County Commissioner Addresses Late Tax Bills

As real estate tax bills are hitting mailboxes this week, many Wabash County taxpayers are frustrated with the timing they were mailed. Most complaints center around the bills being delivered during the holiday season while most other counties are able to get their tax bills sent out much earlier in the year. At Monday’s county board meeting, commissioner Rob Dean addressed the frustration and the reason behind the delays….

Dean said the county may have to resort to legal action to get their data back from the software company which is charging a penalty to counties for leaving the contract early. The first installment of property taxes is due January 16th while the second is due February 16th. The delinquent tax sale is scheduled for April 5th in the Wabash County Courtroom.

Warnken To Challenge Hocking In County Commissioner Primary

Another local race is set for a local office in the March primary. Monday was the final day candidates could file nominating petitions to run in the 2024 election and longtime county commissioner Tim Hocking has a challenger in the Republican primary. And that’s John Charles, (better known as J. C.,( Warnken. Warnken filed his nominating petition on Monday. On the democratic side, Robert Moore has also filed to run for Hocking’s 6-year term on the county board. Moore faces no primary opposition.

The other Republican primary race pits Gregory Wilkinson against incumbent Shaun Keepes for coroner.

Running unopposed next year for new four year terms are state’s attorney Kelli Storckman and circuit clerk Angie Crum.

Also filing to run for precinct committeeperson are:

Democrat -

Barbara Bruce - Bellmont Precinct #14

Republican -

Marcia Hudson Woodcock - Mt. Carmel Precinct #2

William C. Hudson - Mt. Carmel Precinct #3

Rachel C. Wood - Mt. Carmel Precinct #7

Misty D. Johnson - Wabash Precinct #10

Mary Susan Wood - Friendsville Precinct #11

Robin D. Guller - Lancaster Precinct #12

Jessica Peter - Lick Prairie Precinct #13

Charles Reavill - Bellmont Precinct #14

Twilla Seifert - Compton Precinct #16

Mt. Vernon Man Arrested for OWI and Resisting Law Enforcement

Posey County – Tuesday evening, December 5, Indiana State Police and Mt. Vernon Police responded to Huck’s gas station on 4th Street in Mt. Vernon reference to a disturbance between two males in the parking lot near the gas pumps. Officers arrived moments later but the two people involved in the disturbance already left the scene driving a black Chevrolet Silverado and a blue Dodge Charger. Trooper Hadley left the parking lot to search for the two vehicles. While patrolling in the area, Trooper Hadley located the two vehicles and a large group of teens in the 300 block of West 7th Street. The driver of the Chevrolet Silverado was identified as Rayce Liggett-Kueber, 20, of Mt. Vernon. When officers looked inside his truck, they observed a bottle of brandy in the center console. Liggett-Kueber displayed signs of impairment and a driving while intoxicated investigation led to his arrest. During the arrest, Liggett-Kueber forcibly resisted and allegedly threatened officers. Trooper Hadley received a minor injury during the arrest. Kueber was transported to the Posey County Jail and is currently being held without bond. The toxicology results are pending.

Arrested and Charges:

Rayce Liggett-Kueber, 20, Mt. Vernon, IN

Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated with a Prior Conviction, Level 6 Felony

Resisting Law Enforcement causing Injury, Level 6 Felony

Intimidation, Level 6 Felony

Disorderly Conduct, Class B Misdemeanor

Minor Consumption of Alcohol, Class C Misdemeanor

Arresting Officer: Trooper Hadley, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Mt. Vernon Police

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

Wabash County Victim Identified In Weekend Crash

The Clinton County Coroner’s office has released the name of the 67-year-old Wabash County woman who died in the aftermath of a single-vehicle crash on Illinois Route 37 just south of the Route 161 intersection in rural Kell. Paula Tarpy of Allendale died while being transported through Clinton County from Salem Township Hospital by ground ambulance to a St. Louis hospital for treatment of very critical injuries.  Air Evac declined to fly to the accident scene due to weather conditions. The Marion County Sheriff’s Department reports the driver ran off the left side of Route 37 while traveling northbound at around 60 miles per hour.   Tarpy first hit the south end of a retaining wall of a bridge over a creek, went airborne over the creek, hit the north side of the creek bank, lost the driver’s side tire, skidded another 60 feet, before the pickup truck began to roll.  It turned over two times before hitting a telephone pole.  The pickup came to rest on its wheels.   Tarpy was thrown about five feet from the vehicle. An off-duty paramedic who was following the vehicle rendered care until emergency help. Tarpy was alone in the vehicle at the time of the crash around four Saturday afternoon.

Story credit: WJBD Radio, Salem.

Mt. Carmel Woman Arrested Twice In A Week For Violating OP

Mt. Carmel Police arrested Haley A. Denapoli, age 30, of Mt. Carmel on two separate violations of an Order of Protection last week.  The first arrest occurred on 11/29 when police responded to the T.P. Trailer Park on West 3rd Street where officers found evidence that Denapoli violated a valid Order of Protection by beating on the door of the protected party, who was also home at the time of the incident.  Denapoli was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was charged and held pending a pre-trial detention determination.  The second arrest occurred on 12/01/23 when Denapoli again approached a protected party, outside of the residence, at which time she screamed at them while shining a flashlight in their face.  Denapoli was again placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where was charged and held pending a pre-trial detention determination by the court.

Princeton Man Arrested Following Mt. Carmel Traffic Stop

On 12/02/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Jason T. Hammock, age 29, of Princeton Indiana for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Improper Lane Usage and Operating Uninsured Vehicle following a traffic stop on a white Chevrolet at North Cherry Street & White Oak Lane.  The stop was a result of the Chevrolet committing multiple violations of the Illinois Vehicle Code.  In speaking to the driver, identified as Hammock, the officer detected an odor of a suspected alcoholic beverage.  Hammock submitted to a roadside sobriety check where the officer observed several clues to indicate impairment.  Hammock was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was processed for DUI.  Hammock was turned over to jail staff for further processing and later released on a Notice to Appear. 

Wabash County Woman Dead In Weekend Crash

A 67-year-old Wabash County woman is dead following a single vehicle accident Saturday afternoon in Marion County, Illinois. The name of the victim has not yet been released by authorities.  The crash happened on Illinois Route 37 just south of Route 161 in rural Kell. Deputies say the woman ran off the left side of Route 37 travelling northbound. She first hit the south end of a retaining wall of a bridge over a creek, went airborne over the creek, hit the north side of the creek bank, and skidded another 60 feet, before the pickup truck began to roll.  It turned over two times before hitting a telephone pole.  The pickup came to rest on its wheels.  The woman was thrown about five feet from the vehicle. An off-duty paramedic who was following the vehicle rendered care to the woman until other assistance arrived. With Air Evac unable to fly due to the weather, the woman was taken to Salem Township Hospital in very critical condition. She reportedly died in an ambulance while being transferred to a St. Louis hospital.  She then reportedly died while in an ambulance when being transported to a St. Louis Hospital

Courtesy of Newschannel 15

Wabash County Real Estate Tax Bills In The Mail

Wabash County Treasurer, Angela L. Broster, would like to announce that the 2022 Paybable 2023 Real Estate Tax Bills were mailed out this morning, Monday, December 4, 2023.  Due dates are for first installment is Tuesday, January 16, 2024 and second installment is Friday, February 16, 2024.  Note it is the same DATE (the 16th in January & February), but different days of the week.  

 You can make payments in person, in the drop box out front of the courthouse, by mail, at the banks; First National Bank, First Bank and First-Mid.  Credit Card payments can be made by using www.govtechtaxpro.com and the credit card company charges a fee for processing payments.

 Any questions regarding your tax bills please call the Treasurer's office at 618-262-5262.  After your 2022 Paybable 2023 Real Estate Taxes are paid in full, you can sign up for our Prepayment plan for the 2023 Payable 2024 Real Estate Taxes.

Fort Branch man arrested for public intoxication

On December 2, 2023, at 11:39 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a man attempting to enter a residence in the 200 block of North Main Street in Fort Branch.  Communications Officer James Griswold was able to get a detailed description of the suspect and upon arriving in the area Deputy U.B. Smith located 37 year old Sergio Garcia Franco of Fort Branch pushing a bicycle in the area.  Upon speaking with Mr. Franco Deputy U.B. Smith detected the overwhelming odor of alcohol coming from him.  After a brief investigation it was determined that Mr. Franco had went to multiple homes in Fort Branch offering to clean their homes.  Once the investigation was complete Deputy Smith transported Mr. Franco to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Public Intoxication.  He remains in custody on a $550 bond
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

City Still Focusing On Mandated Lead Water Line Surveys

10 percent doesn’t sound like much, but it apparently is when it comes to the lead water line surveys the city has been pushing this year. Mayor Joe Judge says the city failed to reach the 10% goal before turning over the effort to an outside firm. As an incentive to complete the surveys, the city offered one month of free water service that would be drawn randomly. The winner of that free month of water service is Lisa Hockgeiger. Judge said 120 Water, which will take over securing the lead water line surveys going forward, was impressed the city was able to secure 223 of the surveys on its’ own. The state of Illinois has mandated that all water customers in the state comply with the survey to determine the location of lead water lines.