On 1/02/19 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Kimberly G. Gawthorp, age 55, of Champaign, IL, for Possession of Methamphetamine, Driving on a Revoked Driver’s License as well as Operating a Vehicle with Suspended Registration following a traffic stop in the area of 9th & Empire Street. After Gawthorp was arrested for the traffic offenses, officers located a clear bag of suspected methamphetamine inside her purse. Gawthrop was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was charged and held pending the bond setting by a judge.
Two Women Arrested Following Market Street Traffic Stop
On 12/29/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Alexandria M. Swatsley-Vernon, age 23, of Mt. Carmel, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Another’s Debit Card following a traffic stop in the 900 block of N Market Street. During the stop Ofc. Hopper arrived with his K-9 Ace for a free air narcotic’s sniff around the exterior of the gold Buick Swatsley-Vernon was driving. Ace alerted on the vehicle which resulted in a search of the Buick. In doing so the arresting officer located two plastic tubes containing suspected narcotic residue along with a mirror. Also discovered were 3 debit cards not belonging to her, two of which had been reported stolen. During the stop it was found that the passenger, Karen S. Melton, age 51, of Vincennes, IN was wanted on a Lawrence County Warrant for Failure to Appear. Both females were transported to the Wabash County Jail where they were charged and held pending the posting of bond.
Mt. Carmel Man Picked Up On NY's Eve For Driving Suspended
On 12/31/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Roger D. Dardeen, age 56, of Mt. Carmel, for Driving While License Suspended following a traffic stop in the 5th and Cedar Street. Dardeen was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Dardeen was held pending the posting of bond.
Stun Gun Incident Lands Mt. Carmel Teen In Jail
On 12/30/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Dexter O. Willitts Jr., age 18, of Mt. Carmel, for Domestic Battery following a domestic call to a residence in the 100 block of W 4th Street. Upon arrival, officers found evidence to believe Willitts had used a stun gun on a sibling during a dispute. Willitts was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.
Haubstadt Woman Arrested Following MCPD Stop
On 12/30/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Kristi L. Dudley, age 41, of Haubstadt, IN, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Driving While License Suspended following a traffic stop in the 400 block of W 9th Street. During the traffic stop the arresting officer requested Deputy Keagan Bogard, of the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office, along with his K-9 Roy, to assist by conducting a free air narcotics sniff to the exterior of the white Cadillac Dudley was operating. Roy alerted on the vehicle so a search was conducted resulting in a red straw, containing suspected narcotic residue, being located in the vehicle. Dudley was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was charged and held pending the posting of bond.
Top 10 Wabash County News Stories Of 2018
In no particular order, here are our Top 10 WSJD Local News Stories Of 2018:
1) Tim Buss retires as Wabash District #348 superintendent. After a long educational career in Mt. Carmel, including the last 16 as superintendent, Buss steps down and is replaced by Dr. Chuck Bleyer.
2) Jay Purvis retires as Wabash General Hospital President/CEO. WGH soared to incredible growth and expansion under Purvis’s leadership to become one of the best hospitals in the country. Karissa Turner takes over with the start of the new year,
3) Investigation continues into body found in field. In October, a body was found in a rural area of Wabash County north of Mt. Carmel. To date, the body has not been positively identified as forensic tests continue.
4) Unemployment remains low. Along with the rest of the area, Wabash County’s unemployment saw historic lows throughout much of 2018 as “Help Wanted” signs were out at many companies.
5) Mt. Carmel’s Bicentennial is a wash-out. Mt. Carmel celebrated (or attempted to) its’ 200th birthday in 2018. But rain washed out a planned Kentucky Headhunters concert in October that was to be the centerpiece of the celebration.
6) Community steps up to keep Senior Center open. Inadequate funding from the state and federal levels caused a financial crisis at the Mt. Carmel Senior Citizens Center that threatened its’ existence. But the community stepped forward with a myriad of fundraisers and donations to stave off closure until government funding stabilized. A name change also occurred in 2018 as the facility was rebranded as the WC Cafeteria and Senior Center.
7) Villas of Holly Brooks breaks ground and construction begins. Construction began in 2018 on the new Villas of Holly Brook on Mt. Carmel’s westside. The facility is slated to open in the 2nd or 3rd quarter of 2019 and employ dozens.
8) 2018 Election. Locally, the 2018 election saw little fanfare as there was only one contested race in the primary and no locally contested races in November. Sheriff Derek Morgan, County Clerk Janet Will, Treasurer Beverly McBride, and County Commissioner Tim Hocking were all reelected to new terms. In other election news, filing took place in December for the 2019 Consolidated Election. There will be contested races for Mt. Carmel Mayor, City Commissioner, and District #348 school board.
9) Mt. Carmel Water Plant Issues. The city will continue look to solve its’ future water needs in 2019 after the Wabash Valley Regional Water Commission dissolved in 2018. The plan was for a regional water plant to be built in Grayville. But Albion officials weren’t satisfied with the process and pulled out leaving Mt. Carmel, Grayville, and Keensburg in a lurch. Mt. Carmel has now identified a potential site for a new water plant between Walnut and Poplar Streets for a new water plant.
10) Leaf Vac program reinstituted in new form. After not offering leaf vac services in 2017 because of equipment failures and associated costs, the city brought back the leaf vac program in 2018 in an altered form. Residents were required to purchase $30 tickets to have their leaves picked up by the city.
City Appoints Pair To SEIAOA
The Mt. Carmel City Council yesterday approved one year appointments to the Southeastern Illinois Area Agency On Aging for Chester Miles and Marie Windle. The appointments came on the recommendation of senior citizens commissioner Joe Judge.
Bids Due Soon For Cemetery Mowing Contract
Mt. Carmel City Clerk Rudy Witsman is reminding those interested that the deadline is approaching to submit a bid for the city’s cemetery mowing contract in 2019. Witsman reported at yesterday’s city council meeting that the deadline is 3pm, January 14th.
Hudson Applauds Holiday Retail Sales Locally
From Mayor Bill Hudson’s perspective, it was a very successful holiday shopping season for Mt. Carmel merchants…
Hudson said merchants’ promotions played a key role in that busy holiday shopping period. The mayor’s comments came at a brief city council meeting yesterday afternoon that lasted all of 6 minutes to wrap up the year.
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE INVESTIGATION LEADS TO ARREST FOR INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER
Karnak, Illinois – Officials with the Illinois State Police (ISP) announce the arrest of Christie D. Brown, age 31 of Karnak, for Involuntary Manslaughter and Aggravated Domestic Battery.
On December 28, 2018, the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department responded to a domestic dispute in Karnak, Illinois. Upon their arrival they discovered that Durial D. King, age 33 of Karnak, had been stabbed. King later died due to the injuries. The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department requested investigative assistance from ISP Zone 7.
The investigation revealed that King had been stabbed by Brown during the domestic dispute. On December 29, 2018, Pulaski County State’s Attorney James Flummer charged Brown with one Count of Involuntary Manslaughter and one Count of Aggravated Domestic Battery. Brown is currently being held at the Pulaski County Detention Center. Brown’s bail has not yet been set.
This is an ongoing case and no further information is available.
