I-69 Road rage incident leads to arrest of Linton duo

On May 8, 2020, at 12:41 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch advised Gibson County Deputies of a road rage incident that was occurring on Interstate 69.

The caller advised central dispatch that a Silver SUV had stopped traffic on the interstate and a male and a female exited the vehicle. The caller went on to state that the male elbowed the window of a Black SUV that was behind the vehicle. Deputies with the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office as well as officers from the Indiana State Police and Oakland City Police Department were dispatched to the area.

The driver of the Black SUV informed Gibson County Central Dispatch that both vehicles were Southbound on Interstate 69, and Sgt. Bruce Vanoven observed the vehicles take the exit for State Road 168. Deputies Jennifer Robb and Jennifer Loesch conducted a traffic stop on the Silver 2007 Chevy Trailblazer and began a roadside investigation. During the investigation an open container of alcohol was found further there were clues that indicated that drugs may be in the vehicle.

At that point Trooper Mike Finney ran his K9 around the vehicle. While running the K9 around the vehicle it alerted to illegal drugs being inside the vehicle. At that point some Marijuana and drug paraphernalia were seized from inside the vehicle.

At the conclusion of their investigation Deputy Robb and Loesch placed the driver 38-year-old Kari Keller and a passenger 38-year-old Jeremy Jordan both of Linton into custody and transported them to the Gibson County Jail.

Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Ms. Keller was charged with Possession of Paraphernalia and Possession of Marijuana. She remains in custody on a $550 bond. Ms. Keller was also issued a citation for having no insurance on her vehicle. Mr. Jordan was charged with Criminal Mischief and he also remains in custody on a $550 bond. Mr. Jordan was also issued a citation for possessing an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

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Mt. Carmel Man Charged With Aggravated Assault After Incident On Vine Street

On 5/07/2020, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Zachary A. Mathis, age 28, of Mt. Carmel, for Aggravated Assault following an incident in the 500 block of Vine Street. Officers were called to the area due to Mathis allegedly threatening to kill a resident. During this incident, Mathis possessed a knife in his hand. Mathis left the area when a neighbor threatened to call the police to the scene. Once officers arrived, Mathis was located in the 600 block of Vine Street. Mathis was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Mathis is being held pending the posting of bond.  Mt. Carmel Police were assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff's Office.

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Mt. Carmel Man Arrested Following Traffic Stop

On 5/02/2020, Mt. Carmel Police cited Trevor L. Mitchell, age 26, of Mt. Carmel, for Driving While License Suspended and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia following a traffic stop in the 600 block of North Market Street. The arresting officer recognized Mitchell and was aware of his suspended driving status. During the stop, Mitchell dropped a glass smoking device containing a white residue inside it. A Notice to Appear in court was issued to Mitchell, at which time he was released from the scene.

County Commissioners Vote To Increase Pay For Some Office Holders

The Wabash County Board of Commissioners Monday set salaries for some office holders. The Board approved a $3,000 increase for the coroner, increasing the salary from $12,000 to $15,000 for the next four years.

The Circuit Clerk’s salary will go to $37,5000 this fiscal year and up to $38,000 next year.

The State Attorney’s salary – or at least the part the county pays – will stay the same. Commissioners expect the state to raise the amount of the salary it pays for the office.

And commissioners themselves will get their first raise in 20 years, not this year but next. Their salary will go up $600 to $7,800 in the 2022-23 fiscal year.

Clean Up Week Starts Monday; Here's What You Need To Know

Even though Governor JB Pritzker’s stay at home order continues through the end of the month, Clean Up Week in Mt. Carmel will proceed as planned next week. Originally, Republic Services postponed the original date last month saying they were abiding by the Governor’s order of having their drivers stay in truck. But at Monday’s City Council meeting, garbage commissioner Chandler Madden said next week’s Clean Up Week is a go and outlined the items that won’t be picked up….

Madden also said the large items should be set out the night before your scheduled pickup day. He also pointed out that Republic will sometimes run behind during clean up week and requested patience saying the items will be picked up as long as they’re not on the prohibited items list.

According to Madden, other than clean up week, Republic’s drivers will remain in their trucks so all items need to be in your toters or they won’t be picked up.

Any questions or concerns, he said, can be directed to City Hall.

Fate Of Big Summer Events Being Decided

The dominoes have begun to fall regarding the status of summer festivals and fairs after Governor’s JB Pritzker’s roll out Tuesday of his Restore Illinois plan to reopen the state. Pritzker put festivals and large events under Phase 5 of the plan which is the highest level.

The Edwards County Fair wasted no time in cancelling their fair in light of the Governor’s new plan. The fair board met Tuesday night and said after much discussion they were sad to report the fair’s cancellation.

Organizers of the Gibson County Fair in Princeton say they are still on track to have their fair start July 5th.

Mike Wilson is a member of the Wabash County 4-H and Junior Fair board and on Wednesday’s Valley Update on WSJD, he said the local fair is still on, for now at least…

Last weekend, organizers announced that the Wabash Roots ‘n Que Festival scheduled next month had been postponed to September.

Mt. Carmel’s biggest event of the year, Ag Days, is still on as scheduled.

Wabash Valley Youth In Action said yesterday their Bill Mundy Golf Scramble was being postponed indefinitely.

But, one event that will still be a go this summer with a decidedly different look is the Wabash County Retail Merchants Committee Duck Race. Instead of being a big event at the Mt. Carmel City Pool, this year’s Duck Race will be closed to the public and will take place at Mayor Joe Judge’s pool and will be held via Facebook Live on July 2nd. Tickets will be on sale soon for $5 each or a quack pack of 5 tickets for $20. $2,000 in cash will be given away again this year.