On 8/04/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Tae’a R. Horner, age 24, of Mt. Carmel on a Wabash County FTA Warrant. The arresting officer observed Horner exiting a vehicle in the 800 block of N Cherry Street where she was taken into custody. Horner was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was issued the warrant and held pending a pre-trial release determination by the court.
Police remind motorists to stop for school buses or face the consequences
INDIANAPOLIS — As students head back to the classroom, state and local law enforcement agencies are reminding motorists to be on the lookout for school bus stop arms. As school begins, officers will be increasing patrols to prevent stop-arm violations, speeding, and reckless driving around school buses and school zones.
The patrols are part of the Stop Arm Violation Enforcement campaign – better known as SAVE. These patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).
Despite thousands of motorists being cited under the SAVE program, unsafe driving around school buses continues to be a serious danger to children, according to the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS).
In April, thousands of bus drivers who participated in a one-day observational survey counted 1,574 stop-arm violations in Indiana. Projected across a 180-day school year, this survey data points to a potential 283,320 violations throughout the school year.
The data comes from the NASDPTS annual survey, which is managed by the Indiana Department of Education for the state of Indiana. This year, data collection took place on April 23, with 4,910 bus drivers participating.
"There is no excuse for drivers to put the lives of students in danger," said ICJI Traffic Safety Director James Bryan. “Drivers need to exercise caution around school buses and follow all traffic statutes.”
To prevent unsafe driving, officers will use a range of enforcement strategies from high-visibility patrols to police spotters on buses. For each jurisdiction, officers will coordinate with local bus drivers and school transportation officials, with efforts concentrating in the morning and afternoon hours. Agencies will also be working to raise awareness about the importance of school bus safety and following the law.
Drivers should slow down and prepare to stop when the overhead lights on a school bus are flashing yellow. Once the lights turn red and the stop arm extends, drivers are required to stop on all roads with only one exception. On highways divided by a physical barrier, such as a concrete wall or grassy median, only vehicles traveling in the same direction as the school bus are required to stop in these circumstances.
Motorists should also be mindful of posted speed limits, avoid distractions, and watch for children in, or near, school and residential areas. Planning ahead and allowing for extra time during each commute will help keep all road users safe.
Phase 3 of State Road 65 reconstruction project set to begin in Cynthiana
POSEY COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces the beginning of phase three of a road reconstruction project on State Road 65 in Cynthiana.
Beginning on or around Tuesday, August 6, crews will close State Road 65 in Cynthiana. This closure will occur between State Road 68 and the southern limits of Cynthiana.
This closure is part of phase three of a road reconstruction project on State Road 65. Work for this phase of the project is expected to last through mid-October, depending on the weather.
The detour for the project is State Road 68 to State Road 165 to I-64. Local traffic will have access up to the point of closure.
Property damage accident leads to arrest of Florida man on DUI and drug charge
On August 2, 2024, at 4:56 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a vehicle in a field near the intersection of State Road 64 and State Road 325 West. Deputy Michael Bates was dispatched to the area, and upon arriving he observed a Black 2000 Nissan Pathfinder in a field adjacent to the roadway. At that point Deputy Bates located the driver 26 year old Nicholas Gardner of Fort Walton Beach, Florida and began an investigation into the incident. Mr. Gardner told Deputy Bates that he had fallen asleep while driving, but during the investigation Deputy Bates detected clues that Mr. Gardner may be under the influence of an unknown intoxicant. At that point he requested an other officer come to the scene as he began a roadside DUI investigation. During the investigation Sgt. Loren Barchett and his K9 partner Duke performed a free air search around the vehicle with Duke indicating that there was illegal drugs inside the vehicle. After a brief search of the vehicle twenty three MDMA (Ecstasy) pills and one Hydrocodone pill were discovered. Once the investigation was completed Deputy Bates placed Mr. Gardner into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Possession of a Schedule 1 drug.
Assisting Deputy Bates in his investigation were Sgt. Loren Barchett and his K9 partner Duke. Also assisting on scene were Deputies Michael Owens 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 report of man with a gun leads to arrest of Oakland City man on multiple charges
On August 3, 2024, at 10:49 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a male shooting a firearm in the air as vehicles passed the residence in the 9200 block of East State Road 168. Multiple officers were dispatched to the area, and upon arriving in the area Deputy Michael Bates and Oakland City Police Chief Tim Gaines located 48 year old Travis Siekman coming out of the suspect house. At that point they placed Mr. Siekman into investigative custody and began an investigation into the incident. During the investigation spend shell casings and a 9mm handgun were discovered. It was also learned that Mr. Siekman was prohibited from possessing a handgun due to an active protective order that was placed against him. Once the investigation was completed Deputy Bates transported Mr. Siekman to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of Methamphetamines, Possession of Marijuana, Invasion of Privacy, and Criminal Recklessness.
Assisting Deputy Bates and Officer Gaines in their investigation was Deputy Jim Tucker.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Duckworth Replaces Shelby As MCJSHS Principal
It’s official. Andrew Shelby is out and Amy Duckworth is in as principal at Mt. Carmel Junior/Senior High School. At a special District #348 school board meeting this morning, the board approved a separation agreement with Shelby and accepted his resignation as MCHS principal..a position he has held since July 31st of 2021. Shelby has been the target of criticism from teachers at recent school board meetings. Last week, the MCHS website changed to remove Shelby from the staff section and instead listed Amy Duckworth as principal and Logan Crum as assistant principal even though neither of those changes had been approved by the school board until this morning. The board this morning also approved promoting Crum to assistant principal.
In a statement provided to WSJD, Duckworth said, “I am honored to be selected as the next principal of MCJSHS. I have bled maroon and gold since I graduated in 1995. While my professional endeavors took me away for a period of time, I was honored to be welcomed back two years ago as assistant principal. To be given the opportunity to lead the junior/senior high schools now is an incredible honor. I look forward to leading with a positive mindset so that we may achieve greater things. I will honor the foundations that have been long established before me, while recognizing that the education profession is ever evolving. I want Wabash District 348 to be at the forefront of everyone’s mind when they think of excellent schools. I have an amazing team with amazing teachers, and I look forward to getting to work with them and our district administrative team.”
Terms of the separation with Sheby were not disclosed. It is the second separation agreement the school board has approved in recent months. Earlier this year, the board approved a separation agreement with former administrator Steve Holt.
Other items approved by the school board this morning include accepting the resignations of Teresa Spencer as MCJHS 7th grade classroom assistant; Kevin Sweat as day custodian at MCJSHS; and Andrew Shelby as MCJSHS principal. The board hired Brittany Downes as MCGS individual assistant.
WSJD File Photo: Amy Duckworth
Wabash County Commissioners Agenda
AUGUST 5, 2024 at 5pm
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.
6) New Business:
a. Resolution No. 2024-12, Resolution of Support and Commitment of Funds with the Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission.
b. Proposal for ARCPRO GIS Mapping Program.
c. Discuss Phase II of the HVAC updates.
d. Consider purchase of a vehicle for the Coroner’s Office.
e. Accept bid results to Soil-Cement part of E 400 Rd.
7) Executive Session:
8) Correspondence:
9) Approval of payment of claims presented:
10) Adjournment
District #348 School Board Calls Monday Morning Special Meeting
WABASH CUSD #348 BOARD OF EDUCATION SPECIAL MEETING
Mt. Carmel Grade School Cafetorium
Monday, August 5, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.
AGENDA
1. Call to order / Roll call
2. Executive Session pursuant to Section 2(c)(1) of the Open Meetings Act: “The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees.”
3. Separation Agreement
4. Employment
5. Adjourn