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.