Red Cross Seeking Disaster Volunteers

The American Red Cross is issuing an urgent appeal for volunteers who are willing to travel this fall to support emergency shelters for major national disaster relief efforts. More than 1,200 Red Cross disaster responders are currently working across the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. Beth Elders, Executive Director, Red Cross of Greater St. Louis says more volunteers are needed.

RED CROSS DISASTER VOLUNTEERS

Anyone interested in volunteering must complete necessary training and be able to commit to a two-week deployment. You can sign up online at redcross.org/volunteer .

Photo: Red Cross

*****Update on Missing Spencer County Man*****

(Warrick County, IN) – On Monday morning, October 7, the body of a male was located in the Ohio River at the Newburgh Lock and Dam. Multiple agencies responded to the area and recovered the male from the river. An autopsy was performed at the Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office on Tuesday, October 8. The deceased male was confirmed as being Justin R. MacDonald. The family has been notified. The death was ruled an accidental drowning after no signs of foul play or trauma were found.
 

Commissioners Table Air Evac Coverage For County Employees

Wabash County Commissioners have decided to table renewing the Air Evac coverage it provides for county employees. At their meeting Monday afternoon, commissioners heard from Kevin Kern of Snedeker Risk Management that recent legislation has apparently made the Air Evac coverage unnecessary…

KEVIN KERN AIR EVAC

During a report to commissioners, Kern said the county’s property/liability and work compensation rates will increase roughly 9% in the coming. He said compared to skyrocketing insurance rates in other areas, the 9% increase isn’t too out of line.

SIU-C Grad Students Conduct Study Of Lake Froman

A team from SIU in Carbondale was at Froman Lake over the weekend stunning fish to get an idea on how to improve the quality of the lake. Commissioner Rob Dean brought the team from SIU that revealed the lake had bass, crappie, red ear, and a few catfish. Dean said none of the 53 fish died from being stunned. He said the team, consisting of graduate students, also evaluated the lake and will offer a report on how prevent algae and moss from overtaking the water.

Outstanding Edwards County 4-H members recognized during Achievement Night

A nice crowd attended the Edwards County 4-H Achievement Night held Monday at COUNTRY Financial Hall in Albion. Area youth, leaders, and clubs were honored for their accomplishments over the 2023-2024 4-H year.

The “Club of the Year” Award went to the Ellery Panthers 4-H Club.

Aleya Bare was honored as the 4-H’er of the year.

Kelly Hinderliter received the Novice Member of the Year and Sydney Williams received the Jr. Member of the Year.

“Cream of the Crop” awards went to four members. The award focuses on attitude and willingness to help others. The members were helping, on their own and was not based on 4-H records. The individuals who received the award were: Justin Bunting, J.W. Simms-Reisner, Bristol Duncan and Gracie Fenton. They received a 4-H sweatshirt Edwards County Soil and Water District sponsored these awards.

The Best Club Secretary Award trophies went to Ellery Panthers – Hallie Shelton and Hayley Perry.

Aleya Bare received the “I Dare You” award, with the University of Illinois Extension donating the award. Members who “achieve their highest potential and live lives of leadership and service,” receive this award.

Nine members received an Alumni Pin: Matthew Bare, Olivia Bosecker, Trenton Jefferson, Lidia Kelsey, Lillian Nussmeyer, Natalie Shelby, Gabriella Spencer, Elizabeth Spillman, and Hanna Waggoner.

Trophy winners included: Hannah Perry, Best Constructed Garment for Clothing. Alyssa Smith 4-H Speech Contest, Illustrated Speech, 8-13 Years Old. Gracie Fenton 4-H Speech Contest, Formal Speech, 8-13 Years Old.

Among other awards presented were: Clean Sheep Pen Award; Zoie and Zeb Ankenbrand donor George Fewkes. Clean Beef Stall Award; Kelly Hinderliter, Clean Swine Pen Award; Brook Greathouse, and Clean Goat Pen Award; Ellie and Lucas Troyer, Electricity Award; Aiden Houser, Leadership Award; Hayley Perry, and Community Service Awards; Aleya Bare and Hayley Perry. Hayley Perry received The Chicagoland Food Science Foundation certificate and gift card for having the best Food Science Project for Edwards County. Kim VanMatre was the “Volunteer of the Year.”

Jessica Bare and Grace Thomason co-leaders of the Bone Gap Cardinals 4-H Club received a pin and certificate for their first year as leaders. Greg and Abby Shelton, also, received a pin and certificate for five years of co-leading the Ellery Panthers.

Lillian Nussmeyer and Aly Williams received the Jan Schuh Scholarship.

Thirty-two members received experience awards. To receive this award each participant must apply to be eligible and mark the experiences that they have achieved for the year. There are four dimensions of experience: Participation, Community Service, Leadership and Project Learning.

Congratulations to all the winners! Thank you to all the parents, leaders, and donors of awards to make this evening special for our youth.

Patoka man arrested on Residential Entry warrant

On October 9, 2024 at 1:25 a.m. Gibson County law enforcement officers went to 3669 North 100 East near Patoka, Indiana to serve an arrest warrant for Residential Entry on 68 year old Larry Hensley.  Upon arriving at the residence Deputy Wyatt Hunt spoke with Mr. Hensley through a door to the residence, but Mr. Hensley refused to come out.  Law enforcement officers made entry into the trailer to serve the Felony warrant.  Deputy Hunt placed Mr. Hensley into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Resisting Law Enforcement and the Residential Entry Warrant. 
 
Assisting Deputy Hunt in his investigation were Deputy Michael Bates and Princeton Officers Sgt. Ben Kiesel and Nick Rainey.
  
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

GCSO Issues Reminders About Inmate Visitations

The Gibson County Jail would like to remind you that we do not provide in person visitation to inmates at our facility. The only exception would of course be if the Sheriff brings back the Christmas visit.

To visit with an inmate please got to http://www.cpcjail.com and create an account. If you have any questions there is also a FAQ section to answer any questions you might have. Citizens are also welcome to contact the Gibson County Jail to ask any questions as well.

Although there is a fee for visiting from home we do have two kiosks in our visitation room that allow for one free 15 minute visit a week.

Troopers Investigate Fatal Crash on I-69 Exit Ramp at SR 68

Warrick County – Monday night, October 7, at approximately 8:07 p.m., Indiana State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on the I-69 northbound exit ramp at SR 68 that killed one driver.

Preliminary investigation revealed Aziz Ermatov, 28, of California, was driving a semi northbound on I-69 when he exited the interstate at SR 68 and for unknown reasons disregarded the stop sign at SR 68 and collided into a GMC Terrain that was traveling west. Both vehicles caught fire after impact. The driver of the GMC Terrain was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the semi was not injured.

This is an ongoing investigation. The identity of the deceased driver will be released after identification and the family has been notified.

Investigating Agency: Indiana State Police
Assisting Agencies: Warrick and Gibson County Sheriff’s Office
                                 Warrick County Coroner’s Office

Single vehicle accident leads to arrest of Princeton man

On October 7, 2024, at 9:21 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a single vehicle accident in the 400 block of South West Street in Haubstadt, Indiana.  Deputy Eric Powell was dispatched to the scene and upon arriving he observed a Maroon 2018 Toyota Camry had struck a utility pole and snapped it at its base.  Deputy Powell located the driver 20 year old Jonathon Beauchamp and upon speaking with him he immediately detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage.  At that point Deputy Powell began a roadside DUI investigation.  Once the investigation was complete Deputy Powell placed Mr. Beauchamp into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Minor Consumption.
 
Deputy Powell was assisted by Deputies Wyatt Hunt and Michael Bates.
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Majors Resigns As WEMA Coordinator

The director of the Wabash County Emergency Management Agency has resigned. Mark Majors submitted a letter of resignation which was read at yesterday's county board meeting by chairman Scott West…

SCOTT WEST ON MARK MAJORS RESIGNATION 10 7 24

Majors’ resignation was accepted unanimously by commissioners. He was appointed as WEMA director in March of 2023 after the death of former coordinator Gerald Brooks. There was no announcement at yesterday’s meeting as to how the vacancy will be filled.

Photo Credit: WEMA Facebook Page