On 3/27/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Eric M. Swanson, age 35, of Mt. Carmel, for Domestic Battery, Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer and Disorderly Conduct, following an incident at the Shamrock Motel. Police were called to the scene by a witness who reported hearing a female screaming and what sounded like a dispute. Upon arrival, officers encountered Swanson exiting the room. Swanson attempted to leave the scene as the officer initiated his investigation into the complaint. Police detained Swanson at which time he became physically combative with police. Once secured, police found evidence indicating Swanson’s girlfriend had sustained a facial injury from him during the dispute. Swanson was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged accordingly. MCPD was assisted by the Illinois State Police and the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office.
Mt. Carmel Woman Arrested For Allegedly Shoplifting At Dollar General
On 3/27/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Crystal R. McGillem, age 43, of Mt. Carmel, for Retail Theft following an incident at Dollar General. Police were called to the store regarding a suspected shoplifter who had allegedly been observed placing items inside of her purse. Officers made contact with McGillem leaving the store, where it was discovered, she had taken approximately $31.00 with of merchandise unlawfully. McGillem was charged accordingly and later released on a Notice to Appear in court.
Mt. Carmel Man Picked Up On FTA Warrant
On 3/24/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Dereck L. Cross, age 44, of Mt. Carmel, on a Wabash County Warrant for Failure to Appear. The arresting officer recognized Cross, confirmed the validity of the warrant, and made contact at 1st & Walnut Street. Cross was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued the warrant and held pending the posting of bond.
WGH Board Remembers Jay Purvis
The beginning of Monday evening’s Wabash General Hospital board of directors meeting was spent remembering the life of former WGH President/CEO Jay Purvis who passed away last week in North Carolina at the age of 81. Following a moment of silence, board chairperson Toni Brines said Purvis led the way in Wabash General’s growth and expansion over the past decade plus….
William Easton was board chairman while Purvis was at WGH and he said Jay had a velvet glove…
After working with him for 18 years, Karissa Turner took over as President/CEO upon Purvis’s retirement at the end of 2018.
During Purvis’s time as President/CEO, Wabash General’s growth included becoming Wabash County’s largest employer, establishing a scholarship program for local students, starting the orthopedic and sports medicine department that included the recruitment of Dr. Julko Fullop, and envisioning the new medical office building that opened last year. A private service for Jay Purvis will be held at a later date.
Patoka man arrested on Battery and Strangulation charges.
On March 29, 2023, at 12:25 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a disturbance in the 400 block of West Vine Street in Patoka, Indiana. Upon arriving Sergeant John Fischer with the assistance of the Princeton Police Department began an investigation into the incident. At the conclusion of his investigation Sgt. Fischer placed 41 year old Eric Barcelo of Patoka into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail Mr. Barcelo was charged with Battery in the Presence of a Child and Strangulation. He remains in custody on a $750 bond.
Assisting Sgt. Fischer in his investigation was Princeton Officers Ben Kiesel and Zach Strickland. Also assisting was Sheriff Bruce Vanoven
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Mt. Carmel Woman Arrested By ECSO On Drug Charges
Arrest occurred Sunday evening….
Gibson County Sheriff's Office employees save suicidal subject
On Sunday, March 26, 2023, at approximately 4:30 p.m. Corrections Officer Wyatt Lashbrook was working in the Gibson County Central Dispatch Center observing cameras that monitored the actions of the inmates. While observing the cameras Officer Lashbrook observed an inmate attempt to commit suicide. At that point Corrections Officer Wyatt Lashbrook alerted Communications Officers and immediately left his post to rescue the inmate. Communications Officer James Griswold and Community Corrections Officer Lucas Odom arrived on scene and was able to detain the inmate and assess his physical condition. The inmate was placed on a protective watch and the medical staff contracted by the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office were notified of the incident.
Assisting the aforementioned officers in this incident was Corrections Officer Cody Lashbrook.
Corrections Officer Wyatt Lashbrook
Communications Officer James Griswold
Community Corrections Officer Lucas Odom
Corrections Officer Cody Lashbrook
Bi-State Agreement Paves the Way for New Ohio River Bridge
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – A bi-state agreement between Indiana and Kentucky means the I-69 Ohio River Crossing (ORX) that will connect Evansville, Indiana and Henderson, Kentucky is a step closer to reality. The states have signed an initial Memorandum of Agreement to allow preliminary development and financial planning to move forward for ORX Section 2, the new river crossing.
“The Crossroads of America is more than a motto for Indiana. It’s a mission,” said Gov. Eric J. Holcomb. “That’s why it’s so important to see this generational project progressing forward. Our goal is to improve connectivity for all Hoosiers, and we know strong infrastructure puts us in an even stronger position for economic development and continued successes. Connecting our states will improve the region and make a difference for Hoosiers for decades to come.”
ORX Section 2 Initial Phase
This initial phase of the project will focus on preliminary engineering services, cost estimates, right-of-way plans, traffic and revenue forecasting, and other services to support a future Bi-State Development Agreement for ORX Section 2, a key next step for the project.
“Completing this important interstate connection has been a top priority for my administration,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “This agreement is a critical first step that will move us closer to construction. Bridging communities brings states together, and it opens the door to new economic opportunities. That’s why it’s so gratifying to see momentum on another Ohio River crossing in our state. Two transformational projects are moving forward with the Brent Spence companion bridge in northern Kentucky and now ORX in western Kentucky.”
The preliminary engineering services include pursuing grant opportunities and other financial planning to identify opportunities to accelerate the project timeline.
A request for proposal (RFP) for engineering services to support the initial phase of the project was posted March 14. Responses are due April 5 with a consultant expected to be selected by the end of April. Work is anticipated to begin this summer.
Both KYTC and INDOT will have representatives on the bi-state management team. KYTC will administer the contract and the states will evenly divide costs for the project. Those costs are expected to be around $3 million.
ORX: Delivering a Mega-Project
I-69 ORX is divided into three sections for project delivery. Construction on ORX Section 1, the Kentucky approach, started in summer 2022 and is expected to be complete by the end of 2025. It’s being led by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC).
ORX Section 2 is a bi-state project that includes the new river crossing. Construction is currently scheduled to begin in 2027 and be complete in 2031. Opportunities will be explored to accelerate the project.
ORX Section 3, the Indiana approach, is expected to let this fall with construction expected to begin in early 2024. Work is expected to be complete in 2026. It’s being led by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT).
Illinois State Scholars At MCHS Named
Illinois State Scholars
MCHS is pleased to announce their Illinois State Scholars. These top performing students are selected annually based on their SAT exams and sixth semester class rank and are recognized for their exceptional academic achievement. Illinois State Scholars rank in approximately the top ten percent of graduates from Illinois high schools.
Emma Banks
J.D. Bowser
Owen Doughtery
Lillian Gottman
Ava Harrington
Elijah Howton
Molly Rafferty
Elijah Sherman
Alexia Stevens
Savannah Zimmerman
Mt. Carmel Woman Gets 5 Years In DOC On Burglary Charge
Kelli Storckman, Wabash County State’s Attorney, reports that Addasyn Wallbaum, a 27- year old Mt. Carmel, Illinois woman, was sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections by the Honorable Circuit Judge William C. Hudson in Wabash County Circuit Court. State’s Attorney Storckman advises that the Defendant was charged August 8, 2022 with Residential Burglary, a Class 1 Felony. On March 27, 2023, Ms. Wallbaum was sentenced to 5 years in the Department of Corrections, to be followed by one year parole.
FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF OFFENSE:
That on the 30th day of July 2022, in Wabash County, Illinois, Defendant, ADDASYN G. WALLBAUM, committed the offense of RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY, in that she knowingly and without authority entered the residence and dwelling of XXXXXXX, located at XXXX W. 5th Street, Mt. Carmel, Wabash County, Illinois, with the intent to commit therein a felony, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/19-3(a). A CLASS 1 FELONY
This Statement of Facts is respectfully submitted in accordance with 730 ILCS 5/5-4- 1(d), this 27th day of March, 2023.
