No Curbside Large Trash Pickup During Fall Cleanup Week

Big changes are coming to Mt. Carmel’s Fall Cleanup program this year, including the elimination of curbside pickup.

Garbage Commissioner Susan Zimmerman announced the changes during Monday afternoon’s Mt. Carmel City Council meeting.

Fall Cleanup will run from Friday, October 2nd through Saturday, October 17th. Unlike previous years, residents will be responsible for taking their large trash items to the Brush Arbor Recycling Center on Golden Aces Way.

The center will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., with extended hours until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6th and Friday, October 16th.

Zimmerman said the same types of items accepted during previous cleanup weeks will continue to be allowed. Mattresses and box springs will no longer have to be wrapped because residents will place the items directly into dumpsters.

Residents must present a copy of their current City of Mt. Carmel water bill in order to use the service.

The biggest change is that there will be no curbside collection of large items this fall. In previous years, Republic Services picked up large trash at the curb twice annually, during spring and fall cleanup weeks.

Zimmerman said the new system should help keep large piles of unwanted items off city streets while still giving residents an opportunity to dispose of them.

Public Hearing Held On Lincoln Park OSLAD Application

The City of Mt. Carmel is moving forward with an application for state funding that could bring major improvements to Lincoln Park.

Mayor Joe Judge presided over a public hearing Friday morning at City Hall concerning the city's application for an Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, grant. The state program provides funding to local governments for the development and improvement of public parks and open spaces.

Judge said Lincoln Park was selected in part because the area impacted by a tornado about three years ago qualifies as a distressed area under the grant program. While Mt. Carmel as a whole does not qualify as a distressed community, Judge said the Lincoln Park area does.

The city's preliminary proposal calls for a skate and bike park, a fenced dog park, restrooms, improvements to the existing playground, new lighting controls and resurfacing of the basketball courts. ADA-accessible sidewalks would also be added throughout the park.

The project is currently estimated at about $350,000, although Judge said that figure could change before the final grant application is submitted. Because Lincoln Park qualifies as a distressed area, the grant would cover 90 percent of the project cost, with the city responsible for the remaining 10 percent.
Judge stressed that the plans presented Friday are preliminary. If Mt. Carmel receives the grant, additional public hearings would be held to allow residents to provide input on the specific equipment and final design of the park.

The OSLAD program is competitive, and Mt. Carmel has unsuccessfully applied for funding through the program in the past. Judge said the city expects to learn whether its latest application is successful sometime between March and May of next year. If awarded, the city would have three years to complete the project.

Gibson County Sheriff’s Office to increase impaired driving enforcement ahead of Labor Day

Gibson County Sheriff’s Office to increase impaired driving enforcement ahead of Labor Day — As summer winds down, Gibson County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) to increase patrols and conduct sobriety checkpoints as part of the annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over national enforcement campaign, supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Through the Comprehensive Highway Injury Reduction Program (CHIRP), an ICJI initiative that provides federal funding for local traffic safety enforcement, officers statewide will work overtime beginning August 19 through September 7, 2026, to identify and stop motorists under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

“Our officers are seeing the consequences of impaired driving far too often,” said Sheriff Bruce Vanoven. “As we enter the final weeks of summer, we’re asking every driver to make responsible decisions. A sober ride isn’t just the safest option—it’s the choice that saves lives.”

Preliminary data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) shows that in 2025, nearly 23% of Indiana’s traffic fatalities involved alcohol, and more than 41% involved drug impairment.

“Impaired driving continues to be one of the most serious threats on our roadways, and we’re focused on reducing these tragedies through education and enforcement,” said Douglas Huntsinger, executive director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. “This year’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign reminds everyone that impaired driving is preventable. When you choose a sober ride, you’re helping protect your community and ensuring everyone makes it home safely.”

In Indiana, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, although drivers can be arrested at any BAC level if an officer believes they are impaired.

Have a Plan Whether You're Driving, Riding, or Hosting:
· Before drinking, plan a safe and sober ride home.
· Don’t let someone get behind the wheel if they've been drinking.
· If you’re hosting a gathering, make sure all your guests have a sober ride home.
· If you see an impaired driver, call 911. Always wear your seat belt — it’s your best defense against impaired drivers.

The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign, administered by ICJI, is supported with federal traffic safety funds provided by the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For more information on impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving.

Deputy arrests driver for traveling in excess of 100 mph on interstate

On August 15, 2026, at 8:30 p.m.  Gibson County Deputy Wyatt Lashbrook conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 69 near the 27-mile marker after observing a vehicle traveling at 101 mph.  Upon stopping the vehicle, a Gray 2026 Honda CRV, Deputy Lashbrook conducted a brief investigation before taking the driver, 34-year-old Khup Sian Zo of Indianapolis, into custody.  Ms. Zo was transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where she was charged with Reckless Driving.   
 
Deputies Shawn Holmes and Eric Powell 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.

Communications Officers awarded the Heart Saver Award

Gibson County Communications Officers Whittney Memmer, Madison Watkins, and Kelly Baker were awarded the Heartsaver award for their assistance in the Princeton Police Department and Gibson County Ambulance Service response to a drowning/ code on May 9th of this year. 

Our Communications Officers were able to provide CPR instructions over the phone to bystanders on scene that significantly improved survival chances. 

A special thanks to Gibson County Ambulance Assistand Director Arica Cole for submitting the officers for this reward.  

Pictured is Communications Officer Whittney Memmer.  Officers Watkins and Baker were both unavailable at the time. 

Owensville woman arrested for OWI

On August 15, 2026, at 8:53 p.m.  Gibson County Deputy Wes Baumgart conducted a traffic stop on a Gold 2007 Chrysler Town and Country after observing an unsafe lane change on South Main Street in Princeton onto Illinois Street.  At that point Deputy Baumgart initiated a traffic stop and identified the driver as 43-year-old Jerri Burkhart of Owensville.  While speaking with Ms. Burkhart Deputy Baumgart detected multiple clues that the driver was under the influence.  At that point he began a roadside DUI investigation that resulted in Ms. Burkhart being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center.  Upon arriving at the detention center Ms. Burkhart was charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated Refusal with a Prior.
 
Deputy Shawn Holmes and Princeton Officers Matthew Perry and Jason Swan 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.

Wabash County Commissioners Approve Purchase of EMA Truck, Declare Two Vehicles Surplus

The Wabash County Emergency Management Agency will soon have a newer response vehicle after action taken by the Wabash County Commissioners.

WEMA Director Mark Seaton received approval to purchase a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 diesel pickup for approximately $12,500. The truck has about 134,000 miles and is being purchased from owners Seaton knows personally in Dugger, Indiana.

Seaton told commissioners the three-quarter-ton pickup will be more practical for emergency operations than the agency's older box-style trucks, which he said are no longer well suited for the department's needs.

Before finalizing the purchase, Commissioner Scott West requested the truck undergo a mechanical inspection to check items such as the suspension and ball joints. Seaton agreed to have the vehicle inspected before completing the sale.

Commissioners unanimously approved the purchase.

The board also declared two WEMA vehicles surplus: a 1990 Chevrolet K35 box truck and a 1986 Chevrolet K30 four-wheel-drive rescue truck. Both vehicles will be sold through a sealed bid process with minimum reserve bids of $3,000 for the K35 and $4,500 for the K30.

Seaton said proceeds from the sales will be applied toward the purchase of the newer pickup. Commissioners unanimously approved the surplus declaration and sealed bid sale.

Mt. Carmel Commissioners Report Progress on Streets, Utilities and Fire Department

Mt. Carmel city commissioners provided updates on a variety of projects and department activities during the most recent City Council meeting.

Streets, Cemeteries and Parks Commissioner Tyson Meador reported crews have completed fog sealing work throughout the city, filled numerous potholes, trimmed trees and continued construction of the new sidewalk along Park Road. Mayor Joe Judge noted the sidewalk project is "really taking shape."

Water and Sewer Commissioner Tom Meeks said the city's wastewater treatment plant is dealing with an issue involving its grit channel. Rather than accepting a costly repair quote, the city plans to have B&G Manufacturing rebuild or fabricate the needed components.

Meeks said water and sewer crews also jetted three sewer lines, repaired several water leaks and completed 37 JULIE utility locate requests over the past two weeks. He added the department's new boring machine has already proven to be a valuable investment.

At the water treatment plant, crews will collect lead and copper samples from at least 30 locations this week as part of routine testing. Meeks also reported staff are investigating an issue with Well No. 1 to determine the cause of an operational problem.

Fire and Garbage Commissioner Susan Zimmerman reported the Mt. Carmel Fire Department responded to six calls over the past two weeks, including ambulance assists and malfunctioning fire alarms.

Zimmerman also reminded residents that Republic Services will maintain its regular trash collection schedule on Labor Day, with no interruption in garbage pickup despite the holiday.

Judge Announces Bid For Third Term

On today’s “Ask The Mayor” segment on WSJD, Mt. Carmel Mayor Joe Judge announced plans to seek a third term….

JOE JUDGE ANNOUNCES REELECTION BID

Petitions for the April 2027 Consolidated Election will be available at City Hall starting August 25th. All four City Council seats and the mayor’s position will be on the ballot next Spring.

Vincennes Man Arrested Following Pursuit

Wabash County authorities used a drone equipped with thermal imaging to locate a Vincennes man who allegedly fled into a bean field following a vehicle pursuit Tuesday.

Wabash County Sheriff Derek Morgan reports the incident began August 11th when a sheriff’s deputy observed a vehicle traveling on Illinois Route 1 leave the roadway and nearly strike a tree.

The deputy attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle allegedly increased its speed. Morgan says the vehicle initially slowed as if the driver was going to stop before turning north onto East 700 Road and rapidly accelerating.

The deputy was able to obtain the vehicle’s license plate number before watching the driver fail to negotiate a turn onto East 1000 Road and drive into a cornfield.

The vehicle eventually made its way out of the cornfield and back onto East 700 Road, where it was spotted by an assisting Mount Carmel Police officer.

Authorities say the driver then failed to negotiate an “S” curve, entered a bean field and continued through the field until reaching railroad tracks, where the vehicle came to a stop.

The driver then allegedly fled on foot.

The Wabash County Sheriff’s Office drone was brought to the scene to assist with the search. Using the drone’s thermal-imaging technology, authorities located the driver hiding in a bean field south of the crash site.

Wabash General Ambulance Service was called to the scene for the driver.

26-year-old Austin Lawrence of Vincennes was arrested and charged with DUI, aggravated fleeing and eluding, two counts of criminal damage to property, reckless driving, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, driving on a revoked license, trespassing on railroad right-of-way, resisting a police officer, failure to secure new registration and leaving the scene.

Lawrence appeared in Wabash County Circuit Court Thursday for a detention hearing. The court ordered Lawrence detained while the case is pending.

The charges are allegations, and Lawrence is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.