On 12/21/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Jason C. List, age 38, of Mt. Carmel, on a Wabash County Warrant for Forgery. List was located outside a residence in the 500 block of North Walnut Street. List was transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was issued the warrant and held pending the posting of bond.
On 12/21/18 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Hannah E. Dehner, age 22, of Mt. Carmel, for Driving While License Suspended and Operating an Uninsured Vehicle, following a traffic stop in the area of 3rd & Hackberry Street. Dehner was transported to the Wabash County Jail where she was charged and later released after the posting of bond.
11 year old Jackson Malcolm received a special surprise Santa visit last night on West 6th Street. Jackson is currently being treated for cancer according to his mother Amanda who was thrilled with the surprise…
Last night’s visit was organized by Susan Hawkins whose own son is a cancer survivor..
Among those helping Santa deliver gifts last night were the Mt. Carmel Fire Department which provided transportation for St. Nick, the Mt. Carmel Police Department, Wabash County Sheriff’s Department, and Wabash General Ambulance Service. .
The MCHS Singing 7 (minus 2) was on hand to sing carols.
On 12.18.18 at 11:26 a.m.the Wabash County Sheriff's Office responded to a residence on E 1100 Rd., reference a 911 hang up call. Sheriff Derek Morgan and Deputy Art Kimmel responded and spoke with the caller. After quite some time it was determined an argument had taken place. The parties were separated at that time.
At 1:11 p.m the Wabash County Sheriff's Office received a report of another verbal domestic at a residence on Friendsville Ave.and the two parties from E 1100 Rd. were named as being involved. While en route to the residence the caller advised both persons had left headed towards Mt. Carmel. Another 911 call came in from a motorist who advised a black Cadillac was cutting off a Lincoln Navigator and stopping the Navigator on Friendsville Ave. This happened in two different places.
The Sheriff's Office along with units from MCPD stopped the Cadillac on College Drive in Mt. Carmel. Based upon roadside interviews 31 year old Michael R. Dean of Mt. Carmel was taken into custody on a preliminary charge of domestic battery. Dean was taken to the Wabash County Jail where bond was later set at $1,000 cash. Dean posted bond and was released from the Wabash County Jail.
On 12.18.18 at 5:35 A.M. the Wabash County Sheriff's Office responded Highway 11 and E 900 Rd. reference a one vehicle crash. During Deputy Art Kimmel's crash investigation he found the driver to be impaired. 61 year old Mark W. Couch of Sumner, IL was taken into custody and charged with DUI. Couch's vehicle was towed from the scene and he was transported to the Wabash County Jail. Couch was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and cited for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident. Couch later posted bond and was released.
The Wabash General Hospital board of directors has approved its’ new slate of officers for 2019. Rob Coleman will take over as chairman of the board taking over for Bill Easton who chaired the board for the last three years. Toni Brines will serve as vice-chair, Doug McPherson will be secretary, and Janet Storey will continue to be board treasurer. The slate was approved at the board’s December meeting on Tuesday night. One other WGH change for 2019 is that Dr. Thomas Selby will serve as chief of staff.
Acting as liquor control commissioner, Mayor Bill Hudson has renewed 17 liquor licenses for 2019 in the city. City Clerk Rudy Witsman said all of the current liquor license holders renewed their licenses for next year. Witsman also pointed out that since the city has expanded the number of available licenses, there are still licenses offered in each classification.
South Gibson Schools are telling its teachers, coaches and staff not to be a part of any student-led prayers after receiving a complaint from the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
The organization sent the school a letter dated Nov. 30 saying they were told of a student-led prayer by a "concerned District community member." That prayer included coaches and school staff following a high school football game against Reitz Memorial High School on Nov. 2.
A photo of the prayer including players and coaches was shared through Facebook.
“It is unconstitutional for public school athletic coaches to lead their teams in prayer, participate in student prayers, or to otherwise promote religion to students. We are writing to request assurances that this constitutional violation will not reoccur,” according to the letter sent by the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
The letter says that students who wish to pray on school property may do so, as allowed by the First Amendment. But, “it is unconstitutional for public school employees to participate in the religious activities of their students.”
In response, the school says it will tell all school personnel that can no longer be a part of any student-led prayer.
The Freedom For Religion Foundation is also responsible for sending a letter to Jackson County Commissioners in southern Indiana asking that the nativity scene on the county courthouse lawn be removed because it is “unlawful” for such a display on government property that endorses one religion. One of the county commissioners says the nativity scene will not be removed until after Christmas.
PHOTO: Facebook
Vanderburgh County – Illinois State Police alerted area police last night that they were looking for a 2017 Nissan Murano driven by Victor Manuel Serrano, 39, of Wilmington, DE. Serrano was wanted out of Illinois for aggravated domestic battery. At approximately 8:20 p.m., Trooper Chase Eaton observed the vehicle and attempted to stop it on I-64 at SR 65. Serrano failed to stop and continued east on I-64 at speeds in excess of 100 mph. Serrano’s vehicle struck stop sticks that were deployed at the 20 mile-marker, but the vehicle continued east before exiting the interstate onto US 41 south and then west onto Rusher Creek. Serrano pulled into a truck parking lot and then crashed into another trooper’s patrol car before exiting his vehicle and fleeing on foot. Serrano had to be tased before taken into custody. Serrano was taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.
Arrested and Charges:
Victor Manuel Serrano, 39, Wilmington, DE
Resisting Law Enforcement, Class 6 Felony
Resisting Law Enforcement, Class A Misdemeanor
Reckless Driving, Class B Misdemeanor
Leaving the Scene of a Crash, Class B Misdemeanor
Felony Warrant for Kidnapping and Aggravated Battery (Illinois)
Arresting Officer: Trooper Chase Eaton, Indiana State Police
Assisting Troopers: Trooper Zackary Fulton, Trooper Taylor Fox, Trooper Jonathan Lukeman, Trooper Brandon Deig, Trooper Hunter Manning and Trooper Casey Boeckman.
Assisting Agencies: Posey County Sheriff’s Department, Gibson County Sheriff’s Department and Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Department
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law
Treasurer Beverly McBride got to play Santa Claus last week, with tax disbursements totaling $2,437,000 to various taxing bodies, and an additional $1,704,000 to county offices. McBride told county commissioners that 97% of taxes due have been paid, leaving only $365, 703 left to pay on 539 parcels.
