City Taking Action Against Dilapidated Properties

Mount Carmel officials say efforts to address nuisance and abandoned properties are ongoing, but the process can take time.

At last Monday’s City Council meeting, City Attorney Derek McCollough reported that the city has recently completed foreclosure proceedings on two properties where buildings had previously been demolished.

McCollough explained that when the city tears down unsafe structures, it places a lien on the property to recover demolition and legal costs. Those liens have now gone through the court system, and sheriff’s sales are expected within the next six weeks.

He added that several additional properties are currently in the pipeline as the city continues working to clean up blighted areas.

Mayor Joe Judge said the process is often more complex than residents may realize. He noted the city must first determine ownership and provide proper legal notification before taking action.

Judge said in some cases, especially with bank-owned properties, it can take months—or even more than a year—to identify the responsible party and move forward.

He emphasized the importance of following proper procedures, noting that rushing the process could leave the city financially responsible for demolition costs.

Judge thanked residents for their patience and said the city remains committed to addressing nuisance properties as efficiently as possible while following legal requirements.

WGH Board Approves AI Technology

Wabash General Hospital is taking a step forward in technology, as its Board of Directors approved the use of artificial intelligence to improve patient care and efficiency.

During Monday evening’s meeting, hospital officials outlined plans to adopt DAX AI, a Microsoft Copilot-based system that integrates with the hospital’s Epic medical records platform. The technology uses “ambient listening” to automatically document patient visits, allowing physicians to focus more on face-to-face interaction rather than typing notes.

Hospital leaders say the system will reduce after-hours paperwork—often referred to as “pajama time”—by about 24 percent, while also allowing providers to see more patients each month.

Officials emphasized the move is not intended to replace staff, but to shift duties toward more patient-facing roles and improve overall workflow.

The system has been piloted for several months with six providers, who reported positive results.

The board unanimously approved moving forward with the technology, with a cost of about 595 dollars per provider, per month.

Indiana State Police InvestigateDouble Fatality on SR 66 near Reo, Driver Arrested

Spencer County – Tuesday evening, March 24, at approximately 5:50 p.m., Indiana State Police and Spencer County Sheriff’s Office responded to a head-on collision that resulted in a double fatality and two injuries.

According to Trooper Lauer, the driver of a 2019 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck was traveling westbound on SR 66 east of CR 400 West when for unknown reasons drove left of center and collided into a 2014 Toyota Corolla that was traveling eastbound. The driver of the Toyota, Larry Lindsey, 54, of Rockport, and a passenger in the rear seat, Barry Morris, 64, of Whitesville, KY, were pronounced dead at the scene. A second passenger in the Toyota, Jonathan Hurm, 49, of Owensboro, KY, was transported to Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Evansville, but was later transferred to Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis for his injuries.  The driver of the Chevrolet Colorado was identified as Lindsey Baxter, 29, of Evansville, IN.  Baxter was taken to Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Evansville where he was treated and released. 

The Spencer County Prosecutor’s Office issued a felony arrest warrant for Baxter. Wednesday afternoon, March 25, at approximately 1:00 p.m., Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section arrested Baxter at his residence in Evansville without incident. He is currently being transported to the Spencer County Jail.

Baxter is charged with the following offenses:

• 2 Counts of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated causing Death, Level 4 Felony

• 1 Count of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated causing Serious Bodily Injury, Level 5 Felony

SR 66 was closed for approximately 2 ½ hours while this crash was being investigated.

Investigating Officer: Trooper Jacob Lauer, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agencies: Spencer County Sheriff’s Office, Spencer County EMS, Warrick County EMS, Ohio Twp. Fire Department, Luce Fire Territory, and INDOT

Wabash District #348 Moves Toward Streamlined Federal Funding Plan Approval

The Wabash District #348 School Board reviewed several key planning documents tied to federal funding during Monday night’s meeting.

District Curriculum Director Michael Brewer told board members the district is preparing its consolidated district plan, which serves as a single application covering multiple federal grants.

Brewer explained the updated process streamlines what used to be separate applications, combining information for up to 12 different federal programs into one comprehensive planning document. He said the plan outlines a wide range of information about each school and the district as a whole, and will be presented for approval in April.

As part of that process, the board reviewed several supporting documents this month, including school-wide plans for each building tied to Title I funding.

Brewer said those plans outline how each school will meet academic standards, provide resources, support at-risk students, and implement instructional strategies. Because all district buildings meet the threshold for school-wide Title I programs, he said the district has more flexibility in how funds are used to support students.

The board also reviewed a new district-wide parent involvement policy, which is now required as part of the consolidated plan.

Brewer said the policy provides a general framework for engaging families, while each individual school outlines its own specific efforts, such as PTO programs, school events, and parent-teacher conferences.

Board members discussed the ongoing challenge of increasing parent involvement, particularly at higher grade levels, though Brewer noted the district continues to explore ways to improve engagement.

The documents reviewed Monday will be incorporated into the final consolidated district plan, which is expected to come before the board for approval next month.

Wabash General Bringing Mobile MRI On-Site Full-Time to Boost Patient Access

Wabash General Hospital is making a change to its mobile MRI services in an effort to improve access and stability for patients.

During Monday evening’s board meeting, President and CEO Karissa Turner announced the hospital will transition away from its current shared MRI service agreement and instead bring the mobile unit to Mount Carmel on a more permanent basis.

Turner said the hospital will continue using the same mobile MRI unit, but it will now be parked at Wabash General Hospital full-time under a new agreement for up to 36 months, with the option to end the contract after 24 months.

She said the move is designed to provide greater consistency in MRI services, especially as the hospital continues to expand orthopedic care.

The change will also significantly increase availability. Turner says the hospital expects to add around 100 additional MRI appointment slots per month, with expanded hours that could eventually include six or even seven days a week.

Hospital officials noted the current setup involves travel time between facilities, which limits availability. Having the unit on site full-time will eliminate those delays and allow for more efficient scheduling.

Turner also said the updated agreement includes a software upgrade to the MRI unit and will slightly increase the monthly lease cost.

The transition is expected to take place in mid-April.

Hospital leaders say the move is a key step in improving patient access while preparing for future plans to bring MRI services permanently in-house.

Riverview Ramble Approved By City Council

The Riverview Ramble is returning to Mount Carmel for a sixth year.

During last Monday’s City Council meeting, Mount Carmel Public Utility President and CEO David James requested permission to host the 2026 Riverview Ramble on the last Saturday in October, which falls on Halloween, October 31st.

James told the council the annual race continues to draw participants from across the region. He said 150 runners from eight different states took part in last year’s event.

Since the race began in 2021, James noted the Riverview Ramble has generated more than $37,000 in donations to local charitable organizations in Mount Carmel.

James asked the council for approval to move forward with this year’s event, which has become a growing community tradition.

Council members expressed support for the race and its impact, noting both the economic benefit of bringing visitors to town and the continued contributions to local charities.

Aaron Tippin to Headline 170th Gibson County Fair

Princeton, Indiana – July 10, 2026 at 8:00 PM

The Gibson County Fair, known for its long-standing tradition of bringing nationally recognized entertainment to Southwest Indiana, is proud to announce Aaron Tippin as the headline performer for the 170th Gibson County Fair.

Tippin will take the stage on Friday, July 10, 2026, at 8:00 PM at the Gibson County Fairgrounds in Princeton, Indiana, delivering a high-energy performance filled with patriotic anthems and country music favorites.

With a career spanning more than three decades, Aaron Tippin has earned six gold albums and one platinum album, along with more than 30 charted singles. His signature hits include:
“You’ve Got to Stand for Something,”
“There Ain’t Nothing Wrong with the Radio,”
“Workin’ Man’s Ph.D.,”
“Kiss This,” and
“Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly.”

Known for his authentic, blue-collar roots and unwavering dedication to God, country, and family, Tippin continues to connect with audiences across generations. His powerful voice and high-energy performances have made him one of country music’s most enduring artists.

Event Details

• Admission to Fairgrounds: $8

• Grandstand Seating: FREE

• Trackside / Beer Garden Admission: $10

• Beer Garden Opens: 6:00 PM

Opening Act:
Jimmy DeTalente & Kevin Minnis

• Performing until 7:30 PM

• Returning after the concert

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for trackside seating.

Location

Gibson County Fairgrounds
709 N Embree St.
Princeton, IN 47670

Princeton woman arrested at disturbance call in Fort Branch

On March 23, 2026, at 10:16 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a disturbance in the Huck’s Parking lot located at the intersection of State Road 168 and US 41.  Deputies Wyatt Lashbrook and Wes Baumgart were dispatched to the scene and separated the parties involved.  During the investigation 20-year-old Kaylee McGee of Princeton was taken into custody for Minor Consumption and Resisting Law Enforcement.  At the end of the investigation Ms. McGee was transported to the Gibson County Detention Center.   
 
Deputy Bart Wagner 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.

Indianapolis man arrested for OWI

On March 24, 2026, at 1:25 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Michael Bates and Oakland City Officer Kaden Tepe conducted a traffic stop on a Black Kia for having false and fictitious plates while traveling on County Road 1150 East near State Road 57.  Upon approaching the vehicle officers detected the odor of burnt Marijuana coming from inside the vehicle and began a roadside drug investigation.   During the investigation Deputy Bates detected multiple clues that the driver 18-year-old Darrion Brown of Indianapolis was under the influence of an unknown intoxicant.  At that point Deputy Bates began an OWI investigation that resulted in Mr. Brown being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated-Endangerment (Refusal) and Possession of Marijuana.  Officer Tepe issued Mr. Brown citations for False and Fictitious Plates and Driving Left of Center. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Wabash County Tax Sale This Friday

The Wabash County Treasurer’s Office is reminding residents of several important deadlines ahead of this week’s delinquent tax sale.

Treasurer Angela Broster reports that the delinquent tax sale list for real estate and mobile homes was officially published in the newspaper on Saturday, March 14th.

Broster says her office is no longer accepting personal checks for tax payments. Instead, payments must be made by cashier’s check, money order, or cash when paying in person at the Treasurer’s Office. The deadline to pay with a credit card has passed.

The final day to make payments before the tax sale is Thursday, March 26th.

The annual Wabash County Tax Sale is scheduled for Friday, March 27th at 10 a.m. in the courtroom.

Anyone with questions about their tax bill is encouraged to contact the Treasurer’s Office at 618-262-5262.