Wednesday evening, March 16, at approximately 6:25, Indiana State Police, Fort Branch Police and Gibson County Sheriff’s Office responded to 205 West John Street in Fort Branch after Robert Crawford, 62, allegedly pointed a handgun at two neighbors.

Arrested and Charged was:

Crawford, 62, 205 North West Street, Fort Branch, IN

1. Pointing a Firearm, Level 6 Felony
2. Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon, Level 5 Felony

When officers arrived, they located Crawford in the alley near the neighbor’s residence.

Crawford appeared to be intoxicated and had to be ordered several times to remove his hand from his pocket.

After Crawford finally complied, he was placed in handcuffs. During a search, Trooper Roberts discovered a loaded handgun in Crawford’s pocket.

During the on-scene investigation, officers were able to determine a female neighbor was picking up trash in the alley when Crawford allegedly approached her and started screaming.

The female yelled for her husband who was in a nearby garage.

After he appeared, Crawford allegedly pointed a handgun at the couple.

The neighbors immediately walked away and called 911. The investigation also revealed Crawford was also under the influence of alcohol. Crawford was arrested and taken to the Gibson County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.

Arresting Officer: Trooper Doug Roberts, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agencies: Fort Branch Police and Gibson County Sheriff’s Office

Officers from the Indiana State Police (ISP) post in Sellersburg are investigating a fatal crash after a driver allegedly fled when New Albany police attempted to pull the car over.  

While this investigation is still ongoing, investigators believe that around Two O’clock Tuesday afternoon, an officer with the New Albany Police Department attempted to stop a gray Dodge Challenger near the intersection of State Street and Clay Street for traffic violations related to reckless driving.

The driver of the Challenger immediately fled down State Street at a high rate of speed, and the officer chose not to pursue.  

Approximately one minute later, the Challenger collided with a white Toyota Highlander that had entered State Street from the Target Parking lot.

After striking the Highlander, the Challenger continued off the roadway and into a nearby parking lot, colliding with a parked bus.

After the Challenger came to rest, the car soon caught fire.  

The officer who initially attempted to stop the car arrived and pulled one occupant from the vehicle. Responders were unable to remove a second occupant from the Challenger. That person was later pronounced dead at the scene.  

The driver of the Toyota Highlander was transported to University Hospital in Louisville and has been identified as Gwendolyn Hartman, 60, of Georgetown, Indiana.  

The injured occupant of the Challenger was also transported to University Hospital.  

Both injured subjects are listed with non-life-threatening injuries.

The names of the Challenger occupants are not being released at this time pending positive identification.  

The New Albany Police Department requested an Indiana State Police crash reconstruction team investigate the crash. ISP troopers and detectives worked well into the evening before clearing the crash scene. 

This crash is still under investigation, and investigators will conduct interviews and review any video as they piece together all pertinent information from the time of the initial attempted traffic stop until the time of the crash.  

A Harrison County man was arrested on a warrant last Thursday by the Indiana State Police (ISP) following an investigation into inappropriate sexual contact with a minor.    

Detective Chris Tucker began an investigation in February of 2022 after learning of possible sexual contact between a female juvenile and forty-four-year-old Randell (Gene) Stambaugh of Central, Indiana.  

The investigation included interviews with the victim and Randell Stambaugh. After completing the investigation, Detective Tucker submitted his findings to the Harrison County Prosecutor’s Office and requested a warrant for Stambaugh’s arrest.  

On Thursday, March 3, 2022, Randell Stambaugh turned himself into Detective Tucker and Harrison County authorities and was arrested for one count of Child Seduction, a Level 6 Felony.  

Randell Stambaugh was remanded into the custody of the Harrison County Jail pending an appearance before the Harrison County Superior Court judge.  

Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews plan to implement daily closures next week to replace two culverts in Jackson County.

The road will close from approximately 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16, and Thursday, March 17, weather permitting.

State Road 135 will close between C.R. 300 N. and C.R. 400 N. on Wednesday, and between C.R. 475 W. and C.R. 540 N. on Thursday. Both are located between U.S. 50 and S.R. 58. Local access will be maintained for residents within each closure; thru traffic should use an alternate route.

INDOT reminds drivers to use extra caution, avoid distractions, and consider worker safety when traveling through active work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

S.R. 56 to close this month for $13.2 million Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Milestone Contractors LP plans to close S.R. 56 in Salem on or after Monday, March 14, to begin work on a $13.2 million roadway reconstruction project that also includes a bridge replacement over Brock Creek and asphalt resurfacing on S.R. 135.

“We certainly understand road closures can make travel difficult, and we ask for patience from the public as we make these much needed improvements to our infrastructure. I appreciate the investment of INDOT in our community,” said Salem Mayor Justin Green.

“We will do our very best to assist with detours and help to ensure local businesses maintain smooth operations throughout the project,” said Mayor Green. “I want to urge all motorists and residents to please have patience and exercise caution during these projects. Safety is the utmost concern for all involved.”

In mid-March, S.R. 56 will close between S.R. 135 (Main Street) and Harrison Street in Salem for utility relocations, followed by reconstruction work. Nearly a mile and a half of S.R. 56 will be reconstructed in sections between S.R. 60 and S.R. 135. Traffic will be detoured onto S.R. 135 and U.S. 150 through Palmyra and Paoli. Local access will be maintained. The reconstruction portion of the project is scheduled to be complete in fall of 2023.

Later this spring or early summer, construction will begin to replace the S.R. 56 bridge over Brock Creek, located 0.2 miles west of S.R. 135. The bridge will close once construction begins; an official start date will be announced. State Road 56 is expected to reopen in late November 2022.

Patching, milling and paving is also scheduled to begin this spring on a short section of S.R. 135, north of S.R. 56. State Road 135 will remain open to traffic throughout the project, but with lane closures and flagging. The completion date for paving work on S.R. 135 is in late June 2022.

The contract was awarded to Milestone last December for a total of $13,292,500. Drivers are reminded to slow down, use extra caution, and drive distraction-free in and near construction zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Additional information about the project can be found here. 

Scott County is partnering with Purdue Extension – Washington County to host a four-week D-I-Y (Do It Yourself) Lawncare program series on Thursday evenings in April.

The program can accommodate 20 in-person participants with additional participants joining virtually via Zoom from 6:00-8:00 pm on April 7, April 14, April 21, and April 28. In-person participants will meet at the Heritage Station/Train Depot (90 N. Main St., Scottsburg, IN 47170).

Virtual participants will receive a Zoom link.

DIY Lawncare is a four-week, two hours per session course designed for homeowners, property renters,
and homeowner associations. Session topics include: Basics of Taking Care of Lawns; Lawn Pests and Problems; Weed Identification and Management; and Seeding Establishment and Lawn Renovation.

Whether new or experienced at lawncare, understanding the basics of turf management will help create a lawn that others will look at with envy!

Participants will receive the turf management skills and
knowledge needed to lay the groundwork for creating, establishing, and maintaining a lawn.

Participants must register by Thursday, March 31.

Program fees are $20 per participant, or $30 for two
family/business members sharing program materials.

The link to register is https://bit.ly/3thnrbN.