Mt. Carmel Man Sent To DOC For 3 Years For Hitting MCPD Officer

Cassandra A. Goldman, Wabash County State's Attorney, reports that Dakota S. Wheeler, a 25-year old Mt. Carmel, Illinois man, was sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections by the Honorable Circuit Judge Thomas Dinn in Wabash County Circuit Court.

State's Attorney Goldman advises that the Defendant was charged August 15, 2018, with Aggravated Battery, a Class 2 Felony. Mr. Wheeler was sentenced to 3 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, to be followed by two years of mandatory supervised release (parole).

FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF OFFENSE:

That on the 10th day of August, 2018, in Wabash County, Illinois, the Defendant, DAKOTA S. WHEELER, committed the offense of AGGRAVATED BATTERY, in that said Defendant, in committing a battery by knowingly making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature, by striking Officer Daniel Hopper in the face, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/12-3(a)(2), knowing Officer Hopper to be a peace officer engaged in the execution of his official duties, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/12-3.05(d)(4). A CLASS 2 FELONY

MCPD Looking For Your Assistance In Identifying Bad Check Suspects

The Mt. Carmel Police Department is requesting assistance in identifying three females that are accused of passing fraudulent checks in Mt. Carmel.  Attached are photos of the women cashing the checks at a local establishment.  Attached you will find a vehicle the women are to be driving.  Please contact the Mt. Carmel Police Department (618-262-4114) or the Wabash County Crime Stoppers at (618-262-HALT) if you have information as to the identity of the females. The Mt. Carmel Police Department is working on getting better video and pictures  of the subjects.    

Click the photos for more.

Division Street Residents Go Above & Beyond On Survey

Mt. Carmel City Officials are praising the help of residents along Division Street who responded to a recent survey. The residents were asked to fill out the survey to help the city apply for a grant to help pay to reline sewer lines on Division Street from 3rd to 7th Streets. City inspector Mike Gidcumb told the city council Monday that 99% of the residents had completed the survey which officials said was a critical factor in the grant’s success. According to Gidcumb, only one resident had not completed the survey, but only because they hadn’t been contacted.

Workers Clean Up Rose Hill Cemetery

Workers gathered at Rose Hill Cemetery in Mt. Carmel last Saturday to help clean up the grounds according to city commissioner Eric Ikemire…

Commissioner Joe Judge said he had heard concerns about the condition of the cemetery along Pear Street between 9th and 11th…

Also helping in the work was a community service worker, which Judge said the city may utilize more in the future for various projects.

Mt. Carmel Liquor License Fees To Go Up?

As the end of the year approaches, city officials are beginning to look ahead to 2019 and the renewal of liquor licenses. City Inspector Mike Gidcumb told the city council Monday night that he will send renewal letters to license holders on November 6th. He said there have been many changes in the liquor ordinances that last two years and if commissioners wanted to adjust license fees, now was the time to speak up. Gidcumb said there were two more city council meetings before the renewal letters would be mailed and commissioners needed to let him know soon of how to proceed.

Wrong way driver arrested for driving under the influence

On October 7, 2018, at 5:21 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a wrong way driver on Interstate 69 near the Pike Gibson County Line. Sergeant Bryan Small was in the area and observed a White 2012 Chevy Silverado traveling Southbound in the Northbound lane and conducted a traffic stop. Upon approaching the vehicle Sgt. Small detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver 29 year old Kyle Claspell of Evansville. At that point Sgt. Small began a roadside DUI investigation that resulting in Mr. Claspell being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Claspell was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. He has since posted a $650 bond.

Assisting Sgt Small in his investigation was Oakland City Officer Tom Rohl.


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

Washington man arrested for Reckless Driving

On October 11, 2018, at 1:53 a.m. Deputy Ben Kiesel clocked a vehicle traveling Southbound in excess of 105 mph on Interstate 69 in Gibson County. Upon catching up to the Silver 2012 Volkswagon Jetta Deputy Kiesel approached the vehicle and identified the driver as 22 year old Francisco Rodriguez Hernandez of Washington, Indiana. After a brief roadside investigation Mr. Hernandez was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Mr. Hernandez is charged with Reckless Driving and has since posted a $900 bond.

Assisting Deputy Kiesel in his investigation was Deputy Loren Barchett.

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

Temperature drop should bring out fall colors

After recent weeks of hotter-than-usual weather, this week’s significant drop in temperature across the state should get things moving toward the fall colors Hoosiers love.

The best fall color formation happens with bright, warm days, cool nights and moist soils, according to Carrie Tauscher, the DNR Division of Forestry’s Community & Urban Forestry program coordinator.

While all of Indiana has experienced bright, warm days, overnight lows and soil moistures have varied dramatically throughout the state.

Nonetheless, the tourist towns of southern Indiana such as Nashville, Madison and Medora shouldn’t fret, Tauscher said. Sassafras and sweetgum trees in forest understories and along roadsides regularly give a great show of red, orange and yellow.

If you plan to go sightseeing for fall colors, you can contact the Purdue Extension office in the county of your destination for a report. Another option is to call the nearest state park. Colors vary statewide, and from county to county.

“With all the events going on in parks and orchards and other fall destinations, you’re going to enjoy the ambiance no matter what,” Tauscher said. “Just get outside and enjoy the fall.”

Leaves produce pigments that give them color. During spring and summer, the green pigment, chlorophyll, is dominant. When days become shorter, other pigments in the leaf become visible as the amount of chlorophyll dwindles.

The full forest show in central Indiana should begin in the next two to four weeks, depending on weather, and continue for several weeks as long as the state doesn’t experience windy storms, Tauscher said.

Once the leaves fall, Tauscher said Hoosiers should consider mulching their yard leaves instead of bagging them and sending them to a landfill. One option is to mow leaves and let them be absorbed into the lawn, providing nutrients for the next growing season. Another use is to layer them onto planting beds, which provides nutrients and protection against wind erosion.

“It kills me when people throw all those good leaves to the curb,” she said.

Lane Closures Scheduled SR 62 Border Bridge Near Mt. Vernon

POSEY COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane closures for the State Road 62 Wabash Memorial Bridge.

Beginning on Monday Oct. 15, crews will begin their biennial inspection of the bridge spanning the Wasbash River. This is a routine inspection, scheduled every two years, to insure all components of the bridge are working properly. During the inspection crews will look for normal signs of wear as well as any wear that could potentially pose a hazard to motorists.

Crews will bring the two-lane bridge down to one lane controlled by flaggers. The inspection is expected to take about five days depending upon weather conditions. Restrictions will be in place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time.

INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews. 

Additional Information in Sullivan Death Investigation

Sullivan County—Thursday afternoon an autopsy was conducted on the deceased female involved in a standoff with police Wednesday afternoon at 907 West State Road 154 in Sullivan. The autopsy was conducted at Terre Haute Regional Hospital by pathologist Dr. Roland Kohr.  Indiana State Police and Sullivan County Coroner Mary Ann Dudley have made a positive identification.

The deceased has been identified as 49-year-old Leslie Shayne Miller of 309 S. Jackson Street in Shelburn.

Preliminary autopsy results indicate the cause of death as Gunshot wounds to the chest.

Family has been notified.

Troopers involved in the police action shooting are Indiana State Police Sergeant George Smith with 23 year of service. Senior Trooper Derrek Simpson with 11 years of service, and Trooper Coty Seifert with 5 years of service.  All Troopers are assigned to the South Zone Emergency Response Team.  

The investigation is ongoing by Detectives from the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post. Once the ISP investigation is complete, the report will be submitted to the Sullivan County Prosecutor’s Office for a full review.

Assisting is lead ISP Detective Angie Hahn, Sullivan County Coroner May Ann Dudley, Dr. Roland Kohr and the Sullivan County Prosecutors Office.