Mt. Carmel Commissioners Report Progress on Streets, Utilities and Fire Department

Mt. Carmel city commissioners provided updates on a variety of projects and department activities during the most recent City Council meeting.

Streets, Cemeteries and Parks Commissioner Tyson Meador reported crews have completed fog sealing work throughout the city, filled numerous potholes, trimmed trees and continued construction of the new sidewalk along Park Road. Mayor Joe Judge noted the sidewalk project is "really taking shape."

Water and Sewer Commissioner Tom Meeks said the city's wastewater treatment plant is dealing with an issue involving its grit channel. Rather than accepting a costly repair quote, the city plans to have B&G Manufacturing rebuild or fabricate the needed components.

Meeks said water and sewer crews also jetted three sewer lines, repaired several water leaks and completed 37 JULIE utility locate requests over the past two weeks. He added the department's new boring machine has already proven to be a valuable investment.

At the water treatment plant, crews will collect lead and copper samples from at least 30 locations this week as part of routine testing. Meeks also reported staff are investigating an issue with Well No. 1 to determine the cause of an operational problem.

Fire and Garbage Commissioner Susan Zimmerman reported the Mt. Carmel Fire Department responded to six calls over the past two weeks, including ambulance assists and malfunctioning fire alarms.

Zimmerman also reminded residents that Republic Services will maintain its regular trash collection schedule on Labor Day, with no interruption in garbage pickup despite the holiday.

Judge Announces Bid For Third Term

On today’s “Ask The Mayor” segment on WSJD, Mt. Carmel Mayor Joe Judge announced plans to seek a third term….

JOE JUDGE ANNOUNCES REELECTION BID

Petitions for the April 2027 Consolidated Election will be available at City Hall starting August 25th. All four City Council seats and the mayor’s position will be on the ballot next Spring.

Vincennes Man Arrested Following Pursuit

Wabash County authorities used a drone equipped with thermal imaging to locate a Vincennes man who allegedly fled into a bean field following a vehicle pursuit Tuesday.

Wabash County Sheriff Derek Morgan reports the incident began August 11th when a sheriff’s deputy observed a vehicle traveling on Illinois Route 1 leave the roadway and nearly strike a tree.

The deputy attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle allegedly increased its speed. Morgan says the vehicle initially slowed as if the driver was going to stop before turning north onto East 700 Road and rapidly accelerating.

The deputy was able to obtain the vehicle’s license plate number before watching the driver fail to negotiate a turn onto East 1000 Road and drive into a cornfield.

The vehicle eventually made its way out of the cornfield and back onto East 700 Road, where it was spotted by an assisting Mount Carmel Police officer.

Authorities say the driver then failed to negotiate an “S” curve, entered a bean field and continued through the field until reaching railroad tracks, where the vehicle came to a stop.

The driver then allegedly fled on foot.

The Wabash County Sheriff’s Office drone was brought to the scene to assist with the search. Using the drone’s thermal-imaging technology, authorities located the driver hiding in a bean field south of the crash site.

Wabash General Ambulance Service was called to the scene for the driver.

26-year-old Austin Lawrence of Vincennes was arrested and charged with DUI, aggravated fleeing and eluding, two counts of criminal damage to property, reckless driving, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, driving on a revoked license, trespassing on railroad right-of-way, resisting a police officer, failure to secure new registration and leaving the scene.

Lawrence appeared in Wabash County Circuit Court Thursday for a detention hearing. The court ordered Lawrence detained while the case is pending.

The charges are allegations, and Lawrence is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

District #348 Teachers Bring New Writing Strategies Back to Classrooms

More than two dozen Wabash Community Unit School District #348 educators are bringing new ideas for teaching writing back to their classrooms after attending a professional development conference this summer.

During the July school board meeting, Mount Carmel Junior/Senior High School Assistant Principal Logan Crum and sixth-grade English Language Arts teacher Meagan Steckler updated board members on the district's participation in the Smekens Writing Institute in Brownsburg, Indiana.

Crum said all district administrators and approximately 25 teachers from kindergarten through eighth grade attended the two-day conference, which was funded through the junior high school improvement grant.

He said district data has shown writing is an area where students need improvement, prompting the district to seek additional training.

Crum said the conference focused on helping teachers better engage students in writing, improve writing instruction, and encourage students to become more confident writers.

Steckler said the conference offered grade-level specific sessions, allowing teachers to focus on strategies most appropriate for their students. She said while the training was available virtually, attending in person allowed educators to collaborate with teachers from other schools and exchange ideas.

She added that participants received access to online resources from every conference session, allowing them to continue learning long after the event.

Steckler said one of the biggest benefits was learning practical writing strategies and mini-lessons that can easily be incorporated into the district's existing curriculum without requiring major changes to classroom instruction.

She also noted the same organization offers a reading conference, which district educators are already considering for future professional development.

Board members praised the training and discussed how many of the writing fundamentals taught decades ago, including organizing essays with introductions, body paragraphs and conclusions, continue to serve as the foundation for strong writing today.

ANOTHER DELAY IN FELONY CASE AGAINST FORMER DEPUTY

Yet another delay has been granted in the felony case against former Wabash County Sheriff's Deputy Chase Cheadle.

The case was back in Wabash County Circuit Court Thursday, but neither Cheadle nor Special Prosecutor Brian Towne appeared for the hearing.

Defense attorney Jonathan Turpin was the only party appearing in court. According to court records, Turpin told the court he had spoken with Towne and the two sides agreed to continue the case.

The next pretrial hearing is now scheduled for October 15th at 9:30 a.m.

The latest continuance follows a June hearing in which Turpin said he had received additional information from prosecutors and expected to file a motion related to that material. At the time, Turpin indicated the motion would likely involve an allegation of evidence spoliation.

Cheadle's case has faced repeated delays since charges were originally filed.

The former Wabash County Sheriff's Deputy and K-9 handler initially faced eight charges, including official misconduct, theft, cruelty to animals and animal owner duties. Two felony counts were later dismissed at the request of the special prosecutor.

The charges stem from the July 2024 death of Cheadle's police K-9, Kiki, who was found unresponsive. Cheadle resigned from the Wabash County Sheriff's Department the following month.

The case remains pending, with the next hearing now set for October 15th.

Schools Ready For 1st Day

Friday marks the first day of classes for students in Wabash Community Unit School District #348, and they’ll return to several improvements made across the district over the summer.

Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer recently joined the WSJD Morning Show and said crews have been busy completing projects aimed at improving school facilities, safety and comfort.

One of the most noticeable changes is at Mount Carmel Elementary School, where the building’s old, heavy red entrance doors have been replaced.

New classroom windows have also been installed at the elementary school, replacing windows Bleyer said were no longer in good condition.

Another major improvement is air conditioning in the gymnasiums at both the elementary school and Mount Carmel High School.

Bleyer said the difference is significant, particularly during hot weather. The elementary gym is also used as a cafeteria, and in previous years temperatures could become uncomfortable for students and staff.

The superintendent said the new HVAC system should help students stay more comfortable and engaged throughout the school day.

The project also provides a security benefit. In the past, exterior doors sometimes had to be opened in an effort to circulate air through the elementary gym during extremely hot conditions. Bleyer said the new air conditioning eliminates the need to leave those doors open.

District #348 is also beginning the new school year with two new school buses.

Bleyer said the buses arrived last month and feature updated cameras, stop arms and other modern equipment. The district typically replaces a small number of buses at a time rather than purchasing a large portion of the fleet at once, allowing the expense to be spread out over several budget years.

Students return to classrooms across Wabash District #348 Friday as the 2026-27 school year officially gets underway.

Oakland City woman arrested for OWI

On August 10, 2026, at 9:12 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Eric Powell conducted a traffic stop on a Blue 2024 Hyundai for having a suspended license plate registration.  The vehicle was stopped near the intersection of Grove and Columbia in Oakland City, and when Deputy Powell approached the vehicle, he identified the driver as 29-year-old Tiffany Brown of Oakland City.  While speaking with Ms. Brown detected clues that Ms. Brown may be under the influence of an unknown intoxicant.  At that point he began a roadside OWI investigation.  Once the inquiry was completed Deputy Powell placed Ms. Brown into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Detention Center where she was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia. 
 
Deputies Wes Baumgart, Wyatt Hunt, and Sgt. Loren Barchett assisted Deputy Powell 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.

Single vehicle accident leads to OWI arrest

On August 11, 2026, at 8:54 p.m. the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a property damage accident on County Road 225 North near County Road 100 West.   Upon arriving deputies found a Dark Blue 2021 Mazda CX% had left the roadway and struck a ditch.  Upon speaking with the driver Deputy Wyatt Hunt observed obvious clues of intoxication on the driver 52-year-old Brent McNeeley of Princeton.  At that point Deputy Hunt began a roadside DUI investigation that resulted in Mr. McNeeley being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. 
 
Deputies Michael Bates and Wes Baumgart assisted Deputy Hunt 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.

Mt. Carmel Council Approves TIF Incentives for Scout Cabin Creamery and Pacific Press Technologies

The Mt. Carmel City Council has approved two Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, agreements aimed at supporting local business investment and job retention.

The council unanimously approved Ordinance 2154, formally authorizing a previously approved one-time $20,000 TIF grant for Scout Cabin Creamery, located at 229 West First Street. City Clerk Ryan Turner said the ordinance memorializes the council's earlier approval of the incentive.

Commissioners also approved Ordinance 2155, committing $75,000 in TIF assistance to Pacific Press Technologies for improvements at its facility at 714 North Walnut Street. Under the agreement, the funding will be paid over five years in annual installments of $15,000 to help offset the cost of a new roof.

Turner noted that while the total incentive is $75,000, the company's property tax contributions are expected to replenish those TIF funds within about a year.

Mayor Joe Judge said Pacific Press Technologies recently purchased the building after leasing it for several years, calling it a significant commitment to keeping the company and its jobs in Mt. Carmel. Judge added the company has introduced several new pieces of equipment that have been well received in the marketplace and is bringing back work that had previously been outsourced, creating additional skilled employment opportunities.

Mt. Carmel Police Offer Safety Reminders Ahead of Chamber Days

Chamber Days gets underway Wednesday in uptown Mt. Carmel, and local police are reminding residents to use extra caution during the four-day festival.

Mt. Carmel Police Chief Erin Peach joined WSJD's Morning Show last week and said streets in the uptown area are closed during the event, meaning motorists should plan alternate routes and allow additional travel time.

Peach said drivers should also expect increased pedestrian traffic throughout the festival, especially children and families walking between parking areas and the midway.

She said motorists need to pay particular attention around crosswalks and intersections, with additional bicycles and scooters also expected in the area.

Those attending Chamber Days are encouraged to lock their vehicles and secure or hide valuables before leaving them unattended.

Peach also encouraged parents to keep a close eye on their children and establish a plan in case family members become separated. She suggested talking with children beforehand about where to go and who to approach for help if they become lost.

The Mt. Carmel Police Department is located just a short distance from the Chamber Days midway and can also serve as a safe location for a child who becomes separated from their family.

Chamber Days begins Wednesday and continues through Saturday in uptown Mt. Carmel.