On December 20, 2025, at 1:09 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a rollover accident on State Road 65 just south of County Road 400 North near Patoka. Upon arriving emergency service personnel found a Black 2000 Toyota Tundra had overturned on the highway. Upon speaking with the driver, 21-year-old Garrett Heldt of Hazleton law enforcement detected obvious clues that he was intoxicated. At that point Deputy Michael Bates began a roadside DUI investigation that resulted in Mr. Heldt being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center. Upon arriving at the detention center Mr. Heldt was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.
Deputy Levi Sims and Princeton Officer Logan Lashbrook assisted Deputy Bates 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.
Businessman Offers Financial Support To Improve Student Safety
A local insurance agent has offered to help improve student safety in the Wabash Unit School District 348.
During Monday night’s school board meeting, State Farm agent Dan Schonert addressed the board and offered to make a financial donation to help the district purchase cameras for school buses. Schonert said the idea came after a near-miss incident involving his own grandchildren, when a vehicle drove past a stopped school bus as children were getting off.
Schonert told the board he has spoken with several district bus drivers and noted that stop-arm violations continue to occur, even with warning lights activated. He said onboard cameras could act as an added deterrent and provide clearer evidence when violations happen.
Schonert offered an initial $2,500 donation from his local State Farm agency. He also explained that through State Farm’s Good Neighbor Grant matching program, the company would match that amount for auto safety-related projects — potentially providing a total of $5,000 toward the purchase of bus cameras.
Schonert emphasized the offer was made to support student safety and said the decision on whether to move forward rests with the school district. The board took the offer under advisement.
WGH Board Approves 2026 Officers
The Wabash General Hospital Board of Directors has approved its slate of officers for 2026. During Tuesday’s meeting, board members named Doug McPherson to serve as board president for the next three years. McPherson replaces Toni Brines, who has served as board chair for the past three years. Also approved for one-year terms were Dr. David Miller as vice-chairman, Janet Storey as treasurer, and Kevin Raber as secretary. Meanwhile, on Monday, the Wabash County Commissioners approved the reappointment of Janet Storey, Dr. David Miller, and Zed Moore to three-year terms on the Wabash General Hospital Board. Storey has served on the hospital board since 1989, Miller since 2020, and Moore was appointed earlier this year.
Audio: County Board Discussion & Public Input On RWE Solar Project
Here is the audio from Monday’s Wabash County Commissioner meeting as commissioners approve an application for a solar project in rural Wabash County.
Effingham County man sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for financially exploiting an elder
BENTON, Ill. – A district judge sentenced an Effingham County man to 12 years’ imprisonment after he admitted to exploiting an 89-year-old man out of more than $400,000.
Edward L. Stief, Jr., 42, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud and one count of unlawful monetary transactions in criminal derived property. The judge ordered him to pay $411,773.51 in restitution.
“Not only did Stief manipulate his victim into cashing life insurance policies and draining his bank accounts, but he also convinced the man to leave the care of a nursing home where he was harmed after being isolated,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “This 12-year prison sentence sends a clear message that we will protect vulnerable populations against predators who would prey upon them.”
According to court documents, Stief met the victim in May 2023 after becoming acquainted with him while offering lawn care and landscaping services. Shortly thereafter, Stief used several misrepresentations to convince the victim to appoint him as his Financial and Healthcare Power of Attorney.
"The defendant in this case didn't just steal money; he systematically targeted an individual's life under the guise of care and friendship. By exploiting the legal authority of a Power of Attorney for personal gain, he violated the most fundamental level of trust,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge, Christopher J.S. Johnson. “Removing predators like this from our neighborhoods is essential to making our community a safer place for everyone, especially our seniors.”
After becoming the victim’s Power of Attorney, Stief became a signatory on the victim’s bank accounts. In August 2023, he talked the victim into cashing out his life insurance policies and deposited most of the victim’s money into Stief’s personal bank accounts. Over the course of the next several months, Stief spent the entirety of the victim’s life savings on himself. In addition, Stief also took the majority of the victim’s personal items including his gold coin collection, gold necklaces, guns and watches.
In October 2023, Stief persuaded the victim to leave a nursing home facility and move into his full-time care. Under Stief’s supervision, the victim was not cared for and his medical needs were not met.
The FBI Springfield Field Office and the Effingham Police Department contributed to the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen Howard prosecuted the case.
The National Elder Fraud Hotline is a service from the U.S. Department of Justice that helps victims over 60 years report crimes and access resources. The hotline is available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. ET, at (833) 372-8311 or (833) FRAUD-11. Callers can remain anonymous, and translation services are available.
Olney Man Sentenced To 4 Years In DOC
The Wabash County State’s Attorney’s Office has announced a prison sentence in a forgery case.
State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman said that on December 15th, Aaron K. McDonald, a 41-year-old man from Olney, was sentenced to four years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The sentence was handed down by Circuit Judge William Hudson in Wabash County Circuit Court.
McDonald was originally charged in December of 2023 with forgery, after unlawfully using credit cards belonging to United Parcel Service at a local gas station.
In July of 2024, McDonald was placed on probation, but was later resentenced to the Department of Corrections after failing to comply with the conditions of that probation.
Evansville Man Gets 6 Years In Prison
The Wabash County State’s Attorney’s Office has announced a prison sentence in a local drug and weapons case.
State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman said that on Tuesday, 34 year old Jordan Emery of Evansville was sentenced to six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The sentence was handed down by Circuit Judge William Hudson in Wabash County Circuit Court.
The case stems from a November 28th traffic stop on Route 1 South, when deputies with the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department stopped a vehicle driven by Emery in Wabash County. During the stop, deputies learned Emery had an outstanding Wabash County warrant.
A search conducted prior to Emery’s arrest led deputies to discover methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, a firearm, and ammunition inside the vehicle.
Commissioner Spars With Solar Opponents
Tensions remain high in Wabash County following this week’s vote approving a large-scale solar farm in rural parts of the county.
After the county commissioners voted yes on an application from RWE to site a solar project covering more than 3,000 acres near the former Friendsville Mine, County Commissioner Rob Dean posted profane messages on Facebook directed at residents questioning the county’s decision.
During Monday’s county board meeting, Dean also voiced his displeasure with Mount Carmel Mayor Joe Judge for liking a Facebook post opposing the solar project.
In response, Judge said he liked the post only to acknowledge that he had been tagged, not as an endorsement of the message.
On Tuesday, Dean returned to social media, again using profane language to challenge opponents of the solar farm, saying those who disagree with the decision should run for office. The comments have since been deleted.
Currently, five candidates are seeking the county commissioner seat held by Scott West, who is not seeking re-election in 2026. Dean’s own seat on the county board will not be up for election until 2028.
County Board Unanimously Greenlights Solar Project
The Wabash County Commissioners have approved an application from RWE Energy to site a large solar farm in rural Wabash County.
For the second straight Monday, opponents of the project packed the Wabash County Courtroom during the commissioners’ regular meeting, voicing concerns about farmland loss, property values, wildlife impacts, glare from solar panels, and long-term environmental effects. Several nearby residents said the project would negatively affect their quality of life, while others urged commissioners to place the decision before voters or impose a moratorium.
Representatives for RWE and its development partner, R3 Gateway, told commissioners the Friendsville Solar Project complies with the county’s solar ordinance adopted in 2023. The county’s third-party consultant, Bellwether, confirmed the application met all ordinance and state requirements. Project attorneys emphasized that state law requires approval when an application meets local standards.
Developers also highlighted economic benefits, including road improvements, hundreds of construction jobs, permanent jobs, and increased tax revenue. According to figures presented at the meeting, the project could generate an average of more than 1.7 million dollars annually in new tax revenue, largely benefiting local schools and other taxing districts.
Commissioners acknowledged the emotional and divisive nature of the decision, noting the balance between neighboring residents’ concerns and property owners’ rights. After extensive public comment and discussion, the commissioners voted 3–0 to approve the application.
With the approval, the Friendsville Solar Project can move forward under the conditions outlined in the county’s solar ordinance.
Mount Carmel arrested for DUI involving Serious Bodily Injury Accident
On December 12, 2025, at 8:04 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a two-vehicle accident on State Road 64 near the Wabash River Bridge. Upon arriving on scene, emergency service personnel discovered that a Blue 2012 Chrysler Van and a Gray 2021 Toyota Truck had collided and there was one person trapped inside the van. Patoka Township Fire and Owensville Fire extricated the individual and they were transported to an Evansville area hospital for treatment for a serious bodily injury.
During the investigation of the incident Deputy Eric Powell detected the odor of alcohol coming from the driver of the Toyota truck, 25-year-old Zachary Whittler of Mount Carmel. At that point he began a roadside DUI involving a serious bodily injury accident investigation. Once the inquiry was completed Mr. Whittler was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Causing Serious Bodily Injury.
Deputy Powell was assisted by several emergency service personnel from the Sheriff’s Office, Princeton Police Department, Fort Branch Police Department, Patoka Township Fire Department, Owensville Fire Department, and Gibson County Ambulance Service.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
