Congratulations to the 2020 MCJHS recipients of the American Legion award for displaying the qualities of courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship, and service. Legion representative, Tom Ford, presented Madisyn Etheridge and Jayden Pettyjohn with their certificates and medals.
McIntire And Peterson Win Legion Award
Congratulations to the 2020 MCHS recipients of the American Legion award for displaying the qualities of courage, honor, leadership, patriotism, scholarship, and service. Legion representative, Tom Ford, presented Madi McIntire and Trevor Peterson with their certificates and medals.
Washington Woman Arrested for Identity Deception and Harassment
Daviess County-In February of 2020, a victim reported harassment to the Indiana State Police Jasper Post. Starting in late January of 2020, the victim began receiving numerous spam text messages a day to their phone. The victim had been targeted by people on social media who were against a referendum for raising taxes to fund projects for Washington Community Schools. Due to this, the victim believed that the suspect may have been one of these people.
An investigation by ISP Detective Jarrod Lents revealed that one of the suspects, Rikki Lyford age 38, of Washington, had allegedly created a Google email in the name of the victim, and then used this email account to sign the victim up for numerous spam text messages. Approximately 70-100 messages a day were received by the victim for approximately three months. Two other victims also received messages similar to these, as well as false complaints directed to their employers. It is unknown if Lyford is responsible for the actions against the other two victims.
A warrant was issued for Lyford’s arrest and she was taken into custody by Detective Lents on Monday, 6/29/2020.
Lyford was charged with
1) Identity Deception- level 6 felony
2) Counterfeiting- level 6 felony
3) Harassment- class B misdemeanor
Lyford was incarcerated without incident at the Daviess County Security Center.
All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Pipe Replacement scheduled for SR 57 in Elnora
DAVIESS COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a closure on State Road 57 for a pipe replacement project.
Beginning on or around Monday, July 13 INDOT maintenance crews will close S.R. 57 in Elnora from near the intersection of S.R. 58 to the intersection of County Road 1600 North. During this project workers will be replacing two drainage culverts, requiring full excavation.
Work is expected to take about two days depending upon weather conditions. Access will be maintained for local traffic up to the point of closure, however all through traffic should use the official detour following S.R. 58, S.R. 67 and U.S. 231.
INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.
City Hall Closed Friday For 4th Of July Holiday
City Clerk Rudy Witsman has announced that Mt. Carmel City Hall will be closed Friday for the 4th of July holiday. That means the city’s brush harbor will be closed Friday and Saturday. To make up for the missed day, the brush harbor will be open on Thursday.
Price Tag For City Pool Project Comes In At More Than $1.1 Million
The estimated price tag is in for the proposed improvements to the Mt. Carmel City Pool and the cost is an eye-popping one for sure. At Monday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge said the proposed improvements are estimated to cost $1,126,000. The city has submitted a grant application through the Rebuild Illinois program that, if successful, would pay for 100% of the project. The proposal calls for a variety of additions and upgrades to the pool including a new splash pad area. And, Judge said the evaluation of the pool and its’ equipment during the grant application process has revealed some serious flaws with the pump and filtration system…
Judge said only one of the pool’s two pumps are in working condition currently. If the grant application is not approved, Judge said needed improvements to the pumps and filtration systems could cost as much as $70,000.
Engineering Design For Improvements At Mt. Carmel City Pool.
Refusing To Leave Residence Results In Arrest Of Mt. Carmel Man
On 6/28/2020, Mt. Carmel Police cited Nouah D. Ellenberger, age 18, of Mt. Carmel, for Disorderly Conduct following an incident in the 1400 block of West 3rd Street. The complainant alleged Ellenberger regularly comes at her residence, uninvited, and refuses to leave. When Ellenberger arrived this time, he was given the opportunity to leave several times by law enforcement. Ellenberger refused, so he was placed under arrest for Disorderly Conduct. Ellenberger was released on a Notice to Appear in court.
Two Traffic Stops Get Driver's Vehicle Towed
On 6/29/2020, Mt. Carmel Police cited Thomas E. Fugate, age 31, of Mt. Carmel, for Driving While License Suspended following two separate traffic stops. The first stop occurred in the 400 block of Cedar Street at 1:54 pm. Approximately four hours later, Fugate was again stopped operating a vehicle in the 400 block of Cedar Street. Fugate was issued a citation after each occurrence being released on a Notice to Appear in Court. Fugate’s vehicle was towed from the scene following the second incident.
Mt. Carmel Man Jailed After Allegedly Battering Girlfriend
On 6/28/2020, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Kenneth C. Swatsley, age 32, of Mt. Carmel, for Domestic Battery following an incident at a residence in the 600 block of Cedar Street. It was alleged that Swatsley had battered his girlfriend during an argument. After officers investigated the allegation, Swatsley was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Swatlsey was held pending a bond setting by a judge.
Man Arrested For Fleeing From Police After Fire Breaks Out At Residence
On 6/27/2020, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Timothy L. McKinney, age 39, of Mt. Carmel for Aggravated Battery to a Peace Officer and Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer.
The arrest came after police and fire agencies were dispatched to a house fire in the 100 block of East 8th Street. While on scene, a passerby noted the owner of the residence, Timothy McKinney, was seen traveling on foot towards Indiana on Walnut Street. An officer from the Mt. Carmel Police Department located McKinney on the Wabash River Bridge and attempted to make contact with him. McKinney then fled on foot from the officer, all while disobeying the officer’s commands to stop. With the assistance of a deputy from the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office McKinney was taken into custody. During the incident, McKinney struck both the officer and the deputy in the face while resisting the arrest.
Once McKinney was in custody, he was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was held pending the posting of bond.
The house fire remains under investigation by the Mt. Carmel Police Department, the Mt. Carmel Fire Department, and an Investigator from the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
WSJD File Photo
The house on East 8th Street where Timothy McKinney lived when fire broke out Saturday.