Meeting starts at 4pm Monday.
Juveniles Arrested For "Trashing" Allendale Residence
On March 23rd, 2025 at approximately 0926 the Wabash County Sheriff's Office responded to 204 N 3rd. St. in Allendale reference a burglary. The tenant had been gone for a couple of days and advised that he was in the process of moving out. The tenant found the home to be completely trashed. "Trashed" as in garbage had been thrown throughout the residence. Other items within the home and on the outside of the home had been broken and some items were taken from the residence as well. The home incurred substantial damage due to the trash being strewn all over and for the amount of time, it sat within the house.The responding deputy canvassed the neighborhood looking for any potential witness and/or surveillance footage of the area. During the investigation a number of suspects were developed. Deputies conducted interviews of the suspects that were identified.
On 04.24.25 Wabash County State's Attorney Kelli Storckman filed charges of Theft over $500, 2 counts of Criminal damage to property in excess of $10,000, against 3 juveniles. The juveniles have been summoned to court and notified of their charges. The investigation continues with the possibility of additional defendants.
Fort Branch Man Arrested In Connection To Stolen Laptop
On 4/23/25, Anthony Gehring, age 48, of Fort Branch, Indiana, was transported back to Wabash County by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office after being arrested on a Wabash County Warrant for Felony Theft in Vanderburgh County. The arrest stemmed from an Mt. Carmel Police Department investigation into the theft of a laptop computer on 3/18/2025. Due to a tip to Wabash County Crimestoppers, MCPD was able to identify Mr. Gehring as the suspect in question. Gehring is being held at the Wabash County Jail pending further disposition by the court.
Murder Investigation underway in Oakland City
Gibson County – Indiana State Police detectives and crime scene units are currently investigating a homicide that occurred at 314 W. Dale Street in Oakland City.
Thursday afternoon, April 24, the Oakland City Police Department received a request to conduct a welfare check at the Dale Street address. When officers arrived, they discovered a deceased male, who was later identified a Brad Fiscus, 57. Fiscus resides at the residence.
A suspect has been detained by law enforcement. This is still an active investigation.
An autopsy is scheduled for Saturday.
More information will be released when it becomes available.
Fort Branch woman arrested on drug charges
On April 23, 2025, at 10:20 p.m., Deputies with the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 700 block of East Strain Street as part of an ongoing investigation. Upon arriving at the residence, Deputy Eric Powell began a drug investigation that resulted in 41-year-old Britni Miller of Fort Branch being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail, Ms. Miller was charged with Possession of Methamphetamines. Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Marijuana.
Deputies Wes Baumgart and Wyatt Hunt assisted Deputy Powell in his investigation. Fort Branch Officer Louis Jerrell also assisted in this investigation.
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 for possession of Meth
On April 23, 2025, at 3:29 p.m., Gibson County Deputy Wyatt Hunt conducted a traffic stop on a Silver 2010 Ford Escape for a moving violation on County Road 350 West near County Road 550 South. Upon approaching the vehicle, Deputy Hunt observed several clues that drug activity had occurred in the car. At that point, Deputy Hunt began a roadside drug investigation. After the investigation, Deputy Hunt placed 50-year-old Arron Redman, a passenger in the car, into custody after Methamphetamines were found in his possession. Mr. Redman was booked into the Gibson County Jail for Possession of Methamphetamines.
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 Sentenced To 8 Years In Prison On Meth Charge
Kelli Storckman, Wabash County State’s Attorney, reports that on April 21, 2025, Frank E. Shoultz, a 49-year-old Mt. Carmel, IL man, was sentenced to 8 years in the Department of Corrections, to be followed by 12 months of mandatory supervised release by the Honorable Circuit Judge William C. Hudson in Wabash County Circuit Court.
State’s Attorney Storckman advises that the Defendant was arrested by the Mt. Carmel Police Department on December 25, 2024, when he was found to have on his person more than 5 but less than 15 grams of methamphetamine. The defendant was sentenced to the Department of Corrections on a charge of Possession of Methamphetamine, a Class 2 Felony.
Original press release from MCPD:
On 12/25/24, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Phillip W. Farrar, age 56, on a Wabash County Warrant for Failure to Appear on outstanding charges for Methamphetamine Delivery, Felony Domestic Battery, and Unlawful Possession of Weapon by Felon. Farrar received new charges for Obstructing Justice, Aggravated Intimidation, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Also arrested, Frank E. Shoultz, age 48, of Mt. Carmel for Possession of Methamphetamine, Concealing/Aiding a Fugitive, Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer, Obstructing Justice, and Aggravated Intimidation. These arrests stemmed from a traffic stop at Southgate Dr. & South Walnut St. on a red Nissan in which Farrar and Shoultz were passengers. As the officer spoke to the driver, he found that Farrar was one of the occupants. Farrar and Shoultz attempted to lie about the identity of Farrar; however, the officer had dealt with him in the past and recognized his identity. Initially, Farrar refused to follow the officer’s orders to exit the vehicle but eventually complied. During his arrest, Farrar made threats of harm towards both officers. When officers attempted to search Shoultz he threw one of his shoes into the ditch and attempted to flee. A struggle ensued resulting in Shoultz being tased before being taken into custody. When Shoultz’s shoe was recovered officers located a black bag inside of it that contained multiple bags of suspected methamphetamine with a total weight of approximately 12 grams. Shoultz also made comments about causing harm to the officers when released from jail. Both men were transported to the Wabash County Jail where they were issued their charges and warrant. It was later learned that Shoultz was on Mandatory Supervised Release from the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). IDOC was notified of his arrest, resulting in the issuance of an IDOC Warrant. Both men are being held without bond. MCPD was assisted by the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office.
IDOC Photo
Treasurer Outlines Delinquent Tax Deadlines
If you haven’t paid your Wabash County real estate taxes, time is running out to keep your name from being published in the newspaper. At Monday’s county commissioner meeting, treasurer Angela Broster said her office has been busy since certified notices were mailed to delinquent taxpayers last week….
If you have questions about your real estate taxes, you can call the treasurer’s office at the courthouse.
Company Eyeing 20 Acres On Mt. Carmel's West Side
The city of Mt. Carmel is working on a deal that would see the city sell property on the west side to facilitate a new company locating here. While not saying much, Mayor Joe Judge did offer some details about the project…
City Clerk Ryan Turner said the project was substantial as infrastructure issues are currently being addressed. He said those issues wouldn’t be an obstacle to the project being successful. TIF funding is being explored for the new prospective business as well.
IECC Board Meeting Report
The Board of Trustees of the Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 met Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, Illinois.
The Board approved the minutes of the Board of Trustees regular meeting held on March 18, 2025 and the special meeting held on March 27, 2025. At this meeting, the Board Chair and Chancellor recognized and appreciated outgoing Trustee John Brooks for nearly two decades of service to the district. Chancellor Gower also recognized and appreciated Alex Cline, CIO for 28 years of distinguished service to IECC. Mr. Cline will retire on April 30, 2025.
Following adoption of a resolution for the election results of April 1st, the oath of office was administered to trustees Susan Batchelor, Louisville; John McLaughlin, Olney; and Roger Browning, Mt. Carmel. Trustees Batchelor and McLaughlin were seated for six-year terms expiring in 2031 and Trustee Browning was seated for a two-year term expiring in 2027.
The oath of office was also administered to Mireya Rose, who was seated for a one-year term as student member of the Board of Trustees. A student at Wabash Valley College, she succeeds student trustee Jorri VanDyke.
Trustee Gary Carter was elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Trustee Brenda Culver was elected Vice-Chair. Trustee Brenda Culver was elected Secretary Pro Tempore. Ryan Hawkins was re-appointed District Treasurer. Sonja Wease was re-appointed Board Secretary and District Ethics Officer. All of the officers were elected unanimously.
Action was taken to adopt a resolution regarding all rules, regulations, policies, and actions of prior Board of Trustees.
A resolution was adopted listing the dates, times and locations of regular monthly meetings for the remainder of calendar year 2025. The meetings will continue to be held on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:15 p.m., except for the May meeting which shall be on the fourth Tuesday and the December 2025 meeting, which will be held on the second Tuesday. Meeting location will rotate between the four colleges, as follows:
Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 6:15 p.m., Frontier Community College
Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 6:15 p.m., Lincoln Trail College
Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 6:15 p.m., Olney Central College
Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 6:15 p.m., Wabash Valley College
Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 6:15 p.m., Frontier Community College
Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 6:15 p.m., Lincoln Trail College
Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 6:15 p.m., Olney Central College
Tuesday, December 9, 2025, 6:15 p.m., Wabash Valley College
An affiliation agreement was approved with Haven of Bridgeport.
The Board waived a second reading and approved revisions to Appropriate Use of Information Technology Resources Policy (200.2) to reinforce the use of IECC email accounts for professional correspondence.
The Board approved the adoption of a resolution of intent to issue bonds not to exceed $8,000,000 for the purpose of paying the claims of the District, direct that notice of such intention to issue the bonds be given as provided by law, and defines the claims to be paid.
A resolution expressing official intent to reimburse the District for expenditures was also issued.
The Board authorized modifications to the construction budgets of the Capital Development Project at Lincoln Trail College and a future athletic facility at Frontier Community College.
The following were approved as part of the personnel report: Approval of employment for Dr. Cathy Robb as Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs effective May 19, 2025; prior approval for Chief Information Officer position; Daniel Shugars as Head Women’s Basketball Coach, LTC effective June 1, 2025; Grayson Flittner as Head Men’s Basketball Coach, OCC effective April 28, 2025; and Tanara Ryden as TRIO Student Support Services Academic Advisor, OCC effective April 28, 2025.
New employment contracts were approved for LTC President/Vice Chancellor of Institutional Outreach Tona Ambrose; OCC President/Vice Chancellor of Business Operations Chris Simpson; and WVC President/Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Matt Fowler.
Change in employment status was approved for Dr. Sharmila Kakac from Dean of Business & Industry to FCC President and Vice Chancellor of Business & Industry effective July 1, 2025.
Voluntary separations for faculty were approved for Curtis Allen Brown effective May 8, 2025; Kristi Urfer, Juliana James effective May 31, 2025; Anne Hustad, Rob Mason, Anuradha Roy, & Reno Bemont effective July 31, 2025.
Resignation ratification was approved for Luke Scheidecker as Head Women’s Basketball Coach, WVC effective April 11, 2025.
Adoption of the 2023-2026 Faculty Collective Bargaining Agreement between the District and the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Education Association (ICCEA). Memorandums of Agreement establishing a Joint Faculty Evaluation Committee and Distance Learning Education Committees were unanimously voted down by the Board.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 6:15 p.m. at Frontier Community College, Fairfield, IL.