Spring Mill State Park will host its scary Haunted Village on Saturday, Oct. 16 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Haunted Village is recommended for children age 12 and older, and interpretive naturalist Sheree  Belt says it’s going to be a SPOOKtacular time.  

Participants will be required to wear bracelets, which will be available for purchase only on Saturday, Oct. 16, starting at 8 a.m. in the pool parking lot.

Entry to the pool parking lot will be allowed starting at 7 a.m. Bracelets cost $5 each and will be limited to 10 per person. Only 2,500 bracelets will be sold, and they go fast.

Participants will need to keep their bracelets in a safe place. The park is not responsible for lost/stolen bracelets. No refunds will be provided.

Those who pay the park gate fee in the morning to buy their bracelets and then leave the park will need to keep their park entrance receipt in order to re-enter later for the event. Those without a receipt or annual entrance pass will be responsible for paying the gate fee again. Once in line for the event, participants will not be allowed to hold spaces for friends or family.

Participants must wear their bracelet to enter Haunted Village. Second trips through the village will not be permitted.

For more information on this and other upcoming events at Spring Mill, call 812-849-3534 or email sbelt@dnr.IN.gov.

Spring Mill State Park (on.IN.gov/springmill) is at 3333 State Road 60 East, Mitchell, 47446.

What started with an unsafe lane movement ended with a driver being arrested on multiple felony charges Monday evening.  

Around 7 pm Monday, a 911 caller advised she had accidentally cut the driver of a maroon KIA SUV off while merging onto I-265 westbound from I-65 in Clark County.

The caller reported the other driver then pointed a firearm at her from behind, actually resting what she described as a revolver on his side-view mirror as he followed her.

The suspect then allegedly drove alongside the caller and continued to point the weapon before the caller slowed down and got behind the driver. The caller continued to provide information about the maroon Kia as the cars continued into Floyd County. 

Trooper Michael Davis responded to the area and soon after located a KIA SUV matching the description parked at a gas station in Georgetown. While conducting interviews, the driver was identified as Dakota Ray Riggs, 28, of Clarksville, Indiana. Two other adults and five children also occupied the Kia. As the investigation continued, Trooper Davis located a loaded revolver inside the Kia, matching the caller’s description.

As a result of the investigation, Dakota Riggs was arrested and is preliminarily charged with the following:  

1. Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon – Level 5 Felony 
2. Criminal Recklessness with a Firearm – Level 6 Felony
3. Pointing a Firearm – Level 6 Felony
4. Neglect of a Dependent – Level 6 Felony
5. Possession of a Handgun without a License – B Misdemeanor
6. Possession of Marijuana – B Misdemeanor

Dakota Riggs was transported to the Floyd County Jail without further incident. Trooper Davis was assisted by Trooper Ryne McMahel and Deputies with the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department.    

The Jennings County Sheriff’s Office and Indiana State Police continue to investigate the death of Joseph T. Gill, age 27, North Vernon, Indiana.

On Thursday, September 30, 2021, Gill was found deceased along State Road 3 in northern Jennings County, Indiana after being missing for approximately two days.

Deputies were called to State Road 3 near the Jennings/Decatur County Line after an Indiana Department of Transportation mowing crew located the body of a deceased male near the roadway.

The Indiana State Police responded to assist in the investigation

Investigators now believe that Gill was possibly struck by a vehicle while walking along State Road 3 between 4:30 am and 5:00 am on Tuesday, September 28, 2021.

Anyone who may have traveled through the area during that time and believe they may have struck someone or may have seen Gill in the area is urged to contact the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office. 

Investigators are additionally asking anyone with a home camera system who may have captured video of traffic on State Road 3 between Westport and North Vernon during that time frame to contact the sheriff’s office.

An autopsy was performed on Joseph Gill on Tuesday, October 5^th, 2021. 

The initial findings from the autopsy indicate that Gill sustained injuries that were consistent with being struck by a vehicle.

Investigators are looking for a vehicle that may have sustained passenger side damage.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office Tipline at (812)346-0342.

Annie’s Project is a six-week course that is a discussion-based workshop bringing women together to learn from experts in production, financial management, human resources, marketing, and the legal field with plenty of time for questions, sharing, reacting, and connecting with presenters and fellow participants.

It’s a relaxed, fun, and dynamic way to learn, grow and meet
other farm women.

At Annie’s Project courses, women in agriculture become empowered to be successful through education, networks, and resources.

Whether new or experienced, understanding the five areas of agricultural risk, knowing how to analyze agricultural financial documents and other necessary skills are vital. Learning them in a friendly environment where questions and discussion are welcomed, allows the learning process to flourish.

 Annie’s Project courses have successfully reached more than 15,000 farm and ranch women in 33 states.

The next one in your area begins on Monday, November 1, 2021, at the Washington County Government Building at 806 Martinsburg Rd. in Salem, IN.

The cost for the course is $75 per person. A light refreshment will be served during each session.

Course size is limited, so please register soon. Registration is due by Wednesday, October 27, 2021, by contacting the Purdue Extension – Washington County at 806 Martinsburg Rd. Suite
104, Salem, IN 47167 or 812-883-4601.

For more information contact Danielle Walker, Washington County ANR Extension Educator, at 812-883-4601 or dhowellw@purdue.edu.

J. Davisson, the oldest child of the late State Rep. Steve Davisson (R-Salem) announced Friday his candidacy for his father’s seat.

The elder Davisson died on Sept. 19 following a lengthy battle with cancer.

He was elected in 2010 and was serving his sixth two-year term.

“For 11 years, I watched my father work tirelessly to serve the people of his district and to improve the lives of all Hoosiers,” Davisson said. “I would be honored to have the privilege of carrying on his work.”

The open seat will be filled by a party caucus on October 21.

In addition to Washington County, House District 73 includes parts of five other counties: Clark, Harrison, Jackson, Lawrence, and Orange.

The winner of the caucus vote will serve until the November 2022 election.

“No one will ever be able to replace my dad, but I am committed to serving with the same sense of loyalty, duty, integrity, and respect that he exemplified,” Davisson said. “Having campaigned alongside Dad, I know the district, its people, and their issues. In addition, I was fortunate to have had countless conversations with him about the legislation he worked on and why it mattered to his constituents and to the state of Indiana.

J. Davisson, 39, is a lifelong resident of Salem, where he is raising his two children after having lost his wife to cancer earlier this year.

He graduated from Salem High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University.

A highly decorated and disabled Army combat veteran of both Afghanistan and Iraq, Davisson retired as a sergeant first class after 17 years of military service.

Already a partner in the family-owned Good Living Pharmacy, Davisson has assumed full-time responsibility for business operations.

A member of Salem Church of the Nazarene and Salem Masonic Lodge 21, Davisson served as Washington County Young Republican chairman and served for nine years on the board of directors of the Indiana War Memorial Commission, having been appointed by former Gov. Mike Pence and reappointed by Gov. Eric Holcomb.