On 1/05/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested David A. Pierce, age 63, of Mt. Carmel for Domestic Battery, Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer and Aggravated Intimidation following a domestic dispute at a residence in the 1100 block of West 6th Street. Officers were called to the scene following an alleged physical altercation between Pierce and another family member regarding the whereabouts of a house key. When the other family member could not find the key, Pierce became upset and repeatedly struck the family member in the back of the head. Pierce then left the residence and returned to his home. The victim had visible injuries to the back of the head but medical treatment was declined. Officers responded to Pierce’s residence where they made contact and advised him of his arrest for domestic battery. Pierce refused to comply and a brief struggle ensued before he was secured in handcuffs. During the entire arrest and transportation to the Wabash County Jail Pierce made repeated threats of physical harm to the arresting officers. Ultimately, Pierce was issued the above charges and remains held pending a pre-trial detention determination by the court.
Resignation Creates Opening On 708 Board
The Wabash County board of commissioners has accepted the resignation of Glenn Decker from the 708 Mental Health Board… a position he’s held since 1994. Commissioners thanked Decker for his time on the board and announced that anyone that would like to fill the vacancy can contact the county clerk’s office at the courthouse.
Illnesses On The Rise Locally
If you’re not sick right now or someone in your family isn’t sick, you’re lucky. That’s because Wabash County Health Department administrator Judy Wissel reports Wabash County is currently in the medium risk category for COVID and the high risk category for flu. She said COVID testing continues Monday through Friday between 11 and 1 at the health department and you can still schedule a COVID or flu shot by calling the health department.
Liquor License Renewed At Special Meeting
A brief liquor control meeting Tuesday morning resulted in a local restaurant’s liquor license being renewed for 2024. El Bernal Mexican Restaurant at 2nd and Walnut had not paid their liquor license fee before last week’s city council when Mayor Joe Judge, acting as liquor control commissioner, renewed all other licenses. Once the fee was paid last week, the special liquor control meeting was called for Tuesday morning in order for El Bernal to serve alcohol.
Indiana State Police Partnering in Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative
The Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED) is partnering with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) for CVSA’s Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative January 8 -12, 2024. During this annual human trafficking initiative, ISP’s CVED personnel will raise awareness about human trafficking by distributing outreach materials to commercial motor vehicle drivers while conducting commercial motor vehicle inspections.
CMV drivers, crisscrossing America, are in a unique position to identify potential incidents of human trafficking and raising their awareness and providing drivers the tools to identify and report signs of human trafficking is the goal of this campaign. CVSA’s Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative will be conducted across North America: US January 8 -12, 2024, Canada February 19-23, 2024, and Mexico March 11-15, 2024.
According to the United Nations, human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of people through force, fraud, or deception with the aim of exploiting them for profit. Men, women, and children of all ages and from all backgrounds can become victims of this crime, which occurs in every region of the world, including North America. Human traffickers often use violence, fraudulent employment agencies, and fake promises of education and job opportunities to trick and coerce their victims.
The Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative is part of CVSA’s Human Trafficking Prevention Program. The program seeks to reduce human trafficking throughout North America through coordinated enforcement and investigative and educational awareness measures within the commercial motor vehicle industry.
CVSA and the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division collaborate with Truckers Against Trafficking (www.truckersagainsttrafficking.org) to engage and equip the commercial vehicle industry in the fight against human trafficking.
To report suspected human trafficking, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888 or text INFO to 233733.
Mt. Carmel City Council Agenda
AGENDA
CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Monday January 8th at 4:00 pm
· Call to Order
o Pledge of Allegiance
o Roll Call
· Approve Minutes
o Minutes of meeting held 12/27/2023.
· Visitors (topic discussed by visitor(s) is limited to 5 minutes)
o Wabash General Hospital-Donation
· 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 Old Business
o Executive Session
o Discuss contract negotiations with union employees
o Motion to Adjourn
o Liquor Control Meeting-
Plainville man arrested for driving on suspended license
On January 5, 2024, at 1:26 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Bart Wagner conducted a traffic stop on a Grey 2002 Ford Focus after observing an equipment violation on the vehicle while it was traveling on US 41. Upon conducting the traffic stop at the VFW Parking lot in Fort Branch Deputy Wagner identified the driver as 60 year old Kevin Lawyer of Plainville, Indiana. During a roadside investigation it was determined that Mr. Lawyer’s drivers license was suspended on a prior driving while suspended conviction. At that point Deputy Wagner placed Mr. Lawyer into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Driving While Suspended Prior. He remains in custody on a $650 bond.
Deputy Wagner was assisted in his investigation by Fort Branch Officer Louis Jerrell.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Putnamville State Police Post Request Public’s Assistance
Clay County - The Indiana State Police Putnamville Post is requesting assistance from the public and asking for information in reference to a pedestrian being struck. This occurred on December 25, 2023, on Interstate 70 westbound near the 22 mile marker at approximately 8:15 p.m.
The investigation indicates that the victim had stopped at a fueling station located on State Road 59 near Interstate 70. The victim is seen inside of the fueling station with two other males. The victim then gets into a red passenger vehicle (photo below) with the two males and a female, leaving the fueling station. Approximately 20 minutes later the victim is observed walking on Interstate 70 and was struck by a passenger vehicle.
Trooper Rondell Shelton is requesting individuals with any information or who may have observed something in regard to this incident on the night of December 25th, to please contact him at the Putnamville State Police Post at 1-800-225-8576.
* Original Release Below*
Indiana State Police Investigate Pedestrian Struck on Interstate 70
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.
-30-
* Original Release Below*
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 Ramos Escobar
Kansas City, Kansas
Family has been notified.
Deadline For 1st Property Tax Payments Quickly Approaching
A heads up for Wabash County property owners, the first installment of real estate taxes is coming up quickly. County treasurer Angela Broster offered an update at this week’s county board meeting…
Taxes can be paid in person in the treasurer’s office at the courthouse, in the drop box in front of the courthouse, at local banks, and online.
County Commissioners Decline Tourism Bureau's Request
Wabash County Commissioners have chosen to further distance themselves from the Discover Downstate Illinois Tourism Bureau. Last year, commissioners decided to cut sending $6,000 a year to the group which is based in Swansea in the metro east area saying they saw no benefits from remaining in the group. While financial support was cut, Wabash County was able to remain a member of Discover Downstate. But at this Wednesday’s county board meeting, board chairman Scott West shot down a request from Discover Downstate to send a letter recognizing that the tourism group is Wabash County’s state certified tourism bureau. The letter did not come with any financial request on Wabash County’s behalf, but West said that didn’t matter…
When funding was cut last year, commissioners said the $6,000 could be better spent locally instead of with the regional bureau. Discover Downstate’s website indicates that the group represents 21 counties stretching from east of St. Louis to the Wabash County west of Vincennes.
The full discussion of the request among commissioners Tim Hocking, Scott West, and Rob Dean is on this clip….