Illinois County Clerks Prepare For Mail-In Voting

County clerks around Illinois are preparing for big changes to this November’s election.  Voting by mail is now an option for voters to cast their ballot prior to Election Day. Voters can request a vote by mail ballot through the mail or in person. At Monday’s Wabash County Board of Commissioners meeting, County Clerk Janet Will stressed that despite the voting by mail option, polls will be open on Election Day for in-person voting as in years past. With the pandemic, Will said she is working to acquire PPE’s for poll workers and voters on Election Day. June 16th was the first day to file an application for a vote by mail ballot and Will said she has already received several requests. All requests by mail must be received by October 29th while all in-person early voting requests must be made by November 2nd, the day before Election Day.

Patoka woman arrested on battery charge

On July 7, 2020, AT 5:51 p.m., Gibson County Deputy Zach Lienemann met with an individual who wanted to report a battery that had occurred in the 5500 block of North Old US Highway 41. Upon speaking with the individual they reported that they had been physically assaulted by 47-year-old Christine Hall of Patoka. At that point Deputy Lienemann with the assistance of Indiana State Trooper Vennocotter began an investigation into the incident. Once officers spoke with the victim and a witness they spoke with Ms. Hall. Upon speaking with Ms. Hall they placed her in custody and transported her to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Ms. Hall was charged with Battery in the Presence of a Child. She has since 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.

Evansville man arrested on DUI charge

On July 8, 2020, at 2:20 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Loren Barchett conducted a traffic stop on a Black 2003 Acura for speeding on State Road 168 near Owensville. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Barchett identified the driver as 38-year-old Jackie Glover of Evansville. While speaking with Mr. Glover Deputy Barchett detected clues that the driver may be under the influence of an unknown intoxicant. At that point Deputy Barchett began a roadside DUI investigation that resulted in Mr. Glover being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail Mr. Glover was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated/ Refusal. He remains in custody on a $450 bond.

Assisting Deputy Barchett in this 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.

Treasurer Seeks Explanation Of State Overpayment

Wabash County treasurer Beverly McBride is looking for some answers from the state regarding an over-payment of the county’s 1% share of state sales tax. McBride said she received a letter from the Illinois Department of Revenue stating the state had overpaid Wabash County $26,701.63 in the state sales tax. She said no explanation was given for the over-payment and her attempts to contact that state have been unsuccessful to this point. McBride wants clarification as to the time frame for the over-payment and where the money should have gone. So far, she’s still awaiting on answers to her questions from the state.

McBride told county commissioners yesterday that the deadline to make pre-payments for this year’s property taxes has been extended to August 31st. So far, just over $73,000 in pre-payments have been made.

And, McBride said her office continues to collect mobile home taxes with $10,400 being paid at this point with another $18,300 yet to be paid.

Driver Killed In Early Morning Jeep Crash In Clark County

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT   

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 12 

WHAT:                      Single Vehicle Fatality Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   US 40 and 2200 East, Clark County

WHEN:                      July 7, 2020 at 5:40 a.m.         

VEHICLE:                Unit 1- 1999 Maroon Jeep Cherokee

DRIVER:                   Unit 1- Pending Next of Kin Notification - deceased                                          

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling west on US 40 near 2200 East in Clark County. For unknown reasons, the driver of Unit 1 left the roadway to the right (north) striking a ditch and flipped end over end multiple times, ejecting the driver. The driver of Unit 1 was pronounced deceased at the crash scene by the Clark County Coroner. The roadway remained open during the crash investigation. This crash is still under investigation and no further information is available at this time.

Mayor: No Help From City For WVC Pool

While the City of Mt. Carmel has been focused on upgrading the City Pool, there are some in the community who would like to see the city take over operation of the indoor swimming pool at Wabash Valley College.

The WVC pool is in need of major repairs and is in danger of not reopening when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. WVC President Dr. Matt Fowler tells WSJD that closing the pool permanently is “being contemplated but no decision has been made”.

At last week's City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge said he has heard suggestions the city should shift its’ focus from improving the City Pool to taking over operation of the indoor pool…

Judge said the issue is a financial one…

In 2016, WVC President Dr. Matt Fowler hosted two community forums seeking public input into the future viability of the pool saying then the college pumps more than $100,000 a year into the pool’s operation.

Cowling Man Arrested After 4th of July Incident

On July 4th, 2020 the Wabash County Sheriff's Office responded to 6422 Highway 1 (Cowling) reference two 911 calls for help. When the deputy arrived he was told the husband/father was inside the residence armed with a knife. The deputy announced his presence and advised the male to come out with his hands up. The male exited a bedroom and walked down a hallway shouting an expletive and said "are you going to shoot me". The deputy ordered the male to drop the knife at least five times and the male said "suicide by cop" and kept walking towards the deputy.

The male then threw the knife on the ground and was ordered to the ground by the deputy. The male once again refused commands and grabbed another knife off of a cardboard box on a kitchen counter. The deputy then deployed his taser striking the male and knocking him to the ground. The deputy was able to take the male into custody. 

The male was identified as 52 year old Bryan Higginson of Cowling. Higginson was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he is being held on a charge of Aggravated Domestic battery for a choking action to one of the victims. His bond has been set at $4,000 cash. 

Two Hurt In Saline County Wreck

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 19

WHAT:                      Two Vehicle Personal Injury Traffic Crash

WHERE:                   IL 145 approximately ¼ mile South of Garden Heights Road, Saline County

WHEN:                      July 4, 2020 at 9:00 p.m.

VEHICLE:                Unit 1- 2010 Red Chevrolet Truck

                                    Unit 2- 2008 Silver Volkswagen Jetta

DRIVER:                   Unit 1- Brandon Hambleton, 18 year old male from Carrier Mills, IL – uninjured

                                    Unit 2- Ashley Hartman, 21 year old female from Stonefront, IL – transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries

PASSENGER:           Unit 2- 2 year old male from Stonefront, IL – transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries

                                    Unit 2- James Wiseman, 42 year old male from Stonefront, IL – uninjured

                                    Unit 2- Jessica Wiseman, 34 year old female from Stonefront, IL – uninjured

                                    Unit 2- 13 year old male from Stonefront, IL - uninjured

PRELIMINARY:       A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred:  Unit 1 and Unit 2 were both traveling north on IL 145 near Garden Heights Road in Saline County. Unit 2 was directly in front of Unit 1 and signaled to turn left into a private drive, and slowed down to turn. The driver of Unit 1 looked away from the road and failed to notice Unit 2 slowing and struck Unit 2 in the rear. The driver and a 2 year old male passenger of Unit 2 were transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The driver of Unit 1 and all other Unit 2 passengers were uninjured.

CHARGES:               The driver of Unit 1 was cited for Driving Too Fast for Conditions/Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident.

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

Driver Injured In I-70 Crash After Falling Asleep

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

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

WHAT: Single Vehicle Personal Injury Traffic Crash

WHERE: Interstate 70 Eastbound Milepost 154, Clark County WHEN: July 5, 2020 at 9:30 p.m.

VEHICLE: Unit 1- 2003 Black Chevrolet S10 Truck

DRIVER: Unit 1- Memphis Lafuria - transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries

PRELIMINARY: A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling eastbound on Interstate 70 near milepost 154 in Clark County. The driver of Unit 1 believes he fell asleep before leaving the roadway to the right. Unit 1 struck a guard rail then overturned. The driver of Unit 1 was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The roadway remained open during the crash investigation.

CHARGES: Unit 1 driver was cited for Improper Lane Usage.

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

Mt. Carmel Woman Arrested For DUI Following Market Street Incident

On 7/02/2020, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Tonya L. Wright, age 59, of Mt. Carmel, for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. A witness observed a maroon Pontiac strike a curb causing the tire to go flat in the 900 block of North Market Street. The suspect vehicle continued to travel and was stopped near the area of 10th & Market Street, where Wright was found to be the driver. After speaking to Wright, the officer had a suspicion she had been consuming alcohol. A roadside sobriety check resulted in the officer observing several clues to indicate impairment. Wright was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail, where she was processed for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. Wright was later released on a Notice to Appear in court.