Mt. Carmel Man Jailed On Domestic Battery Charge

On 6/28/19 Mt. Carmel Police arrested Douglas W. Garrett, age 43, of Mt. Carmel, for Domestic Battery. Officers were called to a residence in the 1100 block of Parrish Street regarding a domestic dispute. Upon arrival officers investigated the complaint and found evidence to indicate Garrett had battered another family member in the home. Garrett was placed under arrest and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending the posting of bond.

Saturation Patrol Nets Three Arrests

Knox County – Indiana State Police conducted a saturation patrol targeting dangerous and impaired drivers throughout Knox County between 8:30 Friday night and 4:00 Saturday morning. Troopers issued 11 traffic tickets, 34 warnings, arrested two impaired drivers and arrested one motorist for driving 107 mph on US 41.

Arrested for Driving While Intoxicated:

  • Dustin Hollingsworth, 21, Bridgeport, IL (BAC .16%)

  • Steven Seibel, 53, Hazelton, IN (BAC .13%)

Arrested for Reckless Driving:

  • Ronald Leggero, 27, Lawrenceville, IL

Arresting Officers: Sgt. Bill Gadberry, Master Trooper Gary Goodman and Trooper Nick Hatfield

Indiana State Police are committed to traffic safety and will continue to conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints to apprehend impaired drivers and to deter others from drinking and driving.

Single vehicle accident leads to arrest of Fort Branch man on DUI charge

On June 27, 2019 at 10:11 p.m. Sergeant Bryan Small was dispatched to West Street just south of State Road 68 in Haubstadt to investigate a single vehicle accident. Upon arriving on scene Sergeant Small identified the driver as 42 year old William Hoskins of Fort Branch. Mr. Hoskins advised Sergeant Small that he had hit a concrete barrier and a utility pole with his Red 2012 Toyota passenger car. While speaking with Mr. Hoskins Sergeant Small detected the odor of alcohol coming from the drivers breathe. At that point Sergeant Small began a roadside DUI investigation that resulted in Mr. Hoskins ultimately being taken into custody and transported to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Gibson County Jail Mr. Hoskins was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. He has since posted a $650 bond.

Assisting Sergeant Small in his investigation was Sergeant John Fischer.

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed i nnocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Traffic stop leads to arrest of Princeton man on DUI charge

On June 29, 2019, at 10:22 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of an intoxicated driver in a White 2013 Chevy pickup on Spring Street in Princeton, Indiana. Deputy Jennifer Loesch located the vehicle and upon watching the vehicle she conducted a traffic stop on US 41 near County Road 100 North. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Loesch identified the driver as 31 year old Eric Smith of Princeton. During a roadside investigation Deputy Loesch administered field sobriety tests before taking Mr. Smith into custody and transporting him to the Gibson County Jail. When Mr. Smith arrived at the Gibson County Jail he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. He has since posted a $650 bond.

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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Judge Neubauer Announces Retirement From Bench

Associate Judge Timothy R. Neubauer of Mount Vernon, Illinois has announced his retirement effective August 3, 2019.

Judge Neubauer has served as an Associate Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit of Illinois since February 2009. During his tenure as Associate Judge, Judge Neubauer presided over all types of cases throughout the Second Judicial Circuit of Illinois.

Chief Judge Tedeschi states, “Judge Tim Neubauer has served the residents of the Second Judicial Circuit in an exemplary manner. His legal knowledge and skills are unmatched. It has been an honor to have had the opportunity to serve with such an outstanding member of the judiciary. I wish him all the best in his retirement. We will definitely miss his contributions to the judiciary here in the Second Circuit”.

City Slows Decision On Upgrading PD Software

Mt. Carmel officials are going to take their time and not rush into a decision in upgrading the police department’s computer system. At Monday’s recessed meeting of the city council, city clerk Rudy Witsman said the city is exploring all of its’ options…

 At last city council week’s meeting, chief Ryan Turner said the city was looking to partner with Wabash County and the Olney Police Department, and Richland County Sheriff’s Department in the major upgrade. Turner said the current system locally is 20 years old and can’t be updated any longer and in fact hasn’t been updated in 5 years. The city’s price tag for the upgrade of the reporting system is over $47,000. To take advantage of that price point, a decision had to be made by June 28th. Now Mt. Carmel is going to take its’ time to find the best fit for the software. Mayor Joe Judge pointed out that the software currently works fine, but can no longer be updated.

Car Broken Into? Don't Expect Car Insurance To Bail You Out

Mt. Carmel Crimestoppers is offering a $300 cash reward for information to help them find those responsible for the recent rash of vehicle break-ins. As we first reported earlier this week, Police Chief Ryan Turner said a variety of items had been stolen recently from vehicles including cash, debit and credit cards, purses, and other personal items. If you are unlucky enough to be the victim of a vehicle burglary, how much will your car insurance cover to pay for the stolen items? Unfortunately, State Farm agent Dan Schonert says not much…

Schonert says items in vehicles are covered under your homeowners or renter’s insurance, which are then subject to at least a $500 deductible.  If you have any information regarding the break-ins, you’re asked to call Crimestoppers at 262-HALT.

WGH Board Votes To Spend $210,000 To Begin Process To Update Health Records

The Wabash General Hospital Board of Directors has voted to spend nearly $210,000 to begin updating the hospital’s health records system. The electronic health records consultant contract was awarded to Ice Technologies in Pella, Iowa and is an important first step according to WGH CEO Karissa Turner…

Also at this week’s board meeting, human resources director Bridget Shepard announced that the hospital had surpassed 400 employees for the first time. Wabash General is already Wabash County’s largest employer and has grown substantially over the last 17 years when the hospital had 186 workers.

Fischer Praises Retiring Terry Bruce

Sunday is the last day on the job for retiring Illinois Eastern Community Colleges CEO Terry Bruce. Bruce retires after first being hired as CEO in March of 1996. IECC Board Chairman Dr. Andrew Fischer said Bruce has done a phenomenal job leading the district….

On Monday, Marilyn Holt will take over as IECC CEO on an interim basis as Fischer said a search will begin this fall looking to find a full-time replacement for Bruce.

Allendale School Board Announces Special Meeting

Notice of Special Meeting of the Board of Education of Community Consolidated School District Number 17, Wabash and Lawrence Counties, Illinois

Public Notice is Hereby Given that the Board of Education of Community Consolidated School District Number 17, Wabash and Lawrence Counties, Illinois (the ​“School Board”​ ) will hold a special meeting of the School Board on the 2nd day of July, 2019, at 7:00 o’clock P.M., in the Administrative Office of the Allendale School Building, 101 North 3rd Street, Allendale, Illinois. The Agenda for the Meeting is as follows:

I. Call to Order

II. Roll Call

III. Bullying/Character Education Program - Amber McGinnis

IV. CLOSED SESSION

1. Appointments, employment, compensation, discipline, performance or dismissal of Specific employees.

V. Personnel

A. Employment

B. Resignation

VI. Adjournment