Evansville – On Saturday, April 26, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is sponsoring the 27th nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative. The “Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of prescription drugs.
Collection sites will be set up nationwide for expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs which will be properly disposed of without threat to the environment. This program is for liquid and pill medications. Vaping pens without batteries and vaping cartridges will also be taken. Needles WILL NOT be accepted for disposal. This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.
This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Unused or expired medication in home cabinets is highly susceptible to theft, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.
Indiana State Police at Evansville, which is located at 19411 Hwy 41 North, will be accepting unused or expired prescription medication on Saturday, April 26, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Wabash District #348 Personnel Matters-April 2025
The school board acted on these personnel matters at Monday’s monthly meeting.
District #348 School Board Reorganizes & Swears In New Members
An eventful Wabash District #348 school board meeting last night at the elementary school. The meeting was to have featured the swearing in of incumbent board member Theresa Hocking and new board members Jessica Peter and Tim Zimmer. While Hocking and Peter were sworn in, it didn’t happen for Zimmer who withdrew from the board before taking the oath of office….
Last night was supposed to be the last meeting for long time board members Tim Schuler and Kyle Peach. And while it was for Schuler, it wasn’t for Peach who was appointed to fill Zimmer’s spot on the board until the next school board election in two years.
After the board was finally seated, the board voted to make Jamie McCorkle the board president, Gregg Wilcox the vice president, and Hocking will remain the board’s secretary. Darlene Underwood was reappointed as the district’s treasurer.
One other housekeeping note, the board voted to change the start times of their meeting from 7pm to 5pm on the third Monday’s of each month.
The swearing in of Peter means the school board has a female majority for the first time ever.
District #348 Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer thanks Tim Schuler for his years of service on the school board.
Monday’s meeting was the last one for long time board president Tim Schuler.
District #348 Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer thanks Tim Schuler for his years of service on the school board.
District #348 Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer thanks Kyle Peach for his years of service on the school board.
Tim Zimmer explains why he is not accepting a seat on the District #348 school board.
Jessica Peter reads the oath of office as she is sworn in as a new member on the District #348 school board.
Jamie McCorkle (L) assumes the position of school board president as Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer looks on.
After agreeing to fill the board vacancy caused by Tim Zimmer’s decision not to accept a position on the board, Kyle Peach reads the oath of office to resume his service on the board until at least the next board election in 2027.
Suspect Arrested after Officer Involved Shooting and Chase
Warrick County – Monday morning, April 21, at approximately 8:52 a.m., Warrick Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a reckless driver on SR 62 westbound near Walmart. Approximately two-minutes later, a Chandler Police officer spotted the Toyota Corolla, but the driver refused to stop. The vehicle eventually stopped after crashing into a ditch on Heim Road between Inderrieden Road and Lincoln Avenue in Chandler. The suspect, who was wearing a motorcycle helmet, exited his vehicle and started waving an object that appeared to be a sword toward the officer. During this confrontation, the officer discharged his firearm, striking the suspect at least once. The suspect was able to drive away in the officer’s patrol vehicle and drove toward Boonville.
The suspect was able to elude police until a Rockport Police officer spotted the Chandler Police vehicle traveling south on US 231 near C.R. 350 North. Police attempted to stop the police vehicle, but the suspect continued to travel south at speeds of more than 120 mph. Once the suspect entered Kentucky on US 60, the driver left the roadway near Terminal Road and crashed into an open field. The suspect exited the patrol vehicle and started to flee on foot. The Rockport Police officer and a Daviess County Deputy eventually Tased the suspect and he was taken into custody without further incident. The suspect was transported to Owensboro Health Hospital and is currently being treated for his injuries.
The suspect has been identified as Nina Adalina Devillez, 31, of Santa Claus, IN.
The Chandler Police officer is currently on administrative leave.
This incident is being investigated by Indiana State Police
Assisting Agencies: Daviess County KY Sheriff’s Office, Warrick County Sheriff’s Office, Spencer County Sheriff’s Office, Boonville Police, and Rockport Police
Lane closures planned for I-69 in Gibson and Pike Counties
GIBSON/PIKE COUNTY Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces alternating lane closures on I-69 in Gibson and Pike Counties
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Beginning on or around Tuesday, April 29, crews will begin alternating lane closures on I-69 in Gibson and Pike Counties. These lane closures will occur between the 27-mile marker and 40-mile marker. Work will take place between 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.
Alternating lane closures will allow for linear grading to both inside and outside shoulders in both directions of traffic. Work is expected to take a month to complete, depending on the weather. INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.
Approach closure planned for U.S. 41 in Vanderburgh County
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.
