On 12/28/23, at approximately 7:11pm, Mt. Carmel Police responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian collision in the 700 block of North Walnut Street. Upon arrival, officers found that a 2015 Chevrolet, operated by Maisie E. Peach, age 33, of Mt. Carmel had exited Subway and began to travel south on Walnut Street. In doing so, Peach failed to see the pedestrian, Amanda L. Malcolm, age 43, of Mt. Carmel who was walking across Walnut Street in dark colored clothing, outside of the pedestrian crosswalk. Visibility was also limited due to light rain. Wabash General Ambulance Service treated Malcolm before transferring her to an Evansville area hospital with significant but non-life-threatening injuries. Peach was reportedly uninjured. Mt. Carmel Fire Department also provided assistance on scene. This collision remains under investigation.
Two Arrested For Domestic Battery Following West 5th St. Incident
On 12/23/23, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Mark A. Wagner Sr, age 49, and Mark A. Wagner Jr., age 30, both of Mt. Carmel for Domestic Battery following a domestic dispute at their residence in the 400 block of W 5th Street. Police were called to the scene just after 1 a.m. to allegations that both parties had battered each other during the incident. Both parties exhibited visible signs of injury that occurred during the physical confrontation. Both subjects were charged with Domestic Battery with Wagner Sr. being taken to the Wabash County Jail while Wagner Jr. was released on a Notice to Appear.
Aces Themed Restaurant Planned For Former Arts Center Building
Plans are in the works for an Aces themed restaurant to be located in uptown Mt. Carmel. At yesterday's City Council meeting, the lone bid of $2,000 was accepted from Andrew Rish to purchase the former Little Egypt Arts Center building at 500 Market Street. Mayor Joe Judge said Rish is currently a colonel in the US Army stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky and is nearing retirement. Judge said he has talked with Rish on numerous occasions about his plans…
In addition, Judge said Rish plans to offer rooftop dining at the location during special occasions such as Ag Days and parades. Judge said Rish is planning to invest several hundred thousand dollars into the building to turn it into the restaurant and events location he envisions. According to Judge, Rish plans to retire in the next year and a half to two years, but the renovation will start before his retirement.
WSJD File Photo From June 2022
Trash Pickup To Run A Day Late Again Next Week
City commissioner Susan Zimmerman has issued a reminder that just like this week, trash pickup in Mt. Carmel will run a day late next week because of the New Year’s holiday. Republic Services trucks will run their routes next Tuesday.
Liquor Licenses Renewed
Acting as liquor control commissioner, Mayor Joe Judge yesterday renewed 2024 liquor license for local establishments.. Judge said a couple of applicants have yet to pay the necessary license fee, which if not paid before the end of the week, those establishments will be without liquor licenses until at least January 7th.
District #348 Schools In Session On Eclipse Day
One of the big questions heading into the current school year in Wabash District #348 was whether or not there would be school on Monday, April 8th, the day of the total solar eclipse. When the school calendar was released earlier this year, Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer said district officials were taking a wait and see stance on whether to have school. But, Bleyer now says a decision has been made…
Area school districts are split with many having school on the eclipse day while many others choosing not to.
Two Fisherman Find Man Trapped in a Crashed Vehicle
Portage- This afternoon at 3:45 p.m., the Porter County Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting a crash on I-94 at the Salt Creek overpass. This is one mile east of the Portage exit.
Two local fishermen were walking Salt Creek, scouting for fishing holes when they spotted what appeared to be a crashed vehicle. Out of curiosity, the made their way to the vehicle and observed what they thought was a lifeless person. However, when one of the fishermen touched the occupant, he turned his head and began to speak to them. The Good Samaritans immediately called 911 and requested help. The Portage Fire Department and Burns Harbor Fire Department both responded and after a lengthy extrication process, were able to remove the driver from the vehicle. During their extrication efforts, it was determined that the crash had more than likely occurred sometime around December 20th. The driver was subsequently flown by Lutheran Air to Memorial Hospital in South Bend for treatment of severe, life-threatening injuries.
Preliminary investigation shows that the driver was operating a 2016 Dodge Ram truck, and he had been traveling westbound on I-94 when it left the roadway for unknown reasons. The vehicle drove into the north ditch, missing a protective guardrail. The truck then overturned into the creek, coming to a rest under the I-94 bridge. The driver was pinned inside of the vehicle and was unable to call for help. Had it not been for the two individuals that were walking the creek this afternoon, this incident more than likely would have had a different outcome. There had not been any prior reports of a crash in this area prior to the fishermen finding the vehicle.
The driver of the vehicle has been identified as Matthew R. Reum, 27, who currently resides in Mishawaka, IN. A family member of Mr. Reum has been notified.
This crash is a reminder of the importance of always letting someone know if you are traveling, the route you are taking, and the need to always have emergency items in your vehicle. The will to survive this crash was nothing short of extraordinary as it was also determined that Mr. Reum was able to drink rain water for hydration in order to survive for such a long period of time while being exposed to the elements.
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.....
Turner said there were several accomplishments that the board, administration, and Wabash General employees can be proud of....
Turner said even bigger goals are in store for WGH in 2024.
Photo Credit: WGH Facebook Page