WGH Board Approves Moving Forward On Two Projects

The Wabash General Hospital board of directions has approved moving forward with two substantial building projects. At their meeting last night, the board voted to proceed with a $4,551,190 project to  finish the build-out of the second floor of the new medical office building. When the new M. O. B. was completed, only the first floor was finished and occupied, leaving the second floor of the complex open for future development. The time has come to move forward as the board voted last night to spend the money to complete three suites of offices. There was no word last night on which departments or services would be occupying the new space when it’s completed this fall.

The second approval was to seek bids on an estimated $196,500 project to create more space at the orthopedic office building. The project would include a rearrangement of the front office, separating some of the clinician’s work area, expanding the reception area into the waiting room to allow for smoother operations. WGH administration admitted the project is a stop gap measure to buy the hospital more time before a more extensive expansion of the orthopedic building is undertaken. The board’s action last night was to seek bids on the work before a final decision is made by the board.

Photo Credit: WGH Facebook page

Owensville man with outstanding warrant receives additional charges

On March 25, 2024, at 7:27 a.m. Deputies with the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office went to a residence in the 4300 block of West 200 South to serve an arrest warrant on 32 year old Michael Binhack of rural Owensville.  Upon arriving at the residence Mr. Binhack was taken into custody for the outstanding warrant for violation of work release rules.  While taking Mr. Binhack into custody illegal drugs were observed in plain view.  At that point Deputy Bryan Small began a drug investigation at the residence and during the course of his investigation he applied for and obtained a search warrant for Blue 2000 Chevy Silverado that belonged to Mr. Binhack and was at the residence.  Once the search warrant was served and executed Mr. Binhack was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he is being held without bond on the outstanding work release violation warrant, and is awaiting his initial appearance on Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamines, and Possession of Paraphernalia. 

 Assisting Deputy Smith in his investigation was Deputies Michael Owens and Eric Powell.

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

Personal injury accident leads to arrest of Oakland City man on a DUI charge

On March 24, 2024, at 8:30 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of an accident with injuries at the intersection of Oak and Grove Street in Oakland City.  Officers with the Oakland City Police Department and Gibson County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the scene and upon arriving Deputy Logan Lashbrook began an investigation into the incident.  During the investigation it was determined that a Bronze 2017 Toyota Tundra had been in an accident with another vehicle.  While speaking with the 66 year old Larry Banks, the driver of the Tundra Deputy Lashbrook detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage.  At that point Deputy Lashbrook began a roadside DUI investigation.  At the conclusion of the accident and DUI investigations Mr. Banks was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated With Endangerment.  The driver of the other vehicle was treated for non-life threatening injuries at the scene by the Gibson County Ambulance Service.

 Assisting Deputy Lashbrook in his investigation as Oakland City Police Officer Jeff Hill.  . 

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

Indiana State Police Reminds Hoosiers to Put Away Distractions while Behind the Wheel

Jasper, IN — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is launching a national high-visibility enforcement effort this April to deter distracted driving.

"Distractions behind the wheel can have devastating consequences,” said Devon McDonald, Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Executive Director. “We urge all motorists to focus on the road and avoid any activity that takes their attention away from driving safely."

Law enforcement officers nationwide will work together to enforce texting and distracted-driving laws and remind people to put away distractions while on the road. This effort comes during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

“People know using their phone while driving is dangerous and often illegal, but they do it anyway, and put themselves and others at risk,” said Lieutenant Jason Allen. Drivers will see increased law enforcement efforts, as officers will be stopping and ticketing anyone who is caught texting and driving.”

Violating Indiana’s distracted driving laws can be costly. Violators of Indiana’s hands-free law could face a Class C infraction with fines of up to $500 and have points added to their license.

Cell phone use while driving is dangerous and illegal. Break the cycle. For more information, visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/distracted-driving.

Haubstadt man arrested on DUI charge

On March 24, 2024, at 12:05 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Wyatt Hunt conducted a traffic stop on a Gray 2017 Ford F250 after observing the vehicle speed on South Main in Princeton.  Upon stopping the vehicle at the intersection of New Jersey Street and Boulevard Place Deputy Hunt approached the vehicle and immediately detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver 29 year old Damian Silva of Haubstadt.  At that point Deputy Hunt began a roadside DUI investigation.  At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Hunt placed Mr. Silva into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. 

Assisting Deputy Hunt in his investigation was Deputy Bart Wagner and Princeton Officers Ben Kiesel and Nick Rainey.

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

West Virginia man arrested on Meth charge

On March 23rd, 2024 at approximately 3:10 a.m. Gibson County Sgt. John Fischer was patrolling US 41 near CR 550 S when he observed a vehicle pulled off the roadway under the overpass at CR 550 S.  

Sgt. Fischer stopped to check on the driver and identified him as Brent Runyon, age 41 of Lake West Virginia.  During the check of Mr. Runyon it was found he had a warrant for his arrest from Missouri.  Sgt. Fischer placed him in custody and during a search of his person, a bag of Methamphetamine was located.

Mr. Runyon is being held at the Gibson County Jail for possession of Methamphetamine and the warrant.

Sgt. John Fischer was assisted by Deputy Bart Wagner and Fort Branch Deputy Marshal Louis Jerrel.

Princeton man arrested on OWI charge

On March 22, 2024, at 11:39 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Bart Wagner conducted a traffic stop on a traffic stop on a Red 2023 Tao Moped on North Gibson Street near Emerson Street in Princeton after observing the driver of the vehicle failing to maintain their lane of travel.  While speaking with the driver 53 year old Rodney Benson of Princeton Deputy Wagner detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage.  At that point Deputy Wagner began a roadside DUI investigation.  During the roadside investigation Mr. Benson physically began to resist Deputy Wagner and Princeton Officer Nick Rainey.  At that point Mr. Benson was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail.  Upon arriving at the jail Mr. Benson was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated With a Prior Conviction, Battery on a Public Safety Official, and Disorderly Conduct.

Assisting Deputy Wagner and Officer Rainey in their investigation was Princeton Sergeant Ben Kiesel and Gibson County Sergeant John Fischer.

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

Traffic Stop Leads to Discovery of Estimated 1.1 Million Dollars of Illegal Drugs

Putnam County- Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at approximately 2:00 p.m., an Indiana State Trooper stopped a white Freightliner tractor-trailer on I-70 at the 41 mile-marker eastbound, for a routine DOT compliance inspection.  During conversations with the driver, criminal indicators were observed, and a consensual search of the tractor-trailer was conducted.   

During the search, the trooper found 70 pounds of cocaine, 45 pounds of marijuana, and $47,735 in United States currency. 

The driver was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Putnam County Jail. The driver is being charged with dealing narcotics, Level 2 Felony, and dealing marijuana, Level 5 Felony.  

The tractor-trailer was enroute from Los Angeles, California, to Indianapolis, Indiana.

The estimated street value of the marijuana is $100,000 and the cocaine is 1 million dollars.   

Attached: Photo of drugs seized.  

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