On 11/20/17 at 2:27pm, Mt. Carmel Police arrested 46 year old Mt. Carmel resident Melinda R. Biehl on a Wabash County Warrant for Methamphetamine Possession. Biehl was stopped in the 400 block of East 10th Street and placed under arrest. Biehl was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was held pending the posting of a $2000.00 cash bond. This warrant was the result of a traffic stop by Mt. Carmel Police on 11/06/17 where suspected methamphetamine was located after K-9 Officer Hopper and his K-9 “Ace” conducted a free air narcotic’s sniff of the exterior of Biehl’s vehicle. The suspected methamphetamine was later tested and found positive for methamphetamine. This information was forwarded to the Wabash County State’s Attorney’s Office for a warrant request on Biehl which was later issued out of Wabash County Circuit Court.
Windle Arrested On Warrant
On 11/19/17 at 1:40pm, Mt. Carmel Police arrested 36 year old Mt. Carmel resident Patricia L. Windle on an Edwards County Warrant for her arrest regarding a Violation of Probation. Windle was observed in the 400 block of West 2nd Street where she was stopped and placed under arrest. Windle was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was held pending extradition back to Edwards County Illinois.
Former School Treasurer Charged with Official Misconduct
Sullivan County—Following a lengthy investigation by Indiana State Police Special Investigations, the former treasurer of the Southwest School Corporation in Sullivan County, Amy Kinnett, has been charged with one count of Official Misconduct, a level 6 felony. Kinnett surrendered to Indiana State Police around 9:00 this morning and was booked into the Sullivan County Jail.
The ISP investigation began on August 18, 2017 when ISP Special Investigations Detective Sergeant Troy Stanton met with representatives from a private forensic audit unit, hired by the Southwest School Corporation to review financial records, after allegations of possible wrongdoing were levied against Kinnett. During both the ISP and forensic audit investigations, evidence arose indicating Kinnett utilized the SSC (Southwest School Corporation) credit card during years 2015 through 2017, for personal use, including purchases for bridal, hotel, grocery, telephone, and clothing, totaling over $6,000. Kinnett is also alleged to have one, removed cash from various envelopes in the custody of the treasurer’s office totaling over $1000 and two, possessed several checks payable to SSC that were not deposited within one business day of receipt, as required by Indiana law. During this investigation, Kinnett made substantial restitution efforts to the SSC.
No other information will be released at this time. No additional charges or information is anticipated.
The case was investigated by ISP Special Investigations Detective Sergeant Troy Stanton. Assisting were Senior Prosecutor David Thomas (Appointed as Special Prosecutor).
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
ISP Eye in the Sky Returns over Putnamville District
Putnamville—For the third time in nearly two-weeks, Indiana State Police troopers from the Putnamville Post again received aircraft assistance with speed enforcement efforts.
Indiana State Police Sergeant Lee Wright, from the ISP Aviation Section, again piloted his Cessna 172 Skyhawk to the Putnamville District, and joined forces with Putnamville District officers, Sergeant Jared Nicoson, and Troopers Jason Owen, Hans Nowak, Chuck Murphy, Brian Thomas, and Ian Portteus with K-9 “Czar”.
Patrolling high above State Road 63 in southern Vermillion County, Sgt. Wright would detect speeding vehicles below, utilizing his VASCAR (Visual Average Speed Computer and Recorder), then radio the units below and guide them to the target vehicle to ensure the correct vehicle was stopped for enforcement action.
During the three hour period, 8a to 11a, troopers issued (14) traffic citations (11 for speeding), (12) warnings, (4) Commercial Vehicle Inspections, and (1) vehicle search. The highest speed of the morning was 81mph in a 60mph zone.
Trooper Chuck Murphy arrested one driver, 32-year-old, Clarid Mutchler of Kingman, IN., for no valid license (misdemeanor violation) and incarcerated Mutchler in the Vermillion County Jail.
As a reminder, Operation Pull Over “Safe Family Travel” is ongoing and runs from November 10, 2017 through December 4, 2017. . Motorists are strongly encouraged to obey traffic laws and drive safe and sober.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Mayor Bill Hudson Notes From City Council Meeting
During his report at Monday’s City Council meeting, Mt. Carmel Mayor Bill Hudson took time to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. He also thanked the street department crews for putting up the city’s Christmas lights earlier this week. The mayor also commended public utility crews for restoring power quickly during last weekend’s storm and city workers for their part in clearing debris. In addition, the mayor reminded residents to either bag or mulch their leaves and not to rake them to the street since the city’s leaf vac program has been discontinued this year.
Mt. Carmel City Council Schedules Special Meeting
The Mt. Carmel City Council will meet in special session at 4pm on Monday, November 27th at City Hall. The purpose of the meeting is to hold two public hearings. One is related to the loan application for construction at the wastewater plant and one is related to the renewal of the $150,000 bond.
GWRPC To Help Mt. Carmel Disperse Revolving Loan Fund
The city of Mt. Carmel is going with some outside help to make sure what’s left of the now defunct revolving loan fund is maximized. At Monday’s City Council meeting, commissioners approved city clerk Rudy Witsman’s recommendation to have the Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission handle all of the necessary paperwork to spend the $347,536 that was left over when the state dissolved all revolving loan funds around Illinois….
RUDY WITSMAN ON GWRPC…
The city can only use the money for two yet to be determined projects between January 1st of next year and December 31st of 2020. Previously, Finance Commissioner Joe Judge said it was hoped the money could be used to demolish blighted properties around town, but that doesn’t fall under the state’s criteria. He said officials will be huddling to decide how best to use the money.
RWCWD Boil Order Lifted
The boil order that was issued November 14th for customers of the Rural Wabash County Water District has been lifted. Customers affected were 6484 Highway 11 (Lancaster Church of Christ) going east to the intersection of 770 Road and Highway 11 on both sides of Highway 11.
Christmas Tree Shortage = Higher Prices
If a real tree is a must-have for your Christmas, you may want to get one early this year.
A national Christmas tree "shortage" means fewer trees at higher prices. The most popular trees -- like the Frasier fir -- could sell out earlier than normal.
The National Christmas Tree Association tells Newsweek magazine that you can -- and should -- get your tree now to get the best deal. If you want to avoid the crowds, visit the tree farm on Thanksgiving Day or on a weekday.
Once you buy your tree, get it into a strong stand don't let it dry out during the holiday season. With regular watering, the tree should last through Christmas Day.
City Council Approves Stage Plan
The Mt. Carmel City Council has decided to have Market Street MTC be in charge of constructing a new stage for the uptown amphitheater. Last month, Terry Beckerman of Market Street MTC presented plans to build a 28 by 30 foot stage with a gabled roof. Two weeks ago, Cory Casburn of Art and Community Together appeared before commissioners and was critical of Mayor Bill Hudson and the entire amphitheater. He asked the council for a two month extension before a decision was made to develop his own proposal. But last night, commissioners approved the original proposal saying Casburn was welcome to look into plans and raise funds for a stage at a different location. Finance Commissioner Joe Judge said there was an important reason the original proposal was approved…
JOE JUDGE ON STAGE…
The commissioners and Hudson were unanimous in their support for the Market Street MTC stage plan.
