At the January 2025 Allendale School Board meeting held in the Library of Allendale School, the board:
Approved the 2024-2025 Certified Seniority List.
Approved the Superintendent Evaluation as presented.
Approved a Resolution to Abate a portion of the Tax Levy concerning the Taxable General Obligation Bond the district currently has. The abated portion will come from the 1% Sales Tax proceeds.
On 1/11/25, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Kevin R. Webster, age 54, of Vincennes, Indiana for Driving Under the Influence following a traffic stop on a red Toyota in the 1500 block of West 9th Street. Before the stop, Dispatch received a public complaint about a red Toyota striking the median when pulling into the 9th Street Dollar General entrance. Officers arrived on scene and found Webster as the driver. In speaking to Webster, the officer found signs that Webster was intoxicated. Subsequently, Webster was requested to submit to a roadside sobriety check to which he agreed. During the check, Webster exhibited numerous clues to indicate impairment. Webster was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was processed for DUI and turned over to jail staff for further processing. Webster was later released on a Notice to Appear.
On 1/12/25, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Tanner K. Sisson, age 26, of Mt. Carmel for Domestic Battery following an investigation into a dispute at a residence in the 200 block of N Mulberry Street. Officers arrived at the scene and found evidence that Sisson had battered a family member by grabbing their arms and pushing them during the incident. Sisson was arrested and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending a pre-trial release determination by the court.
On 1/12/25, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Gage A. Price, age 20, of Mt. Carmel for Violation of an Order of Protection in the 200 block of E 9th Street. Prior to the arrest, police had learned that Price had an active Order of Protection against him that had been granted and served to him in Minnesota. The arresting officer observed Price with the protected party at this location. Due to this court order being valid, the officer placed Price under arrest and transported him to the Wabash County Jail. Price was issued his charge and held pending a pre-trial release determination by the court.
On 1/13/25, Wabash County State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman filed additional charges of Burglary and Theft following an MCPD investigation into Price and a female entering the Mt. Carmel McDonalds after it had shut down due to the winter storm on 1/05/25. It was alleged that Price made a Facebook post about McDonalds failing to lock one of the doors after closing. When reviewing store video footage, employees found that Price and the female walked past a store closed sign on the door and made their way around the restaurant including behind the counter, while fixing themselves drinks, unlawfully taking hot chocolate mix packs and whipped cream before leaving the restaurant. McDonald’s management wished to pursue charges for these offenses and was allowed to do so. Price remains in custody at the Wabash County Jail. Additional charges are anticipated against the other involved party.
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A southern Illinois district judge sentenced a postal carrier in Granite City to 32 months in federal prison after she admitted to stealing credit cards from the mail and using for personal expenses.
Lakeatra E. White, 32, of Granite City, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to one count of theft of mail by postal employee, one count of access device fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. In addition to imprisonment, White will serve three years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $15,209.11 in restitution.
“Mail carriers are entrusted public servants, and postal workers who steal from their customers choose to break that trust,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to partner with the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General to hold employees committing fraud accountable.”
While employed as a city carrier assistant at the Granite City Post Office, White stole several mail items from customers on her route containing gift cards, credit cards and credit card information.
According to court documents, she stole credit cards belonging to two victims, in which she tried to rack up personal charges estimated at nearly $27,000. During the investigation, White turned over 115 pieces of mail she had stolen to law enforcement.
“This sentencing represents the hard work and dedication by USPS OIG Special Agents working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to bring charges on this significant mail theft investigation,” said Special Agent in Charge Dennus Bishop, U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, Central Area Field Office. “The majority of postal employees are hard-working public servants dedicated to moving mail to its proper destination. The USPS OIG, along with our law enforcement partners, remain committed to safeguarding the U.S. Mail and ensuring the accountability and integrity of U.S. Postal Service employees.”
U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General led the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Reed prosecuted the case.
On January 12, 2025, AT 3:08 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Eric Powell conducted a traffic stop on a Black Chevy Impala traveling in excess of 90 mph on Interstate 69 near the 34.5 mile marker near Oakland City. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Powell detected clues that the driver 59 year old Dwight Weedon of Bloomfield, Indiana might be under the influence of an unknown intoxicant. At that point Deputy Powell began a roadside OWI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation he placed Mr. Weedon into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia.
Assisting Deputy Powell in his investigation was Sgt. Loren Barchett, Deputies Wes Baumgart and Wyatt Hunt, and Oakland City Police Chief Tim Gaines.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
8th grade students in Mr. Waldroup's Science class at Allendale School have planted their first Tower Garden crop. Trish Bellmore with Greater Wabash Food Council has been instrumental in helping with this project to incorporate Science, Agriculture, Botany, and Food Science into the curriculum. We are excited to see this project through the next few months.
2024 was another record-breaking year for the Wabash County Retail Merchants Committee’s Gift Check Program. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lesley Hipsher has announced that over $232,000 Merchants Gift Checks were purchased last year. That’s nearly a quarter of a million dollars that will stay and be spent here locally at merchant member businesses.
"Over the last five years the Chamber Office has written over $1 million dollars in RMC Gift Checks. We saw a big jump from 2019 to 2020, then again in 2021 with a $50,000 increase. Then each year for the last three years we have seen a steady increase." stated Hipsher.
The main goal of the Gift Check Program is to boost the local economy and keep money in our local community. This program has been very successful and continues to grow. "We appreciate the support from businesses, families and individuals that choose to give others RMC Gift Checks. Kudos to our community for supporting such a great program!"
Hipsher also pointed out that Gift Checks expire after 3 years, so make sure you do not have any that expire in 2025. If you do please USE YOUR GIFT CHECKS and boost local spending in our community
