New WCEA Contract Calls For Big Raise In First Year

The Wabash District #348 Board of Education approved a new three-year collective bargaining agreement Monday morning with the Wabash County Education Association, which represents the district's non-certified employees.

The agreement covers secretaries, nurse secretaries, bus drivers, custodians, cooks, aides, assistants, paraprofessionals, and parent coordinators and educators.

Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer praised both negotiating teams following the board's approval of the contract.

Bleyer said the negotiations went extremely well and described the process as positive and professional. He noted that union representatives sent a message thanking the district's negotiating team for the manner in which discussions were conducted.

Under the new agreement, employees will receive a 20 percent wage increase during the first year of the contract, followed by 2 percent raises in each of the next two years.

Bleyer said the district made a significant investment in employee pay and believes the new contract is already having a positive impact on recruitment efforts.

He told board members the district has begun seeing new hires come on board and feels the improved compensation package is helping attract qualified employees.

The newly approved agreement will remain in effect for the next three years.

Bellmont Man Faces July Trial Date

A Bellmont man facing multiple child pornography charges remains in custody as his case moves toward trial.

Twenty-eight-year-old Gage Hoffman appeared in Wabash County Circuit Court Monday morning for a pre-trial conference. During the hearing, the court confirmed Hoffman's jury trial will begin July 6th.

A final pre-trial conference has been scheduled for June 22nd.

Hoffman remains lodged in the Wabash County Jail.

The case has expanded significantly since charges were first filed. Last month, Wabash County State's Attorney Kelli Storckman filed eight additional Class 2 felony child pornography charges against Hoffman, bringing the total number of counts against him to 15.

Hoffman was originally charged on May 4th with seven Class X felonies involving alleged child sexual abuse material. Court records allege several offenses occurred between July of 2024 and March of 2025. Five of the original charges involve alleged victims under the age of 13, while two involve alleged victims under the age of 18.

The charges stem from an investigation that began after Wabash County Sheriff's deputies executed a search warrant at a Bellmont residence on April 29th. Investigators reportedly recovered electronic evidence connected to the alleged possession and dissemination of child sexual abuse material.

The investigation remains ongoing with assistance from the Mt. Carmel Police Department and the Illinois Attorney General's Office.

"Shrek The Musical" Hits The Stage This Week

The Wabash District #348 School Board received a preview Monday morning of this week's junior production of "Shrek the Musical."

Mt. Carmel Junior High music director Ellen Wall appeared before the board accompanied by two of the show's lead performers, Reese Macer and Andrew Haggerty, who portray Shrek and Donkey.

Wall said the cast has been preparing for the production since the start of the second semester. Since school ended, the students have continued rehearsing daily from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to get ready for opening night.

The production features 43 students who have just completed grades five through nine, along with numerous volunteers helping behind the scenes.

Performances are scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Mt. Carmel High School Auditorium.

Wall praised the students for their dedication, responsibility, and enthusiasm throughout the rehearsal process, saying they represent the future of the community in a positive way.

The junior production is designed to introduce younger students to theater and encourage them to participate in the high school's larger musical productions in the future. The show has been adapted into a shorter format, running about an hour with an intermission, while remaining true to the story and humor of the popular animated film.

During the board meeting, Macer explained that while putting on the Shrek costume takes only a few minutes, the green makeup and prosthetics require considerably more preparation. Wall added that both lead actors have fully embraced their roles, joking that everyone now refers to them simply as Shrek and Donkey.

Tickets are available through the District 348 website and can be purchased using a QR code posted online.

Wall encouraged the community to attend, calling the production a fun, family-friendly show filled with junior high humor and plenty of laughs.

Rockin' Chicken Drops Plans To Open In Mt. Carmel

Plans to bring a Rockin’ Chicken restaurant to the former Long John Silver’s building in Mt. Carmel have officially fallen through.

During Friday’s “Ask the Mayor” program on WSJD, Mayor Joe Judge confirmed that Rockin’ Chicken owner Steve Waddle has decided not to move forward with the project.

Judge said Waddle’s son had been expected to take over the restaurant operation, but ultimately decided not to enter the restaurant business. As a result, Waddle has chosen to scale back his expansion plans and focus on a single location.

The Rockin’ Chicken concept had been slated for the former Long John Silver’s building on West 9th Street. In November 2024, the Mt. Carmel City Council approved $40,000 in Tax Increment Financing funds to help support the estimated $225,000 renovation project, with plans at the time calling for a Fall 2025 opening.

Judge said the property is now listed for sale and has already attracted interest from multiple prospective buyers. According to the mayor, the building was shown several times last week, and several interested parties are expected to have architects evaluate the property in the coming days.

While some residents have suggested the building should be demolished, Judge disagrees.

He says the structure still has “good bones” and believes the block construction provides a solid foundation for future redevelopment.

Judge also noted that the city’s TIF agreement requires repayment of the incentive funds. He said the building is currently listed for $95,000, and the first $40,000 from any sale will be returned to the city under the terms of the legal agreement.

Traffic stop results in arrest of one

On June 11, 2026, at 12:08 a.m. Oakland City Officer Michael McGregor and Michael Bates initiated a traffic stop in the 9800 block of East 450 South on a four-wheeler after it was observed speeding.  Upon approaching the vehicle, the driver was identified as 27-year-old Cordale Georges of Buckskin.  While speaking with Mr. Georges, Deputy Michael Bates, a Drug Recognition Expert detected multiple clues that the driver was under the influence of an unknown intoxicant and attempted an OWI investigation.  After multiple attempts to gain cooperation Mr. Georges was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center by Deputy Bates.  Upon arriving at the detention center Mr. Georges was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated/ Refusal, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Owensville man arrested on Mischief charge

On June 9, 2026, at 11:55 a.m. law enforcement officers were dispatched to a disturbance in the 9000 block of South County Road 1075 West.  Detective Sergeant Roger Ballard arrived on scene and observed obvious signs that a disturbance had recently occurred.  At that point Sgt. Ballard spoke with the victim and other witnesses on scene.  During the investigation the suspect, 18-year-old Tristan Mobley of rural Owensville returned to the scene.  Sgt. Ballard conducted an interview with Mr. Mobley before placing him into custody and transporting him to the Gibson County Detention Center.  Upon arriving at the detention center, Mr. Mobley was charged with Criminal Mischief and Criminal Recklessness. 
 
Sgt. Ballard was assisted in his investigation by Deputies U.B. Smith and Jim Tucker.  Fort Branch Officer Darrell Parker, Haubstadt Officer Jason Wright, and Owensville Officer Steven Parker also assisted in this investigation. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Evansville man arrested for Reckless Driving

On June 6, 2026, at 2:14 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Michael Bates conducted a traffic on US 41 near State Road 168 after observing a White 2018 Chevy Cruze traveling 103 mph in a 60-mph zone.  After a brief investigation Deputy Bates placed the driver, 37-year-old Patrick Charles of Evansville, into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Reckless Driving and Possession of Marijuana.  Mr. Patrick was also issued citations for Driving While Suspended and Unsafe Lane Movement. 
 
Deputy Levi Sims assisted Deputy Bates in his investigation. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Council Officially Increases Garbage Rate By $1/month

It's now official.. Mount Carmel residents will soon pay an extra dollar per month for garbage service.

The Mount Carmel City Council on Monday approved a garbage rate increase that was first introduced last month by Garbage Commissioner Susan Zimmerman.

Under the approved ordinance, residential garbage rates will increase by one dollar per month. The adjustment comes as city officials continue to deal with rising costs associated with trash collection services.

When the proposal was initially presented, it included a second one-dollar increase scheduled to take effect next July. However, city officials have since scrapped that portion of the plan.

Instead, the council will re-evaluate the city's garbage fund and collection costs next spring before deciding whether any additional rate changes are necessary.

City leaders have said the increase is intended to help keep the garbage fund financially stable while avoiding larger rate hikes in the future.

The new rate increase will take effect July 1st.

IECC BOARD OF TRUSTEES SELECTS DR. TIMOTHY L. TAYLOR AS NEXT CHANCELLOR

 The Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees is expected to affirm the appointment of Dr. Timothy L. Taylor as the next Chancellor of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges at its June 16, 2026, meeting at Olney Central College. Dr. Taylor, who currently serves as President of Shawnee Community College, would assume the chancellorship on August 15, 2026, pending Board approval.

 The selection follows several months of transition planning by the Board of Trustees to ensure a smooth leadership transition following Chancellor Ryan Gower's retirement on June 30.

 Dr. Taylor brings more than two decades of community college leadership experience to the position, including service as President of Shawnee Community College and previous leadership roles within Illinois Eastern Community Colleges. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his commitment to student success, workforce development, institutional effectiveness, strategic planning, and the mission of rural community colleges.

 Board Chair Gary Carter said Dr. Taylor's experience, leadership style, and understanding of the region made him the clear choice to lead the institution into its next chapter.

 "Tim understands our communities, our mission, and the important role community colleges play in creating opportunity," said Carter. "Over the past several years, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges has undertaken significant work to strengthen and position the institution for the future. The Board believes Tim has the experience, judgment, and leadership skills necessary to build upon that foundation and continue advancing IECC as one institution serving students and communities across all four campuses."

 During his tenure at Shawnee Community College, Dr. Taylor led initiatives focused on strengthening institutional effectiveness, improving financial stability, enhancing strategic planning and accountability systems, expanding partnerships with schools and employers, securing investments in facilities and infrastructure, and increasing opportunities for students throughout the region.

 Taylor said he is honored by the opportunity to serve Illinois Eastern Community Colleges and excited about the future of the institution.

"I am honored by the confidence the Board of Trustees has placed in me," said Taylor. "Illinois Eastern Community Colleges has a proud history of serving students and communities throughout southeastern Illinois. The institution is well-positioned for the future, and I look forward to working alongside the Board, employees, students, and community partners to build upon the strong foundation already in place. Together, we will continue expanding educational opportunities, strengthening our communities, and ensuring IECC remains responsive to the changing needs of the region we serve."

 Board Chair Gary Carter also expressed appreciation for Dr. Gower's decade of leadership at IECC and more than thirty-one years of service to higher education.

 "Ryan's tenure as Chancellor has transformed IECC," Carter said. "He led the institution through the COVID-19 pandemic, a successful accreditation reaffirmation, the implementation of Guided Pathways, the creation of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, and the construction of seven new facilities across the district. He championed investment in our campuses, our employees, and our students. Most importantly, he led Illinois Eastern's transformation from a multi-college system into a single college operating across four campuses under a unified leadership structure and shared vision. His leadership has positioned IECC well for the future. The Board and I are grateful for Ryan's service and wish him and Tracey every happiness in retirement."

 Illinois Eastern Community Colleges serves southeastern Illinois through Frontier Community College in Fairfield, Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Olney Central College in Olney, and Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel.

Dr. Timothy Taylor

Photo Credit: https://www.shawneecc.edu/office-of-the-president/

Commissioners Deliver Reports At City Council Meeting

Mount Carmel city commissioners provided updates on street, utility, fire, and financial operations during Monday’s City Council meeting.

Streets and Parks Commissioner Tyson Meador reported that the first section of the new sidewalk project along Park Road, from North Drive to Erin Drive, has been completed.

Meador said city crews also spent the past two weeks performing maintenance on street department trucks and equipment, filling potholes throughout the city, continuing street sweeping operations, and beginning preparation work for this summer’s chip-and-seal street program. Crews have also been working to secure the flags displayed along Market Street.

Finance Commissioner Eric Ikemire reported a relatively quiet two-week period financially. The city recorded revenues totaling $25,357, primarily from miscellaneous sources, while expenses totaled $187,571.

Water and Sewer Commissioner Tom Meeks reported that screw pump number four has been installed at the wastewater treatment plant. However, crews are working to resolve issues with drive belts breaking on the new equipment. Meeks said the city plans to try heavier-duty Kevlar belts in hopes of correcting the problem.

Meeks also noted that water department crews have responded to several leaks over the past two weeks and have logged overtime hours due to numerous JULIE utility locate requests. In addition, crews completed maintenance on various pieces of equipment while the water plant continued normal daily operations.

Fire and Garbage Commissioner Susan Zimmerman reported that the Mount Carmel Fire Department responded to 15 incidents during the past two weeks.

Zimmerman also reminded residents about the upcoming Touch-A-Truck event scheduled for Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vehicles and equipment will be on display beginning at 10 a.m., with hamburgers and other food items expected to be served starting around 11 a.m.

She added that garbage collection continues to operate on its normal schedule.