On 1/18/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Alicia M. Swift, age 39, for Domestic Battery along with her sister, Brittny M. Byrns, age 36, for Battery. The arrests stemmed from a domestic dispute at a residence in the 300 block of Hackberry Street. Officers learned that during the dispute Swift had allegedly battered two juvenile family members and that Byrns arrived at the home to take those family members from the home. Byrns allegedly struck Swift in the face with her hand when Swift tried to keep her from entering the home. Officers placed Swift under arrest for the physical battery of the juveniles while Swift signed a complaint against Byrns for battering her. Both were taken to the Wabash County Jail and charged accordingly. Byrns was later released on a Notice to Appear while Swift was held pending a pre-trial detention determination by the court. The juveniles were relocated to another family member.
Mt. Carmel Man Jailed On Allegations Of Sex Crimes
On 1/17/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Preston Cory Pierce, age 34, of Mt. Carmel on 4 counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault, 3 counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, and 1 count of Criminal Sexual Assault following an investigation to allegations that Pierce had sexually abused three different juvenile victims between the years 2011 to 2016. Pierce was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he is being detained pending trial following a hearing in Wabash Circuit Court on 1/19/24. This case remains under investigation and no further information will be released due to the nature of the allegations.
Traffic Stop Leads To Arrest Of Mt. Carmel Woman On Drug Charges
On 1/17/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Ashley S. Waldrop, age 41, of Mt. Carmel for Possession of Methamphetamine, Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer, and Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe/Needle following a traffic stop at 9th & Cherry on a 2003 Ford truck. Police stopped the vehicle for a violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code and then found one of the rear tires flat as well. In speaking to the driver, Ashley Waldrop, officers advised Waldrop exit the vehicle with the intent of checking Waldrop for impairment. Waldrop refused multiple demands to exit the vehicle resulting in officers having to remove her from the driver’s seat. Waldrop continued to ignore the officer’s orders and continued to resist by refusing to put her hands behind her back while attempting to kick the officers. Waldrop was ultimately placed under arrest for resisting a peace officer. Inside the vehicle, officers located a syringe needle containing suspected narcotics inside of it. The needle contents later field tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine. Waldrop was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was issued the above charges and later released on a Notice to Appear.
Illinois Men Arrested on Felony and Misdemeanor Charges for Actions During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach
WASHINGTON – Two men from Illinois have been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges related to their conduct during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Their actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.
Justin LaGesse, 37, and Theodore Middendorf, 36, both of McLeansboro, Illinois, are charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with felony destruction of property. In addition to the felony, LaGesse and Middendorf are charged with misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings, and parading, picketing, and demonstrating in a Capitol building.
LaGesse and Middendorf were arrested yesterday by the FBI in Illinois and will make their initial appearance in the Southern District of Illinois.
According to allegations contained in court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Justin LaGesse illegally entered the U.S. Capitol building at approximately 2:51 p.m. via a broken window next to the Senate Wing Door. LaGesse then assists Middendorf with his entry through the same broken window. LaGesse carried with him a yellow Gadsden flag, and Middendorf carried an American flag. After entering the building, the two made their way towards the Crypt while carrying their respective flags on their shoulders.
The two then entered the Crypt and continued south into the House of Representatives side of the Capitol. At about 3:01 p.m., the men passed by the House Wing Door emergency exit while Middendorf appeared to have recorded the events with his cell phone. From there, the two made their way to the Hall of Columns and eventually exited the Capitol via the South Door.
After leaving the Capitol, LaGesse and Middendorf approached a line of Metropolitan Police Department Officers standing behind a bicycle rack barricade. Court documents say that LaGesse called the officers "f— traitors" and "f— communist scum." The two then proceeded around the building to the north side of the Capitol, where they encountered a group of rioters attempting to breach the building via the North door. At about 4:09 p.m., as officers attempted to stop these rioters, LaGesse and Middendorf approached a large window to the left of the North door and used their flagpoles to strike the window numerous times, damaging it in several places. After failing to shatter the window, Middendorf walked east towards another window and struck it with his flagpole once.
The Architect of the Capitol determined that the window struck by both Middendorf and LaGesse suffered $41,315.25 in damages.
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Illinois.
This case is being investigated by the FBI's Springfield and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.
In the 36 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,265 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 440 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
A complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Frontier, Lincoln Trail, Olney Central and Wabash Valley Colleges to Host Financial Aid Nights
Filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the most important thing students can do to secure funding for college. To support students and families in this crucial step, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges will host a series of FAFSA Nights on the following dates:
• February 8 — Lincoln Trail College from 4 to 7 p.m. in Williams Hall Room 112
• February 15 — Olney Central College from 4 to 7 p.m. in Wattleworth Hall Room 205
• February 20 — Frontier Community College from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Workforce Development Center Room 32
• February 27 — Wabash Valley College from 4 to 7 p.m. in Main Hall Room 205
The Financial Aid Team also will participate in individual high school FAFSA Nights throughout the IECC District.
During these events, IECC financial aid experts will be available to answer questions as they help students and families navigate changes in the 2024-2025 FAFSA form.
“This year we are asking everyone to have patience,” said Krystle Riggle, IECC Program Director of Financial Aid. “We have been gearing up for almost 24 months for the new FAFSA. We know it can be overwhelming, but we want students and their families to know they can always reach out to us for help. We don’t want anyone to become frustrated and give up.”
In preparation for the FAFSA Nights, Riggle encourages families to complete their Federal Student Aid IDs beforehand as they can take one to three days to be verified. Students who previously completed the FAFSA will use their existing FSA IDs.
Families also will need access to their 2022 tax information along with the contributors’ demographics, Social Security numbers, and valid email addresses. Families who own a farm or a small business will need to know their net worth minus any debt.
The new FAFSA form expands eligibility for federal student aid, including Pell Grants, and provides a streamlined user experience. Applicants will be able to skip as many as 26 questions, depending on their individual circumstances. Some applicants could answer as few as 18 questions, which could take less than 10 minutes to complete.
The 2024-2025 FAFSA opened with a soft launch on December 31. Riggle said the form is currently available for short periods of time as Federal Student Aid monitors site performance and functionality. During this time, FSA is initiating planned pauses for site maintenance and technical updates.
“They are working through some hiccups right now, but in the future, it will be a lot easier,” Riggle stressed. “I have to say as the Program Director of Financial Aid and as a parent who has completed the 2024-2025 FAFSA, it is moving quicker and there were fewer questions.”
To avoid interruptions, Riggle suggests accessing the FSA website prior to 8 p.m. EST. She also pointed out that the FSA calling center is not available on weekends so students may wish to adjust submission times accordingly.
Riggle said students will have ample time to complete their FAFSA as Federal Student Aid will not be sharing information submitted until the end of January.
She encourages those unable to attend the upcoming FAFSA Nights to contact FCC, LTC, OCC or WVC Financial Aid to complete the FAFSA on campus.
Winslow Man Arrested for Child Molesting
Pike County – Indiana State Police and Pike County Sheriff’s Office initiated a criminal investigation in November 2023 after receiving information that Lance Scott, 42, of Winslow, had allegedly molested a child.
Indiana State Police Detective Toni Walden and Pike County Sheriff’s Detective Scott Arnold conducted the investigation and submitted their findings to the Pike County Prosecutor’s Office. After reviewing the investigation, the Pike County Prosecutor’s Office filed criminal charges on Scott and an arrest warrant was issued.
Tuesday evening, January 16, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Scott was arrested at his Winslow residence without incident. He was taken to the Pike County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.
Arrested and Charges:
Lance Scott, 42, Winslow, IN
Child Molesting - Defendant is at least 21 years of Age, Level 1 Felony
Child Molesting, Level 3 Felony
Investigating Officers: Detective Toni Walden, Indiana State Police
Detective Scott Arnold, Pike County Sheriff’s Office
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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 01/08/2024.
o Minutes of executive meeting held 11/27/2023.
o Minutes of executive meeting held 01/08/2024.
· Visitors (topic discussed by visitor(s) is limited to 5 minutes)
o Wabash County Exhibition-Jana Marriott
· 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 Open bids for 2024 mowing season
o Open bids for Oak Meadows project
o Executive Session
o Motion to Adjourn
o Liquor Control Meeting-
Dean Reports On Road District Complaints
TUESDAY, WABASH COUNTY COMMISSIONER ROB DEAN REPORTED HE HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS CONCERNING BAD ROAD CONDITIONS IN ROAD DISCTRICT 2. DEAN SAID CONSTIUENTS NEED TO MAKE THE REPORT TO THEIR ELECTED COMMISSIONERS. ALL THE COMMISSIIONERS COMMENTED THAT GOOD CANDIDATES NEED TO RUN FOR THE ROAD DISTRICT COMMISSIONER SEATS.
Bunting Delivers County Highway Report To County Commissioners
THE WABASH COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT IS CONTINUING TO BATTLE TELEPHONE PROBLEMS. RECENT REPAIRS HAVE NOT WORKED. HIGHWAY ENGINEER DUSTIN BUNTING SAID REPAIR WORKERS ARE EXPECTED THURSDAY. BUNTING NOTED TO WABASH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS THAT THERE IS NOW A SIGNED CONTRACT FOR THE NEW HIGHWAY BUILDING., CONSTRUCTION COULD BEGIN AS SOON AS MARCH. HIGHWAY EMPLOYEES RECENTLY ATTENDED AN IMPORTANT EXCAVATION MEETING IN OLNEY.
BUNTING ALSO SAID WABASH COUNTY CHIP AND SEAL ROADS REMAIN OPEN, BUT IF THE WEATHER FORECAST HOLDS, A 10 TON LIMIT COULD BE IMPOSED NEXT WEEK.
HVAC Study On Courthouse Continues
AT TUESDAY’S WABASH COUNTY BOARD MEETING, COMMISSIONER TIM HOCKING REPORTED THE STUDY ON THE COURTHOUSE HEATING SYSTEM SHOULD BE COMPLETE IN ABOUT A MONTH. THE FIRST ESTIMATE FOR THE WHOLE COURTHOUSE CAME IN TOO HIGH. THE CURRENT STUDY IS FOR A REDO FOR THE FIRST FLOOR H-VAC SYSTEM.