On November 20, 2024, at 6:31 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Eric Powell conducted a traffic stop on a Blue Honda Civic after observing the vehicle traveling Southbound on US 41 and failing to maintain its lane of travel. Upon conducting a traffic stop near Oak Street in Fort Branch Deputy Powell identified the driver as 54 year old Scott Cummings of Evansville. During a roadside investigation Deputy Powell ran Mr. Cummings through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles and discovered that his license was listed as suspended on a prior conviction. At that point Deputy Powell placed Mr. Cummings into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Driving While Suspended/Prior.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Mt. Carmel Man Arrested On Drug Charges After Calling Police To His Home
On 11/19/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested John E. Smith, age 57, of Mt. Carmel for Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Hypodermic Syringes following an incident at Smith’s home in the 800 block of N Pear Street. Police were originally called to the home by Smith regarding a roommate who was refusing to leave the home. During the incident, the investigating officers discovered various smoking devices used to ingest methamphetamine, numerous hypodermic syringes, and (2) pills identified as amphetamine/dextroamphetamine around the home. The pills require a physician’s prescription and are a Schedule II Controlled Substance. Smith was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and later released on a Notice to Appear in court.
Mt. Carmel Man Picked Up On Bench Warrant
On 11/19/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested David A. Reed, age 63, of Mt. Carmel on a Wabash County Bench Warrant. Reed was located at his residence in the 1400 block of West 3rd Street where he was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Reed was held pending the posting of bond.
Warrant For October Incident Land Mt. Carmel Man In Jail
On 11/19/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested John A. Caddell, age 48, of Mt. Carmel on a Wabash County Warrant for Aggravated DUI, Aggravated DUI While License Revoked, and Aggravated Fleeing/Attempting to Elude a Police Officer. The arresting officers located Caddell at his residence in the 1900 block of North Cherry Street. The warrant arrest was a result of an incident that occurred in the 300 block of North Market Street in October 2024. Caddell was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued the warrant and held pending a pretrial release determination by the court.
Mt. Carmel Man Arrested On Sexual Assault & Abuse Charge
On 11/19/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Hunter D. Ingram, age 26, of Mt. Carmel on a Wabash County Warrant for Criminal Sexual Assault and Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse. The arrest warrant stemmed from an MCPD investigation into an alleged incident at a residence in the 600 block of West 6th Street on 11/17/24. Ingram was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued the warrant and held pending a pretrial release determination by the court. MCPD was assisted by the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Services unit.
IECC Board Summary
The Board of Trustees of the Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 met Tuesday night, November 19th at Lincoln Trail College, Robinson, Illinois. The Board approved the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held on October 15, 2024.
The Board approved a resolution setting forth that Trustees will meet on the third Tuesday of every month in 2025 with the exception of the April meeting which shall be on the fourth Tuesday of the month and the December meeting which shall be the second Tuesday of the month. The Board also approved a resolution with the addition of a special meeting on December 10, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. at the Terry L. Bruce West Richland Center, 320 E. North Ave., Noble, Illinois. The special meeting will be a working meeting and no formal action will be taken. A revision of the meeting time for the regular meeting on December 10, 2024 was also approved moving the meeting time from 6:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for the regular meeting on that same day at Olney Central College.
The 2025-2027 Academic Calendar with an update to include New Student Orientation on August 19, 2025 and August 17, 2026 was approved.
The Board accepted the Facility Use Agreement with Clay County Hospital for the use of their radiology rooms and equipment.
Affiliation agreements were approved with ATI Holdings, LLC Athletic & Therapeutic Institute of Naperville, LLC and Indiana University Health, Inc.
The Board approved a resolution establishing a 2024 estimated tax levy for taxes due and collectible in 2025. A resolution was also approved to hold a hearing on December 10, 2024 as a result of a greater than 5% increase in the proposed property tax levy over the previous year’s extension.
Chancellor Gower was given authorization by the Board of Trustees to work with the WVC Foundation to execute deeds, formalize ownership of Main Hall, the parking lot, and other areas already in use by WVC.
The bid committee recommendation was approved for acceptance of the bid from Read’s, Inc. in Olney, IL for the purchase of a replacement HVAC unit for the Terry L. Bruce West Richland Center for a total amount of $27,610.
The following was approved as part of the personnel report: Approval of employment for Jody White, JTED Grant Project Manager, Fronter Community College effective December 2, 2024; Chet Snyder, Head Volleyball Coach/Student Life Coordinator, Frontier Community College effective November 30, 2024.
Change in employment status was approved for Derek Dunn from Educational Technology Specialist to Coordinator of Marketing & Public Information, Frontier Community College effective November 25, 2024.
Special assignments were approved for Kelly Payne as Discipline Facilitator for Humanities/Fine Arts, Life & Physical Science, and Social & Behavior Science.
The honorable dismissal for Ken Anderson as CETL Instructional Designer effective November 15, 2024 was approved.
Proposed non-college employment was approved for Doug Robb at Oakland City University.
Resignation ratifications were approved for Morgan McCoy as Student Services Specialist Frontier Community College effective October 25, 2024 and Bart Nation as TRIO Upward Bound Counselor at Wabash Valley College effective October 28, 2024.
Retirement ratifications were approved for Gerald “Jay” Edgren as Frontier Community College President & Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs effective June 30, 2025 and Alex Cline as Chief Information Officer effective April 30, 2025.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. at Olney Central College, Olney, IL.
Mt. Carmel Drug Dealer Sentenced To 15 Years In Prison
Kelli Storckman, Wabash County State’s Attorney, reports that on November 18, 2024, Tara Day Jones, a 46-year-old Mt. Carmel, IL woman, was sentenced to 15 years in the Department of Corrections, to be followed by 12 months of 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 arrested on July 17, 2023, following a multi-year investigation conducted by the Mt. Carmel Police Department and Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force into the unlawful delivery of methamphetamine in Mt. Carmel, IL. During the investigation, it was discovered that the Defendant had been obtaining large quantities of methamphetamine from a source out of state, bringing the methamphetamine to Mt. Carmel, Illinois, and then distributing it from her home within Mt. Carmel, Illinois to many Wabash County residents. As part of the prosecution of this case, MCPD, the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force, and the State's Attorney's Office were able to seize the defendant's residence, ensuring that that residence would no longer be used in the distribution of narcotics within the community.
Allendale Family Reading Night
In collaboration with Illinois State Family Reading Night, Allendale School hosted "A Night in the Zoo" on Tuesday, November 19. Students and families read books, played games, made crafts, and decorated cookies. Thank you to the Smith Family for making balloon animals and Karla McCowen for making the cookies. Congratulations to our door prize winners Lane Buchanan and Lucas Wise.
Traffic Stop Leads To Multiple Charges For Indiana Man
On 11/16/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested William R. Nolting, age 47, of New Albany, Indiana for Possession of Methamphetamine, Driving While License Suspended, Unlawful Use of Vehicle Registration, and Operating an Uninsured Vehicle following a traffic stop. The stop was a result of multiple violations of the Illinois Vehicle Code. The arresting officer also located approximately 3 grams of suspected methamphetamine on Nolting’s person. Nolting was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged, processed, and later released on a Notice to Appear in court.
Tire Slashing Results In Arrest Of Mt. Carmel Man
On 11/12/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Johnathan M.L. Schrodt, age 39, of Mt. Carmel for Criminal Damage to Property following an incident in the 100 block of Southview Drive. Officers arrived at the scene and spoke to the alleged victim who reported the rear tire of his Acura had been slashed. A camera in the area provided officers with evidence to indicate Schrodt had cut the tire in question. The alleged victim was allowed to sign a complaint against him resulting in Schrodt being issued the above charge. Schrodt was released on a Notice to Appear in court at a later date.