On August 30, 2023, at approximately 4:39 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch put out a Be On the Look Out for a Blue Dodge Challenger out of Evansville, Indiana. Fort Branch Town Marshal Darrell Parker observed the vehicle traveling Northbound on US 41 at State Road 168 and attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver of the vehicle refused to stop. Officer Parker continued to pursue the vehicle on US 41 with the driver of the Challenger reaching speeds of 128 mph. The vehicle finally turned east off of US 41 and onto County Road 100 North where the driver lost control of the vehicle after hitting a railroad crossing at a high rate of speed. Special Deputy Chuck Frederick observed the driver flee from the vehicle and into a small wooded area. Deputy Quinten Might arrived shortly thereafter and Deputy Frederick pointed the direction that the driver fled and apprehended 31 year old Marquita McGee of Chicago, Illinois. After a brief roadside investigation Ms. McGee was transported to the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with Auto Theft, Resisting-Fleeing in a Vehicle, Resisting- Fleeing on foot, Reckless Driving, Criminal Mischief, Criminal Recklessness, and False Informing. She remains in custody on a $1500 bond.
Arresting Officer: Deputy Quinten Might.
Assisting Officers: Fort Branch Town Marshal Darrell Parker, Special Deputy Chuck Frederick, Deputy Michael Owens, and Princeton Officer Matthew Perry.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Tuesday Crash Sends Mt. Carmel Woman To Evansville Hospital
On 8/29/23, at approximately 1:44pm, Mt. Carmel Police responded to a two-vehicle collision at 11th & Chestnut Street with one vehicle on its side. Wabash General Ambulance Service, Mt. Carmel Fire Department and the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene. Upon arrival, police found a female identified as Brenda J. Hargrave, age 73, of Mt. Carmel in the driver’s seat of an overturned white Ford Escape. The other vehicle, a black Toyota, was found to be unoccupied and parked on the south side of the intersection. The responding agencies worked together free Hargrave from the vehicle. Due to the nature of Hargrave’s injuries, she was transported by ambulance to an Evansville area hospital. After speaking to a witness, police learned the white Ford Escape was traveling east on 11th Street, when for unknown reasons, it collided with the Toyota causing the Ford to overturn. There was significant damage to both vehicles. The crash remains under investigation.
Husband & Wife Charged With Domestic Battery
On 8/25/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Michael S. Keneipp, age 41, and his wife Kendra L. Keneipp, age 32, both currently of Mt. Carmel for Domestic Battery. Prior to the arrest, a concerned citizen called the police department reporting an ongoing physical dispute between the above-mentioned subjects in the 300 block of N Market Street. Police arrived to the scene and was stopped by another witness who reported similar observations. Upon further investigation, police found evidence to indicate both parties had battered each other during the dispute. Both were placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where they were charged and held pending a bond setting by a judge.
Mt. Carmel Man Arrested For Trespassing At Tower Heights
On 8/27/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Randall S. Harms, age 55, of Mt. Carmel for Criminal Trespass to State Supported Property. Police were called to Tower Heights, 330 W 10th Street, regarding an unwanted person on the property. Police arrived and found witnesses, including staff, that observed Harms on the property even though he had been previously barred by management. Tower Heights is funded in part by government supported means. Harms was located in the 400 block of W 9th Street where he was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Harms was charged and later released on a Notice to Appear.
INDOT to host public meeting for proposed intersection improvements
GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation will host a public hearing for the proposed intersection improvements at U.S. 41 and County Road 100 in Gibson County.
The public is invited to learn more about the U.S. 41 intersection improvement project and have the opportunity to provide feedback to the project team.
The purpose of the intersection project is to improve safety at the intersection of U.S. 41 and CR 100 by reducing the number of potential traffic conflict points.
WHAT: Public Meeting
WHEN: Thursday, September 14, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (CST)
WHERE: Princeton Community High School, 1101 North Main Street, Princeton, In. 47670
Indiana State Police Investigate Officer-Involved Shooting in Marengo
Crawford County - On 8-29-2023, Officers with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and English Police Department went to a residence in Marengo to serve an emergency detention order on Bernie Breeding, 49, of Marengo. When officers entered the residence, Breeding pointed a firearm at the officers, forcing an officer to discharge his weapon, striking Breeding. Officers attempted emergency lifesaving measures, however, Breeding succumbed to his injuries. This investigation is ongoing and after the conclusion of the investigation, the case will be forwarded to the Crawford County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
Family members have been notified of the deceased and there is no threat to the public.
WGH Board Moves Forward With Master Facility Plan
After wrapping up an ambitious construction and expansion project last year, the Wabash General Hospital Board of Directors has approved moving forward to look at other potential future projects. At the board’s monthly meeting Monday night, planning committee chairman John Evans explained the next step in the process….
The board voted to spend $50,000 with O’Shea Builders who will make three visits to conduct an all-encompassing master facility plan that will focus on Wabash General’s emergency department, respiratory, lab, sleep, med/surg departments and the built out on the second floor of the new medical office building that is currently unoccupied. It’s hoped the new study will be completed early in 2024.
Tree Cutting Services Prompt Response From Mayor
Mt. Carmel Mayor Joe Judge is admonishing tree contractors who trim or cut down trees and then leave what they’ve cut next to the street expecting city crews to dispose of it. Judge said residents also need to be aware of what is and isn’t picked up by the brush crew…
Judge said city hall has fielded complaints from residents thinking city workers were being lazy by not disposing of the brush…
Judge said if the brush route continues to incur additional expenses, the city council may need to revisit the fee residents pay for the service.
Princeton man arrested on DUI charge
On August 27, 2023, at 3:53 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Wyatt Hunt conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of South Prince Street and Illinois Street in Princeton after observing an equipment violation on a Silver 2013 Ford Taurus. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Hunt identified the driver as 35-year old Zachary Bailey of Princeton. While speaking with Mr. Bailey Deputy Hunt observed several clues that indicated Mr. Bailey may be intoxicated. At that point Deputy Hunt began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation he placed Mr. Bailey into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. He has since posted a $650 bond.
Assisting Deputy Hunt in his investigation was Deputy Bart Wagner.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
St. Francisville man arrested on DUI charge
On August 27, 2023, at 5:49 p.m. Gibson County Sergeant Loren Barchett and Deputy Michael Owens conducted a traffic stop on a White 2001 Toyota Tundra after Gibson County Central Dispatch put out a Be On the LookOut for the vehicle after the driver was observed intoxicated in a local business. Deputies located the vehicle on Broadway near West Street in Princeton and conducted a traffic stop. Upon approaching the vehicle Sgt. Barchett detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver, 29 year old Britt McQuin of St. Francisville, Illinois. At that point deputies began a roadside investigation. At the conclusion of their investigation they placed Mr. McQuin into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated with a Prior, Possession of a Hypodermic Needle, and Possession of Marijuana. He remains in custody on a $1500 bond.
Arresting Officer: Sgt. Loren Barchett
Assisting Officers: Deputy Michael Owens, Deputy Logan Lashbrook, Princeton Officer Matthew Perry, and Princeton Officer Craig Zurliene
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
