On March 11, 2020, at 6:16 p.m. Deputy Bryce Jutzi conducted a traffic stop on a White 2016 Kia for speeding on US 41 in Fort Branch. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Jutzi detected the odor of burnt Marijuana and began a roadside investigation. During that investigation 74 grams of Marijuana, Digital Scales, and illegal drug paraphernalia were seized. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Jutzi placed 21-year-old Devon Cole of Evansville into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Cole was charged with Dealing in Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia. He has since posted a $470 bond.
Assisting Deputy Jutzi in his investigation was Deputy U.B. Smith and Haubstadt Officer Jeremy Volk.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Report of fight leads to arrest of duo on multiple charges
On March 11, 2020, at 1:45 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a battery that had just occurred at Holiday Foods located in Haubstadt, Indiana. The reporting party advised that the two men who were fighting left in a dark colored SUV and were headed eastbound on State Road 68. Deputy U.B. Smith located a vehicle matching the description given by the caller and initiated a traffic stop on State Road 68 near State Road 57. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Smith observed visible wounds on both the driver 61 year old Neal Vaughan and the passenger Joseph White, both of Elberfeld. Both individuals appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and at that point Deputy U.B. Smith and Deputy Garrett Tuley began a roadside investigation. During the investigation Mr. White became belligerent and was transported to Gibson General Hospital for medical treatment. It was while at the hospital Mr. White spit on Deputy Tuley. At that point Deputy Tuley placed Mr. White into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail.
Deputy Garrett Tuley charged Mr. White with Battery by Body Waste, Battery (on Mr. Vaughan, Disorderly Conduct, and Intimidation. Mr. White has since posted a $750 bond.
Deputy U.B. Smith also transported Neal Vaughan to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Battery Resulting in Bodily Injury. He also has posted a $750 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Illinois State Police Announces February Activity and Enforcement
Carmi, IL – Illinois State Police District 19 Commander, Captain Nathan Douglas, announced today activity and enforcement figures for the month of February. Troopers in District 19, which includes Wabash, Edwards, Wayne, White, Hamilton, Saline, and Gallatin Counties, recorded 1,348 incidents during the month.
Enforcement activity consisted of 482 citations and 1,119 written warnings, including 262 speeding citations, 4 DUIs, 26 occupant restraint citations, 15 criminal arrests, and 383 written warnings for speeding. Troopers also assisted 49 motorists, conducted 133 Motor Carrier Safety Inspections, and investigated 27 traffic crashes. There was one fatal traffic crash, resulting in one fatality, investigated by District 19 during February.
Moreover, District 19 issued 320 citations and 475 written warnings for “Fatal Four” violations. These violations are most associated with fatal traffic crashes and include DUI, Speeding, Failure to Wear a Seatbelt, and Distracted Driving.
Shimkus Calls High School Artists to Enter Congressional Contest
WASHINGTON – Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) has issued a call for high school artists to showcase their talent by entering the 2020 Congressional Art Competition. The contest is open to high school students in the 15th Congressional District of Illinois. Entries are due by May 4.
“This is an annual competition that my office has sponsored for years, but as I am retiring at the end of this term, it will be my last," Shimkus noted. "I encourage all high school students in the 15th District to participate so that the last will be the best."
The winning work of art from the district will be displayed along with those from congressional districts around the country in Washington, DC, in a tunnel that connects the Cannon House Office Building to the U.S. Capitol. Thousands of staff and visitors will see the artwork each day.
Acceptable mediums include: paintings, drawings, collages, prints, photographs, computer-generated art, and mixed media. Artwork must be two-dimensional, no larger than 26 inches by 26 inches by four inches including the frame, cannot weigh more than 15 pounds, and must be original in content. Entry forms and a full list of guidelines are available at shimkus.house.gov/art.
The championship entry will be chosen by a panel from the district, and -- in addition to being displayed in Washington -- that artwork will also be featured on Shimkus' website and Facebook page. The winning artist will be invited to participate in a ceremony in the nation's capital, with Southwest Airlines flying him or her and a guest there for free.
Art teachers and participants may contact Kristen Shull in the congressman's Harrisburg office at (618) 252-8271 or via email at Kristen.Schull@mail.house.gov for more information.
School Board Meets Monday At MCGS
WABASH COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
MT. CARMEL GRADE SCHOOL CAFETORIUM
MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2020
REGULAR BOARD MEETING- 7:00 P.M.
AGENDA (REVISED)
1. Call to order/Roll Call
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Consent Agenda
a. Board Minutes (February 18, 2020 Regular Board Meeting)
b. Monthly Bills
c. Financial Report
d. Correspondence
e. IHSA Membership Renewal 2020-2021
f. Administrative Reports
4. Reports
a. Steve Holt – Maintenance Grant Update
5. Executive Session pursuant to Section 2(c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act: “The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees.”
6. New Business
a. 2020-2021 School Calendar
b. Resolution for Non-Reemployment of Employee
c. Set Administrative Salaries for 2020-2021
d. Employment of Personnel
7. Adjournment
Hazleton man arrested on DUI charge
On March 14, 2020, at 1:14 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a single vehicle accident on County Road 400 North near County Road 350 East. Upon arriving Sgt. John Fischer observed a Tan 2012 Ford F150 with the front end in a ditch. Upon speaking with the driver 42-year-old John Davidson of Hazleton Sgt. Fischer believed Mr. Davidson might be under the influence of alcohol and began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation Sgt. Fischer transported Mr. Davidson to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. He remains in custody on a $750 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Drug investigation leads to arrest of Petersburg man on multiple charges
On March 13, 2020 at 1:22 p.m. Deputies with the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office assisted Officers with the Princeton Police Department in a drug investigation at the Hampton Inn located at 107 S. Richland Creek Drive in Princeton. Upon arriving at the room where the suspected drug activity was occurring an investigation was conducted. During that investigation 26-year-old Louis Fink of Petersburg attempted to destroy illegal drug and drug paraphernalia. Deputy U.B. Smith retrieved the items before they were destroyed and placed Mr. Fink into custody. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Smith transported Mr. Fink to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Obstruction of Justice, Possession of Paraphernalia with a Prior Conviction, and Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance. Mr. Fink has since posted a $750 bond.
Deputy Jennifer Loesch with the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office as well as Officer’s J.D. Clark and Nefty Padilla with the Princeton Police Department were also involved in this investigation.
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 on DUI and Drug charges
On March 13, 2020 at 6 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 call reporting that there was a “dump truck” that was driving all over the roadway on US 41 near State Road 168. Sgt. John Fischer located the vehicle traveling northbound in the middle of the roadway on US 41 and conducted a traffic stop near County Road 300 South. Upon approaching the vehicle Sgt. Fischer identified the driver as 56-year-old Robert Griest of Evansville, Indiana. Upon speaking with Mr. Griest Sgt. Fischer believed the driver to be under the influence of an unknown intoxicant. At that point he began a roadside investigation. During the investigation Mr. Griest was found to be in possession of Methamphetamines. At the conclusion of his investigation Sgt Fischer placed Mr. Griest into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Griest was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Possession of Methamphetamines. He has since posted a $750 bond.
Assisting Sgt. Fischer in his investigation was Deputy Michael Rose.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
IECC RESPONSE TO COVID-19
Olney, Ill. -- News of the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) is at the forefront of conversations across the country. District and college leadership have been receiving regular updates from the Illinois Department of Health (IDPH), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), our local health departments, and the Illinois Community College Board. They have provided invaluable information to us about how to proceed in light of this quickly developing situation.
This morning, leadership from the colleges and the District Office came together to discuss contingency planning in the event we are required to make adjustments in the delivery of our educational service. There are a few key points from this meeting that I would like to share with you:
There are no documented cases of the virus in our district or in our surrounding counties.
Although many universities are already adjusting their instructional delivery, most of these are universities with faculty, students and staff who travel internationally regularly.
We are being advised that the best course of action for IECC is to continue with preventative measures. These preventative measures can be found on the CDC website by clicking herehttps://www.cdc.gov/nonpharmaceutical-interventions/workplace/index.html. We will continue to use enhanced disinfecting procedures similar to those we employ during the flu season.
We have received word that members of the Great Rivers Athletic Conference can expect interruption of spring competition. We do not yet know if this is cancellation or suspension.
Effective immediately, IECC is cancelling all non-competitive college-related travel until April 3rd. This decision will be re-evaluated weekly. Anyone with travel plans that are affected by this decision should speak with your college president or district administration.
Any future action taken by IECC or our four colleges will be based on facts and in careful consultation with the health officials mentioned above. College and District Leadership has already prepared contingency plans in the event we need to practice social distancing and virtualize our instruction as some other colleges and universities have done. We will be providing updates regarding our plans surrounding COVID-19, which can be found here www.iecc.edu/covid.
Local Officials Taking COVID-19 Threat Seriously
While there have been no area cases of COVID-19 reported, Mt. Carmel officials are taking the threat of the virus seriously. At Monday night’s City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge said he joined Health Department administrator Judy Wissel and WEMA Director Gerald Brooks last week with state officials on the deadly virus. Wissel, who was at last night’s meeting, said efforts locally currently center around educating the public on what’s important…
According to Wissel, state officials say the threat of the virus in Illinois is low. If that changes, she said all agencies will be forthcoming with the public…
Wissel said those over 60 and with pre-existing medical conditions are most susceptible to the virus.