On March 17, 2025, at 8:17 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Wes Baumgart conducted a traffic stop on a White 2000 Chevy Blazer after witnessing an equipment violation while on State Road 57 near County Road 350 South. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Baumgart identified the driver as 34 year old Colton Doerner of Oakland City. During a roadside investigation illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia were discovered. At the conclusion of the investigation Deputy Baumgart placed Mr. Doerner into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail Mr. Doerner was charged with Possession of Methamphetamines, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.
Deputy Baumgart was assisted in his investigation by Deputies Eric Powell and Shawn Holmes. Also assisting in the investigation was Oakland City Officer John Pace.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Chamber Announces Big Changes To Ag Days...Including Name Change
Wabash County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lesley Hipsher was our guest on Tuesday’s Morning Show to announce major changes coming to Mt. Carmel’s biggest event of the year.
County Commissioners Make Appointments To Various Local Boards
County Commissioners approved these appointments at their Monday meeting.
City Council Considers 1% Sales Tax Instead Of Property Tax Hike To Pay For Pool
It looks like Mt. Carmel property owners won’t be paying higher real estate taxes for the new city pool after all. Last year, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker eliminated the state’s 1% grocery tax that had been returned to municipalities. The Governor gave cities the right to not only reinstitute the tax on groceries but all other goods as well.
At their regular meeting yesterday, the city council heard the first reading of an ordinance that would place a 1% sales tax on everything sold in the corporate limits of Mt. Carmel with the exception of gas and vehicles. Mayor Joe Judge said the trade off for the new tax is one property owners will like…
The additional 1% will bring Mt. Carmel’s sales tax to 8.25%, which Judge said is still lower than many in southern Illinois including Olney and Harrisburg where the rate is 8.75%; Carbondale’s is 11.75%; Marion and Benton are at 9.5%; and Grayville is also at 8.25%.
The mayor said the city will soon benefit from increased sales tax receipts with the opening of the new cannabis outlet this Spring in Mt. Carmel.
The council is expected to hear the second reading of the ordinance and adopt it at their next meeting in two weeks.
Mt. Carmel City Council Agenda
Meeting today at 4pm at City Hall.
Wabash County Commissioners Agenda
Meeting today at 4:30pm at Courthouse.
Allendale School Board Agenda
Meeting is Wednesday at 6pm.
District #348 Meets Wednesday Night At 7pm
Meeting at MCES Library.
Oakland City woman arrested on drug charges
On March 16, 2025 at 4:48 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a suspicious person in the area of the 10000 block of East 450 South who was attempting to go through other person’s property and possessions. The reporting party gave a detailed description of the female to Communications Officer Amber Lowery. Officer Lowery in turn dispatched law enforcement in the area, and upon arriving in the area Deputies located a female matching the description given to dispatch. After a brief investigation 30 year old Megan Mitchell Oakland City was placed into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where she was charged with Driving While Suspended Prior and Possession of Methamphetamines.
Arresting Officer: Deputy Eric Powell
Assisting Deputies were Deputies Wes Baumgart, Shawn Holmes, and Bart Wagner.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Princeton man arrested on multiple charges
On March 17, 2025, at 12:04 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Michael Bates conducted a traffic stop on a Black 2010 Mercedes for speeding on US 41 near State Road 64. Upon catching up to the vehicle a traffic stop was conducted on Vail Street just east of US 41. Deputy Bates identified the driver as 36 year old Isae Buenrostro of Princeton. While speaking with Mr. Buenrostro Deputy Bates detected clues that the driver may be under the influence of an unknown intoxicant. At that point Deputy Bates began a roadside OWI investigation. Once that investigation was completed Deputy Bates placed Mr. Buenrostro into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Driving While Intoxicated-Prior, Driving While Suspended-Prior, Possession of Marijuana above 30 Grams with a Prior, Speeding, and Expired Vehicle Registration.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
