Indiana State Police Investigate Pedestrian Struck on Interstate 70

Name Release of Pedestrian Struck on Interstate 70 

Positive Identification - Clay County Coroner’s Office has identified the deceased individual that was involved in the fatal pedestrian accident on Interstate 70 at the 22-mile marker westbound.  The individual has been positively identified as:

Fredy Romas Escobar

Age 33

Kansas City, Kansas

* Original Release Below*

Clay County -  On December 25, 2023, at approximately 8:15 p.m., Indiana State Police Putnamville Post and Clay County Sheriff’s Department responded to a pedestrian being struck on Interstate 70 westbound near the 22 mile marker.

Troopers were originally dispatched to the area of the 22 mile marker westbound of Interstate 70 in reference to a pedestrian walking on the Interstate for an unknown reason.  However, before troopers arrived on scene there was a second 911 call reference to a pedestrian being struck.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Athan Lamson revealed that an individual was walking in the passing lane on Interstate 70 westbound near the 22 mile marker when he/she was struck by a passenger vehicle.  The driver of the vehicle immediately pulled over and called 911, fully cooperating with the investigation.  There were no other injuries to report.

The Clay County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene to assist with the investigation and recover the remains of the deceased. The name of the deceased will be released at a later time by the Clay County Coroner’s Office once positive identification and family notification has been made.  The investigation is ongoing and there is no further information to release at this time.

Assisting Agencies:  Troopers of the Putnamville State Police Post, Clay County Sheriff's Department, Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department, Posey Volunteer Fire Department, and the Clay County Coroner's Office.   

Texas woman arrested on multiple charges

On December 23, 2023, at 5:32 p.m. Gibson County Deputy U.B. Smith conducted a traffic stop on a White 2003 Ford F250 after observing multiple moving violations on the courthouse square in Princeton.  Upon stopping the vehicle on West State Deputy Smith approached the vehicle and attempted to identify the driver.  While speaking with the driver Deputy Smith detected obvious signs that the driver was under the influence of an unknown intoxicant.  At that point Deputy Smith requested Deputy Quinten Might come to the scene and assist him in the investigation.  While Deputy Smith conducted an investigation into the true identity of the driver Deputy Might began a roadside OWI investigation.  At the conclusion of their investigation the driver who had been identified as 47 year old Melissa Ann Meyer of Grapevine Texas was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail.  Ms. Meyer was charged with Possession of Methamphetamines, Possession of Paraphernalia, False Informing, and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated-Refusal.  She is being held on an outstanding warrant through Tarrant County Texas pending the resolution of this Indiana Case. 

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

WGH President/CEO: 2023 Great Year For Hospital

This week’s monthly meeting of the Wabash General Hospital board of directors was the last one of the year and hospital president/CEO Karissa Turner said 2023 was a great year for WGH.....

KARISSA TURNER 23 GREAT YEAR #1

Turner said there were several accomplishments that the board, administration, and Wabash General employees can be proud of....

KARISSA TURNER 23 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Turner said even bigger goals are in store for WGH in 2024.

Photo Credit: WGH Facebook Page

Superintendent Comments On Passing Of Long-Time District Employee

At this past Monday’s Wabash District #348 school board meeting, superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer took time to remember long time district employee Bea Morgan who passed away December 12th at the age of 69……

DR. CHUCK BLEYER BEA MORGAN COMMENTS 12 18 23

 

Ms. Bea, as she was affectionately known,  served in a variety of capacities in District #348. She was a bus driver, recess aid, worked in the kitchen, and concession stand and subbed whenever and wherever needed.  Bea also served as Truancy Officer for the district. She was truly an Aces fan. She lived amd breathed for all Aces sports. She was the Lady Aces basketball manager, water girl, team mom and so much more. She drove the bus, attended all sporting events, drove the cheer leaders and cheered on the band.

Bleyer Updates School Board On Stadium Building Project

The end is near when it comes to the completion of Phase two of the Riverview Stadium renovation project. At Monday’s District #348 school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer offered board members an update on the project…. 

DR. CHUCK BLEYER BUILDING UPDATE 12 18 23

The completion of the multi-purpose building is the crowning touch of the project that included a new turf field, track, renovation of the stadium seating area on both sides of the field including a new press box. 

Photo Credit: Golden Aces Football Facebook Page

Former Belleville Attorney Indicted in Federal Court

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A federal grand jury returned an eleven-count indictment charging a former attorney for multiple instances of wire fraud in which he is alleged to have embezzled more than an estimated $1 million from a Belleville law firm and its client trust account.

Jason R. Caraway, 49, is facing 11 counts of wire fraud. If convicted, Caraway could face up to 20 years’ imprisonment and up to $250,000 in fines per count.

“Attorneys have a duty to protect their clients’ interests and must be held to the highest ethical standard,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Those who are overcome by greed and use their professional positions to embezzle from their employers and steal from innocent people will answer to the rule of law.”

Caraway was a partner at Caraway, Fisher & Broombaugh, P.C., a personal injury law firm in Belleville. According to the indictment, Caraway had control of the firm’s bank accounts and misappropriated funds by improperly spending client funds on personal and business expenses, issuing checks to himself, accepting settlements without client notification or payment, failing to pay medical lienholders from legal proceeds, and misapplying retainers without authorization.

“A lawyer, as an officer of the legal system, should demonstrate respect for our laws and protect the interests of the clients he represents,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. “When a lawyer chooses to enrich himself by stealing client funds, the FBI will work to hold him accountable.”

The indictment outlines 11 alleged situations in which Caraway embezzled funds. In two instances, Caraway is accused of forging the signature of two St. Clair County judges on phony court documents to further his fraud scheme.

An indictment is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

FBI Springfield Field Office led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Weinhoeft is prosecuting the case.

Kentucky Man Gets 15 Years in Federal Prison for Attempting to Entice a Minor

BENTON, Ill. – A district judge in southern Illinois sentenced a man from Paducah to serve 15 years in federal prison after he admitted to attempting to entice a purported 11-year-old child.

Michael M. Gott, 62, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted enticement of a minor. In addition to the 15-year prison sentence, Gott will serve five years of supervised release.

“Those who try to sexually abuse children deserve justice in proportion to the deviance of their behavior, which in this case was a significant federal prison sentence,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “The United States Attorney’s Office and its law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively prosecute minor enticement cases and do all we can to protect children.”

In March 2021, an undercover agent with the FBI conducted an investigation on an online dating discussion forum to detect child predators. According to court documents, Gott began conversing with the undercover agent who was posing as the mother of a purported 11-year-old child. During the conversation, Gott made plans with the mother to engage in sexual conduct with the minor child.

“This sentence reflects the serious nature of Gott’s offense and demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to identify, investigate and arrest those intent on harming the most vulnerable members of our society,” said

FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge David Nanz. “The FBI will continue our efforts to thwart attempts to entice children, because every offender that lands in custody represents another step toward a safer community and a safer world for our children.”

Gott was arrested by agents while attempting to meet the purported pair and escort them to a hotel room he had rented in Paducah, Kentucky. FBI Springfield Field Office led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Casey Bloodworth and David Sanders prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

Mt. Carmel City Council Agenda

AGENDA

CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Wednesday, December 27, at 4:00 pm

· Call to Order

o Pledge of Allegiance

o Roll Call

· Approve Minutes

o Minutes of meeting held 12/18/2023.

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

· 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 2nd reading of Ordinance 2101-Paid Personal Leave

o Consent Agenda

§ Pay all bills providing proper signatures.

o Removal of items from the Consent Agenda

o Old Business

o Open Bids for 500 N. Market Street

o Executive Session

o Motion to Adjourn

o Liquor Control Meeting-

Gibson County Jail hosts in person holiday visitation today

On December 23, 2023, Sheriff Bruce Vanoven and Jail Commander Amanda Loesch hosted in person holiday visitation for inmates who wished to participate in the visit.  Sheriff Vanoven commented today “The holidays are tough on everyone who is locked up and has a loved one who is locked up.  Today was just the Gibson County Sheriff’s way to say we understand, and although we can’t do much this small gesture is just a way to say you’re not forgotten, and people still care for you.”

 Inmates at the Gibson County Jail were given notification of the visit earlier this month.  Each inmate was given a choice whether or not they wanted to participate in this voluntary event.  If an inmate chose to participate they were allowed to pick two friends or family members to visit with in person for 30 minutes.  Once jail staff received the name of the two potential visitors a background was completed to make sure that there were not protective orders, restraining orders, or other legal reasons that the inmate and visitor were prohibited from coming for a visit. 

 Sheriff Vanoven went on to state “it was all hands on deck today and we had at least fifteen Corrections Officer, A Communications Officer, and other ‘elves’ working behind the scenes.  I am so incredibly proud of my people for making this event a success.”

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