2025 Golf Cart/Bike Permits Available

The Mt. Carmel Police Department is now selling 2025 renewal stickers for golf carts/UTVs and e-bikes/motorized bikes.  Those needing a golf cart/UTV sticker must bring a copy of their proof of insurance and the permit number listed on the original permit.  Those in need of bike renewals need only their permit number.  The permit number is needed for better accountability and tracking.  These stickers can be picked up 24/7 at the Mt. Carmel Police Department located at 120 E 4th Street with a cost of $50 per permit.

WSJD File Photo

Oak Street Sidewalk Project Completed

THE LONG AWAITED MT. CARMEL OAK STREET SIDEWALK EXTENSION PROJECT IS OFFICIALLY DONE. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR MIKE GIDCUMB SAID THE LAST CONCRETE WAS POURED LAST MONDAY. MAYOR JOE JUDGE APPLAUDED THE COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT AND WAS THANKFUL FOR THE STATE FUNDING WHICH FINALLY HELPED THE CITY .

CITY CREWS WILL NOW TURN THEIR ATTENTION TO INSTALLING CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS UPTOWN, IN PREPARATION FOR THE MANY YULETIDE EVENTS UPCOMING.

School Board To See New Faces In 2025

There’ll be two new faces on the Wabash District #348 school board in 2025. The filing period ended at 5pm yesterday for the April 1st Consolidated Election and four people filed for the four open seats. Incumbents Theresa Hocking and Mary Susan Wood filed for re-election along with newcomers Tim Zimmer and Jessica Peter. Long time school members board chairman Tim Schuler and vice chairman Kyle Peach did not seek re-election.

The Allendale School Board will also see new members as Tia Morgan and Richard Gochenour chose not seek another term. Incumbents Beth Etzkorn and Ryan Andrews as did newcomer Melissa Wise. Since only three filed for the four open seats, that means there remains one open seat.

Disturbance call leads to arrest of Oakland City man on drug charges

On November 15, 2024, at 6:52 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a disturbance in the 12000 block of East 100 South.  Multiple officers were sent to the residence and upon arriving Deputy Wyatt Hunt knocked on the door and was invited in by a person within the residence.  Officers entered the residence and observed drug paraphernalia in plain view, and at the point they asked everyone to exit the residence so they could investigate the disturbance and apply for a search warrant.  Once the investigation was completed 42 year old Arron Tooley was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of Methamphetamines, and Possession of a Hypodermic Needle. 
 
Assisting Deputy Hunt in his investigation were Sgt. Loren Barchett and Deputy Bart Wagner.  Also assisting was Oakland City Officer Mike McGregor. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Wanted Decker man arrested on new charges

On November 16, 2024, at 11:23 p.m.  Officers with the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office and Oakland City Police Department were dispatched to the 300 block of South Dongola Road to serve a Level Four Felony Arson Warrant on 45 year old David Schatz of Decker.  Upon arriving at the residence Deputy U.B. Smith looked in an open window and observed Mr. Schatz inside the residence.   At that point Deputy Smith knocked on the door of the residence and after knocking several times a female came to the door and gave officers access to the residence.  Officers then entered the residence and placed Mr. Schatz into custody after a brief struggle.  Officers conducted a brief investigation at the scene and determined that there was a valid court order restricting contact Mr. Schatz from contacting the female.  Once the investigation was concluded Mr. Schatz was transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with the Level 4 Arson Warrant, Resisting Law Enforcement, and Invasion of Privacy. 
 
Deputy Smith was assisted in his investigation by Deputy Michael Bates and Oakland City Police Officer Michael McGregor.
 
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

November 18, 2024

4:30pm

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. Construction of County Highway Building.

c. HVAC update.

d. FY 2024-2025 Budget and Levy update.

6) New Business:

a. Pam Barbee, Executive Director of the Southern 14 Workforce Investment Board, has asked to speak to the Board;

b. Accept the resignation of Charles Zigler from the Rural Water District Board. Recommended by the Board to replace him is Devin Stoll. Term to expire the first Monday in May, 2025.

c. Consider Retail Merchant Certificates for Christmas.

7) Executive Session:

8) Correspondence:

9) Approval for payment of claims presented:

10) Adjournment/Recess:

Road closure planned for State Road 65 in Gibson County

GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a road closure for State Road 65 in Gibson County.

Beginning on or around Monday, November, 18, crews will close State Road 65 in Owensville. This closure will occur between State Road 168 and State Road 165 near the post office.

This road closure will allow for spot paving operations. Work is expected to take three days to complete, depending on the weather.

The official detour for this project is State Road 168 to U.S. 41 to State Road 64. Local traffic will have access up to the point of closure.