If you haven‘t heard as much about tornadoes this year, that‘s because there haven‘t been as many as usual.

Nationwide, 610 tornadoes have been confirmed by the National Weather Service so far this year.  Typically, more than a thousand tornadoes have hit by now, putting the U.S. on pace to have the fewest twisters in at least a decade.  In Indiana, the number is as low as anyone can remember.

“Only four tornadoes have been confirmed across this state this year,” said Dan McCarthy, meteorologist in charge at the National Weather Service office in Indianapolis.  “We‘ve only had 59-percent of the number of tornadoes that we‘ve normally had by this time of year.

45 people have died in tornadoes in the U.S. in 2013 – 42 of those deaths took place in the month of May.  24 were from one storm; the tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma.   Weather patterns that the country sees occasionally are the reason for the low numbers.

“A trough of low pressure that set up during the spring kept our spring and our summer cool for the most part, forcing most of the tornadic activity to north Texas, Oklahoma, and parts of Kansas and Nebraska,” said McCarthy.    Since some attribute spikes in storms to global climate change, can a drop in tornadoes also be caused by changes in the climate?  McCarthy says both are difficult to link.

“When you compare tornadoes and the small scale in which they happen, in the whole scheme of things it‘s much (more difficult to tie) to climate change.”   While the U.S. is officially on pace to have its lowest number of tornadoes since the early 1950‘s, McCarthy says such comparisons are not necessarily fair.  “In the ‘50‘s, we didn‘t have the spotter network nor the radar to really go after where tornadoes have occurred.

No, with our larger populations in states, especially east of the Mississippi River around the cities, you more have to compare with what‘s happened since 1970.”  Still, McCarthy says this could be one of the most quiet tornado years since then.  However, the year isn‘t over yet.

“We do have a second tornado season around here, and that‘s in the fall when the warm air is being pushed out by weather patterns that bring stronger cold fronts into our area,” McCarthy said.

Indiana is currently ranked 4th nationally for railroad crossing collisions. To raise the public’s awareness about the dangers of disregarding railroad crossings, this week has been designated as Indiana Rail Safety Week.

Law enforcement agencies and railroad special agents will be out monitoring rail crossings across the state.

Jessica Feder, Executive Director of Indiana Operation Lifesaver, says motorists need to take the rail crossing warning devices seriously because it is the law.

In 2012, there were 106 railroad crossing collisions resulting in 38 people injured and 17 fatalities in the state.

This afternoon a single vehicle crash just North of Salem on State Road 135 claimed the life of a 10 year old Seymour girl.

Indiana State Police said the accident happened at approximately 3:40 pm.

Troopers from the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg responded to the accident.

The crash was near the 900 Block of State Road #135, north of Salem, in Washington County.

The driver of a gold 2002 Nissan Quest, Misty Woods, 32, from Seymour, IN, was south on State Road #135 when for an unknown reason the vehicle she was driving drove off the east side of the roadway.

When the vehicle left the roadway it flipped an unknown number of times before coming to rest on its wheels.

The front seat passenger, Sierra Woods, driver’s ten year old daughter, was wearing a seatbelt, but was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver, Misty Woods, was flown to the University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, KY with non-life threatening injuries. It is unknown at this time if the driver was wearing her seatbelt.

This investigation is continuing.

Assisting Agencies; Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Washington County Fire and E.M.S. and a trooper from the Indiana State Police Post at Versailles

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (Aug. 25) – Indiana State Excise Police officers arrested 93 people on 129 charges in Bloomington this weekend.

Excise officers arrested 56 people for underage possession or consumption of alcohol, 20 of whom were also charged with possession of false ID’s. Several of those were also cited for making a false statement of age to a licensed establishment. Four minors were also arrested for being in a tavern or liquor store.

Seventeen adults were arrested for furnishing or providing alcohol to a minor. Other people were arrested for cited on 32 additional charges, including driving while suspended and various other traffic offenses.

A 19-year-old man from Highland, Ind., was taken to IU Health Bloomington Hospital by excise officers after he tested .257% BAC. He was later taken to the Monroe County Jail on preliminary charges of illegal consumption and public intoxication.

The State Excise Police encourages you to call 911 if someone appears to be in need of medical attention, even if you’re not sure how serious the condition is. After calling 911, always stay with the person needing help. You may be able to provide valuable information and assist authorities. Indiana’s Lifeline Law provides immunity for certain alcohol-related offenses for someone who calls for medical assistance for someone else, and then remains at the scene and cooperates with authorities. The priority is to get medical care to those in need of it, regardless of the circumstances.

As the enforcement division of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, the primary mission of the Indiana State Excise Police is to promote public safety by enforcing Indiana’s Alcoholic Beverage Code. While excise officers have the authority to enforce any state law, they focus primarily on alcohol, tobacco and related laws.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MUNCIE, Ind. (Aug. 25) – Indiana State Excise Police officers arrested 18 people on 20 charges in Muncie this weekend.

On Friday, excise officers arrested 10 people for illegal possession or consumption of alcohol. One adult was also charged with furnishing alcohol to a minor.

On Saturday, officers arrested seven people for illegal possession of alcohol and one for possession of marijuana.

They also arrested Oliver J. Forrow, 19, of Muncie, for disorderly conduct. Earlier Saturday evening, officers cited Forrow for illegal possession of alcohol and told him to go home. A short time later, he was found standing in the middle of Linden Street screaming obscenities. He was given a verbal warning for disorderly conduct and told again to go home. About 10 minutes later, he was observed attempting to instigate a fight with a group of males at their residence. He was then taken to Delaware County Jail on a preliminary charge of disorderly conduct.

The State Excise Police encourages you to call 911 if someone appears to be in need of medical attention, even if you’re not sure how serious the condition is. After calling 911, always stay with the person needing help. You may be able to provide valuable information and assist authorities. Indiana’s Lifeline Law provides immunity for certain alcohol-related offenses for someone who calls for medical assistance for someone else, and then remains at the scene and cooperates with authorities. The priority is to get medical care to those in need of it, regardless of the circumstances.

As the enforcement division of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, the primary mission of the Indiana State Excise Police is to promote public safety by enforcing Indiana’s Alcoholic Beverage Code. While excise officers have the authority to enforce any state law, they focus primarily on alcohol, tobacco and related laws.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (Aug. 25) – Indiana State Excise Police officers arrested 254 people on 305 charges at Scheid Diesel Extravaganza in Terre Haute this weekend.

Excise officers arrested 105 people for underage possession or consumption of alcohol, including 21 juveniles less than 18 years of age. Five of them were also charged with false informing and one with being in a liquor store.

Twelve adults were arrested for furnishing or providing alcohol to a minor. Three people were arrested for operating while intoxicated. Five people were also arrested on drug charges.

Several people were arrested for criminal recklessness after they were observed power braking in large crowds of people in store parking lots along U.S. 41. In each case, the trucks swayed in the rear while holding occupants in the truck beds, in addition to there being numerous pedestrians immediately next to the trucks. One of them was also charged with operating while intoxicated.

Other people were arrested or cited on 162 additional charges, including excessive exhaust or smoke, open container violation, seat belt violation and various other traffic offenses.

Twelve juveniles were cited for possession of tobacco.

Party Cask Beverage Center, 910 S. Third Street, was cited for sale of alcohol to a minor and allowing a minor to loiter after officers observed an underage male walking out of the store with a case of beer. The ID he used at the store had another person’s photograph on it and a height of 5’6”, when he was actually 6’1”.

“The goal of the state excise police is to ensure the safety of the patrons of this event and others around the state,” said Superintendent Matt Strittmatter after working with excise officers on Friday and Saturday. “In order to achieve that goal, we must continue our efforts to make certain that alcohol is consumed responsibly and lawfully.”

As the enforcement division of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, the primary mission of the Indiana State Excise Police is to promote public safety by enforcing Indiana’s Alcoholic Beverage Code. While excise officers have the authority to enforce any state law, they focus primarily on alcohol, tobacco and related laws.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

A Salem man was charged this afternoon in the stabbing death that took place in Northeastern Washington County last night.

Chief Deputy Roger Newlon reports this afternoon that David L. Hook, 45, Salem, has been charged with murder.

Hook was also charged with being an habitual offender in connection with the death of Joey Verble, 46, Sellersburg.

Verble was found last night after police responded to a call around 10:30 p.m. Aug. 22. and found the victim dead on the ground near Mt. Eden Road and State Road 39, not far from Scott County.

According to Newlon, Verble had been struck multiple times in the head with a claw hammer and stabbed multiple times in the neck and chest resulting in his death. Police also located David Hook, 45, Salem and arrested him a short time later.

Newlon stated that Hook’s initial hearing will be Monday, August 26 at 10:30a in the Washington County Circuit Court.

Police are still investigating this crime.

Stay tuned to WSLM RADIO for more on this and other stories from around the area.

A Salem man was charged this afternoon in the stabbing death that took place in Northeastern Washington County last night.

Chief Deputy Roger Newlon reports this afternoon that David L. Hook, 45, Salem, has been charged with murder.

Hook was also charged with being an habitual offender in connection with the death of Joey Verble, 46, Sellersburg.

Verble was found last night after police responded to a call around 10:30 p.m. Aug. 22. and found the victim dead on the ground near Mt. Eden Road and State Road 39, not far from Scott County.

According to Newlon, Verble had been struck multiple times in the head with a claw hammer and stabbed multiple times in the neck and chest resulting in his death. Police also located David Hook, 45, Salem and arrested him a short time later.

Newlon stated that Hook’s initial hearing will be Monday, August 26 at 10:30a in the Washington County Circuit Court.

Police are still investigating this crime.

Stay tuned to WSLM RADIO for more on this and other stories from around the area.

— with Maggie Wenning.

Indianapolis police say it could be another week before the results of their investigation into the deadly church bus crash last month are released. Investigators are working to complete their investigation into the crash that killed three people and injured over 30 more.

Investigators hope to release both the Indiana State Crash and North American Standard Inspection Reports sometime next week.

Indiana State Police wrapped up their investigation on Monday and turned over their results to IMPD.  Once the investigation is complete, Adams says the results will be given to the Marion County Prosecutor‘s Office who will determine if any charges will be filed.

The final report on the crash could take up to six months.  Chad Phelps, his pregnant wife Courtney and Tonya Weindorf were killed when their bus overturned on Keystone Avenue as it was exiting I-465.  The driver of the bus, 68-year-old Dennis Maurer claimed the brakes failed.