With the deer reduction zone season underway and the statewide archery deer season starting Oct. 1, Indiana Conservation Officers remind hunters to stay safe.

More than 300,000 people are expected to participate in some form of deer hunting in Indiana during the various deer hunting seasons that run through Jan. 31, 2024, and the overwhelming majority typically do so safely.

When injuries occur, the most common are from accidents involving hunting from tree stands and elevated platforms. To avoid such injuries, hunters should follow the safety tips listed below when hunting from an elevated position.

Before the hunt:

• Read and understand the tree stand manufacturer’s instructions.
• Check tree stands and equipment for wear; fatigue; and cracks or loose nuts and bolts, paying particularly close attention to parts made of material other than metal.
• Pack and plan to use equipment specifically designed for hunting.
• Practice tree stand use and setup at ground level.
• Learn how to properly wear your full-body safety harness.

During the hunt:

• Wear your full-body safety harness.
• Use a tree stand safety rope.
• Make certain to attach your harness to the tree before leaving the ground, and that it remains attached to the tree until you return to the ground.
• Maintain three points of contact during ascent and descent.
• Use boots with nonslip soles.
• Use a haul line to raise and lower firearms, bows and other hunting gear.
• Make sure firearms are unloaded, action is open, and safety is on before attaching them to the haul line.

When doing any kind of hunting, remember to do the following to stay safe:

• Carry a cellphone and flashlight.
• Make a plan before you hunt.
• Tell someone your plan, including where you will be hunting and when you plan to return.
• Stick to your plan.
• Identify game before pointing a firearm.
• Know your target and what is beyond it.

For more information, see hunting.IN.gov.  

Earlier this week, a late afternoon crash near exit nine (Sellersburg) on I-65 claimed the life of a Salem woman and severely injured her husband.   

Cynthia Kay Hartman, 58, Salem was the driver of a vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. 

Her husband, a passenger in the vehicle, Mark Hartman, of Salem, Indiana, was transported to University Hospital in Louisville with life-threatening injuries.  

Around 6 PM on Monday, first responders and emergency personnel responded to a report of a single-vehicle rollover crash just off exit nine and CR 311 in Sellersburg. 

Troopers and crash reconstruction officers from the Sellersburg post and the Jeffersonville Police Department also responded to the scene.

The crash closed the off-ramp at exit nine northbound and the northbound on-ramp from CR311 for over two hours while officers and the reconstruction team investigated.  

At this time, it is still unknown why the vehicle left the roadway.

However, evidence at the scene shows a white 2023 Toyota Rav exited I-65 northbound at Exit Nine but then traveled off the left-hand side of the exit ramp.

The car then crossed over the grassy area between the northbound exit and the northbound on-ramp before crossing the on-ramp and became airborne.

The Toyota overturned and came to rest on its top on the north side of the exit ramp and just south of CR311.

Troopers, with the assistance of the Clark County Coroner’s office, notified the deceased’s family Monday evening.

Indiana State Police Jasper Detective Patrick Stinson initiated a criminal investigation on September 27, 2023, after receiving information from the Perry County Sheriff’s Office concerning allegations of rape and sexual battery with a 23-year-old mentally deficient female.

The investigation revealed that Austin Lehmkuler, age 26, of Ferdinand, Indiana, had allegedly transported the mentally deficient female to a wooded area in Siberia and forced sexual acts upon her. The allegations took place in Perry County.

After reviewing the investigation, the Perry County Prosecutor’s Office issued a search warrant on September 29, 2023, for Lehmkuler’s residence.

After probable cause was found during the search, Detective Stinson arrested Lehmkuler.  Lehmkuler is currently being held without bond.

Investigating Officer:  Indiana State Police Master Trooper Detective Patrick Stinson.

Assisting Officers: Sergeant George Wooten and Senior Trooper Curtis Blunk

Arrested and Charges:  Austin Michael Lehmkuler, 26, Ferdinand,  

• Rape (1 Count), Level 3 Felony
• Sexual Battery (1 Count), Level 6 Felony

All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. 

On September 28 at approximately 6:25 am the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched to a domestic situation at 240 S Murphy Street, Marengo, Indiana.

Prior to officers’ arrival a male, Skyler Frazier, 23, was shot at the residence and fled the scene by vehicle.

Frazier who fled the scene was later involved in a motor vehicle crash in Harrison County and was transported to University of Louisville Hospital due to a gunshot wound.

Larry Schigur, 52, at 240 South Murphy Street who was on scene when officers arrived was transported by Crawford County Ambulance to Harrison County Hospital due to injury at the residence.

This case is still under investigation by ISP Detectives.

Upon completion of the investigation, the case will be presented to the Crawford County Prosecutors Office for review for any criminal charges.

Monday morning the City of Salem issued a statement regarding reports of discolored water over the weekend but also noted that there was not a boil water advisory issued.

According to Salem Mayor Justin Green, as of Wednesday afternoon, crews identified the likely cause of Sunday’s discolored water issue. 

In 2010, a redundant piping project was installed South of the water treatment facility, said Green.

“It served a need for many years for distribution.  However, now it appears it is trapping water and not allowing for proper flows within a half mile section,” he said. “This trapping effect will cause water to become stagnant and discolored if left for a considerable amount of time.”

With a change of flow from demands further down the line, this water is getting mixed in with delivery of the other distribution line, Green said.

State officials and engineers agree to isolate and remove the redundancy. 

The Mayor said materials needed for the project have been ordered and will be shipped overnight. 

Green said crews will make all repairs and adjustments as soon as possible. 

Additional flushing will occur thereafter. 

In meantime, Salem Utilities will continue to address areas of concern.