Indiana Judge Arrested On Domestic Battery Charge

Crawford County, IN-Today, an Indiana State Police investigation has led to the arrest of Sabrina Bell,  the Crawford County Circuit Court Judge. These charges stemmed from an incident that occurred in Crawford County on April 12, 2022. 

After completing a thorough investigation into the incident, Detectives from the Indiana State Police Special Investigations Section presented an affidavit to a Special Judge assigned to the case who found that probable cause existed for the arrest of Bell on a Level 6 Felony Charge of Domestic Battery in the Presence of a Child Less than 16 Years Old.

Bell was booked into the Crawford County Jail and has since been released on pre-trial conditions.

No further information is available at this time.

All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law

Newton Man Killed In One Car Crash

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:                   North 775th Street at County Road 1200 North, Jasper County

 

WHEN:                      May 11, 2022 at approximately 7 p.m.

  

VEHICLE:                Unit 1 – 2009 Silver Buick Sedan

 

DRIVER:                   Unit 1 – Jarrett S. Zumbahlen, 24-year-old male of Newton, IL – Deceased

                                   

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling northbound on North 775th Street at County Road 1200 North, Jasper County.  For unknown reasons, Unit 1 left the roadway to the right and struck a large tree.  The driver of Unit 1 was pronounced deceased on scene by the Jasper County Coroner.  The roadway was closed for approximately 2 hours.  This is an open and on-going investigation and no further information is available at this time. 

After Delays, Farmers Making Up For Lost Time

Now that the weather has finally turned warmer and dryer, area farmers have wasted little time in getting crops into the ground. On yesterday’s Valley Update, certified crop analyst Mike Wilson was genuinely impressed with the progress made in a short amount of time…. 

In addition to the corn, Wilson said farmers are also making steady progress in planting soybeans. 

New Law Says Schools Can't Hold Diplomas Because Of Unpaid Fees

TONIGHT KICKS OFF A BIG WEEKEND FOR SENIORS AT MT. CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL AS HONORS NIGHT WILL BE HELD TONIGHT AND GRADUATION IS SET FOR SATURDAY MORNING. AND A NEW STATE LAW WILL ENSURE PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, SUCH AS THOSE AT MCHS, AREN'T NEGATIVELY AFFECTED BY ANY OUTSTANDING FEES. THE BILL WAS SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE JOYCE MASON OF GURNEE, WHO SAYS STUDENTS SHOULDN'T BE DENIED THEIR GRADES, TRANSCRIPTS OR DIPLOMAS.  

PREVIOUSLY, DIPLOMAS AND TRANSCRIPTS COULD BE HELD AS PUNISHMENT FOR NOT PAYING UP. THE NEW LAW TAKES EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.  

Council Ponders Future of 13th & Chestnut Stop Sign

What, if anything, should be done with the stop sign at 13th and Chestnut Street near Wabash General Hospital. City Clerk Ryan Turner told the council that with the new medical office building and associated renovations, the stop sign heading toward the elementary school can’t be seen by motorists. And since it can’t be seen by motorists, Turner said police can’t write a ticket if a driver doesn’t stop. The city council discussed removing both east and west bound stop signs on 13th while leaving the one on Chestnut. Turner said even though there’s a flashing red light at the intersection of 13th and College, flashing stop signs may be installed in the future to increase safety. A decision on the stop signs are expected at the council’s next meeting.

Change Causes Less Weedeating For City Crews

There’s been a change to the way city workers work this summer, according to street commissioner Tom Meeks…. 

Meeks said bids will again be sought to do work in the alley next to Big Jon’s on Chestnut Street; in the area of 11th and Chesnut Streets; and on Pear Street north of the high school. The city council scrapped that work last year after bids came in too high. It’s hoped bids will be more reasonable this year. 

City Seeking Bids For New MCFD Pumper Truck


The process has started to replace Mt. Carmel’s 25 year old pumper truck. Mayor Joe Judge said he has been meeting with fire chief Francis Speth to discuss funding sources to pay for the cost of the new truck that could be as much as $700,000. Judge said Speth is tailoring the bid specs to fit what is needed locally… 

Judge said while the city might not be ready to immediately move forward with purchasing a new pumper truck, having the bid will allow the city to quickly submit an application should any grant opportunities become available. 

City Hoping To Turn Water Plant Building Into Job Accelerator

Mt. Carmel officials are hoping to preserve the building that currently houses the city’s water plant on South Cherry Street. The city is in the process of building a new water plant, but it’s hoped the historic brick structure that has housed the city’s water operations for decades doesn’t have to be torn down. With that mind, Mayor Joe Judge said an application will be submitted for a Rural Innovative Strong Economies grant. The RISE program is designed to stimulate economic activity through a variety of means including job accelerators…  

The city could receive up to $2 million through the RISE program.  

WSJD File Photo

VCSO Official Release: Alabama Fugitives Arrested in Vanderburgh County

DATE: May 10, 2022
SUBJECT: Alabama Fugitives Arrested in Vanderburgh County
RELEASE NUMBER: 2022-NR-0510
CONTACT: Sheriff Dave Wedding
AUTHORITY: Sheriff Dave Wedding

Yesterday, law enforcement personnel from the Evansville Police Department, Indiana State Police, United States Marshals Service, and the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office began surveilling a local hotel near US 41 and Yokel Road after information lead them to believe that Alabama fugitives Casey White and Vicky White were in the area. The outlaw couple led law enforcement on a several minute long pursuit in a Cadillac that they purchased during their stay in Evansville.  The pursuit traveled north on US 41 from the hotel before entering the property of Anchor Industries. Once the Cadillac entered an open field adjacent to the parking lot, one of the pursuing law enforcement vehicles made contact with the Whites’ Cadillac in order to prevent them from fleeing any further. The Cadillac came to rest in a ditch near the roadway. It was at that time that a single shot was fired originating within the Cadillac causing serious injury to Vicky White. Casey White was taken into custody without any resistance. Aid was immediately rendered to Vicky by on- scene personnel, but she was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. A full autopsy is scheduled for this afternoon by the Vanderburgh County Coroner, but it appears that the injury was self-inflicted. Casey White was treated for minor injuries and transported from the scene for questioning.

During the interview with investigators, Casey White indicated that he envisioned a “suicide by cop” style shootout with police; however, that plan was foiled when the law enforcement vehicle made contact with the Cadillac. Inside of the Cadillac, investigators located four additional loaded handguns, a loaded  AR-15 style rifle, extra magazines for each weapon, and a duty belt (equipped with handcuffs, a TASER, and handcuffs), a large sum of cash, and camping/ survival gear (see below images). Casey White was booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail for his outstanding warrant from the State of Alabama. White appeared in Vanderburgh County Superior Court this morning where he waived his rights of extradition. Information pertaining to the transportation of Casey White will not be released by the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office. “The daily or hourly activities of this fugitive couple might take weeks or months to sort through, but the critical part of this case for the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has been settled. Two dangerous criminals have been captured and no innocent civilians or law enforcement personnel were seriously injured during the process.” – Sheriff Dave Wedding