On May 16, 2024, at 9:18 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Logan Lashbrook conducted a traffic stop on a Black 2014 Buick Enclave after it was observed speeding on State Road 65 north of Owensville. Upon stopping the vehicle on County Road 250 South west of State Road 65 Deputy Lashbrook detected the odor of burnt Marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and identified the driver as 58 year old Rhonda Knight of Owensville. At that point Deputy Lashbrook began a roadside OWI investigation. Once his investigation was concluded Deputy Lashbrook placed Ms. Knight into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with Operating a Vehicle Intoxicated, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Possession of Marijuana.
Assisting Deputy Lashbrook in his investigation was Deputy Shawn Holmes.
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 Agenda
May 20, 2024 at 4:30pm in 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.
d. Applications for Road District #2 Clerk
6) New Business:
a. Set salaries for newly elected county officials.
b. Ballot Placement Lottery
c. HVAC proposal bids.
d. Resolution No. 2024-06, authorizing the issuance of a deed from the Tax Trustee for property at 6335 E 270 Rd.
7) Executive Session:
8) Correspondence:
9) Approval of payment of claims presented:
10) Adjournment:
911 call leads to arrest of Buckskin man
On May 17, 2024, at 8:14 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of an active fight in the 10300 block of South State Road 64 near Buckskin. Multiple Deputies were dispatched to the scene, and upon arriving officers the parties involved were separated and an investigation into the incident was conducted. At the conclusion of the on scene investigation 59 year old Brian Saddler of Buckskin was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Jail Mr. Saddler was charged with Battery.
Arresting Officer was Deputy Chad Craney.
Assisting Deputy Craney in his investigation were Sgt. Loren Barchett and Deputies Logan Lashbrook and Shawn Holmes.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
911 call leads to arrest of Haubstadt man on battery charge.
On May 17, 2024, at 11:35 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a disturbance in the 2000 block of West 1125 South near Haubstadt. Deputy Wyatt Hunt was dispatched to the scene and with the assistance of Haubstadt Town Marshal Bryan Munnier and Fort Branch Officer Louis Jerrell an investigation was conducted when they arrived on scene. After speaking with all parties involved in the incident 41 year old Michael Ozechowski of Haubstadt was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail Mr. Ozechowski was charged with Battery.
Also assisting in this investigation was Deputies Logan Lashbrook and Zach Lienemann.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Sullivan Couple Arrested for Neglect of Dependent
Sullivan County - Indiana State Police Putnamville Post initiated a criminal investigation on March 25, 2024, after receiving information from the Sullivan County Department of Child Services concerning allegations of neglect of a dependent.
The investigation revealed that Katelynn E. Stranger, age 29, of Sullivan, Indiana, and Rai W. Stranger, age 33, of Sullivan, Indiana, had allegedly not provided proper care for a child under their care and supervision. The allegations took place in Sullivan County.
After reviewing the investigation, the Sullivan County Prosecutor’s Office issued an arrest warrant on May 16, 2024, for both individuals. Both are currently being held on a $8,000.00 bond with 10% allowed.
Investigating Officer: Indiana State Police Master Trooper Detective Angie Hahn.
Assisting Agencies: Sullivan County Department of Child Services and Susie’s Place.
Arrested and Charges:
Katelynn E. Stranger, 29, Sullivan, IN
Neglect of a Dependent, Level 6 Felony
Rai W. Stranger, 33, Sullivan, IN
Neglect of a Dependent, Level 6 Felony
Photo: Katelynn Stranger and Rai Stranger.
Under the law, criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
GOREVILLE MAN SENTENCED TO 50 YEARS FOR JOHNSON COUNTY MURDER
JOHNSON COUNTY – Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 7 and Johnson County Sheriff's Office conducted an exhaustive investigation that led to a 50-year sentence for First-Degree-Murder and Aggravated Battery with a Firearm.
On February 23, 2024, 71-year-old Larry D. Cavitt of Goreville, IL was found guilty of the above charges relating to the murder of 51-year-old Joseph E. Geyman. On May 17, 2024, Cavitt was sentenced to 50 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The sentence includes 25 years for First Degree Murder plus an additional 25 years due to the statutory firearm enhancement.
The sentencing comes after an August 28, 2021, request by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the death of Geyman, which had occurred in the 6000 block of Dutchman Lake Road, Tunnel Hill, IL. The suspect, Larry D. Cavitt, was arrested on August 28, 2021 by ISP agents, with the assistance from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.
The case was prosecuted by the Johnson County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Wabash District #348 School Board Agenda
WABASH COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOLS BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
MT. CARMEL GRADE SCHOOL CAFETORIUM
Monday, May 20, 2024 Regular Board Meeting-
7:00 P.M.
Agenda
1. Call to order / Roll call
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Consent Agenda
a. Board Minutes i. April 15, 2024 Regular Meeting
b. Monthly Bills
c. Financial Reports
d. Correspondence
e. Administrative Reports
f. Off Season Clinics and Camps
g. Press Plus Updates
4. Superintendent’s Comments
5. Reports-
Aaron Croft
a. SAT Scores
6. Visitors
a. CEO- Sarah McCorkle, Bella Andrews, and Madison Stevens
b. Science Fair - Ellie Couch, Miranda Kennard, and Wyatt Rooney
7. Public Comments
8. Executive Session pursuant to Section 2(c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act: “The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees”.
9. New Business
a. Amended 2023-2024 Budget
b. Dual Credit Agreement with IECC
c. Employment of Personnel
10. Adjournment
Lori Stevens Named Allendale Principal
The Allendale CCSD 17 Board of Education would like to welcome Lori Stevens as the new Principal at Allendale Elementary School. Mrs. Stevens was officially hired at the May 15 board meeting and will begin her new official duties on July 1, 2024.
Photo Credit: https://smsrockets.org
Illinois launches summer food assistance program
By PETER HANCOCK
Capitol News Illinois
phancock@capitolnewsillinois.com
SPRINGFIELD – The state is launching a new program to provide food assistance during the summer for families with children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals at school.
Gov. JB Pritzker joined other state officials and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Thursday to announce that Illinois will take part in the federally funded Summer EBT program, which provides qualifying families with a one-time benefit of $120 per child that can be used to buy groceries during the summer months.
Speaking at a predominantly low-income elementary school in Springfield, Pritzker said it’s important all year long to ensure that children have enough food to eat.
“Food insecurity is absolutely detrimental to a child’s development,” he said. It impacts academic performance, social function, and mental and physical health.”
Pritzker noted the program began as a “stop-gap” measure to address the needs of low-income families with school-age children during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many school buildings were forced to close.
The program proved so successful in helping alleviate child hunger that Congress acted in 2022 to make it permanent. This summer will mark the first under the new, permanent authority.
“Summer EBT is evidence-based, meaning we know it works,” said Stacy Dean, deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services at USDA, which funds the program. “It’s been tested, piloted, and gone through rigorous research to show that it reduces hunger and increases the intake of nutritious foods (for) the kids who participate.”
The program is open to children who are also eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school. That means they must come from households with incomes at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level – $47,767 for a family of three, or $57,720 for a family of four.
According to the most recent state report card from the Illinois State Board of Education, 49 percent of all students in Illinois public schools meet that criteria.
There is no citizenship requirement for the program and Summer EBT is not considered under the public charge rule of U.S. immigration law.
Children will be automatically enrolled if they have been enrolled on or after July 1, 2023, in either the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP; income-eligible Medicaid; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF; or the state’s Youth in Care or foster care system.
Families who do not take part in those programs but who may qualify under the income guidelines can also apply through a school that takes part in the National School Lunch Program.
Qualifying families will receive the money in the form of an electronic benefits transfer, or EBT card, known in Illinois as a Link card. For families already enrolled in the SNAP or TANF programs, the $120 per-child benefit will be loaded onto their existing Link card. Others will receive a new card in the mail from the Illinois Department of Human Services.
According to the state’s Summer EBT website, the 2024 benefits will be distributed in late summer.
Lawmakers consider tax break for news publishers, state-sponsored journalism scholarships
By ALEX ABBEDUTO
& ANDREW ADAMS
Capitol News Illinois
news@capitolnewsillinois.com
SPRINGFIELD – A new measure being debated in the Illinois General Assembly would create a tax credit for certain news publishers based on the number of reporters they employ.
The proposal from Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Rockford, is part of a package of policies that he has been working to pass since early this year – although some worry about potential conflicts that could arise from creating new financial relationships between the government and journalists who cover it.
Under Stadelman’s proposal, contained in Senate Bill 3953, the state would offer a tax credit of up to $25,000 for each journalist on a media company’s payroll and up to $30,000 for journalists hired into newly created roles. The credit would only be available to “independently owned” media outlets – making subsidiaries of larger or publicly traded companies ineligible for the credit.
Advocates say it's a way to prop up an industry that faces existential financial and logistical challenges. In 2022, the General Assembly created a task force to research the state of journalism in Illinois. Their report included research from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism that showed one-third of local outlets have closed since 2005, creating an 86 percent decline in newspaper jobs over that span.
The likelihood of the bill passing this spring is unclear, as lawmakers face the final sprint to the end of session. The bill was heard in a subject matter hearing, so no vote was taken, but it could be introduced as an amendment to a larger bill – a maneuver that lawmakers often employ in the lead-up to their May adjournment.
Stadelman said on Thursday he hopes to include the tax credit in the General Assembly's broader budget package.
The proposal for more state involvement in the media industry has made some of those who work in both fields uneasy.
Dan Haley, a self-described “old newspaper guy” and the long-time publisher of several community newspapers in Chicago’s western suburbs, said he was initially surprised by the idea. Despite that, he supported the pitch Wednesday evening.
“I believe that local news needs investment from state government if we are to fulfill our part of the American bargain – to report fairly with context, some empathy and some grit about what goes on in our towns,” Haley told lawmakers.
On the state side of the equation, some share the concern about the government and media becoming too intertwined. Sen. Rob Martwick, D-Chicago, who said he sees the value of a “robust, independent Fourth Estate,” wondered if subsidizing the industry would weaken that independence.
“What happens when we are giving tax credits to publications that both report on what's going on and publish opinions?” Martwick asked in Wednesday’s committee hearing. “We give it, we can taketh away. What if we don't like the opinions that are being published by the certain newspapers?”
Stadelman countered that the state was providing a “foundational tax break,” adding, “we’re not telling them what to report.”
Many news outlets currently receive federal funding through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, notably NPR, PBS and the two media giants’ many affiliate stations – but that usually makes up a small portion of these groups’ budgets.
At the state level, the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, regularly gives grants to public broadcast stations like WSIU, WILL, WTTW and others – but they must meet Corporation for Public Broadcasting standards in order to qualify. Earlier this year, Stadelman proposed giving the Council $5 million specifically for public broadcasters.
A separate measure, also proposed by Stadelman, would direct funding toward future journalists by creating a state-sponsored scholarship program and require certain disclosures if local media is sold, with the intent to keep media ownership local.
Senate Bill 3592, would allow the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to grant scholarships to journalism students planning to work in Illinois for at least two years after they graduate. The measure would be subject to appropriations, meaning if it passes, funding would have to be provided in the state budget for it to become effective.
The measure would also require a news publisher, if it’s being bought, to disclose details of the sale to its employees, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, its county government, and any Illinois nonprofit “in the business of buying local news organizations” 120 days’ notice of a potential sale.
Read more: Panel of experts suggest legislative measures to reverse journalism decline
The state’s journalism task force specifically highlighted the experience of the Southern Illinoisan newspaper. After Lee Enterprises sold the paper to Paxton Media Group in 2023, PMG laid off the paper’s unionized staff.
The House Labor and Commerce Committee advanced the measure after adding an amendment that would begin the scholarship program in 2025-2026 instead of 2024-2025. Although there was no debate, the bill passed along party lines 19-10.
Because it has been amended since originally passing the Senate, it still needs approval from both chambers before it can head to the governor for a signature.
Earlier this year, Stadelman introduced Senate Bill 3591, which would require large online platforms to share advertising revenue with journalism outlets whose work is hosted on those platforms.
Stadelman on Thursday said that he viewed that proposal as “more of a longer-term play,” although he hoped to possibly move it through a committee before the end of this legislative session.
Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Rockford, is pictured in a file photo from 2023. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)