WGH Head Recaps Successful 2025

Wabash General Hospital President and CEO Karissa Turner delivered a year-end report to the Wabash County Commissioners, highlighting growth, expanded services, and strong patient satisfaction.

Turner reported the hospital provided $1.8 million in charity care in 2025, along with more than $381,000 in community support. She also noted significant gains in patient experience, with the hospital’s emergency department now ranking in the 96th percentile nationally through NRC, the hospital’s patient satisfaction measurement company.

Turner said Wabash General has expanded access to care by extending convenient care hours. The clinic is now open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends, with walk-in availability.

She added the hospital has been named Best Place to Work seven years in a row and recently launched a paramedic training course at Wabash General. The hospital also opened a new clinic location in Olney.

Several new providers joined the medical staff during the year, including specialists in orthopedics, sports medicine, hand surgery, ENT and facial plastics, psychiatry, chiropractic care, cardiology, and emergency medicine, along with additional surgeons from Evansville Surgical Associates.

Turner also updated commissioners on the hospital’s digital health efforts, noting MyChart patient portal utilization has reached 49 percent, meeting a key goal set by the hospital’s finance committee.

She said the hospital remains focused on improving access, quality of care, and services for the communities it serves.

Fort Branch man arrested on Battery charge

On December 31, 2025, at 10:05 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a physical domestic altercation in the 100 block of East 780 South near Fort Branch.  Multiple law enforcement officers were dispatched to the scene and upon arriving Haubstadt Police Officer Jason Marceaux and Indiana State Trooper Robert Kincaid separated all the parties and had detained two of them. 
 
Upon arriving Deputy Wyatt Hunt began an investigation into the incident where he spoke with all parties involved in the incident.  At the conclusion of his investigation 21-year-old Keaton Benefiel was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Domestic Battery and Interference with the Report of a Crime. 
  
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
 

Golf Cart/UTV Permit Funds Purchase New MCPD Car

Ever wonder what the city does with the fees collected for golf cart and UTV permits? City Clerk Ryan Turner says the city has used a portion of that revenue to buy a new squad car for the police department’s detective.

Turner also reports that the new horizontal drilling machine should arrive in the next few days. The $193,933 machine will support the city’s water and sewer maintenance operations. Turner said the city has spent nearly $20,000 in recent months renting drilling services whenever crews needed to bore under sidewalks, driveways, and roadways during water and sewer repairs. Turner explained that the city’s previous equipment has broken down, and outside contractors are not always available—leaving lines exposed longer than is safe and forcing crews in some cases to dig through yards or driveways instead of drilling beneath them. Turner said the city initially looked at used equipment, but Vermeer no longer manufactures the model they were considering, making parts difficult or impossible to obtain. The new drill includes all necessary attachments, updated technology, and three days of on-site training for Mt. Carmel crews. He noted that the machine could be used for decades and may eventually generate revenue if the city chooses to offer boring services when residents need them.

Council members agreed the purchase will ultimately pay for itself, since a single drilling job each month would cover the financing cost. The new equipment will allow the water and sewer department to complete repairs more quickly and reliably, especially during heavy winter demand.

City Commissioner Reports

Mt. Carmel Fire and Garbage Commissioner Susan Zimmerman offered this report at the most recent city council meeting…

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Mt. Carmel finance commissioner Eric Ikemire had this report at the most recent city council meeting…

ERIC IKEMIRE REPORT 12 22 25

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Water and sewer commissioner Tom Meeks offered this report at the recent City Council meeting….

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At the most recent City Council meeting, street commissioner Tyson Meador had this report…

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Mayor Spotlights Heavy Usage Of Library

At the final Mount Carmel City Council meeting of 2025, Mayor Joe Judge took time to recognize the Mount Carmel Public Library and its staff.

The mayor praised Librarian Twilla Coon and the entire library team, encouraging residents who haven’t visited recently to stop in and see the changes that have been made. Judge called the library a valuable community resource.

He shared recent usage numbers, noting that in October alone, 77 people used the library’s internet services, bringing the year-to-date total to 495 users. E-books continue to be a popular offering, with more than 24,000 checkouts in October and over 155,000 so far this year.

Traditional book circulation also remains strong, with nearly 29,000 items checked out in October and more than 186,000 year-to-date.

Mayor Judge also thanked Library Board President Scott Witsman and the entire library board for their continued service and support of the Mount Carmel Public Library.

Photo Credit: Mt. Carmel Public Library website.

Warrant service nets two Oakland City men

On December 31, 2025, at 1:33 p.m. Gibson County law enforcement officers went to 788 South 1150 East to serve a failure to appear warrant on 53-year-old Dennis McCloskey.  Upon arriving at the residence, they spoke with 58-year-old William Pope about the outstanding warrant for Mr. McCloskey.  While speaking with Mr. Pope he gave false information to Deputy Eric Powell to hinder the warrant service.  After a brief investigation Mr. McCloskey was taken into custody without incident.  Mr. Pope was also taken into custody, and both were transported to the Gibson County Detention Center.  Upon arriving Mr. McCloskey was booked in on his outstanding warrant and Mr. Pope was charged with False Informing. 
 
Deputy Powell was assisted in this warrant service by Deputy Quinten Might as well as Oakland City Police Officers Ty Schmittler and John Pace. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Ring in the New Year on safe, sober note if you are getting behind the wheel


SPRINGFIELD
– The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and law enforcement agencies throughout the state are joining forces to increase patrols focused on impaired drivers, seat belt violations, distracted driving and speeding as 2025 comes to a close. Whether you’re traveling a short or long distance the goal is for everyone to arrive to their destination and kick off 2026 safely.

 “Don’t ever drive if you’ve been drinking alcohol, using cannabis or any other drugs. Getting behind the wheel if you’re impaired can ruin your life and others,” said Stephane B. Seck-Birhame, IDOT’s bureau chief of Safety Programs and Engineering. “Make the smart decision and designate a sober driver.”

 According to IDOT provisional data, through Dec. 18 of this year, 1,123 people have lost their lives in fatal crashes in Illinois, 10 fewer than during the same period in 2024. ​ ​

 “Almost all fatal crashes are preventable,” said ISP Division of Patrol Col. Chris Owen. “End 2025 and begin 2026 on a safe note. Always wear your seatbelt, don't speed and don't drive impaired or distracted.”

 Some important tips to avoid a tragedy or an arrest:

 

  • If it’s your turn to be the designated driver, take that role seriously – your friends and family are relying on you.

  • Use your community’s sober ride program if available, call a cab, use your favorite ride-sharing app or transit.

  • See a friend or family member who is about to drive impaired by alcohol, cannabis or drugs? Take the keys and plan to get them home safely.

 The increased enforcement is made possible through federal funds administered by IDOT and supported by ISP and local law enforcement. The effort coincides with IDOT’s “It’s Not a Game” radio, digital and TV campaign, which reminds the public of the consequences of impaired driving as well as distracted driving, work zone safety, pedestrian safety, motorcycle awareness and occupant safety. Visit itsnotagameillinois.com for more information.

Coroner Identifies Victim in Fatal Train-Pedestrian Incident

Wabash County Coroner Shaun Keepes has identified the individual killed in a train-pedestrian incident at the railroad crossing near 3rd Street and Poplar Street as Nicholas Ted Esten Lamar, age 35, of Mount Carmel.

The incident occurred on December 27 at approximately 2:46 p.m.

The Wabash County Coroner’s Office was assisted at the scene by the Mount Carmel Police Department, Wabash Emergency Management Agency, Mount Carmel Fire Department, and the Illinois State Police.

The incident remains under investigation. No further information will be released at this time.

35 Year Old Dead After Being Hit By Train

On 12/27/25, at approximately 2:46 p.m, Mt. Carmel Police responded to a pedestrian versus train accident at the 3rd and Poplar Street railroad crossing. Officers, along with responders from the Mt. Carmel Fire Department and the Wabash General Ambulance Service arrived on scene to find a white male subject deceased from the impact. According to witnesses, the male subject was walking south on the tracks when the incident occurred, just south of this crossing. The Wabash County Coroner’s Office was contacted and began a death investigation along with MCPD.  The male was later identified as a 35 year old individual, whose identity will be released pending notification to his family. The Wabash County Coroner’s Office will release further information on Sunday. MCPD was also assisted by the Wabash Emergency Management Agency and the Illinois State Police. No further information will be released at this time. 

District #348 December Personnel Matters

The Wabash Unit School District 348 Board of Education took action on several personnel items during its regular December monthly meeting.

The board accepted a number of resignations, including Heather Borowiak, technology teacher at Mount Carmel Junior High School, effective November 25th.
At Mount Carmel High School, resignations were approved for Eden Wankel, assistant girls’ track coach; Trevor Kennard, assistant boys’ track coach; and Anthony Peach, assistant baseball coach — all effective November 20th.

The board also accepted the resignation of Jamie Tolliver, part-time cook at Mount Carmel Grade School, effective November 19th, and Heidy Wankel, individual assistant at MCGS, effective December 19th.

In other personnel matters, the board approved the retirement of Chris Pitzer, nurse and secretary at Mount Carmel Junior High School, effective at the end of the 2025–2026 school year.

Two certified hires were also approved. Allyson Bunting was hired as a special education teacher at Mount Carmel Grade School, and Leslie Bell as a special education life skills teacher at Mount Carmel Elementary School, both beginning January 5th.

In non-certified action, the board approved Hollie Stuessell as the district’s new head cook, beginning January 5th.