On April 18, 2023, at 11:16 a.m. Sergeant Roger Ballard was dispatched to 2507 East 50 North in reference to a residential alarm coming from the garage. Upon arriving on scene Sergeant Ballard observed multiple vehicles in the driveway and an open garage door. At that point Sergeant Ballard approached the open garage and announced himself as a law enforcement officer and got no response. Sergeant Ballard then entered the garage and observed individuals using drugs. At that point Sergeant Ballard called for backup and upon their arrival the scene was secured while a search warrant was obtained. Once the search warrant was served 63 year old Timothy McGillem of Fort Branch and 53 year old James Schupp of Princeton were taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail.
Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. McGillem was charged with Possession of Paraphernalia. Mr. McGillem has since posted a $450 bond. Mr. Schupp was charged with Possession of Methamphetamines. 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.
Evansville man arrested for traveling 104 mph in a 60 mph zone on US 41
On April 18, 2023, at 8:46 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Logan Lashbrook observed a Blue 2005 Chrysler Pacifica traveling 104 mph on US 41 near State Road 64. Upon stopping the vehicle at US 41 and County Road 100 North Deputy Lashbrook began a roadside investigation. Upon approaching the driver Deputy Lashbrook identified him as 42 year old Miguel Bravo of Evansville. After a brief investigation Mr. Bravo was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Reckless Driving, Operating a Vehicle While Never Licensed, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia. Mr. Bravo remains in custody on an outside agencies hold.
Assisting Deputy Lashbrook in his investigation was Princeton Officers Jason Swan and Travis Lashbrook.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Traffic Stop Results In Drug Charge For Mt. Carmel Woman
On 4/17/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Theresa R. Strockbine, age 55, of Mt. Carmel, for Possession of a Controlled Substance following a traffic stop on a black Lincoln at 4th & Chestnut. During the stop, Officer Hopper and his K-9 Eleven arrived and conducted a free air narcotic sniff around the exterior of the Lincoln. In doing so, Eleven alerted to the presence of narcotics resulting in a search of the vehicle. The search led to officers locating a Schedule IV controlled substance Alprazolam and evidence that other narcotics had been in the vehicle. Strockbine was charged and released on a Notice to Appear.
Mt. Carmel Woman Arrested On Assault Charge
On 4/17/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Patricia Windle, age 42, of Mt. Carmel, for Assault following an incident at a residence in the 400 block of N Walnut Street. It was alleged that Windle threatened harm to another individual during an argument, as witnessed by another party. The alleged victim wished to pursue charges and was allowed to do so. Windle was arrested and later released on a Notice to Appear in court.
City Council Appoints Madden To Zoning Board
This month’s election of Tyson Meador to the Mt. Carmel City Council opened up a spot on the city’s board of zoning appeals on which Meador was serving. At Monday’s city council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge recommended Chandler Madden to the zoning board. The recommendation was unanimously approved by the city council.
MCPD Losing Officer To EFD
The Mt. Carmel Police Department is losing an officer to the Evansville Fire Department. Mayor Joe Judge announced at Monday’s city council meeting that Cody Wall is leaving the MCPD after 7 years.
City Council Greenlights Two Spring Events
At their meeting Monday afternoon, the Mt. Carmel City Council approved two events at Merchants Park scheduled the next couple of months. The first is Wabash Roots ‘n Que on Saturday, May 20th. Spokesman Terry Beckerman said this year’s event was moved up a month in an attempt to avoid brutal heat. He said this year’s Roots ‘n Que will be different as it will be a music only event as the sponsor of the bar-be-que competition dropped out.
The second event will be the third annual Pride Fest set for Saturday, June 10th. Organizer Michael Stinson told the council he is expecting a big crowd this year as last year’s Pride Fest drew over 300 attendees. The event will be from 4 to 7pm.
Two Evansville Troopers receive Awards at Annual Award Ceremony
Earlier today, Indiana State Police held its annual awards ceremony in Indianapolis. Two troopers from Evansville were among those that received awards. Trooper Tanner Hurley received the 2022 Trooper of the District Award and Senior Trooper Ross Rafferty received a Lifesaving Award.
Senior Trooper Ross Rafferty – Lifesaving Award
On June 8, 2022, Indiana State Police arrived at an Evansville apartment to conduct a drug investigation and to execute an arrest warrant for a female, but no one inside would open the door. Eventually, troopers were able to obtain a search warrant and entered the apartment. Troopers believed the female entered the crawlspace from a hole in the floor they discovered in the bathroom. Evansville Police assisted with a pole camera and other technology, but they were not able to locate the female. Evansville Fire Department arrived and removed additional exterior vents, but they were unsuccessful too. Troopers were concerned the female suspect may be experiencing a narcotic overdose. Trooper Rafferty entered the crawlspace through the bathroom floor and belly crawled through multiple sections of the crawlspace following the cobweb disturbance until the female was located. The female was found to be lethargic, conscious, but confused and slow to respond to questions. She eventually began to go into a full body seizure. Trooper Rafferty removed dangerous debris immediately surrounding the suspect and provided medical support. The suspect’s condition went back and forth from unconscious to violent full body seizures during the extrication. Evansville Fire Department cut a large hole in the floor of an apartment several units down from the original apartment to create a rescue portal. Once EFD created access through the floor, Trooper Rafferty assisted in the confined space extrication by securing the suspect on a backboard and helping with dragging and lifting her out of the crawlspace. The suspect regained consciousness during the final moments of the extrication. She was transported to Ascension St. Vincent Hospital and cleared before being taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail. “Their persistence and dedication lead to not only the criminal apprehension of a wanted felon but more importantly the preservation of her life,” said Lieutenant Brian Bailey, Evansville District Commander.
Trooper Tanner Hurley – 2022 Trooper of the District Award
Trooper Tanner Hurley is the recipient of the 2022 Trooper of the District Award at the Evansville District. Hurley is a four-year veteran of the Indiana State Police and primarily works the late shift in Knox and Gibson Counties. Although Trooper Hurley had 91 days off the road in 2022 due to training, honor guard details, and other special assignments, he still arrested 120 criminal defendants on 207 criminal charges with 54 of those being felonies. He also initiated over 1,600 traffic stops resulting in 59 impaired drivers being removed from our highways. Trooper Hurley is also a drug recognition expert (DRE) and is trained to recognize impairment in drivers under the influence of drugs. “Trooper Hurley strives to make our roadways and communities safe,” said Lieutenant Brian Bailey, Commander of the Evansville District. It is worth noting, Trooper Hurley was also the recipient of this award last year.
Dean & Wissel Tangle Over WCHD
Reckless spending, secret emails, and possible retaliation were just a few of the allegations fired off Monday by Wabash County Commissioner Rob Dean against the Wabash County Health Department. During a 20-minute commentary, Dean offered his first example of reckless spending by the health board saying they were willing to spend $33,000 on a new sidewalk at the health department. But, Dean, who also serves on the health board, said he worked with city officials to get the job done for a much lower cost….
Dean said without his intervention, the health board would have spent $33,000 for the same work. Dean also took exception with recent raises the health board approved for employees. He said county finances prevent raises being given to other non-health department employees making it unfair.
Dean said his only ally on the health board is Darrell Thompson who was at Monday’s county board meeting. He echoed Dean’s thoughts on problems at the health department…
Health department administrator Judy Wissel rebutted several of Dean’s more inflammatory comments saying the health department had received $800 gift cards as a bonus during COVID, not $8,800 as Dean claimed. She also said there were no secret emails being exchanged among health board members.
No action was taken Monday on a proposal by Dean to transfer power to approve health department raises and bonuses from the health board to county commissioners.
Golf Cart/UTV Owners Reminded To Get Current Stickers
Mayor Joe Judge is warning golf cart and U-T-V owners to get their 2023 permit sticker before they’re ticketed. Judge said he has noticed several golf carts and UTV’s without the ’23 sticker and even one that had a 2020 sticker. Stickers are available anytime at the police department on East 4th Street. And, commissioner Tom Meeks reminded parents that drivers of golf carts and UTV’s must be at least 16 years old.