On August 15, 2018, at 8:13 p.m. Gibson County Deputy U.B. Smith conducted a traffic stop on a Grey 2003 Buick Century on John Street for failing to signal its turn off of US 41. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Smith identified the driver as 46 year old Stephen Thomas of Fort Branch, Indiana. While speaking with Ms. Thomas Deputy Smith observed drug paraphernalia in plain view and placed Mr. Thomas into custody. After a brief roadside investigation Mr. Thomas was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Possession of Paraphernalia. He has since posted a $650 bond.
Assisting Deputy Smith in his investigation was Deputy Jennifer Robb.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Ten Arrested on Warrants Related to Illegal Drug Activity
Greene-Sullivan Counties-For nearly the last four months, Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section investigators and the Greene County Drug Task Force have been working tips and other investigative information related to illegal drug activity in the Greene and Sullivan County area.
At the conclusion of the investigation, felony arrest warrants were obtained. Wednesday night starting at 5pm, officers arrested ten individuals on those warrants at either their home or on a traffic stop.
Adam Decoursey, age 35 of Edwardsport, IN was arrested on Probation Revocation for felony Possession of a Syringe; Starla Kendall, age 45, of Lyons, IN. arrested for Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine; Travis Lawson, age 48, of Linton, IN. was arrested for Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine; Stacey May, age 36, of Jasonville, IN. was arrested for Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine; Ryan Reynolds, age 34, of Linton, IN. was arrested for Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine; Richard Taft, age 33, of Carlisle, IN. was arrested for Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine; David Collins, age 54, of Linton, IN. was arrested on Greene County warrant for Dealing in Methamphetamine; Kevin Eberhardt, age 43, Sullivan, IN. was arrested for Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine; Lacy Bond, age 36, of Carlisle, IN. arrested for Dealing Methamphetamine and Theft; Chase Cooksey, age 25, of Dugger, IN. arrested for Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Methamphetamine.
All are in the Sullivan County Jail except for David Collins and Ryan Reynolds, they are in the Greene County Jail.
Assisting ISP and the Greene County Drug Task Force were Putnamville District troopers, US Marshal’s Service, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, Sullivan County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Washington man arrested for driving while a Habitual Traffic Violator
On August 16, 2018, at 9:33 a.m. Gibson County Sgt. Bruce Vanoven conducted a traffic stop on a White 2015 Jeep on State Road 168 East of US 41. Upon approaching the vehicle Sgt. Vanoven identified the driver as 39 year old Mark Brothers of Washington. Mr. Brothers was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While a Habitual Traffic Violator. He has since posted a $750 bond.
Assisting Sgt. Vanoven in his investigation was Officer Darrell Parker of the Fort Branch Police Department.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Greenup Driver Killed, 4 Injured In I-70 Crash
Morgan County—Last evening at 8:16, Indiana State Police and multiple agencies responded to the eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 near the 55 mile marker for a passenger van versus tractor-trailer crash.
Preliminary investigation revealed a white passenger van with five occupants was eastbound on Interstate 70 and failed to slow or maneuver around a slow moving or nearly stopped white Freightliner tractor-tractor pulling a box trailer. The male driver of the 2009 Chrysler van veered to the right attempting to avoid the semi and impacted the right rear of the box trailer. The van driver, 43-year-old Shane Oakley of Greenup, IL, was identified and pronounced deceased at the scene by Morgan County Deputy Coroner Scott Kelley. Family notified.
Four passengers in the van, 42-year-old Tonya W. Oakley (wife), 21-year-old Shaina Oakley (daughter), 16-year-old Jazzmin Oakley (daughter) and 19-year-old Hayden Kanizer (male and address unknown) were taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. The three Oakley women for minor injuries and Kanizer was airlifted and is believed to be in critical condition from head and neck injuries.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was Sukhkaran S. Sidhu, age 28, of Ontario, Canada. He was operating a 2019 Freightliner tractor pulling a box trailer loaded with auto parts for Allstate Freight Systems of Ontario, Canada. Sidhu or his male co-driver were not injured.
Eastbound traffic was reportedly slowing or stopping for a disabled tractor-trailer near the 57mm.
The investigation is ongoing and nothing else will be released at this time. Routine toxicology results are pending.
The crash is being investigated by ISP Trooper David Cox Jr. with assistance from ISP Crash Reconstructionists, Morgan County Sheriff’s Office, Morgan County Coroner’s Office, Morgan County EMS, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Monrovia Police Department, A & A Township Fire/Rescue, Monroe Township Fire/Rescue, IU Health Air Medical, Morgan County Sheriff’s Chaplain and Curtis Wrecker Service.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty
Allendale School Board Notes
At the August 15, 2018 Allendale School Board meeting held at the main office of Allendale School, the board:
Approved the tentative 2018-2019 Budget and will display it in the school office for the next 30 days.
Set the 2018-2019 Budget Hearing for September 19, 2018 at 6:15 p.m.
Voted to not release the closed session verbatim minutes of March 21, 2018; April 18, 2018; May 16, 2018; June 20, 2018; June 28, 2018; July 25, 2018.
Approved outdated Reading and Mathematics textbooks be declared surplus from 1st grade and 3rd grade.
Approved to abate $25,000 from the Working Cash Fund to the Building Fund.
Approved a 3-year contract with the Allendale Education Association beginning in 2018-2019.
Approved support personnel salaries for the 2018-2019 school year.
Approved Kelsey Mayberry as an individual aide for the 2018-2019 school year.
Approved the intent to retire letter from Jennifer Rhinehart to be effective at the conclusion of the 2018-2019 school year.
EVENING REGISTRATION AT WABASH VALLEY COLLEGE
Mt. Carmel, IL – Wabash Valley College is pleased to announce that Evening Registration will be held on Monday, August 20, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. to accommodate students who cannot register during the day. Registration will be held in Student Services, located in Main Hall. Representatives from Academic Advising, Financial Aid, and the Business Office will be available during those hours. Additionally, the Campus Store will remain open until 6:30 p.m. for students’ convenience on the evening of August 20.
Man Arrested On Warrant For Allegedly Striking MCPD Officer
On 8/16/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Dakota Wheeler, age 25, of Mt. Carmel, on a Wabash County Warrant for his arrest for Aggravated Battery. Wheeler was located in the area of 4th & Market Street and taken to the Wabash County Jail. Wheeler was issued the warrant and held on a $4000 cash bond. This warrant stems from an incident on 8/10/18 where Wheeler allegedly struck a Mt. Carmel Police Officer in the performance of his duties.
Traffic Stop Leads To Arrest
On 8/14/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Jesika R. Moreno, age 26, of Mt. Carmel, for Driving While License Suspended and Operating an Uninsured Vehicle following a traffic stop in the 500 block of E 7th Street. Moreno was taken to the Wabash County Jail and held on a $200 cash bond.
Mt. Carmel Man Jailed On Various Charges
On 8/13/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Clayton A. Bright, age 21, of Mt. Carmel, for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Aggravated Battery to a Peace Officer. Bright was stopped by police in the area of 4th & Division Street following a complaint regarding suspected drug activity in the neighborhood. Bright became uncooperative and struck the officer while being patted down by the officer for officer safety. Bright was placed under arrest at this time where officers recovered a scheduled narcotic, Tramadol, as well as cannabis "dab" oil. "Dab" is a concentrated form of cannabis which is typically more potent than regular cannabis. Bright was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged for Aggravated Battery, Possession of a Controlled Substance and an Ordinance Violation for Possession of Cannabis. Bright was held until a bond setting by a judge.
Sumner Man Arrested By MCPD On Drug Charges
On 8/11/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Jarrod R. Fiscus, age 27, of Sumner, IL, following a traffic stop on a red Pontiac at 8th & Mulberry Street. Deputy Bogard of the Wabash County Sheriff's Office arrived with his K-9 Roy shortly thereafter at the request of the initiating officer. Dep. Bogard conducted an free air narcotics sniff of the Pontiac. K-9 Roy indicated on the vehicle for the presence of drugs so a search was conducted. In doing so suspected methamphetamine, a glass pipe with suspected meth residue and a straw were located. Further investigation revealed that one of the vehicle's passengers, Jarrod Fiscus, was the person in possession of the drug items. Fiscus was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Fiscus was charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.
