9th Street Project Becoming Closer To Reality

Howell Paving was the lone bidder for the long-awaited resurfacing of 9th Street in Mt. Carmel. The Mattoon company’s bid came in at $3,847,998 for 1.6 miles of resurfacing, ADA improvements, and traffic signal upgrades on 9th Street from two-tenths of a mile east of Empire Street to Cherry Street in Mt. Carmel. The Illinois Department of Transportation reported on its’ website that Howell’s $3.8 million bid was within a reasonable approximation of the estimate. State Senator Terri Bryant has been in contact with I-DOT’s Effingham office and on yesterday’s WSJD Morning Show, she said work could still start at some point this year….

TERRI BRYANT ON 9TH ST 8 14 24

The contract calls for the work to be completed in 110 working days.

WSJD File Photo of 9th Street

Deputies serve search warrant and arrest one

On August 12, 2024, at 11:35 a.m. Deputies with the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office and Oakland City Police Chief Tim Gaines went to 110 East Mill Street in Oakland City, Indiana to serve a search warrant after Wood Memorial School Resource Officer Jim Tucker received information that illegal drugs were located inside the residence.  Upon arriving on scene 40 year old Michael Clements of Oakland City was served the search warrant and a search of the premises was conducted.  At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Tucker placed Mr. Clements into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Invasion of Privacy, Neglect of a Dependent, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia.
 
Assisting Deputy Tucker in his investigation was Deputies Wyatt Hunt and Chad Craney.  Also assisting were Oakland City Police Chief Tim Gaines and Sheriff Bruce Vanoven.
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Details Of District #348 Separation Agreements Revealed

In the last few months, the Wabash District #348 school board has approved two separation agreements with administrators. Up until now, the details of those agreements have been kept confidential, but a Freedom of Information Act request made by WSJD sheds light on how much the two agreements will cost the district and ultimately taxpayers.

The first agreement was approved by the school board at their April 15th meeting with former junior high principal Steve Holt. The terms of the agreement state that Holt and the district will mutually part ways on June 30th of 2025. Until then, Holt will be on paid administrative leave. While on paid administrative leave, Holt will receive the same salary and benefits that he received during the prior academic year. The agreement goes on to state that Holt will not be required to use vacation, personal, or sick leave during the time he is on paid administrative leave. In consideration for Holt’s resignation and in order to assist him with the purchase of optional service credit, the board agreed to pay Holt $32,593.93.

The second agreement was reached last Monday during a special school board meeting with former MCHS principal Andrew Shelby. The agreement between the district and Shelby stated that he resigns all positions within the district on August 2nd. In consideration for Shelby’s resignation, the board approved to pay him $26,000. It is the second settlement Shelby has made with a school district. In 2014, Shelby was paid more than $95,000 after being placed on administrative leave at Herrin Elementary School. School officials there cited a “difference in educational philosophy” as the reason for the separation. After resigning his Mt. Carmel position, Shelby has now taken a job as Assistant Program Administrator position at The School Association for Special Education in DuPage County.

Wanted Evansville man arrested on drug charges

On August 11, 2024, at 3:19 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Quinten Might of the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to New Lake located at 2209 South 1350 East near Oakland City to assist Oakland City Police Officer John Pace in serving an arrest warrant on 57 year old Bryan Blair of Evansville for Failure To Appear on a Larceny Charge out of Vanderburgh County.  Upon arriving at New Lake Mr. Blair was taken into custody.  During an inventory of Mr. Blair’s vehicle multiple illegal drugs were located.  After a brief investigation Mr. Blair was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of a Schedule Drug, and Possession of Paraphernalia. 

 All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Traffic stop leads to arrest of Illinois man on DUI charge

On August 9, 2023, at 11:52 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Michael Bates conducted a traffic stop on a Black 2017 Subaru Outback for speeding on State Road 64 near Richland Creek Drive in Princeton.  Upon initiating the stop near the intersection of Hart and Brumfield Deputy Bates detected the odor of Marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.  At that point Deputy Bates identified the driver as 48 year old Clancy Green of Homewood, Illinois.  While speaking with Mr. Green Deputy Bates observed clues that Mr. Green may be under the influence of alcohol.  At that point Deputy Bates began a roadside DUI investigation.  At the conclusion of his investigation Mr. Green was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia. 

 Assisting Deputy Bates in his investigation was Deputy Wyatt Hunt. 

 All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Martin County Man Arrested After Vehicle Pursuit

Martin County – Saturday evening, a vehicle pursuit led to the arrest of Steven A. Kiser, 61, Odon, IN. He was incarcerated in Martin County to face preliminary charges for Resisting Law Enforcement with a Motor Vehicle (Level 6 Felony), Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash (B Misdemeanor) and Reckless Driving (C Misdemeanor). 

Saturday, August 10, 2024, at approximately 8:15 p.m., Indiana State Police Master/Trooper Jarrod Lents initiated a traffic stop on a 2019 Buick passenger car on US 50 near 2nd Street in Loogootee for traveling 51-mph in a 35-mph zone. The driver of the Buick, later identified as Steven Kiser, did not stop and led the trooper on a vehicle pursuit with speeds up over 80-mph. The chase continued into Daviess County, where the Buick left the roadway and ran over a mailbox. The Buick turned around and drove back into Loogootee. The vehicle pulled into a church parking area and came to a stop. Kiser was taken into custody without incident.

 Master Trooper Lents was assisted by Trooper Andrew Watson, the Martin County Sheriff's Office, and the Loogootee Police Department. 

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

Illinois duo arrested after welfare check conducted at local gas station

On August 11, 2024, at 3:43 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Chad Craney conducted a welfare check on a truck and trailer located at the Fast Track Gas Station located at 329 E. Broadway Street in Princeton after observing the trailer had no visible registration was in a state of severe disrepair.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Craney identified 38 year old Clayton Dunlap of Flat Rock, Illinois and 50 year old Thomas Bilskie of Lawrenceville, Illinois working on the vehicle.  While speaking with both individuals Deputy Craney asked dispatch to run both individuals through the Illinois Bureau of Motor Vehicles.  It was at the point that Deputy Craney discovered that both individuals had suspended drivers licenses.  Assisting Officer Deputy U.B. Smith conducted search of the vehicle where Methamphetamines were located.  Once the roadside investigation was finished both Dunlap and Bilskie were taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail.  Upon arriving at the jail Mr. Dunlap was charged with False Informing.  He is also being held on an outstanding warrant out of Knox County for Domestic Battery, Strangulation, and Interfering in the Reporting of a Crime.  Mr. Bilskie was charged with Dealing Methamphetamines, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamines, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Maintaining a Common Nuisance. 

 All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Alert From Gibson County Sheriff's Office

Attention: Joshua M. Whitehead Age 33 of Patoka has failed to return to lawful detention.

On August 9, 2024, at 3:17 p.m. Joshua M. Whitehead cut off his GPS ankle monitor while released from the Gibson County Community Corrections Center to go to work. At 3:59 p.m. Community Corrections noticed that Mr. Whitehead's ankle monitor was not moving on the west side of Princeton's Brumfield Overpass. Sgt. Loren Barchett and his K9 partner Duke were assisted by multiple Officers and located the discarded ankle monitor. The Gibson County Sheriff's Office and Community Corrections Center is asking for the public to be on the look out for Mr. Whitehead, and call 911 if they locate him or have information about his whereabouts.

It is recommended that the public do NOT approach Mr. Whitehead

No Mt. Carmel City Pool In 2025

2024 looks to be the last for Mt. Carmel’s iconic swimming pool. At a special city council meeting today over the noon hour Mayor Joe Judge said inspectors with the Illinois Department of Public Health were in town this summer to look at the city pool and recertify it to be able to operate next year.Judge said the results from IDPH weren’t favorable…

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Leaks have caused the pool to lose 35,000 gallons of water a day and that has resulted in the city putting almost 45 gallons of chlorine in the pool every day.

The city has proposed building a new aquatic facility but will need approval from voters in November to make it happen. The council today approved an ordinance that will place a referendum on the ballot asking city voters to give the city the authority to issue up to  $3,500,000 general obligation bonds to help pay for the $8 million pool. Judge said if Mt. Carmel is to have a city pool, it’s essential the referendum is approved….

JOE JUDGE POOL 8 9 24 #2

Commissioner Susan Zimmerman’s family has been involved in some capacity with the pool for decades and she said while memories are great, it’s time to move on from the current city pool…

SUSAN ZIMMERMAN POOL 8 9 24

Commissioner Tyson Meador said offering recreational opportunities is important for the community…

TYSON MEADOR POOL 8 9 24

Judge fired back at social media comments that label Mt. Carmel in a negative light…

JOE JUDGE POOL 8 9 24 #3

Judge said the city will continue to pursue grants and naming rights campaign to help pay for the facility.

The pool is now open weekends and will close Tuesday, September 3rd as the Shelter Buddies host their annual dog swim.

Indiana State Police Reminds Drivers: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

Jasper, IN - Drive sober or get pulled over. That’s the warning the Indiana State Police are issuing drivers as they gear up for the annual end-of-summer impaired driving enforcement campaign. Starting August 16 through September 2, the Indiana State Police will join with officers across the state to increase patrols and sobriety checkpoints to crack down on those driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The extra high-visibility enforcement is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI). 

“Driving drunk or drug-impaired is a problem for everyone,” said James Bryan, ICJI’s Traffic Safety Director. “Making the choice to operate a vehicle while impaired is never the right option.”  

Alcohol-impaired driving continues to contribute to many deaths in Indiana. In 2023, around 20% of all traffic fatalities in Indiana involved alcohol impairment. Drug-impaired driving is another major contributor to deadly crashes. In 2023, nearly a quarter of all traffic fatalities involved drug impairment. 

“We want our community members to understand that it’s our first priority to keep people safe, so we’re asking everyone to plan ahead if they know they’ll be out drinking,” said Lieutenant Jason Allen. “Help us protect the community and put an end to this senseless behavior.” 

Drivers should be safe during this Labor Day holiday by planning ahead if they intend to drink. Even if you only have one drink, designate a sober driver or use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely. Never drive impaired or let friends get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking.

For more information on impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving