Democratic Candidates To Appear First On Wabash County November Ballot

Wabash County Clerk Janet Will provided an update on election matters during last Monday’s county board meeting.

Will told board members that reports from the recent primary election are nearly complete. She said the next step is to send paperwork to both political parties so they can submit their recommendations for election judges.

Once those recommendations are approved by the county board, they will be forwarded to the circuit court for final approval.

Will noted that election judges serve two-year terms and said the county is currently looking for individuals interested in serving.

In a related matter, Democratic Party candidates will appear first on the Wabash County ballot for the November 6th General Election, following a lottery held last Monday to determine ballot placement.

Champ Closing Spikes Edwards County Jobless Rate To 14.9%

New unemployment numbers show a sharp increase in joblessness in the Olney–Mt. Carmel area, driven largely by the closure of Champion Labs.

According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, Edwards County’s unemployment rate surged to 14.9 percent in March. That’s up 10.7 percentage points from 4.2 percent in March of last year—by far the highest rate in southern Illinois.

By comparison, Wabash County posted a rate of 5.7 percent, up from 3.5 percent a year ago. Lawrence County came in at 5.3 percent, Richland County at 4.8 percent, and Wayne County at 6.5 percent—all showing modest increases year-over-year.

State officials say the spike in Edwards County was expected following the Champion Labs shutdown, which contributed to significant job losses in the manufacturing sector. Overall, manufacturing employment declined by 675 jobs across the region.

Other sectors seeing losses included private education and health services, trade, transportation and utilities, and leisure and hospitality. Meanwhile, gains were reported in natural resources and mining, with employment in several sectors remaining unchanged.

Massac County recorded the lowest unemployment rate in southern Illinois at 4.6 percent, while Alexander County had the next highest rate behind Edwards at 6.6 percent.

Officials say they will continue to monitor the economic impact as the region adjusts to the plant closure.

Gibson County Sheriff’s Office to increase patrols to target seatbelt enforcement

The Gibson County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) to urge Hoosiers to buckle up as part of the national “Click It or Ticket” campaign, a high-visibility enforcement effort focused on increasing seatbelt use.

Beginning May 11 through May 31, 2026, officers will work overtime to ensure drivers and passengers are using their seatbelts and children are properly secured. The overtime patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through ICJI’s Comprehensive Highway Injury Reduction Program (CHIRP).

“Buckling up is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself and your loved ones on the road,” said Douglas Huntsinger, executive director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. “Seatbelts save lives every day, and every trip should begin with making sure everyone is secured before hitting the road.”
Since 2021, Indiana has seen a steady decline in fatalities among passenger vehicle occupants not wearing seatbelts. Seatbelt usage among Hoosiers has also increased, reaching 94.1% in 2025 according to the Annual Seat Belt Usage Survey conducted by Purdue University Center for Road Safety in partnership with ICJI. This rate is above the national average of 91.2% usage in 2024.

“Too often, we see tragedies that could have been prevented with one simple click of a seatbelt,” said Sheriff Bruce Vanoven.  “Buckling up isn’t just the law. It’s a responsibility that helps ensure you make it home safely.” Indiana law requires drivers and all passengers to buckle up. Children under age eight must be properly restrained in a federally approved child car seat or booster seat. Drivers can be cited for lack of seat belt use, but also for each unbuckled passenger under the age of 16.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to make sure children are in the right car seat and that it is used correctly and properly installed. Resources can be found at www.nhtsa.gov/TheRightSeat. To schedule an appointment with a certified car seat safety technician at one of Indiana’s 100 fitting stations, visit on.in.gov/SafeKids.

CHIRP is supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. For more information about ICJI’s traffic safety programs, visit www.in.gov/cji.

City Crews Plant 25 Oak Trees

Mount Carmel Mayor Joe Judge is highlighting recent efforts to enhance the city’s green spaces.

Judge reported that city crews planted 25 new oak trees last week, with 10 trees added at Lincoln Park and 15 planted near the new pool parking lot.

The mayor credited the Illinois Extension Office for helping make the project possible, thanking Jana Stanley for assisting the city in securing the trees at no cost through a special program.

Judge also recognized city employees for their work on the project, noting the use of a specialized tree planting machine purchased by public utility in recent years. The equipment allowed crews to efficiently remove soil, replace it, and plant the trees.

Judge said the additions will benefit the community for years to come, saying that hopefully the trees will continue to grow over the next 50 years.

Gas Price Disparity Could Soon Widen

Gas prices continue to climb across the region, with a noticeable difference on either side of the Illinois–Indiana state line.

This week, some stations in Mt. Carmel were reporting prices as high as 4.99 a gallon. Just across the border in Princeton, drivers could find gas for as low as 4.38 and prices there could drop even further.

The difference comes as Indiana Governor Mike Braun has announced an extension of the state’s suspension of both the gasoline sales tax and the 36-cent per gallon excise tax. The move, announced Wednesday at the Statehouse, will remain in effect for another 30 days.

According to AAA, Indiana’s average gas price is currently around 4.75 per gallon, about 20 cents higher than the national average. State officials say the tax suspension will provide roughly a 12 percent discount for Hoosiers at the pump.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has not indicated any plans to suspend gas taxes in Illinois, leaving drivers here continuing to pay higher prices.

Officials say Indiana’s tax break could continue to impact where drivers choose to fill up in the coming weeks.

Upgrades Continue With MCPU System

Mt. Carmel Public Utility is making significant progress on system upgrades and new technology for customers.

During Monday’s county board meeting, MCPU President David James reported that the utility is now more than 99 percent deployed on its advanced metering infrastructure for electric service. On the gas side, he says the project is about 60 percent complete.

James also shared that MCPU is working toward launching interactive outage maps, which would be available on the utility’s website and Facebook page. The feature is designed to give customers real-time information during service interruptions.

He says as technology continues to advance, the utility is excited about new tools that will improve service and communication with customers moving forward.

Evansville man arrested for driving with suspended license

On May 6, 2026, at 6:23 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Eric Powell conducted a traffic stop on a Red Chevy Cruze for speeding on US 41 near County Road 550 South.  Upon stopping the vehicle on County Road 350 South Deputy Powell identified the driver as 27-year-old Uriel Williams of Evansville.  During a roadside investigation Deputy Powell ran Mr. Williams through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles where it was discovered that his operator’s license was suspended on a prior driving while suspended conviction.  Once the investigation was completed Mr. Williams was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Driving While Suspended Prior and an outstanding warrant through Warrick County. 
 
Deputy Wes Baumgart and Princeton Officer Logan Lashbrook assisted Deputy Powell 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.

District #348 School Board Hires New Treasurer

The Wabash District #348 Board of Education has hired a new district treasurer.

During a special meeting Wednesday evening, the board approved the hiring of Mindy Brines, who will officially begin her role on July 1st. She will replace longtime treasurer Darlene Underwood, who is retiring.

Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer said Brines will begin working with the district June 1st to complete a month of training alongside Underwood and to become familiar with Illinois systems.

Brines comes to District #348 after serving more than four years as treasurer at North Gibson School Corporation in Indiana. Prior to that, she worked as clerk treasurer for the City of Princeton starting in 2008.

Originally from Princeton, Brines said she and her husband of 21 years, Nathan, currently live there but hope to move to Mount Carmel in the near future. She added that they have two daughters and recently welcomed their first grandchild.

The hiring of Brines was the only action taken during Wednesday’s special board meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer with new District #348 treasurer Mindy Brines after Brines was hired Wednesday evening.

Kiwanians Dedicate New Park Shelter

The Mt. Carmel Kiwanis Club officially dedicated its new shelter house Wednesday afternoon in Mount Carmel, located on Park Road near the old duck pond.

The new structure is a 24-by-40 cedar timber frame shelter designed for public use. Kiwanis spokesman Tim Raibley says the shelter is open to anyone looking to picnic, relax, or enjoy views of the pond and nearby golf course.

Raibley emphasized the project was made possible through strong community support, including help from local businesses, the City of Mt. Carmel, and individual volunteers.

Kiwanis says donations are still being accepted to help offset construction costs and support future projects.

Looking ahead, the group is considering adding a freestanding swing near the shelter, giving visitors another way to enjoy the scenic setting.

911 call leads to arrest of Fort Branch man

On May 5, 2026, at 4:44 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a disturbance at the Rainwood Apartments located in the 600 block of South Hull Street in Fort Branch.  Upon arriving law enforcement officers separated the parties involved in the disturbance and began an investigation.  After speaking with all parties involved in the incident and concluding the investigation Deputy Wyatt Lashbrook placed 43-year-old Christopher Sokeland of Fort Branch into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Battery. 
 
Deputies Wes Baumgart and Eric Powell assisted Deputy Wyatt Lashbrook in his investigation.  Also assisting in this investigation was Owensville Town Marshal Steven Parker.
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.