Salem Police are looking for a missing Salem juvenile.

According to Sgt. James Moore, a 16-year-old female has been missing since January 13.

Her name is Harlee Stivers. 

Moore said she has red hair, is approximately 5-foot, 5-inches tall and weighs approximately 120 pounds and she has red hair and has brown eyes. 

Moore said she was last seen at her residence in Salem on January 13^th. 

If anyone has any information, please contact the Salem Police Department at 812-883-5100. 

Dustin Houchin has formally filed on January 18, 2022 to seek the Republican Party nomination for Washington County Superior Court Judge on the news of the retirement of current Judge Frank Newkirk Jr. 

Houchin has served as Washington County Prosecutor, elected to four terms making him the longest serving prosecutor in the county’s history.

His 15 years in the role has allowed him to develop skills that will serve him well on the bench. “I am a better person for having been prosecutor for four terms. That’s a gift the people of Washington County gave me,” he said.

“I’m a stronger, more skilled lawyer and I’ve handled tens of thousands of cases. That preparation and experience is not easy to get,” he said. 

Houchin said serving as prosecutor has made him a far more compassionate person as he has witnessed the spectrum of human imperfection. “The overwhelming majority of people we prosecute are good people who have made bad decisions,” he said. 

Houchin focused on bringing continuity to the prosecutor’s office after a long line of singler-term prosecutors and worked to build the public’s trust. Of the dozens of jury trials the office has conducted under his leadership, they have been unsuccessful in just a handful.

Houchin also focused on developing a solid relationship with law enforcement both locally, but also with state and federal agencies. This has brought increased resources to the county and the good working relationships have resulted in good investigations, solid cases and holding offenders accountable.

Judges are charged with conducting court proceedings in both civil and criminal matters.

Houchin said a judge must be impartial, fair and unbiased and must follow the laws of the state and the U.S. Constitution. A judge must be committed to properly interpreting the meaning, significance and implication of the law.

When a case first appears in court, it is the judge’s role to decide whether there is sufficient evidence to support a reasonable belief that a crime has occurred and that the person charged committed that crime. The judge assigns an attorney when a defendant cannot afford one and also decides what amount bail will be.

A judge’s role during a trial is to ensure that everything that happens in the courtroom follows the rules outlined by the law. In criminal cases, judges determine the sentence and in civil cases, assign fines.

Judges are also responsible for signing warrants for arrests and searches.

“I believe when people come to court they’re looking first and foremost for a decision. They want an answer,” he said. “It’s incumbent upon the judge to provide a clear, decisive answer in a timely manner. I’ll have a real focus on providing that service to the community.”

Houchin believes the court provides a community service. “I truly see it that way. Like all government, the judge is providing a service.”

Houchin said a judge is responsible for ensuring that everybody in the legal system is performing, from defense attorneys to staff to service/treatment providers and vendors to the court. “It’s the judge’s role to make sure if you’re connected to the court, you do your job competently and are held accountable if you don’t. Only the judge can do that. You have to provide that leadership.”

Having been entrusted with overseeing the prosecutor’s office for so many years, Houchin said he is extremely grateful for the trust the community has placed in him and wants to repay that.

“I feel an obligation to give back to the community. This is a way to do that,” he said. “I see the system and ways I believe I can make it better. I feel compelled to do that.”

Houchin and his wife, Erin, live in Salem with their three children.

A Lanesville man was arrested late Tuesday on child molestation charges following an ISP investigation. 

In late December of 2021, the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) contacted Indiana State Police (ISP) Detective Chris Tucker after learning of possible child molestation allegations involving a pre-teen child at a Harrison County apartment.  

On December 20, 2021, Detective Tucker attended a forensic interview conducted at the Comfort House Child Advocacy Center in Corydon.  Detective Tucker was accompanied by a DCS caseworker as well as a representative from the Harrison County Prosecutor’s Office.  Following the interview, Detective Tucker continued his investigation which included interviews with

family members and Thirty-Eight-Year-Old, Bryan K. Benson who resided with the child in a Lanesville Apartment. 

As a result of the investigation, Detective Tucker requested an arrest warrant through the Harrison County Prosecutor’s Office.  That warrant was issued by the Superior court on Tuesday afternoon.

Tuesday evening, Trooper Nathan Newton and Harrison County Deputy Hunter Anderson arrested Bryan Benson at his Lanesville Apartment. 

Benson is charged with two counts of Child Molestation, each a Level Four Felony. 

Officers transported Benston to the Harrison County Jail without incident.

Today, troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post arrested a South Carolina truck driver for operating a commercial motor vehicle with a BAC of nearly three times the legal limit.

The investigation by Troopers Andrew Garrett and Gavin Ludwig began around noon when a motorist reported observing a 2016 Freightliner pulling a trailer that was driving erratically on I-65 Southbound in Bartholomew and Jackson Counties. 

The vehicle was located and stopped near the 54-mile marker, just north of Seymour, in Jackson County. 

During the traffic stop, troopers observed that the driver, Mikhail Popov, age 62, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina showed signs of being intoxicated. 

Popov was transported to the Seymour Police Department where he submitted to a breath test for intoxication.  The test determined that Popov’s BAC was .225%. 

He was arrested and transported to the Jackson County Jail on preliminary charges of Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated with a Prior Conviction, Level 6 Felony, and misdemeanor charges of Operating While Intoxicated-Endangerment and Operating with a BAC of .15% or greater. 

He was incarcerated pending his initial appearance in court.

Troopers Garrett and Ludwig were assisted by other troopers from the ISP-Versailles Post and Master Motor Carrier Inspector Mary Eglen.  31 Wrecker responded and removed the vehicle from the scene.

The Indiana State Police encourages those who witness unsafe and dangerous driving to call 9-1-1 to report the driving behavior.  Troopers continue to target those who are driving recklessly on our roadways in an attempt to make the roads safer for all motorists.

Early Saturday morning, January 15, at approximately 1:00 a.m., Trooper Roberts was patrolling US 41 near SR 64 when he observed a vehicle traveling north at a high rate of speed.

Trooper Roberts activated his radar and clocked the 2005 Chevrolet at 93 mph in the 60 mph zone. A traffic stop was conducted at US 41 at CR 100 North. 

The driver was identified as Justin McGiffen, 31, of Vincennes. During the traffic stop, McGiffen displayed signs of impairment.

After failing field sobriety tests, McGiffin produced a wallet from his pocket and displayed a gold badge. McGiffin was transported to the Gibson County Jail where further investigation revealed he had a BAC of .07%.

McGiffen was arrested and is currently being held on bond in the Gibson County Jail.

Arrested and Charges:

• Justin B. McGiffen, 31, Vincennes, IN

1. Impersonating a Public Servant, Level 6 Felony
2. Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
3. Reckless Driving, Class C Misdemeanor

Arresting Officer: Trooper Doug Roberts, Indiana State Police

According to Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rocky, the following new filings were received on Wednesday:

• Roy M. Dick- Jackson Twp. Adv. Board- Democrat
• Thomas Guthrie- Brown Twp. Adv. Board- Democrat
• Sherry L. Wingler- Assessor- Republican.

The deadline to file to run for party nomination in the primary election on Tuesday, May 3 is February 4 at noon.

Others who have filed to run include: 

• Gary D. Chastain- Brown Township Advisory Board- Democrat
• Marnie Bennett- Jefferson Township Trustee- Democrat
• Kathleen Zelivetz- Howard Township Trustee- Democrat
• Todd Ewen- Commissioner, Dist. 2- Republican
• Marvin Butch Jenks- Posey Township Advisory Board- Republican
• Ken Armstrong- Posey Township Trustee- Republican
• P Matthew Incantalopo- Jackson Township Trustee- Republican
• Jerome Jacobi- Posey Township Advisory Board- Democrat
• Wayne Blevins- Sheriff-Republican
• Kyra Stephenson- Auditor- Republican
• Larry W. Medlock- Circuit Court Judge- Republican
• Brent Miller- Sheriff- Republican
• Joshua G. Anderson- Washington Township Trustee- Republican
• Steven L. Anderson- Franklin Township Trustee- Republican
• Marsha Guthrie- Vernon Township Trustee- Democrat

On the ballot this year are the following positions:

• US Senate

Indiana State

• Secretary of State
• Auditor of State
• Treasurer of State
• State Senator #47
• State Rep. #73

Washington County:

•   Assessor
•   Auditor
•   Circuit Court Judge
•   Superior Court Judge
•   Prosecutor
•   Sheriff
•   Recorder
•   District 2 Commissioner
•   Council Dist. #1
•   Council Dist. #2
•   Council Dist. #3
•   Council Dist. #4
•   Township Trustees
•   Township Advisory Board Members
•   Town of Campbellsburg Clerk-Treasure
•   Town of Campbellsburg Council Member
•   Town of New Pekin Clerk- Treasurer
•   Town of New Pekin Council Member At-Large
•   Town of Saltillo Clerk-Treasurer
•   Town. of Saltillo Council Member

School Boards:

Salem:  3 At-Large Seats

East Washington: Franklin Twp., Pierce Twp. and Jackson Twp.

West Washington: Brown Twp, Howard Twp., the Town of Campbellsburg and an At-Large seat.

These positions will only appear on the fall ballot.