At Monday’s City Council meeting, Mt. Carmel Mayor Joe Judge said city crews continue to battle a rash of water main breaks….
Local Agencies Scrambling For Answers In Wake Of Funding Freeze
President Trump’s freeze on federal funding has put thousands of agencies around the country on pins and needles unsure what their futures may hold. Wabash County board chairman Rob Dean reported at yesterday’s county board meeting that he was a part of an emergency conference call last week with representatives of Wabash Area Development, Incorporated…better known as WADI….
Wabash County Health Department administrator Judy Wissel said her agency is facing the same unsure future….
Wissel said the majority of the health department’s grants don’t rely on federal funding.
ILLINOIS SHERIFFS’ ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIPS
The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association announces that it will be awarding over $58,000 in college scholarships throughout the State of Illinois to students wishing to pursue higher education during the 2025-2026 academic year. The scholarships are to be applied to tuition, books, and fees only. The student must be enrolled full-time at a certified institution of higher learning within the State of Illinois, full-time. Online learning at an Illinois-based school is also acceptable.
Sheriff J. Derek Morgan, Wabash County, will be awarding 1 scholarship in the amount of $500.
There will be no restriction on any applicant by reason of race, age, creed, color, sex or national origin. The only limitations are as follows:
· Applicants must be permanent Illinois residents
· Scholarships must be utilized at institutions of higher learning within the State of Illinois, including those offering online learning
· Students must be enrolled as a full-time student during the 2025-2026 school year (excluding summer session).
Applications are now available at your local Sheriff’s office or on the ISA Website https://www.ilsheriff.org/youth-2/. Students must complete the application, answer the essay question, and return all documentation to the Sheriff’s office in their permanent county of residence by March 14, 2025 (must be postmarked by this date). A directory of Sheriffs offices is available on the ISA website at https://www.ilsheriff.org/sheriffs-directory/. For more information, please contact your local Sheriff’s office, Illinois Sheriffs’ Association, high school advising center, or college financial aid office.
Bicknell woman arrested for OWI
On January 31, 2025, AT 4:38 A.M. Gibson County Deputy Michael Bates conducted a traffic stop for speeding on US 41 near County Road 350 South after observing the vehicle traveling Northbound on 41 at a high rate of speed. Upon stopping the vehicle, a White 2007 Toyota Camry Deputy Bates identified the driver as 36 year old Loretta Allen of Bicknell. While speaking with Ms. Allen Deputy Bates detected clues that Ms. Allen was under the influence. At that point Deputy Bates began a roadside OWI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Bates placed Ms. Allen into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, 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.
Hazleton man arrested on DUI charge
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.