On June 3, 2021, at 1:29 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a disturbance that had occurred in the 200 block of Ohio Street in Hazleton. Deputies Garrett Tuley and Loren Barchett were dispatched to the area to investigate the incident. Upon arriving Deputy Tuley spoke with the reporting party, who had visible signs of injuries and collected their statement as to what had transpired prior to law enforcement’s arrival. Deputy Tuley then went to the residence and spoke with the other party collecting their statement. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Tuley placed 49-year-old Jesse Gregory of Hazleton into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail Mr. Gregory was charged with Confinement, Strangulation, Battery, and Interference In The Reporting Of A Crime. He remains in custody on a $1250 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
ISP Dishes Out 26 Seat Belt Citations During Lawrence/Richland OREP
EFFINGHAM – Illinois State Police (ISP) District 12 Commander, Captain Cory Ristvedt, announces the results of Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) held in Richland and Lawrence counties during May.
These OREPs provided extra patrol coverage for the ISP so officers could focus on saving lives by making sure all vehicle occupants were buckled up.
Activity Safety Belt Citations 26
Child Restraint Citations 0
Total Citations 31
Total Written Warnings 19
Most motorists know safety belts save lives, but some ignore their safety and that of their families by neglecting to use safety belts and child restraint devices. These patrols reinforce the occupant protection message by focusing on those who ignore the law. Lives can be saved
Corn Day Set For 4th Of July
Rotary Corn Day 2021 is scheduled for Sunday, July 4, from 11:a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Mabel Courter Youth Center. Rotarians will be serving delicious sweet corn and grilled or fried chicken as they have since 1965.
Again this year because of covid the fund raiser will be a drive thru event at the Mabel Courter Youth Center. Cars will enter at the west main entry and those with pre-purchased tickets will be directed into one line and cars needing to purchase tickets will go into a separate line.
As autos continue through the Youth Center complex they will be given prepackaged Corn Day dinners consisting of 4 ears of sweet corn, grilled chicken breast or fried chicken, and slaw. After receiving their food, cars will then exit the east gate into the park and either take the food home or eat in the park. Rotarians encourage the public to take advantage of the beautiful new park pavilion to have a picnic lunch.
A limited amount of fresh un-shucked sweet corm will be available in a separate tent set up away from the food line for those who want to purchase un-shucked ears of corn.
Rotarians emphasize they are going to follow Covid safety guidelines and food will be packaged in containers. The cooking will still be done on site by the famous Rotary chicken and corn cooking crew.
Advance adult tickets for Corn Day are $10.00 and $5.00 for children 7 years old and under. Adult tickets will be $12.00 if purchased on the day of the event. Corn Day tickets may be purchased from any Mt. Carmel Rotarian or from First Mid Bank, 400 Market Street; Edward Jones’ offices, 219 W. 9th Street and 921 N. Market St; First National Bank of Allendale, 1515 W 9th St.; or Wabash Savings Bank, 400 N. Chestnut St., Mt. Carmel.
Corn Day is the only fund raising project for the Mt. Carmel Rotary Club and all profit from the event goes to support projects and events that benefit the Wabash County Community and Rotary humanitarian endeavors. The club is especially proud of their leadership and contributions for the 2020-21 erection of the new park pavilion and restrooms.
WSJD File Photo
Lawmakers pass bill to require police to get a warrant to get your doorbell video
Illinois lawmakers passed a measure that would create the Home Privacy Act requiring law enforcement to get a search warrant to access in-home technology such as doorbell cameras and smart speakers.
House Bill 2553, which was initially filed by state Rep. Ann Williams, passed both chambers and could soon be sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker's desk.
For House Bill 2553 to pass, a joint effort was required by multiple parties. The ACLU and the Illinois Sheriffs Association along with lawmakers worked together to determine the correct language in this bill.
Illinois Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director Jim Kiatschuk said being able to access this information would be helpful in emergencies.
"The issue was that at first, the bill didn't allow for extraordinary circumstances like a murder or kidnapping where police need to access that footage right away," Kiatschuk said.
After some initial pushback from lawmakers, both sides were able to agree on the protocol for emergency scenarios.
"We got some help from legislators in being able to push this request through, lawmakers recognized it would hinder some investigations and law enforcement's ability to do their jobs," Kiatschuk said.
Peter Hanna of the ACLU has urged Pritzker to sign House Bill 2553 right away.
"This is an important piece of legislation, especially right now. We would urge Governor Pritzker to sign this bill into law at his earliest convenience."
WSJD Summer Kickoff Cookout Raises Over $1,700 For Operation Share
Last Thursday’s WSJD Summer Kickoff Cookout raised $1,709 for Wabash County’s Operation Share program.
The Cookout featured Mike Wilson’s famous pork chop sandwiches and Stan Kelsey and crew churned out 10 gallons of homemade ice cream.
Thanks again to everyone that came out to help us celebrate!!
(L-R): WSJD’s Rodger Beard, Wabash County Ministerial Association President Rev. Kevin McGinnis, Stan Kelsey, WSJD General Manager Kevin Madden, Mike Wilson, WSJD’s Chandler Madden. Not present for photo: ice cream crew of Karl Berberich, Roscoe Brashears, & Tim Buss.
Traffic stop leads to arrest of Owensville woman on multiple drug charges
On May 25, 2021, at 4:06 p.m., Gibson County Deputy U.B. Smith conducted a traffic stop at Broadway and Second Street in Princeton for a passenger failing to wear their safety belt. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Smith detected the odor of burnt Marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and began a roadside drug investigation. During the investigation 72 grams of Methamphetamines, five hypodermic needles, drug paraphernalia, and Marijuana were seized. 38-year-old Michael Sollman of Owensville was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail Ms. Sollman was charged with Possession of Methamphetamines, Unlawful Possession of Hypodermic Needles, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Marijuana. She remains in custody on an $8000 bond.
Assisting Deputy Smith in his investigation was Deputy Zach Lienemann.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
City Council Okays Preliminary 4th of July Plans
Preliminary plans for Mt. Carmel’s 4th of July celebration were approved by the city council at their regular meeting yesterday. Mayor Joe Judge announced that the annual fireworks at Riverview Stadium will be on Sunday the 4th. Approval was also given to block off part of the block of West 4th Street just off of Market Street on the 3rd for food trucks to set up during and after the parade and the fire department will raise their big American flag at that intersection as well.
Well Wishes Send Witsman Into Retirement From City Hall
The Mt. Carmel City Council meeting yesterday served as a fond farewell to retiring City Clerk Rudy Witsman. The meeting started with former city commissioner Rod Rodriguez praising Witsman for his many years of service to the city and continued with Mayor Joe Judge and the rest of the city council showering Witsman with praise as his retirement became official yesterday. For his part, Witsman thanked the council for their support and offered a challenge to city residents….
Witsman continued by saying it’s time for the city to pull together….
Witsman said it was important that he was retiring on his terms and that he enjoyed working for the city in his roles starting in 1983 as city commissioner, mayor, and city clerk.
New police chief Mike McWilliams said it was Witsman’s compassion for city employees that stood out in his mind saying the well-being of the employees was always important for Witsman even during contract negotiations.
Witsman is being replaced by former police chief Ryan Turner who did not attend yesterday’s meeting because of a previously planned vacation before he was named city clerk.
Newburgh man arrested on DUI charge
On May 29, 2021, at 3:30 a.m. Gibson County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Naas conducted a traffic stop on a Black Ford Pickup for speeding on US 41 near Haubstadt. While speaking with the driver 19-year-old Cameron Ward of Newburgh Deputy Naas detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver. At that point Deputy Naas began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation, he placed Mr. Ward into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Minor Possession. 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.
Oklahoma woman arrested for leaving the scene of a property damage accident
On May 30, 2021, at 7:13 p.m., Gibson County Deputy Zach Lienemann was dispatched to a semi truck hitting the side of the Dollar General Store in Fort Branch, Indiana. While enroute to the scene a caller advised central dispatch that the vehicle was leaving the scene and headed south on US 41. With the assistance of Haubstadt Officer J. Hoover the vehicle was located at the Pilot Travel Center located at 1042 E. Warrenton Road. Deputy Lienemann began an investigation into the incident and at the conclusion of his investigation he placed 37-year-old Shannon Sunday of Yukon, Oklahoma into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Jail Ms. Sunday was charged with Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident. She remains in custody on 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.
