Attorney General issues tips for conserving Propane

January 25, 2014

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller urges Hoosiers to conserve the amount of propane they are using to heat their homes as supply shortages worsen due to recent winter weather storm conditions.

Zoller said his office is monitoring propane prices and warning consumers to conserve the amount of propane used to heat their homes.

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence ordered restrictions on propane transport to be eased through Jan. 31 to help increase Indiana’s supply.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a regional emergency declaration for the Midwest last Sunday. It covered Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Indiana.

According to the Indiana Propane Gas Association, the regional emergency declaration meant propane drivers would not be limited by the number of hours they are on the road. This waiver would allow propane drivers to travel farther to get propane, in order to take it back to their state for their customers. This emergency declaration could be in place until next month.

“Consumers have likely noticed the spike in propane prices as the costs of heating their homes have jumped significantly,” Zoeller said. “To help protect consumers from being illegally gouged, our office is closely monitoring the price of propane sold at all levels of the market. Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to the current situation so we urge consumers to take adequate precautions now to make sure their homes stay warm during these frigid temperatures.”

Zoeller offered the following tips to consumers who use propane as their primary home heating source:

Turn down your thermostat and monitor your household’s use of hot water and time cooking using the stove or oven;
Closely monitor your propane tank’s levels as delayed home deliveries may result from the overall supply shortage;
If possible, use alternative sources of heat to supplement your household’s use of propane; and
If you are out of heat, contact the state’s 2-1-1 hotline to connect with local organizations who are providing assistance.

Hoosiers who want to report suspected price gouging can do so by calling the Attorney General’s Office hotline toll-free at 1-866-241-9753 or visiting www.IndianaConsumer.com.

Weeks Long Investigation Ends with Arrest

January 24, 2014

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On January 9, 2014, trooper Zachary J. Smith with the Indiana State Police Post in Sellersburg conducted an investigation regarding a juvenile who had ran away from her home in Southern Harrison County on the evening of January 4, 2014.

Later in the evening of January 9th, trooper Smith located the runaway juvenile at 1802 E. Oak Street in New Albany. During the investigation at the residence another runaway juvenile was located that had been reported as missing from New Albany. Along with the runaway juveniles troopers located fluorescent lighting, hydroponics, nutrients for plants, Marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

The investigation report was turned into the Floyd County Prosecutor’s Office which resulted in an arrest warrant being issued for Kalaab Z. Veron, 21, resident of home.

After the arrest warrant was issued, he was arrested by trooper’s yesterday evening and incarcerated at the Floyd County Jail.

He was charged with: Dealing in Marijuana, Hash Oil, or Hashish, D Felony; Maintaining a Common Nuisance, D Felony; Cultivation/Possession of Marijuana, A Misdemeanor and Possession of Paraphernalia, A Misdemeanor.

The New Albany City Police Department assisted the Indiana State Police with this investigation.

Sheriff position becomes three-way race for GOP Nod

January 24, 2014

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With the filing of a third candidate for Washington County Sheriff on the Republican ticket, there will be a three-way race for the GOP nod for party support come the May Primary election.

Roy Overshiner has decided that he will seek the Republican nomination for the office of Sheriff of Washington County. He’s preceded by fillings from John Revels and Danny Libka, who will also seek party support to run for Sheriff in the fall.

On the Democrat side, Salem Mayor David Bower has filed to run against Chief Deputy Sheriff Roger Newlon.

Overshiner said in a press release that after speaking to many in the community it became clear to [him] that the community was seeking an alternative choice for Sheriff, one that brings fairness, understanding, experience, professionalism and proactive approach to the office.

Overshiner noted in his statement that he is ready for a spirited campaign in the primary and is excited about running a positive campaign that highlights his proactive and community involved vision for the Sheriff’s office, as well as a campaign that compares and contrasts his experience and professionalism with that of the other candidates.

Overshiner retired from Salem Police Department after 28 and a half years and is currently Staff Officer at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA). He has also worked in law enforcement at Indiana University and in Jackson County.

Swap Shop Podcast 01-24-2014

January 24, 2014

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Swap Shop Podcast 01-24-2014

Indiana State Police Release Meth Lab Results for 2013

January 24, 2014

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According to a new report on Meth busts in Indiana, Vanderburgh County had more Meth labs busted than any other county in Indiana. ISP officers found 115 Meth Labs there.

A total of 1,721 labs were shut down in 92 Indiana Counties last year. That’s a 25 percent increase since 2011. Eighty-seven percent of those were one-pot meth labs, which have become more popular because they are ultra-portable.

One sad statistic is that in 2013, 440 children were identified in meth lab environments, which is up nearly 22 percent since 2011.

The Indiana State Police Meth Suppression Section has released the state-wide law enforcement clandestine lab seizure incidents reported for 2013.

The rest of the top 10 on the list were:

Delaware County – 109 Meth Labs
Noble County – 66 Meth Labs
Allen County – 64 Meth Labs
Elkhart County – 63 Meth Labs
Monroe County – 62 Meth Labs
Madison County – 61 Meth Labs
Miami County – 49 Meth Labs
Bartholomew County – 43 Meth Labs
Decatur County – 41 Meth Labs

Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott and Washington are within District 45 and had a combined total of 135 Meth labs busted in 2013.

Clark had 31, Floyd 30; Harrison County 35, Scott had 10 and Washington County had 29 labs shut down.

Eight Indiana State Police personnel were initially certified to begin processing meth lab crime scenes in 1991.

The Indiana State Police began organizing and planning the Methamphetamine Suppression Section (MSS) in 2005 when the first restrictions were placed on the purchase of products containing pseudoephedrine (PSE) and ephedrine, which are precursor drugs used in the manufacture of methamphetamine found in over the counter cold remedies.

Since that time, additional restrictions have been placed on the sale and purchase of PSE products.

However, lab seizures have continued to rise to the point that based on information received from other states Indiana will be first in the country in clandestine lab incidents for 2013.

Currently, MSS consists of nineteen sworn personnel who are tasked with the full-time responsibility to investigate, educate, and partner with other law enforcement agencies and stakeholders to assist all communities in Indiana with combating the growing epidemic of the local manufacture of methamphetamine.

Report suspected meth activity anonymously online at www.meth.in.gov or by calling the Meth Tip Line at 1-800-453-4756.

Meth Bust in Harrison County

January 24, 2014

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On yesterday’s date, troopers from the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg executed a search warrant at 2005 Hwy 337, Lot #30, in Corydon. After the search was completed the following people were arrested.

Paul Wallace, 51, from 2005 Hwy 337 Lot #30, Corydon, was charged with Possession of Two or More Precursors with the Intent to Manufacture Methamphetamine, D Felony; Possession of Methamphetamine, D Felony; Maintaining a Common Nuisance, D Felony; Possession of a Precursor by a Prior Methamphetamine Offender, D Felony and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, A Misdemeanor.

Donald Perkins, 57, 2005 Hwy 337, Lot #30 Corydon, was charged with, Possession of Two or Precursors with the Intent to Manufacture Methamphetamine, D Felony; Possession of Methamphetamine, D Felony; Maintaining a Common Nuisance, D Felony and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, A Misdemeanor.

Both subjects were incarcerated at the Harrison County Jail.

COLD TEMPERATURES – PROPANE SHORTAGE PROMPTS ALERTS FROM RED CROSS

January 24, 2014

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Because of a national propane shortage and threat of colder temperatures and more snow on Saturday, The American Red Cross has activated emergency shelters around Kentuckiana in case there are residents without heat and are facing extreme temperatures.

“In preparing for this weather event we have been identifying shelters to place on stand-by, should our services be requested,” said Amber Youngblood, Senior Director of Communications with the American Red Cross in Louisville. “Throughout many of our counties, we have shelter partnerships with area churches, schools, and businesses, which enable us to quickly open a shelter if needed. We also have disaster trained volunteers on stand-by ready to respond.”

Steve Corp at Southern Hills Church in Salem was notified this morning that the church might be needed in case of local residents without power and need of shelter.

Prices of the fuel, a liquefied petroleum gas, have rocketed to all-time highs in Midwestern states, distributors are rationing supplies, and some schools have shut due to a lack of the fuel during this year’s second bout of Arctic weather.

On Friday, propane heading for the Midwest changed hands at $4.30 a gallon – more than double its price just last Friday – although it had traded even higher at close to $5 a gallon the previous day.

Major Scott Ratts from the Salem Police Department said if anybody in the Salem area was without heat and needed shelter, to contact them at 812.883.5100 and they would be referred to Southern Hills.

If anyone is without heat in the County, please call the sheriff’s department at 812.883.2834.

Accident on 56 sends one to hospital

January 24, 2014

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On Friday January 24^th, 2014 at approximately 9:13 A.M., the Salem Police responded to a two vehicle accident on West Mulberry Street near the intersection of Tarr Avenue.

Captain Terry Corbin report that a 1998 Chevrolet S-10 driven by Luther Voyles, 96, of Salem had collided with a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox driven by Ronald McNew, 52 of Pekin.