Florida Man Dead, Mt. Carmel Woman Seriously Injured In Overnight Crash

Gibson County – Last night, March 13, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Indiana State Police and Gibson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a head-on crash on U.S. 41 near C.R. 550 South that resulted in one fatality and the other driver being seriously injured.   

Preliminary investigation revealed a 57-year-old male from West Palm Beach, Florida, was driving a Nissan Rogue southbound in the northbound lane when his vehicle collided head-on into a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by Leanna Morris, 37, of Mt. Carmel, IL.  Morris was driving in the correct lane. The Florida driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.  Morris was transported to Deaconess Midtown for serious injuries. The northbound lanes of U.S. 41 were closed for approximately two hours while troopers investigated the crash.

The identity of the Florida driver will be released when his family has been notified.

The investigation is ongoing.

Investigating Agency: Indiana State Police

Assisting Agencies: Gibson County Sheriff’s Office and Princeton Police

County Commissioners Increase Cannabis Tax

With a new cannabis retailer now set to open sometime this year in Mt. Carmel, Wabash County Commissioners have approved quadrupling the cannabis retailer’s occupation tax. At their meeting last week, state’s attorney Kelli Storckman said commissioners passed the tax ordinance in 2019 that put the tax at .75% But now…

Commissioner Rob Dean said the decision to quadruple the tax was an easy one…

Nirvana is expected to open Wabash County’s first cannabis dispensary sometime later this year in the former AT & T building at 9th and Chestnut Streets.

Francisco man arrested for criminal confinement

On March 10, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a subject walking in and out of the roadway on State Road 64 near County Road 400 East.  Law enforcement officers arrived on scene and identified the subject as 56 year old Edward Cook Sr. of Francisco.  While speaking with Mr. Cook he stated that he had been battered at his residence on East Wood Street in Francisco.  At that point Deputy Quinten Might began an investigation into the incident.  Upon locating the other party it was determined that Mr. Cook was the aggressor in the incident.  After speaking with both parties Mr. Cook was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Criminal Confinement and Public Intoxication. 

 Assisting Deputy Might in his investigation was Indiana Conservation Officer Matt Clark and Gibson County Sheriff Sergeant Loren Barchett. 

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

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE IS INVESTIGATING FATAL SCHOOL BUS CRASH IN RUSHVILLE

RUSHVILLE – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is investigating a fatal crash involving a school bus in Rushville, IL.  On March 11, 2024, at approximately 11:30 a.m., a school bus and a truck tractor semi-trailer crashed on Route 24 just west of Parkview Road.  There was a total of five fatalities, which include the school bus driver, three children who were passengers on the bus, and the semi-truck tractor driver.

 

Preliminary reports indicate the school bus was traveling east on Route 24 and for an unknown reason crossed over into the west bound lanes in front of the semi-truck.  The semi-truck struck the school bus and both vehicles became engulfed in flames.

 

The following identifications have been confirmed by the Schuyler County coroner:

David Coufal, 72-year-old male from Browning, IL

Angela Spiker, 57-year-old female from Rushville, IL

Maria Miller, 5-year-old female from Rushville, IL

Andrew Miller, 3-year-old male from Rushville, IL

Noah Driscoll, 3-year-old male from Rushville, IL

 

ISP thanks first responder personnel from the Rushville Fire Department, Rushville Police Department, Schuyler County Fire Protection District, Schuyler Ambulance, and the Schuyler County Sheriff’s Department who responded to the incident and provided critical assistance during this tragic incident. 

Princeton man arrested on OWI charge

On March 11, 2024, at 5:31 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Logan Lashbrook conducted a traffic stop on a White 2007 Saturn VUE for having false and fictitious registration. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Lashbrook identified the driver as 20 year old Bracey Turnpaugh of Princeton.  While speaking with Mr. Turnpaugh Deputy Lashbrook detected clues that the driver may under the influence of an unknown intoxicant.  At that point Deputy Lashbrook began a roadside DUI investigation.  At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Lashbrook placed Mr. Turnpaugh into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated with Endangerment.  He was also issued citations for Operating a Vehicle With a Fictitious Plate, Operating a Vehicle Without Financial Responsibility, Operating With Expired Plates, and a Learner’s Permit Violation. 

 Assisting Deputy Lashbrook in his investigation was Sgt. Loren Barchett and Deputy Michael Owens. 

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

Primary Election Is Less Than A Week Away

We’re now less than a week away from Primary Election Day in Illinois. If you can’t make it to the polls between 6am and 7pm next Tuesday, there are still opportunities to vote early. The Wabash County Clerk’s office is open today, tomorrow, Friday, and next Monday between 8am and 4pm to vote early. In addition, the clerk’s office will be open Saturday from 9am to 12 noon to accommodate early voters. Voters do not need a reason to vote early. Contested local races on the primary ballot are on the Republican side as J. C. Warnken is challenging Tim Hocking for a 6 year term on the Wabash County Board. Shaun Keepes is facing a primary challenge from Greg Wilkinson. We have the full sample ballot for the primary posted on our Facebook page.

IGSMA SOLO & ENSEMBLE CONTEST RESULTS

70 entries from Mt. Carmel Grade School and Mt. Carmel Jr. High prepared for the Illinois Grade School Music Association (IGSMA) District 4 Solo & Ensemble on Saturday, March 9, hosted by Mt. Carmel Grade School. Those receiving honors were:

Superior ratings (perfect score on a class A, B, & C solo):

Dani Arano, class C clarinet solo
Luis Bohorquez-Atencio, class A vocal solo
Reece Macer, class B vocal solo
Kenzley Matchem, class C bari sax solo
Varsity Show Choir of Dani Arano, Lani-Kay Bailey, Eli Baker, Luis Bohorquez-Atencio, Madi Dawson, Annelise Garrison, Colbie Heinrich, Sarah Ireland, Reece Macer, Ty Marie McCleave, Violet Miller, Dane Perry, Justice Toothman, and Piper Wilson

Excellent ratings (Division I):

Dani Arano, class C vocal solo
Nicole Arano, class E trombone solo
Lani-Kay Bailey, class C vocal solo
Aryn Baker, class D alto sax solo
Dakota Banks, class D snare drum solo
Cade Belt, class E snare drum solo
June Bisby, class E trumpet solo
Aydan Boze, class C vocal solo
Aydan Boze, class C xylophone solo
Lexi Clendenin, class E clarinet solo
Alexis Clowers, class C vocal solo
Carly Dawson, class E flute solo
Madi Dawson, class B vocal solo
Madison Escobedo, class E clarinet solo
Annelise Garrison, class B clarinet solo
Annelise Garrison, class A vocal solo
Matalei Greer, class D clarinet solo
Jase Groves, class E clarinet solo
Karis Hadra, class C vocal solo
Karis Hadra, class E piano solo
Karis Hadra, class C trombone solo
Andrew Hagerty, class D alto sax solo
Andrew Hagerty, class E vocal solo
Anna Hall, class D clarinet solo
Anna Hall, class B vocal solo
Colbie Heinrich, class C snare drum solo
Riley Hocking, class E snare drum solo
Mackenzie Horton, class B vocal solo
Sarah Ireland, class C vocal solo
Chase Kleinschmidt, class E alto sax solo
Merced Lopez, class D vocal solo
Reece Macer, class C euphonium solo
Bryce Malone, class C tenor sax solo
Kinley Mandrell, class C clarinet solo
Kinley Mandrell, class B vocal solo
Abigail McBroom, class D alto sax solo
Abigail McBroom, class C vocal solo
Violet Miller, class B vocal solo
Brayden Mills, class E alto sax solo
Woodjinie Miracle, class E trombone solo
Chloe Moreno, class E clarinet solo
Tegan Oliver, class E alto sax solo
Brylee Patterson, class C vocal solo
Brynlynn Pierce, class E clarinet solo
Jaz Reavill, class D vocal solo
Greyson Roberts, class C trombone solo
Abigail Schwarzlose, class C alto sax solo
Nevaeh Schmitt, class D flute solo
Jayden Spencer, class E trombone solo
Alayna Swanson, class E clarinet solo
Justice Toothman, class B vocal solo
Cade Wilcox, class E alto sax solo
Piper Wilson, class A vocal solo
Piper Wilson, class C piano solo
Piper Wilson, class C xylophone solo

Good ratings (Division II):

Aydan Boze, class C snare drum, solo
Matalei Greer, class D vocal solo
Bryleigh Swatsley, class C trumpet solo

 

Convicted Felon Jailed Following Traffic Stop

On 3/06/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Alexander K. Sparks, age 32, of Princeton, Indiana for Unlawful Possession of Weapon by Felon following a traffic stop for a violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code in the 200 block of North Walnut Street.  During the stop, Officer Hopper and K-9 Eleven arrived on scene to conduct a free air narcotics sniff around the vehicle’s exterior.  Eleven alerted to the past or current odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle resulting in a search.  The search uncovered a knife with brass knuckles acting as the handle.  Sparks is a convicted felon and placed under arrest.  Sparks was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and later released on a Notice to Appear. 

Mt. Carmel Man Arrested After Trailer Park Incident

On 3/06/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Courtney D. Hicks, age 50, of Mt. Carmel, for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Violation of an Order of Protection following an incident at a trailer at the T.P. Trailer Park.  Officers were called to the scene to stand by while a female removed property from the trailer, which is occupied by Mr. Hicks.  Police learned that the female had obtained an order of protection earlier in the week against Hicks that had not been served.  A Wabash County Deputy arrived on scene and served Hicks the protective order.  While officers stood by for the property gathering, they observed a clear plastic bag of suspected methamphetamine along with a smoking device on Hicks’ nightstand.  The female had not been at the residence for several days and Hicks took ownership of the drug items, leading to his arrest.  Hicks was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and released on a Notice to Appear.  After his release, Hicks returned to the same residence and violated the protective order.  Hicks was placed under arrest and taken back to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a pre-trial detention determination by the court.