On December 19, 2024, at 10:43 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 call of a suspicious vehicle stopped in a grassy field between Vail Estates apartments and the Deaconess Clinic located on South Vail Street in Princeton. Upon arriving on scene officers located a Black 2021 GMC Sierra still in drive, but stopped with the driver passed out behind the wheel. At that point Officer made awoke the driver, the vehicle was made safe and a DUI investigation was conducted. At the conclusion of the investigation 45 year old Chad Cundiff of Otwell was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated- Endangerment (with a refusal, Criminal Mischief, and Operating a Vehicle with an Open Alcoholic Beverage Container.
Arresting Officer: Deputy Bates
Assisting Officers: Princeton Sgt. Ben Kiesel and Officer Nicholas Rainey
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Two Houston Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Burglarizing Pharmacies in Southern Illinois, Missouri
BENTON, Ill. – A district court judge sentenced two Houston, Texas, men to federal prison for burglarizing pharmacies of controlled substances in Casey, Illinois, and Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
McKindley V. Allen, 32, and DaLeon J. Fontennet, 28, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary involving controlled substances, conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and attempted burglary involving controlled substances.
Both defendants were sentenced to 100 months’ imprisonment.
“Damaging and burglarizing locally-owned pharmacies that provide vital healthcare services impair rural communities, and leave residents and employees without reliable support,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “The defendants were only concerned with lining their own pockets with controlled substances and drug proceeds and had no regard for the destruction left for the communities to clean up.”
According to court documents, Allen and Fontennet unlawfully entered a pharmacy in Casey with intent to steal controlled substances in December 2023 by using a Sawzall to cut through the exterior wall. In January, the pair burglarized a pharmacy in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and took more than 16,000 pills. Fontennet admitted to also burglarizing a pharmacy in Murphysboro, Illinois.
“DEA has seen a surge in burglaries of controlled substances at independent, non-chain pharmacies, which rips at the core of communities across this country” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Joseph Dixon, head of Drug Enforcement Administration investigations in southern Illinois. “With the sentencing of these two criminals, DEA demonstrates its steadfast commitment to the American public and sends a clear message to those who engage in these types of egregious acts.”
After burglarizing the pharmacies, Allen admitted to conspiring with others to distribute the stolen oxycodone, hydrocodone and morphine.
DEA St. Louis led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Hudson prosecuted the case.
Mt. Carmel City Council Agenda
AGENDA
CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, December 23, 2024 at 4:00 pm
· Call to Order
o Pledge of Allegiance
o Roll Call
· Approve Minutes
o Minutes of meeting held on 12/09/2024.
· Visitors (topic discussed by visitor(s) is limited to 5 minutes)
· Reports and Communications
o Mayor Judge
o Commissioner Meador Streets, Cemeteries and Parks
o Commissioner Ikemire Finance and Senior Citizens
o Commissioner Meeks Water and Sewer
o Commissioner Zimmerman Fire, Health & Safety, City Hall and Garbage
· Staff Reports
o Ryan Turner Derek McCullough Luis Garcia
o Michael McWilliams Francis Speth Mike Gidcumb
o WEMA Representative
New Business
o Consent Agenda
§ Pay all bills by providing proper signatures.
o Removal of items from the Consent Agenda
o Ordinance 2118-Authorizing sale of 2.67 acres of surplus property
o Ordinance 2119-Authorizing sale of 2.67 acres of surplus property to AEA
o Ordinance 2120-Amending Ordinance 967 on contractor registration fees
o Ordinance 2121Amending Chapter 6, building and building regulations fees
o Old Business-
o Executive Session-
o Motion to Adjourn-
o Liquor Control Meeting-Immediately after the council hearing= Yearly Liquor License for all establishments.
Princeton woman arrested for residential entry
On December 18, 2024, at 9:07 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a disturbance in the 300 block of South Mary Ann Drive in Patoka. Deputies from the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the scene and upon arriving located all individuals involved in the incident. After a brief investigation 66 year old Judy Herrin of Princeton was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with Criminal Trespass and Residential Entry.
Arresting Officer was Wes Baumgart and he was assisted by Deputies Wyatt Hunt, Eric Powell, and Sgt. Loren Barchett.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
911 call leads to arrest of Griffin woman on multiple charges
On December 17, 2024, at 8:35 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a disturbance in the 6000 block of South 1825 West in the rural Griffin area. Multiple officers were dispatched to the area, and after canvasing the area they located one of the parties involved in the dispatch. At that point Deputy Eric Powell began an investigation into the incident. After gathering a statement and evidence from this individual Deputy Powell and other officers spoke with other persons involved in the incident. After collecting statements and evidence from all parties involved Deputy Powell placed 53 year old Theresa Lepinski of Griffin into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with:
Battery w/ Bodily Injury
Possession of Methamphetamines
Possession of Marijuana
Possession of Paraphernalia
Assisting Deputy Powell in his investigation were Fort Branch Police Chief Darrell Parker and Indiana Conservation Officer Matt Clark.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
911 report of man with a sword nets arrest of Francisco man
On December 18, 2024, at 7:40 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report from a caller that stated that an unknown male wearing all black and carrying a sword attempted to enter their vehicle. Multiple officers were dispatched to the area and upon arriving an investigation was conducted. During the investigation 43 year old Danny Riley of Francisco was located at a nearby residence. Upon locating Mr. Riley Deputy Shawn Holmes observed that Mr. Riley was wearing all black and also in possession of a sword. At that point Deputy Holmes spoke with Mr. Riley about the incident and collected evidence. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Holmes placed Mr. Riley into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Intimidation, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia.
Assisting Deputy Holmes in his investigation was Deputies Michael Bates and Jim Tucker. Also assisting was Oakland City Police Chief Tim Gaines and Indiana State Trooper James Manning.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Allendale School Board Notes
At the December 2024 Allendale School Board meeting held in the library of Allendale School, the board:
Adopted the 2024 Payable 2025 Tax Levy with an aggregate increase of 4.99%.
Approved the Operational Funds Reserve Reduction Report.
Approved the Cardiac Emergency Response Plan.
Approved the hiring of Rayna Prettyman as the full-time Junior High Mathematics teacher for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year.
The board was given the evaluation document for the Superintendent and will present the report at the January meeting
Bellmont to Receive $600,000 State Grant for Local Park Development
The Village of Bellmont today announced that it has been selected to receive a $600,000.00 Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the State of Illinois. The grant is for Renovation of the Existing Bellmont Village Park.
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) awarded a total of $55.2 million to 100 communities for local park development projects as part of the latest round of OSLAD grants.
“Since I became Governor, it’s been my mission to build stronger, healthier communities across Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Through the OSLAD program, we’re bringing that vision to life by awarding over $55.2 million to local park projects, expanding green spaces and creating new recreational opportunities for all.”
Established by the Illinois General Assembly in 1986, OSLAD is a cost-sharing program between state and local governments that helps communities fund land acquisition and development for parks and outdoor recreation projects. It’s become one of the most popular grant programs in Illinois. Since its establishment, OSLAD has awarded $640 million for park projects throughout Illinois (including the awards announced today).
Plans for the park improvements include: handicapped accessible parking, restrooms, walking paths, playground equipment, picnic tables and grilling stations. In addition the park will be adding an improved basketball court, new pickleball/tennis court, disc golf, open area where soccer, croquet, volleyball and other outdoor games can be played and environmental enhancements including bat houses, bird houses and wild flower garden to attract and encourage native species of plants and animals to the park to enjoy and improve the quality of life.
The park is centrally located between Edwards, White and Richland counties and is easily accessible for residents of those counties in addition to Wabash County. When park improvements are finished the park will be a place where family reunions, 4-H and scout troops, church groups and others can meet to enjoy the enhancements. The park rehabilitation is meant to encourage all area residents to exercise and appreciate nature. The park is located on the east side of Bellmont where the old Wabash County fairgrounds was formerly located.
Funds for the project are entirely provided by the grant.
Bellmont Mayor Linda Johnson is delighted that the grant has been awarded and hopes that the ability to bring the improvements to the Bellmont Village Park will bring not only Bellmont residents but also residents from nearby towns, including people from Albion, Grayville, Mt. Carmel and Olney to enjoy the park and facilities.