Deadline Monday To Pay 2nd Installment Of Real Estate Taxes

Wabash County Treasurer, Angie Broster, wanted to announce that the 2023 Real Estate second installment due date is Monday, April 7, 2025.

If you have not paid the first installment there is a 1.5% penalty fee added to the first payment amount. Please contact the Treasurer’s office at 262-5262 if you have any questions.

Payments may be made in person at the Treasurer’s office or you may use the drop box in front of the Courthouse. Credit Card payments can be made online at www.govtechtaxpro.com.

You may also make payments at the First Mid Bank, First Bank and First National Bank Allendale & Mt. Carmel branches on Second Installments only.

If you have any questions or concerns about your tax bill, please feel free to contact our office.

Illinois Extension expands with new SNAP-Education Educator

ALBION, Ill. – University of Illinois Extension is expanding the reach of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education by adding a local SNAP-Ed Educator. Alizah Harper will serve as the SNAP-Ed Educator for the five-county unit, including Edwards, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, and Wayne counties.

 Harper joins a team of three SNAP-Ed community outreach workers within the unit who provide nutrition education in schools, food pantries, and other organizations at the county level. Through policy, system, and environmental initiatives, Harper will collaborate with communities and local organizations to broadly address nutrition, health, and food access.

 "I am excited to announce that our five-county unit will be welcoming a new SNAP-Education Educator,” says Extension County Director Tara Buerster. “Mrs. Harper will be a great addition to our team, and her presence will significantly enhance our ability to provide valuable nutrition education and advocate for policy changes in the communities we serve."

 Harper’s vast experience in healthcare, work with diverse audiences, and passion for education will be instrumental in expanding SNAP-Ed programming, developing partnerships, and creating action plans to encourage healthier communities.

 “I believe that public health interventions should be tailored to the unique needs of each community, ensuring that resources and education are both accessible and effective,” says Harper. “Through my work, I aim to bridge gaps between policy, clinical care, and community-based interventions to create long-term improvements in health outcomes.”

 Harper currently serves as the Illinois Extension Wabash County Office Support Assistant and will begin her new position in May. She completes her Master of Public Health from Indiana University in May and received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Indiana University Southeast. Harper will be based out of the Edwards County Extension office and can be reached at alizah@illinois.edu or 618-445-2934.

Wabash County Commissioner Agenda

REGULAR MEETING Monday, April 7, 2025

AGENDA

1) Call to order:

2) Approve minutes of previous meeting:

3) Commissioner’s reports:

4) Officer’s reports:

5) Old Business:

a, Phase 4 of the HVAC project.

b. Appointment to Discover DOWNSTATE ILLLINOIS Tourism Board.

6) New Business:

a. Janet Storey with Watler Accounting to meet with the Board.

a. Opioid Litigation Update.

7) Executive Session:

8) Correspondence:

9) Approval of payment of claims presented:

10) Adjournment:

9th Street Project Update

Repaving work is still a few months away, but crews have been working on the 9th Street project. Mayor Joe Judge offered an update at Monday’s City Council meeting…

JOE JUDGE 9TH ST UPDATE 3 31 25

IDOT policy mandates that with projects such as 9th Street, the sidewalk work will be done before the street’s surface is re-asphalted. The entire project is expected to be finished this fall.

Lafayette woman arrested for OWI

On April 3, 2025, at 8:12 p.m. Gibson County Deputies Bart Wagner and Eric Powell were traveling eastbound on State Road 64 when they observed a Green 2000 Toyota Echo stopped in the middle of eastbound traffic.  Deputies conducted a welfare check on the driver and upon speaking to the driver 45 year old Jennifer Connolly of Lafayette Deputy Wagner detected multiple clues of impairment.  At that point Deputy Wagner began a OWI investigation.  At the conclusion of the investigation Ms. Connolly was placed into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail.  Upon arriving at the jail Ms. Connolly was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Resisting Law Enforcement. 
 
Assisting Deputy Wagner in his investigation were Deputies Eric Powell, Wes Baumgart, and Shawn Holmes.  Also assisting in this investigation was Indiana State Police Trooper Cummings. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Louisiana woman arrested for DUI

On April 3, 2025, at 8:12 p.m. Gibson County Deputies Bart Wagner and Eric Powell were traveling eastbound on State Road 64 when they observed a Green 2000 Toyota Echo stopped in the middle of eastbound traffic.  Deputies conducted a welfare check on the driver and upon speaking to the driver 45 year old Jennifer Connolly of Lafayette Deputy Wagner detected multiple clues of impairment.  At that point Deputy Wagner began a OWI investigation.  At the conclusion of the investigation Ms. Connolly was placed into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail.  Upon arriving at the jail Ms. Connolly was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Resisting Law Enforcement. 
 
Assisting Deputy Wagner in his investigation were Deputies Eric Powell, Wes Baumgart, and Shawn Holmes.  Also assisting in this investigation was Indiana State Police Trooper Cummings. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Indianapolis man arrested for DUI

On April 4, 2025, at 1:10 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a suspicious vehicle in the middle of the roadway near the intersection of CR 650 South and Cr 850 East. Deputy Michael Bates was dispatched to the area and upon arriving in the area he found the driver passed out in a Silver 2014 Ford F250.  At that point he began a roadside OWI investigation.  At the conclusion of the investigation the driver 54 year old Eric Argyelan of Indianapolis was placed into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail.  Upon arriving at the jail Mr. Argyelan was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated-Endangerment with a Refusal. 
 
Assisting Deputy Bates in his investigation was Deputy Wes Baumgart. 
 
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 Gets 6 Years On Meth Charge

46-year-old Jason Cox of Mt. Carmel has been sentenced to 6 years in prison on a meth possession charge. Cox was arrested last May by Mt. Carmel Police following a traffic stop in the 1300 block of West 9th Street. After K-9 KiKi alerted to the presence of narcotics in Cox’s vehicle, officers found a clear bag of suspected meth that later field tested positive for meth. He was released after being taken to jail and processed and given a notice to appear. But Cox failed to appear in court and was again arrested by MCPD in July on an FTA warrant. Appearing in court Monday, Cox was sentenced to the six-year term in the DOC on the Class 2 felony. He’ll be on one year of parole after his release.

Louisville man arrested for DUI and Reckless Driving

On April 2, 2025, at 3:42 p.m. Oakland City Police Chief Tim Gaines was conducting traffic control at the intersection of Morton Street and Franklin Street in Oakland City while students from the East Gibson School Corporation were being released from school.  While directing traffic Chief Gaines observed a Black Ford Ranger traveling at well above the 25 mph speed limit and noticeably faster than other traffic.  Chief Gaines stopped the vehicle and requested additional units while he placed the driver 25 year old Chance Roberts of Louisville, Kentucky into custody. 
 
At the same time Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a suicidal subject who had taken a gun from the caller and left.  Multiple officers were sent to the area, and when Deputy Wyatt Hunt arrived on scene he spoke with Mr. Roberts.  While speaking with Mr. Roberts Deputy Hunt detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver.  At that point Deputy Hunt began a roadside DUI investigation.  During the investigation a vehicle inventory was conducted of the vehicle in preparation for a tow truck to come take possession of the vehicle.  As result of the inventory the missing handgun was recovered.  Ultimately Mr. Roberts was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.