Governor Eric J. Holcomb and INDOT Commissioner Joe McGuinness today announced 396 Indiana cities, towns and counties received a combined $150 million in state-matching funds for local road projects through the Next Level Roads: Community Crossings Initiative. 

A large chunk of that money will be spend in the Seymour district, which includes Salem, Campbellsburg, Scottsburg, and many other cities and towns in the WSLM Listening Area. 

Lawrence County will receive $596,062 and Orange County will receive $477,961. In addition, various communities within these and Clark, Harrison, Jackson and Washington counties were awarded grants including $786,000 for the City of Salem and $310,195 for the Town of Campbellsburg. 

Salem Mayor Troy Merry said the money would be used for road projects and repaving. 

“I’m so grateful to INDOT for getting this grant,” said Merry. “We’ll use the money on things that need to be kept up in the city. 100 percent of that will go to keep the City streets in good working condition.”

Merry said money this year went to paving High Street from north to south as well as other streets in Salem. He said if funds are available next year he would like to pave Main Street from the stop light and around the square.  

The full list of communities receiving matching funds was released this afternoon following the first in a series of presentations being held around the state with local, state and business officials to highlight award-winning grant applications. 

“Superior local roads are a key factor in maintaining Indiana’s reputation as the Crossroads of America,” Gov. Holcomb said. “I am encouraged that a record number of communities applied for and received funds this year, and I’m grateful to lawmakers for increasing the funding to sustain the community crossings initiative.” 

In just its second year, the Community Crossings Initiative has awarded nearly $300 million in state matching funds to local governments for road construction projects. This year, 467 communities applied for funds – a 48 percent increase from 2016 – making this year truly competitive. 

State Rep. Steve Davisson (R-Salem) supported this funding initiative back in 2016. 

“Funding provided through this program will help local governments make the necessary repairs and updates to roads and bridges,” Davisson said. “These improvements will keep our transportation infrastructure efficient and safe.”

“Across Indiana, local communities are recognizing the need to invest in fixing and improving their infrastructure,” said INDOT Commissioner Joe McGuinness. “The projects funded today will help build smoother roads and stronger bridges in every corner of the state.” 

Community Crossings was created by the Indiana General Assembly in 2016. Funds for the program are awarded from the state’s local road and bridge matching grant fund. To qualify for funding, local governments must provide local matching funds, 50 percent for larger communities or 25 percent for smaller communities, from a funding source approved for road and bridge construction. They must also submit an INDOT-approved asset management plan for maintaining existing roads and bridges. 

State law requires annually that 50 percent of the available matching funds be awarded to communities with a population of 50,000 or fewer. State lawmakers identified long-term funding for Community Crossings as part of House Enrolled Act 1002, passed by the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Holcomb in April.

INDOT estimates $190 million in matching funds will be available for local communities in calendar year 2018.

A traffic stop for reckless speeds on Interstate 64 Wednesday afternoon led to two men being jailed on drug and weapons charges.

Arrested and Charged were:

Christopher Mackey, 21, Aurora, Colorado

– Dealing Marijuana, Level 6 Felony

– Possession of Marijuana, Level 6 Felony

– Reckless Driving, Class C Misdemeanor

– Operating without a Valid License, Class C Misdemeanor

Justin Beckner, 25, North Tazewell, Virginia

– Dealing Marijuana, Level 6 Felony

– Possession of Marijuana, Level 6 Felony

– Possession of a Firearm without a License, Class A Misdemeanor

At 12:38 PM Wednesday, Master Trooper Randy Neighbors was patrolling Interstate 64 when he observed a silver 2016 Chevrolet Cruze driving eastbound at 101 miles per hour.  As Neighbors was attempting to pull the Chevrolet over, Master Trooper Brian LaRoche clocked the Chevy traveling at 113 miles per hour.  The Chevy stopped for Troopers at the 60 mile marker.

While troopers were speaking with the driver, 21-year-old Christopher Mackey of Aurora, Colorado, LaRoche could smell the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.  As LaRoche and Neighbors searched the vehicle, they located a loaded 9mm handgun with a 30 round magazine at the feet of the passenger, 25-year-old Justin Beckner of North Tazewell, Virginia.  Beckner did not have a handgun license.  Troopers also found approximately one pound of marijuana in the trunk of the car.

Mackey and Beckner were arrested without incident and transported to the Spencer County Jail. 

Indiana Conservation Officers responded Monday evening to information from a landowner in northern Hancock County claiming to have witnessed a reptile resembling an alligator in Brandywine Creek. 

 
Indiana Conservation Officer Ted Stine responded to the area and found tracks in the mud that were consistent with an alligator. 

Conservation Officers were able to locate and capture the reptile using spot lights and large dip nets. 

Once it was captured, it was determined to be a three foot long crocodile.  The crocodile is currently being housed at a secure facility until a suitable home can be located.
 
Crocodiles and alligators are not native to Indiana, and although officers occasionally find one in our waters, they are not naturally occurring.

It is legal to possess a crocodilian up to five feet long in Indiana without a state permit, however some species may require a federal permit.
 
 “Crocodilians are generally purchased by people who are interested in caring for an exotic and exciting pet, but they soon realize that proper care is difficult and expensive.” said Capt. Bill Browne. 

“The focus now will be to determine who may have released it, and make sure they do not have any other wild animals that might be released,” noted Browne.
 
If you have any information about where this crocodile may have come from, please contact our 1-800-TIP-IDNR call line.  Callers can remain anonymous. 
 

According to a press release issued Tuesday by the West Clark Community Schools received knowledge that a staff member of the Silver Creek High School was under investigation.

Since then – earlier this morning – a staff member was arrested for child seduction.

Alonzo Richmond, 30, from Ewing Lane in Jeffersonville,  is accused of kissing and fondling a student early Saturday morning after a theater rehearsal at a park in Sellersburg, Indiana.

According to the news release, Richmond was an extra-curricular sponsor and not a certified teacher employed by West Clark Community Schools. 

West Clark Superintendent Chad Schneck said that the activities Richmond was being investigated for took place off school grounds. 

“…at an event not sponsored or endorsed by West Clark. West Clark is cooperating fully with all investigative agencies,” Schneck noted. 

Court records show one count of child seduction has been filed against Richmond.

The inappropriate contact allegedly occurred in a Sellersburg park after a theater/play practice in which the boy was acting in and Richmond was directing.

The child involved told police he and Richmond were the last two people to leave the rehearsal.

Court records say Richmond hugged the child several times and made statements about homosexual pornography. 

Richmond allegedly walked the teen to his car, kissed him and grabbed his buttocks.

Richmond was placed into custody by troopers as a result of an arrest warrant that was issued by the Clark County Circuit Court #3 also on today’s date.

The arrest warrant was the result of an investigation that began on the 16th of this month.

The complaint made to the state police post at Sellersburg by the child’s parent, alleged Richmond of having inappropriate physical contact with a male child under the age of eighteen.

After troopers investigated the alleged incident they turned the facts of the case over to the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office who in turn filed for the arrest warrant.

This investigation is continuing.

Richmond was incarcerated at the Clark County Jail on the charge of Child Seduction and is awaiting his first court appearance.

“Regardless of what the present investigation ultimately reveals, West Clark assures parents of its students that the Corporation not only immediately responds to and investigates allegations of inappropriate conduct by staff, but also reports such matters immediately to other appropriate agencies,” wrote Schneck in the news release. “By doing so, West Clark strives to maintain a positive environment conducive to learning.” 

Three people were arrested early this morning near 37th and Leeland after leading a Trooper on a short chase.

The incident began when Trooper Casey Witzigreuter attempted to pull over a vehicle near 38th Street and Wallace Avenue.

19 year old Devontai Terrell of Indianapolis was arrested along with two juveniles (17 and 16 years old).

All three now face preliminary charges of dealing marijuana, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a handgun without a permit. In addition, the 16 year old driver faces resisting law enforcement charges.

The vehicle continued driving at low speeds, turning south onto Butler Avenue then west onto 37th Street where the vehicle stopped. With assistance from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Trooper Witzigreuter was able to take all three male occupants into custody without incident. 

At one point during the pursuit, one of the occupants allegedly threw a handgun out of the passenger window. That gun was later recovered by officers. During the course of the investigation 19 grams of marijuana was located inside the vehicle along with paraphernalia that led police to believe these suspects were dealing drugs. Also in the car was a bullet resistant vest, an empty gun holster and a large amount of cash.

The charges listed are merely accusations, the case will be reviewed by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office to determine actual charges.