On September 10, 2023, at 10:51 p.m. Owensville Town Marshal Rodger Leister was running radar on State Road 65 north of Owensville when he clocked a Maroon Jeep Grand Cherokee speeding into town. Officer Leister turned on the vehicle and it attempted to flee from him into a bean field. The driver who was later identified as 56 year old Kenneth Windsor exited the vehicle and then fled on foot from Officer Leister. After a brief foot pursuit Mr. Windsor was taken into custody, and informed Officer Leister the reason that he fled was due to an outstanding warrant for his arrest. During a search incident to a lawful arrest Marijuana, Methamphetamines, and drug paraphernalia were discovered. At the conclusion of his investigation Officer Leister transported Mr. Windsor to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Resisting Law Enforcement Fleeing, Possession of Methamphetamines, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Paraphernalia. He is being held without bond on an outstanding Felony warrant for Invasion Of Privacy. Mr. Windsor was also issued a citation for speeding and driving while suspended.
Assisting Officer Leister in his investigation was Sgt. Loren Barchett and Wyatt Hunt of the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office. Also assisting was Indiana State Trooper Kyle Otolski.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Road closure planned for State Road 56
DUBOIS COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a road closure for State Road 56 in Dubois County.
Beginning on or around Thursday, September 28, crews will close State Road 56 in Dubois County near French Lick. This closure will occur between State Road 545 and State Road 145. While closed, crews will perform chip and seal operations to the roadway. These operations are utilized to help extend the life of the road. Work is expected to last through the first week of October, depending on the weather.
The official detour for this project is State Road 145 to State Road 164 to State Road 545. Local traffic will have access up to the point of closure.
Lane restrictions planned for I-69
VANDERBURGH COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane restrictions for I-69 in Vanderburgh County.
Beginning on or around Friday, September 15, crews will begin lane restrictions on I-69 in Vanderburgh County near Evansville. These restrictions will occur near the I-69 and U.S. 41 interchange. Both north and south bound driving lanes will be impacted by restrictions during this project. Restrictions will occur between the Weinbach Avenue bridge and the U.S. 41. These restrictions will allow crews to perform lighting installation near the roadway.
This project is expected to last through the end of October, depending on the weather.
City Offering Free Month Of Water As Incentive For Online Survey
Mt. Carmel City officials are hoping the offer of one month’s free water will entice residents to go online and fill out the lead water line survey. At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge said if you fill out the survey on the city’s website, you’ll be eligible to win one month’s free water. But Judge warned not to take the easy way out when you complete the survey…
Judge said the city is about to enter into a contract with a company to complete the IEPA mandated survey. He hoped residents would take it upon themselves to do the survey without having the outside company become involved. To date, only about 10% of the city’s residents have completed the online survey. The deadline to submit the survey and be eligible to win the free month of water is Friday, September 15th.
Survey can be completed here:
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/publicworks/page/identifying-service-line-material
City Collects $14,000 Mowing Bill From Building Owners
The city of Mt. Carmel’s brush department will be the recipient of $14,000 the city has collected from the owners of the former Long John Silver’s and A T & T buildings. The owners failed to mow the property in violation of the city ordinance against tall grass. That left it up to city crews to mow it racking thousands and thousands of unpaid bills. After pressure from Mayor Joe Judge and city clerk Ryan Turner, the property owners ponied up $14,000 to the city. Judge said the brush department was responsible for mowing the properties and will be receive the money. After having spent thousands on the mowing, both property owner have now secured local contractors to mow and avoid the costly bills. On Friday’s Ask the Mayor segment, Judge said there is nothing to report on either building being sold and or occupied any time soon.
Francisco man arrested on DUI charge
On September 9, 2023, at 1:36 a.m. Deputy Wyatt Hunt conducted a traffic stop on a Grey Pontiac G8 for failing to maintain its lane of travel on Morton Street in Oakland City. Deputy Hunt stopped the vehicle on Mulberry Street, and upon approaching the vehicle 48 year old Chad Keeker of Francisco was identified as the driver. While speaking with Mr. Keeker Deputy Hunt detected signs of impairment coming from the driver, and at that point he began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation Mr. Keeker was placed into custody and transported 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 Oakland City Officer Mike McGregor.
All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Knox County Saturation Patrol Nets Five Impaired Driving Arrests
Knox County – Last night and early this morning, Indiana State Police conducted a saturation patrol targeting dangerous and impaired drivers in Knox County. Between 7:00 p.m. last night, and 5:00 a.m. this morning, troopers conducted 128 traffic stops, made three drug related arrests, and arrested five motorists for driving while intoxicated. All five motorists arrested for driving while intoxicated were taken to the Knox County Jail.
The following were arrested for Driving While Intoxicated:
Danny Pritchard, 53, Vincennes, IN
Arsenio Smith, 32, Princeton, IN
Ronald Ragon, 63, Lawrenceville, IL
Tambra Lewis, 66, Vincennes, IN
Brandon Armstrong, 24, Loogootee, IN
Indiana State Police will continue to conduct saturation patrols throughout the Evansville District to locate and arrest dangerous and impaired drivers and to deter others from driving while intoxicated.
911 report of a battery leads to arrest of Francisco man
On September 9, 2023, at 4:08 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a battery in the 1200 block of South 450 East near Francisco. Upon arriving on scene Deputy Quinten Might opened an investigation into the incident and spoke to all parties involved. At the end of his investigation he placed 67 year old Clyde Viers into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Battery. He has since posted a $650 bond.
Assisting Deputy Might 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.
Weekend Saturation Patrol Nets Six Impaired Drivers
Jasper – Friday and Saturday, Indiana State Police conducted saturation patrols targeting dangerous and impaired drivers in the Jasper District.
On these days, Troopers issued 74 traffic tickets, 281 traffic warnings, arrested six motorists for driving while intoxicated, and made six drug-related arrests. Troopers also responded to personal injury accidents, burglaries, downed powerlines, domestic disputes, stranded motorists, a suicidal subject, traffic hazards, made welfare checks, assisted with a trespassing complaint, and recovered a stolen vehicle.
Arrested and Charges:
Joshua Barrett, 45, Williams, IN (Investigation Pending from Crash) 1. Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (Controlled Substance), Class C Misdemeanor
Michael Lowe, 54, Indianapolis, IN (Investigation Pending from Serious Bodily Injury Crash) 1. Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 5 Felony 2. Vehicle Theft, Level 6 Felony 3. OWI - Prior, Level 6 Felony 4. HTV (Habitual Traffic Violator), Level 6 Felony 5. Possession of a Hypodermic Needle, Level 6 Felony
Ward Hessig, 47, Santa Claus, IN (Transported to the Spencer County Jail) 1. OWI, Class A Misdemeanor
Zacharain Masden, 40, French Lick, IN (Transported to the Orange County Jail) 1. OWI (Controlled Substance), Class C Misdemeanor 2. Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor 3. Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor
Ron Johnson, Coffeeville, AL (Transported to the Crawford County Jail 1. OWI (Controlled Substance), Class A Misdemeanor 2. Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
Thomas Rauscher, 62, Jasper, IN (Transported to the Dubois County Jail) 1. OWI Endangerment, Class A Misdemeanor 2. OWI (Refusal), Class C Misdemeanor
Brandy Bruno, 45, Montgomery, IN (Transported to the Daviess County Jail) 1. OWI Endangerment, Class A Misdemeanor 2. OWI (Refusal), Class C Misdemeanor
The Indiana State Police will continue to conduct saturation patrols throughout the Jasper District to locate and arrest dangerous and impaired drivers and to deter others from driving while intoxicated.
All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Terre Haute Woman Arrested For Criminal Trespass
On 9/10/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Virginia D. Luben, age 54, Terre Haute, Indiana for Criminal Trespass to Property. Police were called to the T.P. Trailer Park when Luben was located on the property after ownership had barred her. Police found that Luben had been given notice, in writing, of this demand. Luben was located on scene and placed under arrest. Luben was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was charged and later released on a Notice to Appear in court.