On November 27, 2025, at 12:20 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Michael Bates conducted a traffic stop on a White 2009 Chevy Cobalt near the intersection of County Road 100 North and County Road 275 West after observing the driver commit a moving violation. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Bates identified the driver as 59-year-old Cinda Flachbart of Patoka. During a roadside investigation Deputy Bates ran Ms. Flachbart through the National Crime Information Center system and discovered that Ms. Flachbart had an active warrant for her arrest. While taking her into custody Methamphetamines were found in her possession. At the conclusion of the roadside investigation Ms. Flachbart was transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where she was held on the active warrant and a new charge of Possession of Methamphetamines.
Deputy Bates was assisted in his investigation by Deputy Levi Sims and Princeton Officer Jackie Woods.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law
911 call of disturbance leads to arrest of Kentucky man
On November 29, 2025, at 10:24 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a disturbance happening in the 9600 block of South County Road 900 East near Elberfeld. Upon arriving on scene Gibson County Sheriff’s Deputies began an investigation into the disturbance by collecting statements and other evidence from the parties involved. At the end of the investigation, Deputy Quinten Might placed 34-year-old Donovan Whitney of Mount Sterling, Kentucky into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Detention Center. Upon arriving at the detention center Mr. Whitney was charged with Domestic Battery.
Deputy Michael Owens 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.
Mt. Carmel City Commissioner Reports
At the most recent City Council meeting, street commissioner Tyson Meador had this report…
Mt. Carmel finance commissioner Eric Ikemire had this report at the most recent city council meeting…
Mt. Carmel Fire and Garbage Commissioner Susan Zimmerman offered this report at the most recent city council meeting…
Water and sewer commissioner Tom Meeks offered this report at this past Monday’s City Council meeting….
Ameren residential gas customers to see average $3.65 increase on bills in January
The ICC approved a $73 million rate increase for the utility
By MAGGIE DOUGHERTY
Capitol News Illinois
mdougherty@capitolnewsillinois.com
Article Summary
Following the ICC’s approval of a $73 million rate increase for Ameren, the company’s residential customers can expect to see an average $3.65 increase on their monthly bills starting in January.
This compares to $4.25 a month for customers of Nicor, the state’s largest gas utility.
Ameren says its natural gas storage fields allow it to deliver heating to Illinoisians’ homes at a lower price, but consumer groups argue rates are still too high.
This summary was written by the reporters and editors who worked on this story.
CHICAGO — Ameren Illinois residential customers will see an average $3.65 increase on their natural gas bills in January after the Illinois Commerce Commission last week slashed proposed rate hikes for two of the state’s largest utilities.
Ameren, which serves approximately 816,000 customers in central and southern Illinois, initially held off on estimating the impact to customers until it could conduct an in-depth review of the ICC’s order, Brad Kloeppel, Ameren senior director of gas operations and technical services, said after the ruling.
The ICC’s Nov. 19 rulings arrived after an 11-month process of reviewing testimony and documents submitted by Ameren and Nicor, consumer protection groups and environmental advocates. The Commission approved a $73 million rate increase for Ameren and $168 million increase for Nicor, which were more than 40% lower than what the utilities had requested.
Nicor estimated that typical residential customers would see an increase of less than $4.25 monthly. Nicor is the largest gas utility in the state and serves 2.3 million customers in northern Illinois and the Chicago suburbs.
Both companies are eligible to propose new rate hikes to the ICC annually in January, though in recent years have done so every other year. Any request to raise rates receives a ruling from the regulatory commission 11 months after filing, usually in November, with any approved rate hikes going into effect the following January.
That means the earliest customers could expect rates to increase again would be in January 2027, or January 2028 if the companies stick to the alternate year request schedule.
Consumer advocates argued the rate increases go too far.
“While we’re pleased regulators lowered the size of these rate hikes, they are still the fifth increase for Nicor since 2017 and the fourth increase for Ameren since 2018,” Abe Scarr, policy director for Illinois PIRG, wrote in a statement. “Without intervention, gas bills will continue to rise.”
Utilities like Ameren and Nicor make money on infrastructure investments for delivering energy to consumers’ homes, but not on the price of gas itself; that is, gas supply price is passed through the utilities directly to customers.
Though delivery rates have increased, Kloeppel said Ameren works proactively to reduce supply costs to consumers.
“Ameren Illinois doesn't control the market price of natural gas, and even though we pass those costs onto customers with no markup, we're still taking a strategic look into how we can provide our customers with lower, more stable supply rates,” said Kloeppel.
He said Ameren’s investment in natural gas storage fields saves customers money, especially in the cold winter months. The company owns 12 underground storage fields as far north as Galesburg and as far south as Marion.
Underground storage allows Ameren to buy approximately 60% of its winter supply during the summertime when prices are lower and deliver heat to homes in the winter more cheaply and reliably, according to Kloeppel.
This strategy has allowed the company to reduce the cost of natural gas supply to consumers by 30% over the past five years and provide price protection from exposure to daily hikes during winter storms, he said.
But even with reduced supply costs and a smaller monthly rate increase of $3.65 compared to the $9.09 estimated in Ameren’s January request, consumer groups like the Citizens Utility Board say any increase in rates is too high.
“With winter heating season in full force, and prices for groceries and health care putting a squeeze on household budgets, conditions for consumers are extremely fragile,” CUB Communications Director Jim Chilsen wrote in a statement following the ICC order.
“We urge state regulators to continue to crack down on profit-mongering by Illinois’ gas utilities so no one is forced to choose between paying for fuel to heat or food to eat.”
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.
Ameren Illinois says that natural gas storage fields, like this one in Glasford, help insulate its consumers from high supply prices during peak demand in winter. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Andrew Adams)
Winslow Woman Arrested for Driving While Impaired While Transporting Four Children
Pike County – Tuesday night, November 25, at approximately 8:44 p.m., Trooper Sturm was patrolling in the Winslow area when he stopped the driver of a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder on SR 61 near CR 400 South for not having a license plate light. The driver was identified as Lerie Ridenour, 34, of Winslow. While talking to the driver, Trooper Sturm detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage inside the vehicle. The driver also displayed signs of impairment. Trooper Sturm also noticed four female juveniles in the vehicle ranging from 9 to 12-years-old. Three of the children were not Ridenour’s. Further investigation revealed Ridenour was under the influence of alcohol and was arrested. She was transported to the Pike County Jail.
All the children were released to their parents.
Arrested and Charges:
Leri Ridenour, 34, Winslow, IN
Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated with Passengers less than 18 years of age, Level 6 Felony
Neglect of a Dependent, Level 6 Felony
Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
Kentucky Man Arrested for Sexual Battery With a Minor
Sullivan County - Indiana State Putnamville District initiated a criminal investigation after receiving information on September 15, 2025, from the Sullivan County Department of Child Services, concerning allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor.
The investigation revealed that Vernon T. Brown, age 30, of Olive Hill, Kentucky, had allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor under the age of 16. This allegation took place in Sullivan County.
After reviewing the investigation Sullivan County Prosecutor, Ann Smith-Mischler, requested an arrest warrant for Brown’s arrest. Sullivan County Circuit Court granted an arrest warrant on November 21, 2025. Brown was arrested yesterday afternoon by the Indiana State Police without incident. Vernon Brown is currently being held in the Sullivan County Jail without bond.
Investigating Officer: Indiana State Police Master Trooper Detective Angie Hahn of the Putnamville District.
Assisting Agencies: Sullivan County Department of Child Services and Susie’s Place.
Arrested and Charges: Vernon T. Brown, 30, Olive Hill, KY
Sexual Misconduct With a Minor, Level 5 Felony
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Welfare check leads to arrest of Princeton man
On November 25, 2025, at 4:22 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a male who was standing near traffic on US 41 near State Road 168 and had been in the area most of the day. Deputy Wes Baumgart located the subject on US 41 near County Road 550 South. Upon attempting to speak with the subject who was later identified as 31-year-old Steven Smith of Princeton, Mr. Smith ran into oncoming traffic causing vehicles to slam on their brakes and swerve to miss him. Deputy Baumgart and other officers on scene pursued Mr. Smith and placed him in custody. After a brief roadside investigation Mr. Smith was transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Obstruction of Traffic, Resisting Law Enforcement, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Deputy Baumgart was assisted in his investigation by Deputies Eric Powell and Wyatt Hunt. Owensville Officer Steven Parker and Haubstadt Officer Jason Marceaux 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.
Camera System Approved By City Council
The Mount Carmel City Council has approved moving forward with installing a new Flock Safety camera system to help monitor traffic coming in and out of the city.
City Clerk Ryan Turner said the city’s TIF advisors confirmed the cameras are an eligible expense under the program.
The system will include three cameras, positioned at the main entrances to Mount Carmel, and will capture both incoming and outgoing vehicle license plates.
The first-year cost of the project will be $23,900, which includes installation and setup. After that, the annual renewal cost will be $10,000.
The Flock camera system is designed to help law enforcement identify vehicles involved in crimes, track stolen cars, and enhance overall community safety.
Police Chief Mike McWilliams and city officials discussed a proposal to install a Flock Safety camera system — high-tech license plate readers that can detect stolen vehicles and alert officers in real time.
“Flock Systems put cameras at the entrance of town that would recognize stolen vehicles and a number of other things.”
The cameras would be placed at three main entry points into Mount Carmel. Officials say they could help investigators quickly identify suspects in break-ins, car thefts, or other crimes — and provide valuable leads when time matters most.
“If something comes through stolen or wanted, it’s going to flag that and send it to the officers that are working.”
Supporters say the system could have made a difference in past cases, including car thefts from local dealerships. Mount Carmel will join other communities across southern Illinois already using the technology.
More than 51,000 deer harvested during first weekend of Illinois firearm deer season
SPRINGFIELD – Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 51,409 deer during the first weekend of the Illinois firearm deer season between Nov. 21-23. Comparatively, hunters took 54,661 and 53,348 deer during the first firearm weekends in 2024 and 2023.
Illinois’ seven-day firearm deer season will conclude December 4-7. Youth hunters with an unfilled, valid youth deer permit may hunt with the permit during the upcoming firearm deer season, December 4-7. This is the first year that unfilled youth permits are valid for both segments of firearm season.
Other deer hunting opportunities in the weeks ahead include:
Muzzleloader-only deer season Dec. 12-14.
Late-winter antlerless-only and chronic wasting disease deer seasons in select counties only, Jan. 1-4 and Jan. 16-18.
Archery deer season continues through Jan. 18. Please note that archery deer hunting is closed Dec. 4-7 in counties open for firearm deer season.
Visit the Illinois Department of Natural Resources online for more details about deer hunting.
A table of preliminary Illinois firearm deer harvest totals by county for the first weekend of the 2025 season, and comparable totals for 2024 and 2023 follows.
COUNTY
2023
2024
2025
Adams
1423
1414
1232
Alexander
199
225
220
Bond
562
594
533
Boone
74
80
81
Brown
591
629
528
Bureau
695
628
592
Calhoun
476
499
406
Carroll
389
387
416
Cass
448
434
391
Champaign
144
165
154
Christian
417
412
380
Clark
721
783
677
Clay
1007
1118
988
Clinton
588
735
571
Coles
415
523
411
Crawford
729
788
645
Cumberland
511
575
526
Dekalb
83
97
98
Dewitt
220
261
231
Douglas
121
129
131
Edgar
413
407
411
Edwards
283
309
304
Effingham
696
763
699
Fayette
1166
1298
1275
Ford
85
86
108
Franklin
888
879
761
Fulton
1296
1317
1228
Gallatin
306
301
241
Greene
624
660
587
Grundy
217
204
205
Hamilton
750
838
763
Hancock
992
1102
964
Hardin
467
366
347
Henderson
320
318
317
Henry
321
300
371
Iroquois
344
338
428
Jackson
1371
1355
1266
Jasper
784
851
787
Jefferson
1286
1406
1356
Jersey
435
475
409
Jo daviess
967
936
909
Johnson
749
759
750
Kane
27
24
22
Kankakee
138
139
189
Kendall
49
34
51
Knox
821
715
685
Lake
4
7
4
Lasalle
499
392
445
Lawrence
426
476
407
Lee
385
424
405
Livingston
310
323
284
Logan
215
252
238
Macon
135
156
144
Macoupin
1077
1200
1110
Madison
484
549
520
Marion
1202
1272
1164
Marshall
429
462
412
Mason
280
239
249
Massac
247
235
185
Mcdonough
528
530
476
Mchenry
204
152
178
Mclean
432
407
397
Menard
262
260
240
Mercer
600
542
627
Monroe
821
798
828
Montgomery
592
707
685
Morgan
432
435
381
Moultrie
156
182
164
Ogle
503
418
446
Peoria
581
554
586
Perry
941
918
926
Piatt
84
100
95
Pike
1189
1136
960
Pope
994
895
808
Pulaski
208
206
172
Putnam
244
229
227
Randolph
1506
1565
1363
Richland
480
533
492
Rock island
526
480
501
Saline
611
605
577
Sangamon
357
358
356
Schuyler
875
914
792
Scott
254
216
187
Shelby
895
921
838
St. Clair
560
595
595
Stark
150
131
160
Stephenson
375
307
335
Tazewell
377
371
330
Union
813
798
755
Vermilion
419
392
453
Wabash
126
156
144
Warren
337
352
337
Washington
747
802
795
Wayne
938
1113
1097
White
542
532
535
Whiteside
402
391
461
Will
167
150
151
Williamson
1163
1165
1060
Winnebago
181
174
162
Woodford
475
528
526
TOTALS
53348
54661
51409
WGH Board Reappointments Forwarded To County Commissioners
Three members of the Wabash General Hospital board of directors are looking to be reappointed for new terms. At Monday’s monthly hospital board meeting, chairperson Toni Brines said the terms of Janet Storey, Zed Moore, and Dr. David Miller expire at the end of this year. The board voted to recommend the trio be reappointed to the county commissioners which have the final say-so on hospital board appointments.
On the WGH Foundation board, David Messman was reappointed to a three year term. Foundation executive director Danielle Stevens said Brandon Hodgson has requested he not be reappointed to another term on the foundation board. Stevens said Foundation by-laws call for 7 to 12 members and Hodgson’s resignation will bring the board to 10 and he will not immediately be replaced.