Pursuit along Interstate 64 Ends Peacefully with Arrest

Spencer County:  An overnight pursuit along Interstate 64 stretched out nearly 40 miles before coming to a peaceful stop.

At 12:27 AM this morning, Trooper Steve Nolan was patrolling I-64 near the 59 mile marker (two miles east of the Dale exit) when he saw a silver 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo traveling west at what looked like a high rate of speed.  Nolan activated his radar, which indicated the Chevy was driving 99 miles per hour.

Nolan attempted to pull over the driver of the Chevrolet.  The driver instead fled at speeds reaching 115 miles per hour, and continued west towards US 41.  The driver exited I-64 onto northbound US 41, but quickly turned around and attempted to continue west on I-64.  Near the 21 mile marker of I-64, the engine of the Chevrolet blew, causing the vehicle to coast to a stop near the 19 mile marker.

Upon coming to a stop, Troopers took the driver, 39-year-old Samome Steen of Louisville, Kentucky, into custody without incident.

Steen was transported to the Spencer County Jail.  Troopers from the Jasper Post were assisted by Evansville District Troopers and the Gibson County Sheriff’s Department.

Arrested and Charges:
Samone Dejuan Steen, 39
Louisville, KY
- Resisting Law Enforcement (Vehicle), Level 6 Felony
- Reckless Driving, Class A Misdemeanor

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

House Decorating Contest Winners

The Singing Seven from Mt. Carmel High School kicked off the official lighting of the City of Mt. Carmel Christmas tree tonight.

Winner's in the Sights and Sounds of Christmas residential lighting competition were announced:

Best Use of Sound: Georgenna Wade
Best Use of Theme: Alan Clem
Best Use of Light:Trey and Kelsey Beckerman
Best Traditional Decorations: Lucy and Josh Evans
Grand Champion: Randy Banks

Kentucky Murder Suspect Arrested in Albion

From Henderson, KY Police:

Earlier today, members of the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force and the Illinois State Police served an arrest warrant on Deangelo Pollard for the charges of Murder and Robbery 1st Degree. The warrants were obtained by Detective Jake Isonhood in reference to the murder of Devin Fields that occurred on November 10th, 2017 in Henderson, KY. Law Enforcement had received information that Pollard had fled the area and was staying at a residence in Albion Illinois. Pollard will be held in Illinois until being extradited back to Henderson.

Scenes From Christmas Uptown

Click the photos for a slideshow.

Mt. Carmel City Council Agenda

AGENDA

CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Monday December 4, 2017 at 5:00pm

· Call to Order

· Pledge of Allegiance

· Invocation

· Roll Call

· Visitors to address the Council (topic discussed by visitor(s) is limited to 5 minutes)

· Mayor’s Report

COMMISSIONER’S REPORT:

· Eric Ikemire Streets, Cemeteries and Parks

· Joseph Judge Finance and Senior Citizens

· Justin Dulgar Water and Sewer

· Rod Rodriguez Fire, Health & Safety, City Hall, Garbage and Civil Defense

STAFF REPORTS:

· Rudy Witsman

· Kelli Storckman

· Mike Gidcumb

BUSINESS:

· First reading of Ordinance 1080 an ordinance authorizing the City Council to seek bids for city owned property commonly known as 615 East 4th Street

· First reading of Ordinance 1081 an ordinance providing for the issuance of $150,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2017, of the City of Mount Carmel, Wabash County, Illinois, for the purpose of financing public safety equipment and other capital expenditures for said City, providing for the levy and collection of a direct annual tax sufficient to pay the principal and interest on said bonds, and authorizing the sale of said bonds to the purchaser thereof

· First reading of Ordinance 1082 an ordinance setting the tax levy for the City of Mt. Carmel Fiscal Year May 1, 2017 thru April 30, 2018

· Presentation of Consent Agenda

o Approve the minutes of the regular Council meeting held 11/20/2017

o Approve payment of all bills bearing the proper signature

· Removal of items from the Consent Agenda

· Consideration of Consent Agenda

· Consideration of items removed from the Consent Agenda

· Executive Session (if needed)

· Motion to Adjourn

Shopko Pharmacy Closing

Mt. Carmel will soon be down to one pharmacy after Shopko announced they are closing their pharmacy and transferring their patient records to CVS. 

End of Era As Ben Franklin Sign Comes Down

Crews today worked to take down the Ben Franklin sign in front of the business in the 300 block of Market Street.  Owners Debra and Terry McGuire recently renamed the business Market Street Mercantile......Framing, Floral and More. Click photos for slideshow.

Bridgeport Woman Arrested In Fatal Accident

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 12

WHAT:                      Fatality Accident

WHERE:                   US Rt 50 approx 1 mile east of IL Hwy 1 Lawrenceville, Lawrence Co.

WHEN:                      04:45 AM 11/30/17

VEHICLES:              Unit #1 – Green 98 Jeep Wrangler

                                    Unit #2 – Bronze 99 Chevrolet Pickup                                                                                                 

DRIVER:                   Unit #1 – Alicia D. Stephens, 22 of Bridgeport, IL. Seatbelt used

                                    Unit #2- Rodney S. Stephens, 38 of West York, IL. Seatbelt used (KILLED)                                                                                                                                                  

PASSENGERS:        None                          

CHARGES:               Unit #1 Driver- Improper lane usage, DUI drugs and drug paraphernalia, No insurance

TRANSPORTS:       The drivers of Unit #1 was transported to Lawrence County Hospital then flown to St. Vincent in Evansville IN..

PRELIMINARY:     Preliminary investigative details indicate unit #1 was traveling west on US 50 when it crossed the center line and struck unit #2 head-on which was traveling east on US 50 at the same location.    

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

Allendale Students of the Month

Allendale School  is proud to announce the November Students of the Month.

Front Row:  Reese Price (2nd grade), Eli Garrett (1st Grade), Karlee Adams (Kindergarten)

Back Row:  Levi Potts (3rd grade), Kinze Cusick (Jr. High), Avery Swift (Jr. High), Olivia Smith (4th grade)

Rape and Child Molestation Charges Filed Against Jasper Man

Jasper:  A Jasper resident was arrested this morning on rape and child molestation charges after an investigation by State Police detectives.

On October 25, 2017, the Indiana Department of Child Services and the Indiana State Police began an investigation into a complaint of inappropriate contact with a minor between 2011 and 2015.  The complaint alleged that 20-year-old Anthony Neukam of Jasper had sexually forced himself upon a minor female routinely during that timeframe.

After a lengthy investigation by ISP and DCS, an arrest warrant was issued and Neukam was arrested this morning by State Police and Dubois County Sheriff’s Deputies.  Neukam is being held in the Dubois County Security Center.

Investigating Officer:  Senior Trooper Detective Brock Werne

Arrested and Charges:
Anthony J. Neukam, 20
Jasper, IN
- Rape, Level 3 Felony
- Child Molesting (x4), Level 3 Felony

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.