Cops Cycling for Survivors Announces 25th Annual Statewide Ride Honoring Indiana's Fallen Officers

Cops Cycling for Survivors will launch its 25th Annual “Ride to Remember” on Monday, July 6, 2026, continuing a quarter‑century tradition of honoring Indiana’s fallen law enforcement officers and supporting the survivors who carry their legacy forward.
 
What began in 2002 as a ride to Washington, D.C. has grown into a powerful statewide mission. Each July, cyclists—many of them survivors, officers, retirees, and family members—travel nearly 1,000 miles across Indiana over 13 days, stopping in communities to meet with survivors, share memorials, and ensure that the service and sacrifice of Indiana’s fallen heroes are never forgotten.
 
The 2026 ride pays special tribute to the two Indiana officers whose line‑of‑duty deaths were formally recognized in 2025:
 

  1. Reserve Deputy Sheriff John C. Stahl III, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
     End of Watch: June 8, 2025

  2. Corporal Blake Adair Reynolds, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office
     End of Watch: November 12, 2025

 
Their portraits have been added to the organization’s support truck, a “rolling memorial” that accompanies riders throughout Indiana. For many survivors, the truck is considered hallowed ground, displaying the faces and stories of more than 500 Indiana officers lost in the line of duty.
 
Throughout the ride, cyclists will read the memorials of fallen Indiana officers, including anniversary‑year names whose stories have shaped generations of survivors.
 
2026 OFFICIAL ROUTE – 13 Days Across Indiana
July 6 – Indianapolis → Richmond
 July 7 – Richmond → Bluffton
 July 8 – Bluffton → Angola
 July 9 – Angola → Mishawaka
 July 10 – Mishawaka → Merrillville
 July 11 – Merrillville → Kentland
 July 12 – Kentland → Terre Haute
 July 13 – Terre Haute → Princeton
 July 14 – Princeton → Jasper
 July 15 – Jasper → Jeffersonville
 July 16 – Jeffersonville → Madison
 July 17 – Madison → Bloomington
 July 18 – Bloomington → Crown Hill Cemetery (Indianapolis)
 
The ride will begin at the Indiana Law Enforcement Memorial with an opening ceremony at 8:00 am and conclude at the Heroes of Public Safety section of Crown Hill Cemetery with a ceremony at 2:00 pm.  Indiana officers, residents, and supports are invited to attend both ceremonies.
 
Residents along the route are encouraged to line roadways, attend memorial stops, and show support for survivors and Indiana’s fallen officers. More information, donation opportunities, and route details are available at www.copscycling4survivors.org .

911 call leads to arrest of Princeton man

On July 4, 2026, at 8:28 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 call from the 5300 block of North 75 East in rural northern Gibson County in reference to a disturbance that was taking place.  Deputies with the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the scene where they spoke with all parties involved in the disturbance.  Ultimately 24-year-old Anthoney Devine was taken into custody at the end of the investigation and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Intimidation. 
 
Deputies Aubery McNeely, Wyatt Lashbrook, and Eric Powell 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.
 


Illinois man arrested on invasion of privacy charge

On July 4, 2026, at 8:58 p.m. Gibson County Deputy U.B. Smith conducted a traffic stop on a Gray 2015 Chrysler passenger car for failing to maintain its lane of travel on US 41 near County Road 350 South.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Smith identified each person in the vehicle and discovered that an active protective order was issued on July 1, 2026, through Saline County in Illinois involving two persons in the vehicle.  After a brief investigation Deputy Smith placed 39-year-old Daniel Carlisle of Eldorado into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Invasion of Privacy. 
 
Deputy Michael Bates assisted Deputy Smith 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.

Winslow man arrested for reckless driving

On July 5, 2026, at 4:44 a.m. Gibson County Deputy Michael Bates conducted a traffic stop on State Road 64 near County Road 400 West after observing a Black 2017 BMW sedan traveling 102-mph in a 55-mph zone.  Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Bates conducted a brief investigation before placing the driver, 51-year-old Phillip Sisk of Winslow into custody.  Mr. Sisk was transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Reckless Driving. 
 
Deputy Wyatt Lashbrook and Princeton Officers Landon Perryman and Ben Michael 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.
 

Improvements To Park Road Approved

The Mount Carmel City Council has approved a motor fuel tax resolution for road improvements on Park Road.

City Engineer Dave Dallas told council members the project will include design engineering, milling of the existing asphalt surface, necessary patching and crack repairs, and the placement of a new two-inch hot-mix asphalt surface.

The resurfacing work will be completed on Park Road from College Drive north to the point where the roadway transitions to concrete pavement.

The project will be funded through the city's Motor Fuel Tax program and is aimed at extending the life of one of the city's heavily traveled streets.

Following Dallas' recommendation, the council unanimously approved the expenditure of motor fuel tax funds for the project.

Champ Closing Still Impacting Area Jobless Rates

Unemployment rates across southeastern Illinois remained significantly higher in May than they were a year ago, as the region continues to feel the effects of the Champion Laboratories plant closure in Albion earlier this year.

According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, Edwards County posted the highest unemployment rate in southern Illinois at 9.6 percent, up sharply from 3.7 percent in May of last year.

Wabash County's unemployment rate was 4.8 percent, compared to 3.3 percent a year earlier. Lawrence County increased from 3.8 to 4.7 percent, Wayne County rose from 3.7 to 4.9 percent, and Richland County climbed from 3.2 to 4.0 percent.

Despite the increases, Richland County tied Hamilton and Williamson counties for the lowest unemployment rate in southern Illinois at 4.0 percent.

The Olney-Mount Carmel labor market also experienced a decline in employment. Total nonfarm payrolls fell by 1,000 jobs compared to May 2025, with no employment sector posting year-over-year job gains.

Manufacturing experienced the largest decline, losing 675 jobs over the past year. Additional losses were reported in private education and health services, government, trade, transportation and utilities, leisure and hospitality, and other services.

Employment levels remained unchanged in construction, financial activities, information, natural resources and mining, and professional and business services.

State officials say the higher unemployment rates continue to reflect the economic impact of the Champion Laboratories closure in Edwards County earlier this year, which resulted in the loss of hundreds of manufacturing jobs across the region.

Mt. Carmel's Fantastic 4th Was...Fantastic

Mount Carmel's Fantastic Fourth celebration wrapped up Sunday with the annual Rotary Corn Day, bringing to a close several days of patriotic events that drew large crowds to the city.

One of the most memorable moments came during Friday's Fourth of July Parade, where dozens of area farmers brought tractors to downtown Mount Carmel for the Steven Haase Memorial Ride. The special tribute honored 21-year-old Steven Haase, who lost his life last month in a grain bin accident. The long line of tractors served as a moving reminder of the area's strong agricultural roots and the community's support for the Haase family.

Saturday night's fireworks were cut short by approaching rain. While the weather reduced the planned hour-and-15 to hour-and-30-minute display to about 30 minutes, spectators were still treated to an intense, fast-paced show that packed the biggest fireworks into a shorter time. The display capped Mount Carmel's America 250 celebration with what many described as the city's most impressive fireworks show to date.

With the Fourth of July festivities now complete, attention shifts to the 2026 Wabash County 4-H and Junior Fair.

Fair activities begin Friday afternoon with the Junior Small Animal Show, along with the 4-H Dog and Cat Shows and the 4-H and Junior Horse Shows.

The fair's traditional opening ceremony takes place Sunday evening with the Ice Cream Social and the crowning of the 2026 Fair Queen and Fair Princess, beginning at 6 o'clock in the skating rink.

Trial Of Mt. Carmel Man Starts Today

Jury selection begins today in Wabash County Circuit Court in the criminal sexual assault trial of 28-year-old Hunter Ingram.

A jury is scheduled to be selected beginning at 9 this morning. By agreement of both the prosecution and defense, opening statements and testimony are expected to begin Wednesday, July 8.

Last week, 13 witness subpoenas were returned in preparation for the trial.

Judge William C. Hudson also ruled that Ingram will remain in custody while awaiting trial, finding his continued detention is necessary to prevent what the court described as a real, specific, and present threat to the community.

Ingram is charged with one count of criminal sexual assault and one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse stemming from an alleged incident on November 17, 2024, at a residence in the 600 block of West 6th Street in Mount Carmel. The charges were filed following an investigation by the Mount Carmel Police Department.

Ingram has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has remained in the Wabash County Jail since his arrest in November 2024.

Record Setting Rains Impact Local Crops

Heavy rainfall over the weekend brought much-needed moisture to Wabash County, but local farmers are now dealing with flooded fields and crop losses in some areas.

During Wednesday's Valley Update on WSJD, Wabash Valley Service Company certified crop advisor Mike Wilson said many parts of the county received between 8 and 10 inches of rain, with some locations seeing even more. While the rain effectively ended drought conditions, Wilson said the excessive rainfall has taken a toll on low-lying fields and creek bottoms.

Wilson said crops that remained underwater for more than 24 hours in the recent heat likely won't survive.

He says it's now too late in the growing season to replant most flooded acres. Even soybeans planted this late would produce too little to cover the cost of seed, leaving farmers with few options.

Wilson said growers will likely harvest what they can from damaged fields, while others may plant a cover crop simply to control weeds through the remainder of the season. He noted that modern spray drones can help manage weeds in flooded areas without damaging standing crops.

Despite the localized losses, Wilson says the rain has also produced positive results. He said the drought has been broken, drainage tiles are flowing again, and crops on higher ground have responded well to the moisture.

Wilson believes Wabash County was among the hardest-hit areas in the Wabash Valley, with the heaviest rainfall stretching from the Lawrence County line into Gallatin County. He also noted the storm washed out roads and culverts in several locations, keeping road crews and farmers busy with repairs throughout the weekend.