Knox County Man Summoned for DUI Causing Death Updated Information: Two Oaktown Women Drown in Wabash River

The Knox County Prosecutor’s Office has filed two counts of Driving While Intoxicated Causing Death, a Level 5 Felony, against Kyle Mason, 34, of Oaktown. The criminal charges stem from an incident that occurred during the early morning hours of February 4th near Oaktown.  Mason was issued a summons to appear in court for his initial hearing on May 21 at 10:00 a.m. in Knox County Circuit Court

On February 4 at approximately 1:00 a.m., Mason was four-wheeling in a field near his home when he inadvertently drove off an embankment and into the Wabash River. Mason and his front seat passenger, Cody Meeks, 33, were able to get out of the vehicle and swim to the embankment to get help. Kyle’s wife, Breezie Mason, 33, and Cody’s wife, Meaghan Meeks, 32, were not able to get out from the back seat area and drowned.

During the investigation it was determined that Mason had a blood alcohol content above the legal limit at the approximate time he drove off the embankment and into the Wabash River.

Wabash County Has One Of Lowest Jobless Rates In Southern Illinois

Jobs numbers for February are out and the news continues to improve for Wabash County. The local jobless rate fell to 4.1% from 4.3% in January and 6% in February of last year. The lowest February unemployment rate in southern Illinois was in Jackson County at 3.8% while the highest was in Johnson County at 7.4%.

               2/18  2/17   Change

Edwards County 4.2% 5.7% -1.5%

Lawrence County 5.4% 7.6% -2.2%

Richland County 4.1% 5.7% -1.6%

Wabash County 4.1% 6.0% -1.9%

Wayne County 5.2% 7.7% -2.5%

Area employers advertised for 2,300 positions in February and approximately 82 percent sought full-time employment, according to Help Wanted Online data compiled by the Conference Board, which is a global, independent business membership and research association. Employers need more workers than the help wanted advertising indicated because some industries, such as Construction, typically do not post advertised job openings.

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in February 2018 in the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson and Williamson Counties). This is a (-1.1%) decrease compared to February 2017, when the jobless rate was 5.4 percent. There were approximately 2,550 unemployed in February 2018 in the two counties. Unemployment decreased in all 21 counties in the Southern Region compared to one year-ago.

Area employers continued to show demand in Retail Trade, Transportation and Warehousing, Administrative and Support Services, and Educational Services in February 2018.

Decreased hiring demand occurred in Public Administration and Accommodation-Food Services compared to February 2017.

Top occupations for hire included Truck Drivers, Insurance Sales Agents, Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers, and Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers.

The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment. A person who exhausts benefits, or is ineligible, still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work

Farmers Anxious To Start Field Work

The cool, wet Spring has prevented area farmers from doing next to nothing in the fields. It’s not clear when field work will begin, but certified crop advisor Mike Wilson of Wabash Valley Service Company says things won’t begin to get critical for a few more weeks. Wilson said May 10th has historically been the cut off date as to when yields are affected for crops not yet planted. But these days, Wilson said genetics have pushed back that May 10th deadline…

Last year, Wilson said a lot of corn wasn’t planted until late May and early June and that still resulted in bumper crops.

Traffic stop leads to the arrest of Mt. Carmel man on DUI charge

On April 8, 2018, at 3:25 a.m. Gibson County Special Deputy Zach Lienemann conducted a traffic stop on a Silver 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix for speeding on State Road 64 near White Church Road. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Lienemann detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver 27 year old Kendly Baptiste of Mt. Carmel. At that point Deputy Lienemann conducted a roadside DUI investigation that resulted in Mr. Baptiste being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Baptiste was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (DUI.) He has since posted a $1,300 bond. 

Assisting Deputy Lienemann in his investigation was Sgt. Steve McNeece and Officer Chelsea Jones of the Princeton 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 stop leads to the arrest of Princeton woman on drug charges

On April 8, 2018, at 1:58 a.m. Special Deputy Tyler Martin conducted a traffic stop on a Silver 2016 passenger car for speeding on US 41 near County Road 100 South. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Martin detected the odor of Marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and began a roadside drug investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Martin placed the driver 20 year old Star Bertram of Princeton into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Ms. Bertram was charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Legend Drug. She has since posted a $750 bond. 

Assisting Deputy Martin in his investigation was Deputy Zach Lienemann. 

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

Traffic stop leads to the arrest of Princeton man on drug charges

On April 4, 2018, at 6:02 p.m. Deputy U.B. Smith conducted a traffic stop on a White 2010 Mercedes for failing to signal a turn near the intersection of Eighth and Broadway in Princeton. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Smith detected the odor of burnt Marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. At that point Deputy Smith began a roadside drug investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Smith placed the driver 19 year old Isaac Key of Princeton into custody. Also taken into custody was a small lockbox that smelled like raw Marijuana. Mr. Key was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Possession of Marijuana. 

On April 5, 2018, Deputy Smith obtained a search warrant for the small lockbox that he seized from Mr. Key. Upon opening the lockbox more Marijuana was found as well as other contraband items. Mr. Key has posted a bond, but more charges could be filed during this active and open investigation. 

Assisting Deputy Smith in his investigation was Captain Bryan Ellis and Princeton Officers Jeremy Robb and Bobby Wood. 

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

Gas Drive Off Leads To Arrest

On 4/5/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Brandon K. Trost, age 22 of Mt. Carmel, for Retail Theft following an incident at Casey’s General Store. Casey’s reported a gas drive off on this date which led to video surveillance footage being examined. It was then determined that Trost was the suspect in question. Trost’s vehicle was later located by a deputy with the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office in the 600 block of West 9th Street. Trost was stopped and placed under arrest at this time. Trost was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending the posting of a $150.00 cash bond.

Mathis Arrested For Criminal Damage To Property

On 4/06/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Zachary A. Mathis, age 26, of Mt. Carmel, for Criminal Damage to Property following an incident in the 600 block of Vine Street. Mathis was accused of damaging a window to a nearby residence as well as to an air conditioner. Mathis was later arrested in the 1100 block of West 6th Street and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Mathis was held pending a bond setting by a judge. Mt. Carmel Police were assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office.

Indiana Woman Picked Up On Wabash County FTA Warrant

On 4/07/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Wendy M. McKendree, age 36, of Bicknell, IN, on a Wabash County Warrant for Failure to Appear. McKendree was located at a residence in the 100 block of W 6th Street. McKendree was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she is being held on a $300.00 cash bond.

Missouri Man Killed In Wayne County Crash On I-64

ISP DISTRICT 19 TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 19:

WHAT: Fatal Traffic Crash

WHERE: Interstate 64, approximately at the 93 ½ Mile Post (Wayne County)

WHEN: 04/04/2018, at approximately 1:33 pm

VEHICLES: Black, 2012, Nissan Xterra

DRIVERS: Thomas E. Shull, Age 64, of St. Charles, Missouri (Deceased)

PASSENGERS: None CAUSE: Remains under investigation.

TRANSPORTS: None

ROAD CONDITIONS: Open

PRELIMINARY: According to the preliminary traffic crash investigation, the driver of the 2012 Nissan Xterra, Thomas E. Shull, was eastbound on Interstate 64 in rural Wayne County, when for unknown reasons he left the roadway at approximately the 93 ½ Mile Post. He proceeded to drive through the south ditch, across Wayne County Road 70 North, before striking a group of trees.

Shull was pronounced deceased at the scene of the traffic crash by the Wayne County Coroner’s Office. ISP District 19 was assisted at the crash scene by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, Wayne County Coroner’s Office, Wayne City Fire and Ambulance Service, and Rick’s Towing Service