Allendale School is proud to announce the November Students of the Month:
front row - Brantley Deisher (Kindergarten), Madisyn Weiss (1st Grade), Benjamin Snyder (2nd Grade), Colton McGee (4th Grade)
back row - Tristan Bray (Jr. High) and Kathryn Andrews (Jr. High)
not pictured - Grayson Wilford (3rd Grade)
The arrest of a ninth person for delivery of methamphetamine in Mt. Carmel is the result of a years long investigation. 60 year old David Reed of Mt. Carmel is the latest person to be arrested on a Wabash County warrant for meth delivery.
At Monday's city council meeting, police chief Mike McWilliams said the extensive narcotics investigation and subsequent arrests come from the hard work of detective Eddie Johnson and stretch back to McWilliams' and Ryan Turner's time as city detective. McWilliams said these arrests are important ones..
McWilliams said there are still active warrants for other suspects who he speculated may have skipped the area once the latest arrests began. He said, though, the warrants will be waiting on the individuals when, and if, they return to Mt. Carmel.
The new fiscal year for Wabash County government starts today and just in time for the start of the new fiscal year, county commissioners yesterday approved the new FY 21-22 budget. The new spending blueprint estimates $7.2 million in spending in addition to $2.2 million in income from the American Rescue Plan. Commissioner Tim Hocking said that while the county earmarked spending the $2.2 million in the upcoming budget, the county is not bound by that and in fact has up to four years to spend the money or return it to the federal government.
Commissioners yesterday also approved a $2.575 million levy for 2021 property taxes collected next year.
Wabash County’s jobless rate nudged up slightly last month according to the October figures released by the state’s department of employment security. Wabash County went from 3.3% in September to 3.5% last month. That’s still more than a point better than the 4.6% rate in October of 2020. Richland, Hamilton, and Randolph counties tied for the lowest rates in southern Illinois at 3.3% while the highest again was in Pulaski County at 6.9%.
Vigo County - Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation after receiving information from the Vigo County Department of Child Services that a child, under the age of 14, had been molested.
The investigation revealed that Kenneth M. Smithee, age 51, of Terre Haute, IN, allegedly molested a female juvenile under the age of 14.
After reviewing the investigation, the Vigo County Prosecutor’s Office issued an arrest warrant on November 29, 2021. Smithee was arrested this morning without incident.
Investigating Officer: Indiana State Police Senior Trooper Detective Don Curtis of the Putnamville Post.
Assisting Agency: Vigo County Department of Child Services and Susie’s Place.
Arrested and Charges: Kennedy M. Smithee, 51, Terre Haute, IN
Child Molesting where defendant is at least 21 years of age, Class 1 Felony (2 counts)
Child Molesting Fondling or Touching with child under 14, Class 4 Felony
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
WHAT: Two Vehicle Personal Injury Traffic Crash
WHERE: Illinois Route 14 at 900E, White County
WHEN: Nov. 29, 2021 at approximately 5:43 p.m.
VEHICLES: Unit 1- 2013 Red Dodge Stratus
Unit 2- 2000 Gold Buick Century
DRIVERS: Unit 1- Jesse Campbell, 83-year-old male from Mcleansboro, IL
Unit 2- Chelsey Smith, 35-year-old female from Fairfield, IL
PASSENGERS: Unit 1- Carolyn Campbell, 77-year-old female from Mcleansboro, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with minor injuries.
Unit 2- James Smith, 40-year-old make from Fairfield, IL
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 2 was traveling west on Illinois Route 14 near 900E in White County. Unit 1 was traveling west at the same location behind Unit 2. Unit 1 driver stated he looked away from the road briefly and struck the rear of Unit 2. The driver of Unit 1, driver of Unit 2 and passenger of Unit 2 reported no injuries. The passenger of Unit 1 was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with minor injuries. This crash remains under investigation and no further information is available at this time.
CHARGES: Pending
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by
Illinois State Police District 12
WHAT: Single Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash
WHERE: Interstate 57 northbound at milepost 126.5, Marion County
WHEN: Nov. 29, 2021 at approximately 7:17 p.m.
VEHICLE: Unit 1- 2002 Silver Chevrolet Venture Van
DRIVER: Unit 1-50-year-old male from Lawrenceville, GA – Deceased (pending next of kin notification).
PRELIMINARY: A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling north on Interstate 57 near milepost 126 in Marion County. The driver of Unit 1 left the road to the right, then re-entered the roadway and crossed both lanes and ran off the road to the left. Unit 1 went down an embankment and struck several trees before rolling onto the driver side. The driver of Unit 1 was pronounced deceased on scene by the Marion County Coroner. This crash is under investigation and no further information is available.
Knox County - November 29, 2021, the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section, and the Putnamville State Police Post A.C.E.S. (All Crimes Enforcement Section) arrested an Oaktown resident after conducting a drug investigation. ISP received information that Blaine Phipps, age 30, was dealing methamphetamine, narcotics, and marijuana in, and around, the Knox and Sullivan County area.
Troopers went to Phipps residence on Wolfe Avenue in Oaktown. Phipps gave consent for his residence to be searched. During the course of the residence being searched officers discovered two pounds of methamphetamine, one pound of marijuana, two and half pounds of K2, a sawed-off shotgun, numerous THC vape cartridges, and several prescription pills.
Once the investigation was complete, Putnamville troopers arrested Phipps and transported him to the Knox County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.
Arrested and Charges: Blaine Phipps, age 30, Oaktown
Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 3 Felony
Dealing Marijuana, Level 6 Felony
Dealing in a Schedule I Controlled Substance, Felony 6
Dealing in a Look Alike Substance, Felony 6
Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor
Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor
Anyone with information regarding illegal drugs is encouraged to contact the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post at 765-653-5272, all calls are confidential and could save a life.
On 11/27/21, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Dakota L. Hosick, age 23, of Mt Carmel, on a Wabash County Warrant for Failure to Appear. A public complaint about Hosick’s behavior in the 800 block of Oak Street led officers to Hosick. While checking on Hosick, it was determined he was wanted on the warrant. Hosick was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was held pending the posting of bond.
On 11/26/21, Mt. Carmel Police arrested David A. Reed, age 60, of Mt. Carmel, on a Wabash County Warrant for Delivery of Methamphetamine. The arrest is a result of MCPD’s ongoing investigation into the sale of methamphetamine within the City of Mt. Carmel. Reed was located at 4th & Elm Street where he was taken into custody. Reed was taken to the Wabash County Jail being held on a $3000 cash bond.