charleston, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of mail theft. The federal judge sentenced Abrams to time served in April and sentenced Nevils to 18 months’ imprisonment in September.
According to court documents, the defendants used a stolen master key to gain access to mail collection boxes throughout Carbondale. The conspiracy involved altering the payees and amounts of stolen checks, depositing the checks into bank accounts of co-conspirators and then transferring the funds into their own accounts or of their associates.
“This sentencing illustrates that individuals who engage in mail theft will be held accountable for their actions. The Postal Inspection Service will continue to partner with other law enforcement agencies to collectively pursue criminals who victimize postal customers,” stated Inspector in Charge, Ruth Mendonça, who leads the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which includes the St. Louis Field Office.
Nevils, Jordan and Abrams stole and altered more than 100 checks sent by more than 50 individuals through USPS from March through July 2020. The total estimated loss is $396,971.83.
“Our success as law enforcement officers relies in part on the strong partnerships between local and federal agencies in investigating complex crimes that affect our community,” said Carbondale Police Chief and Interim City Manager Stan Reno. “The collaboration between the Carbondale Police Department, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service was key in bringing these offenders to justice. Together, we are committed to ensuring the safety and integrity of our city, protecting both our residents and our institutions from fraudulent schemes.”
Following imprisonment, Jordan was ordered to serve three years of supervised release. In addition, the Court ordered Jordan to pay $396,971.83 in restitution to the affected banks.
Demarius L. Flakes, 31, of Blue Island, was also charged in the indictment with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, three counts of mail theft, six counts of bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. He is in custody in Cook County on separate charges.
An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The Carbondale Police Department and the U.S. Postal Service jointly investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Verseman prosecuted the case.