Meeting in special session this evening, the Wabash District #348 school board adopted the Student COVID-19 Testing Policy that is posted below. The policy passed on a 7-0 vote with all board members in attendance at the special meeting.
Owensville man arrested on battery charge
On September 22, 2021, at 3:09 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 call from the 5000 block of South 700 West reporting a disturbance at a residence. Upon arriving at the residence Deputy Brian Naas began an investigation into the call. During the investigation Deputy Naas with the assistance of Captain Bryan Ellis and Owensville Town Marshal Rodger Leister spoke with all parties at the scene. At that point Deputy Naas went to a residence in Owensville and spoke with 19-year-old Jacob Beshears about the incident and collected his statement. Deputy Naas then placed Mr. Beshears into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Battery. He has since posted a $550 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Fog Sealing To Start Next Week In Mt. Carmel
Fog Seal program will start on the roads that were Oil & Chipped in the City of Mount Carmel. This will start Thursday September 30th and continue Friday October 1st, and Monday October 4th. We will be fog sealing starting on the Northern most roads and working our way south. Expect road closures during the drying process of the fog seal.
The following roads are scheduled for Fog Seal.
• Kieffer Ave to 400 feet west
• Lot 18 Norman Dr to Lot 14 Cherry Hill Dr.
• Fred Drive from Cherry Hill Dr. to South End
• Norman drive from Kieffer Ave. to West End
• Evergreen Lane from Sarah to 200 feet North
• Sarah Dr from Debra Dr to Michael Ave
• Michael Ave from Patrick Pl. to David Ave
• Pear St. from 9th St. to 4th St.
• 7th St. from Poplar St. to 250 feet West
• Elm from 5th St. to 4th St.
• Ash from 6th St. to 4th St.
• Hackberry St. from 5th St. to 3rd St.
• Daniel St. from 2nd St. to Ficklin St.
• Cherry St from 2nd St. to McDowell St.
• Hydraulic Ave from Stein St. to levee
• Golden Aces Way from Hydraulic Ave to 5th St.
• 4th St. from Golden Aces Way to West End
• 4th St. from Golden Aces Way to Levee
Work To Affect Oak Street Traffic Today
City engineer Dave Dallas tells us that Poplar Street at the Oak Street intersection will be closed today from 9am to 2pm for road work and Oak Street at College Drive will be restricted to one lane of traffic today from 9 until 11am as concrete is poured.
Dallas said the work at Poplar and Oak will be completed by the time the grade school is dismissed this afternoon.
Trooper Recovers Stolen Truck, Trailer and Two Lawn Mowers after Brief Chase
Knox County – Thursday night, September 23, at approximately 11:40 p.m., Trooper Roberts received information regarding a stolen truck pulling a trailer with two riding lawn mowers traveling north on US 41 south of Vincennes. The truck, trailer and lawn mowers were reported stolen from Owensboro, KY. Trooper Roberts observed the stolen vehicle on US 41 and attempted to stop it, but the driver refused and continued north on US 41. Moments later, the truck crashed on US 41 at Willow Street and the driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot. No other vehicles were involved in the crash. A perimeter was set up and a Knox County Sheriff’s K-9 unit searched the area and discovered the driver hiding behind a building located on Old Decker Road. The driver was identified as Bobby Ray Miller, 31, of Lake Station, IN. Miller was arrested without further incident and taken to Good Samaritan Hospital where further investigation revealed Miller was under the influence of cocaine. Miller is currently being held on bond in the Knox County Jail.
Arrested and Charges:
Bobby Ray Miller, 31, Lake Station, IN
Auto Theft, Level 5 Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement, Level 6 Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
Driving While Suspended Class A Misdemeanor
Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
Arresting Officer: Trooper Douglas Roberts, Indiana State Police
Assisting Officer: Trooper C.J. Boeckman, Indiana State Police
Assisting Agencies: Vincennes Police and Knox County Sheriff’s Office
Today's The Day For Reduced Hours And Move For Mt. Carmel's Recycling Center
Mt. Carmel’s recycling center will move back to its’ original location today. City officials repeatedly warned those using the recycling center that putting items not accepted into the recycling bins could caused an adjustment to its’ operation.
Going forward, the recycling center will be open just three days a week on Mondays and Fridays from 7:30 to 3 and Saturday from 9 to 3. The recycling center is moving from Railroad Street where it had once been open 6 days a week to the city dump on Golden Aces Way.
Mayor Joe Judge has said the city was charged close to $1,000 every time Republic rejected the recycling bins because it contained unaccepted materials.
WSD File Photo: The City’s recycling center on Railroad Street is moving today to its’ former location at the City Dump on Golden Aces Way.
Judge Denies Corzine's Request To Reconsider Murder Sentence
34 year old Ruben Corzine, who was sentenced to 50 years in prison earlier this month for murdering Jennifer Phelps, was back in Wabash County Circuit Court yesterday asking the judge to reconsider his sentence.
Corzine had sent a letter to Judge Kimbara Harrell asking to be resentenced and be allowed to make a statement of allocution to express remorse for the January 2020 murder at the couple’s Cherry Street home.
Corzine was afforded the chance to make a statement at his September 10th sentencing, but declined claiming anxiety prevented him from speaking. Over the objection of state’s attorney Kelli Storckman, Harrell allowed Corzine to speak to the family members in attendance in the Wabash County courtroom. In his brief statement, Corzine apologized for stabbing Phelps 37 times saying he never meant that to happen. He said he hoped family members found it in their hearts to forgive him.
After the statement, Harrell denied Corzine’s request to reconsider the sentencing of which he’ll have to serve 100% of the 50 years.
On July 15th, Corzine pled guilty to first degree murder but during this month’s sentencing, Harrell changed the plea from guilty to guilty but mentally ill. That will allow the Mt. Carmel man to receive treatment for mental issues while in prison.
After the hearing, he was taken back to the Wabash County Jail where he is awaiting transfer to the Department of Corrections.
WSJD File Photo: Ruben Corzine is led back to the Wabash County Jail on July 15th after pleading guilty to 1st degree murder.
Indiana State Police Encourage Safe Travels During Fall Harvest
Harvest season is here and for some that means visiting pumpkin patches and apple orchards, but we want to remind motorists that harvest season also means farmers will begin harvesting this year’s corn and soybean crops. That means more slow-moving agricultural equipment will be traveling on Indiana’s rural roads and highways. We want to remind everyone to stay alert and be courteous to ensure we all get home safely.
“Fall is one of my favorite seasons of the year, and I know for many others it's their favorite, too. While traveling along our rural roads I often come across tractors, grain wagons and combines traveling between fields to harvest their crops,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch. “I want to encourage all motorists to slow down, be patient and be on high alert for agricultural equipment on our roads this harvest season.”
In 2019 in Indiana, farm equipment vehicles (other than trucks) were involved in three accidents, with one fatality, according to the National Highway Traffic Administration.
“Harvest season is a busy time for both farmers and motorists, I want to remind everyone to slow down and be courteous on our rural roads and highways,” said Bruce Kettler, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. “Slow moving farm equipment typically travels at 25 miles per hour or less, so be sure to exercise caution when approaching.”
Farm equipment during harvest season could include tractors, combines, grain carts, grain wagons and large trucks hauling agricultural products. These vehicles are wide, sometimes taking up most of the road, and often travel at speeds no greater than 25 mph.
The following list includes several safety tips for motorists approaching large farm equipment:
Farmers will pull over when they are able to let motorists pass, but it may take time for them to get to a safe place to do so.
Be patient. Farm equipment is wide, sometimes taking up most of the road.
Be careful when passing. Do not pass in a designated “No Passing Zone” or within 100 feet of any intersection, railroad grade crossing, bridge, elevation structure or tunnel.
Do not try to pass a slow-moving vehicle on the left without ensuring that the vehicle is not planning a left turn. It may appear that the driver is pulling over for you to pass when it is actually preparing to turn. You will drive right into its path, endangering yourself and the farmer.
Avoid tailgating, as some farm equipment might have to make sudden stops along the road.
Allow plenty of time to get to a destination, be aware of alternate routes and avoid distractions.
“Despite encouraging motorists and farmers alike to take extra precaution on roadways during harvest season, crashes still occur every year,” said Doug Carter, Indiana State Police Superintendent. “One death is one too many. I want to remind everyone to remain alert and exercise caution as you travel on Indiana’s rural roads this fall.”
For a list of safety tips, click here or visit isda.in.gov. The following organizations will be working together to share this important safety message during planting season: Hoosier Ag Today, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Transportation and Indiana State Police.
Effort Underway To Spark Interest In Engineering Careers
In an effort to address a growing need for engineers in Illinois, several infrastructure groups have joined to create additional interest in the field.
The American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois is partnering with several agencies, including the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers and the Illinois State Tollway Highway Authority to highlight the need for more engineers across the state.
Kevin Artl, president and CEO of the ACEC, said the need for engineers has been evident for years.
“There is an engineer shortage today and looking out for 10 or 20 years in the future there is going to be engineer shortages,” said Artl.
The industry partners and state agencies jointly produced an informational video that will be available to all schools for career day presentations, STEM events so students can better understand the opportunities available to them in the engineering field. The video explains that engineering jobs don’t only exist in big cities but in communities big and small across Illinois.
Civil engineer and ACEC board member Laura McGovern said 10 of the 17 highest paying careers in the country are in engineering.
“We’re solving problems, we’re fixing problems, we’re keeping the world going, and so it is a great career that really pays off well,” McGovern said.
According to ZipRecruiter, the starting pay for an entry-level engineer is between $31,000 and $55,000 a year.
Artl said with Illinois’ $45 billion capital investment plan and the massive national infrastructure program being talked about, it is guaranteed there will be jobs for engineers.
“It is a talking point but it truly is right now a generational investment, so there are going to be jobs emerging in this sector for decades,” Artl said.
#348 School Board To Hold Special Meeting Friday To Discuss COVID Policy
The Wabash District #348 school board will meet in special session tomorrow evening to consider a policy that would cover the rules and mechanism in COVID-testing of students and athletes.
The new policy is the result of concerns expressed at this week’s school board meeting regarding testing of athletes that took place Monday, most without the knowledge or consent of parents. Board member Ryan Peter asked those in charge of drafting the testing policy to keep one thing in mind….
Peter said at Monday’s meeting, neither the IHSA nor IDPH have any rules or penalties covering students who refuse to take a test. Friday’s special meeting takes place at 5pm at the grade school.
