Category: Promoted

Detectives from the Indiana State Police (ISP) in Sellersburg arrested a southern Indiana man this morning after he allegedly posted life-threatening statements directed against billionaire businessman Elon Musk on the social networking app X (formally Twitter). 

Early Tuesday morning, Texas authorities contacted the Indiana State Police regarding an X handle allegedly belonging to 28-year-old David Allen June Cherry, whom they believed resided in southern Indiana.

Authorities claimed David Cherry posted threats directed at Elon Musk on X earlier this month.

Acting on this information, ISP detectives began their investigation and located David Cherry in Clarksville, Indiana, where he was arrested without incident.

Officers then transported Cherry to the Sellersburg Post for further questioning.  

As part of their ongoing investig

ation, ISP detectives also requested a search warrant for Cherry’s Palmyra residence through the Harrison County Superior Court.

The request was granted, and as a result of the subsequent search, detectives confiscated an AR-15-style rifle, a handgun, ammunition, and a ballistic vest from the residence.

David Cherry is currently charged with Intimidation, a Level 5 Felony.

Detectives transported David Cherry to the Harrison County Jail, where he is held without Bond.

Elevator repairs at the Washington County Courthouse are moving regular meetings of the County Commissioners and County Council to the Government Building, next to the Washington County Detention Center. 

According to Washington County Auditor Kyra Stephenson, “As of now, all March meetings will be held at the Government Building due to elevator repairs.”

Upcoming meeting affected will the county commissioners meeting on Feb. 18 at 9a (see agenda attached).

The County Council will likely meet there for their March meeting. 

February 18, 2025 Commissioner Meeting Agenda

Other meetings and agendas will be posted on wslmradio.com when they are received as well as posted on WSLM’s Facebook page. 

Washington County is the latest county in the state to be impacted by bird flu at a major commercial poultry production facility since the beginning of 2025.

According to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, a commercial turkey farm near Salem, Indiana has had a positive test for the virus known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

The facility had a flock size of 14,075 birds, which is the smallest so far impacted in Indiana.

State health officials did not identify the name of the company, nor the specific location of the facility that has been impacted.

As of January 3, 2025, there have now been ten cases of HPAI identified at major commercial poultry facilities throughout Indiana (excluding hobby flocks and small non-commercial farms):

• Jay County – Commercial Turkey operation. 20,560 birds depopulated.
• Jay County – Commercial Egg Layer operation. 354,000 birds depopulated.
• Jay County – Commercial Turkey operation. 18,840 birds depopulated.
• Allen County – Commercial Egg Layer operation. 26,066 birds depopulated.
• Adams County – Commercial Turkey operation. 19,860 birds depopulated.
• Jackson County – Commercial Egg Layer operation. 2,633,900 birds depopulated.
• Jay County – Commercial Egg Layer operation. 912,023 birds quarantined.
• Jay County – Commercial Egg Layer operation. 1,224,772 birds quarantined.
• Jay County – Commercial Egg Layer operation. 1,454,605 birds quarantined.
• Washington County – Commercial Turkey operation. 14,075 birds quarantined.

Federal officials with USDA add that Avian influenza does not present a food safety risk, and that cooked poultry and eggs and pasteurized dairy products remain safe to eat.

State health officials have set up a control area within a 10-kilometer (6.2 mile) radius around the farm, which contains portions of Washington, Jackson, and Scott counties in Indiana.

In addition, the state has set up a surveillance zone with a 20-kilometer (12.4 mile) radius around the farm which also contains portions of Washington, Clark, Jackson, Jennings, and Scott counties.

Testing will be done at nearby flocks to determine whether HPAI has spread. USDA Wildlife Services and Indiana Department of Natural Resources are assisting with surveillance of wild birds in and near the control areas.

Lactating dairy cattle must have a negative test before interstate movement under a federal order. USDA has expanded surveillance through testing milk at the farm or processor level to establish the health status of herds, as well as states.

Indiana ranks fourth in the nation in turkey production according to the USDA. The state also ranks first in the U.S. for duck production, and third for egg production.

Indiana’s poultry industry directly employs more than 12,700 Hoosiers and contributes more than $18.3 billion in total economic activity to the state.

The City of Salem Common Council will hold a special meeting on Monday, Feb. 24 at 5p at City Hall to conduct a public hearing on a proposed water rate increase. 

The increase will include three phases and a total of a 34 percent total increase over three years. 

The first increase of 20 percent will be effective with the first billing cycle after the increase is passed. 

The second increases of 7 percent each will become effective on Jan. 1, 2026 and 2027, respectively. 

The City Council voted about a year ago to not raise rates.

For example, the minimum charge per month for a city water customer with a 5/8 inch meter and approximately 1,870 gallons of water usage would be increased to $19.80 per month and $20.96 in 2026 and $22.42 in 2027. 

Those using more water and businesses would see a larger increase. 

A copy of the complete ordinance to be discussed on Feb. 24 (Ordinance #2025-5) is available from the Clerk/Treasurer’s office as well as a copy of the current schedule of utility rates.

Following adoption, users of the water service outside fo the City’s corporate boundaries may be entitled to petition the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commussion to review and address rates and charges. 

Indiana State Police Troopers from Sellersburg Post 45 arrested five from Pekin after initially serving an outstanding warrant on a Pekin woman.

The names and charges of all arrested are listed below:

• Enda Murphy, 53, Pekin: Initial warrant, Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 4 Felony), Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of Marijuana (B Misdemeanor), Possession of Paraphernalia (A Misdemeanor).

• Michael Roach, 53, Pekin: Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 2 Felony), Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 4 Felony), Possession of a Syringe (Level 6 Felony), Possession of Paraphernalia (A Misdemeanor).
• 
• Christopher Thomas, 52, Pekin: Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 4 Felony), Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of Marijuana (B Misdemeanor), Possession of Paraphernalia (A Misdemeanor).
• 
• Kawlija Starrett, 44, Pekin: Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of Paraphernalia (A Misdemeanor), Possession of Syringe (Level 6 Felony).
• 
• Nicole Starrett, 49, Pekin: Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Possession of Paraphernalia (A Misdemeanor)washing

Late Wednesday, Trooper Kyle Taylor gained information that 53-year-old Edna Murphy was wanted for a probation violation related to possession of methamphetamine. 

Trooper Taylor also learned Murphy was staying at an address off SR 60 just south of Pekin near the Clark County line.

When officers arrived, they located Murphy but also observed indicators that led them to apply for a search warrant for the premises. 

As a result of the search, the investigation continued into the early morning hours of Thursday, and troopers located over 20 grams of suspected methamphetamine and ultimately arrested five individuals located at the address.

Additional information has been provided from the Washington County Plan Commission on their upcoming meetings including the exact locations of the meetings and the process for the public to make comments.

Both meetings will be held in the Washington County Superior Court room. It was confirmed today that the Superior Courtroom has a limit of between 60-65 people. 

The capacity of the Commissioner’s meeting room (old Circuit Courtroom) is around 108. 

The Washington County Plan Commission Public Meeting/Hearing set for February 4, 2025, at 6:30 P.M. and has been cancelled on that date and yesterday afternoon information was sent to WSLM about the new meeting time.

It will be set up now as two public meetings/hearings on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, and on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 6:30 P.M.

There is information now regarding how the public can comment on the proposed zoning ordinance.

The commission will hear questions and comments from the Public on the draft Zoning Ordinance at both meetings. Anyone wishing to speak at either Public Meeting/Hearing must so indicate on a sign-in sheet upon arrival at the Judicial Center.

Comments regarding the draft Zoning Ordinance may also be made in writing and filed with the Office of the Plan Director, but must be filed prior to the Public Meeting/Hearing to be considered. 

Both meetings will be held in the Superior Court at the Washington County Judicial Center. 

The address is 801 S. Jackson Street, Salem, Indiana 47167.  

After public outcry over a proposed zoning ordinance that was set to be discussed by the Washington County Planning Commission  at the February 4th meeting, the group has cancelled the meeting “due to the anticipated high attendance and lack of public safety precautions at the Courthouse.”

Plan Commission President and Washington County Commissioner Todd Ewen spoke last Thursday on WSLM’s Coffee Club program and when asked about moving the meeting to a larger venue, said he had no intention of doing that. 

The Commission meets at the former Washington Circuit Court room which seats about 50 people. It is not known at this time what the room capacity is. 

A meeting was held last night at an auction house in Salem and several hundred residents showed up to discuss the planned 108-page zoning ordinance and how it would affect their use of private land. 

Adam Dufour and Chase Stanfill spoke at the meeting Tuesday night and fielded questions from the public to try to bring education and understanding. 

Much disinformation has been spread in the community since the document was listed on the plan commission’s website – https://cms7files1.revize.com/washingtonin/Washington%20County%20Zoning%20Ordinance1-12-25.pdf

The document showed up about two weeks ago and after many in the public began posting on social media another document was posted by the plan commission — https://cms7files1.revize.com/washingtonin/Proposed%20Zoning%20Ordinance%20Frequently%20Asked%20Questions.pdf

The meeting(s) will now be moved to the Washington County
Justice Center on Tuesday, February 18th, at 6:30pm, with another meeting at the same location two weeks later on Tuesday, March 4th, also at 6:30pm.

It is not known at this time the exact location of the meetings. 

WSLM will be live-streaming these meetings for those who cannot attend. 

Typically those who attend public meetings are allowed to speak for two minutes if they sign up to do so. 

WSLM will be updating this story with additional information. 

A Cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) led to the arrest of a Floyd County man for possession of child pornography.  
 
The investigation began in July 2024 by the Indianapolis Metro Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) cybercrimes unit when they received a cyber-tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating that images possibly depicting child pornography had been uploaded to a social media account.

During their initial investigation, they became aware that the suspect perhaps lived in Southern Indiana, so the case was transferred to the Indiana State Police ICAC Taskforce in August 2024.

Continuing the work initiated by the Indianapolis Metro Police Department, The ISP ICAC team identified 39-year-old Alfred De La Garza from Floyd County, Indiana as a possible suspect.  

Acting on search warrants, Mr. De La Garza was located at his Elizabeth, Indiana (Floyd County) residence on January 23rd and interviewed. 

Following the interview and investigation, De la Garza was arrested and booked into the Floyd County Jail without incident on 3 counts of Possession and/or Distribution of Child Pornography.  Each of the  three counts is a Level 5 Felony.

The Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is a multiagency task force that investigates and prosecutes persons who use the internet to sexually exploit or entice children, and the Indiana State Police oversees the task force.
 
The Indiana ICAC Task Force encourages Hoosiers to report online exploitation, solicitation, and enticement-type crimes against children to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

The NCMEC website can be accessed through the ICAC Task Force website. To report a crime with your child as a victim involving the Internet or other electronic means, please contact your local Indiana law enforcement agency.
 
ICAC Taskforce website: https://www.in.gov/isp/icactf/

A 51-year-old Salem man was arrested Thusday after trying to get out of paying child support by saying he had died and also for lying to police along with other charges. 

During a virtual meeting with Washington County Circuit Judge Larry Medlock it was discovered that Jeffrey Lynn Bell, Jr, 51, Salem was not out of state as he claimed but was in a residence in Washington County. 

Washington County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to the residence while the virtual meeting was ongoing.  

Information gained at the house after the officer’s arrival confirmed Jeffrey Bell Jr. was inside the residence and not out of state, prompting presiding Judge Larry Medlock to order Bell taken into custody and transported immediately to his courtroom.  

As a result of his actions, Bell Jr. is currently charged with three counts of Failing to Appear, one count of False Informing, and one count of Contempt of Court. 

Bell was incarcerated in the Washington County Jail and is being held on a $100,000 bond for the False Informing charge and without bond for two of the Failure to Appear charges and the Contempt charge.  

Bell is held on a $500 bond for one of the Failure to Appear charges.

In April of 2024, ISP Detective Travis Baker met with the Washington County Child Support Administrator, who said she received emails stating Jeffrey Lynn Bell Jr. had passed away. The emails related that due to Mr. Bell’s death, a large amount of child support owed by Bell would go unpaid. Detective Baker was also informed that Jeffrey Bell was allegedly still living and staying at a residence in northern Washington County with his girlfriend.  

Soon after, Detective Baker responded to the possible residence and encountered a man who Baker would eventually identify as Jeffrey Bell Jr., despite initial claims to the contrary.  As a result of this investigation, the Washington County Prosecutor initially charged Jeffrey Bell with False Informing and provided an initial court date.  

On Thursday, January 23rd, Jeffrey Bell Jr. appeared in the Washington County Circuit Court via a virtual online meeting regarding the False Informing charges.  

Bell made his court appearance virtually instead of an in-person meeting due to allegedly being out of the state.  

However, during the online court proceedings, officials came to believe Jeffrey Bell was still in Indiana and attending the virtual meeting from the same Washington County residence where Detective Baker had initially contacted Bell.