Video Leads To Retail Theft Arrest Of Mt. Carmel Man

On 4/25/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested James A. Summerfield, age 40, of Mt. Carmel for Retail Theft as well as an Edwards County FTA Warrant for traffic offenses.  Prior to the arrest, an officer was dispatched to the Dollar General Store located on West 3rd Street regarding an alleged theft of condoms.  Police reviewed video surveillance footage which confirmed the allegations of theft, resulting in his arrest.  Police also found that Summerfield was wanted on the Edwards County Warrant as well.  Summerfield was released on a Notice to Appear for the Retail Theft and held pending extradition back to Edwards County on the warrant.

Woman On Bicycle Picked Up On FTA Warrant For Meth Possession

On 4/24/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Kristina M. Randall, age 30, of Mt. Carmel on an Edwards County FTA Warrant on a Possession of Methamphetamine charge following a traffic stop on a bicycle for a violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code.  Police discovered Randall was wanted on the warrant and was placed under arrest.  During the arrest, officers also discovered (2) hypodermic syringes with one containing a clear liquid that Randall admitted to being methamphetamine.  Randall was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was issued charges for Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Hypodermic Needles.  Randall was released on a Notice to Appear for the new charges and held pending extradition back to Edwards County warrant. 

Toyota Announces $1.4 billion investment in Princeton plant; Adds up to 340 new jobs

Toyota will prepare for assembly of an all-new, three row battery electric SUV in the U.S. as part of a new $1.4 billion investment in its Princeton facility, affirming Toyota’s commitment to reinvesting profits in its U.S. operations and bringing total investment in Toyota Indiana to $8 billion. This also brings the addition of up to 340 new, high-quality jobs with long-term stability.

This investment will not only provide plant infrastructure to build the all-new BEV, it will add a new battery pack assembly line using lithium-ion batteries supplied by Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina, a $13.9 billion facility slated to begin production in 2025.

“Our team members are the heart of Toyota,” said Tim Hollander, president of Toyota Indiana. “We take great pride in producing quality products while providing long-term, stable employment no matter the changes in our industry. Our team is committed to delivering this new product with the same quality and performance that Toyota customers expect.”

Toyota’s Indiana facility is home to more than 7,500 team members who assemble the Toyota Sienna, Highlander, Grand Highlander and the Lexus TX.

“I feel fortunate for the years I’ve been with Toyota and am proud of the products we assemble,” said Michael Baehl, a 26-year Toyota Indiana team member. “The company’s commitment to long-term job stability and high-quality work provides me with peace of mind. Additionally, the opportunities to enhance my skills and progress in my career have allowed me to achieve goals I never imagined.”

Since 2021, Toyota has announced new investments totaling $18.6 billion into its U.S. manufacturing operations to support electrification efforts. Increasing BEV production in the U.S. advances Toyota’s portfolio approach to electrification.

“Indiana and Toyota share a nearly 30-year partnership that has cultivated job stability and economic opportunity in Princeton and the surrounding southwest Indiana region for decades,” said Governor Eric J. Holcomb. “Toyota’s investment in the state began with an $800 million commitment and has grown to over $8 billion. Today’s incredible announcement shows yet again just how important our state’s business friendly environment, focus on long-term success and access to a skilled workforce is to companies seeking to expand and be profitable far into the future. Indiana proudly looks forward to continuing to being at the center of the future of mobility.”

This announcement comes on the heels of a $1.3 billion investment in Toyota Kentucky for the production of a separate all-new, three row battery electric SUV.

Wrong Way Driver Arrested for Resisting and Battery on Police Officer

Dubois County – Late Wednesday night, April 24th, the Spencer County Sheriff’s Office received a call for a wrong-way driver on Interstate 64. Multiple officers responded to the area to search for the vehicle. Trooper Andrew Recker located the vehicle near the 71-mile marker traveling west in the eastbound lanes. Trooper Recker paralleled the vehicle in the westbound lane, updating officers on the vehicle's location. Trooper Nathaniel Kern was able to successfully deploy stop-sticks near the 68.5-mile marker. Deputies with the Spencer County Sheriff’s Office were able to make contact with the vehicle as it came to a stop. The driver, Lauren Jones, was then arrested by Trooper Jon Villanueva. Jones was uncooperative and combative during the arrest. While attempting to place Jones in Spencer County's Commission, Jones bit Trooper Leah Schnell, requiring Trooper Schnell to seek medical attention. Jones was transported to Jasper Memorial Hospital for medical clearance and subsequently transported to the Dubois County jail where she is being held on bond.

 This was a rapid and intense incident that traveled through Warrick County, Spencer County, Dubois County, and Perry County. Multiple agencies coordinated their efforts to end a potential crash safely and effectively. Thankfully there were no members of the public injured during this incident.

 

Arrested and Charges

  • Lauren E. Jones, 33, Corydon, IN

OVWI (Prior) – Level 6 Felony

Resisting Law Enforcement (Vehicle) – Level 6 Felony

Battery on a Police Officer – Level 6 Felony

Obstruction of Justice – Level 6 Felony

Resisting Law Enforcement – Class A Misdemeanor

Criminal Mischief – Class B Misdemeanor

Disorderly Conduct – Class B Misdemeanor

Reckless Driving – Class B Misdemeanor

Obstructing Traffic – Class B Misdemeanor

 

Arresting Officer – Trooper Andrew Recker

Assisting Officers – Trooper Noah Ewing, Trooper Jon Villanueva, Trooper Nathaniel Kern, Trooper Leah Schnell, Trooper Blake Leary, and Trooper Kayla Denk-Mundy

Assisting Agencies – Spencer County Sheriff’s Office, Dubois County Sheriff’s Office, and Jasper Police Department

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law

State Launches $30 Million Grant Opportunity for Community Revitalization

CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) launched $30 million in funding for the Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets Capital (RDMS, $20 million) and Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE, $10 million) programs to revitalize commercial corridors and downtown areas throughout the state and accelerate local economic recovery initiatives. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process.

“Small businesses are the heart and soul of communities across Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “To boost job creation and improve local infrastructure and amenities, my administration is investing an additional $30 million to support downstate commercial corridors and downtown areas. I highly encourage all eligible organizations to apply for this transformational funding.”

The Rebuild Illinois Downtowns and Main Streets Capital program (RDMS) will provide grants for construction, repair and modernization of public infrastructure and amenities to boost jobs, improve quality of life and stimulate economic activity for communities that have experienced disinvestment. The goal of this program is to drive investment in infrastructure and public amenities that will invite more people back into Main Street districts and local city centers. The second round of RDMS funding builds upon $106 million in RDMS grants provided in 2022 – the state’s largest Rebuild Illinois investment focused on community revitalization.

“We empower our communities by connecting people with the resources they need to make the changes they want to see,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “Downtown spaces are hubs for connection; people want to spend time together in public spaces when those spaces are clean, functional, and vibrant. I strongly urge communities that have experienced generational disinvestment to apply.”

Projects eligible for RDMS grants must be located in a commercial center or downtown area and may include, but are not limited to roadways, parking and public way improvements, investments in parks and venues or plazas for public use, sustainability upgrades, structural repairs, and mixed-use or transit-oriented development.

“The State of Illinois continues to prioritize promoting economic growth in communities throughout every corner of the state,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “Through the RDMS and RISE programs, qualified entities are encouraged to apply for grant funding to revitalize downtown areas and boost economic recovery in areas that need the most support.”

Through the RISE Implementation Program, the State is allocating funding toward economic development projects or initiatives identified in plans produced with support from RISE Local and Regional Planning grants to accelerate economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible projects may include capital and non-capital projects such as water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure, investment in affordable housing, local workforce development programming, retrofitting or renovating facilities and buildings, investment in site readiness for business development, and tourism promotion programming.

“The RISE and RDMS programs will provide vital funding to help revitalize downtown areas across the state,” said Senator Mike Halpin (D-East Moline). “This funding is essential to Illinois' continuous efforts to boost our local economies and get people back on Main Street.”

Qualified entities for both programs include EDOs, local units of government and private for-profit and non-profit businesses. RDMS projects must be located in a commercial corridor or downtown area, and RISE projects must be aligned with a RISE Planning grant recovery plan. Applicants must demonstrate consistency with applicable local or regional economic development plans and provide letters of support from elected officials and other community stakeholders. Successful applicants will demonstrate that their project will address barriers to economic growth and/or stimulate economic growth and recovery. ​ Eligible entities are limited to one submission.

“Supporting our downtowns and Main Streets is essential to maintaining strong communities across Illinois,” said Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago). “The hearts and souls of our neighborhoods are often found in our local city centers, and the RDMS and RISE grant programs will accelerate economic growth that will be felt for years to come.”

Through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), qualified entities can apply for grants, with awards ranging from $250,000 to $2 million, with a minimum 25% match required for local units of government and 50% match for all other applicants. Applications will be accepted until July 22, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

“The RDMS and RISE programs are providing critical grant funding to communities that need it the most,” said Representative Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea). “From revitalizing downtowns and commercial corridors to supporting economic development projects, the State of Illinois is committed to promoting growth throughout the state.”

To view the NOFO and apply for the grant, and register for the information webinar please visit the DCEO website. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out to CEO.GrantHelp@illinois.gov for application assistance. To help applicants prepare to apply for funding, DCEO will be holding a technical assistance webinar on May 1 at 10:30 a.m.

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE WARNS OF PHONE SCAM

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is warning the public of a phone scam. ​ Over the past two days, ISP has received several phone calls from individuals reporting a person claiming to be an ISP investigator telling them their identity has been stolen. ​ This is a scam. ​ ISP special agents will not make cold calls requesting personal or financial information, or ask you to confirm personal or financial information. ​ ​ ​ ​

If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be an ISP investigator, ask for the caller’s name, badge number, and phone number, and then hang up. ​ Never provide or confirm personal or financial information over the phone to an unknown caller. ​ You can verify if a caller is an ISP special agent by contacting one of the seven investigative regions throughout the state, which can be found on the ISP website. ​ ​ ​

If you have provided personal or financial information to a caller, or think someone may have stolen your identifying information, ISP recommends contacting each of the three credit bureaus to put a free security freeze on your credit. ​ This will prevent someone from opening credit in your name.

·     https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/

·     https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html

·     https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze

You can also call the Illinois Attorney General's Identity Theft Hotline at 1-866-999-5630 (7-1-1 relay service). ​ You will be assigned a Consumer Advocate to guide you through the recovery process.

WABASH VALLEY COLLEGE NAMED ILLINOIS FARM BUREAU OUTSTANDING COLLEGIATE CHAPTER

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — Illinois Farm Bureau recently named Wabash Valley Collegiate Farm Bureau as the Outstanding Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter for the 2023-2024 academic year.

The Outstanding Chapter Award recognizes the top Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter for their efforts in actively implementing the mission and goals of Illinois Collegiate Farm Bureau while making strides to both set and execute their chapter specific goals over the course of the academic year.

Wabash Valley Collegiate Farm Bureau successfully executed a range of goals during the 2023-24 school year, including establishing a memorial tribute for a former Collegiate Farm Bureau member. The college was successful in increasing chapter membership and community engagement through a variety of initiatives, including participation in the Olney Christmas Parade, the creation of an informative video addressing agricultural misconceptions, and delivering holiday gifts for children across six counties.

Wabash Valley Collegiate Farm Bureau's dedication to excellence extends beyond its campus as it maintains close ties with local county Farm Bureaus and actively participates in events such as Ag Acquaintance Day and local young leader programming opportunities. Additionally, the chapter maintains a high level of involvement at the state level through attendance at conferences like Young Leader Conference and IAA Annual Meeting.

Wabash Valley Collegiate Farm Bureau is invited to attend the IAA Annual Meeting in December where they will be formally recognized for their efforts.