The Washington County Family YMCA, in partnership with Hoosier Uplands and the Washington County Drug-Free Coalition is now hiring for a full-time Prevention Coordinator for Washington County. 

The job opportunity is a result of a grant award from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration/ Department of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA). 

This full-time Prevention Coordinator will serve Washington County to increase community readiness, develop capacity, and implement strategies to address youth substance use and mental health promotion. The coordinator will work within the guidelines of the CRSSA/ARP Community Readiness, Capacity Building, and Planning for Substance Misuse Prevention Grant. The grant currently runs through June 30 of 2023, with a renewal option through reapplication and a new proposal based upon DMHA funding, applicant, performance, outcomes, and compliance with guidelines within the contract.

“We are overjoyed at the opportunity to serve the needs of our community through the addition of a Prevention Coordinator and blessed to have the partnership of Hoosier Uplands to guide us through the process. I expect the new coordinator to work closely with schools, churches, civic groups, clubs, law enforcement, and anyone who interacts with youth or another high risk, health disparate, or vulnerable populations in our community,” shares Kristy Purlee, CEO of the Washington County Family YMCA.      

“The ideal candidate will be someone who is compassionate to the impacts of substance use and misuse in our community, is able to work independently, is organized and methodical, has strong written and verbal communication skills, and has to experience in education or health.  An added plus for anyone who has worked on a state grant-funded program in the past, as there are required training, meetings, and reporting guidelines.”

Interested candidates should view the job description at wcfymca.org, and should send a cover letter, resume, and employment application to kristy@wcfymca.org. 

The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.  The YMCA relies on the time, talents, and treasures of the community to offer valuable programs and services.  For more information on how YOU can impact our community, or to learn more about how to give, contact CEO Kristy Purlee at their location at 1709 N. Shelby Street, Salem, IN 47167 or Kristy@wcfymca.org

Thanksgiving is traditionally one of the busiest travel periods of the year. For 2021, AAA has estimated that 48.3 million Americans will travel by automobile over the Thanksgiving holiday; an 8% increase over 2020.   

The Indiana State Police in Sellersburg wants to remind every motorist of the importance of driving responsibly during this holiday period. Troopers will join hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the state for the Safe Family Travel campaign. Over the next six weeks, officers will be out in greater numbers to discourage impaired driving and ensure drivers and passengers are properly buckled.  

The high-visibility patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and will concentrate around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.

In Indiana and nationwide, reckless driving incidents remain higher than during pre-pandemic times. As of early October, 683 people have been killed in crashes statewide, which is an 8 percent increase from the same time in 2019 and on pace with 2020 – one of the deadliest years in the past decade.

Of the total number of vehicle occupants killed in crashes so far this year, more than 40 percent were not wearing seat belts. Moreover, seat belt use in Indiana declined for the first time in five years from 94.9 percent before the pandemic to 92.9 percent.

Last year during the Thanksgiving holiday period, there were 2,352 crashes in Indiana resulting in 450 injuries and eight fatalities. 

November is also one of the heaviest months for car versus deer collisions. During the 2020 Thanksgiving period, there were 352 crashes involving deer; resulting in two injury crashes and four total injuries.  

As you prepare for your travels this Thanksgiving, Troopers are encouraging all motorists to obey these simple travel safety tips:

• Ensure you are well-rested, especially if you have plans to travel a long distance. A fatigued driver is a dangerous driver and often mimics the driving behavior of an impaired driver.
• Avoid driving distracted. Don’t use your cellphone while driving. Indiana is a “Hands-Free” state. 
• Avoid “hanging out” in the left lane on multiple-lane highways.
• Always follow other motorists at a safe distance.
• Obey all speed limits and use your turn signals.
• Ensure everyone is buckled-up.
• Don’t drink and drive.
• If your holiday activities include alcohol, plan ahead to have a sober ride home. 

ISP Sellersburg wishes you a safe and happy Thanksgiving! 

Yesterday, a traffic stop by an Indiana State Trooper on I-65 near Seymour, Indiana led to the discovery of a large amount of suspected crystal methamphetamine, additional drugs, guns, and money.  The discovery resulted in two White County, Indiana residents being arrested on numerous charges.

The incident began around noon when Trooper Randel Miller conducted a traffic stop on a Chrysler 300 on I-65 Northbound near the 48-mile marker, just south of the Seymour, Indiana exit for multiple traffic violations. 

During the traffic stop, Trp. Miller became suspicious that criminal activity was taking place.  Trp. Miller deployed K-9 Jinx who alerted them to the odor of illegal drugs in the vehicle.

During a search of the vehicle, troopers located roughly 1.6 pounds of suspected crystal methamphetamine, suspected fentanyl pills, three handguns, drug paraphernalia, and approximately $2,000 in US Currency.

The driver of the vehicle, Patrick J. Doornbos, age 36, and passenger, Amber L. Balser, age 30, both from Monticello, Indiana were arrested on charges of Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony, Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 3 Felony, Possession of a Narcotic Drug, Level 6 Felony, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor.

Doornbos was additionally charged with one count of Possession of a Handgun by a Serious Violent Felon, Level 4 Felony.  Balser was additionally charged with one count of Possession of a Handgun After Being a Convicted Felon, Level 5 Felony.

Both Doornbos and Balser were transported to the Jackson County Jail where they were incarcerated pending their initial court appearances.

Trp. Miller was assisted by Troopers David Owsley, Jayme Herbert, Brandon Love, Jacob Tolle, and Sgt. Bryce Harris.

A Louisville man was arrested early Tuesday morning after driving the wrong way on area interstates.  

Pedro Ortiz Jose, 24, was arrested and transported to the Floyd County Jail without further incident and was arrested on the following: 

1.  Resisting law enforcement in a vehicle – Level 6 Felony
2.  Operating while intoxicated- Over .149% BAC – A Misdemeanor
3.  Operating while intoxicated, Endangerment – A Misdemeanor
4.  The operator never licensed – C Misdemeanor
5.  Reckless driving – C Misdemeanor

Around 3:30 Tuesday morning, a 911 caller advised Indiana State Police dispatch of a wrong-way driver on I-265 in Clark County.

The caller said a car was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes near the nine-mile marker. This area of the interstate is between the new Lewis and Clark Bridge and I-65.  

Trooper Justin Mears, who was in the Georgetown area, then headed east on I-64 and I-265 to intercept the vehicle. He located the driver still headed westbound near the three-mile marker on I-265.

Trooper Mears reported that the gray passenger vehicle, later determined to be a Honda passenger car, was traveling at a high rate of speed, in the left lane and had approached him head-on before Trooper Mears changed lanes.  

Trooper Mears turned on the vehicle and activated his emergency lights, but the car continued westbound in the eastbound lane without slowing or stopping.

A short distance later, the Honda passed Trooper Zach Lavey who was eastbound, along with a Floyd County Police Officer who both joined in the pursuit.  

All three units utilized lights and sirens as they continued to follow the fleeing driver who had now entered I64 eastbound while still traveling westbound.

The Honda passed multiple passenger cars and several semis head-ons, forcing them to swerve to miss the wrong-way driver.

Once on I64, the driver began to slow, and Trooper Lavey was able to pull in front of the car, bringing it to a stop.  

As the investigation continued, the driver was identified as Jose.

Jose had a blood alcohol content of .167% BAC, more than twice the legal limit. Information gathered during the investigation lead officers to believe Pedro Ortiz Jose had likely been driving in the wrong lane for approximately 15 miles, first entering I-265 in Kentucky.  

A 19-year-old Louisville man was arrested Monday afternoon after leading police on a pursuit through New Albany and crashing into multiple vehicles.  

Around 1:30 Monday afternoon, Trooper Brett Walters attempted to stop a red 2007 Ford Explorer for expired temporary plates after observing it pull out onto Charlestown Road in New Albany.

Trooper Walters also observed the Explorer was a possible match to a vehicle recently dispatched as stolen by the Louisville Metro Police Department.

The Explorer initially pulled to a stop on the side of the roadway but then sped southbound from the scene. 

During the pursuit, the Explorer was traveling at a high rate of speed, swerving, and running red lights. At one point, the driver almost struck a New Albany Police Department cruiser with its emergency lights activated and then struck the driver’s side of a white SUV.  

As the pursuit approached the 1500 block of Charlestown Road, the Explorer failed to negotiate a sharp left turn and drove off the roadway, striking two parked cars and several trash cans before coming to rest in a yard.

The driver then fled on foot. Trooper Walters ran after the driver and observed him toss a black object under an abandoned vehicle before tripping and falling to the ground.

The driver, identified as Noah J. Simmons, 19, of Louisville, Kentucky, was taken into custody without further incident. The black item thrown to the ground was discovered to be a semi-automatic pistol reported stolen from Jeffersonville, Indiana. The red Explorer was confirmed as stolen from Louisville, Kentucky.  

Noah Simmons was remanded into the custody of the Floyd County Jail. Simmons is charged with the following: 

1. Auto Theft – Level 6 Felony
2. Possession of Stolen Property – Level 6 Felony 
3. Resisting Arrest by vehicle – Level 6 Felony
4. Possession of a Firearm without Permit – A Misdemeanor
5. Reckless driving – A Misdemeanor
6. Fleeing the scene of an Accident – A Misdemeanor
7. Resisting Law Enforcement on foot – A Misdemeanor

Trooper Walters was assisted by officers from the New Albany Police Department. NAPD also investigated both crashes occurring during the pursuit. 

The Hickory Huskers hung up their jerseys on Saturday in front of friends and fans in Knightstown, Indiana. 

Five of the seven living players of the fictional high school basketball team from Hickory, Indiana gathered Saturday at the Knightstown gym to reminisce with screenwriters Angel Pizzo and the 200 plus fans that gathered there. 

The retirement of the jerseys was meant to honor the 100th anniversary of the Hoosier Gym, where scenes of Hoosiers was filmed in 1985, and to honor the 35th anniversary of the film.

Among those in attendance were Maris Valainis (Jimmy Chitwood), Brad Long (Buddy Walker), Dr. Steve Hollar (Rade Butcher), Brad Boyle (Whit Butcher) and Wade Schenck (Ollie McLellan). 

Kent Poole, who played Merle Webb, passed away in 2003 and his jersey was honored at the gym previously. 

Roger Poole, who played the young boy shooting baskets at the end of the film, was also there along with extras and a man who served as a referee in the film. 

However, one of the stars of the film is celebrating its 100th anniversary — the Hoosier Gym. 

The Knightstown, Indiana facility was built in 1921 and served the community for 45 years as a place for kids to play basketball as well as a spot for civic events. 

It had little use when a new high school gym was built nearby, and closed in 1966. 

That all changed in the fall of 1985, when the gym served as the home court set the filmmakers used for Hoosiers. 

The film’s success and long-lasting appeal saved the gym from the wrecking ball, and the Hoosier Gym now serves as a museum of the movie and all things Indiana basketball, as well as a site hosting over 80 games a year. 

The pandemic has cut down on the 60,000 visitors who descend to Knightstown annually to live out their own hoop dreams, but they have been surviving thanks to volunteers, donations and merchandise sales.