On 1/23/25, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Clayton S. Kirkman, age 39, of Mt. Carmel for Domestic Battery following a domestic dispute with a family member at their residence in the 500 block of West 1st Street. Police were called to the scene to a report that Kirkman was damaging the home when the family member arrived. As the family member entered the house, it was alleged Kirkman shoved them, causing minor injury. Kirkman was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held until a pre-trial release determination by the court.
Mt. Carmel Man Jailed On FTA Warrant
On 1/31/25, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Richard E. Stringfellow, age 50, of Mt. Carmel on a Wabash County Failure to Appear Warrant. Stringfellow was observed by the officer in the 600 block of West 6th Street, where he was taken into custody. Stringfellow was transported to the Wabash County Jail, issued the warrant, and is being held pending a sentencing hearing.
City Council Moves Regular Meeting To Noon Friday
AGENDA
CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Friday, February 14, 2025,12:00 pm
· Call to Order
o Pledge of Allegiance
o Roll Call
· Approve Minutes
o Minutes of meeting held on 02/03/2025.
· Visitors (topic discussed by visitor(s) is limited to 5 minutes)
o Terry Beckerman-Christmas Uptown
o David James-Riverview Ramble
· 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 Old Business- Second Reading of Ordinance 2122
o Executive Session-Enter into discussion concerning the purchase of property.
o Motion to Adjourn-
o Liquor Control Meeting-N/A
WVC Foundation Appoints New Executive Director
Wabash Valley College (WVC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Samantha (Sam) Newkirk as the new Executive Director of the Wabash Valley College Foundation. A lifelong member of the Mount Carmel community, Newkirk brings a deep connection to both the college and its mission.
Newkirk’s journey with WVC began as a student and work-study participant, gaining experience in multiple campus roles, including the fitness center and business office. “I really enjoyed the people and the different aspects of working in the business office,” Newkirk said. Her familiarity with the college and passion for service make her a natural fit for this leadership role.
As Executive Director, Newkirk will oversee foundation operations, manage fundraising efforts, and strengthen community partnerships. “It’s amazing how much people give and want to give back to the community,” she said. “I want to ensure these contributions are used effectively to support WVC’s mission.”
In her early weeks, Newkirk has identified re-engaging with the community and strengthening relationships as key priorities. “The foundation isn’t just about fundraising—it’s about making a real impact,” she emphasized.
Newkirk’s professional background is diverse, including roles as a part-time teacher at Ambassador Christian Academy and work in business services such as tax preparation and auctioneering. She credits faith, family, and encouragement from friends for leading her to this opportunity. “When I received the job description, it felt like an answer to prayer,” she said.
Looking ahead, Newkirk hopes to increase engagement among board members and the community. “I want people to see that things are happening and that their involvement truly matters,” she said. Her vision for the foundation extends beyond fundraising to service-oriented initiatives that strengthen the college’s ties with the community.
For more information about the Wabash Valley College Foundation or to learn how to get involved, contact the foundation office at 618-263-5026.
Owensville man arrested on public indecency charge
On February 5, 2025, at 8:55 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a man who had exposed himself on Brummitt Street in Owensville. Deputy Quinten Might arrived on scene and began an investigation. During the investigation he observed video surveillance and was able to identify the male as 26 year old Braiden Koberstein of Owensville. After a brief search of the area Mr. Kobserstein was located and placed into custody. Mr. Koberstein was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Public Indecency.
Assisting Deputy Might in his investigation was Fort Branch Town Marshal Darrell Parker, Indiana Conservation Officer Matt Clark, and Gibson County 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.
Mount Carmel woman arrested on OWI charge
On February 7, 2025, at 6:39 p.m. Gibson County Sheriff’s Sgt. Loren Barchett conducted a traffic stop on a 2017 Jeep Compass for an equipment violation on Broadway near Richland Creek Drive. Special Deputy Wyatt Lashbrook identified the driver as 45 year old Shannon Dill of Mount Carmel. During a roadside investigation Ms. Dill’s vehicle registration and driver’s license were ran through the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles. It was discovered at that point the Ms. Dill’s operator’s license and vehicle registration were both not valid. During an inventory of the vehicle illegal drugs were located, and a OWI investigation was conducted. At the conclusion of the investigation Ms. Dill was booked into the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Marijuana. Ms. Dill was also issued citations for Expired Plates and No Valid License.
Arresting Officer was Sgt. Loren Barchett and he was assisted in his investigation by Special Deputy Wyatt Lashbrook, Deputy Wyatt Hunt, and Deputy Bart Wagner. Also assisting in this investigation was Princeton Officer Bryce Jutzi.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Petersburg man arrested on multiple charges
On February 9, 2025, at 7:50 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of an accident with injuries at the Huck’s Gas Station located at 78 East State Road 168 near Fort Branch. The reporting party told dispatchers that a vehicle had struck the building and was attempting to leave. Deputy Quinten Might arrived on scene and observed a Brown/Tan Chevy truck stuck in a ditch near the exit of the business. Upon speaking to a witness on scene they advised the driver had left the vehicle and was inside the business. After a brief search of the business Deputy Might and Deputy Michael Owens located 25 year old James Johnson of Petersburg inside the business. At that point Deputy Might requested that a medic check Mr. Johnson out due to visible cuts to his face and blood on his hands. While speaking with Mr. Johnson Deputy Might detected the strong odor of alcohol coming from him. At that point Deputy Might began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of the investigation Mr. Johnson was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with OWI-Prior/ Refusal, Mischief, Failure to Stop After an Accident, and Driving while Suspended.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Pritzker takes aim at Trump tariffs with business tours, calls to foreign officials
Governor takes new climate role as Trump admin slashes EV charger funding
By ANDREW ADAMS
and JADE AUBREY
Capitol News Illinois
aadams@capitolnewsillinois.com
jaubrey@capitolnewsillinois.com
When President Donald Trump announced plans to issue tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China last week, the backlash from Illinois leaders was swift.
The duties on Mexico and Canada were “paused” by Monday afternoon amid negotiations between the nation’s leaders, but that didn’t stop Gov. JB Pritzker from frequently taking aim at the tariffs – and Trump – this week.
On Friday, at an announcement of a new tax credit for Freedman Seating, a Chicago-based vehicle seat manufacturer, Pritzker criticized the president’s attempts to impose the tariffs.
“Affordability and jobs are potentially the victims of that trade war,” Pritzker said. “Tariffs are a tax paid for by consumers. In the end, it's a tax on working families and on small businesses.”
Freedman Seating agreed to invest $4 million for capital upgrades at its Chicago facility and is set to get a state tax credit as part of a deal to create 50 new jobs and keep 676 existing ones. The deal is part of Illinois’ Economic Development for a Growing Economy program.
That company was the latest Pritzker visited in what became a week of campaigning against the tariffs. On Thursday, he visited Darvin Furniture in Orland Park and Funkytown Brewery in Chicago to discuss the proposed duties. The furniture store already put a hold on a deal with a Canadian supplier, according to Pritzker’s office.
Trump’s reasons for the tariffs aren’t relevant to Canada, Pritzker argued Friday.
“With regard to Canada, 1% of all the fentanyl that ends up in the United States is coming from the northern border, from Canada,” he said. “One percent, that's the emergency he's going after. Immigration is the second of the two emergencies that he has declared in order to put these tariffs on. Immigration – that is not a problem from Canada.”
On Wednesday, Pritzker called Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Kirsten Hillman and Consul General of Mexico in Chicago Reyna Torres Mendivil to discuss the tariffs. On Friday, he said he urged them to make sure their respective countries “don't retaliate” against products that are important to companies in Illinois.
Read more: Illinois locked in legal battles with Trump administration over immigration policy
Pritzker also went after Trump’s disbandment of diversity, equity, and inclusion frameworks, calling the move an attack on civil rights during Friday’s news conference. And he criticized the Trump administration’s federal funding freeze, saying it was actually a freeze on programs that keep Illinois safe, specifically local law enforcement agencies.
“It's a massive effort to distract from what they are doing across the country, to take away things that working-class, middle-class people, families, and the most vulnerable really need,” he said.
EV charger clash
Trump’s actions may also pump the brakes on one of Pritzker’s signature policy goals: reducing the state’s carbon footprint.
Pritzker set a goal to have 1 million electric vehicles on Illinois roads by 2030. Pritzker’s administration has also awarded more than $1.1 billion in tax breaks meant to bolster the EV industry supply chain since 2022.
But that effort could face new headwinds after the Trump administration told states Thursday it was suspending funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, a Biden-era program that was originally designed to put $5 billion toward building new EV chargers.
The Illinois Department of Transportation, which administers the program in Illinois, announced in September that it approved $25 million for the first round of funding. Illinois was set to receive as much as $148 million in total through 2027 as part of the program.
Late last year, the department extended the application window for the second round and was accepting applications as recently as this week, according to its website.
Pritzker also on Thursday took on a new role as co-chair of “America is All In,” an advocacy group aimed at a “whole-of-society” response to climate change.
It originated during the first Trump administration after state elected officials and business leaders – including Pritzker – wanted to signal that they would still take aggressive action on climate change after Trump said he would pull the U.S. out of a 2016 U.N. agreement committing the nation to reducing its carbon emissions.
“We cannot be afraid to tell the truth: the climate crisis is real and we must tackle it with action that protects us from natural disasters and builds a strong clean energy economy with good-paying jobs,” Pritzker said in a statement “It’s clear that states like Illinois and cities, businesses, and institutions will be where climate action presses forward.”
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at a news conference with lawmakers and representatives of Pace Suburban Bus in Markham on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)
Next City Council Meeting Moved Up
A lack of quorum has caused the next City Council meeting to be moved up. The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, February 18th…a day later because of President’s Day. The council will now meet at noon on Friday, February 14th at City Hall.
1st Act Booked For Fantastic 4th Weekend
It’s still several months away, but the first big event of Mt. Carmel’s Fantastic Fourth of July weekend has been announced. The rock band “Whiskey Throttle” will hit the Merchants Park stage on Saturday, July 5th. Mayor Joe Judge said at Monday’s City Council meeting, the band plays a wide variety of music and he’s excited a local band will be performing during the holiday weekend. “Whiskey Throttle” features local businessman Tim Phillips.