Princeton man arrested for OWI

On January 25, 2026, at 5:39 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Wyatt Hunt observed a Red Toyota Corolla stuck in the snow on the overpass at US 41 and County Road 300 South blocking vehicle access to the ramp onto Northbound US 41.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Hunt detected the odor of burnt Marijuana and other clues that the driver 35-year-old Dakota Candler of Princeton may be under the influence.  At that point Deputy Hunt began a roadside OWI investigation.  At the conclusion of the investigation Deputy Hunt had probable cause to charge Mr. Candler with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Possession of Marijuana. 
 
Deputies Wes Baumgart, Eric Powell, and Loren Barchett 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.

Pre-Trial Hearing Held For Mt. Carmel Man

A Mount Carmel man facing multiple domestic violence charges was back in court Thursday for a pre-trial hearing.

During the hearing, State’s Attorney Kelli Storckman and defense attorney Melissa Doran discussed evidentiary issues. Doran is expected to provide discovery to the prosecution by February 12th, ahead of the final pretrial hearing scheduled for February 19th. Judge Denton Aud stated that the defendant’s continued confinement remains necessary.

Earlier this month, 34-year-old Jeremy Birkla waived his preliminary hearing and entered pleas of not guilty to all charges. A motion for pre-trial release was denied, with the court finding that Birkla’s continued detention is required to avoid a real and present threat to the safety of individuals or the community, based on specific, articulable facts of the case. Birkla remains lodged in the Wabash County Jail.

According to court records, Birkla is charged with aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony, after allegedly choking his girlfriend during an incident on November 23rd. He also faces charges of unlawful restraint, domestic battery, and interference with the reporting of domestic violence, stemming from allegations that he prevented the woman from leaving, struck her in the face, and took her phone to keep her from contacting police or medical personnel.

Prosecutors have also filed a separate domestic battery charge related to an alleged incident on November 21st, along with criminal damage to property for allegedly breaking the victim’s vehicle window on November 10th.

A jury trial set for March 2nd.

Court records further show Birkla previously pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the 2012 death of Billy Gunzel and was sentenced to probation and periodic imprisonment.

Lifesaver Awards Handed Out At City Council Meeting

Three Mount Carmel emergency personnel were honored Tuesday night for life-saving actions during two separate incidents.

During the Mount Carmel City Council meeting, Police Chief Mike McWilliams presented Lifesaving Awards to 911 Dispatcher Mary Sweppy, Police Officer Dayton Brim, and Sergeant Gilbert Santos.

Dispatcher Sweppy was recognized for her role in rescuing a driver who became trapped in high water at Bon Pas Creek last year. Chief McWilliams said Sweppy’s calm demeanor and quick thinking helped guide the driver to safety by instructing him to climb out of his vehicle and onto the roof as floodwaters rose. While keeping the victim on the line, Sweppy simultaneously coordinated multiple emergency responders. McWilliams said her actions likely prevented a drowning.

In a separate incident, Officer Dayton Brim and Sergeant Gilbert Santos were honored for saving the life of a Mount Carmel woman who had stopped breathing during the early morning hours. Officers arrived on scene and used an AED to deliver a shock before continuing CPR until first responders arrived. The woman later made a full recovery.

Chief McWilliams praised all involved for their training, professionalism, and teamwork, saying outcomes like these require every step to go right. He also noted the vital role dispatchers play during emergencies.

The awards were presented before council members and community members, who responded with applause in appreciation of the life-saving efforts.

The video of the presentation can be found via this link:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2009932832913150

Heavy snow, extreme cold, dangerous wind chills creating hazardous travel ​ conditions across Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police are warning the public that a winter storm with heavy snow as well as bitterly cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills will have major impacts on Illinois roads this weekend and potentially into next week. Travel is not advised in the areas most affected. 

 “Our snow and ice teams will be prepared and out in force. But with the extreme weather forecasted, any kind of travel will put you and others at risk, especially during the overnight hours,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “Staying home during any severe weather event always is your safest option. If you must be on the roads, please take precautions because conditions could be life-threatening.” 

 The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for the southern half of the state and an extreme cold warning for most of Illinois. Areas south of Effingham and into Southern Illinois and the Metro East could see 8 to 12 inches of snow, starting Saturday morning and into Sunday evening. Totals across central Illinois could reach 8 inches, with as much as 4 inches in Kankakee, Peoria and Macomb. Between 1 and 4 inches are anticipated in the Chicago area, with totals decreasing toward Rockford and the Quad Cities. ​ 

 Winds reaching 25 mph will create blowing and drifting, reducing visibility and challenging efforts to combat snow and ice. Temperatures will stay below zero degrees across most of Illinois, with wind chill factors between minus 5 and minus 40. 

 In preparation for this weekend’s weather, IDOT has been pretreating roads and bridges, loading plows with salt and other materials. Crews will be out throughout the weekend and into next week. However, due to subzero temperatures, the effectiveness of salt and materials to treat roads will be substantially diminished, creating slick and slippery conditions at all times. Additionally, blowing and drifting snow will quickly deteriorate conditions on roads that have just been plowed and treated. ​ ​ 

 “The bitter cold and large snow amounts forecasted this weekend for parts of the state can lead to dangerous driving conditions that could put not only your life at risk, but the lives of troopers and other law enforcement officers, emergency services, tow truck drivers and anyone else on the roads,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “It's simple: If you don't have to drive, don't. If you must go out, give yourself extra time, go slow and have an emergency kit in your vehicle.” 

 Statewide, IDOT has nearly 1,900 trucks and equipment available to spread salt, plow snow and respond to weather emergencies as needed across more than 45,000 lanes miles. Do not crowd the plows. Give them plenty of room to do their jobs and do not attempt to pass too closely. Conditions in front of the plow are going to be worse than behind it. 

 If you absolutely have to travel, please drive according to conditions at all times, reducing speed, increasing braking distances and allowing more space between you and other vehicles. Take it especially slow when approaching intersections, ramps, bridges, shaded areas and other locations prone to icing. Check current winter road conditions 24/7 at GettingAroundIllinois.com. You also can follow IDOT on Facebook, X and Instagram. ​ 

 Other tips if you have to travel: 

 Check the forecast before leaving and make sure someone is aware of your travel route and schedule. Anticipate much longer travel times. ​ 

  • Make sure your windshield is clear of snow and ice. ​ ​ 

  • Fill up your tank or fully charge your vehicle and pack winter weather essentials, such as a cellphone charger, traction materials, warm clothes, blankets, food, water, first-aid kit, washer fluid and ice scraper. ​ 

  • Give them distance. Obey the Move Over law by slowing down and changing lanes when approaching ANY stopped vehicle. 

  • Always wear a seat belt. It’s the law and your best protection in the event of a crash. 

  • Drop it and drive. Put down the mobile devices. This, too, is the law. 

  • If you are involved in a crash, remain inside your vehicle. Exiting it during inclement weather with reduced visibility can have fatal consequences. 

Knoxville woman arrested for Public Intoxication

On January 23, 2026, at 3:16 a.m.  Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of an unconscious person in a bathroom at Enova located at 858 East County Road 350 South.  Communications Officers sent Law Enforcement, Medics, and Fire to the scene and upon arriving they located the subject and began treatment.  During an investigation of the incident, it was determined that 26-year-old Musavyimana Claudine of Knoxville, Tennessee was extremely intoxicated testing over three times the legal limit.  Ms. Claudine was transported to Deaconess Gibson by law enforcement for medical clearance and then taken to the Gibson County Detention Center where she was charged with Public Intoxication.
 
Arresting Officer Michael Bates was assisted by Sgt. John Fischer and Deputy Wyatt Lashbrook as well as Princeton Officers Jackie Wood and Noah Fehribach.
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
 


Princeton man arrested for never having received a valid license

On January 19, 2026, at 12:49 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Michael Bates conducted a traffic stop on a Black 2009 Honda Accord after observing the vehicle fail to maintain its lane of travel multiple times on US 41 near County Road 100 West.  Upon approaching the vehicle attempted to identify the driver of the vehicle, but the driver did not have a license and could not provide any other form of identification.  Further the driver who was later identified as 38-year-old Alvaro Diaz Cardenas of Princeton stated that he had never obtained a valid operator’s license.  Once Deputy Bates was finished with the roadside investigation, he placed Mr. Cardenas into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Operator Never Licensed. 
 
Deputy Levi Sims and Princeton Officer Jackie Wood assisted Deputy Bates 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.
 

INDOT, ISP & IDHS prepare for winter storm, widespread travel impacts expected

INDIANA – The Indiana Department of Transportation, Indiana State Police and Indiana Department of Homeland Security urge Hoosiers to prepare for a significant winter weather event this weekend.

A winter storm will have statewide impacts Saturday, January 24 through Sunday, January 25. Heavy snowfall is expected, especially for the southern half of the state. Lake effect is expected to follow in Northwest Indiana, continuing into Monday. Extremely cold temperatures and negative wind chills are forecasted Friday, January 23 through Tuesday, January 27..

The greatest impacts to travel will be Saturday evening through Sunday morning, but impacts are expected to be ongoing due to frigid temperatures and the possibility of blowing, drifting snow.

INDOT will have all available plows and drivers out on our state-maintained roads (state highways, interstates and U.S. routes). Preparations are being made now to ensure trucks, equipment and personnel are ready. Over 940 plow trucks and over 1,600 plow operators will be deployed over the weekend, with additional winter operations personnel providing support. Crews will remain active for the duration of the event and afterward to continue cleanup efforts.

It takes an average of two-to-three hours for crews to complete a full snow route. During heavy snowfall rates, roadways will become snow-covered between plow passes. Extreme temperatures will hinder the effectiveness of salt so plowing will be INDOT’s main course of action during this winter event. Drivers will treat as conditions allow, and additives may be used to increase the effectiveness of salt. These temperatures will also have an effect on plow fuel systems, requiring the use of fuel additives to prevent freezing.

Motorists are encouraged to keep these tips in mind over the course of this winter event:

  • Avoid travel during and immediately after winter weather if possible

  • Share travel plans with others, including route and estimated time of arrival

  • Have an emergency car kit that includes, at a minimum, water, snacks, blankets, extra clothing, phone charger, a small shovel and a flashlight

  • Clear snow from all over the vehicle, not just the windows

  • Consider using fuel treatments to prevent fuel lines from freezing due to extreme temperatures

  • Utilize main routes where help may be more readily available if needed

  • Be alert for flashing lights and always give snow plows, first responders and tow companies extra space to work

  • Drive to the conditions: leave early, slow down, and increase following and stopping distances

  • Do not overestimate your driving skills or the capability of your vehicle to handle the snow

  • When in doubt, stay off the road

Resources during winter weather:

  • National Weather Service Weather Briefing: https://www.weather.gov/ind/INwxbrief

  • Real-time road conditions via INDOT road and snow plow cameras: https://511in.org/ or the free “INDOT TrafficWise” mobile app: https://www.in.gov/indot/contact-indot/indot-mobile-app/

  • Updates via INDOT Social Media Channels: https://www.in.gov/indot/media-room/connect-with-social-media/

  • IDHS Travel Advisory Map: https://www.in.gov/dhs/travel-advisory-map/

  • Stay Informed
    Motorists in Indiana can monitor road closures, road conditions, and traffic alerts any time via:

    About the Indiana Department of Transportation
    INDOT is responsible for planning, constructing, maintaining, and operating the State of Indiana’s more than 29,000 highway lane miles and 5,700 bridges, and providing support for 4,500 rail miles and 127 aviation facilities throughout the Hoosier State. With six district offices and over 3,500 employees, INDOT works to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable transportation infrastructure while supporting the state’s economic vitality. The department is committed to fostering innovation, sustainability, and safety in transportation planning and development, in addition to collaborating with local governments and private sector partners to meet the state’s transportation needs. For the eighth consecutive year, Indiana has placed in the top ten in the nation for infrastructure in CNBC’s “America’s Top States for Business” rankings. Learn more at in.gov/indot.

    About Buckle Up Phone Down
    Buckle Up Phone Down is a safety initiative adopted by the Indiana Department of Transportation in late 2023. Unrestrained motorists and passengers, as well as distracted driving continue to be contributing factors in fatal and serious injury crashes on Indiana roadways. Buckle Up Phone Down is one of many efforts to change driver behavior and improve roadway safety across Indiana.

    The actions are simple: when you get into a vehicle, buckle up. If you are the driver, put the phone down. Every trip. Every time. Learn more and accept the challenge at BUPDIN.com.

Allendale School Board Notes

At the January 2026 Allendale School Board meeting held in the Library of Allendale School, the board:

Approved the 2025-2026 Certified Seniority List.

Approved a Resolution to Abate a portion of the Tax Levy concerning the Taxable General Obligation Bond the district currently has. The abated portion will come from the 1% Sales Tax proceeds. This will amount to $22,249.25.

The board discussed the tentative 2026-2027 School Calendar. The calendar will be board approved at the February 18, 2026 meeting.

Approved to discard obsolete/excess equipment. The items are the 2003 edition of first grade Social Studies textbooks.

Approved the hiring of Heidy Wankel, Individual Aide, effective January 5, 2026