Centralia Woman Injured In Marion County Crash

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT 

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

WHAT:                         Two Unit Traffic Crash with Injury

WHERE:                   Illinois Route 161, near Zion Hill Road, Centralia Township, Marion County, IL

WHEN:                      May 10, 2021 at 2:18 p.m.

VEHICLES:              Unit 1 – White 2013 Dodge Ram Pickup Truck

                                    Unit 2 – Blue 2008 GMC Acadia

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1 – Jonathan J. Fisher, an 18-year-old male from Centralia, IL - Uninjured

                                    Unit 2 – Davenia J. Flagg, a 40-year-old female from Centralia, IL -Transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

PRELIMINARY:      Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 2 was traveling eastbound and was stopped behind another uninvolved vehicle on Illinois Route 161, near Zion Road in Marion County. Unit 1 was traveling behind Unit 2 eastbound on IL-161.  Unit 1 failed to reduce its speed in time to avoid a crash and struck the rear of Unit 2. Unit 2 driver was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.  Unit 1 driver reported no injuries. No further information will be disseminated at this time.

CHARGES:               The driver of Unit 1 was issued a citation for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident.

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

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Saline County Crash Sends Benton Woman To Hospital

ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

WHAT:                      Personal Injury Traffic Crash                                                

WHERE:                   Illinois Route 34 northbound, just north of McFarland Road, Saline County

WHEN:                      May 9, 2021 at approximately 12:51 p.m.                            

VEHICLE:                Unit 1- 2007 White Toyota Camry

DRIVER:                   Unit 1- Larry G. Davis, 67-year-old male from Benton, IL – Uninjured

PASSENGER:           Unit 1- Shelia F. Davis, 64-year-old female from Benton, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

PRELIMINARY:      Preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred:  Unit 1 was traveling southbound on Illinois Route 34, north of McFarland Road in Saline County. The driver of Unit 1 struck a tree, which due to the weather, had fallen across both lanes of traffic. The Unit 1 passenger was transported by ambulance to a local area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.  All lanes were re-opened at approximately 3:13 p.m.  No further information will be disseminated at this time.

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City Sends Out 45 Letters For High Grass Violations In Last 2 Weeks

High grass continues to be an issue in several parts of Mt. Carmel. In the last two weeks, city inspector Mike Gidcumb said he has sent 45 letters for high grass violations, which is grass that exceeds 7 inches high. And, Mayor Joe Judge says Gidcumb isn’t going around the city hunting for tall grass… 

Gidcumb also said he had met recently with city attorney Brady Waldroup to discuss 23 locations the city will proceed legally on…with some of those possibly resulting in demolition. 

Big Week For WVC & MCHS Graduates

Graduation ceremonies are planned this week at Wabash Valley College and Mt. Carmel High School. At WVC, a face to face commencement ceremony will be held Friday night at 7 in the Spencer Sports Center. There will be a number of precautions taken and federal, state and IECC guidelines will be followed. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only 500 people will be allowed in the Spencer Sports Center. In order to meet this requirement, this will be a ticketed event. In an effort to provide our graduates the greatest possible number of tickets to give to friends and family, WVC is limiting the number of people helping with the event, on stage, or attending for awards. Each graduate will be given 4 tickets to distribute as they would like. Graduates and attending parties will be spaced out per current CDC guidelines. Masks will be required for entrance into the commencement ceremony.

At the high school, seniors will participate in honors night on Friday at 7 in the gym. For the second straight year, high school graduation will be at Riverview Stadium on Saturday morning at 10. In the event of rain Saturday morning, the first rescheduled date is 7pm Saturday and the second rescheduled date is Sunday afternoon at 2.

Disturbance call leads to arrest of Evansville man

On May 9, 2021, at 11:43 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 call of a disturbance that was occurring at the Baymont Inn and Suites located at 12798 Access 1250 South. Deputy Jennifer Robb and Sergeant Bruce Vanoven were dispatched to the scene and upon speaking to the reporting party they were advised that 30-year-old Tyler Stokes of Evansville had left the scene prior to law enforcement’s arrival. The reporting party advised Deputy Robb that Mr. Stokes took two small children with him and their car. During the investigation it was discovered that Mr. Stokes’ operator license status listed him as a Habitual Traffic Violator and he was not permitted to drive. Further the investigation revealed that there was an active restraining order that was placed against Mr. Stokes by the reporting party. Once the initial report was taken a Be On the Look Out was placed to all dispatch agencies in the south west part of the state instructing them to look for the vehicle and check the welfare of the children. A short time later Sergeant Bruce Vanoven located the vehicle at the Dollar General Store in Haubstadt. Sergeant Vanoven removed the children from the vehicle while Deputy Robb finished her investigation. At the conclusion of her investigation she had Mr. Stokes transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Invasion of Privacy, Driving While a Habitual Traffic Violator, and Possession of Methamphetamines. He remains in custody on a $1250 bond.

Assisting Deputy Robb in her investigation was Sergeant Bruce Vanoven, Fort Branch Town Marshal Darrell Parker, Haubstadt Officer Riley Farmer, and Indiana State Trooper Ross Rafferty.

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Date Announced For 2021 Christmas Uptown

Yes Virginia…there will be a Christmas Uptown festival this year in Mt. Carmel. After being cancelled last year by the pandemic, organizers say Christmas Uptown is coming back bigger and better than ever in 2021. Click the link to listen to the Morning Show interview with Brenda Bobbitt….

WSJD File Photo.

Summer Concert Series Kicks Off Friday Night At Merchants Park

Market Street MTC’s Mike Harris and local musician Cage Willis were our guests on today’s Morning Show to plug this Friday night’s concert at Merchants Park featuring the Austin Edwards Band kicking off the summer concert series.

Click the link to hear the full interview…

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

ISP DIVISION OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INVESTIGATE DECEASED BODY FOUND IN LAKE SHELBYVILLE

Shelbyville, IL – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation - Zone 5, is investigating the report of deceased body found in the waters of Lake Shelbyville near Wolf Creek State Park in Shelby County.

On May 8, 2021, Donald E. Pygott, a 70-year-old male from Mattoon, IL, was reported missing by family to local authorities. On the same date at approximately 9:00 p.m., Donald was located deceased at the above reported location. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Shelby County Dive Team, Shelby County Coroner’s Office, and Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police are assisting in the investigation.

The ISP is continuing this open and on-going investigation and no additional information will be released at this time.  Anyone who witnessed or has any knowledge of the incident is asked to contact the ISP at ISP.Zone05.Media@Illinois.gov.

Princeton duo arrested on drug charges

On May 7, 2021, at 11:58 p.m., Gibson County Deputy Garrett Tuley conducted a traffic stop on a White 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix for failing to signal a turn onto Hart Street in Princeton from State Street.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Tuley identified the driver as 31-year-old Stephanie Bullington of Princeton, and a passenger in the vehicle as 41-year-old Malinda Daugherty also of Princeton.  Upon speaking with the occupants Deputy Tuley began a roadside drug investigation.  At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Tuley placed both Ms. Bullington and Ms. Daugherty into custody and transported them to the Gibson County Jail.  Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail both Ms. Bullington and Ms. Daughtery were charged with Possession of a Synthetic Drug.  They both remains in custody on a $650 bond. 
 
Assisting Deputy Tuley in his investigation was Princeton Officer Craig Zurliene.
 
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Troopers Investigate Fatal Crash in I-64 Construction Zone

Warrick County – Friday evening, May 7, at approximately 5:46, Indiana State Police and Warrick County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two-vehicle crash on I-64 eastbound near the 47.5 mile-marker that claimed the life of a Louisville, KY, woman.

Preliminary investigation revealed the driver of a 2006 Freightliner box truck was traveling eastbound in the right lane on I-64 and approaching a construction zone where the left lane was closed. The construction zone had posted signs and orange barrels indicating the left lane was closed ahead. Leah McMillen, 52, of Louisville, KY, was driving her 2021 Nissan Rogue eastbound in the left lane and was approaching the orange barrels and the closed lane. McMillen attempted to pass the truck before the left lane ended, but the right rear of her vehicle collided into the left side of the truck causing her to lose control. McMillen’s vehicle left the roadway on the south side, struck a tree, overturned, and came to a final rest in a ditch that had approximately one foot of standing water. McMillen was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the box truck was not injured.

Investigating Officer: Trooper Trey Stewart, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officers: Sergeant Kevin Brown, Sergeant Kylen Compton, and Trooper Hunter Manning

Assisting Agencies: Warrick County Sheriff’s Office and Warrick County Coroner’s Office