On February 2, 2025, at 11:58 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Levi Sims conducted a traffic stop on a White 1995 Oldsmobile for speeding on US 41 near County Road 800 North. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Sims detected multiple clues that the driver 47 year old Dennis Garwood of Hazleton was under the influence. At that point Deputy Sims began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Sims placed Mr. Garwood into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.
Assisting Deputy Sims in his investigation was Sgt. John Fischer.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
WGH's Oncology Department Highlighted At Board Meeting
Wabash General Hospital’s oncology and hematology department was spotlighted during this week’s WGH Board of Directors meeting. Department director Johnny Trimble said Dr. Maqbool Ahmed and nurse practitioner Sarah Pinkston have overseen substantial growth in the department over the last couple of years. But President/CEO Karissa Turner said it’s the people in the oncology department that make it special….
Trimble said the oncology department attracts most of its’ patients from Wabash and Lawrence County with others coming from Olney, Fairfield, and even Robinson.
2024 Another Successful Year For Operation Share
The numbers are in and 2024 was another successful year for Wabash County’s Operation Share program. According to the Wabash County Ministerial Association’s Kevin McGinnis, $17,937 was raised through bellringing and the annual letter campaign requesting support from local businesses, churches and community organizations. 200 Wabash County families received a $25 gift card toward a Thanksgiving meal at Buy Low, 250 families received a $25 gift card for a Christmas meal-also from Buy Low, and 424 children were able to select 3 toys/gifts each for Christmas. McGinnis also thanked the many service clubs, sports teams, church groups, 4-H groups, school groups, as well as all the other volunteers who gave of their time to ring bells or help with any of the toy distribution.
Mt. Carmel City Council Agenda
AGENDA CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, February 3 2025, 4:00 pm
• Call to Order o Pledge of Allegiance
o Roll Call
• Approve Minutes
o Minutes of meeting held on 01/21/2025.
o Minutes of executive meeting held on 01/21/2025.
• 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 Engineering Agreement Phase II Water Plant.
o Old Business
o Executive Session
o Motion to Adjourn
o Liquor Control Meeting-N/A
Severin, Bryant Condemn Violent Incident at Joint District Office
Mt. Vernon, IL – State Representative Dave Severin (R-Benton) and State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) issued the following statement after a brick was thrown through the window of their joint district office in Mt. Vernon.
"It is our honor to represent the people of Southern Illinois, and we take our responsibility to be their voice seriously. Our commitment has always been to advocate for policies that improve the lives of our constituents and all Illinoisans. Acts of violence like the one committed against our district office this morning will not deter us from that mission – instead, it only strengthens our resolve.
"No matter how high tensions rise in this current political environment, acts of violence are never the answer. We are committed to working with
Juvenile Found Guilty In Vehicle Burglary Cases
Press Release From Wabash County State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman:
On January 29, 2025, a juvenile resident of Mt. Carmel stood trial in two cases before the Honorable Judge William Hudson, both cases involving vehicle burglaries occurring in Mt. Carmel, Illinois in 2024.
The first case stemmed from vehicle burglaries occurring at Tri-Kote Inc. on April 5, 2024. During those burglaries, the juvenile stole fire extinguishers from several Tri-Kote vehicles, discharged those extinguishers into the vehicles, and then used one of the extinguishers to damage a vehicle belonging to a resident of 4th Street, Mt. Carmel.
The second case involved twelve (12) vehicle burglaries occurring on the evening of December 27 and the morning of December 28, 2024.
During the trials, multiple videos provided by residents and businesses were shown to establish the juvenile's location at the time of, and involvement in, the vehicle burglaries. Fifteen (15) residents were called as witnesses to establish the location and manner in which their vehicles were entered and the condition in which they were left.
The juvenile was adjudicated guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of all charges and ordered to be detained until sentencing.
The State's Attorney's Office expresses its appreciation to the multiple witnesses subpoenaed for trial who appeared and gave up their time to testify in this important matter. We understand the inconvenience it posed and are thankful for your cooperation.
Additionally, the Office thanks the Mt. Carmel Police Department for their efforts in investigating both matters and further would like to caution the public against leaving firearms in their vehicles.
Tax Bills Mailed Today
Wabash County Treasurer, Angela Broster, would like to announce that 2023 Payable 2024 Real Estate Tax Bills were mailed out Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
First installment is due Friday, March 7, 2025 and second installment is due Monday, April 7, 2025.
Payments may be made in person at the Treasurer’s office or you may use the drop box in front of the Courthouse. Credit Card payments can be made online at www.govtechtaxpro.com.
You may also make payments on the first installment or both installments at the First Mid Bank, First Bank and First National Bank Allendale & Mt. Carmel branches.
If you have any questions, please call the Treasurer’s office at 262-5262.
WCHD Stays Busy With Immunizations
More than 1,800 immunizations have been administered by the Wabash County Health Department over the last few months. From September through December, the health department administered 918 flu shots…with 390 coming during the October drive-thru clinic. In addition, 341 COVID shots were given. During that same time frame, 57 people were seen during the health department’s foot clinics, there were 85 lab draws, and 47 taking advantage of the family planning services offered.
Commissioners Offer Explanation For Tax Bill Delay
The long-awaited Wabash County property tax bills are getting closer to being mailed out. At last week’s county board meeting, county clerk Janet Will said she has been proofing sample bills that have been printed in advance of the actual bills being printed and mailed. Commissioners Tim Hocking, Rob Dean, and Scott West said they had received complaints about the delay in getting 2023 property taxes ready for distribution…
Dean acknowledged that Wabash County’s tax bills had gotten later and later, but he said those delays have nothing to do with the current situation.
Henderson man arrested on OWI charge after involvement in three vehicle injury accident
On January 26, 2025, at 6:15 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of three vehicle accident on State Road 165 near County Road 100 West. Upon arriving on scene Deputies began an investigation into the accident. During the investigation Deputies detected the odor of alcohol coming from 26 year old Yoaris Lopez of Henderson who was the driver of a Black 2007 Chevy Silverado. At that point Deputy Wyatt Hunt began a DUI investigation with Mr. Lopez while Deputy Bart Wagner conducted an investigation into the accident.
Deputy Wagner was able to determine that Mr. Lopez was Northbound on State Road 165 when he crossed the center of the roadway and struck a Blue 2011 Hyundai Sonata in a head on collision. The vehicles separated with the Chevy truck continued northbound, and the Hyundai left the roadway and came to rest in a nearby field. A third vehicle, a White 2024 Rav4 was also on the roadway and was struck by a tire that was in the roadway.
The driver of the Hyundai Sonata was extricated from their vehicle and transported to an area hospital by a medical transport hospital for extensive serious injuries. Mr. Lopez was transported to Deaconess Gibson for treatment of a fractured kneecap. Ultimately Mr. Lopez was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated involving a Serious Bodily Injury Accident.
As is protocol all three driver’s had blood drawn during the investigation of this accident.
Investigating Officers:
Deputy Wyatt Hunt – OWI investigation
Deputy Bart Wagner- Accident investigation
Assisting Officers were Deputies Bryan Small and Sgt. Roger Ballard. Also assisting in the investigation was Owensville Town Marshal Rodger Leister and the Indiana State Police.
Owensville Montgomery Township and the Gibson County Ambulance Service extricated the driver of the Hyundai Sonata.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
