A Christmas Eve arrest has resulted in a three year prison term for a 41 year old Mt. Carmel man. State’s Attorney Cassandra Goldman reports that James C. Miller was charged with failure to register as a sex offender, the result of a 2009 conviction for criminal sexual abuse. Miller failed to notify local police that he was living in a residence with a child under 18 who wasn’t his child. In addition to the 3 years in prison, Miller will be on two years of parole after his release on the Class 2 felony.
Staying Alive If You Get Stuck In Winter Storm
It could be our first major winter storm in almost two years. The National Weather Service is saying it’s still too early to say for sure, but part of the Tri-State could get more than a foot of snow. The system comes in tomorrow as all rain, before transitioning to sleet and freezing rain, and then to all heavy snow before moving out to the east by noon Saturday. And since this is potentially our first major winter storm since February 25th of 2016, it’s a good idea to go over some basics. If you do run off the road and get stuck, Wabash County Emergency Management Agency Director Gerald Brooks says it’s important you do one thing.
After the storm ends on Saturday, we’ll head back to the deep freeze with lows returning to near single digits on Saturday and Sunday nights and that could put additional stress on your heating system that might have already been taxed by recent sub-zero temperatures. Keeping the heat at a comfortable level may be overworking your furnace. Jay Barrett, Sales Manager at Barrett Heating and Cooling in Alton says properly maintaining your unit is important in getting efficient use out of the equipment.
Barrett says there are fewer parts that can break in electric heat exchangers, so they are seeing more calls for repairs coming in for furnaces powered by natural gas or oil.
School Board Meets In Special Session Thursday To Discuss Superintendent's Search
The Wabash District #348 school board will meet tomorrow evening to continue discussing candidates for superintendent. The board interviewed 6 candidates last month and is now whittling that number down to decide two or three finalists to invite back for a second round of interviews on January 22nd and 23rd. The board has said a new superintendent to replace Tim Buss will be hired at the February 26th meeting. Buss is retiring as superintendent effective June 30th. Tomorrow’s meeting starts at 5:30 at the district office.
Crash Sends One To Hospital
ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Personal Injury Crash
WHERE: Route 40 quarter mile east of Fayette County Road 1550 North 1 mile West of Vandalia
WHEN: 01/09/2018, 4:39 PM
VEHICLES: Unit one – 2008 Chevrolet Unit two - 2001 Pontiac
DRIVER: Unit one - Jonathan F. Sandifer Age 45 from Greenville
Unit two - Norma E. Poore Age 67 from Smithboro
PASSENGERS: Unit two – Jennifer K. Ulmer Age 43 from Smithboro
CHARGES: Unit one - Failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash/No insurance
TRANSPORTS: Jennifer Ulmer transported to Fayette County Hospital.
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate unit one was traveling behind unit two on Route 40 one mile west of Vandalia. Unit one and unit two were both traveling east. Unit one struck the rear of unit two in the roadway.
All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
Evansville Man Arrested for DUI and Possessing a Handgun without a Permit
Vanderburgh County – Last night at approximately 8:00, Trooper Brent Gramig stopped the driver of a Ford Mustang on Washington Avenue east of U.S. 41 for improper registration. The driver was identified as Joshua Hernandez, 21, of Evansville. Trooper Gramig immediately detected a strong odor of marijuana inside the vehicle. Gramig searched the vehicle and discovered a small amount of marijuana, digital scales and a 9 mm Smith and Wesson pistol. Further investigation revealed Hernandez did not have a permit to possess the firearm and he has never received a driver’s license. He also refused to submit to a chemical test. Hernandez was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.
Arrested and Charges:
- Joshua Hernandez, 21, of Evansville, IN
- Driving While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
- Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor
- Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor
- Possessing a handgun without a Permit, Class A Misdemeanor
- Operating a Vehicle without ever Receiving a Driver’s License, Class A Misdemeanor
Arresting Officer: Trooper Brent Gramig, Indiana State Police
Assisting Officer: Trooper Ross Rafferty, Indiana State Police
Assisting Agency: Evansville Police
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The Guardian Center's 20th Anniversary Celebration Banquet
The Guardian Center, Inc. is pleased to bring Midwest Dueling Pianos to our 20th Year Celebration on Friday, March 2nd. Sponsorships are available for this event to support our programs for abused children and their families.
Twenty Years! It’s hard to believe, but true. A long time to be providing services to children and families, but so rewarding! We hope to fill the banquet hall with guests to enjoy this evening of fun entertainment while helping us raise funds to fulfill our mission!
Midwest Dueling Pianos offers a wildly entertaining music and comedy dueling piano show that our guests will love. The one-of-a-kind entertainment experience that is Midwest Dueling Pianos will have guests singing, dancing, and laughing, along with their friends and family.
The event will be held at the Castle at the Windsor Oaks in Grayville, with the doors opening at 5:15. A buffet dinner will be served at 6 pm (with a meatless option for those observing Lent). There will be auction items and a raffle as well as a cash bar (beer & wine only).
For those interested in volunteering to help or donate items for the auction, please call 618-382-8247 or email nbradfield@theguardiancenter.org or swoodham@theguardiancenter.org .
The Guardian Center, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, Federal Tax ID# 37-1377173.
Saline Satellite
2 Locust St, Suite B
Harrisburg, IL 62946
(618) 294-8422
Wabash Satellite
909 W. 3rd Street
Mt. Carmel, IL 62863
Healing Harbor Satellite
1108 Allen St
Robinson, IL 62454
The Guardian Center is
Seeking Nominations for “Friend of the Children Award”
The Guardian Center, Inc. is seeking nominations for its Annual “Friend of the Children” Award.
The Guardian Center wishes to honor an individual who contributes in a special way to meet the needs of children in its service area. We would like to reward an individual committed to serving children in their community. We are asking that members of the public submit a letter of nomination for a person they believe has shown exemplary commitment to the needs of children and whose efforts should be acknowledged.
Nominations are open to all persons in White, Gallatin, Saline, Edwards, Wabash, Richland, Lawrence, and Crawford County except for paid staff of The Guardian Center, Inc.
The primary criteria for the Friend of the Children Award are:
Ø The individual has an established record of working with children
in some mentoring/treatment/character building activity.
Ø The individual has gone “above and beyond” the call of duty in
their service to children.
Please write a letter outlining the accomplishments or activities of the individual.
It is recommended that submissions include one or two letters of support, but this is not necessary to make a nomination. Nominations will be received until Friday, February 9 at 5 p.m.
The Award Recipient will be recognized at our 2018 20th Year Celebration Banquet on March 2nd, 2018 at the Castle at Windsor Oaks in Grayville, Illinois. Notice will be provided to the nominating party between February 12-16th so that arrangements can be made to have the recipient present for the award.
Please send your nominations to Friend of the Children Award in C/O The Guardian Center, 1124 Oak Street, Carmi, IL 62821 or email them to: swoodham@theguardiancenter.org .
If you have any questions or if you would like to purchase tickets to attend the 2018 Banquet on February 4th, please call the Center at 618-382-8247.
3 Hour Early Dismissal Friday & No School Monday
Another long weekend coming up for Wabash County school kids. There’ll be a three hour early dismissal of students in District #348, Allendale, and St. Mary’s for school improvement activities. On Monday, there’s no school in observance of Martin Luther King’s birthday.
THREE RICHLAND COUNTY MEN INDICTED ON METHAMPHETAMINE RELATED CHARGES
Three Richland County, Illinois men were indicted on January 4, 2018, on
methamphetamine related charges in separate indictments returned by a federal grand jury, Donald S. Boyce, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Brian E. Adkins, age 35, of Olney, IL was charged in a two-count indictment. Count 1 charged that from February 2015, until on or about December 11, 2017, in Richland County, and elsewhere, Adkins conspired to knowingly and intentionally distribute methamphetamine. It is further alleged that the total amount of methamphetamine involved in the conspiracy was 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (Ice), or 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. Count 2 charges that on August 30, 2015, in Richland County, Adkins distributed methamphetamine.
With respect to Count 1, Adkins faces ten years to life imprisonment, up to a $10,000,000 fine, and supervised release of not less than five years.
With respect to Count 2, Adkins faces up to 20 years imprisonment, up to a $1,000,000
fine, and supervised release not less than three years.
Brandon L. Atwood, age 33, of Olney, Illinois, was charged in a four-count indictment. Count 1 charges that from 2015, until on or about December 29, 2017, in Richland County, and elsewhere, Atwood conspired to distribute methamphetamine. It is further alleged that the total amount of methamphetamine involved in the conspiracy was five grams or more of methamphetamine (Ice), or fifty 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. Count 2 charges that on November 4, 2017, in Richland County, Atwood distributed methamphetamine. Count 3 charges that on November 5, 2017, in Richland County, Atwood distributed methamphetamine. Count 4 charges that on December 29, 2017, Atwood possessed with intent to distribute methamphetamine. With respect to Count 1, Atwood faces 5-40 years of imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and supervised release of not less than four years.
With respect to Counts 2-4, Atwood faces on each count up to 20 years of imprisonment,
up to a $1,000,000 fine, and supervised release not less than three years.
Robert A. Harden, age 44, of Calhoun, Illinois, was charged in a two-count indictment. Count 1 charges that from 2016, until on or about August 2017, in Richland County, and elsewhere, Harden conspired to distribute methamphetamine. It is further alleged that the total amount of methamphetamine involved in the conspiracy was five grams or more of methamphetamine (Ice), or 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. Count 2 charges that on January 20, 2017, in Effingham County, Harden possessed with the intent to distribute methamphetamine. With respect to Count 1, Harden faces 5-40 years of imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and supervised release of not less than four years.
With respect to Count 2, Harden faces up to 20 years of imprisonment, up to a
$1,000,000 fine, and supervised release not less than three years.
An Indictment is 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.
The investigations in this case was conducted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Flora Police Department, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, and the Illinois State Police.
Wabash County Project Success Town Hall Meeting Wednesday
Mark your calendar for the Wabash County Project Success Coalition Meeting Wednesday, January 10th, 11:45a-1:00p.
Topic- Town Hall Meeting (see attached)
Lunch - Variety of Soups and Sandwiches ($3 donation appreciated)
Location- First Baptist Church (130 W 6th St.)
All welcome!
Elberfeld man arrested on DUI charge
On January 6, 2018, at 6:04 p.m. Deputy U.B. Smith conducted a traffic stop on a Black 1995 Lincoln Continental for speeding on State Road 64. Upon conducting a traffic stop near County Road 750 East Deputy Smith identified the driver as 34 year old Brian Thomas of Elberfeld. While speaking with Mr. Thomas Deputy Smith detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the driver’s breath. At that point Deputy Smith began a roadside investigation that resulted in Mr. Thomas being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail.
At the Gibson County Jail Mr. Thomas was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (DUI). He has since posted a $650 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
