A New Albany business owner was arrested Thursday on several felony charges after an investigation that started last spring.  

In April of 2022, Detective Tim Denby, with the Indiana State Police Special Investigations Section, began investigating Red Ink, Incorporated, a bar and adult entertainment company located at 1720 Old River Road in New Albany, Indiana.

Red Ink, Incorporated was doing business under the name of The Rustic Frog nightclub.

The business is solely owned by Donald R. Scott, 52, of New Albany. Detective Denby and a criminal investigator with the Indiana Department of Revenue conducted the investigation.  

As a result of the joint investigation, it is alleged that Donald Scott utilized corrupt business practices and failed to pay Indiana sales tax in the amount of $132,542 over a three-year period from 2020 thru 2022. 

Consequently, Detective Denby requested an arrest warrant thru the Floyd County Superior Court, and an arrest warrant was issued on March 16, 2022. Donald Scott was later arrested without incident on the following charges and incarcerated at the Floyd County Jail without bond.

1. Corrupt Business Practices – Level 5 Felony
2. Money Laundering – Level 5 Felony
3. Money Laundering – Level 6 Felony (2 counts)
4. Theft – Level 5 Felony
5. Theft – Level 6 Felony (2 counts)
6. Failure to Remit Taxes – Level 6 Felony (3 counts)

The County Election Board voted unanimously on February 13 to have a Republican ONLY Primary for the 2023 Municipal Primary election that will be held Tuesday, May 2^nd.

There was only one Democratic candidate that filed to run for the Primary election, according to Clerk Stephanie Rockey.

The lone Democrat, Paul L. Holsapple filed for City Council, District II, uncontested.

So under IC 3-10-6-4, and with consultation from the Indiana Election Division, the County Election Board voted unanimously to save the city and county money.

“We are aware this is a first in our county’s history of elections, according to election records that only a Republican Primary is being held, but the deciding factor was the cost savings to our taxpayers, “ said, County Election Board Secretary and Election Administrator Stephanie K. Rockey. 

“We just want to make sure that the voters are informed, mainly the Democratic voters,” she said. “It is strictly up to the voters of Salem on how they want to vote in the Primary, but they need to be informed that only a Republican ballot will be available.”

Concerned voters may call our Election and Voter Services Office at 812-883-5748 x1128 with any questions or concerns.

Rockey provided additional  important election dates:

• Voter Registration ends at midnight on April 3^rd.
• Early Voting in our office starts on April 4^th, 8am to Noon and 1 to 4pm Monday through Friday till Noon on May 1^st.
• Early Voting Saturdays are April 22^nd and the 29^th from 8-Noon.

Washington Superior Court will be open to the public for election night results and WSLM will be providing live election results. 

There is currently only two races to be decided during the primary and they are for Mayor and City Council District 4. 

Incumbent Justin Green filed to seek re-election and former State Representative and Senate candidate J. Davisson filed to oppose Green for the party nomination. 

In City Council District 4, incumbent Gail Napier will face off against Randy Lee Jr in the primary for the Republican nomination.

Tommy Brown III filed to run as a Libertarian party candidate but won’t be on the ballot until the General Election.

Sally Hattabaugh is seeking another term as Republican Clerk-Treasurer, Dan Libra is seeking another term as Republican City Council, District 1 member.

Dylan Moore is seeking a seat on the City Council District 2 seat while Holsapple is running as a Democratic candidate. 

Liberarian Tina Ransom will challenge the primary winner and Holsapple for the seat in the fall.

Steve Crane (R) will seek the City Council District 3 position unopposed. 

Newcomer and Republican Roger Pennington will seek the City Council At Large position unopposed. 

The City of Salem has had an ongoing issue with turkey buzzards causing a nuisance within the city.

Mayor Justin Green said Salem Animal Control has developed a plan with state agency partners to address the problem.

Beginning in March, Animal control will be utilizing an air cannon to act as a deterrent throughout the city.

The cannon emits a loud “boom” and repeats several times.

Mayor Green said the cannon will not injure the birds and is the preferred method of addressing a turkey buzzard problem by other state agencies.

“We understand that these cannons can be loud and hope the use of this method will be effective and short term. The cannon scares the birds, prompting them to flee the area and ideally will send them back to the country to roost,” said Mayor Green.

The air cannon will be utilized on a rolling set-up basis. It will be used randomly until the birds are dispersed.

Mayor Green said the cannon will be used in the evenings, typically between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., starting on the West side of Salem.

Black in color with a distinctive red head, turkey buzzards are also known as turkey vultures.

They feed on carrion and tend to congregate around dead meat. The City encourages residents to keep trash contained in a bin secured with a lid, which will prevent attracting the birds to the area.

4-H members planning to attend 4-H Camp are taking orders for cheese balls.
Proceeds from the sale of cheese balls will help pay for 4-H Camp registration fees.

The deadline for cheese ball orders will be 4 p.m., Wednesday, March 29th. Call
812-883-4601 to order your cheese balls.

Orders placed through the Extension Office should be picked up between 5-6:30
pm on Wednesday, April 5th. If ordered through a 4-H member, the 4-H member is
responsible for delivering the cheese ball to you.

The cheese balls cost $8 and are made of cream cheese, chipped beef, and
spices. They can be rolled in parsley, pecans, or left plain.

A portion of the sales price of this product will be used to promote Washington County 4-H educational programs.

No endorsement of the product by 4-H is implied or intended.

Take greater charge of your Heart Health by joining us in April for Be Heart Smart in Hardinsburg! Did you know that according to data published by the Indiana Department of Health and the CDC, heart disease is the number one cause of death in Indiana?

Additionally, Washington County statistics show greater numbers of death by cardiovascular disease when compared to approximately 60 other counties
throughout Indiana.

The good news: there is much you can do to reduce your risk of heart disease! Join us to learn more.

We will show you how to monitor your risk factors and make simple changes to your daily routine to improve heart health. Gaining greater understanding of heart health can enable you to make lifestyle changes that are good for your heart. We want to put you in charge!

It’s true, knowledge is power and you can be a part of making your heart, your family, and Washington County a healthier community.

This program is being provided FREE thanks to generous support from the Cardiovascular and Diabetes Coalition of Indiana.

Plus, attend all four sessions and you’ll receive a kitchen tool(s), valued at
approximately $30.00!

There will also be a cooking demonstration and recipes provided to participants.

Be Heart Smart sessions will be held on Tuesdays, April 4 th , 11 th , 18 th , and May 2nd , starting at 6:00 P.M.

A special thank you to the Hardinsburg Christian Church, located at 160 S Maple Street in Hardinsburg, for providing the meeting space.

Each session will last approximately one hour. Registration is required.

Contact Sonya H. Mitchell, Health and Human Sciences Educator, Purdue Extension
Washington County at 812-833-4601 or shmitche@purdue.edu.

If you are in need of accommodations to attend this program, please let us know when you register.

The Indiana Natural Resources Commission (NRC) will conduct its next bimonthly meeting on Tuesday, March 21, at Fort Harrison State Park.

The meeting begins at 10 a.m. ET at the park’s Garrison Ballroom, 6002 North Post Road, Indianapolis.

The agenda and downloadable related materials are posted at nrc.IN.gov/meetings-and-minutes/current-meeting-agenda.

The NRC is an autonomous board that addresses topics pertaining to the DNR.

NRC members include the DNR director, heads of three other state agencies (Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana Destination Development Corporation, and the Indiana Department of Transportation), six citizens appointed by the governor on a bipartisan basis, the chair of the DNR’s advisory council, and the president of the Indiana Academy of Science. The Academy of Science president and the agency heads, other than the DNR director, may appoint proxies to serve the commission in their absences.