VANDERBURGH/GIBSON COUNTY Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces alternating lane closures for U.S. 41 in Vanderburgh and Gibson Counties.
Beginning on or around Tuesday, July 8, crews will begin alternating lane closures along U.S. 41 between Evansville and Princeton. These lane closures will occur between State Road 57 near Evansville and County Road 300 South near Princeton.
These alternating lane closures will allow drainage ditch maintenance operations along various locations on U.S. 41. Lane closures will occur where work is being performed. Work is expected to take a month to complete, depending on the weather.
Lane closures will occur in both north and southbound lanes of travel. One lane of traffic will remain open in work zones.INDOTurges drivers to slow down and stay alert in work zones.
WANTED FUGITIVE DONALD “SCOTT” BAIRD TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
On 07.09.25, the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office apprehended wanted fugitive Donald “Scott” Baird, age 54, without incident.
Acting on a tip, deputies responded to the 200 block of West 1st Street in Mount Carmel. At approximately 2109 hours, Baird was located and taken into custody as he attempted to evade law enforcement by hiding once again.
Baird was transported to the Wabash County Jail, where he was served with the outstanding warrant in Wabash County Case #25-CF-22, charging him with failure to report to a penal institution.
Baird had previously been re-sentenced to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on May 12, 2025, and was ordered to report to the Wabash County Jail by May 14, 2025. He failed to comply and had been actively avoiding authorities since. With a known history of fleeing law enforcement, his capture was a top priority for the Sheriff's Office.
Sheriff Morgan expressed appreciation for the public’s assistance and commended the efforts of the deputies involved.
“This arrest is a direct result of community cooperation and swift response by our deputies,” said Sheriff Morgan. “Let this serve as a reminder that failure to comply with court orders will not be ignored.”
Baird is currently being held at the Wabash County Jail pending transfer to the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Mt. Carmel Man Jailed On Domestic Battery Charge
On 7/05/25, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Charles C. Brown, age 46, of Mt. Carmel, for Domestic Battery following a domestic dispute at a residence in the 1900 block of N Cherry Street. Officers were called to the scene to investigate, at which time they found evidence indicating Brown had pushed his girlfriend into the refrigerator, against the wall, and spat on her during the argument. Brown was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail, where he was charged and held pending a pre-trial release determination by the court.
Olney Man Arrested On FTA Warrant By MCPD
On 7/06/25, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Robbie L. Clark, age 42, of Olney, for a Richland County, Illinois, Warrant on Failure to Appear-DUI. Police were called to conduct a welfare check in the 1400 block of College Drive regarding a male subject lying on the ground. After confirming the individual was ok, officers learned of the warrant, resulting in his arrest. Clark was transported to the Wabash County Jail, where he was issued the warrant and later released with a new court date.
Sex Offender Arrested On New Charges
On 7/07/25, Mt. Carmel Police arrested James C. Miller, age 48, of Mt. Carmel on 2 counts of Failure to Register-Sex Offender for failing to report his use of the social media applications “Discord” and “Twitch” as part of his sex offender registry requirements. Further investigation resulted in additional charges of 2 counts of Attempted Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse and 1 count of Unlawful Dissemination of a Private Sexual Image. Due to the nature of the last two alleged offenses, no further information will be released. Miller was transported to the Wabash County Jail, where he was charged and held pending the court's determination of pre-trial release.
Fight Over Woman Results In Charges For Mt. Carmel Man
On 6/25/25, at approximately 930 p.m., Mt. Carmel Police arrested Darrin D. Rumsey, age 24, of Mt. Carmel for Aggravated Battery following a dispute between two males over a female. Officers were called to the area of 7th & Pear Street, where they received information that Rumsey had punched the male in the face, who was seated in a vehicle with the female, while on the property of the Mt. Carmel Library. The alleged victim, and female, had left the area and was reportedly near the area of 9th & Poplar, where officers responded to and located them. After speaking to involved witnesses, the alleged victim was allowed to sign a complaint against Rumsey for Aggravated Battery. Rumsey was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail, where he was charged and held pending the court's determination of pre-trial release.
Mt. Carmel Woman Picked Up On DUI Charge
On 6/17/25, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Daisy A. Cordle, age 19, of Mt. Carmel for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Illegal Consumption of Alcohol by Minor following a traffic stop on a 2011 Chrysler on Park Road & Poor Farm Road. While speaking to the driver, identified as Cordle, the officer became suspicious that she may be under the influence of alcohol. The officer requested Cordle to submit to a roadside sobriety check in which she agreed. During the sobriety testing, the officer noted several clues to indicate impairment due to alcohol. Cordle was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail. Upon arrival, Cordle was processed for DUI, issued the above charges, and released on a Notice to Appear.
Vincennes man arrested for OWI
On July 6, 2025, at 6:33 a.m. Gibson County Sheriff’s Deputy Levi Sims received a call from an off-duty Communications Officer Shannon Gibson who stated he observed a Silver Chevrolet SUV traveling Southbound on US 41 with heavy front-end damage and a flat tire. Deputy Sims was able to locate the vehicle and clocked it traveling 70 mph in a 60-mph zone. At that point Deputy Sims was able to stop the vehicle on US 41 near County Road 100 North. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Sims detected multiple clues that the driver 38-year-old James Hopkins of Vincennes was under the influence. At that point Deputy Sims began a roadside DUI investigation, and at the conclusion of the inquiry Mr. Hopkins was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Detention Center Mr. Hopkins was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.
Deputy Wes Baumgart assisted Deputy Sims in his investigation.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Sex Offender arrested for Failing to Register with a Prior Conviction
On July 1, 2025, Gibson County Deputy Michael Owens went to Mr. Maier’s residence located at 705 East Spruce Street to conduct a sex offender compliance check. During his investigation Deputy Owens had probable cause to believe that Mr. Maier was not living at the residence and evidence that corroborated his investigation. At the conclusion of his inquiry Deputy Owens submitted a request for a warrant for Mr. Maier.
On July 3, 2025, at 6:06 p.m. Princeton Officer Bryce Jutzi arrested 27-year-old Nathan Maier of Princeton in the 200 Block of East Glendale after a warrant was issued for his arrest for violating the Indiana Sex Offender Registration Law. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Detention Center Mr. Maier was charged with Failure to Register with a Prior Conviction.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Francisco man arrested for OWI
On July 3, 2025, at 4:51 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Eric Powell conducted a traffic stop on a Silver Dodge Ram 1500 for speeding on County Road 350 East near State Road 168. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Powell detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver 45-year-old Michael Hill of Francisco. At that point Deputy Powell began a roadside DUI investigation, and upon the completion of his investigation Deputy Powell placed Mr. Hill into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Detention Center. Upon arriving at the Detention Center Mr. Hill was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Driving While Suspended/Prior.
Deputy Eric Powell was assisted in his investigation by Deputy Shawn Holmes.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
