On April 21, 2024, at 10:39 p.m. Gibson County Special Deputy Chuck Frederick conducted a traffic stop on a 2007 Acura for speeding on US 41 near County Road 550 South. Upon approaching the vehicle Deputy Frederick detected the odor of burnt marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. At that point Deputy Frederick began a roadside drug investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation he placed the driver 25 year old Tatianna Joseph of Chicago into custody and transported her to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail Ms. Joseph was charged with Possession of Marijuana and Operating a Vehicle Without Ever Receiving a Valid Operator’s License.
Assisting Deputy Frederick in his investigation was Indiana Conservation Officer Matt Clark, Owensville Police Officer Pedro Ferreira, and deputies with the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
911 call leads to arrest of Owensville man on battery charge
On April 22, 2024, at 12:30 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report that a physical altercation had just occurred at a residence in the 1600 block of South Old State Road 65 near Owensville. Sgt. John Fischer and Deputy Bart Wagner responded to the residence, and after a thorough investigation Sgt. Fischer placed 50 year old John Farmer into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the jail Mr. Farmer was charged with Domestic Battery.
Assisting Sgt. Fischer was Deputy Bart Wagner.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Allendale School Board Report
At the April 2024 Allendale School Board meeting held in the Library of Allendale School, the board:
Authorized Superintendent Bowser to prepare a tentative 2024-2025 School Budget.
Set school fees for the 2024-2025 school year. Registration fees will not increase.
Approved the following end of year dates: 8th Grade Promotion on Tuesday, May 14; Teacher Institute on Friday, May 17; Awards Day on Monday, May 20; Last School Day on Friday, May 20.
Approved the hiring of Tiffany Seaton and Elizabeth Perry as Summer Enrichment teachers for the summer of 2024.
Approved the resignation of Sue Thompson, part-time Learning Loss Paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. This is a grant funded position and the grant will be finished.
Are WCHD Employees Held To Higher Standard Than Other County Workers?
Wabash County Health Department Administrator Judy Wissel told the county board this week that the current health department employees have 239 combined years of public health experience. But are those employees being taken for granted and under-appreciated and maybe not trusted by county commissioners? That’s how a lot of the health department employees feel since they’re the only county departments commissioners require to use a time clock. During a recent special health board meeting, a frustrated Wissel said health department’s employees are being held to a higher standard than other county workers….
No comments on the health department situation were made by commissioners at this week’s meeting.
School Board Approves District #348 Administrative Raises
Wabash District #348 administrators are getting a raise after action this week by the school board. Most administrators will see a 5% raise to keep up with inflation, but superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer said a few will see an even bigger increase….
It’s hoped, Bleyer said, the raises will prevent the administrators from being poached from another school district.
Odon Man Arrested for Drugs and Burglary
Jasper, Indiana – On April 13, 2024, Detectives from the Indiana State Police were contacted about alleged domestic crimes and drug possession that had occurred in Odon Indiana. Based on information gathered during the investigation, detectives requested a search warrant through the Perry County Circuit Court. As a result, on April 17, 2024, a search warrant was signed for the residence of 115 Demotte Drive in Odon Indiana.
On April 18, 2024 Detectives with the Indiana State Police served a search warrant at 115 Demotte Drive in Odon. Matthew Cornelius was arrested from the residence and is currently housed in the Daviess County Jail.
This case is still pending and currently, there is no threat to the public.
Arrested and Charges
Matthew R. Cornelius, 45, Odon, IN
Burglary – Level 6 Felony
Stalking – Level 6 Felony
Voyeurism – Level 6 Felony
Intimidation – Level 6 Felony (5 Counts)
Residential Entry – Level 6 Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 6 Felony
Possession of Marijuana – Class B Misdemeanor
Possession of Paraphernalia – Class C Misdemeanor
Investigating Agency - Indiana State Police
Assisting Agencies – Department of Child Services
All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
State Offers Grant Opportunity For New Mt. Carmel Grocery Store
The state of Illinois has designated a part of Mt. Carmel as a food desert which makes the city eligible for part of $14 million in state grants. The state has made the grants available to help encourage grocery store development in under-served areas. At Monday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Joe Judge said the food desert in Mt. Carmel is on the city’s south side running from 9th Street south…
The program is part of the state's $20 million Illinois Grocery Initiative announced last August. The funds will help with construction and renovation costs, and first-year operations costs. The first round of applications are being accepted through May 24.
Princeton man arrested for leaving the scene of an accident
On April 16, 2024, at 3:45 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a 911 report of a single vehicle accident in the 2400 block of East State Road 64 near Princeton. The caller advised dispatch that the driver of the vehicle was last seen walking westbound on State Road 64 and gave a detailed clothing description.
Deputy Owens arrived on scene and began an accident investigation. During that investigation he determined that a Blue 2011 Ford F150 had left the roadway and struck a utility pole. Further during the investigation he was able to identify and locate the owners of the vehicle. While speaking to 47 year old Joshua Sokeland, a registered owner of the vehicle Deputy Owens found probable cause to take Mr. Sokeland into custody and transport him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with leaving the scene of an accident.
Assisting Deputy Owens in his investigation was Sgt. John Fischer and Deputy Eric Powell.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
IECC Board Of Trustees Recap
The Board of Trustees of the Illinois Eastern Community College District No. 529 met Tuesday night, April 16th at Olney Central College, Olney, Illinois.
The Student Affairs division provided a report on efforts and activities to provide support to students across the District. Holly O’Brien, Mental Health Specialist, informed the Board of the initiatives she has launched in her first months of employment.
The oath of office was administered to Jorri VanDyke, who was seated for a one-year term as student member of the Board of Trustees. A student at Olney Central College, she succeeds student trustee Guadalupe Amicone.
The Board approved the minutes of the Board of Trustees meeting held on March 19, 2024.
Affiliation agreements were approved with Rehab for Life and ProgressiveHealth Rehabilitation, Inc.
The Board waived the second reading and approved Policy 500.41 Student Attendance that formalizes IECC’s current practice related to student attendance. It establishes a clear framework for both students and faculty which will assist in preventing confusion or ambiguity about expectations regarding attendance and valid absences. The Board also waived the second reading and approved Policy 300.3 Auxiliary Enterprises Fund with modest changes.
A motion was passed by the Board to authorize administration to accept an offer on a parcel of land on Route 130 in Richland County. The Board had previously authorized administration to list the property for sale with a commercial broker.
Bid committee recommendations were approved for acceptance of the following bids:
• Walters Buildings for a total of $79,750 for the construction of the Frontier Community College Rotary Plaza Pavilion.
• Bahrns Toyota-Lift for a total of $32,800 for the purchase of a forklift for Frontier Community College.
• Eagleson Automotive Center for a total of $31,187 for the purchase of a 2023 or 2024 Chevrolet Bolt EV 2LT for Frontier Community College.
• Homes by Schuetz for a total of $148,500 for the construction of the Olney CentralCollege Theater Storage Building.
• Accu-Tech for a total of $86,073.28 for the Copper Wire Cable for Lincoln Trail College.
Personnel matters included the approval of the employment of Amy Drake as TRIO Upward Bound Counselor at Lincoln Trail College effective April 22, 2024; Jade Colclasure as TRIO Upward Bound Counselor at Wabash Valley College effective May 6, 2024; and Dan Brant as O&M Team Lead at Olney Central College effective April 22, 2024.
Change in employment status was approved for Kristie Markman from TRIO Student Support Specialist to TRIO Upward Bound Counselor at Olney Central College effective May 6, 2024. Changes in status for the following from Maintenance Worker to O&M Team Lead effective April 22, 2024 were also approved: Kent Staley at Frontier Community College, Christopher Ellington at Lincoln Trail College, Ernest Majors at Wabash Valley College, and Arron Brown at Terry L. Bruce/West Richland Center.
Approval of proposed non-college employment was approved for Amie Mayhall at McGraw Hill Higher Education.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 6:15 p.m. at Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, IL.
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF ‘OPERATION GREEN JACKET’ IN METRO EAST AREA
EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois State Police (ISP) conducted Operation Green Jacket on April 9-11, 2024, in St. Clair and Madison counties, focusing its efforts on East St. Louis and neighboring Metro East communities. The operation utilized intelligence and technology to target known high crime areas, violent offenders, and structured criminal groups in the communities of the Metro East.
Operation Green Jacket Results
Arrests-16
Felony Charges-24
Criminal Charges-42
Firearm Related Charges-19
Firearms Seized-9
Controlled Substance Seized-474 grams
There were several notable events and arrests during the detail.
On April 9, 2024, troopers made a traffic stop in the area of Bond Avenue at 57th Street in Cahokia Heights where they found a loaded firearm and took the driver into custody.
On April 9, 2024, troopers made a traffic stop on a reported stolen vehicle. The vehicle stopped near 18th Street at Trendley Avenue in East St. Luous. The occupants fled on foot and troopers took three occupants into custody and recovered two firearms.
On April 10, 2024, troopers observed a vehicle crash in the area of Missouri Avenue and Collinsville Avenue in East St. Louis. The driver exited the vehicle and threw a firearm. The driver was taken into custody and the firearm was recovered.
On April 11, 2024, troopers made a traffic stop in the area of Douglas Avenue at 32nd Street in East St. Louis where they found a loaded firearm and took one occupant into custody.
More than 40 officers from around the state, including ISP Troops 2, 5, 6, 8, 10, ISP South Fatal Four Team, ISP Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 6, ISP Public Safety Enforcement Group, and ISP Air Operations, joined forces with the ISP Special Operation Group Statewide Anti-Violence Enforcement Unit for the multi-day operation. The ISP Firearms Investigations Unit provided additional support during the operational period.
ISP will continue to use all available resources, including air operations, technology, forensic services, investigators, increase patrols, and information sharing to combat violent crime.