VANDERBURGH COUNTY Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces an approach closure on U.S. 41 in Vanderburgh County.
Beginning on or around Wednesday, April 23, crews will close the west approach to U.S. 41 from Morgan Avenue in Evansville. This closure is for the reconstruction of the west approach to U.S. 41. This closure is expected to take a month to complete, depending on the weather.
The west approach closure is part of a larger project to reconstruct U.S. 41 in Evansville. Motorists should slow down, watch for stopped traffic and drive distraction-free through all work zones.
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE INVESTIGATES CHILD DEATH IN WHITE COUNTY
CARMI – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 8 is conducting a child death investigation in White County. On April 18, 2025, at approximately 12:59 p.m., ISP was requested by the White County Sheriff’s Office to assist in the death investigation of a two-year-old child. The Child Death Investigative Task Force was subsequently activated.
The investigation is ongoing and no further information will be released at this time.
Princeton man arrested for DUI
On April 20, 2025, at 7:54 p.m., Gibson County Deputy Wyatt Hunt conducted a traffic stop on a Gray 2022 motorized scooter after witnessing an equipment violation on CR 150 South and McCarty Road near Princeton. Upon approaching the vehicle, Deputy Hunt identified the driver as 53-year-old Tracy Gayer of Princeton. While speaking with Mr. Gayer, Deputy Hunt detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver. At that point, Deputy Hunt began a roadside DUI investigation that resulted in Mr. Gayer being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail, Mr. Gayer was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Possession of Marijuana. A passenger on the vehicle was released at the scene.
Assisting Deputy Hunt in his investigation were Deputies Loren Barchett and Bart Wagner. Also assisting in the investigation were Indiana State Trooper Tanner Hurley and Princeton Officers Matt Perry and David Jones.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Illinois Extension program offers online gardening training
URBANA, Ill. — For 50 years, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners have measured success by gardens planted, insects identified, produce harvested, and the millions of hours volunteers have logged by helping others learn to grow.
Take your love of gardening to the next level in 2025 by joining an online training course. Whether you’re interested in the Master Gardener certification process and continuing on to volunteer in your community, or you’re simply interested in bettering your own gardening knowledge, Illinois Gardener Training is for you.
Online training is again being offered starting June 9, 2025. This self-guided course is for Illinois residents and can be taken from the comfort of home on a desktop, laptop, or tablet.
“Our online training is a great opportunity for folks who need more flexibility to participate,” said State Master Gardener Specialist Candice Anderson. “It is a self-paced program that can be completed at any time.”
The training includes videos, a manual, reading materials, and quizzes. The course can be completed in 14 weeks with four hours of weekly work. A strong internet connection is highly recommended.
This course is aimed at exposing participants to in-depth horticulture content through 13 modules including soils and fertilizers, plant diseases, entomology, pest management organic gardening and more. For more information, visit https://extension.illinois.edu/mg/become-master-gardener.
The course costs $300 and registration is open until May 19, 2025. For more information, contact the Edwards County Extension Office at 618-445-2934.
After finishing training, participants have the option to put their newfound gardening knowledge to use by applying to become an Illinois Extension Master Gardener Volunteer. To become a Master Gardener, you must fill out and submit an application by contacting your local county Extension office. After the local coordinator reviews the application, applicants will be asked for an interview. Acceptance of trainees will be based on an established need for local Master Gardener volunteer activities. Please note that different counties have different periods for accepting applications and applying does not guarantee acceptance, as some units receive more applications than spaces available for training.
Master Gardener volunteers participate in education programs in their communities. Those opportunities may include speaking at garden clubs, civic groups, or schools; answering calls or emails at garden help desks; establishing demonstration gardens that serve as educational tools; and educating citizens on how to establish community gardens.
University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in programming, contact Candice Anderson. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting participant needs.
SOURCE: Candice Anderson, State Master Gardener Specialist, Illinois Extension
Tennessee Man Arrested for OVWI and Resisting Law Enforcement
(Perry County) - Saturday morning , a vehicle pursuit led to the arrest of Ulysses M. Patterson, 42, Johnson City, TN. He was incarcerated in Perry County to face preliminary charges for Resisting Law Enforcement with a Motor Vehicle (Level 6 Felony), Resisting Law Enforcement (A Misdemeanor), Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated Refusal (A Misdemeanor), Reckless Driving (B Misdemeanor) and Operating a Vehicle W/O Ever Receiving a License (C Misdemeanor).
Saturday, April 19, 2025, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Indiana State Police Trooper Jon Villanueva initiated a traffic stop on a 2004 Cadillac passenger car on I-64 near Bristow for speeding. The driver of the Cadillac, later identified as Ulysses Patterson , allegedly did not stop and led the trooper on a vehicle pursuit. The chase continued south on State Road 37 and then west on State Road 62. The pursuit lasted approximately 10 minutes until the vehicle pulled into a driveway. When other officers arrived, they attempted to place handcuffs on Patterson, but he still refused commands. Patterson had to be forcefully restrained. While speaking to Patterson, he showed visible signs of being impaired. Patterson was arrested and transported to the Perry County jail without further incident.
Trooper Villanueva was assisted by Master Trooper Darryl Terryl, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, and Ohio Valley Towing.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE INVESTIGATES FATAL PLANE CRASH IN TRILLA
TRILLA – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is investigating a fatal, small, single engine plane crash in Trilla, IL. On April 19, 2025, at approximately 10:15 a.m., ISP was contacted by the Coles County Sheriff’s Department to investigate a plane crash on 551-587 County Road 1400 N in Trilla, which is approximately three miles south of Mattoon in Coles County.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are still investigating the cause of the crash. All four occupants were pronounced deceased on scene. The aircraft remained in the roadway with the roadway closed until approximately 5:00 p.m. on April 20, 2025.
The Coles County coroner confirmed the following identifications:
Ross R. Nelson, 46-year-old male from Menomonie, WI
Raimi A. Rundle, 45-year-old female from Menomonie, WI
Courtney L. Morrow, 36-year-old female from Menomonie, WI
Michael H. Morrow, 48-year-old male from Menomonie, WI
ISP thanks first responder personnel from the Coles County Sheriff’s Department, Mattoon Police Department, Mattoon Fire Department and the Lincolnwood Fire Department, who responded to the incident and provided critical assistance during this tragic incident.
Road closure planned for State Road 58 in Knox and Daviess Counties
KNOX/DAVIESS COUNTIES, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a road closure for State Road 58 in Knox and Daviess Counties.
Beginning on or around Monday, April 28, crews will close State Road 58 in Knox and Daviess Counties near Elnora. This closure will occur between State Road 57 and State Road 67.
This road closure will allow for a chip and seal operation. This project will help to improve and preserve the roadway. Work is expected to take a week to complete, depending on the weather.
The official detour for this project is State Road 57 to State Road 358 to State Road 67. Local traffic will have access up to the point of closure.
MCFD Smoke House Returns
Residents of Mt. Carmel may remember the fire department’s smoke house that taught children what to do should fire break out in their home. The smoke house went away for several years, but returned at last weekend’s family fun day at the City Park according to fire commissioner Susan Zimmerman….
For many years, the fire department’s smoke hour was a staple of Ag Days and was taken to local schools during October’s fire prevention week.
Republic Completes Big Trash Pickup
If you set out items for the March 31st large trash pick up and they’re still setting there, you need to get them off the street because Republic Services aren’t picking them up according to garbage commissioner Susan Zimmerman….
Zimmerman also reminded residents that the electronics recycling day is coming up on Saturday, May 3rd.
Judge: Sewer Plant Did NOT Flood During This Month's Heavy Rains
Mt. Carmel Mayor Joe Judge took time at Monday’s City Council meeting to squash a social media post stating the city’s sewer plant flooded during this month’s heavy rains…
Judge said the amount of water going through the facility is amazing…
Earlier this year, the city announced plans to conduct smoke testing to see where illegal sewer hookups are in order to alleviate issues.