Delaware Man Arrested after Chase on I-64

Vanderburgh County – Illinois State Police alerted area police last night that they were looking for a 2017 Nissan Murano driven by Victor Manuel Serrano, 39, of Wilmington, DE. Serrano was wanted out of Illinois for aggravated domestic battery. At approximately 8:20 p.m., Trooper Chase Eaton observed the vehicle and attempted to stop it on I-64 at SR 65. Serrano failed to stop and continued east on I-64 at speeds in excess of 100 mph. Serrano’s vehicle struck stop sticks that were deployed at the 20 mile-marker, but the vehicle continued east before exiting the interstate onto US 41 south and then west onto Rusher Creek. Serrano pulled into a truck parking lot and then crashed into another trooper’s patrol car before exiting his vehicle and fleeing on foot. Serrano had to be tased before taken into custody. Serrano was taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.

Arrested and Charges:

• Victor Manuel Serrano, 39, Wilmington, DE

1. Resisting Law Enforcement, Class 6 Felony

2. Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor

3. Reckless Driving, Class B Misdemeanor

4. Leaving the Scene of a Crash, Class B Misdemeanor

5. Felony Warrant for Kidnapping and Aggravated Battery (Illinois)

Arresting Officer: Trooper Chase Eaton, Indiana State Police

Assisting Troopers: Trooper Zackary Fulton, Trooper Taylor Fox, Trooper Jonathan Lukeman, Trooper Brandon Deig, Trooper Hunter Manning and Trooper Casey Boeckman.

Assisting Agencies: Posey County Sheriff’s Department, Gibson County Sheriff’s Department and Vanderburgh 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

Christmas Comes Early For Local Taxing Bodies

Treasurer Beverly McBride got to play Santa Claus last week, with tax disbursements totaling $2,437,000 to various taxing bodies, and an additional $1,704,000 to county offices. McBride told county commissioners that 97% of taxes due have been paid, leaving only $365, 703 left to pay on 539 parcels.

County Board Makes 911 Board Appointment

The County Board, on its final meeting night of 2018, appointed Ryan Turner to the 9-1-1 Board replacing John Lockhart, who is stepping down. Commissioners also heard from County Highway Dustin Bunting, who reported that the state has approved project reports on a bridge project in Road District 5. That means Bunting can now proceed with right-of-way acquisition.

Important Dates For Delinquent Wabash County Taxpayers

If you haven’t paid your taxes yet, Treasurer Beverly McBride has outlined some dates you might want to keep in mind. On January 7th, certified notices are going out, and at that point late penalty fees will rise to 4.5% for the first installment, and 3% for the second. January 18th is the last day to pay taxes before your name is published in the newspaper. And, the tax sale is planned for February 15th.

AQUA AEROBICS OFFERED SPRING SEMESTER AT WVC

Wabash Valley College will offer Aqua Aerobics I, PEI 1138, this Spring Semester at 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the WVC Pool, with Carolyn Caddell as the instructor. The class will meet beginning January 7. Aqua Aerobics II, PEI 1139, will be offered from 9:45 – 10:35 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with Carolyn Caddell as the instructor. The class will begin on January 7. Students may register at the first day of classes or at the College.

In-District tuition may be discounted for students enrolled in four or less semester hours in the evening. There will be a $5 Technology fee per credit hour, a $12 Student Support fee per credit hour, and a $15 Maintenance fee per credit hour. For more information, contact the Student Services Office at 618-262-8641.

AQUA AEROBICS OFFERED EVENINGS AT WVC

If you enjoy aqua aerobics and would like to be a “stronger and healthier you,” there is room for you in Aqua Aerobics II, PEI 1139, which is being offered from 4:00-4:50 p.m., Mondays and Thursdays, at the WVC Pool for Spring Semester. The class will begin January 7, with Betty Tharp as instructor.

In-District tuition may be discounted for students enrolled in four or less semester hours in the evening. There will be a $5 Technology fee per credit hour, a $12 Student Support fee per credit hour, and a $15 Maintenance fee per credit hour.

For more information, contact Betty Tharp at 618-262-7016, or WVC at 618-262-8641.

WVC TO OFFER AEROBICS II SPRING SEMESTER

Mt. Carmel, IL – Wabash Valley College will be offering an Aerobics class Spring Semester which will offer low-impact cardio, strength, and toning exercises with Yoga and Pilates stretches. This class is designed to improve cardiovascular fitness, firm and tone muscles, and increase and enhance flexibility.

Students will need a Yoga/exercise mat, wear comfortable clothing, and gym shoes. The class will be using exercise/flex bands to enhance the workouts. The class, PEI 1137, will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30-5:20 p.m., and a second class will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30-5:20 p.m. A third class will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00-6:50 p.m. Spring Semester classes will begin January 7. All classes will meet in Main Hall, Room 101. Ada Neigh is the instructor for the classes.

In-District tuition may be discounted for students enrolled in four or less semester hours in the evening. There will be a $5 Technology fee per credit hour, a $12 Student Support fee per credit hour, and a $15 Maintenance fee per credit hour. Students may register at the first class meeting or at the College. For more information, contact the Student Services Office at 618-262-8641.

Allendale December Students Of The Month

Allendale School is proud to announce its Students of the Month for December:

front row:  McKinlee Grimes (2nd grade), Chandler Bray (Kindergarten), Brady Hershey (1st grade)

back row:  Reese Price (3rd grade), Brayden Wilford (Junior High), Ashleigh McGinnis (Junior High), Riley Hershey (4th grade)

US 50 Crash Sends One To Hospital

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

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

WHAT: Personal Injury Crash

WHERE: US 50 at Underpass Rd (5 miles east of Iuka, Marion County)

WHEN: 5:45 PM 12/21/18

VEHICLES: Unit #1 – 2016 Ford Escape

Unit #2 – 2018 Toyota Highlander

DRIVERS: Unit #1 - Oral Deckard, age 64, of Terre Haute, IN

Unit #2- Michelle Linder , age 52, of Iuka, IL

CHARGES: Unit 1 – Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident

TRANSPORTS: Unit #1 - Driver was transported to Salem Township Hospital by United Medical Response.

PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigative details indicate Unit 1 was following Unit 2 westbound on US 50 near Underpass Rd. Unit 2 was yielding to traffic to make a left turn. Unit 1 did not slow down in time and rear ended Unit 2. Unit 1 driver was transported to Salem Township Hospital with minor injuries.

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

ISP AGENTS ARREST SUSPECT FOR ENGAGING IN SEX ACTS WITH A MINOR

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Police (ISP) Investigations with assistance from the Lincoln Police Department today arrested Javier J. Joiner, 24, of Arlington Texas, for the offense of traveling across state lines to meet a minor, and production of child pornography.

Beginning in September 2018, after meeting on a social media site, Javier J. Joiner picked up a 15 year old juvenile female in Texas. Joiner, an over-the-road truck driver, allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship with the juvenile female until December 2018. Joiner and the juvenile female traveled through numerous states without Joiner having authorization to transport the juvenile across state lines. Joiner allegedly photographed and video recorded sexual acts between himself and the juvenile female, and distributed the images via an electronic communication device.

On December 6, 2018, Joiner allegedly physically assaulted and left the juvenile female on Interstate 55 near Lincoln, Illinois, after the juvenile female tried to end the relationship. The juvenile female was interviewed by the ISP and placed in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Joiner later contacted the juvenile female and arranged to travel from Ohio to Lincoln, Illinois to pick her up.

On December 21, 2018, agents from the ISP Zone 4 Investigations Violent Crimes Unit in Springfield, and Lincoln Police Department, located Joiner traveling southbound on Interstate 55 near Lincoln. Joiner was arrested and charged with Traveling to Meet a Minor (Class 3 Felony) and Child Pornography (Class 1 Felony). Joiner was incarcerated at the Logan County Jail awaiting a bond hearing. A formal filing decision will be made once the Logan County State’s Attorney reviews the case.

The case remains an open and ongoing investigation. No additional information will be released at this time.