On 5/01/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Kerry Keepes, age 64, of Mt. Carmel on a Wabash County Warrant for his arrest. Keepes was located outside of his home in the 700 block of W 6th Street where he was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Keepes is being held pending a pre-trial release determination by the court.
Road District #2 Clerk Resigns
The much-beleaguered Road District #2 in Wabash County has lost its’ clerk. At Monday’s county board meeting, chairman Scott West read the resignation letter from Cherise Stoll….
Road District Commissioner John Jones has been under intense pressure to resign because of his inaction that has made several roads nearly impassable. A public hearing was held on February 29th in which Jones was harshly criticized for his lack of work on district 2’s road despite having budgeted money available to do so. At that February hearing, State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman asked Jones to sign a letter of resignation she presented, but Jones refused.
Anyone interested in filling the Road District 2 clerk’s position should contact the county clerk’s office. The replacement will be appointed by the county board.
MCJHS Sends Three To State Science Fair
MCJHS was well represented at the Illinois Junior Academy of Science State Science Fair held at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, on Saturday, May 4, 2024. Four students qualified to present their project in the competition, and three students, Miranda Kennard, Ellie Couch, and Wyatt Rooney, traveled to Decatur to compete against over 900 other entries. Sarah Dougherty is their 8th-Grade Science Teacher.
Ellie Couch, daughter of Shamber Weiss, received a "SILVER" level rating from the Judges on her project testing how different mouthwash brands would affect the BAC mouth reading on a handheld breathalyzer. Ellie competed in the Product and Consumer Science Category.
Miranda Kennard, daughter of Robbie and Tracie Kennard, received a "GOLD" level rating from the Judges on her project, which tested the rate at which different types of eggshells would dissolve in a vinegar solution. Miranda competed in the Agriculture Category.
Wyatt Rooney, son of Ashley and Justin Swanson, received a "GOLD" level rating from the Judges on his project testing sheep eyesight. He was investigating whether sheep would have a preference for the color of the bucket with which they were fed. Wyatt was awarded a monetary prize for having the First-Place project in the newly established Agriculture Category, which was quite an honor.
Allendale Students Of The Month
Allendale School is proud to announce the Students of the Month for April:
front row - Tuff Boone (Kindergarten), Gracelyn Snyder (1st Grade), Gunner Swift (2nd Grade), Ryan Perry (3rd Grade)
back row - Sam Smith (4th Grade), Tiffany Westlake (Junior High), Max Ford (Junior High)
Disturbance call leads to arrest of Illinois man on drug charges
On May 5, 2024, at 6:06 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a complaint of an intoxicated person causing a disturbance. Upon arriving on scene the reporting party identified the male who was disrupting business at the Love’s Truck Stop located at 1042 E. Warrenton Road near Haubstadt. Upon approaching the individual they were able to identify him as 27 year old Emery Eubanks of Sesser, Illinois. While speaking with Mr. Eubanks Methamphetamines and Drug Paraphernalia were found. At that point Mr. Eubanks was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Possession of Methamphetamines and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Arresting Officer: Shawn Holmes
Assisting Officers: Sgt. Loren Barchett, Deputy Logan Lashbrook, Deputy Michael Owens, and Deputy Chad Craney.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Princeton man arrested on battery charge
On May 4, 2024, at 3:54 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 call in the 2400 block of North Bald Hill Lane in regard to a battery that had taken place. Upon arriving on scene law enforcement located all parties involved in the incident and began an investigation. At the conclusion of their investigation Deputy Shawn Holmes placed 41 year old Frederic Stocker into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail Mr. Stocker was charged with Domestic Battery.
Assisting Deputy Holmes in his investigation was Sgt. Loren Barchett, Deputy Logan Lashbrook, and Deputy Michael Owens of the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office. Officers Matt Perry and David Jones of the Princeton Police Department also assisted in the investigation.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Wabash County Commissioner Meeting Agenda
Monday, May 6th at 4:30pm
Wabash County Courthouse
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. Bid results for the Poor Farm Road (CH 10) Resurfacing Project.
b. Resignation of Road District #2 Clerk.
c. Jessica and Ryan Peter to discuss the County’s Solar Ordinance.
7) Executive Session:
8) Correspondence:
9) Approval of payment of claims presented:
10) Adjournment:
Traffic accident leads to arrest of Princeton man
On May 2, 2024, at 10:54 a.m. Gibson County Deputy U.B. Smith was dispatched to the intersection of Carither’s Road and Taftown Road for a single vehicle accident. Upon arriving on scene Deputy Smith located a Silver 2003 Ford F250 unoccupied and in a ditch. At that point Deputy Smith began an investigation into the accident. While investigating the accident the driver 30 year old David Dunn of Princeton arrived on scene driving a farm tractor to recover the vehicle. While speaking with Mr. Dunn Deputy Smith detected clues that Mr. Dunn was under the influence of an unknown intoxicant. At that point Deputy Smith began a roadside OWI investigation that resulted in Mr. Dunn being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail Mr. Dunn was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated With a Passenger Less than 18 years of age.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
City Council Passes Balanced Budget
The city of Mt. Carmel’s new fiscal year started last Wednesday, and the city council approved the budget for the new year at their meeting on Tuesday evening. City Clerk Ryan Turner told the council the new budget looks good…
Finance commissioner Eric Ikemire said the city finished the previous fiscal year in good shape as revenue came in 6% above what was budgeted.
Phase 2 Of Stadium Project Complete; Is There A Phase 3?
The ribbon cutting and dedication of the Legends Fieldhouse officially completed Phase 2 of the Riverview Stadium renovation project. Phase one involved an extensive overhaul and update of the Stadium seating area, installation of a turf playing surface, 8 lane track and a new press box and bleachers on the visitors side. Phase two involved the construction of the Fieldhouse which includes locker rooms, restrooms, and a huge concession stand area. But now that Phase 2 is finished, will there be a Phase 3? District 3-48 Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer said you’ll have to wait and see….
City officials have kicked around the idea of using the area along Golden Aces Way across from the Stadium to construct new baseball and softball fields that could be used by the school district. The new fields would be adjacent to the junior football field and parking lot, But so far, nothing public has been released on those preliminary ideas and it’s unclear if those plans are even still being considered.
