Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Force Construction plans to close lanes on I-65 SB starting Sunday evening for concrete patching and bridge work over S.R. 46 in Columbus. The work is part of the $65 million added travel lanes project that began last year.

The left lane of southbound I-65 is scheduled to close starting around 9 p.m. on Sunday, September 11, to allow crews to complete patching and apply a polymeric overlay to the I-65 bridge over S.R. 46 (between MM 68 and MM 69).

The left lane is expected to remain closed through Tuesday, September 13. Once the left lane reopens, the closure will move to the right lane of I-65 SB for patching and overlay work to occur.

The right lane is expected to reopen the morning of Friday, September 16, weather permitting. Ramps at the S.R. 46 interchange will remain open.

The same type of work will also take place on northbound I-65, in addition to patching on the ramps to and from S.R. 46, and repairs to the beams and arch on the bridge. The schedule for work on northbound lanes will be announced.

INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, avoid distractions, and use extra caution when traveling through construction zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Wednesday afternoon, September 7, at approximately 2:18 p.m., Indiana State Trooper Brayden Angermeier was patrolling the school zone at Pike Central High-Middle School when he observed the driver of a 1992 Chevrolet pickup truck disregard the stop sign on SR 61 at SR 56.

The driver was stopped and identified as Anna Watson, 37, of Winslow.

Watson displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests.

Watson was transported to Daviess Community Hospital in Washington where further investigation revealed she was under the influence of alcohol, benzodiazepine, and methamphetamine.

Watson was arrested and taken to the Pike County Jail where she is currently being held on bond.

She was charged with:

1. Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated with a Prior Conviction, Level 6 Felony

Arresting Officer: Trooper Brayden Angermeier, Indiana State Police

Wednesday morning, September 7, Mt. Vernon Police and Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation after a threatening text message was sent to a Mt. Vernon Senior High School student.

The message was sent through an app that disguises the true sender. The message alleged a shooting was going to occur the following day at Mt. Vernon Senior High School.

During the investigation, officers were able to identify the sender as a 15-year-old male from Mesa, AZ.

The teen had previously attended Mt. Vernon Senior High School and knew the student the message was sent to. 

Indiana State Police and Mt. Vernon Police collaborated with Mesa Police and were able to locate the teen.

During the investigation, it was revealed the teen made the alleged threat using the text app.

The 15-year-old was arrested for Interfering with an Educational Institution, a Level 6 Felony and for Threatening and Intimidating, a Class 1 Misdemeanor.

The juvenile is currently in custody in a juvenile detention center in Phoenix, AZ.

All threats toward students, staff, and schools are taken seriously and will be thoroughly investigated.

It is also important to remind students and parents to immediately report threats to police or school administrators.

Investigating Officers: Detective Deig, Detective Walden, Sergeant Chandler, Indiana State Police

Detective Ben Boehleber and Captain Korben Sellers, Mt. Vernon Police