Lane restrictions planned for U.S. 41 and State Road 64

GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane restrictions for U.S. 41 and State Road 64 in Gibson County.

Beginning on or around Monday, September 11, crews will begin lane restrictions on U.S. 41 at the State Road 64 interchange in Gibson County. Lane restrictions on U.S. 41 will take place on both north and south bound driving lanes of traffic. Additionally, the shoulders on east and west bound lanes of State Road 64 will also be closed. These lane and shoulder restrictions will allow for bridge maintenance operations. This work is expected to last through the beginning of November, depending on the weather.

Child Porn Trial Starts Tuesday In Wabash County Circuit Court

Jury selection starts Tuesday in the child porn case of 36 year old Zachary Reed of Mt. Carmel. Reed was arrested last September by Mt. Carmel Police for possession of child pornography following an on-going investigation by MCPD regarding Reed having pornographic images of a child under the age of 13 on electronic devices belonging to him.

In a press release at the time of Reed’s arrest, Police Chief Mike McWilliams said State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman prepared warrants to search two devices which was authorized by Wabash Circuit Judge William Hudson. Afterward, according to McWilliams, the investigating officer allegedly found multiple pornographic images of a child under the age of 13 on these devices.  

Reed was arrested and charged with 8 counts of Class X child pornography with each count carrying a possible sentence of 6 to 30 years in prison. He’s been held since last September 21st in the Wabash County Jail.

On Friday, Storckman and defense attorney Patrick Costa were in court hammering out last minute details before the jury is seated.

Circuit Clerk Angie Crum says prospective jurors scheduled to appear Tuesday at 9am, 10:30am, 1pm, and 2:30pm will need to appear.

Evansville woman arrested on DUI charge

On September 3, 2023, at 9:06 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Logan Lashbrook conducted a traffic stop on State Road 64 near Sand Hill west of Princeton after observing the Silver 2012 Kia driving at a high rate of speed on State Road 65 and State Road 64.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Lashbrook identified the driver as 33 year old Ashley James of Evansville, Indiana.  While speaking with Ms. James Deputy Lashbrook detected clues that Ms. James may be intoxicated, and at the point he began a roadside OWI investigation.  At the conclusion of his investigation he placed Ms. James into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Refusal and Possession of Marijuana.  She has since posted a $650 bond. 
 
Assisting Deputy Lashbrook in his investigation was Sgt. Loren Barchett. 
 
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

North Carolina Man Arrested for Homicide

Dubois County, Indiana - On September 2, 2023, the Indiana State Police Jasper Post was contacted by the Asheville, North Carolina Police Department in reference to assisting in the apprehension of a male suspect wanted for a homicide that occurred in Asheville, North Carolina in the early afternoon hours of September 2. ISP Troopers were informed the suspect's vehicle was traveling west on I-64 near the 115-mile marker.

The Spencer County Sheriff's Office, Dubois County Sheriff's Office, and the Ferdinand Police Department assisted the Indiana State Police with observing for the suspect's vehicle. A short time later, ISP Trooper Giesler located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop on I-64 near the 66-mile marker. Upon further investigation, ISP determined the driver, Arturo Martinez-Cordero, 45, of North Carolina, was the wanted suspect law enforcement was searching for. Troopers also believed Arturo Martinez-Cordero was operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and possessing cocaine. Arturo Martinez-Cordero was taken into custody without incident.

The Dubois County Sheriff's Office assisted by utilizing their K-9 and transporting Arturo Martinez-Cordero to the Dubois County Security Center, where he was processed on the following criminal charges without bond:  

1. Warrant on Warrant, 1st Degree Murder, from Asheville, North Carolina (1 Count)

2. Possession of Cocaine, Level 5 Felony (1 Count)

3. Operating While Intoxicated with BAC .08 or higher, Class C Misdemeanor

4. Operating While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor

5. Operating While Intoxicated Endangerment, Class A Misdemeanor

6. Operating a Motor vehicle W/O receiving a license, Class C Misdemeanor

Arresting Officer: Trooper Connor Giesler

Assisting Officers: Trooper Andrew Recker, Trooper Jon Villanueva, Trooper Jacob Lauer

Assisting Agencies: Dubois County Sheriff's Office, Ferdinand Police Department, Spencer County Sheriff's Office

Shot Fired Near Trooper Sends One to Jail

Putnam County -  On September 25, 2023, at approximately 6:30 p.m., an off-duty trooper of the Putnamville State Police Post was working on a fence located near the intersection of County 325 West and County Road 450 North.  The off-duty trooper observed a silver four door vehicle stop in the roadway within twenty-five feet of where he was working.  This is when he heard a gunshot come from the vehicle.  Running towards the vehicle, it quickly sped away.  The off-duty trooper then called 911 and requested assistance.

Troopers of the Putnamville State Police Post and multiple officers for surrounding agencies responded to the area.  After an extensive search, officers were able to locate the silver passenger vehicle and driver.  The driver was identified as Michael Lee McConnell, age 19, of Indianapolis, Indiana. After conducting an interview with detectives of the Putnamville Post,  McConnell was taken into custody and transported to the Putnam County Jail without incident.   

Arrested and Charges:  Michael Lee McConnell, 19, Indianapolis

• Criminal Recklessness With a Firearm, Level 6 Felony

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

Mt. Carmel City Council Agenda

AGENDA

CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Tuesday, September 5, 2023 at 4:00 pm

·         Call to Order

o   Pledge of Allegiance

o   Roll Call

·         Approve Minutes

o   Minutes of meeting held 08/21/2023

·         Visitors (topic discussed by visitor(s) is limited to 5 minutes)

o   Knights of Colombus-Josh Evans

·         Reports and Communications

o   Mayor Judge                                      

o   Commissioner Meador           Streets, Cemeteries and Parks

o   Commissioner Ikemire            Finance and Senior Citizens

o   Commissioner Meeks             Water and Sewer

o   Commissioner Zimmerman    Fire, Health & Safety, City Hall and Garbage

·         Staff Reports

o   Ryan Turner                            Derek McCullough      Luis Garcia

o   Michael McWilliams               Francis Speth               Mike Gidcumb

New Business

o   Consent Agenda

§  Pay all bills providing proper signatures

o   Removal of items from the Consent Agenda

o   Ordinance 2095-Adopt Foreign Fire Insurance Board-1st Reading/Request for second to be waived.

o   Vote on Fire Fighters 2 % Tax Board

o   Review Employee Insurance Contract

·         Old Business

o   Review Republic contract/extend current contract

·         Executive Session  

·         Motion to Adjourn

·         Liquor Control Meeting-

Wabash County Commissioners Agenda

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

 4:30pm

Agenda

  1)  Call to order:

  2)  Approve minutes of previous meeting:

  3)  Commissioner’s reports:

  4)  Officer’s reports:

  5)  Old Business:

        a. ARPA Ordinance

        b. Construction of County Highway Building

        6)  New Business:

              a. Consider the HOPE Trust Health Insurance Renewal.

  7)  Executive Session:

        8)  Correspondence:

  9)  Approval for payment of claims presented:

10)  Adjournment:

Evansville man arrested after short pursuit

On September 1st, 2023 at approximately 6:20 a.m. Gibson County Sgt. John Fischer was patrolling US 41 when a 2022 Jeep passed by in excess of 90 mph.  Sgt. John Fischer caught up to the vehicle and paced the vehicle at 95 mph.  Sgt. Fischer initiated his emergency lights near State Road 168 and the vehicle disregarded and continued south.  Sgt. Fischer initiated his sirens and called for Deputy Bart Wagner and Indiana State Police to assist.  Deputy Wagner was able to get behind the vehicle and it finally stopped shortly afterwards.  The vehicle came to a stop at US 41 just south of State Road 68.  A felony stop was conducted and the driver was placed into custody without incident.  The driver was identified as Wislin Valziris, age 36, holding a temporary Florida driver`s license.  Mr. Valziris was transported to the Gibson County Jail and charged with reckless driving and resisting arrest in a vehicle.  Arresting officer was Sgt. John Fischer
 
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Illinois Man Arrested For DUI and Traveling 101 MPH in a Construction Zone

Vermillion County, IN - August 31, 2023, at approximately 1:30 p.m., Trooper Chuck Murphy of the Putnamville State Police Post was patrolling on State Road 63 at State Road 234 near a construction zone.  This is when Trooper Murphy observed a white passenger vehicle approaching him from behind, traveling southbound at a high rate of speed.  Trooper Murphy then activated his rear radar and received a top speed of 101 miles per hour on the white passenger vehicle.  The vehicle then continued at a high rate of speed passing, and then cutting off, Trooper Murphy at the merge point of the construction zone.  Trooper Murphy was able to stop the vehicle and the driver was identified as Romell Watson, age 24, of Dolto, Illinois.  Watson displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests. Watson was transported to the Vermillion County Sheriff’s Department where he submitted to a certified chemical test.  The test results indicated a blood alcohol content of .11%.  Watson was arrested and turned over to the Vermillion County Sheriff’s Department jail staff without incident.  

Assisting:  Trooper Tyler Turchi of the Putnamville State Police Post.  

Arrested and Charges:  Romell Watson, 24, Dolto, IL

• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated with a Prior Conviction, Level 6 Felony

• Reckless Driving in a Worksite, Felony 6

• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangerment, Class A Misdemeanor 

911 call leads to arrest of Oakland City woman

On September 1, 2023, at 11:21 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a battery that had occurred in the 7000 block of West 250 South in the rural Owensville area.  Upon arriving on scene officers began an investigation into the complaint, and at the end of their investigation Deputy U.B. Smith placed 37 year old Lauren Croak of Oakland City into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Jail.  Upon arriving at the jail Ms. Croak was charged with Battery.  She remains in custody on a $650 bond.
 
Assisting Deputy Smith in his investigation was Deputies Logan Lashbrook, Michael Owens, and Bart Wagner.  Also assisting was Conservation Officer Matt Clark.
 
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.