Lick Prairie Church in northern Wabash County sustained serious damage as severe storms rolled through the area tonight. A tornado warning was issued by the National Weather Service for northeastern Wabash County at 8:42pm as radar indicated rotation with the line of storms. Several trees were knocked down by the storms and Lick Prairie Church sustained extensive roof damage. Crews from MCPU and Norris Electric responded to the scene to reports of numerous power outages. Wabash County Emergency Management Agency volunteers were dispatched to the area to aid first responders. No injuries have been reported from the storms.
Disturbance call leads to arrest of Oakland City woman on multiple charges
On March 13, 2024, at 5:11 p.m. the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a disturbance in the 500 block of West Division Street in Oakland City. Law Enforcement Officers from the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office and Oakland City Police Department arrived in the area, and began an investigation into the incident. After speaking with all the parties involved 36 year old Erica Lawrence of Oakland City was taken into custody by Deputy Logan Lashbrook and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Jail Ms. Lawrence was charged with Battery in the Presence of a Child, Confinement, and Interference in the Reporting of a Crime.
Assisting Deputy Lashbrook in his investigation was Sgt. Loren Barchett of the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office and Officers John Pace and Zachary Scraper of the Oakland City Police Department.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Oakland City man arrested for driving on a suspended license
On March 13, 2024, at 7:58 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Logan Lashbrook conducted a traffic stop on a Black 2010 Ford Edge on Park Street in Fort Branch after observing the vehicle fail to maintain its lane of travel while on US 41. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Lashbrook identified the driver as 37 year old Jamie Parker of Oakland City. During the stop it was determined that Mr. Parker was operating his vehicle with a suspended driver’s license. At that point Mr. Parker was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Jail Mr. Parker was charged with Driving While Suspended/Prior. He was also issued citations for Failure to Provide Proof of Financial Responsibility, Failure to Provide Vehicle Registration, and Driving Left of Center.
Assisting Deputy Lashbrook in his investigation was Sgt. Loren Barchett.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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.
City Issuing Illegal Burning Citations
Mt. Carmel officials are cracking down on illegal burning within city limits. City attorney Derek McCullough told the city council he has taken action on the issue…
Despite some recent rain, city officials say it’s important to refrain from using fire pits with the dry conditions.
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.
