On October 30, 2025, at 7:44 p.m. Gibson County Deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 8600 block of South 850 East to conduct a welfare check of a resident there. Upon arriving at the residence, Deputies were unable to locate the individual and were speaking with neighbors when 38-year-old Mallory Logston of Buckskin rode up to the residence on a bicycle. While speaking with Ms. Logston they Methamphetamines were found on the ground near where she was and a brief investigation was conducted before Ms. Logston was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center. Deputy Wes Baumgart charged Ms. Logston with Possession of Methamphetamines.
The person whom deputies attempted to conduct the welfare check was able to be reached via phone.
Deputy Eric Powell 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 woman arrested for DUI
On October 26, 2025, at 12:44 a.m. Gibson County Deputy U.B. Smith conducted a traffic stop on a White 2018 Cadillac passenger car for failing to signal it’s turn onto Embree Street from Emerson Street in Princeton. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Smith detected multiple clues that the driver 64-year-old Shon Perry of Princeton was under the influence of alcohol. At that point Deputy Smith began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Smith placed Ms. Perry into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Detention Center where she was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Traffic stop results in OWI charge for Paoli man
On October 26, 2025, at 05:23 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Michael Bates conducted a traffic stop on a White 2019 Chevy Silverado for speeding on State Road 64 West of Princeton. Upon stopping the vehicle near the entrance of Goodwill Deputy Bates detected multiple clues that the driver 45-year-old Christopher Howell of Paoli was under the influence of an unknown intoxicant. At that Deputy Bates began a roadside OWI investigation that resulted in Mr. Howell being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center. Upon arriving at the detention center Mr. Howell was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Possession of Methamphetamines, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia.
Princeton Officers Jason Swan, Brandt George, Logan Lashbrook and Jackie Wood 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.
Traffic accident leads to arrest of Evansville man on OWI and drug charges
On October 29. 2025, at 6:53 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of an accident involving a Black Chevy Silverado and two parked vehicles in Patoka. Upon arriving, Deputies spoke with the driver 46-year-old Joshua Hartley of Evansville. While speaking with Mr. Hartley Deputies detected clues that Mr. Hartley was under the influence of illegal drugs. At that point they began a roadside OWI investigation. At the conclusion of the investigation Deputy Wyatt Hunt placed Mr. Hartley into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated with a Prior Conviction, Possession of Methamphetamines, and Possession of Marijuana.
Deputies Shawn Holmes and Sgt. Loren Barchett assisted Deputy Hunt in his investigation. Princeton Officer David Jones 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.
Updated Information: Woman Found Deceased in Bluegrass Fish and Wildlife Area
Warrick County: Indiana State Police, Warrick County Sheriff’s Office, and the Department of Natural Resources are still attempting to identify the woman located yesterday afternoon near a boat ramp in the Bluegrass Fish and Wildlife area on New Harmony Road near Klippel Road.
New Information:
The female has a tattoo of a heart with a ribbon that covers the front lower part of the heart. The heart is only an outline with no color. The ribbon is also an outline and extends from the heart on both sides. There are no words on or near the tattoo.
Physical Description:
White female
Age: Late teens to early 30’s
Dark hair
Approximately 5’ tall
Approximately 130 lbs.
Anyone with information concerning this incident or the possible identity of the female is encouraged to contact the Indiana State Police at 812-867-2079. Anyone with information can remain anonymous.
ISP ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF OCCUPANT RESTRAINT ENFORCEMENT PATROLS
EFFINGHAM – Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 9 Commander, Lieutenant Brian Wilson, announces the results of Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) held in Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Marion, Wabash, and White counties during October. These OREPs provided extra patrol coverage for the ISP so officers could focus on saving lives by making sure all vehicle occupants were buckled up.
Violations
Enforcement Activity
Safety Belt Citations 86
Child Restraint Citations 1
Total Citations 99
Total Written Warnings 31
Most motorists know safety belts save lives, but some ignore their safety and that of their families by neglecting to use safety belts and child restraint devices. These patrols reinforce the occupant protection message by focusing on those who ignore the law. Lives can be saved if people simp
D'oh, a deer: ‘Tis the season to look out for amorous mammals
SPRINGFIELD – The leaves are changing, the nights are getting longer, the smell of pumpkin spice is in the air – and deer are on the move. The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Natural Resources are reminding the public to be alert for deer as we enter peak mating season, with their movements and the chances for collisions both increasing, particularly at dawn and dusk through December.
“In your travels this fall, please remember that deer can appear suddenly and in some surprising environments,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “If you do see deer, the safest choice is to stay in your lane, brake firmly and avoid swerving in traffic to avoid them.”
In 2024, there were 14,436 crashes involving deer in Illinois. Of those, 13,733 resulted in damage to property or vehicles, while 698 caused injuries and five resulted in fatalities.
Although a collision with deer can happen at any time, Illinois is approaching the time of year when they occur the most. Last year, 6,027 (42%) crashes involving deer in Illinois occurred in October, November and December, with November being the highest-risk month at 3,037 (21%). Rural areas were the site of 9,963 (69%) crashes involving deer, with most – 11,467 (79%) – occurring at twilight or nighttime.
Safe driving tips for deer-mating season:
Deer adapt and thrive in the country, cities and suburbs. Always assume you’re in an area where deer can be present. Pay special attention to locations with deer crossing signs.
Scan the sides of the road for eye shine – the reflection of headlights in their eyes.
Slow down if you see a deer. Anticipate that other deer could be following.
Prepare for the unexpected. Deer may stop in the middle of the road and not move for oncoming vehicles.
If a collision is inevitable, don’t veer. Try to glance your vehicle off the deer and avoid swerving into the opposite lanes of traffic or off the road.
“Deer are a common part of the Illinois outdoors and are active during mating season,” said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. “Drivers should be aware of their presence and drive cautiously this time of year, especially during dark and low-visibility conditions.”
The Top 10 Illinois counties for crashes involving deer in 2024:
Cook 550
McHenry 381
Sangamon 381
LaSalle 358
Lake 353
Will 342
Kane 336
Madison 336
Fulton 309
Rock Island 304
If you hit a deer, pull off to the shoulder, turn on your hazard lights and call 911. Do not exit the vehicle to check on an injured deer or pull it from the road.
For information on how to claim a deer involved in a crash, or to report possession of a deer killed in a crash, click here or visit the IDNR website.
Longtime WSJD Radio Personality Rodger Beard Announces Retirement
Mount Carmel, IL – [Nov. 3rd, 2025] – After more than 50 years behind the microphone, beloved WSJD radio personality Rodger Beard has announced his retirement from the airwaves. A familiar voice to generations of listeners across the Wabash Valley, Rodger’s final broadcast will take place on Saturday, January 10th, 2026, marking the end of an era in local radio.
Rodger has been a cornerstone of WSJD since 2014, connecting with listeners through his warmth and deep community roots. Whether hosting the Morning Show, spinning country classics, or calling high school sports with Hall of Famer Scott Allen, Rodger’s voice has been a trusted and comforting presence for decades.
“Rodger Beard is more than just a radio host—he’s a part of the fabric of our community,” said Kevin Madden, General Manager of WSJD Radio. “His professionalism, dedication, and love for local radio have made an impact that will be felt for years to come. We are deeply grateful for everything he has contributed to WSJD and to our listeners. He will truly be missed on the air, but he has more than earned this next chapter.”
Rodger’s career has spanned 5 decades, during which he became a household name throughout southeastern Illinois and southwestern Indiana. His passion for local broadcasting and his commitment to keeping the community informed and entertained have set a standard for excellence at WSJD.
Rodger has become a Tri-State staple for Classic Country music fans hosting a Saturday morning Classic Country show for almost 30 years on various stations. The final Rodger’s Country Gems will air on Saturday, January 10th from 7am to 9am on WSJD.
WSJD will host a Chamber of Commerce After Hours Mixer on January 15th from 4:30pm to 6pm, where colleagues and listeners will have the opportunity to share memories, stories, and well-wishes.
WSJD invites all listeners to tune in and celebrate Rodger’s incredible career and contributions to local radio.
Last Day For Candidates To File For 2026 Election
Today is the last day for candidates to run in next year’s election in Illinois. In Wabash County, county clerk Janet Will is the only candidate with a petition yet to file. But, Will told WSJD that she will file her nominating petition today. The long time county clerk will face a challenge next year from Republic Sean Morgan who filed his papers last week. The other contested race will be for the county commissioner seat currently held by Scott West. Filing last week were Mary Sweppy, Missy Judge, David S. Brown, and Jayden Pettyjohn. Treasurer Angela Broster and Sheriff J. Derek Morgan have both filed for re-election and will be unopposed next year barring a last minute filing from another candidate. Petitions can still be picked up and then filed in the county clerk’s office. The primary election is March 17th and the general election is next November 3rd.
Illinois lawmakers approve ban on civil immigration arrests in state courthouses
After weeks of criticizing federal immigration raids, state lawmakers took legislative action
By BRENDEN MOORE
Capitol News Illinois
bmoore@capitolnewsillinois.com
Article Summary
State lawmakers worked behind the scenes for weeks to craft a package to respond to the federal immigration campaign known as “Operation Midway Blitz.”
Civil immigration arrests would be barred inside state courthouses and within a 1,000-foot buffer zone outside of the buildings.
The legislation, among other provisions, would also allow Illinois residents to sue immigration agents who violate their constitutional right to due process and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.
This summary was written by the reporters and editors who worked on this story.
SPRINGFIELD — After weeks of verbally condemning the aggressive federal immigration crackdown in the Chicago region, Illinois lawmakers approved legislation banning civil immigration arrests in and around state courthouses early Friday morning.
House Bill 1312, among other provisions, would also allow Illinois residents to sue immigration agents who violate their constitutional right to due process and protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.
It heads to Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk after clearing the Illinois Senate 40-18 and the Illinois House 75-32 in the waning hours of their annual fall veto session.
“We are standing here because our communities have been living in fear — fear of being separated from their children, fear of being taken from their homes, fear of simply existing,” said state Sen. Celina Villaneuva, D-Chicago. “This bill is about giving people a sense of safety, a sense of humanity, and the assurance that their government sees them and will stand up for them.”
State lawmakers worked behind the scenes for weeks to craft a package to respond to the federal immigration campaign known as “Operation Midway Blitz.”
The Department of Homeland Security claims the operation has resulted in the arrest of more than 1,500 immigrants who were living in Chicago and its suburbs without legal permission over the past seven weeks.
But it has also resulted in violence, with federal agents and protestors repeatedly clashing outside of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facility in suburban Broadview. And, increasingly, masked federal agents have used tear gas and other chemical agents to disperse protests that arise during operations in Chicago neighborhoods.
Many Chicago area lawmakers have had a front-row seat for these actions. State Rep. Hoan Huynh, D-Chicago, said a Border Patrol agent pointed a gun at him last week while he warned residents of Chicago’s Albany Park neighborhood of immigration enforcement activity nearby. A Vietnamese refugee who said his family was on a kill list, Huynh said the tactics the agents use remind him of the authoritarian regime he escaped decades ago.
“We cannot continue to allow gun-toting mercenaries, often without agency badges, to roam our communities and abduct our neighbors,” Huynh said. “Enough is enough. ICE conduct is unacceptable and un-American. If you love the Constitution of the United States, if you love America as much as you say you do, and if you believe in due process, then I urge you to vote yes on this bill.”
House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, who sponsored the bill in the House, put the action into historic context, asking his colleagues if they would have supported amendments abolishing slavery or granting women the right to vote if given the opportunity.
“This is our moment,” Welch said. “And history will judge our actions in this moment, just as is did our predecessors. History will remember those who are silent in moments like these.”
Under the bill, civil immigration arrests would be barred inside state courthouses and within a 1,000-foot buffer zone outside of the buildings. Though there had long been a de facto understanding that such were off-limits for immigration enforcement, they have increasingly been the site of apprehensions over the past year. Those who violate the act would face statutory damages of $10,000.
Suing law enforcement agents
The bill also allows Illinois residents to sue immigration agents for violating their constitutional rights. They would be able to collect punitive damages, which can be increased if the agents are wearing a mask, concealing their identity, failing to wear a body camera or using a vehicle with a non-Illinois or obscured license plate.
State Rep. Patrick Windhorst, R-Metropolis, warned that it would have unintended consequences on state and local law enforcement. Law enforcement groups like the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the Illinois Sheriff’s Association cited similar concerns.
“This bill goes too far,” Windhorst said. “It is too broad and there will be grave consequences to our state if it is adopted.”
Proponents suggested this would not impact state and local law enforcement since they are banned from participating in civil immigration enforcement under the state’s TRUST Act.
Senate President Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, characterized it as “an imperfect bill.”
And he acknowledged that lawmakers were “playing with a stacked deck” versus a federal government with the “upper hand” due to the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution. And there will be legal pushback.
“This law will be challenged — we know that it will,” Harmon said. “But it doesn't mean it's not the right thing to do.”
All Republicans opposed the measure, accusing supermajority Democrats of overreaching to the point where the legislation will not withstand a legal challenge. They also expressed concerns about the legislation impeding enforcement of the country’s immigration laws.
“We have to stop demonizing people for enforcing the current law,” said state Sen. Neil Anderson, R- Andalusia. “If don’t like the law, change it. But that’s the law.”
Other provisions of the legislation require public colleges and universities, hospitals and child care facilities to set up policies for dealing with immigration enforcement. It would also mostly prohibit them from disclosing the immigration status of students, patients, parents and children. Day care providers and public universities would be required to notify parents and campus communities of immigration enforcement activity.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
(LEAD) WELCH: House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch presents his bill that aims to limit where federal officials can enforce civil immigration law in Illinois during the early hours of Friday, Oct. 31. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki)