On June 14, 2026, at 1:26 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Wes Baumgart conducted a traffic stop on a White Toyota Camry for speeding on US 41 near County Road 350 South. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Baumgart detected the odor of alcohol and other signs of impairment. At that point he began a roadside DUI investigation. Once the investigation was completed Deputy Baumgart placed the driver, 47-year-old Ronald Holloway of Evansville into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Detention Center. Upon arriving at the detention center Mr. Holloway was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.
Deputy Levi Sims and Princeton Officers Ben Michel and Landon Perryman assisted Deputy Baumgart 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.
Hazleton man arrested for Public Intoxication
On June 15, 2026, at 5:58 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a person trespassing and causing a disturbance in the area of Cunningham Road and State Road 56. Deputies with the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the area and located the suspect 24-year-old Anthoney Devine in a state of intoxication. Deputies placed Mr. Devine into investigative custody while they collected statements from witnesses to the incident. At the conclusion of the investigation Mr. Devine was transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Public Intoxication.
Arresting Officer, Deputy Wyatt Hunt was assisted in his investigation by Deputies Wes Baumgart and Wyatt Lashbrook.
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 Oakland City man
On June 17, 2026, at 9 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 call from the Diplomat Motel located at 1733 S State Road 57 near Oakland City in reference to a disturbance. Multiple law enforcement officers were dispatched to the scene and upon arriving they began an investigation into what they discovered was an ongoing altercation throughout the early morning hours. After collecting statements and evidence, 45-year-old Kevin Milligan of Oakland City was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was booked in on Battery with Moderate Bodily Injury. He is being held on a $10,000 bond.
Arresting Officer, Deputy Bryan Small was assisted in his investigation by Deputies Michael Bates and Jim Tucker. Oakland City Officer Tim Gaines also assisted in this investigation.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Tennessee man arrested for resisting law enforcement
On June 18th, 2026, at approximately 10:55 p.m. Gibson County Sgt. John Fischer attempted to stop a Black 2023 Toyota Venza for speed and improperly traveling in the left lane. Sgt. Fischer initiated his emergency lights on US 41 at CR 550 S, but the vehicle failed to stop and continued driving north. A pursuit was called and the vehicle continued driving at speeds between 50 mph and 65mph. After several other units joined the pursuit, the vehicle finally pulled over at Richland Creek Drive in Princeton. The driver was identified as Babu Surabhil by his Tennessee Driver`s License. Mr. Surabhil was arrested and charged with resisting law enforcement with a vehicle.
Sgt. John Fischer was the arresting officer and was assisted by the Princeton Police Department, Gibson County Sheriff`s Office and the Haubstadt Police Department.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Traffic accident nets impaired driver
On June 19, 2026, at 1:12 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a property damage accident in the 500 block of South 1300 East. Upon arriving law enforcement found a 2016 Chevy Equinox had left the roadway and went down an embankment becoming partially submerged. While speaking with the driver, Deputy Michael Owens detected clues that the driver 52-year-old Vicki Pancake of Oakland City was intoxicated. At that point he began a roadside DUI investigation. Once the investigation was completed Ms. Pancake was transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where she was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.
Oakland City Officer Tim Gaines assisted in this investigation.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Wabash District #348 June 2026 Personnel Matters
The Wabash District #348 Board of Education approved a series of personnel moves during its meeting Monday morning.
The board accepted the resignations of Mt. Carmel Elementary School first-grade teacher Trisha Mobley and Mt. Carmel High School physical education teacher Patrick Donnell, both effective at the end of the 2025-26 school year.
Several non-certified staff appointments were also approved for the upcoming school year. Lindsey Fisher was hired as head cook at Mt. Carmel Grade School. Makayla Beesley and Brooklyn Ritchey were approved as paraprofessionals at Mt. Carmel Elementary School, while Kiersten James was hired as a special education paraprofessional. Heather Rose was approved as an individual assistant at Mt. Carmel Elementary School, and Nichole Groff was hired as an individual assistant at Mt. Carmel Grade School.
In certified personnel action, the board hired Jaden Merritt as a physical education teacher at Mt. Carmel High School for the 2026-27 school year.
The board also approved several staff transfers. Shannon Moore will move to a part-time cook position at Mt. Carmel Grade School. Miranda McCowen was transferred to an individual assistant position at Mt. Carmel High School, and Makayla Shoot will serve as a life skills classroom assistant at Mt. Carmel Elementary School.
In extracurricular appointments, Elliot Laws was approved as assistant football coach at Mt. Carmel High School. Elijah Laws was hired as the girls junior high track coach, and Madison Laws was approved as the Mt. Carmel Junior High School yearbook sponsor for the upcoming school year.
Another Delay In Case Of Former Deputy
Another court hearing has resulted in another delay in the felony case against former Wabash County Sheriff's Deputy Chase Cheadle.
Cheadle appeared in Wabash County Circuit Court Thursday with defense attorney Jonathan Turpin. Special Prosecutor Brian Towne participated in the hearing by Zoom.
Turpin told Judge Denton Aud he had recently received additional information from the prosecution and expects to file a motion related to that material. He said the State would need time to respond and requested another 45 to 60 days before the next substantive hearing.
Turpin praised Towne for his cooperation during the discovery process, telling the court the two have been working through informal discovery and that the special prosecutor has been "exemplary" in providing information.
Towne agreed with Turpin's assessment of the case and said he had no objection to the additional time. Because he travels more than four hours to appear in court, Towne also asked that future non-evidentiary hearings continue to be conducted by Zoom whenever possible.
Turpin indicated the motion he plans to file will likely involve an allegation of evidence spoliation, but said he does not anticipate any factual disputes requiring witness testimony. Judge Aud agreed that if the hearing involves only legal arguments, appearing remotely would be appropriate.
Following discussion, the court scheduled a status hearing for August 13th at 9 a.m., when the parties will update the court on the pending motion and determine the next steps in the case.
Cheadle's case has been repeatedly delayed since charges were first filed. The former sheriff's deputy and K-9 handler originally 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.
Summer Work Proceeds At Local Schools
Summer improvement projects across Wabash District #348 remain on schedule, according to Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer.
During Monday morning's Board of Education meeting, Bleyer reported that work underway throughout the district is progressing smoothly and remains on track.
At Mt. Carmel Elementary School, new exterior doors have been installed. Bleyer noted the doors are now in place, but because they provide a clear view into the building, the district is working to install a protective film to improve privacy and security.
Bleyer also provided an update on the district's major HVAC improvement project. He said installation of the new air conditioning systems remains on schedule, with a target completion date of June 27th.
The superintendent called the project's progress encouraging and said district officials are hopeful the work will be completed on time.
District administrators continue to monitor all summer construction and maintenance projects as crews work to have improvements ready before students return for the 2026-27 school year.
County Board Approves Funding To Help Pay For New Market Street Planters
New flower pots will soon be appearing along Market Street in downtown Mount Carmel thanks in part to funding approved Monday by the Wabash County Board.
Commissioners voted to provide $1,500 from the county's Tourism Fund to assist Market Street MTC with replacing flower pots located at the intersections of Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth streets along Market Street.
Speaking to commissioners, Market Street MTC spokesman Terry Beckerman said the organization has selected cast concrete planters that should provide a long-term solution after previous containers required replacement.
Beckerman said the group consulted with officials in Vincennes, where similar planters have been in use for more than a decade without significant issues.
The new planters weigh approximately 575 pounds each, making them less susceptible to being tipped over or damaged. Beckerman said they are also larger than the current containers and should provide a more visible display of flowers and landscaping.
Market Street MTC plans to purchase nine planters instead of the original eight, with the additional planter being placed near Merchants Park.
Beckerman also praised the community volunteers who have stepped up to help maintain the downtown beautification effort. He said volunteers have adopted individual corners to assist with watering and upkeep of the flower displays.
In addition, Market Street MTC recently completed another downtown improvement project by repainting six permanent benches along Market Street. Beckerman noted the benches had not been painted in more than 15 years and the work was completed with the help of local volunteers.
Commissioners approved the tourism funding request unanimously.
During a recent appearance on WSJD, Market Street MTC spokesperson Coleman Stevenson said the existing planters have served the community well for many years but are nearing the end of their useful life.
The organization’s Beautification Committee is now working to acquire new cast-concrete planters that will be larger, more durable, and better suited to the appearance of downtown Market Street. The new planters will stand approximately 32 inches tall and measure 36 inches across the top.
Committee members say the concrete planters feature a hexagon design and are similar to those that have been used successfully for decades along Main Street in Vincennes. The planters are being purchased from a company in Washington, Indiana, and will be picked up in Vincennes.
Stevenson said community support for the project has already been strong. Volunteers have stepped forward to adopt all of the planned flower containers and assist with watering duties. In fact, organizers report they have additional volunteers waiting to help, prompting discussions about adding even more planters in other locations.
Once filled with soil and flowers, each planter is expected to weigh around 700 pounds, making them much less susceptible to being moved or damaged.
Market Street MTC officials say they are excited about the project and believe the new planters will provide a lasting enhancement to the downtown district for years to come.
Ryan T. Mitchell Appointed to Board of Directors of The First National Bank of Allendale and Allendale Bancorp
The First National Bank of Allendale is pleased to announce that Ryan T. Mitchell has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Bank and its holding company, Allendale Bancorp, effective June 16, 2026.
A lifelong resident of White County, Mr. Mitchell serves as Vice President, Engineering at Mitchell Drilling Company, a family business established in Carmi in 1939. In that role, he provides executive leadership for engineering, operations, and strategic business initiatives, and is responsible for capital investment decisions, regulatory compliance, risk management, and long-range planning.
Mr. Mitchell currently serves as President of the Illinois Oil and Gas Association and is a former board member of the Carmi Chamber of Commerce. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee. He and his wife, Jara, have three children and are active members of First Christian Church in Carmi. Ryan T. Mitchell
“We are delighted to welcome Ryan to our board,” said Bryan Loeffler, Chairman of the Board. “Ryan’s deep roots in our community and his proven record of leadership in a long-standing local business make him an outstanding addition. His experience guiding a respected family enterprise through decades of growth and change reflects exactly the kind of judgment and perspective that strengthens our institution.”
“Ryan has spent his life and career in this community, and that kind of firsthand knowledge is invaluable to a bank like ours," said Donald W. Price, President and Chief Executive Officer. "He understands the families, farmers, and businesses we serve because they are his neighbors too. We are fortunate to add his judgment and perspective to our board."
