REGULAR MEETING Monday, April 15, 2024
AGENDA
1) Call to order:
2) Approve minutes of previous meeting:
3) Commissioner’s reports:
4) Officer’s reports:
5) Old Business:
a. ARPA Ordinance.
b. County Highway Building.
c. Lawnmower for Froman Park.
6) New Business:
a. Appointments to various boards.
7) Executive Session:
8) Correspondence:
9) Approval of payment of claims presented:
10) Adjournment
Springfield, IL – This week, State Senator Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) welcomed dozens of high school students from across the 58th Senate District to the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield to learn more about the state’s legislative process as part of her Youth Advisory Council (YAC) program.
“I want these students to be able to leave here understanding that they can have a real impact on our legislative process and the state as a whole,” said Sen. Bryant. “I was able to turn their idea from the fall into real legislation. While that particular bill hasn’t yet moved, I believe it has influenced the movement of a similar bill in the House known as Faith’s Law, so they definitely should take pride in that.”
Sen. Bryant’s YAC program allows local high school students to learn more about government through two meetings held each school year. During the fall meeting, students heard from local leaders and had the opportunity to propose ideas for new legislation. This year, students put forward a proposal meant to stop inappropriate relationships between teachers and students, regardless the age of the student. Sen. Bryant took their idea to help create her Senate Bill 2823.
“This was something that I never thought I would be really interested in until I went to the fall event and gained a lot more interest,” said Chester High School Student Marbry Wingerter. “Everything about this has been great. I feel like I have been heard and have a better understanding of what goes on in our state government.”
During this week’s meeting, students took on the various roles involved in the legislative process for a mock committee hearing in an actual Senate committee room at the Capitol Complex. The students served as lawmakers discussing and voting on the proposal, concerned citizens and lobbyists advocating for and against the issue, and reporters covering the hearing.
“It is important for young people to have an understanding of how government works because at some point, we will have to take over the cup whenever the older generation isn’t able to do it,” said Du Quoin High School Student Sam Vancil. “It’s better to be prepared for that now than to be thrown right in with no preparation.”
“This event has opened my eyes to the fact that the people who make laws are just regular people,” said Edwards County High School Student Owen Grimes. “I’m learning that this is something that I may be able to do someday myself.”
Sen. Bryant’s YAC program is open to high school students in the 58th Senate District each year. She encourages interested students to ask their teachers and/or principals about taking part in the future.
On 4/10/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Courtney D. Hicks, age 50, for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Unlawful Use of Weapon by Felon following a traffic stop on a 2017 Chevrolet truck on Walnut & Southgate Drive. During the stop, Ofc. Hopper and K-9 Eleven conducted a free air narcotics sniff around the exterior of the truck. Eleven alerted to the presence of narcotics resulting in a search of the vehicle. In doing so, officers located a glass pipe with suspected methamphetamine residue inside of it and a brass knuckle style weapon with two knives on the outside of it. Hicks, who is also a convicted felon, was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and later released on a Notice to Appear.
On 4/10/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Cole W. Stewart, age 26, of Mt. Carmel for Domestic Battery following a reported domestic dispute at a residence in the 500 block of West 1st Street. During the investigation, police found evidence that Stewart had made unwanted physical contact by pushing a juvenile resident to the floor. It was also alleged that Stewart shoved his girlfriend to the ground and got on top of her while trying to recover a bottle of alcohol the she had taken during the incident. Officers located Stewart in the shed behind the house where he was taken into custody. Stewart was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and later transported to the White County Jail where he is being held pending a pre-trial detention determination.
On 4/09/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Daisha N. Cardinal, age 33, of Fort Branch, Indiana on a Wabash County Failure to Appear Warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine. Cardinal was observed in the Wabash County Courthouse tending to another matter. Cardinal was transported to the Wabash County Jail and later transferred to White County Jail where she is being held pending a pre-trial detention determination by the court.
On 4/09/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Jessica L. Kramer, age 38, of Fort Branch, Indiana for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Other Drugs, Intoxicating Compounds and Possession of Methamphetamine. Police also arrested Anthony E. Gehring, age 47, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri for Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Stolen Property following a traffic stop on a 2015 Dodge in the 1500 block of West 9th Street. The stop was a result of a complaint regarding the theft of two lawn chairs from the West 9th Street Dollar General Store. During the investigation, Ofc. Hopper and K-9 Eleven arrived and conducted a free air narcotic sniff around the exterior of the Dodge with Eleven alerting to the presence of narcotics.
As one officer spoke to the driver, Kramer, he noted her behavior was indicative of methamphetamine use. Consequently, the officer requested Kramer submit to a roadside sobriety check. Kramer agreed to testing and showed several clues to indicate impairment. During this same time, officers requested the passenger, Gehring, step out of the vehicle so a vehicle search could be conducted. The search led to officers finding suspected methamphetamine in various containers along with other drug related items. Kramer was processed for DUI at an area hospital and taken, along with Gehring, to the Wabash County Jail for further processing.
During this time, officers located a stolen driver’s license and social security card that belonged to an Evansville, Indiana resident on Gehring, resulting in the additional charge of Possession of Stolen Property. Dollar General staff elected not to pursue charges for the chairs due to the other pending charges. Both were later released on Notices to Appear.
Spencer County – Monday night, April 8th, at approximately 11:47p.m., Indiana State Police and Spencer County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single-vehicle crash on rural County Road 1200 North near Lamar. This is just south of Santa Claus.
Preliminary investigation indicated Matthew S. Weber, 44, of Santa Claus, was driving a 2023 Ford Bronco eastbound on County Road 1200 North. For an unknown reason, Weber’s vehicle slowly left the roadway and hit a tree head-on on the eastbound side of the road. Weber died at the scene from his injuries.
Authorities have made notifications to all the families. An autopsy will be scheduled. Drugs or alcohol are not believed to be a factor.
Investigating Officer: Trooper Chase Snider, Indiana State Police
Assisting Officers: Trooper Nathaniel Kern and Trooper Jon Villanueva
Assisting Agencies: Spencer County Sheriff’s Office, Spencer County Coroner, Spencer County EMS, Santa Claus Fire Department, Chrisney Fire Department, and Ohio Valley Towing
On April 8th, 2024 at approximately 11:56 p.m. the Gibson County Sheriff`s Office received an Emergency 911 call about a domestic dispute in the 7000 block of South 450 West near Owensville. Sgt. John Fischer and Deputy Bart Wagner arrived to the residence and conducted an investigation. After the course of the investigation, Sgt. John Fischer found probable cause to believe that Justin R. Williams, age 40 of Fairfield Illinois had committed Domestic Battery in the presence of children under age 16 and intimidation, both level 6 Felonies. Sgt. Fischer transported Mr. Williams to the Gibson County Jail and was assisted in his investigation by Deputy Bart Wagner.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law
A body pulled from the Wabash River Sunday morning near the boat ramp in Mt. Carmel has been identified as that of an Indiana man. Wabash County Coroner Shaun Keepes reports his office was notified Sunday morning of a body in the river near the 5th Street boat ramp and the ensuing investigation by his office, Wabash County Water Rescue, Mt. Carmel Police Department, and Wabash County Sheriff’s Department resulted in the body as being identified as 27 year old Bryson L. Ledsinger of Avon, Indiana. Keepes said the case remains under investigation with an autopsy planned for Tuesday at the Wabash County Coroner’s office.
The city of Mt. Carmel is again working with the Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission on a grant application that would help pay for tearing down eyesores…
The city and Greater Wabash were recently successful in obtaining a grant to help pay $10,000 for retention and recruitment of police officers. Judge also said the city has submitted a grant application to pay for a Mommy and Me swing at the City Park. Judge said the $3,600 swing allows mothers and infants to be in the same swing together and would be a good addition to the park.