The Awareness Washington County Board of Directors announced that the Annual Chili  

Cook Off will be held again this year on Saturday, March 12, from 4-7 pm at Southern Hills Church.  

The popular community event will feature a variety of chilis, homemade dessert auction, children’s activities, a silent auction and the always popular bag raffles.  

Chaired by AWC board member Amanda Calfee and former co-director Marji Morris, the Cook Off will offer cash prizes for Best Red Chili, Best White Chili, People’s Choice, and Best decorated booth.  

Several teams have already signed up. There is space for 14 teams, so interested chili chefs should contact Marji Morris at mlmsoar@hotmail.com or 812-216-6505 for an entry form and more information.  

Morris predicts a large crowd again this year since Covid prevented the group from having the event during 2020 and 2021.  

“Business owners and candidates for office should definitely sign up for a booth,” Morris said. “This is a great way to get your company or yourself in front of the public for only the cost of three gallons of chili. But I recommend signing up soon as the number of booths is limited,” she continued. 

Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Jalapeno sponsorship is $500 or more, Hot is $250 or more, and Spicy is $100. Your sponsorship will help adults in our community become more confident and knowledgeable in their lives as servant leaders. All contributors will be recognized both at the event and after the event through local media and on our social media sites. 

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor C & R Construction LLC plans to close the S.R. 335 bridge over Crandall Branch Creek in Harrison County on or after Monday, March 7, to complete a bridge deck replacement project. The closure is scheduled to last up to 120 days, through early July, weather permitting.

The bridge is located approximately two miles north of S.R. 135 near Crandall. Drivers should follow the official detour of S.R. 135 and S.R. 64 through New Salisbury. The $513,000 contract was awarded in August 2021 and is expected to be complete by the end of October 2022.

Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution, and drive distraction-free in and near all construction zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Friday morning, shortly after 8:00 am, Troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post responded to a three-vehicle head on crash on US 50 in western Jennings County that claimed the life of two people in one vehicle.

The initial investigation by troopers with the Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team indicated that a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, being driven by Halle S. Elliott, age 19, Louisville, Kentucky was traveling eastbound on US 50 near County Road 575 West between Seymour, Indiana and North Vernon, Indiana.  For an unknown reason, Elliott’s vehicle crossed the center line into the path of a westbound 2014 Freightliner semi pulling a trailer, being driven by Jacob E. Hyman, age 28, North Vernon, Indiana. 

Elliott’s vehicle struck the rear of Hyman’s trailer.  The collision caused Elliott’s vehicle to turn sideways into the path of a westbound 2019 Ford Edge being driven by Robert A. Keener, age 54, North Vernon, Indiana.  The front of Keener’s vehicle struck the passenger side of Elliott’s vehicle.  Keener’s vehicle came to stop in the westbound lanes of US 50.  Elliott’s vehicle overturned, coming to rest off the north side of the road. 

Elliott and her front seat passenger, Skyler S. Short, age 20, Hanover, Indiana sustained fatal injuries in the collision.  Both Elliott and Short were pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jennings County Coroner’s Office.  Hyman and Keener were not injured in the crash.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing by the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post Crash Reconstruction Team.  Toxicology results are pending.

The families of Halle Elliott and Skyler Short have been notified.

US 50 remained closed for approximately four hours for crash investigation and cleanup.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office, Jennings County EMS, Spencer Township Fire Department, Jennings County Coroner’s Office, and 31 Wrecker Service.  

The Tippecanoe County prosecutor has requested that the Indiana State Police conduct an independent investigation into events that occurred on the Purdue University campus on Feb. 4.

Purdue welcomes the prosecutor’s action and believes it to be a positive step, having previously requested an independent review by the ISP.

The ISP will independently review all evidence associated with the police call and response, including all available video evidence, witness statements, and police reports.

All evidence and results of the ISP investigation will be turned over to the Tippecanoe County prosecutor upon its conclusion, at which time the prosecutor will review documentation resulting from the investigation.

The ISP has already begun its work with the goal of completing a thorough investigation as soon as possible.

To ensure the integrity of the investigation, the university will have no further comment or communication on the matter until its conclusion

• Possession of Methamphetamine Enhanced
• Possession of a Handgun W/O License
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangerment
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Controlled Substance
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated

• Invasion of Privacy

• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated

• FTA
• Theft W/ Prior

• FTA 
• Possession of Methamphetamine

• VOP
• Unlawful Possession of a Syringe

• FTA 
• Possession of Methamphetamine