Since the wet Spring is producing a bumper crop of mosquitos, the city of Mt. Carmel is already running the mosquito sprayer trying to get ahead of the biting nuisances. Mayor Joe Judge said the sprayer can only run if it’s above 65 degrees and if there’s no rain in the forecast. He also said anyone with bee hives should contact city hall so the mosquito spraying route can be altered to avoid eradication of the bees.
City Council Approves TIF Funding For Super 8
The Mt. Carmel City Council has approved a request from the owners of the Super 8 hotel for help from the TIF account to pay for a new roof. The roof, which was damaged by the recent hail storm, is 20 years old and will cost $40,000 to replace. The city council approved $9,500 for the project. City Clerk Ryan Turner told the council there is more than $1 million current in that TIF fund.
Judge Clarifies Tall Grass Violations
For the second meeting in a row, Mt. Carmel City officials took time last Monday to remind residents to abate any possible ordinance violations. Specifically, Mayor Joe Judge highlighted tall grass and the need for residents to make sure their grass isn’t above the 8 inch maximum as set by ordinance. And while issuing the reminder, Judge also took time to dispel a common misconception about how the city enforces the tall grass ordinance…
Judge said if the city has to mow your yard, it’s $75 the first time, $150 the second time, and then $300 for every time after that. He said anyone with trouble mowing their yard or being able to pay someone to mow their yard, should call City Hall before an ordinance violation is issued.
Retired MCPD K-9 Ace Passes Away
From Mt. Carmel Police Chief Mike McWilliams: With sadness, the Mt. Carmel Police Department announces the passing of retired MCPD K-9 Ace. Ace began his service in April 2014 with Sergeant Steve Perry. In July 2017, Ace's handler became Officer Daniel Hopper upon Sergeant Perry accepting a job with the Illinois State Police. Officer Hopper handled Ace until September 2021, when Ace began his well-deserved retirement. Ace was transferred back to Perry, where the two remained companions until his passing.
The life of a K-9 and its handler is a partnership like no other. The training days are long, and the call-outs are frequent. The dedication a K-9 officer requires is one of the highest in law enforcement; however, neither the officer nor the K-9 would have it any other way. Thank you, Ace, for all you've done for our community!
Evansville man arrested for resisting law enforcement
On May 1, 2025, at 11:19 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a disturbance in the 700 block of South 1150 East near Oakland City. Upon arriving at the residence Deputy Wyatt Hunt attempted to begin an investigation into the incident. While attempting to control the situation 43 year old Kevin Milligan of Evansville became verbally abusive to law enforcement and stating that “he had a gun in the residence.” As Mr. Milligan’s erratic behavior escalated Deputy Hunt attempted to place him into custody he became physically violent. Ultimately Mr. Milligan was placed into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. While en route to the jail Mr. Milligan threatened to kill Deputy Hunt and his entire family. Mr. Milligan was charged with Intimidation and Resisting Law Enforcement.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Princeton man arrested for DUI
On May 2, 2025, at approximately 5 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received multiple reports of a White Chevy pickup traveling on US 41 that was all over the roadway and unable to maintain their lane of travel. Deputy Levi Sims located a vehicle matching the description given by the callers on Old US HWY 41 just off of US Hwy 41 near Princeton. At that point Deputy Sims conducted a traffic stop for a moving violation and identified the driver as 26 year old Mario Gomez-Lopez of Princeton. While speaking with Mr. Lopez Deputy Sims detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage and began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of the investigation Mr. Lopez was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Operating a Vehicle without Ever Being Licensed.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Dydo Sentenced To 6 Years In Prison On Aggravated Domestic Battery Charge
Kelli Storckman, Wabash County State’s Attorney, reports that on April 29, 2025, Daniel Dydo, a 29-year-old Mt. Carmel, IL man, was sentenced to 6 years in the Department of Corrections, to be followed by 4 years of mandatory supervised release by the Honorable Circuit Judge William C. Hudson in Wabash County Circuit Court.
State’s Attorney Storckman advises that the Mt. Carmel Police Department arrested the Defendant on June 6, 2022, when the girlfriend of the Defendant sought treatment at the Wabash General Hospital ER for a head injury and reported that the injury was sustained after Defendant punched the victim in the head multiple times and threw her into a closet. The defendant was sentenced to the Department of Corrections on a charge of Aggravated Domestic Battery, a Class 2 Felony, and ordered to pay restitution to the victim.
Kentucky man sentenced to 10+ years in federal prison for attempted sex offenses against a child in southern Illinois
BENTON, Ill. – A district judge sentenced a Paducah, Kentucky, man to 121 months’ imprisonment for attempting to entice a minor in southern Illinois to engage in illegal sexual activity.
In October, a federal jury returned guilty verdicts for Robert R. Rodriguez, 41, on one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count of soliciting an obscene visual depiction of a minor.
“Those who target children for sex crimes sicken us all. The federal justice system will relentlessly pursue and prosecute these offenders to ensure they face severe consequences for their actions,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.
According to court documents and evidence presented during the trial, Rodriguez initiated conversation with an undercover federal agent on an online social media platform in May 2023. In the messages, Rodriguez discussed meeting with a purported 9-year-old child to engage in sexual activity and requested child sexual abuse material.
On May 10, 2023, law enforcement arrested Rodriguez in Marion, Illinois, when he tried to meet with the purported 9-year-old child.
"This sentencing makes one thing clear: the FBI Springfield Field Office is taking decisive action to protect the children of Illinois. We will use every tool at our disposal to stop those who seek to do them harm, and with our partners at the Department of Justice, we will pursue the highest penalties for these crimes."
Following imprisonment, Rodriguez will serve seven years of supervised release.
FBI Springfield Field Office led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tom Leggans and David Sanders prosecuted the case.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.
Two sentenced to federal prison in $100,000 bank fraud and mail theft scheme in Metro East
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – Two Metro East women were sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in a scheme to steal mail from collection boxes and commit more than $100,000 in bank fraud.
Tylann J. Starks, 30, of Swansea, was sentenced to 4 years’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, three counts of bank fraud, two counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of conspiracy to steal U.S. mail.
Tiara D. Johnson, 33, of Pontoon Beach, was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to steal U.S. mail.
“I commend the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, for solving a difficult case by working with the public to get information, follow leads and piece together the investigation,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft.
The U.S. Postal Service uses specialized keys, commonly referred to as arrow keys, to service and open mail collection boxes. Arrow keys are labeled with serial numbers for tracking purposes.
“The sentencing in this case illustrates that individuals who engage in mail theft will be held accountable for their actions,” 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. The Inspection Service is proud to work with our local, state, and federal partners to bring Mail Theft perpetrators to justice and prevent financial crimes targeting local citizens, postal customers, and financial institutions.”
According to court documents, Starks purchased an arrow key from former postal employee Jackson to gain access to mail collection boxes throughout the Metro East. Agents conducted an undercover purchase of an additional arrow key from Jackson in exchange for $1,000.
Co-defendant Jamil Jackson, 52, is facing one count of conspiracy to steal U.S. mail, one count of theft of a specialized key to access US Postal receptacles, and one count of making false statements to a federal law enforcement officer. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 13.
An indictment is merely 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.
Starks and Johnson searched collection boxes for checks to use bank account and personal identifying information from victims to cash and enrich themselves from February 2020 through February 2023. Jackson is also accused of stealing checks out of mail from his route and give to Starks to defraud. The conspirators used the stolen account information to generate counterfeit checks.
“This sentencing represents the hard work and dedication by USPS OIG Special Agents working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring charges on this significant mail theft investigation,” said Special Agent in Charge Dennus Bishop, U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, Central Area Field Office. “The United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General and the United States Postal Inspection Service, along with our law enforcement partners, remain committed to safeguarding the U.S. Mail and ensuring the accountability and integrity of U.S. Postal Service employees.”
Starks and Johnson cashed, deposited or otherwise negotiated the stolen and counterfeit checks at area businesses, banks and ATM machines in Belleville, East St. Louis and O’Fallon.
There were at least 100 victims affected by the scheme with an estimated loss of more than $100,000.
Agents with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, contributed to the investigation. U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft is prosecuting the case.
20-30 New Jobs Announced For Mt. Carmel's West Side
A relationship between two arena football teammates has resulted in a company announcing plans to locate in Mt. Carmel.
In 2009, Mt Carmel’s Luke Drone was a quarterback for the Peoria Pirates in the AF2, a minor league for the Arena Football League. His Center and roommate was Robert Powell who had started three years at Purdue. Fast-forward to 2025 and Paul is now cofounder of Yellow Box, a leading edge data center that is locating on 20 acres of land on the west side of Mt Carmel.
Powell was at yesterday’s City Council meeting and he talked with us about what Yellow Box is and what’s planned in Mt Carmel…
In addition to the jobs, Powell said the community will see other benefits from the partnership…
And as for a timetable on the project…
Yellow Box co-found Robert Powell speaks to the City Council at their Monday meeting.