Vincennes man arrested for DUI

On June 5th, 2021, at approximately 12:00 a.m. a concerned motorist contacted the Gibson County Sheriff`s Office via E911 to report a possible impaired driver. The motorist stated there was a pickup with a busted taillight traveling north on US 41 near State Road 168. The caller stated the vehicle was all over the roadway. The Gibson County Sheriff`s Office put out an alert for the vehicle and Sgt. John Fischer was in the area and located the vehicle near King`s Mine in Princeton. Sgt. Fischer observed the vehicle was making several unsafe lane movements and initiated a stop on US 41 near C.R. 150 S.

Sgt. Fischer approached the vehicle and identified the driver as Kolbie J. Staley, age 30 of Vincennes. While speaking with Mr. Staley, Sgt. Fischer detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath and or person. Sgt. Fischer conducted a roadside investigation and found probable cause to believe Mr. Staley had operated a vehicle while intoxicated. Mr. Staley was transported to the Gibson County Jail and was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a BAC over .15.

Assisting Sgt. Fischer was Owensville Deputy Marshal Jason Wright and Haubstadt Deputy Marshal Josh Hoover.

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

Three Injured In Three Vehicle Crash On Route 15

On 06.03.21 at 5:13 p.m. the Wabash County Sheriff's Office responded to Highway 15 and E 170 Rd., near the county line to what was reported as a two car crash. When the Sheriff's Office arrived it was found that three vehicles were involved with one rolling multiple times. During the crash investigation it was found that:

Unit # 1: 2011 Buick

Unit# 2: 2015 Dodge Ram

Unit# 3:2016 Buick Utility

Unit # 1 was east bound on Highway 15 while Unit # 2 and Unit # 3 were west bound on Highway 15. Unit #1 attempted to make a left hand turn (north bound) in front of Unit # 2. Unit #2 struck Unit #1 sending both vehicles off the roadway and rolling Unit # 2 multiple times. Unit # 3 located behind Unit # 2 was damaged due to flying debris. 

Driver of Unit # 2 Donald D. Woods  (58) of Albion was transported to Deaconess Hospital by Air Evac as well as his passenger, Corless Woods (58) of Albion. Driver of Unit # 1 Patricia J. Cotsakis (89) was transported to Wabash General Hospital by Wabash General Ambulance Service. Driver of Unit # 3 Charles M. Porter and his passenger where uninjured. Glenn's Towing cleared the wreckage from the roadway. 

The Wabash County Sheriff's Office was assisted by:

Bellmont Fire Department

Brown's Fire Department

Albion Fire Department

Edwards County Sheriff's Office

Air Evac w/2 air ambulances

Wabash General Ambulance Service

Struggles To Open City Pool Continue

The struggles to open for the 2021 swimming season at the Mt. Carmel City Pool continue. The city has been actively recruiting lifeguards in order for the pool to open, but Mayor Joe Judge says those efforts were dealt a big setback last weekend when the prospective lifeguards attended training… 

Judge did say that typically it takes 4 lifeguards to be at the pool on a given day, but that number is now four as the fourth person who watches the slide only needs to be CPR certified. While that change helps the situation, Judge said the city is still in desperate need of lifeguards. Also at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Judge said an even bigger, darker cloud is hanging over the pool. He said there are serious issues with the pump room with the backwash filter and main circulator… 

Judge said it could take up to 8 months to get the equipment needed to fix the issues. The city has applied for a grant to upgrade the pool, if successful would pay for the needed repairs in addition to other upgrades. If the grant application fails, Judge said the city is looking at a major capital expense. 

Council Cools On Cell Phone Proposal

The Mt. Carmel City Council’s interest seems to have cooled on a proposal from American Tower. The proposal calls for American Tower to pay the city a lump sum of $350,000 for perpetual leases on the cell towers at the golf course and on Railroad Street. Currently, the city receives just under $29,000 a year for the leases. Commissioner Tom Meeks said the council should proceed with caution on the proposal…  

City officials have been negotiating with American Tower asking for $370,000, but American Tower has not responded to the counter proposal.

Evansville man arrested for DUI and other charges

On June 3, 2021, at 10:32 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a possible impaired driver on State Road 68 and west of the Haubstadt city limits.  The reporting party gave a detailed description of the vehicle, and Deputy U.B. Smith who was in the area located a vehicle matching that description on SR 68 near Owensville Road.  While behind the vehicle Deputy Smith observed that the vehicle was traveling at approximately 15 mph and was having trouble maintaining its lane of travel.  At that point Deputy Smith conducted a traffic stop on State Road 68 and upon approaching the White Pickup Truck he detected the overwhelming smell of an alcoholic beverage coming from inside the vehicle.  At that point he began a roadside DUI investigation.  During his investigation Deputy Smith determined that a battery had also recently occurred.  At the conclusion of his investigations, he placed the driver 52-year-old Brian Nally of Evansville into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail.  Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Nally was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Strangulation, and Intimidation.  He remains in custody on a $750 bond. 
 
Haubstadt Officer Joshua Hoover assisted in this investigation.
 
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Blown Tire Causes I-57 Crash

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT  

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by

Illinois State Police District 12 

WHAT:                      Two Vehicle Personal Injury Traffic Crash  

WHERE:                   Interstate 57 south bound milepost 135, Fayette County

WHEN:                      June 4, 2021 at approximately 4:38 p.m.

VEHICLES:              Unit 1- 1993 Gray Ford Truck

Unit 2- 2004 Orange Pontiac Vibe

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1- Jerry Bonner, 61-year-old male from Marianna, AR

Unit 2- Maria Esther, 56-year-old female from St. Cloud, FL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with minor injuries.

PASSENGER:           Unit 2- 17-year-old female from Wayland, MI - Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with minor injuries.

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling south bound in the right lane on Interstate 57 near milepost 135 in Fayette County. Unit 2 was traveling south bound at the same location in the left lane. A vehicle being towed by Unit 1 blew a tire, causing the driver of Unit 1 to lose control and strike Unit 2. The driver of Unit 2 then left the roadway to the left and overturned in the center median. Unit 2 driver and passenger  were transported by ambulance to an area hospital with minor injuries. The driver of Unit 1 reported no injuries. Traffic was reduced to one lane south bound for approximately 2 hours during the crash investigation.

Two Injured In Wayne County Crash

ISP INVESTIGATES TRAFFIC CRASH WITH INJURY

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police District 19

WHAT:                         Two Unit Traffic Crash with Injury

WHERE:                   U.S. Rt. 45, 1/4 mile north of Wayne County Road (C.R.) 2000N, Wayne County

WHEN:                      June 4, 2021, at 3:52 p.m.

VEHICLES:              Unit 1 – Blue 2014 Jeep Patriot

                                    Unit 2 – Blue Jeep Grand Cherokee

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1 – Adam C. Kemplen, a 25-year-old male from Fairfield, IL –Transported via ambulance to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries

                                    Unit 2 – Madison P. Wilson, a 22-year-old female from Cisne, IL – Transported via ambulance to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries

PRELIMINARY:      Preliminary investigative details indicate the following occurred: Unit 2 was southbound, stationary in traffic waiting for an unrelated vehicle to clear the roadway.  Unit 1 was also southbound behind Unit 2.  The driver of Unit 1 was distracted from within the vehicle and struck the rear of Unit 2, causing major damage to both vehicles.  All lanes were reopened at approximately 4:30 p.m. after crash investigation and scene clean-up.  No further information will be disseminated at this time.

CHARGES:               Kemplen was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid a Crash and Failure to Wear Seatbelt.

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

Wabash Roots’N’Que Brings Roots Music and Great Food Back to SE Illinois

June 18-19 will see the return of the region’s premiere “Roots Music and BBQ” festival on Market Street in downtown Mt Carmel.   This year’s Wabash Roots’N’Que Festival will host not only two days of free musical performances on the Harris Pavilion stage and “The Smoke on the Wabash” BBQ competition, but also crafters, artists, a beer tent, several different types of food vendors and free workshops featuring a hosts of instruments and styles of music at the Wabash County Museum.  

 The WRNQ is fortunate to now be an Illinois Arts Council supported arts organization, and the board takes the job seriously.  Already in 2021 the WRNQ has sponsored a cultural music performance at the Mt Carmel Grade School by the Kyilindi Drum and Pipes and hopes to sponsor other educational performances at local schools in the tri-county region later in 2021.  The possibility of further cultural events in the area will of course also depend on the success of the WRNQ festival this year.  The WRNQ board consisting of Dennis Stroughmatt (chairman), Jaleigh Peterson (vice chairman), Terry Beckerman (Secretary), and Jennifer Poland (Treasurer) have worked tirelessly to bring a great festival in hopes that it will inspire more involvement from the community moving forward.   

 The festival will begin on Friday June 18 at 5pm with hometown favorite Alex Hawf, who now resides in Eureka Spring, Arkansas.  Alex will perform in a duo featuring Folk and Bluegrass standards as well as his own compositions.  Alex will be followed by JR Love from the Hannibal, Missouri area with a full band performing a mix of songs in the style of Charley Pride, Freddy Fender and Mel Tillis.  The Woolseys, a Bluegrass band and songwriting winners at North Carolina’s “Merlefest” will follow with a driving blend of traditional and contemporary Bluegrass favorites. Closing the Friday night show at 9pm will be “The Deciders” from Carbondale, IL.  Led by Carbondale Blues legend Robert Russell, this band will take everyone on a journey down the Mississippi River to the Delta and the home of the Blues.    

 Saturday’s events and schedule will be packed with the “backyard” BBQ competition, a local farmer’s market, multiple food vendors and crafters, music at The Harris Pavilion, as well as instrument and cultural music workshops at the Wabash County Museum.  Some of the workshops to be presented this year include The Jason Wells Band’s “History of the Blues,” an introduction to dulcimers by “The Dulcimer Friends” from southern Indiana and southern Illinois, Pedal Steel Guitar by Mike Sweeney from Nashville, TN (former pedal steel player for Ray Price and Vern Gosdin), a Celtic instrument workshop by The Wendell Band, an intro to Bluegrass workshop with Kentucky Just Us, and “Guitar from Scratch” with Rob Krumm and area string wizard Doug Hawf.  Workshops will begin at 11am.  Check the WRNQ Facebook page and website for updates or any schedule changes.   

 Music on Saturday, June 19 at The Harris Pavilion starts at 12pm with the blues sounds of The Jason Wells Band from Indianapolis, IN.  Following at 1:30pm will be the “Silver Dollar City Youth in Bluegrass” winner of 2019, the Kentucky Just Us band from Glasgow, KY.  Local vocalist and 2019 “Emerging Talent” winner Darla Groff Flannery will entertain with a musical mix beginning at 2:30.  From Champaign-Urbana, the aptly named “The Backyard Barbeque Band” featuring Rob Krumm will take the stage around 3:30 featuring Western Swing and traditional Country-Blues.  Following at 5pm will be Nashville, TN’s “Wendell Band” featuring a high octane mix of Celtic-Irish roots music with some of Nashville’s finest young musicians.  At 6:30pm the southern Illinois based Cajun-Zydeco band “Creole Stomp” will take the stage and feature a “gumbo” of New Orleans Mardi Gras Blues mixed with an oldtime “fais do-do” Cajun flair.  And finally, to close out the WRNQ festival at 8pm will be the world renowned Tayla Lynn and her band, from Nashville, TN.  A fan favorite, Tayla will take the stage and perform a rousing tribute to her grandmother, the legendary Loretta Lynn.  

 Attendees to the festival are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, sun screen, and umbrellas.  The 2021 WRNQ Festival will occur “rain or shine” so please plan accordingly.  There will be free parking on the side streets of 4th and 5th streets while the main festival will be held on Market Street.  Just remember: Free Parking, Free Admission and Free Entertainment!  For further info, to be a festival sponsor, or to be a vendor please go to facebook.com/rootsnque and click “send a message.”  The WRNQ can also be reached by going to www. rootsnque.com.  

Cameras To Be Installed In Hopes Of Curbing Park Vandalism

Vandals have struck at the Mt. Carmel City Park. At Tuesday’s city council meeting, a stern Mayor Joe Judge laid down the law… 

The recent vandalism at the Mt. Carmel City Park has prompted the Rotary Club to purchase security cameras to deter the vandals. Judge said 8 camera system will be trained on various areas of the park including the new shelter house, the pickleball courts, basketball courts.

Trooper Charged for Striking his K-9 during Training Session

Dubois County – A criminal investigation conducted by the Indiana State Police has resulted in the Dubois County Prosecutor’s Office issuing a summons to appear in court for Trooper Dustan Rubenacker, 29, for the charge of Striking a Law Enforcement Animal, a Class A Misdemeanor.

Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation after Rubenacker allegedly struck his police K-9 during a March 17th training session in Jasper. Several Indiana State Police K-9 teams were present when the alleged incident occurred. During the training session, Rubenacker and his K-9, Odin, were participating in an exercise and Odin was not properly focusing on the correct target. Rubenacker allegedly used unreasonable discipline toward Odin, which resulted in an injury. Odin was taken to a veterinarian clinic where it was determined Odin had a serious fracture to his right rear leg. Odin underwent surgery to repair his leg, but it is not known at this time if Odin will return to work. Odin is a five-year-old Belgian Malinois and has been a member of the Indiana State Police for approximately four years. Rubenacker is a six-year veteran of the Indiana State Police.

The summons for Rubenacker was served this afternoon. Rubenacker is scheduled to appear in Dubois Circuit Court on July 6 at 10:30 a.m.

Rubenacker is currently on administrative leave with pay. An internal investigation is on-going