West Berwick To Manage Mt. Carmel Golf Course

The new year looks to bring in some big changes to the Mt. Carmel Golf Course. At last night’s City Council meeting, City Clerk Rudy Witsman said a tentative agreement had been reached with West Berwick Golf Club to take over operations of the city-owned course beginning January 1st….

The golf course has been a drain on city resources in past years running hundreds of thousands of dollars in the red. Witsman said finances played a role in the city working out an agreement with West Berwick…

Witsman said the city will continue to own the property.

Doug McPherson acted as spokesman for West Berwick at last night’s meeting and he said the group is looking forward to taking over the course.

The city council voted to approve the tentative agreement which will be finalized at their next meeting on New Year’s Eve. 

Here is Witsman’s full prepared statement delivered last night…

Line Dancing Classes Start Next Month At WVC

Wabash Valley College will be offering Modern Dance ( Line Dancing), PEG 1132 on Wednesday evenings , beginning January 9, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the 4-H Annex Building at the Mabel Courter 4-H Center. This will be an introduction to line and partner dance class, with Vickie Smith as the instructor. The instructor will be preparing books and CD’s for all the dances at no extra charge for the students. If more information is needed, please contact Vickie Smith at 812-789-3055 or 618-298-2411, or bsoutlaws@gmail.com.

In-District tuition may be discounted for students enrolled in four or less semester hours in the evening. There will be a $5 Technology Fee per credit hour, a $12 Student Support fee per credit hour, and a $15 Maintenance fee per credit hour. Students may register at the first class session or at the College.

NEW ILLINOIS CAR SEAT LAW BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2019

Springfield- Illinois State Police (ISP) announce changes to the Child Passenger Protection Act, which will become effective January 1, 2019.

Effective January 1, 2019, all motorists traveling on Illinois roadways will be required to secure children under the age of 2 years old in a rear facing child restraint system. We are hopeful the change in law will reduce infant injuries and fatalities if they are involved in a traffic crash.

HB4377 provides the following:

 Provides that when any person is transporting a child in this state who is under the age of 2 years old in a motor vehicle of the first division or motor vehicle of the second division weighing 9,000 pounds or less, he/she shall be responsible for properly securing the child in a rear-facing child restraint system, unless the child weighs more than 40 pounds, is taller than 40 inches, or is traveling in vehicles weighing over 9,000 pounds.

 Parent or guardian must provide child restraints.

 Children under the age of 8 must be secured in an appropriate child restraint system.

 Every person transporting a child under the age of 8 is responsible for properly securing the child in the vehicle.

“This legislation will assist in saving the lives of young children who depend on parents and guardians every day to protect them during travel,” stated ISP Director Leo P. Schmitz. “It is of the utmost importance to make sure children and adults are buckled properly at all times when traveling on Illinois roadways,” added Director Schmitz.

By signing this legislation, Governor Rauner continues to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Illinois citizens and travelers of our roadways. Please visit: www.buckleup.org for more information.

Ballot Set For April 2nd Election

The ballot for the April 2nd election is set as the filing period ended yesterday.

For Mt. Carmel mayor, the race will pit two term incumbent Bill Hudson against finance commissioner Joe Judge.

For City Commissioner, incumbents Eric Ikemire, Justin Dulgar, and Rod Rodriguez are on the ballot along with challengers, Chandler Madden, Tom Meeks, Jaleigh Lashbrook, and Donald Kensall. Since Judge is vacating his council seat to run for mayor, at least one of those four challengers will be elected. Art Kimmel and Donnie Banks had taken out petitions to run for commissioner but neither filed to run.

For Wabash District #348 school board, those filing were incumbents Ryan Peter, Neil Earnest, and Janice Alka along with challengers Katie Slane and Joni Gill.

In Allendale, Gary Buchanan and Miles Marcotte filed to run for the District 17 school board.

There will also be village races in Allendale, Keensburg, and Bellmont next Spring.

Olney Man Arrested After Traffic Stop

12/14/2018-Mt. Carmel Police arrested 34 year old Thomas V. White of Olney after he was stopped by Mt. Carmel Police.  During the traffic stop it was discovered that he was driving on a suspended driver's license.  White was arrested and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was cited for driving while license is suspended and for expired registration. White was held pending the posting of bond.  

Suspended Registration Leads To Arrest

12/13/2018-Mt. Carmel Police arrested 30 year old Stephanie A. Blanchette of Mt. Carmel after she was stopped by the Mt. Carmel Police for a suspended registration.  Police arrested Blanchette and transported her to the Wabash County Jail where she was cited for operation of a motor vehicle when the registration is suspended, no valid insurance, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle.  Blanchette was held pending the posting of bond.  

Pair Arrested Following Traffic Stop

On 12.12.18 at approximately 1:11 p.m. Wabash County Sheriff's Office made a vehicle stop on Highway 1 in the area of N 2360 Blvd. (just south of Racoon Creek) near the Wabash and Lawrence County line. During the traffic stop Deputy Bogard observed both occupants to be very nervous when he asked for the proper paperwork for the vehicle. As Deputy Bogard informed the two occupants he was a K-9 Officer and was going to perform a free air sniff for narcotics both became even more nervous. The passenger, 58year old Gregory B. Raley, of Mt. Carmel advised there was drug paraphernalia within the vehicle. Sheriff Morgan arrived to assist Deputy Bogard and a search of the vehicle resulted in 4 glass smoking pipes along with 8 separate bags of methamphetamine. 

The driver, 47 year old Glenda R. Goodson of Vincennes, IN was taken into custody and charged with Improper display of registration, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Raley was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine.

Both Raley and Goodson made a first appearance in Wabash County Circuit Court where their bond was set at $500 cash and $100 cash respectively by the Honorable William Hudson.

Owensville man arrested on DUI charge

On December 15, 2018, at 3:47 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a vehicle partially in a ditch on Mill Street near Walnut Street in Owensville. Upon arriving Deputy Ben Kiesel located a Grey 2014 Chevy Cruze and began a roadside investigation. During the investigation the driver of the vehicle 25 year old Dakota McKannan of Owensville was located and upon speaking with him Deputy Kiesel detected the odor of alcohol coming from Mr. McKannan. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Kiesel placed Mr. McKannan into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. McKannan was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated with a Prior Conviction. He remains in custody on a $750 bond. 

Assisting Deputy Kiesel in his investigation was Deputy Loren Barchett. 

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a r easonable doubt in a court of law.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE ENCOURAGE SAFE DRIVING HABITS DURING THE HOLIDAYS

– The upcoming holidays will bring family and friends together as 2018 winds to a close. Unfortunately, some will choose to make life-threatening driving decisions while behind the wheel. Captain Cory Ristvedt, District 12 Commander, encourages everyone to enjoy the holidays, but to do so responsibly.

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of injury and death in the U.S., and traffic crashes are largely preventable. If traveling during the holidays, please be accountable for actions behind the wheel. We each take part in preventing traffic crashes.

If you are attending a holiday celebration where alcohol is involved, please make sure to use a designated driver or make necessary arrangements to ensure an intoxicated person does not get behind the wheel of a vehicle. Before starting your holiday road trip, make sure everyone in the vehicle is buckled up. When seat belts are properly worn, the risk of fatal injury is estimated to be cut in half. Also, be sure to eliminate distractions. Taking your eyes off the road for any reason is risky. Looking at a cell phone for five seconds at 55 mph is like driving blind for the length of a football field. Be sure to watch your speed. The faster you are going, the less time you have to react when trying to avoid a crash. Furthermore, the faster you are going, the greater the chance of a crash resulting in serious injury.

“Please watch for flashing lights on the side of the road,” said Captain Ristvedt. “Illinois recognizes December 23rd of each year as Scott’s Law Day. Scott’s Law requires motorists to slow down or move over when approaching a vehicle with flashing lights on the side of the road. Please help ensure the safety of those working along the roadside.” Don’t ruin anyone’s festivities this holiday season. Let’s all be accountable for our actions behind the wheel and drive responsibly.

MCES Kindergarteners Sing At Oakview Heights

On Thursday, December 13th the Kindergarten students of MCES went to sing Christmas songs at Oakview Heights and hand out Christmas cards. The students also donated several gift ideas for the clients at Oakview Heights. Pictured here is Mrs. Satava's class and her grandmother that enjoyed the visit and part of Mrs. Metcalf's class taken while singing.