On July 16, 2021, at 9:11 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Brian Naas conducted a traffic stop on a Black 2017 Toyota Pickup for an equipment violation in the 200 block of South Mill Street in Owensville. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Naas detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the driver 25-year-old Austin Elpers of Evansville. At that point Deputy Naas began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Naas placed Mr. Elpers into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Elpers was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. He has since posted a $650 bond.
Assisting Deputy Naas in his investigation was officers from the Haubstadt and Fort Branch Police Departments as well as Deputy Bryce Jutzi of the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Traffic stop nets arrest of two
On July 17, 2021, at 4:57 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Brian Naas conducted a traffic stop on a Gray 2008 Chevy van in the 700 block of East Oak Street in Fort Branch for an equipment violation. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Naas identified the driver as 31-year-old Kalin Deal of Owensville. While speaking with Mr. Deal Deputy Naas had reasonable suspicion to believe that Mr. Deal might be under the influence of an unknown intoxicant. At that point Deputy Naas began a roadside OWI investigation. During the investigation it was discovered that a passenger in the vehicle 31-year-old Christina Scott of Fort Branch had an outstanding warrant through Vanderburgh County. Also, illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia were discovered in the vehicle.
At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Naas had Ms. Scott and Mr. Deal transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Deal was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He remains in custody on a $650 bond. Ms. Scott was charged with Possession of a Legend Drug, Possession of Paraphernalia, and a hold for the outstanding Felony Warrant out of Vanderburgh County.
Assisting Deputy Naas in his investigation was Fort Branch Officer Jeff Beck and Haubstadt Officer Riley Farmer.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Pritzker Says It's Important For Individual School Districts To Set Their Own Mask Policies
WHEN IT COMES TO MASK REQUIREMENTS IN THE CLASSROOM, GOVERNOR J-B PRITZKER SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT FOR INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO SET THEIR OWN POLICIES.
THE STATE IS FOLLOWING C-D-C GUIDELINES. RECOMMENDING THAT STUDENTS AND STAFF WHO HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED STILL WEAR A MASK. BUT THE GOVERNOR REMINDS IT'S NOT A MANDATE.
THE GOVERNOR SAYS DISTRICTS HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS BASED ON THE COVID-19 RISK IN THAT AREA.
UNDER C-D-C GUIDELINES THAT THE STATE HAS ADOPTED, IT'S RECOMMENDED THAT STUDENTS AND TEACHERS WHO HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED CONTINUE TO WEAR A MASK INDOORS. BUT THAT'S NOT A HARD AND FAST RULE SAYS THE GOVERNOR.
SOME DISTRICTS IN THOSE AREAS ARE VOTING NOT TO REQUIRE MASKS FOR ANYONE.
Three juveniles involved in Posey County ORV accident
(Mount Vernon) Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an off-road vehicle (ORV) accident that occurred yesterday afternoon.
At approximately 2:07 p.m., Posey County dispatch received information of an ORV accident with injury that occurred on private property near Copper line and Blackburn roads.
A responding conservation officer rendered aid and applied a tourniquet to an injured juvenile before EMS arrived. That juvenile was then transported to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville for treatment and later flown to Louisville.
The other two juvenile passengers had minor injuries. None of the riders was wearing helmets nor any other safety gear when the accident occurred.
Initial investigation has revealed that the side-by-side ORV was being operated by a 16-year-old juvenile who lost control and the vehicle overturned. She suffered significant leg and hand injuries in the accident.
Other responding agencies included Posey County EMS, Black Township Fire Department, and Posey County Sherriff’s Department.
Conservation officers remind everyone to always wear a helmet and protective riding gear when operating or riding on an ORV and to always use a seatbelt or safety harness when present.
District #348 School Board Agenda
WABASH CUSD #348 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
MT. CARMEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GYMNASIUM
Monday, July 19, 2021
Regular Board Meeting 7:00 p.m.
AGENDA
1. Call to order / Roll call
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Consent Agenda
a. Board Minutes i. June 21, 2021 Amended Budget Hearing and Regular Meeting
b. Monthly Bills
c. Financial Reports
d. Correspondence
e. Administrative Reports
f. Press Plus Policy Updates
g. 2021-2022 Student Handbooks
4. Reports
5. Executive Session pursuant to Section 2(c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act: “The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees”.
6. New Business
a. 2021-2022 Food Bids
b. Remote Learning Information
c. Clarification of the 2021-2022 Reopening Plan
d. Employment of Personnel
7. Adjournment
Four Mt. Carmel juveniles charged in two-state poaching case
Indiana Conservation Officers’ portion of a six-month-long multi-state poaching investigation resulted in charges being filed against four juveniles from Mount Carmel, Illinois by the Gibson County Prosecutor’s Office.
The juveniles were charged with committing a combined 119 wildlife violations in Indiana and Illinois during a two-year span.
The investigation originated on Jan. 7, after Illinois DNR Conservation Police Officers (ICPOs) received information regarding alleged poaching near Mount Carmel, Illinois and Gibson County, Indiana. ICPOs obtained multiple search warrants, executed them on Jan. 8, and contacted Indiana Conservation Officers after discovering that numerous wildlife violations occurred in Indiana.
The states’ investigation found that the four juveniles had illegally killed more than 20 deer in the two states during the 2019, 2020, and 2021 deer seasons. Multiple deer were shot from trucks, shot with the aid of spotlights at night, and intentionally run over with vehicles, and then stabbed or kicked to death.
The wide range of misdemeanor violations includes torture or mutilation of a vertebrate animal, wanton waste, illegal taking of white-tailed deer, use of artificial light to take deer /jacklighting, fail to procure non-resident deer license, hunting without landowner consent, criminal trespass, criminal trespass on railroad train car, hunt/shoot from public roadway, take more than one antlered deer, and take/chase wild animal with the use of motor driven conveyance.
All suspects are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
To report hunting or fishing violations, call Indiana Conservation Officer Central Dispatch at 812-837-9536 or 1-800-TIP-IDNR.
Council Tables SkyTrain Proposal Again
The Mt. Carmel City Council has again put off making a decision on privatizing the city’s airport for at least another two weeks. At their regular meeting on Monday, commissioners tabled the proposal from SkyTrain Aviation to take over operations of the airport for the next 50 years. City attorney Brady Waldroup has recused himself from the issue since he works in the same firm representing SkyTrain. So, the city sought outside legal counsel and city clerk Ryan Turner says the council was advised to proceed with caution….
Skytrain co-owner Brent Perrott previously told the council he has economic development prospects interested in the airport that can proceed as soon as the contract is approved.
SkyTrain Aviation co-owner Brent Parrott listens to a question at a recent Mt. Carmel City Council meeting.
Six-State Trooper Project Targets Move Over/Slow Down Law
Greencastle, IN – The Indiana State Police will be joining forces this week with Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia State Police agencies, for what is known as the Six-State Trooper Project. During this collective effort, troopers across Indiana will be taking to the highways July 18th-24th with a primary focus on move over/slow down enforcement.
During this period, motorists can expect to see an increased presence of our troopers on the roadsides conducting traffic stops. Drivers are encouraged to not drive distracted, to be increasingly aware of the need to move over or slow down as required by state law, and to give troopers the room to work safely.
In 1999 Indiana was the first state in the nation to pass such a law requiring motorists to move to an adjacent traffic lane or reduce speed by 10 mph below the posted speed limit, if unable to change lanes safely when driving by a stationary police, fire or ambulance emergency vehicle stopped along the side of the road.
Over the years, Indiana's law has expanded to include stationary recovery, utility service, solid waste haulers, road and street highway maintenance vehicles, as well as stationary survey or construction vehicles when displaying alternately flashing amber lights.
Putnamville State Police Post Commander Lieutenant David Cox stated, “Our mission during this project is to provide traffic and officer safety through proactive and aggressive enforcement of the move over law.”
It is the goal of the Indiana State Police to provide safe roadways for everyone to travel. Indiana State Police Putnamville Post encourages and hopes for voluntary compliance with traffic laws to ensure the safety of both the traveling motorist and safety professionals. Help the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post make a difference on our roadways!
Motorists that observe high-risk driving behavior, suspect impaired driving, or suspect criminal activity on our roadways are always encouraged to call 911 or call directly to the Indiana State Police at (765) 653-4114.
Corzine Pleads Guilty To Killing Jennifer Phelps
34 year old Ruben Corzine has entered an open plea of guilty to first degree murder in the 2020 stabbing death of Jennifer Phelps in Mt. Carmel. During a court appearance this morning in Wabash County Circuit Court,
According to public defender James Lane, Corzine chose to plead guilty to not put the victim’s family though a trial. Corzine will be sentenced on September 10th by Judge Kimbara Harrell and faces anywhere from 20 to 60 years in prison with no good day credits being available to shorten his prison term.
In explaining the evidence that would be brought to trial, State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman explained that on January 29th, 2020, Corzine stabbed the 41 year old Phelps 37 times at their home located at 909 Cherry Street in Mt. Carmel. Storckman said Corzine admitted to the killing during an interview with Mt. Carmel Police.
James Phelps is Jennifer’s father and he hopes Corzine get the maximum sentence…
Members of the Phelps family attended this morning’s court hearing most wearing blue t-shirts emblazoned with “Justice for Jennifer”.
Ruben Corzine is escorted back to the Wabash County Jail after pleading guilty to killing Jennifer Phelps.
MOUNT CARMEL EKS LODGE ANNOUNCES ESSAY WINNERS
Students in grades fifth through eighth in Wabash County were given the opportunity to participate in this year's Americanism Essay Contest, "How Can Patriotism Be Demonstrated?" sponsored by the Illinois Elks Association. Each Lodge throughout the State selected their "Top Three" essays in each Division - Division I: fifth and sixth grades; Division II: seventh and eighth grades, which were then submitted to the District for judging. Each District winner was then submitted to the State for judging. State winners were announced in May. There were no entries this year in seventh and eighth grades. Fifth and sixth grades had many essays submitted. First-place winner was awarded $50; Second-place winner was awarded $25; Third-place winner was awarded $15. Each winner was awarded a Certificate of Merit. The top 3 winning essays were submitted to the South Central District for District judging. Lodges in the District include: Carmi, Centralia, Fairfield, Flora, Lawrenceville, McLeansboro, Mount Carmel, Mount Vernon, Olney, and Salem.
Louise Acree, Americanism Chairman of the local Elks Lodge, was pleased to announce the local Lodge winners: First Place: Lane Alka-Mt. Carmel Grade School; Second Place: Isaiah Courter-Allendale School; Third Place: Kathryn Andrews-Allendale School.
Lane Alka received Second Place in the South Central District and was awarded a Certificate of Merit from the District.
Photo Caption: Elks Americanism Essay winners in this year's Contest were recently presented with their awards. Pictured are: Left: Isaiah Courter; Center: Kathryn Andrews; Right: Lane Alka.