The Awareness Washington County Board announced that the 6^th annual Chili Cook Off will be held March 11 from 4-7 at Southern Hills Church, 

Competition is open to anyone interested, and cash prizes will be awarded in several categories. There will be a prize for the judged Best Red Chili as well as the judged Best White Chili. In addition, there are People’s Choice awards for Best Chili and Best Decorated booth. 

Interested chili cooks can register for the event by checking the website at www.awarenesswashingtoncounty.org or by contacting Marji Morris on FaceBook or by phone at 812-216-6505. 

“The event has become a social occasion,” said Morris. “Many people come at 4 and stay until the end to see who wins, although you don’t have to do that.” 

She continued, “Having a booth allows businesses to get themselves and their products or services in front of the public, just for the cost of their chili ingredients.” 

There will be a maximum of 14 teams, and guests can sample as many of the chilis as they can handle. 

Another feature of the event are the famous dessert auctions and the cookie cart. There will also be items available in the Silent Auction and the Bag Raffle.  

Admission to the event is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Chili, crackers, and a drink are all included in the admission along with ballots to vote for favorite chili and best decorated booth.  

Sponsorships for the event are available as well.

Leader Publishing, WSLM, and Country Cookin’ are already signed up as sponsors.Sponsors will be recognized in the media, on the AWC website, and on table tents during the event.  

A 47-year-old Evansville man was found dead Friday after a monthly long search after his family had reported him missing on Dec. 10, 2022.

A male matching the description was located inside the vehicle.

On Friday at approximately 12:00 p.m., Indiana State Police Detective Toni Walden was searching along Old US 41 south of CR 150 South when she located a 2017 Toyota Avalon under a bridge.

On Saturday, January 21, Gibson County Coroner Barrett Doyle identified the person in the 2017 Toyota Avalon as Brian Colbert, 47, of Evansville.

An autopsy was also conducted, but the results are pending.

Colbert was employed at Toyota Boshoku in Princeton and was last seen at a coworker’s residence in Princeton on December 9.

He was also last seen driving his maroon 2017 Toyota Avalon.

Family members reported the incident to the Evansville Police Department, but the investigation into his disappearance was turned over to Indiana State Police since Colbert was last seen in Princeton.

Indiana State Police believe that sometime during the evening on December 9^th, Colbert was traveling south on Old US 41 south of CR 150 South when he drove left of center, left the roadway on the east side, dropped down into a deep ravine, overturned, and entered Pigeon Creek near the bridge.

Anyone traveling on Old US 41 would not have been able to see the vehicle.

Detectives also believe that when the creek level increased due to recent rainfall, the vehicle moved under the bridge making it even more difficult to spot.

Investigating Detectives: Sgt. Chandler, Detective Hatfield, Detective Deig, and Detective Walden.