On March 8, 2020, at 12:10 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Michael Rose was dispatched to an accident with injuries located at State Road 56 near Second Street in Hazleton. Upon arriving Deputy Rose observed the driver 32-year-old Timothy Ramey of Decker seated in the driver’s seat of a Gold Hyundai Elantra that had left the roadway and struck a utility pole and then came to rest in a ditch. Upon speaking with Mr. Ramey Deputy Rose believed the driver to be under the influence of an unknown intoxicant. Once Mr. Ramey refused treatment by the Gibson County Ambulance on scene Deputy Rose began a roadside DUI investigation. During the investigation Mr. Ramey was found to be in possession of Methamphetamines. Upon being placed into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail Mr. Ramey was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Possession of Methamphetamines, and Possession of Paraphernalia. He has since posted a $750 bond.
Assisting Deputy Rose in his investigation was Indiana State Troopers Tanner Hurley and Johnathan Lukeman.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Allendale CCSD 17 to Provide Breakfast/Lunch
From Superintendent Bob Bowser: Allendale School will be providing Breakfast and Lunch to any child (0-18 years old) in our school community for FREE. Further details on how this will be handled will be forthcoming later this afternoon or evening. It will begin Monday. This will run through the duration of our school closure on Monday through Friday. Please spread the word in our school community. Again, further details will be forthcoming later, as I have just finished talking with ISBE and granted approval. Many details still to work out and communicate to you. This is for any child 0-18 in our school community, not just those that are currently in school. FREE!!
Gallatin Co. Passes Res. of Support for IL Oil Industry
Gallatin County on Thursday night passed a resolution of support for the Illinois oil production industry. A total of 18 of the state’s top-19 oil producing counties have passed resolutions of support for the Illinois oil production industry over the past calendar year. Collectively, these counties – highlighted in blue in the following graphic – accounted for 93 percent of Illinois oil production in 2019.
Cynthiana man arrested for driving on a suspended license
On March 9, 2020, at 6:20 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Zach Lienemann conducted a traffic stop on a Gold 1992 Oldsmobile for speeding on State Road 68 near County Road 250 West. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Lienemann identified the driver as 32-year-old Aaron Preske of Cynthiana, Indiana. During a roadside investigation Deputy Lienemann discovered the Mr. Preske’s Indiana Operator’s License status was listed as Suspended on a Prior driving while suspended conviction. At that point Deputy Lienemann placed Mr. Preske into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Preske 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.
SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF ILLINOIS COURTS REMAIN OPEN WITH PRECAUTIONS CONCERNING COVID-19
SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF ILLINOIS COURTS REMAIN OPEN WITH PRECAUTIONS CONCERNING COVID-19
911 report of a disturbance leads to arrest of Ohio man
On March 10, 2020, at 1:46 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a disturbance between two drivers at the Loves Truck Stop located at 901 East 1250 South. Upon arriving Deputy Bryce Jutzi and Deputy U.B. Smith began an investigation into the incident. During the investigation Deputy Jutzi spoke with all parties involved before placing 61-year-old Dale Erlenbach of Belmont, Ohio into custody. Deputy Jutzi then transported Mr. Erlenbach to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Battery. He has since posted an $1100 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
IECC updates stance on COVID-19
In response to the recommendation of area health officials, Marilyn Holt, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, released the following statement regarding the actions being taken by IECC schools concerning COVID-19:
As indicated in earlier correspondence, IECC waited to make any changes to our instruction until advised to do so by area health officials. That advice has now been given by one of our local health departments, which has recommended that local schools pause delivery of instruction to safeguard the well-being of their students and families.
As a result of this recommendation, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges is taking the following measures to protect our students, faculty and staff and to do our part in slowing the progression of the virus through our local communities:
All face-to-face instruction for the week of March 16 to March 20 is suspended. During this time, our faculty and staff will work to migrate course material online. This time is essential as it will allow us to work to ensure that the quality of our educational services is not diminished.
Students who are enrolled in online courses should continue to engage course material and meet established course deadlines.
During this week, all four IECC colleges and the district office will remain open and faculty and staff will be on site to continue to assist and serve our community. Our libraries, learning skills centers, fitness centers/pools and cafeterias will be open. Certain restrictions regarding occupancy may apply. College staff will be available to assist students who may need help accessing Entrata or Canvas.
Beginning the week of March 23 and running through April 6, most IECC classes will be moved to an online format. We will revisit this decision weekly and adjust this timeline as circumstance in our local communities dictate. There are certain labs, clinicals and technical courses in which a physical presence is essential. Beginning March 23, those courses will continue to meet face-to-face unless otherwise noted. A complete list of courses that will be moved online and those that will remain face-to-face will be posted no later than March 18 on our website at iecc.edu/covid or you can call your college switchboard and they will be able to direct you accordingly.
Our help desk and technical support staff will be available to assist students, faculty and staff who may need support with online instruction. Please visit iecc.edu/helpdesk, email helpdesk@iecc.edu or call 618-395-5299 or 855-519-4357 to request technical support.
Unless otherwise specified, all on-campus college events scheduled for the week of March 16 will be postponed. These events will be rescheduled as circumstances permit.
The intent in all of these steps is simply to reduce the risk of spreading the virus with the well-being of our students and employees in mind. We will continue to watch, listen and act accordingly. Additional information will be sent via e-mail or will be posted to our website at www.iecc.edu.
COVID-19 Concerns Affect Some Church Services Around The State
(IRN) Hundreds of thousands of church-goers in Illinois will be at home Sunday after some of the state’s largest religious institutions closed their doors after the governor banned gatherings of more than 1,000 people.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago, along with several other groups, canceled weekend services, opting to stream them online. This is the first weekend since Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a ban on events that gather crowds of more than 1,000. The governor also strongly encouraged organizers of events expected to draw more than 250 people to postpone.
Pritzker addressed the order on Thursday.
“They will not be able to hold those gatherings,” he said. “I realize that’s a hardship. Perhaps they can have multiple services and cut the number down per service but, yes, that’s what we’re telling people.”
The Archdiocese represents nearly 2 million Catholics in Cook and Lake counties. Other large congregations such as the Eastview Christian Church in Bloomington-Normal draw thousands every weekend.
Pritzker said Thursday that state officials will instruct local law enforcement agencies to break up events that disregard the ban.
Below is a list of large churches that have announced they would cancel or move services online:
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Joliet
The Community Christian Church
The Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church of Chicago
Willow Creek Community Church
The City First Church of Rockford
Moody Church
Eastview Christian Church of Normal
Evansville Man Arrested after Fleeing during Traffic Stop
Vanderburgh County – Last night at approximately 8:50, Trooper Eaton was patrolling on Fares Avenue north of Diamond Avenue when he stopped the operator of a moped for having a passenger. A moped registered as a Class B Motor Driven Cycle are prohibited from having passengers. A warrant check revealed the passenger on the moped, William Martin, 51, of Evansville, had an outstanding felony warrant out of Warrick County for possession of methamphetamine. Martin fled on foot, but he was quickly apprehended near Diamond Lanes Bowling Alley and was arrested without further incident. He was taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.
Arrested and Charge:
William Martin, 51, Evansville, IN
Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
Felony Warrant (Warrick County)
Arresting Officer: Trooper Chase Eaton, Indiana State Police
Traffic Stop Leads to the Discovery of a Homemade Pipe Bomb and a DUI
Vigo County - January 13, 2020 at approximately 11:30 p.m., Trooper Gerald Stump was patrolling in the area of Locust Street and Lafayette Avenue, when he stopped a 1997 Mercedes for an equipment violation. The driver was identified as Nathaniel J. Hoctor, age 28, of Terre Haute, IN. Criminal activity was detected and a search of the vehicle was conducted. Trooper Stump located drug paraphernalia and a homemade pipe bomb. The Indiana State Police Emergency Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was immediately contacted. Additional troopers from the Putnamville Post arrived on scene and secured the area for public safety. Once the EOD team arrived, they took possession of the homemade pipe bomb and disposed of it. Further investigation by Trooper Stump also revealed that Hoctor displayed signs of impairment. Hoctor was offered the opportunity to submit to a certified chemical test, but refused.
Further investigation revealed that a passenger in the vehicle, Levi Gillis, age 28, of Clinton, IN, was wanted out of Vigo County on an active warrant on several charges (see below).
Both Hoctor and Gillis were taken into custody and transported to the Vigo County jail where they are currently being detained.
Arrested and Charges:
Nathaniel Hoctor, 28, Terre Haute, IN
Possession of of a destruction device, Level 5 Felony
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, Class A Misdemeanor
Possession of paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor
Levi Gillis, 28, Clinton, IN
Possession of Cocaine or narcotic drug (warrant), Level 5 Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement (warrant), Level 6 Felony
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person (warrant), Class A Misdemeanor
All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Nathaniel Hoctor, 28, Terre Haute, IN
Levi Gillis, 28, Clinton, IN