Three West Washington Seniors were taken by helicopter ambulance to the University of Louisville hospital at approx. 4:04p  afternoon as a result of a crash on Beck’s Mill Road. Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg and deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, responded to the two vehicle crash that occurred on Becks Mill Road near Posey Chapel Road, in rural Washington County.

Injured were Dakota L. Bowling, 18, Salem; Serena Durgins, 19, Fredericksburg and Cody Lavens, 18, Fredericksburg. Only Lavens was not wearing a seatbelt.

The preliminary investigation revealed a white 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier was travelling south on Becks Mill Road. When the vehicle crested a hill, the driver lost control and went left of center, striking the front of a north bound, blue over gray, 2000, Ford F-350 pickup truck. The Ford F-350 pickup truck drove off the east side of Becks Mill Road in an attempt to avoid the white Cavalier, but was still struck.

The 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier was being driven by Bowling. He was wearing his seat belt. The front seat passenger, Durgins, 19, was wearing a seat belt and Lavens was in the back seat. All three occupants of the Chevrolet Cavalier were transported by air ambulance to the University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, KY with serious injuries.

The driver of the 2000 Ford F-350 pickup truck, Jared T. Green, 41, from Fredricksburg was wearing a seat belt and sustained no injuries in the crash.

Indiana State Police Crash Reconstructionist were called to the scene to reconstruct the crash. This investigation is continuing with the above information being preliminary.

Assisting Agencies were Washington County E.M.S., Squad 0195 and the Posey Township Fire Department.

Stay tuned for WSLM Radio for more details as they develop.

A tip to the Salem Police Department has resulted in the arrest of a 27-year-old Salem man wanted for armed robbery and theft. And as he was booked, narcotics were found which led to further charges.

On Monday, March 3^rd, officers from the Salem Police Department served a search warrant at 303 West Market Street in Salem as the part of an ongoing investigation into the home invasion and robbery of an elderly man in Salem and arrested James Lanham, 27, 303 West Market Street, Salem.

Lanham was charged with  Robbery, Class B Felony; Burglary, Class A Felony and theft, Class D Felony. During the book-in process, narcotics were found on him and will result in the following additional charges:Possession of hypodermic needle,  D Felony and Possession of a Schedule I Substance (Heroin) within 1000 of a school, a C Felony

On evening of Friday, February 28^th, 2014, the Salem Police received a phone call from an elderly individual in the West Market Street area who reported that he had been robbed at gunpoint.

The man said an unknown individual had entered his home, pushed him down and taken several items from his home.  The elderly man was injured in the incident.  The suspect then fled on foot with several valuable items.

As police were talking to James Lanham, age 27, they noticed several items matching the description of the stolen articles in the apartment.  A search warrant was acquired and the residence was secured.

Upon the search of the residence, police located the items that were taken from the home invasion.

Lanham was taken to the Salem Police Department and interviewed.  During the interview, he confessed to the robbery.  He was then arrested and charged.

A Perry County man is missing and was last seen in Harrison County on Monday.

The family of George “Ronald” Schmidt Jr., 55, from 19900 Old State Road 37 in Branchville, IN, (Perry County) reported him as missing.

The preliminary investigation has revealed that on February 27th he left his home in Branchville. After leaving, his family knows he went to the Social Security Office in New Albany, IN and then to Elizabeth, IN where he applied for a new job, (which he was given).  After leaving there he went to his father’s house in Corydon, IN and spoke to his father about how excited he was about his new job.

He stayed and visited with his father for a few hours and then went to Mauckport, IN to visit a friend, but the friend was not home.  After that, it is believed he went to the River Bottom Inn, located in Mauckport, IN.  He arrived at the River Bottom Inn at approximately 5:00 pm and played a few games of pool and had a few drinks. Between the hours of 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm, he left the bar, leaving his coat and an unfinished drink.

His vehicle, a silver 1999 Honda CRV, bearing Indiana In God We Trust License plates 284BBH, was located parked at the bar. The family stated the last time they heard from George “Ronald” Schmidt Jr., was around 8:30 pm, the same night he went missing. He did not show up for his new job today and his family is deeply concerned about his safety.

George “Ronald” Schmidt Jr., is a 55 year old white male, six feet tall and approximately 200 pounds. He has brown hair and hazel colored eyes and was last seen wearing a blue t-shirt, blue jeans, tennis shoes, ball cap and glasses. Anyone with information about George “Ronald” Schmidt Jr. is encouraged to contact Trooper Chris Tucker at the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg at 1-800-872-6743 inside of Indiana or 1-812-246-5424 outside of Indiana.