Local actor and playwright to star in London production

On a bare stage, using only props supplied by a demanding and impatient master of ceremonies, the woman must discover the key to unlock the cage in which he keeps her.  Forced to perform and dance to please her captor she forces the audience to question at what point she will rebel.  A rigorous and playful study of status and the eternal male/female dance and duel, this dark comedy examines the trap ensnaring so many women today, an invisible but all-encompassing prison she is raised in and taught to accept, if not embrace.

Just Like Hollywood was written in the wake of and in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade.  I see this play as a way to encourage audience to protest the fallout of this decision which has led to the most destructive and cruel treatment of women in our recent history.” – Melanie Stewart, Director

  John Clancy (Playwright)

John is a contemporary American playwright, novelist, and director. He was a co-founder and first Artistic Director of the New York International Fringe Festival and its producing organization The Present Company. His written work centers mainly on the American experience and is characterized by dark humor and farce. His best-known play is Fatboy: An American Grotesque, a modern re-working of Alfred Jarry's Ubu Roi. His monologue The Event premiered in Edinburgh in 2009 and has gone on to tour Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, and the United States and has been translated into Greek and German. Clancy's directing has earned six Fringe First Awards at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and two Best of Fringe Awards at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. He was awarded a 2005 Obie Award for Sustained Excellence of Direction, a 2002 Glasgow Herald Angel Award for Excellence in Direction, a 1997 New York Magazine Award, and a 2008 Dialogue ONE Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theater.

Keepes Approaches County Board For Coroner's Office Assistance

Wabash County Coroner Shaun Keepes has run a frugal office using equipment and vehicles from his family’s funeral business for official county business. Doing that, Keepes has been $7,000 to $10,000 below his projected budget each of the years he’s been in office. But at yesterday’s county board meeting, Keepes said increasing costs are making that no longer possible…

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Keepes pointed out that even with the recently approved salary increase to $15,500 a year, his position still remains below minimum wage. He also asked commissioners for a county owned vehicle to be used by the coroner’s office…

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Commissioners agreed to work with Keepes in finding solutions to his issues.

Lane closures planned for State Road 64 in Gibson County

GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane closures on State Road 64 in Gibson County.

Beginning on or around Monday, June 10, crews will begin lane closures on State Road 64 in Gibson County near Princeton. These lane closures will occur in the eastbound driving lane of S.R. 64 between Kopers Street and South Richland Creek Drive. (This is roughly between Walmart and Menards.)  Lane closures will allow for a deep patching project.

Lane closures will occur during daytime hours with some overnight lane closures needed. Work is expected to two weeks to complete, depending on the weather.

DUI Arrest For Mt. Carmel Man Following Traffic Stop

On 6/02/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Daniel C.K. Ingram, age 41, of Mt. Carmel for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol following a traffic stop on a black Ford truck at in the 600 block of West 3rd Street.  The arresting officer stopped the Ford due to a violation of the Illinois Vehicle Code and found suspicion that the driver, Ingram, may be intoxicated.  A roadside sobriety check was conducted on Ingram where the officer noted several clues to indicate impairment from alcohol.  Ingram was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was processed for DUI and later released on a Notice to Appear in court. 

City Council Poised To Raise Water Rates

At their meeting next Monday, the Mt. Carmel City Council is expected to approve an increase in water rates. At last week's meeting, public works director Mike Gidcumb outlined the parameters of the proposed increase….

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City officials say the increase is minimal and is needed to help pay for planned projects related to the water department. Even with the rate increase, Gidcumb said the city still won’t have much wiggle room as the higher rates barely cover the projects.

Wabash County Still Has Lowest Jobless Rate In Southern Illinois

Wabash County’s run of having the lowest unemployment rate in southern Illinois continues. The latest figures from the Illinois Department of Employment Security show that the local jobless rate stood at 3.2%, up slightly from the 3.2% mark in April of last year. In the Olney-Mt. Carmel region, I-D-E-S reported total nonfarm employment contracted in April 2024 compared to April 2023. Payrolls increased among employers in the Private Education Health Services, Other Services, Mining-Natural Resources and Government sectors. In the region, employers in the Manufacturing, Leisure Hospitality, Financial Activities, Construction and Professional-Business Service sectors are estimated to have decreased payrolls over the last year. Other area rates included Edwards, White, and Richland Counties at 4.1% each; and Lawrence County was at 5.4%. While Wabash County had the lowest rate in southern Illinois in April, the dubious honor of the highest rate goes to Pulaksi County where the rate was 7.8%.

Disturbance call leads to arrest of Oakland City man

On May 28, 2024, at 11:34 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a disturbance in the 300 block of West Dale Street in Oakland City, Indiana.  Upon arriving officers spoke with witnesses on scene to determine what the nature of the disturbance was.  Upon attempting to speak with 37 year old James Comenzind of Oakland City he was aggressive towards officers and would not respond to officer’s requests.  Deputies Wyatt Hunt and Bart Wagner attempted to place Mr. Comenzind into custody and he physically resisted them.  Ultimately Mr. Comenzind was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Disorderly Conduct, Battery on an Officer, and Resisting Law Enforcement. 

 Assisting Deputies Hunt and Wagner in their investigation was Oakland City 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.

Road closure planned for State Road 64 in Gibson County

GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a road closure for State Road 64 in Gibson County.

Beginning on or around Monday, June 3, crews will close State Road 64 in Gibson County in Princeton for an emergency railroad repair. This closure will occur at the railroad crossing between Spring Street and Dorsey Street. This railroad repair project will involve replacing the crossing surface. Work is expected to take three days to complete, depending on the weather.

The official detour for this closure is U.S. 41 to State Road 168 to I-69. Local traffic will have access up to the point of closure.

Farmersburg Man Arrested for Child Molesting

 Sullivan County - Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation on May 9, 2024, after receiving information that a female, under the age of 14, had been molested. 

The investigation revealed that Thomas M. Salyers, age 49, of Farmersburg, Indiana, allegedly molested a female under the age of 14. 

After reviewing the investigation, Sullivan County Prosecutor Ann Mischler requested an arrest warrant for Salyers.  Sullivan County Superior Court granted an arrest warrant on May 29, 2024.  Salyers was arrested today by Master Trooper Detective Angie Hahn of the Putnamville State Police Post without incident. He is currently being detained in the Sullivan County Jail without bond.  

Investigating Officer:  Indiana State Police Master Trooper Detective Angie Hahn of the Putnamville Post. 

Assisting Agency: Sullivan County Department of Child Services.   

Arrested and Charges:  Thomas M. Salyers, 49, Farmersburg, IN

• Child Molesting where defendant is at least 21 years of age, Class 1 Felony 

• Child Seduction - Guardian, adoptive parent, adoptive grandparent, Class 2 Felony 

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.  

Joliet Man Gets 7 Years In Prison For Having Stolen Box Truck In Wabash County

Kelli Storckman, Wabash County State’s Attorney, reports that Stanley Cochran, Jr., a 55-year-old Joliet, Illinois man, was sentenced to 7 years in the Department of Corrections to be followed by 12 months mandatory supervised release by the Honorable Circuit Judge William C. Hudson in Wabash County Circuit Court.

State’s Attorney Storckman advises that the Defendant was charged on November 1, 2023, with Possession of a Converted Vehicle, a Class 2 Felony, after the Wabash County Sheriff's Department received a report of a stolen box truck traveling into Wabash County.  The Sheriff's Department located the stolen box truck and an additional stolen vehicle with which it had been traveling.  As a result of that investigation, three individuals were arrested and charged for possession of the stolen vehicles.  Mr. Cochran is the second defendant to be sentenced with John Planinsek, Jr. being sentenced to the Department of Corrections in March of this year for his part in the vehicle thefts.  The third co-defendant's case remains pending.