On 11/26/21, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Joseph R. Funkhouser, age 41, of Mt. Carmel, for Domestic Battery following an incident at a residence in the 1400 block of West 3rd Street. Officers were called to the scene over allegations that Funkhouser had battered a family member during a dispute. Once officers spoke to all involved parties, probable cause was established for the arrest of Funkhouser. Funkhouser was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.
Location For Proposed Behavioral Health Center Moved
Plans are slowly but surely coming together for a new acute care behavioral health facility on Mt. Carmel’s west side. In February of last year, Dr. Maqbool Ahmed told the city council of the plans to build the $5 million 24 bed facility on Enterprise Lane. But those plans for a 24,000 square foot facility have changed according to mayor Joe Judge…
At the time of his presentation, Dr. Ahmed said the facility would create 50 new jobs in Mt. Carmel. His group operates a similar facility in Benton, Kentucky.
City Delivers Early Christmas Gift To Mt. Carmel Taxpayers
City of Mt. Carmel officials are delivering an early Christmas present to city property taxpayers. At last evening’s City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge said the city’s tax levy would be going down thanks to a frugal spending plan…
While other taxing bodies have set their tax levies at the maximum allowed without having a public hearing, Judge said the city is going the other direction….
Judge said it’s the first time in over 18 year that the city has approved a negative tax levy. He said while the decrease amounts to just $22,000 for city taxpayers, he said it’s an example of city government’s concerns to keep a line on spending. Taxing bodies have until the end of the year to submit their tax levies to the county clerk for 2021 taxes payable in 2022.
Drawings Held For MCPD Power Wheels Squad Cars
At this evening’s Mt. Carmel City Council meeting, the winners were drawn for the two Power Wheels MCPD replica squad cars. The raffle was a fundraiser for the Shop With A Cop/Fireman program for local youngsters. The winners drawn by Mayor Joe Judge were Bob Campbell and Barb Akers. Police Chief Mike McWilliams said $3,730 was raised from ticket sales and donations. Officer Erin Peach sold the most tickets among MCPD officers and will receive a $25 Subway gift card for her efforts. McWilliams said Peach intends to treat a couple of local students with the gift card.
Tickets remain on sale for the Mt. Carmel Fire Department replica Power Wheels fire truck. Tickets can be purchased at the fire station, from any firefighter, and will be available this Friday night at Christmas Uptown.
Warrant Service nets Meth, Marijuana and Three Arrests In Gibson County
Gibson County – Tuesday night, November 23, Indiana State Police received information concerning the possible whereabouts of Jalen Packer, 29, of Princeton. An arrest warrant had been issued for Packer for various drug related charges. Indiana State Police and Princeton Police responded to 310 South 4th Street in Princeton to attempt to locate and arrest Packer. After officers arrived at the residence, they detected a strong odor of marijuana. Officers knocked on the door, but nobody inside the residence would answer. While officers waited for a search warrant, Dustin Duncan, 28, and Kera Watt, 23, both from Princeton, exited the residence and were detained. After officers obtained the search warrant, they entered the residence and found Packer hiding inside the bathroom. Packer was arrested without further incident. A search of the residence revealed several baggies of marijuana, a baggie of meth, several baggies containing various pills, several items of drug paraphernalia, and a digital scale. After discovering the drug items, officers arrested Watt and Duncan. All three were transported to the Gibson County Jail where they are currently being held on bond.
Arrested and Charges:
Jalen S. Packer, 29, 244 S. Gibson Street, Princeton, IN
Possession of Meth, Level 6 Felony
Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor
Warrant for Possession of Meth, a Controlled Substance, and Marijuana.
Kera S. Watt, 23, 310 S. 4th Street, Princeton, IN
Possession of Meth, Level 6 Felony
Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
Dustin H. Duncan, 28, 329 S. 5th Avenue, Princeton, IN
Possession of Meth, Level 6 Felony
Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
Investigating Agency: Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section
Assisting Agencies: Princeton Police and Gibson County Sheriff’s Office
Jalen S. Packer, 29, 244 S. Gibson Street, Princeton, IN
Possession of Meth, Level 6 Felony
Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor
Warrant for Possession of Meth, a Controlled Substance, and Marijuana.
Kera S. Watt, 23, 310 S. 4th Street, Princeton, IN
Possession of Meth, Level 6 Felony
Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
Dustin H. Duncan, 28, 329 S. 5th Avenue, Princeton, IN
Possession of Meth, Level 6 Felony
Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
ISP INVESTIGATION LEADS TO MURDER CHARGES IN EDWARDS COUNTY
Carmi, IL- On Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, the Office of the Edwards County States Attorney Eric St. Ledger charged Steven S. Schmittler, a 56-year-old male of Grayville, Illinois with three counts of First-Degree Murder, one count of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, one count of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, and two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.
These charges resulted from a death investigation that occurred on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021 at approximately 2:04 a.m. in the 100 block of E. Sycamore Street in Grayville, IL. Schmittler was taken into custody on scene.
Schmittler remains in custody at the White County Jail. The incident was jointly investigated by the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) - Zone 8, Grayville Police Department, and the Edwards County States Attorney’s Office. No further information will be disseminated at this time.
State Targets Holiday Scofflaws Abusing Disability Parking at Malls Statewide
Secretary of State Jesse White announced that Secretary of State Police will be conducting parking stings at shopping malls statewide throughout the holiday season and ticketing individuals who illegally park in spaces reserved for persons with disabilities.
Secretary of State Police will enforce the provisions of the Parking Program for Persons with Disabilities at shopping centers on Black Friday in Schaumburg, Springfield and Fairview Heights as it marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Secretary of State Police will be enforcing the program in other areas of the state throughout the holiday season.
“Our mission is not to issue tickets, but to ensure that accessible parking spaces are available to those who need them,” said White. “Parking illegally in a space reserved for people with disabilities means a possible driver’s license suspension and a hefty fine, money which could otherwise be used on gifts. Remember, if you don’t belong there, don’t park there.”
Drivers caught misusing a placard face a six-month driver’s license suspension and a $600 fine. Repeat violators will face a one-year driver’s license suspension and a $750 fine for a second offense; for third or subsequent offenses, violators will face a $1,000 fine plus a one-year driver’s license revocation. The fine for parking in an accessible parking space without a disability placard or disability license plates can be up to $350. Using a deceased person’s placard or a fraudulent placard can result in a $2,500 fine and one-year revocation of a driver’s license.
Currently, there are 530,498 permanent placards; 34,965 meter-exempt placards; 50,721 disability plates; and 6,944 disabled veteran plates registered in Illinois.
Secretary White urges individuals to report abuse of parking spaces for people with disabilities by calling 217-785-0309. Callers should be prepared to report placard and license plate numbers, as well as the location of vehicles. People can also report abuse via the Secretary of State’s website at ilsos.gov and complete the Parking Program for Persons with Disabilities Abuse Complaint Form.
Indy Airport Expects a Surge in Holiday Travel
Officials at the Indianapolis Airport Authority are alerting air travelers to expect near pre-pandemic passenger traffic levels at the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) surrounding the Thanksgiving holiday.
While Transportation Safety Administration is staffed and prepared for the holiday surge, it anticipates more than 20 million passengers nationwide will file through security checkpoints. For Indianapolis, that is expected to translate to nearly 90,000 passengers, with peak outbound travel days of Saturday, Sunday and Monday reaching more than 15,000 passengers per day from Nov. 24 – 30.
Airport officials advise travelers to plan ahead, pack smart, and get to the airport early to help make their travel experience as smooth as possible.
Early morning flights (5 a.m. – 7 a.m.) are the most impacted and airport officials encourage travelers flying out during this timeframe to arrive at least two hours early.
TSA checkpoint A opens at 3:30 a.m. and checkpoint B opens at 4:15 a.m. Hoosiers can process through either TSA checkpoint and proceed to their gate. TSA PreCheck is only available on checkpoint A. Airline ticket counters opening time varies, but generally they open two hours before flight departure.
The Indy airport also strongly encourages travelers to sign up for TSA PreCheck at https://www.tsa.gov/precheck for a smoother screening process, which eliminates the need to remove shoes, belts, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops or light jackets. To help travelers pack smart, download the MyTSA app for access to the most frequently requested airport security information or use the helpful search feature on the TSA website to determine “What Can I Bring?” in a carry-on or checked bag.
Officers Approved For WGH Foundation Board
Kate Ackerman has been re-appointed to a new term on the Wabash General Hospital Foundation board. At their monthly meeting last night, the WGH board of directors approved the re-appointment in addition to the slate of foundation board officers for 2022. Dan Schonert will serve as chairman, while Ackerman will be vice-chair, and Reese Metcalf will serve as secretary-treasurer of the foundation board.
Suspicious Indiana Man Arrested By MCPD On Drug Charge & Warrants
On 11/21/21, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Jacob J. Braunecker, age 30, of Winslow, Indiana, for Possession of Methamphetamine Less than 10 grams and Possession of Controlled Substance along with two warrants out of Wabash County and Pike County Indiana. Officers were called to the area of 3rd Street and Lambert Drive regarding a suspicious male in the area who was walking around homes and appearing impaired. When officers arrived, they found the suspect in the 1100 block of West 3rd. After making contact, they determined Braunecker had the two active warrants for his arrest. When being placed under arrest, the officer located a clear bag with a crystalized substance, later field tested as methamphetamine, along with two other clear baggies containing a brownish white powder that field tested positive for Fentanyl. Braunecker claimed he was trying to contact a girlfriend that resides in the area but was unable to locate her. Braunecker was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.