Keensburg Man Arrested Following Investigation

A Keensburg man is being held in the Wabash County Jail following an investigation into an alleged sexual assault.

The Wabash County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation began August 19th after receiving a report from the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office in Indiana concerning an alleged criminal sexual assault.

As part of the investigation, a forensic interview was conducted through the Guardian Center.

Authorities later obtained an arrest warrant for 42-year-old Quincy J. Franklin of Keensburg on charges of criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse and unlawful restraint.

A search warrant was also obtained September 2nd.

At approximately 2 p.m. Wednesday, members of the Wabash County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System Special Weapons and Tactics Team, served the arrest and search warrants at a residence in the 9400 block of Market Street in Keensburg.

Authorities say Franklin was taken into custody quickly and without incident. Investigators searched the residence and collected evidence related to the investigation.

Franklin appeared Thursday in Wabash County Circuit Court, where he was advised of the charges and a detention hearing was held.

Following the hearing, the court ordered Franklin detained pending further court proceedings and denied his release from custody.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities say no additional information concerning the allegations or evidence collected is being released at this time.

Franklin is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

West Salem Man Injured In Monday Wabash County Crash

A West Salem man was injured Monday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash on Friendsville Avenue in Wabash County.

Wabash County Sheriff Derek Morgan reports deputies were called to the area of 16819 Friendsville Avenue at approximately 4:20 p.m.

According to the Sheriff's Office, 77-year-old Robert E. Pixley of West Salem was driving a green Ford Ranger when the vehicle left the roadway. Pixley reportedly overcorrected, crossed the center line and entered a ditch.

The truck then became airborne and rolled several times before coming to rest on the driver's side.

The Ford Ranger sustained significant damage in the crash. The Mount Carmel Fire Department stabilized the vehicle and removed the windshield and roof to allow emergency personnel to safely extricate Pixley.

Pixley was removed from the truck and transported to an Evansville-area hospital with what authorities described as apparent non-life-threatening injuries.

The Wabash County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by the Mount Carmel Fire Department, Mount Carmel Police Department and emergency medical personnel.

The crash remains under investigation by the Wabash County Sheriff's Office.

Hoffman Trial Vacated; Remains in Custody

A Bellmont man facing 15 felony child pornography charges was back in Wabash County Circuit Court Monday.

Twenty-eight-year-old Gage Hoffman appeared in custody with his attorney for a scheduled court hearing.

According to the court entry, Hoffman's previously scheduled bench or jury trial was vacated. The case is now set for another pre-trial conference on September 28th at 1 p.m.

Hoffman will remain in custody as the case continues. The court found his continued detention necessary, ruling that his release would present what the court described as a "real, specific, and present threat to the community" and that no conditions or combination of conditions would prevent that threat.

Hoffman remains lodged in the Wabash County Jail.

The case has expanded significantly since charges were initially filed in May.

Wabash County State's Attorney Kelli Storckman later filed eight additional Class 2 felony child pornography charges, bringing the total number of counts against Hoffman to 15.

Hoffman was originally charged May 4th with seven Class X felonies involving alleged child sexual abuse material. Court records allege several of the offenses occurred between July of 2024 and March of 2025. Five of the original charges involve alleged victims under the age of 13, while two involve alleged victims under the age of 18.

The charges followed an investigation that included the execution of a search warrant at a Bellmont residence on April 29th. Investigators reportedly recovered electronic evidence connected to the alleged possession and dissemination of child sexual abuse material.

Hoffman's next court appearance is scheduled for September 28th.

Late-Summer Heat Could Help Corn Dry Down, But Create Challenges for Soybeans

This week’s heat wave could provide some benefits for the area corn crop, but may also create challenges for soybeans and grain storage.

Mike Wilson of Wabash Valley Service Company discussed the impact of the hot weather during last week’s Valley Update on WSJD.

Wilson said temperatures reaching into the 90s will help speed up the maturation and drying of corn in the field. Hotter corn entering a grain dryer also requires less additional heat to reach drying temperatures, potentially reducing the amount of fuel needed during harvest.

However, Wilson said high humidity limits some of those benefits, and the heat creates another concern once corn is placed into storage.

Wilson said freshly dried corn needs to be cooled quickly to around 70 to 75 degrees to prevent it from sweating, regaining moisture and potentially developing mold or rot. With high outside temperatures, cooling stored grain becomes more difficult and requires additional monitoring.

The prolonged hot and dry conditions could also reduce yields in some soybean fields.

Wilson said double-crop soybeans are particularly vulnerable, while later-planted crops north of U.S. 50 could also lose some yield if the hot and dry weather continues.

Another concern is insect pressure. Wilson said the large number of moths and other insects currently visible at night includes several agricultural pests laying eggs in corn and soybean fields. Late-planted corn could face stalk problems from corn borers and other insects.

Stalk diseases, including anthracnose, are another issue farmers will need to watch as harvest approaches. Wilson said weakened stalks can lead to lodging, causing corn plants to fall or break over before they can be harvested.

Despite those concerns, Wilson remains optimistic about the overall crop.

He said corn yields he is seeing in his portion of the region look “phenomenal,” with the potential for outstanding yields. Recent rains in northern portions of Wabash Valley Service Company’s territory should also benefit soybean production.

Wilson said crops are running well ahead of a typical growing season, possibly by as much as four weeks in some cases. Earlier planting and improvements in earlier-maturing corn and soybean varieties have contributed to that progress.

Wilson also reflected on how close the region came to suffering major crop losses from flooding earlier this growing season.

He said the difference between the Wabash River reaching roughly 20-and-a-half feet at Mt. Carmel and a potential crest near 23 to 23-and-a-half feet was significant. Wilson estimated a higher crest could have flooded thousands of additional acres between Mt. Carmel and Crawleyville and potentially wiped out crops between federal levees on both sides of the river.

Wilson said the impact would have extended well beyond Wabash and Gibson counties into other portions of southeastern Illinois and southwestern Indiana.

Overall, Wilson said the crop continues to look strong heading toward harvest and believes area farmers could be looking at a very good year.

Evansville woman arrested on False Informing charge

On September 1, 2026, at 5:07 p.m.  Gibson County Deputies Wes Baumgart and Eric Powell conducted a drug investigation at the On The Fly Convenience Store located at 611 West Morton Street in Oakland City.  During the investigation they attempted to 37-year-old Nicoya Poole of Evansville, but she gave them a false name in an effort to hide the fact that she had an outstanding warrant out of Evansville.  At the conclusion of the inquiry Ms. Poole was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where she was charged with a new charge of False Informing.  She also is being held on a Failure To Appear warrant out of Vanderburgh County. 
 
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 for DUI

On September 1, 2026, at 7:18 p.m. Gibson County Deputy Eric Powell conducted a traffic stop on a Burgundy 2019 Lincoln MKZ after observing multiple moving violations on US 41 near Deadman’s Curve near Fort Branch.  Upon stopping the vehicle on the off ramp from US 41 to County Road 550 South Deputy Powell detected multiple clues that the driver 49-year-old Lynn Matchem of West Salem, Illinois was under the influence.  Upon asking the driver out of the vehicle to perform Standard Field Sobriety Tests Deputy Powell detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Mr. Matchem’s breath.  At the conclusion of the roadside inquiry Mr. Matchem was taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Detention Center where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Possession of Marijuana. 
 
Deputies Wes Baumgart, Aubrey McNeely, and Bart Wagner 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.

Illinois State Police Releases Video of Shooting Incident in Effingham

EFFINGHAM – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is releasing video of a shooting incident that occurred in July in Effingham, IL. ​ The Effingham Police Department and the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office requested the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 8 to investigate a shooting incident at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Jefferson Avenue in Effingham.

 On July 5, 2026, at approximately 9:27 a.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church security contacted the Effingham Police Department to report a suspicious vehicle and suspicious man inside the church wishing to speak with the pastor. ​ The Effingham Police Department and the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office responded to the church locating the man, 36-year-old Allen O. Gattino of St. Charles, MO. ​ The suspicious vehicle was reported stolen out of Marion County, IL. ​ Officers from both agencies attempted to restrain Gattino. ​ During the struggle, Gattino produced a firearm, which discharged, and Gattino was struck. ​ Gattino was taken to a local hospital and later transported by helicopter to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he was pronounced deceased. ​ No one else was injured in this incident. ​

 In accordance with ISP’s commitment to integrity and public transparency, the video of the shooting is being made available to the public and can be found by clicking HERE. ​ ISP provided Gattino’s family the opportunity to review the video before its release to the public. ​ ​ ​

 Upon completion of the investigation, ISP submitted the case to the Effingham County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Mt. Carmel Aquatic Center Project Continues to Move Forward

Construction on Mt. Carmel’s new aquatic center continues to make progress, while the project has also received another significant boost from private donations.

Mayor Joe Judge provided an update during Monday afternoon’s Mt. Carmel City Council meeting, saying crews are scheduled to pour concrete for the entry and concession areas Thursday.

Once that work is completed, crews will begin painting portions of the building’s interior, including the chemical room, even before the roof is installed. Judge said rafters are expected to go up over the next two to three weeks, followed by decking and roofing work on the two buildings.

The new aquatic center will also incorporate pieces of Mt. Carmel’s former pool facility.

Judge said large wooden beams salvaged when the old bathhouse was demolished were recently cut into boards. Those boards will be used for the ceilings above the new concession stand and entryway.

Judge said the boards turned out beautifully and will likely be clear-coated and left with a natural finish. Reusing the lumber will also provide savings compared with purchasing the materials originally planned for those areas.

Another piece of the old pool’s history will return this week. Judge said the WPA plaque saved from the cornerstone of the former building will be installed near the entrance to the new aquatic center.

Meanwhile, fundraising for the project continues. Judge announced the city has received $105,000 in donations and commitments toward the pool project over the past two weeks, with additional contributions expected in the coming weeks.

Judge thanked everyone who has contributed to the project.

The city is also updating its naming-rights sponsorship book after a number of available items have already been purchased. Judge said updated information will soon be available for individuals or businesses interested in sponsoring a portion of the new aquatic center.

July A Good Month For WGH

Wabash General Hospital recorded another strong financial month in July, according to a report presented during last Monday evening’s Board of Directors meeting.

Finance Committee Chair Janet Storey said the hospital generated approximately $21 million in gross revenue for the month.

Income from operations totaled $319,199, while non-operating revenue came in at $448,423. That resulted in a monthly net income of $767,622.

Storey reported the hospital’s year-to-date net income now stands at more than $5.76 million.

Other financial indicators also remain strong. Storey said the hospital’s accounts receivable days are in good shape and cash levels remain healthy.

Storey described July as another good month financially, adding that Wabash General continues to be very busy.

Following the report, the Wabash General Hospital Board of Directors unanimously approved the Finance Committee minutes and accepted the July financial report.

Walters Is New Workshop Instructor At Hilltop

Mount Carmel High School recently filled its final teaching vacancy for the new school year, bringing a former Golden Ace back to the classroom.

MCHS Principal Amy Duckworth introduced Adam Walters during the August Wabash Community Unit School District #348 Board of Education meeting.

Walters, a 1995 graduate of Mount Carmel High School, was recommended for hire as the school's new woodshop instructor. Duckworth said Walters began woodworking at the age of six and brings extensive industry experience to the position.

Duckworth said Walters will help bring a strong hands-on approach back to the school's woodshop program, with hopes of eventually restoring some of the more advanced woodworking courses previously offered at MCHS.

Walters will work with students from both Mount Carmel Junior High and Mount Carmel High School. Junior high students will have two class periods available to travel to the high school woodshop, while woodworking courses will be available to students throughout all four years of high school.

Duckworth said Walters' hiring completes the MCHS staff for the 2026-27 school year.

District officials also praised the quick turnaround in filling the position. The previous instructor resigned last month, and administrators were able to find a replacement and complete the certification process in about a month.

Walters told the board his Career and Technical Education certification application was processed in just two weeks.

Board members welcomed Walters back to District #348 and credited Duckworth for quickly filling the vacancy.