On 12/31/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Keenan P. Thomas, age 34, of Mt. Carmel for Domestic Battery following a domestic dispute at a residence in the 500 block of E 7th Street. During their investigation police found evidence to indicate that Thomas had battered a family member by pushing them and grabbing them by the forearms, during the incident. Thomas was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a pre-trial release determination by the court.
Homeless Man Arrested Twice By MCPD In Separate Incidents
On 1/01/25, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Brian K. Freeman, age 46, homeless, for Disorderly Conduct after screaming racial slurs towards two females while outside of the Countrymark Gas Station at 3rd & Walnut Street. According to multiple witness statements, the victims pulled into the gas station when Freeman began yelling these slurs for unknown reasons. The alleged victims felt alarmed by Freeman’s actions and wished to pursue charges, which they were allowed to do. Freeman was charged and released on a Notice to Appear.
On 1/04/25, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Brian K. Freeman, age 46, homeless, for battery following a physical dispute at a home in the 400 block of N Walnut St. Police were called to the scene where they received a complaint that Freeman had struck the homeowner in the head during an argument. This allegation was witnessed by two others who reported Freeman became violent when one of the individuals asked him his first name. Freeman had been invited inside the home before the incident. Freeman was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and later released on a Notice to Appear in court.
Traffic Stop Results In Multiple Charges For Mt. Carmel Man
On 1/09/25, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Dalton L. Compton, age 26, of Mt. Carmel for Aggravated Intimidation, Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer, and Driving While License Suspended following a traffic stop on a black Ford in the 400 block of N Walnut St. During the stop Compton exited the vehicle and began yelling at the officer for stopping him. Compton refused to return to his vehicle and instead attempted to enter another vehicle belonging to him. As the officers ordered him to stop and attempted to detain Compton for officer safety concerns, Compton made multiple threats of battering them, resulting in his arrest. Compton was secured in a squad car and later transported to the Wabash County Jail. Compton was charged and later released on a Notice to Appear.
Mt. Carmel Woman Picked Up On Crawford County FTA Warrant
On 1/07/25, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Heather R. Davis, age 43, currently of Mt. Carmel, on a Crawford County Illinois Warrant for Failure to Appear while officers handled an unrelated matter at the Shamrock Motel. Officers discovered the warrant and placed Davis under arrest. Davis was transported to the Wabash County where she was issued the warrant and later transported to the Crawford County Jail.
Truck Driver Arrested For DUI On Christmas Day
On 12/25/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Brent A. Brookheart, age 59, of Vincennes, Indiana for Driving Under the Influence following a traffic stop on a 1998 Peterbilt in the 700 block of Oak Street. The stop resulted from a public complaint regarding a reckless driver making repeated lane violations. The arresting officer located the suspect vehicle, observed violations as reported, and conducted the traffic stop. After speaking to Brookheart, the officer had a suspicion that he may have been driving while impaired. Further investigation resulted in Brookheart’s arrest for DUI. Brookheart was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged, processed, and later released on a Notice to Appear in court.
ISP Investigating Fatal Crash on US-50 in Martin County
(Martin County) – Wednesday evening, January 8th, at approximately 6:40 p.m., Indiana State Police and Martin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two-vehicle crash on US 50 east of State Road 450. This is just west of Shoals.
Preliminary investigation indicated Paul M. Davis, 58, of Shoals, was driving a 2016 Cadillac SUV eastbound on US 50, and Jonathon A. Kauffman, 21, of Washington, was driving a 2010 Mack semi-tractor trailer westbound on US 50. The vehicle Davis was driving, lost control, traveled sideways into the westbound lane, and collided with the semi-tractor trailer. Davis was pronounced dead at the scene by the Martin County Coroner. Kauffman was not injured.
Authorities have made notifications to the family. An autopsy will be scheduled. This case is still under investigation.
Investigating Officer: Trooper Sam Wagner
Assisting Officers: Master Trooper Ken Miller, Master Trooper John Yung, Trooper Brayden Angermeier, Trooper Kayla Denk-Mundy, Trooper Jesse Crane, Trooper Ian Portteus, and Trooper Ben Burris
Assisting Agencies: Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Martin County Coroner’s Office, Martin County Ambulance Service, and Shoals Fire Department
Manhunt of Austin Schepers Concludes After Confrontation with Police in Louisville
A two day manhunt of the shooter of an Orange County deputy sheriff has concluded tonight in Louisville, Kentucky.
This evening, State Police investigators and officers with the Louisville Metro Police Department were led to a home in the 3700 block of Wheeler Avenue in Louisville, attempting to locate Austin Schepers for his involvement in the shooting of Orange County Deputy Sheriff Zac Andry early Friday morning. During the investigation on Wheeler Avenue, officers located Schepers. While details regarding the confrontation remain under investigation, the confrontation resulted in Schepers being shot and killed at the scene by law enforcement.
The Louisville Metro Police Department will be providing additional information as to the involvement of their officers during the encounter with details as they can per their investigation.
There is no longer a threat to public safety regarding the manhunt for Schepers.
Evansville Man Arrested after Brief Chase on US 41
Knox County – Friday night, January 3, at approximately 9:20 p.m., Trooper Buchanan stopped the driver of a 2009 Nissan Murano on US 41 south of Vincennes for a left lane violation. The driver was identified as Zachary Anderson, 31, of Evansville. During the traffic stop, it was determined Anderson had an active felony warrant out of Vanderburgh County for possession of methamphetamine. When Trooper Buchanan approached Anderson’s vehicle to take him into custody, he sped away north on US 41reaching a speed of approximately 80 mph. Anderson exited US 41 onto Willow Street where he lost control and crashed into a ditch. Anderson was arrested and taken to the Knox County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.
Arrested and Charges:
Zachary Anderson, 31, of Evansville, IN
Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Level 6 Felony
Felony Warrant for Possession of Meth – Vanderburgh Co.
Arresting Officer: Trooper Brock Buchanan, Indiana State Police
Assisting Officers: Trooper Marsee, Trooper Kincaid, and Master Trooper Pool
Assisting Agencies: Vincennes Police and Knox County Sheriff’s Office
Update - Orange County Deputy Shot Friday Morning - Additional Photographs of Suspect
The investigation into the Friday morning shooting of Orange County Deputy Sheriff Zac Andry remains under investigation, and the Indiana State Police continues to ask for the assistance from the public.
Friday morning after midnight, Deputy Zac Andry checked on a Pontiac Grand Prix sitting partially in the roadway at the intersection of US150 and SR56 in Orange County. As Deputy Andry was speaking with the driver, 33-year-old Austin Schepers, Schepers shot Andry multiple times, including in the head. Schepers and a female passenger in the Pontiac fled the scene.
Andry was found and was transported to University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, KY. He is presently listed in critical but stable condition. Orange County Sheriff Davy Henderson continues to ask the public for their positive thoughts and well-wishes towards Andry and his family as he continues to fight towards recovery.
The female passenger with Schepers was located near Orangeville Friday morning around 8:00 and was taken into custody. Schepers has since remained at large.
Investigators believe Schepers is presently in the New Albany, Indiana area in Floyd County, and within the Kentuckiana radius. Schepers is armed and dangerous; investigators are asking that if anyone has information regarding the whereabouts of Schepers that they contact 911 with the information. Schepers is 5 foot 7 inches tall, weighing approximately 150 pounds. He has numerous tattoos on his person, including his head, neck, face, arms, and body. Additional photographs of Schepers from Schepers’s social media accounts are attached.
The Indiana State Police, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and all assisting agencies in this matter remain dedicated towards locating Schepers and bringing him into custody.
Under the law, criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Southeastern Illinois Educational Leaders Launch Farm-to-School Initiative to Boost Local Agriculture
Southeastern Illinois, September 2024 – Educational leaders from ten school districts across six counties in southeastern Illinois are embarking on a mission to strengthen Farm-to-School initiatives in the Greater Wabash region. Supported by generous funding from the Lake Michigan School Food Innovation Hub, this group is working to expand access to locally grown produce by addressing the challenge of food seasonality through the exploration of flash-freezing techniques. This solution would allow farmers to extend the availability of their products to schools throughout the year.
This initiative has launched for the 2024-2025 school year, with three key goals:
1. Create an Advisory Committee to guide and support the initiative.
2. Identify state-level partners to collaborate with and ensure long-term sustainability.
3. Conduct test tastings for flash-freezing sweet corn and a vegetable soup mix with herbs, preparing the way for broader use of these locally sourced foods in school cafeterias.
The project’s budget, enhanced by funding from the Lake Michigan School Food Innovation Hub, will focus on human capital, investing in staff to support Farm-to-School programming across 32 school cafeterias, coordinate tasting events, and fund the acquisition of a blast chiller for the region. This innovative approach will help local farmers extend their growing season, making fresh, nutritious foods more consistently available to students throughout the year.
“Flash-freezing local produce is a game-changer for our Farm-to-School program,” said Trish Bellmore, Executive Director of the Greater Wabash Food Council. “This not only draws economic opportunity to the agricultural community but also ensures that students are getting high-quality, local food even outside of peak growing seasons.”
By bringing together educational leaders, farmers, and state-level partners, this initiative aims to set a new standard for how schools can work with local agriculture to enhance both the economy and student well-being. The introduction of a blast chiller will be a key asset, enabling schools to store locally grown produce efficiently for long-term use. For more information about this initiative, please contact Greater Wabash Food Council online or on Facebook at "GWFOODCOUNCIL."
About Farm-to-School in Southeastern Illinois Farm-to-School programs connect schools with local farms to provide fresh, local foods for school meals while also educating students about agriculture, health, and nutrition. The program fosters community engagement and strengthens the local economy by supporting area farmers.