Wabash County Highway Engineer Dustin Bunting reported to county commissioners Monday that the 10-ton posting for county oil and chip roads is still in effect. Updated information on any changes is always available by calling the highway department.
Drug Trial Of Mt. Carmel Man Resumes Today
The drug trial of 61-year-old John Dardeen resumes today in Wabash County Circuit Court. The Mt. Carmel man is charged with a Class 2 felony of meth delivery of more than 5 grams.
After a 12-person jury with two alternates was seated Monday, yesterday’s proceedings were delayed after Dardeen failed to show up for the 9am start. After waiting for more than an hour and 15 minutes, Judge William Hudson ordered opening arguments to begin at which time Dardeen arrived.
State’s attorney Kelli Storckman called Sgt. Anthony Johnson to testify how he used a confidential source to buy meth from Dardeen on two separate occasions. Two other State Police employees testified as to testing the substances the source bought from Dardeen.
Storckman’s final witness was the source who testified to buying the alleged meth from Dardeen with the help of the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force. Storckman then showed jurors two videos of the undercover operation and the alleged purchases of the drug.
At the conclusion of the videos, Storckman rested her case and Hudson recessed the trial until this morning at which time attorney Rhonda Blades will begin presenting the defense’s case.
Dardeen was arrested last March and remains free after posting a $2,000 cash bond.
City Council Shoots Down Class Of 2026 Fundraiser
The Mt. Carmel City Council has formally flushed a proposal for a unique fundraiser for the MCHS Class of 2026. Two weeks ago, parent representatives of the current freshman class asked the council’s approval for a “prom potty” fundraiser in which money would be raised by putting a decorated toilet in local yards for a 24-hour period during March and April. The recipient of the toilet would have been notified and given the option of not having it placed in their yard. Signage would have accompanied the toilet clearly indicating it was a fundraiser. Last month’s initial proposal was tabled until the council’s regular meeting yesterday. But commissioners Susan Zimmerman and Eric Ikemire reiterated their initial resistance saying it violated a city ordinance banning construction materials, including toilets, from being in city yards. Here’s Ikemire….
Commissioner Tom Meeks, who attended the meeting via telephone, said the opposition was off base…
But, Meeks’ comments fell on deaf ears as his motion to approve the fundraiser died for a lack of a second from Ikemire, Zimmerman, and commissioner Justin Dulgar who was also against the plan, effectively flushing the novel fundraiser down the toilet.
Wabash One Of Just 5 Illinois Counties At Elevated COVID Level
WABASH COUNTY IS NOW ONE OF JUST FIVE ILLINOIS COUNTIES THAT ARE AT AN ELEVATED RISK FOR COVID TRANSMISSION. NO COUNTIES ARE CONSIDERD AT HIGH RISK, AND JUST WABASH, HANCOCK, SCOTT, JOHNSON, AND MASSAC ARE RATED AT A MEDIUM LEVEL OF TRANSMISSION. THAT'S DOWN FROM 20 COUNTIES THE PREVIOUS WEEK. STILL, STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR DOCTOR SAMEER VOHRA URGES PEOPLE TO GET THE LATEST COVID BOOSTER, WHICH WILL PROVIDE SOME PROTECTION AGAINST RECENT VARIANTS. ONLY 19 PERCENT OF THE OVERALL POPULATION HAS DONE THIS, BUT NEARLY HALF OF THOSE 65 AND OLDER HAVE RECEIVED THE SHOT.
YOU CAN FIND A VACCINATION SITE NEAR BY VISITING THE WEBSITE: VACCINES DOT GOV. LAST WEEK...GOVERNOR J-B PRITZKER ANNOUNCED THAT THE STATE'S PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY FOR COVID WILL END IN MAY.
Oakland City man arrested on battery charge
On February 3, 2023, at 10:37 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a disturbance at the Eagles Bar located at 211 E Washington Street in Oakland City. Multiple officers were dispatched to the scene and upon arriving Deputy Logan Lashbrook began an investigation into the incident. Upon speaking all parties involved in the incident 39 year old Christopher Dyer of Oakland City was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Battery. He has since posted a $750 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Oakland City man arrested on DUI charge
On Saturday February 4, 2023, at 6:54 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 call from a citizen reporting that 52 year old Shawn Semeniuk of Oakland City had taken a dark colored Chevy Pickup with Texas plates without the owner’s permission. Gibson County Dispatch put a Be On the Look Out for the vehicle and Oakland City Officer Wyatt Hunt located and stopped the vehicle on Interstate 69 near State Road 68. Deputy Logan Lashbrook arrived on scene and began a roadside investigation where he spoke with Mr. Semeniuk about the allegations. While speaking with Mr. Semeniuk Deputy Lashbrook detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage on the driver and began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of the roadside investigation Deputy Lashbrook transported Mr. Semeniuk to Deaconess Gibson Hospital where he submitted to a chemical test. Upon receiving the results of the test Mr. Semeniuk was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated With a Prior. Mr. Semeniuk was also written citations for No Valid Operator’s License and an Open Container Violation. He remains in custody on a $750 bond.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Evansville man arrested on DUI and HTV charges
On February 5, 2023, at 1:16 a.m. Deputy Garrett Tuley conducted a traffic stop on a Silver 2017 Cadillac after observing the vehicle fail to maintain its lane of travel on US 41 near Fort Branch. Upon conducting the stop on US 41 near Sinclair Street Deputy Tuley identified the driver as 43 year old Michael Wright of Evansville. While speaking with Mr. Wright Deputy Tuley observed multiple clues that indicated Mr. Wright may be under the influence of Alcohol and Marijuana. At that point Deputy Tuley began a roadside DUI investigation. During the investigation Deputy Tuley ran Mr. Wright through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles and it was revealed that Mr. Wright had been operating his vehicle while a Habitual Traffic Violator. At the end of Deputy Tuley’s investigation Mr. Wright was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated With a Prior and Driving While Suspended/ Habitual Traffic Violator. He remains in custody on a $1250 bond.
Assisting Deputy Tuley in his investigation was Princeton Police Officer Ben Kiesel.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Vincennes Man Arrested for Dealing Methamphetamine
Knox County – Friday morning, February 3, at approximately 1:50 a.m., Trooper Hurley stopped a vehicle in an alley south of 14th Street and Nicholas Street in Vincennes for a driver’s license violation. As soon as the vehicle stopped, the front seat passenger opened the passenger door and fled north between two houses. The driver of the vehicle was detained. Moments later, Vincennes Police located a male running from the traffic stop. The male was identified as Jimmy Eaton, 47, of Vincennes. Officers received information Eaton had allegedly eaten a bag of methamphetamine while running away from the traffic stop. He was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes. A search of a hollow book that Eaton had in the vehicle contained approximately six grams of suspected methamphetamine, five plastic bags of suspected methamphetamine, 31 small empty baggies, two scales, 10 syringes, and one pill. Eaton was treated and released from the hospital and taken to the Knox County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.
The driver was cited for operating a vehicle without a driver’s license and released.
Arrested and Charges:
Jimmy Eaton, 47, Vincennes, IN
Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 3 Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
Possession of Syringes, Level 6 Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance, Class A Misdemeanor
5 outstanding warrants
Arresting Officer: Trooper Hurley, Indiana State Police
Assisting Officers: Troopers Buchanan, Roberts, and Cummings
Assisting Agency: Vincennes Police
Mt. Carmel City Council Agenda
AGENDA
CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, February 6, 2023 at 4:00 pm
· Call to Order
o Pledge of Allegiance
o Roll Call
· Approve Minutes
o Minutes of meeting held 1/23/2023
· Visitors (topic discussed by visitor(s) is limited to 5 minutes)
· Reports and Communications
o Mayor Judge
o Commissioner Meeks Streets, Cemeteries and Parks
o Commissioner Ikemire Finance and Senior Citizens
o Commissioner Dulgar Water and Sewer
o Commissioner Zimmerman Fire, Health & Safety, City Hall and Garbage
· Staff Reports
o Ryan Turner Derek McCullough Paris Pennington
o Michael McWilliams Francis Speth Mike Gidcumb
New Business
o Consent Agenda
§ Pay all bills providing proper signature
o Removal of items from the Consent Agenda
· Executive Session
· Motion to Adjourn
· Liquor Control Meeting-
Pair Arrested On FTA Warrants Following Domestic Investigation
On 01.29.23 the Wabash County Sheriff's Office responded to 5952 N. 1400 Blvd reference a possible domestic in progress. When the deputy arrived on scene it was determined that this was a verbal domestic and no one had been harmed. During the process of the domestic violence investigation, it was found that two household members had outstanding Wabash County FTA warrants. 24-year-old John A. Slunder and 63-year-old Angela M. Story were taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Both Story and Slunder posted $200 cash and were released.
