Lane Closures Scheduled SR 62 Border Bridge Near Mt. Vernon

POSEY COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane closures for the State Road 62 Wabash Memorial Bridge.

Beginning on Monday Oct. 15, crews will begin their biennial inspection of the bridge spanning the Wasbash River. This is a routine inspection, scheduled every two years, to insure all components of the bridge are working properly. During the inspection crews will look for normal signs of wear as well as any wear that could potentially pose a hazard to motorists.

Crews will bring the two-lane bridge down to one lane controlled by flaggers. The inspection is expected to take about five days depending upon weather conditions. Restrictions will be in place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time.

INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews. 

Additional Information in Sullivan Death Investigation

Sullivan County—Thursday afternoon an autopsy was conducted on the deceased female involved in a standoff with police Wednesday afternoon at 907 West State Road 154 in Sullivan. The autopsy was conducted at Terre Haute Regional Hospital by pathologist Dr. Roland Kohr.  Indiana State Police and Sullivan County Coroner Mary Ann Dudley have made a positive identification.

The deceased has been identified as 49-year-old Leslie Shayne Miller of 309 S. Jackson Street in Shelburn.

Preliminary autopsy results indicate the cause of death as Gunshot wounds to the chest.

Family has been notified.

Troopers involved in the police action shooting are Indiana State Police Sergeant George Smith with 23 year of service. Senior Trooper Derrek Simpson with 11 years of service, and Trooper Coty Seifert with 5 years of service.  All Troopers are assigned to the South Zone Emergency Response Team.  

The investigation is ongoing by Detectives from the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post. Once the ISP investigation is complete, the report will be submitted to the Sullivan County Prosecutor’s Office for a full review.

Assisting is lead ISP Detective Angie Hahn, Sullivan County Coroner May Ann Dudley, Dr. Roland Kohr and the Sullivan County Prosecutors Office.  

As Temps Dip, Play It Safe With Your Heating Sources

After a warm start to fall, cooler temperatures are finally expected this weekend. Hoosiers using alternative heating methods to avoid the furnace a bit longer should exercise caution.

“During the months of October through December, fire-related deaths increase because of alternative heating sources,” said State Fire Marshal James Greeson. “These heating sources are the leading cause of all home fires for the calendar year so sharing information about their dangers is vital.”

Greeson advises Hoosiers to take precautions if alternative sources are in use. Here are a few tips to safely stay warm this season:

• Keep at least a 3-foot perimeter around space heaters at all times. The space prevents the chances of something getting caught and catching on fire.

• Space heaters should be kept away from loose or flammable objects such as clothing, curtains, bedding and furniture.

• Appliances such as ovens should never be used for heating. Doing so can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and other safety hazards.

Fireplaces are common alternative heat sources but pose many hazards if proper maintenance is neglected. Greeson also warns that a fire left unattended may expand to uncontrollable levels and spread to other areas of the home.

• Fireplaces should be regularly cleaned and inspected by a certified professional.

• Use only dry, seasoned firewood to prevent buildup of creosote, a buildup on chimney walls of a flammable tar deposited from wood smoke.

• Fires should always be extinguished before going to bed or leaving the home.

Working smoke alarms are especially important in the winter months because of the hazards created by alternative heating sources. Every second counts during a fire, and smoke alarms can double the likelihood of survival.

• Install smoke alarms on every level and outside each sleeping area of the building.

• Consider purchasing a carbon monoxide alarm, especially if the home uses gas appliances or gasoline-powered heaters.

• Smoke alarms should be tested every month to make sure they are still working.

Marshal Greeson wants Hoosiers to know there are options besides alternative heating sources that can help stay warm and save money on heating bills.

“Some of them may seem odd, but depending on the situation, these methods can help keep Hoosiers warm without the fire hazard of alternative heating devices,” Greeson said.

• Wear thick, warm clothing such as socks, slippers, sweaters and long underwear.

• Caulking windows and doors helps stop drafts and decrease heat loss. Fewer drafts can help preserve body heat.

• Staying active indoors can help with increasing body heat. Some activities to consider are dancing, cleaning and working out.

For more tips on alternative heat safety, as well as fire safety, visit GetPrepared.in.gov

Rotary Donates Dictionaries To Allendale Students

Rotarians Bill Hudson and Bob Bowser (Superintendent/Principal) delivered dictionaries to third grade students at Allendale Elementary School.

Third grade students in the picture are (front row) Logan Doerr, Tiffany Smith-Terry, William Hammond, Adrienne Lawrence, Gabby Schneider, Joel Schneider, (back row) Conner McGinnis, Keilob Barnett-Escobedo, Jacie Spore, Stetson Potts, Reese Price, Emma Ford. Each year the Mt. Carmel Rotary Club gives all third grade student in Wabash County their own personal dictionary. Allendale Elementary School wishes to thank the Mt. Carmel Rotary Club for tackling this project every year.  

Oakland City Man Arrested On Various Charges After Running Stop Sign

On 10/12/2018 Mt. Carmel Police arrested 58 year old Timothy S. Sweeney of Oakland City.  Police stopped a 2002 Chevrolet in the 500 block of Walnut Street after it disobeyed the stop sign at 5th and Poplar Street.  During the traffic stop it was discovered that Sweeney was operating the vehicle on a suspended driver's license.  A search incident to an arrest resulted in police locating suspected methamphetamine in the pocket of Sweeney.  Police also discovered an expandable baton in the driver's side door of the vehicle and over $1600.00 in cash.  Police transported Sweeney to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged with driving while license is suspended, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, delivery of methamphetamine, and unlawful use of property/methamphetamine.   Sweeney is being held in the Wabash County Jail pending the posting of bond.  

Harassment Leads To Arrest For Order Of Protection Violation

10/12/2018-Mt. Carmel Police arrested 33 year old Matthew R. Howard of Mt. Carmel after police were notified that he violated an order of protection.  The complainant advised that Howard continued to harass her after an order of protection was filed against him.  Howard is accused of sending the complainant text messages and calling her throughout the evening.  Police located Howard and placed him under arrest.  Howard was held pending the posting of $750.00 cash.  

Woman Arrested For Violating Order Of Protection

10/08/2018-Mt. Carmel Police arrested 39 year old Doreen K. Powell of Mt. Carmel after police responded to a violation of an order protection complaint at 1901 N. Cherry Street.  Police were notified that Powell was living within 500 feet of a protected person named on an order of protection where Powell was the respondent.  Police located Powell and found her to actually be 105 feet from the protected person's property.  Powell was transported to the Wabash County Jail and held pending the setting of bond.

911 Misdial Leads To Arrest Of Mt. Carmel Man

10/07/2018-Mt. Carmel Police arrested 43 year old Darick L. Loving of Mt. Carmel after police were investigating a 911 misdial at IGA.  Police responding to the 911 call noticed Loving exiting the store and knew he was wanted on a Wabash County failure to appear warrant.  Loving was taken into custody and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was served the $200.00 cash bond warrant.

Rain Cancels Bicentennial Concert

Unrelenting rain caused the cancellation of Mt. Carmel’s Bicentennial Celebration on Market Street. The decision to pull the plug was made just before the Kentucky Headhunters were scheduled to hit the stage. Despite the rain, the steak dinner did take place as planned.

After the decision was made to cancel, we talked with Bicentennial committee chairman Shawn Storckman…

IECC Awarded Supplemental Funding of $120,000 for TRIO Upward Bound programs for 2018-2019

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges (IECC) has been awarded $120,000 in supplemental funding from the U.S. Department of Education for the TRIO Upward Bound programs.  This award is targeted to increase STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education to current program participants, during the 2018-2019 grant year.

 IECC currently houses three Upward Bound grant programs at Lincoln Trail College, Olney Central College, and Wabash Valley College. The additional funding, of $40,000 per grant, will be used to incorporate new science curriculum, acquire advanced technologies such as aerial drones, robotics and other mobile devices, and expose participants to STEM-related careers.

 IECC’s TRIO Upward Bound programs serve approximately 210 first generation and/or income eligible 9th through 12th grade students at eleven area high schools throughout the IECC district. The programs are 100% federally funded and designed to provide access and opportunity for participants to complete a college education.

 For more information about TRIO Upward Bound or to apply for the program, please speak with your local high school guidance office or contact the TRIO Upward Bound Director, Ms. Tiffany Cowger, at 618-395-7777 ext. 2284.

 Illinois Eastern Community Colleges is accredited by the (HLC) Higher Learning Commission, which can be contacted at www.hlcommission.org. For more information on Frontier Community College, Lincoln Trail College, Olney Central College, and Wabash Valley College, please visit www.iecc.edu.

 Illinois Eastern Community Colleges District No. 529 does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, religious affiliation, veteran status, national origin, disability, genetic information, or any other protected category.