On November 27, 2025, at 1:43 a.m. Owensville Town Marshal Rodger Leister and Deputy Michael Bates conducted a traffic stop on a Grey 2021 Toyota passenger car for speeding on State Road 168 near County Road 500 West. Upon approaching the vehicle officers detected the odor of alcohol and other clues that the 23-year-old driver Logan Fauquher of Owensville might be under the influence of alcohol. At that point they began a roadside DUI investigation that resulted in Mr. Fauquher being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center. Upon arriving at the detention center Mr. Fauquher 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.
Georgia man arrested for DUI
On November 27, 2025, at 6:20 p.m. Gibson County Deputy U.B. Smith conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Broadway and First Avenue in Princeton on a Grey 2019 Honda Pilot after observing an equipment violation on the vehicle. Upon approaching the vehicle the driver, 54-year-old Lem Sanders of Pelham, Georgia exited the vehicle and met Deputy Smith at the rear of the vehicle. While speaking with Mr. Sanders, Deputy Smith detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage and began a roadside DUI investigation. At the conclusion of the inquiry Mr. Sanders was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center. Upon arriving at the detention center, Mr. Sanders was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.
Princeton Officer Logan Lashbrook assisted Deputy Smith 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.
Princeton woman arrested on multiple charges
On November 27, 2025, at 11:09 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of an intoxicated female attempting to enter a residence on the west side of Princeton near Broadway. Officers from the Princeton Police and Gibson County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and located 26-year-old Ashlyn Werner of Princeton. After a brief investigation Ms. Werner was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where she was charged with Residential Entry and Criminal Mischief by the Princeton Police Department and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated by the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Patoka woman arrested on meth charge
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.
