December 11th is now the scheduled date for the preliminary hearing of former Wabash County Sheriff’s Deputy Chase Cheadle. A cdocket entry yesterday stated that the preliminary hearing had been moved from tomorrow to December 11th. There have been continuous delays of Cheadle’s preliminary hearing dating back to last November 14th. The latest is the 8th delay in Cheadle’s preliminary hearing. The sheriff’s department’s canine handler, originally faced four charges of official misconduct, 1 count of Theft, 1 count of Cruelty to animals, and 2 counts of Animal owner duties. Five of the eight charges are felonies. But in June, two of the felonies, the theft charge and one of the official misconduct charges were dismissed at the request of Special Prosecutor Brian Towne. The 30 year old Cheadle found Kiki unresponsive in July of 2024 and was arrested following an investigation. He resigned from the sheriff’s department a month later.
Police Investigate Dollar General Break-In
Police spent a good deal of time Monday investigating a break in at the Dollar General store on West 9th Street in Mt. Carmel. Police Chief Mike McWilliams told the city council Monday that the front door of the business was broken and at least person had entered the building. McWilliams said it was not clear yet whether anything was taken from the store.
Police tape marked off the Dollar General entrance Monday as police investigated a break-in.
Indiana State Police Post Wants Everyone to Stay Safe This Halloween
It’s that time of year when kids are looking forward to dressing up in their favorite costumes and spending time with family and friends trick-or-treating! Although everyone loves to get lots of candy and have fun, the most important thing is health and safety while trick-or-treating and making sure everyone gets home safely!
Listed below are some safety tips that the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post would like to provide.
1) Know what the dates and times are in your local community for trick-or-treating.
2) Make sure that you have a flashlight, glow stick, or reflective material on the costume so that you can be seen at all times.
3) Always trick-or-treat with an adult or use the buddy system when approaching a house.
4) Please walk on the sidewalks and not in the roadway and make sure that you look both directions before crossing the roadway.
5) Only go trick-or-treating at houses where the front porch light is on.
6) Never enter the house of a stranger.
7) If a trick-or-treater gets separated from others, have them stay where they are and ask an adult for help.
8) Have an adult inspect the candy before it is eaten.
9) If you’re not actively participating in trick-or-treating and are out driving, we ask that you please slow down and drive with caution.
The Putnamville State Police Post hopes that these few safety tips help you enjoy your night out with friends and family while trick-or-treating!
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE ARRESTS MAN CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED DUI AND RECKLESS HOMICIDE
WESTFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) arrested 34-year-old Edwin O. Pacheco-Meza of Indianapolis, IN after a fatal crash in Westfield, IL Friday evening. Today, the Clark County State’s Attorney’s Office filed two counts of Aggravated Driving Under the Influence and one count of Reckless Homicide against Meza.
Around 7 p.m. on Friday, October 24, 2025, ISP responded to a two vehicle crash on West Lincoln Street near South Division Street in Westfield. Preliminary information shows a Chevrolet Express van driven by Pacheco-Meza was traveling eastbound when it crossed the center line and hit a Ford F150 truck traveling westbound head-on. Two passengers in the F150 truck, 71-year-old Michael Clayton and 66-year-old Gail Clayton, both of Charleston, IL, were pronounced deceased on scene, and the driver and an additional passenger in the truck, 72-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman, both of Charleston, were transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. The passenger of the van, 18-year-old Juan L. Morales Martinez of Lawrence, IN was uninjured and the driver, Pacheco-Meza, was treated for minor injuries.
Following the crash, Pacheco-Meza was detained in the Clark County Jail. On October 27, 2025, a detention hearing was conducted and Pacheco-Meza remains in custody pending court proceedings. The investigation is ongoing and no additional information is available at this time.
UPDATE: Overnight road closure planned for southbound U.S. 41 in Gibson County
UPDATE: Closure delayed until 10/30 due to weather
GIBSON COUNTY Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces an overnight road closure for U.S. 41 in Gibson County.
Beginning on or around Thursday, October 30, crews will begin an overnight closure of southbound U.S. 41 near Fort Branch. This closure will occur between County Road 550 South and County Road 600 South.
This road closure will allow for an emergency pipe replacement project. This road closure will occur weeknightly between 5 p.m. and 4 a.m. The road will be open to traffic during non-work hours. This project is expected to take four days to complete, depending on the weather.
The official detour for this project is State Road 64 to I-69 to State Road 168. Local traffic will have access up to the point of closure. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, avoid distractions, and use extra caution while traveling in and around work zones.
ISP TO CONDUCT OCCUPANT RESTRAINT ENFORCEMENT PATROLS IN WABASH COUNTY
EFFINGHAM – Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 9 Commander, A/Captain Brian Wilson, announces the ISP will conduct Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) in Effingham, Marion, Richland and Wabash counties during November. OREPs allow the ISP to focus on safety belt and child safety seat laws. Illinois law requires all vehicle passengers (front and back) to be buckled up! Safety belts are still one of the most effective safety devices in vehicles, estimated to save over 14,000 lives each year. Nearly 50% of vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes were not buckled up. The objective of this program is to increase occupant restraint compliance through education, child safety seat inspections, and enforcement.
INDOT Southwest prepares for winter weather with districtwide training exercise, urges motorists to travel safely
INDIANA – The Indiana Department of Transportation is continuing to prepare for the winter season with a districtwide training exercise in the Southwest district on Monday, Oct. 27. Starting Monday morning, motorists can expect to see INDOT Southwest's fleet of yellow trucks on state-maintained highways and interstates to test equipment and become more familiar with assigned routes.
Crews will be active between 9 a.m. and noon. Trucks will running their snow routes with lights on. No materials such as salt or brine will be applied during the exercise.
For safe winter travel, INDOT offers the following tips:
Slow down and adjust travel to conditions, especially on snow-covered roads.
Don’t crowd the plow – never tailgate or drive beside a snowplow, as the driver's visibility may be limited. If you must pass, do so carefully.
Be prepared in case of a crash or becoming stranded; always carry an emergency kit in your vehicle with items like food, water, a phone charger, sand or cat litter, flares or bright LED alternatives, a flashlight, and blankets.
Keep your vehicle full of gas, and check your battery, fluids, and spare tire.
Stay weather aware by connecting with your local National Weather Service office.
Motorists can stay up to date on road conditions during a winter storm by checking INDOT’s TrafficWise map at 511in.org or downloading the mobile app on Apple or Android devices. Other ways to stay connected include subscribing to INDOT News and following INDOT on social media for regional information and additional resources.
Roadway concerns may be reported to INDOT Customer Service online at indot4u.com or by phone at 855-INDOT4U (463-6848). Learn more about INDOT Winter Operations at indotwinterops.com.
Filing Period Opens Today For 2026 Election
The window to file petitions to run in next year’s election opens today across the state of Illinois. In Wabash County, the seat seeing the most attention is the race for the open Wabash County Commissioner seat. Taking out petitions to run for the seat currently held by Scott West are David Brown, Missy Judge, Jayden Pettyjohn, and Mary Sweppy. West has announced he will not seek another term on the county.
On Friday, democrat county clerk Janet Will announced she will seek another term. Also taking a petition for county clerk is Republican Sean Morgan.
Incumbent sheriff Derek Morgan and county treasurer Angela Broster also intend to file for re-election.
The filing period runs through next Monday November 3rd. Petitions are available now in the county clerk’s office at the courthouse.
The primary election is March 17th and the general election is next November 3rd.
Firefighters Respond To Tower Heights Fire
From MCFD: On Saturday, October 25, 2025, at approximately 3:50am, the Mount Carmel Fire Department responded to Tower Heights (AKA the High Rise apartments) at 330 W 10th St, Mt Carmel. While working their way to the reported room of involvement, fire department personnel were advised there was an active fire in the room and the resident had made it out of the room. Assistance was then requested from Allendale Rural Fire Protection District, Bellmont Area Rural Fire Protection District, and Wabash General EMS. MCFD personnel, along with officers from the Mt Carmel Police Department, began helping residents evacuate the building while additional MCFD personnel attacked the fire, successfully confining it to the room of origin. The First Apostolic Church opened its doors to residents while fire operations continued and a head-count of residents was performed. Wabash County EMA assisted residents while at the church.
All residents except those who reside on the second floor have been allowed to return to their apartments.
This fire remains under investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
Fire Chief Francis Speth talked with us at the scene about what unfolded this morning….
Wabash District #348 Personnel Moves
At Monday’s District #348 school board meeting, the resignation of Tim Zimmer as Gear Up Grant Coordinator was accepted by the board. Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer explained that funding for the Gear Up Coordinator has gone away and it’s unclear if the money will return. Zimmer was elected to the school board in April, but stepped away from the seat before he was sworn in to accept the Gear Up Grant coordinator position. Also at Monday’s meeting, the board approved Justin Glover as 6th grade boys basketball coach and Brianna Witsman as volunteer 6th grade girls basketball coach and John White as volunteer high school girls basketball coach.