On June 20, 2026, AT 5:12 A.M. Gibson County Deputy Wyatt Lashbrook conducted a traffic on a Yellow 2000 Honda CBR motorcycle for traveling 103 mph on Interstate 69 near the 30-mile marker. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Lashbrook placed the driver as 26-year-old Alberto Lopez of Evansville into custody and conducted a brief investigation. At the conclusion of the investigation Mr. Lopez was transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Reckless Driving and Possession of a Device or Substance Used to Interfere with a Screening Test.
Oakland City Officer Kaden Tepe 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.
Haubstadt woman arrested for DUI
On June 20, 2026, at 10:41 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Wyatt Hunt conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of First Avenue and Gibson Street in Haubstadt. Upon approaching the vehicle, a Black Hyundai Santa Fe, Deputy Hunt identified the driver as 61-year-old Julia Kissel of Haubstadt. Upon speaking with Ms. Kissel, he observed multiple clues that she may be impaired. At that point he began a roadside DUI investigation that resulted in Ms. Kissel being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where she was charged with Operating While Intoxicated.
Deputies Levi Sims and Shawn Holmes 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.
Traffic stop leads to arrest of Princeton man for DUI
On June 21, 2026, at 1:20 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Michael Bates conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for traveling 74 in a 60-mph zone on US 41 near County Road 350 South. Upon approaching the Silver 2024 Toyota Camry Deputy Bates detected multiple clues that the driver may be impaired. At that point he began a roadside DUI investigation. Once the inquiry was completed Deputy Bates placed the driver, 23-year-old Brett Horning of Princeton into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Detention Center.
Princeton Officers David Jones, Ben Kiesel, Landon Perryman, and Gibson County Sergeant John Fischer 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.
City Council Reflects On Recent Storms
Recent severe storms and the city's response were among the topics discussed during Monday's Mount Carmel City Council meeting.
Mayor Joe Judge opened the meeting by offering prayers for communities across the Midwest affected by the recent outbreak of severe weather, including the victims of Sunday's deadly tornado in Mount Vernon.
Judge said the recent stretch of storms has been difficult for many communities and expressed hope that the active weather pattern will soon come to an end.
Water and Sewer Commissioner Tom Meeks reported that recent heavy rainfall served as a successful test for improvements made at the city's wastewater treatment plant.
Meeks said Screw Pump Number Four has been refurbished after being removed, sandblasted, recoated and reinstalled. While crews initially experienced problems with broken belts, those issues have been corrected.
According to Meeks, the pump had not operated in 25 to 30 years. He said despite the heavy rainfall over the past several days, the treatment plant experienced no flooding, solving what had been a longstanding problem.
Garbage Commissioner Susan Zimmerman reminded residents that the city offers brush pickup following storms but asked that only twigs and tree limbs be placed in brush piles.
Zimmerman said residents should not mix in fence posts, landscape stakes or other debris because those materials can damage city equipment and jeopardize the brush pickup program.
She added that residents with larger amounts of storm debris can take brush directly to the city's brush site, located at the recycling center, which is open Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays.
Retirement Causes Reshuffling Of Roles Within City Ranks
During this month’s "Ask the Mayor" program on WSJD, Mayor Joe Judge confirmed that Public Works Director Mike Gidcumb remains on track to retire next month after serving the city in a variety of roles over the years.
Judge praised Gidcumb's contributions to the community and said he has enjoyed working alongside him. While acknowledging Gidcumb will be missed, the mayor joked that city officials know where he lives and still have his phone number if they need advice after his retirement.
Rather than appointing a new Public Works Director, Judge said the city will move to a leadership structure that was intentionally designed several years ago in anticipation of Gidcumb's retirement.
Under the new arrangement, Mike Hannah will oversee parks, streets, cemeteries, levees, equipment maintenance, and daily operations. Dave Easter will serve as special projects coordinator, focusing on major infrastructure improvements and projects that can be completed in-house to save taxpayer dollars. Easter will have access to city laborers and equipment to tackle projects that might otherwise be contracted out.
Meanwhile, Brian Cropper will oversee the city's water and sewer systems, including maintenance operations.
Judge said all three department leaders will report directly to City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner.
The mayor said the reorganization is designed to maintain efficiency while allowing the city to continue completing major projects internally and controlling costs for residents.
Jury Trial In Harassment Case Postponed
The jury trial for a Mt. Carmel man charged with multiple felony counts involving alleged threatening communications has been postponed.
Thirty-nine-year-old Nicholas Irelan appeared in Wabash County Circuit Court Thursday for a final pretrial conference before Judge Denton Aud. During the hearing, Irelan told the court he had only recently received several motions filed by the State and requested additional time to review them.
State's Attorney Kelli Storckman did not object to allowing Irelan more time but asked that the July 6th jury trial be continued because of the need to coordinate witnesses.
Judge Aud granted the request by agreement, vacating the July 6th trial date. Irelan also agreed to waive his right to a speedy trial and his right to be tried within 90 days of his detention.
A motion hearing and pretrial conference has been scheduled for June 25th. A final pretrial conference is set for July 16th, with the jury trial now scheduled to begin August 3rd at 9 a.m.
During the hearing, Irelan also informed the court that one of two flash drives containing discovery materials would not open on the jail's computer. Storckman said she would look into the issue.
Judge Aud again denied Irelan's request for release, ruling that continued detention remains necessary because he poses a real and present threat to the safety of individuals or the community, or presents a risk of willful flight from prosecution.
Irelan has pleaded not guilty and continues to represent himself. He faces multiple felony charges, including stalking, cyberstalking, harassment through electronic communications, and harassment by telephone. The charges stem from allegations made by his ex-wife, who told investigators she received hundreds of threatening phone calls and text messages.
Wabash County Officials Provide Updates on Roads, Taxes and Public Health
Wabash County officials provided updates on road projects, tax collection efforts, public health programs, and county facilities during Monday afternoon's meeting of the Wabash County Board.
County Highway Engineer Dustin Bunting reported that mowing operations are nearly complete for the season, with road crews now focusing on pipe work, patching, and preparations for the county's upcoming oil and chip program.
Bunting also attended a bridge bundling program meeting in Effingham late last month. He said the state pilot program is not progressing as quickly as organizers had hoped, but four Wabash County structures remain included in the project.
County Treasurer Angela Broster reported that her office is continuing to collect mobile home taxes, with approximately over 22 percent of payments already received. Broster also reminded county employees that representatives from the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund will be in Wabash County July 16th and 17th for individual appointments. She said several appointment slots remain available.
Health Department Administrator Judy Wissel highlighted several upcoming events, including the Ticket for the Cure 5K Butterfly Run on June 27th at Mount Carmel City Park. Proceeds benefit local individuals battling breast cancer. Wissel said the Health Department is currently assisting 18 individuals through their breast cancer journeys.
Wissel also announced the county has once again received the Ticket for the Cure grant and has been asked to make a presentation to new grant recipients statewide because of the program's success. Other upcoming events include the All Our Kids Family Fun Day held earlier today and a back-to-school vaccination and school supply event on July 16th. In addition, the department has been awarded a Gambling Disorder Prevention Grant for Fiscal Year 2027.
Sheriff Derek Morgan reported a water leak was discovered late last Friday in a line serving the sheriff's office and jail complex. He said the City of Mount Carmel has established a temporary water line while officials determine a permanent repair plan.
County Clerk Janet Will reported her office collected $29,281 during the month of May. She said the final property tax abstract has been submitted to the Illinois Department of Revenue and the county is now awaiting the final multiplier before tax bills can be issued.
Will also noted that all polling places in Illinois are required to undergo accessibility reviews. Representatives from Inclusion Solutions, a company contracted by the Illinois State Board of Elections, were in Wabash County Monday to survey local polling locations. Will said the inspections went smoothly.
Traffic stop leads to arrest of Evansville man for DUI
On June 14, 2026, at 1:26 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Wes Baumgart conducted a traffic stop on a White Toyota Camry for speeding on US 41 near County Road 350 South. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Baumgart detected the odor of alcohol and other signs of impairment. At that point he began a roadside DUI investigation. Once the investigation was completed Deputy Baumgart placed the driver, 47-year-old Ronald Holloway of Evansville into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Detention Center. Upon arriving at the detention center Mr. Holloway was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated.
Deputy Levi Sims and Princeton Officers Ben Michel and Landon Perryman assisted Deputy Baumgart 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.
Hazleton man arrested for Public Intoxication
On June 15, 2026, at 5:58 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a person trespassing and causing a disturbance in the area of Cunningham Road and State Road 56. Deputies with the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the area and located the suspect 24-year-old Anthoney Devine in a state of intoxication. Deputies placed Mr. Devine into investigative custody while they collected statements from witnesses to the incident. At the conclusion of the investigation Mr. Devine was transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Public Intoxication.
Arresting Officer, Deputy Wyatt Hunt was assisted in his investigation by Deputies Wes Baumgart and Wyatt Lashbrook.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
911 call leads to arrest of Oakland City man
On June 17, 2026, at 9 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 call from the Diplomat Motel located at 1733 S State Road 57 near Oakland City in reference to a disturbance. Multiple law enforcement officers were dispatched to the scene and upon arriving they began an investigation into what they discovered was an ongoing altercation throughout the early morning hours. After collecting statements and evidence, 45-year-old Kevin Milligan of Oakland City was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was booked in on Battery with Moderate Bodily Injury. He is being held on a $10,000 bond.
Arresting Officer, Deputy Bryan Small was assisted in his investigation by Deputies Michael Bates and Jim Tucker. Oakland City Officer Tim Gaines 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.
