Former Champ Workers Taking Advantage Of IECC Resources

Resources are being made available to help hundreds of former Champion Laboratories employees return to work after the company’s closure announcement last month.

Nearly 1,000 workers were permanently displaced when First Serv revealed plans to shut down its Edwards County operations, ending decades of manufacturing employment in the area.

On Monday’s WSJD Morning Show, Angel McGuire, Program Director of Adult Education for Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, said local agencies quickly organized to help workers transition into new careers. She says the response from displaced employees has been encouraging, with many eager to return to work or explore new training opportunities.

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McGuire said the impact of the Champ is being felt in many circles...

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McGuire says the effort began with a career fair in Albion, and continues with rapid response assistance now being offered through the Workforce Development Center at Frontier Community College.

She says the program connects displaced workers with job opportunities, training programs, and industry-recognized credentials through partnerships with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, WADI, and CEFS.

McGuire says workers attending the sessions can meet with workforce officials, including Southern 14 Workforce Development Board Executive Director Pam Barbees, as well as employers and IECC staff who can help guide them into new career pathways.

McGuire also noted that IECC Adult Education offers free classes and testing, allowing workers to build new skills while continuing to work.

Haubstadt woman arrested for DUI

On March 8, 2026, at 12:58 a.m.  Gibson County Deputy Wyatt Hunt conducted a traffic stop on a Gray 2026 Nissan Armada for speeding on US 41 near Fort Branch.  Upon stopping the vehicle on US 41 near County Road 925 South, Deputy Hunt approached the vehicle and detected multiple clues that the driver may be under the influence of an alcoholic beverage.  At that point Deputy Hunt began a roadside DUI investigation.  At the conclusion of his investigation he placed the driver, 47-year-old Kimberly Montgomery of Haubstadt, into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Detention Center.  Upon arriving at the detention center Ms. Montgomery was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. 
 
Deputy Zach Lienemann assisted Deputy Hunt 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.

Oakland City woman arrested for possession

On March 8, 2026, at 4:35 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Wes Baumgart conducted a traffic stop on a Gold Ford Fusion for failing to maintain its lane of travel on State Road 64 near State Road 57.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Baumgart detected the odor of burnt Marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and began a roadside drug investigation.  At the conclusion of the investigation 42-year-old Susan Travelstead of Oakland City was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where she was charged with Possession of Methamphetamines and Possession of Marijuana. 
 
Deputies Jim Tucker and Sgt. Loren Barchett assisted Deputy Baumgart in his investigation.  Also assisting in the investigation was Oakland City Officer Ty Schmittler. 
 
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 a disturbance leads to arrest of two

On March 9, 2026, at 1:23 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a disturbance at the Train Station Apartments located at 80 W 800 South in Fort Branch.  Deputies Levi Sims and Wyatt Hunt were dispatched to the scene and upon arriving they located both parties involved in the disturbance and began an investigation.  After collecting statements from both parties involved as well as reviewing video footage provided by a witness both 24-year-old Jacob Devoe and 47-year-old Sean Rooney of Fort Branch were taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where they were charged with Battery.     
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
 

Evansville woman arrested for possession

On March 9, 2026, at 7:05 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Shawn Holmes conducted a traffic stop on a Gray Chrysler 200 for speeding on US 41 near County Road 600 South.  Upon stopping the vehicle Deputy Holmes identified the driver as 41-year-old Chelsea Tieken of Evansville.  During a routine check of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Deputy Holmes discovered that Ms. Tieken’s Operator License was suspended on a prior driving while suspended conviction.  Deputy Holmes requested a tow truck be dispatched to the scene and began a vehicle inventory per department policies and procedures.  During that inventory illegal drugs were found inside the vehicle.  At that point Deputy Holmes went to Ms. Tieken’s location and read her the Miranda Warning.  During that interaction more drug paraphernalia was seized.  Once the investigation was completed Ms. Tieken was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where she was charged with Driving While Suspended/Prior, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Possession of Methamphetamines. 
 
Deputy Bart Wagner assisted Deputy Holmes 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.
 

One man missing in flood waters, another man rescued after truck is swept off roadway

Indiana Conservation Officers are searching for a man after his truck was swept off Spout Springs Road just south of Shoals, while the passenger was rescued. This location is near the White River and is prone to flooding.   

Yesterday at 2:37 p.m., a 911 call for help was received by Martin County dispatch from the passenger of the vehicle who was able to climb out of a window and hold on to a nearby tree vine. Members of the Shoals Volunteer Fire Department and the Martin County Sheriff’s Department launched a boat and rescued the passenger.

Surface searches and sonar are being used to locate the driver, James Petty, 82, of Fortville and the vehicle. Search efforts for Petty have been hindered by the swift moving water conditions.

Responding agencies included the Martin County Sheriff’s Department, Martin County Emergency Medical Services, Shoals Volunteer Fire Department and Indiana Conservation Officers.

#348 School Board Approves Purchases

The Wabash District 348 School Board has approved several major purchases, including new buses and upgraded cleaning equipment.

Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer told board members the district will purchase two new Bluebird buses as part of its ongoing fleet replacement plan. The buses, similar to those bought last year, will be equipped with modern safety features including onboard cameras. Each bus will cost 145 thousand dollars.

In addition, the board approved the purchase of updated cleaning equipment for the grade school. Bleyer said the district will buy a ride-along floor scrubber for the main building at a cost of 25 thousand dollars. The large machine is designed to more efficiently clean the school’s expansive hallways and flat surfaces.

The district will also purchase all-purpose touchless cleaning systems at 45 hundred dollars each. The equipment combines scrubbers and vacuum systems to deep clean bathrooms and other tight spaces more quickly and effectively. One unit will also be placed at the field house to improve cleaning in locker rooms.

Bleyer noted the equipment comes with lengthy warranties and will be serviced by a company based in Evansville, providing local maintenance support.

Commissioners Discuss Replacing Stolen PA System

At last week’s meeting, the Wabash County Commissioners discussed whether the county should help replace a stolen public address system from Dee White Field at county-owned Froman Park.

Commissioners were informed the PA system, which belonged to the Mt. Carmel High School baseball program, was taken during a reported break-in. The system was estimated to be about three seasons old and could reportedly be replaced for approximately $1,500. County insurance does cover such losses, but carries a $10,000 deductible.

Commissioners questioned whether the equipment would qualify under the county’s tort liability fund, which is typically used to pay insurance premiums and deductibles on county-owned property. However, since the PA system belonged to the baseball program and not the county, commissioners raised concerns about whether the loss would be eligible for coverage.

They also questioned whether a police report had been filed. Sheriff officials indicated a formal report had not yet been completed.

Commissioners agreed more information is needed, including clarification on insurance coverage and confirmation of a police report, before making any decision. The matter was tabled pending further details.

Rains Slowing Work On New Aquatics Center

Mt. Carmel Mayor Joe Judge provided an update Monday afternoon on construction of the city’s new aquatics center.

Speaking at the City Council meeting, Judge said Landmark Aquatics is now on site and will remain there through completion of the project.

The mayor noted that recent rain has made conditions muddy at the construction site, limiting some of the work that can be done. For now, crews are focusing on pinning, layout work, and preparing the site for the next phases of construction.

Judge said nine to ten dump truck loads of rock were delivered Monday to begin establishing a solid base in certain areas of the project.

As weather conditions improve, crews are expected to begin work on the bathhouse portion of the facility.

Judge says progress will continue as conditions allow, with Landmark Aquatics committed to staying on site until the new aquatics center is complete.

Commissioners Hear Update On Early Voting

Wabash County Clerk Janet Will delivered her monthly report to the County Commissioners Monday afternoon.

Will reported the Clerk’s Office received $19,323 in tax redemptions. Of that total, $2,731 was transferred to the county’s GIS fund, and $8,500 was deposited into the general fund.

Will also provided an update on early voting. Voting is currently underway in the County Clerk’s Office. So far, approximately 30 voters have cast ballots in person. In addition, 270 vote-by-mail ballots have been sent out, with about 75 already returned.

Will encouraged residents to participate in the election process, quoting Abraham Lincoln, saying, “Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision.” She urged voters to make their voices heard.