Nominations Sought For RMC Employee of the Year Award

The Wabash County Retail Merchants Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2018 Employee of The Year. The award will be handed out during the RMC’s annual recognition banquet. This year’s banquet will again be held in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce banquet set for Thursday, October 4th.

Retail Merchants spokesperson Sharon Harris said the award is handed out to the employee who goes “above and beyond” the call of duty. Nominations can be made by employers, co-workers, or customers. The employee must be employed by someone that is a member of the Retail Merchants Committee.

Nominations should be in paragraph form and can be sent to the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce office at 219 Market Street in Mount Carmel, or to the WSJD studio at 331 North Market, or nominations may also be emailed to wsjd@live.com. by September 27th.

Princeton Man Arrested for Possession of Child Pornography

Gibson County – A 58-year-old Princeton man was arrested earlier this afternoon by Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Unit for possessing child pornography. At approximately 8:30 this morning a search warrant was executed at Robert Eugene Young’s residence located at 500 West Warnock Street, Apartment A4, Princeton. During the search of his residence, over 300 images and more than 65 videos containing child pornography were discovered. Many of the images were of children under the age of 12. Young was arrested and taken to the Gibson County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.  The investigation is continuing.

Arrested and Charge:

• Robert Eugene Young, 58, Princeton, IN

1. Possession of Child Pornography, Level 5 Felony

 Investigating Officer: Detective Matt Jacobs, Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Unit 

Assisting Officers: First Sergeant Trevor Helmer, Sergeant Marty Metzger, Sergeant Brad Chandler, Detective Toni Walden and Trooper William Campbell

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

New Portable Breath Tests Help Indiana State Police Enforce Impaired Driving

“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Continues Through Labor Day

The Indiana State Police (ISP) have a new tool to enforce alcohol-impaired driving this Labor Day weekend. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Indiana Criminal Justice Institute  recently purchased 777 portable breath test devices for use by ISP troopers.

In every state, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. In Indiana, drivers under 21 with a BAC of .02 or higher are subject to fines and a license suspension for up to 1 year.

Since 2017, more than 2,600 portable breath tests have been purchased for 150 law-enforcement agencies across Indiana. The Alco-Sensor FSTs also include passive sniffers that can sense alcohol in the air around a person or an open container.

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

With thousands upon thousands of Hoosier families taking to their cars for end-of-summer barbecues, football games, lakes and pool parties, Labor Day weekend is one of the deadliest times of the year for impaired-driving deaths.

ISP is joining law-enforcement agencies across Indiana and the nation to enforce impaired-driving laws through Labor Day as part of Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. Expect to see increased sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols and saturation patrols.

Getting arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) means going to jail and losing your driver’s license. The average cost? About $10,000, including car towing, attorney fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work and other hefty expenses. For more information, visit http://on.IN.gov/drivesober.

Drive High - Get an OWI

Impaired driving includes more than alcohol, and there is no quick field test for the many prescription, over-the-counter and illegal drugs that can impair drivers. This year, the police officers highly trained to recognize and enforce drug-impaired driving were issued Android tablets to simplify documentation for prosecution.

Taking a new drug or a higher dose? Talk with a doctor or don’t drive until you know what effects it has. Even over-the-counter medication can cause impairment, especially when combined with alcohol or a second drug.

Ride Sober or Get Pulled Over

Motorcycle riders have the reputation for being tough, but no one is tough enough to withstand the effects of impaired riding. Motorcycles are about 3 percent of registered vehicles, but are dramatically overrepresented in fatal crashes involving alcohol. And the more that bikers drink, the less likely they are to wear their helmets.

Tips for a safe and fun holiday

With all of today’s options for getting home safely, there’s no excuse for getting behind the wheel impaired as it endangers you and everyone else around you. Law enforcement recommends these safe alternatives to impaired driving:

•        Designate, or be, a sober driver.

•        Use public transportation.

•        Call a cab or a ridesharing service.

•        Download the SaferRide mobile app on the Android Play Store or the Apple iTunes Store. This app only has three options: call a taxi, call a friend, and identify your location for pickup.

•        Celebrate at home or a place where you can stay until sober.

•        Throwing a party? Offer non-alcoholic beverages and plenty of food.

•        Never provide alcohol to minors.

•        Ask young drivers about their plans.

•        Friend or family member about to drive? Take the keys and make alternate arrangements.

Report impaired drivers

Impaired driving is three times more common at night than during the day. If you see an impaired driver, turn off the road away from the vehicle and call 911. Signs of impaired driving include:

·       Weaving, swerving, drifting, or straddling the center line

·       Driving at a very slow speed

·       Braking erratically

·       Making wide turns

·       Stopping without cause

·       Responding slowly to traffic signals

·       Driving after dark with headlights off

·       Almost striking an object or vehicle

·       Driving on the wrong side of the road

·       Turning abruptly or illegally

Mackey man arrested for driving with a suspended license

On August 31, 2018, at 7:33 a.m. Gibson County Sgt. Bruce Vanoven conducted a traffic stop on a 1973 Jeep utility vehicle for having no valid plates on the vehicle. Upon approaching the vehicle Sgt. Vanoven identified the driver as 41 year old John A. Warner of Mackey, Indiana. During a roadside investigation Sgt. Vanoven discovered that Mr. Warner`s driver`s license was listed as suspended on a prior driving while suspended conviction. At that point Sgt. Vanoven placed Mr. Warner into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Warner was charged with Driving While Suspended Prior. He remains in custody on a $650 bond.

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

Princeton man arrested on DUI charge

On August 30, 3018, at 9:50 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Ben Kiesel conducted a traffic stop on a Tan 2002 Dodge pickup on Makemson Avenue in Princeton, Indiana. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Kiesel detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver 57 year old Jeffery Barton of Princeton. At that point Deputy Kiesel began a roadside investigation that resulted in Mr. Barton being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Barton was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. He has since posted a $650 bond.

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

Evansville man arrested for driving on a suspended license

On September 1, 2018, at 12:41 a.m. Gibson County Deputy U.B. Smith conducted a traffic stop on a Silver 2003 Saturn VUE for failing to dim their headlights to oncoming traffic on US 41 near County Road 350 South. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Smith identified the driver as 27 year old Cameron Martin of Evansville, Indiana. During a roadside investigation Deputy Smith ran Mr. Martin through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles and discovered that Mr. Martin had a suspended license on a prior conviction. At that point Deputy Smith placed Mr. Martin into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail Mr. Martin was charged with Driving While Suspended/Prior. He has since posted a $650 bond.

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

Pedestrian Struck by Passing Motorist

Vigo County—Friday night at 10:00, Indiana State Police and other emergency agencies responded to report of a pedestrian struck by a motorist on State Road 63 near Murphy Street in Prairieton. 

Preliminary investigation revealed 18-year-old Jacob McDaniel of Praireton was walking southbound along SR 63 near Murphy Street, when he was suddenly struck by a southbound 2012 Hyundai driven by 55-year-old Gayle Baker of Robinson, Illinois. 

McDaniel was transported to Terre Haute Regional Hospital for treatment of lacerations, contusions, and observation. His injuries are believed to be non-life threatening. Baker was not injured. 

Very light rain, the dark of night, pedestrian wearing dark clothing, and the location of McDaniel in or near the roadway are still under investigation by Indiana State Police crash reconstructionists. 

No citations were issued. 

The crash is being investigated by Trooper David Petrowski with assistance from ISP Crash Reconstructionists Senior Troopers Tim Rader and Ted Robertson. Also assisting were Troopers Brad Fyfe, Erik Smith, and Courtland Woodruff, Vigo County Sheriff’s Office, Praireton Fire/Rescue, Trans Care EMS, and Edington’s Wrecker Service. 

Evansville Man Arrested In Gibson County For Dealing Weed

On September 1, 2018, at 10 p.m. Gibson County Deputy U.B. Smith conducted a traffic stop on a Green 2000 Oldsmobile Sports Utility Vehicle for speeding on US 41 near Richland Creek Drive. During a roadside investigation 18 year old Teahjai Frazier of Evansville who was a back seat passenger was found to be in possession of multiple bags of Marijuana and was taken into custody. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Smith transported Mr. Frazier to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Dealing in Marijuana. He remains in custody on 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.

Two Killed In Saturday Night Crash In Gibson County

Gibson County – Last night at approximately 7:30 p.m. Indiana State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on Old US 41at CR 225 North that killed two people and seriously injured one.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Trevor Watt, 19, of Princeton, was driving a 2018 Chevrolet Cruze northbound on Old US 41 just north of Princeton and preparing to turn left onto CR 225 North. Ashley Sanders, 25, of Patoka, was driving a 2013 Chrysler 2000 at a high rate of speed northbound on Old US 41 behind Watt’s vehicle. For unknown reasons, Sanders failed to notice Watt’s vehicle was slowing down and collided into its rear. Watt and his front seat passenger, James Gasaway, 20, of Haubstadt were wearing seat belts, but were pronounced dead at the scene. Sanders was not wearing a seat belt and was air-lifted to St. Vincent Hospital in Evansville where she is currently being treated for serious injuries.

The investigation is continuing, but investigating troopers believe alcohol is a factor.  Old US 41 was closed for approximately 2 ½ hours while troopers investigated the crash.

 Deceased:

• Trevor Watt, 19, Princeton, IN
• James Gasaway, 20, Haubstadt, IN
• Investigating Officer: Trooper Jonathan Lukeman, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Gibson County Sheriff’s Department

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

PHOTO CREDIT: ISP

PHOTO CREDIT: ISP

Woman Arrested On Her Front Porch On FTA Warrant & Drug Paraphernalia Charge

On 8/26/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Lynda D. Brown, age 58, of Mt. Carmel, when Brown was observed on the front porch of her residence in the 800 block of North Cherry Street.  The officer knew Brown had a Wabash County Warrant for her arrest for Failure to Appear.  Brown was taken to the Wabash County Jail where she was charged with the warrant along with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia as various items used to ingest drugs were located in her purse.  Brown was held pending the posting of a $350 cash bond.