On Wednesday, Indiana’s Department of Health (IDOH) updated the weekly metrics map, which details the level of community spread by county. As of now, the map is used as a reference point for local health departments to determine if action should be taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

This week, 21 counties are in “red,” the highest category for community spread. 68 counties are in the next tier, “orange,” with three in yellow.

Locally, Brown, Lawrence, Jackson, Jennings, Orange, and Scott Counties are Red. 

Washington, Clark, Floyd, and Harrison remained Orange. 

On Wednesday, Indiana’s Department of Health reported an additional 2,863 new COVID-19 cases and 451 new deaths. Washington County reported 22 new COVID-19 cases and 1 additional death on Wednesday. There were 32 new tests given. 

See daily Covid stats here – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063068118228

In 2020, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb implemented certain measures and restrictions for Indiana counties based on which color they were. As counties progressed from blue to yellow to orange to red, the restrictions were progressively tougher. 

However, in 2021, Holcomb hasn’t acted against Covid as aggressively as last year and left most decision-making to County Commissioners and local Health Departments. 

When asked today if there were going to be addressed at the state level, the response was this — “We continue to provide the color coding to counties so that they are aware of the level of COVID-19 transmission in their areas. The decision on whether to take action in counties based on their current color is a local one.”

On Labor Day, the Indiana State Police Bloomington District A.C.E.S. (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section) and Drug Enforcement Section concluded a month-long investigation into the dealing of large quantities of methamphetamine in Lawrence County.

Troopers were investigating information that Brooklyn E. Smith, 22 years old of Bedford, was involved in dealing methamphetamine. Utilizing a variety of investigative techniques, investigating Troopers were able to corroborate the information.

On Monday afternoon, they learned that Smith was traveling to Bedford, from Louisville, with a large amount of methamphetamine.

Trp. Chance Humphrey, Sgt. Greg Day and DES Detectives located Smith, who was driving a 2014 Buick Verano, northbound on SR 37 north of US 50 West.

Smith was speeding in the posted 55mph zone, so Troopers conducted a traffic stop. A male passenger was also located in the vehicle.

During the traffic stop, troopers observed indicators of criminal activity. They asked for, and received consent, to search the vehicle. During the search, a methamphetamine pipe and a set of digital scales with methamphetamine residue were in the car.

Troopers also located a loaded handgun in Smith’s purse. They placed Smith into custody, who then let troopers know that she had methamphetamine hidden in her bra. It was discovered that Smith had 4 ounces (113 grams) of methamphetamine.

Due to the circumstances of where the methamphetamine was located, in conjunction with evidence obtained from interviewing Smith, there was no probable cause to arrest the male passenger on any offense. He was subsequently released from the stop.

Smith was arrested and incarcerated at the Lawrence County Jail for the following charges,

• Dealing Methamphetamine Over 10 Grams (Level 2 Felony)
• Possession of Methamphetamine Over 28 Grams (Level 3 Felony)

Sgt. Day praised the work of all involved troopers and detectives. He said “The dedication shown to this investigation was evidenced in the fact that on a holiday, while off duty, the investigating troopers sacrificed their own time off to see this investigation came to a successful conclusion.

Due to the hard work and efforts of both the ACES and DES, ¼ pound of methamphetamine did not find its way onto the streets of our community.”

Anyone with illegal drug activity information is requested to call the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post at 812-332-4411, the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office tip line at 812-545-4700, or send an email to drugactivity@lawrencecounty.in.gov.

All calls are confidential.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Early Saturday morning, at approximately 12:04 a.m. Deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to State Road 135 North, near Spurgeon Road, in reference to a two-vehicle crash with injuries and entrapment.

Also responding was the Salem Fire Department and Washington County E.M.S..

According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, evidence at the scene indicated that a 2017 Chevy Silverado was being driven North bound by Harley Gilstrap, age 43 of Salem, when it collided with a South bound 2001 Chevy Silverado that was driven by Tony Mitchell, age 46 of Salem.

Mitchell was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Gilstrap was flown to U of L Hospital by air ambulance for treatment of serious injuries.

Crash reconstructionist from the Indiana State Police were called to the scene to assist with the investigation. The highway was closed for more than five hours while the crash scene was being investigated.

Deputy Lucas Gray is the lead investigator and was assisted by Sheriff Brent Miller, Deputy Tory Hildreth, the Washington County Coroner’s Office and the departments previously mentioned.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation at this time.

Two Lexington, Indiana men were charged in the Southern District of Indiana on charges related to their alleged possession of more than 5 kilograms of cocaine.

According to court documents, Pablo Vazquez-Salazar, 47, of Lexington, and Betza Campos-Vazquez, 32, of Lexington, were being investigated by federal agents on suspicion of illegal drug trafficking.

On August 25, 2021, the Indiana State Police observed the vehicle Vasquez-Salazar and Campos-Vazquez occupied speeding on I-65. A state police K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. Officers discovered a white powdery substance inside the vehicle which was suspected to be cocaine.

A search warrant was later executed at the residence Vasquez-Salazar and Campos-Vazquez reside. During the search, a large amount of suspected cocaine, suspected marijuana, a rifle, and other material commonly used in the distribution of illegal substances was found. In total, over 10 kilograms of cocaine was seized from the two men.

Vasquez-Salazar and Campos-Vazquez have been charged with possession of cocaine with intent to deliver. If convicted, they face up to life imprisonment, up to a $10,000,000 fine and at least 5 years supervised release. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Indiana State Police.

Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Wheatley is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

A Jeffersonville man was killed Wednesday afternoon after the motorcycle he was riding was struck by a semi-truck and trailer on I-265.

 Around 2:43 Wednesday afternoon, Indiana State Police and other Clark County emergency responders received 911 reports of an injury crash between a motorcycle and a tractor-trailer along westbound I-265 near the I-65 interchange at the seven-mile-marker. New Chapel Ambulance service was one of the first to respond to the scene and advised the crash was, in fact, fatal. 

Troopers from the Sellersburg post, officers from the Clarksville City Police Department, and state highway workers from the Indiana Department of Transportation closed a portion of westbound I-265 and diverted westbound traffic onto northbound I-65 as an ISP crash reconstruction team conducted the investigation.  

 The preliminary investigation reveals that a green 2021 Harley Davidson Fat Boy motorcycle, driven by John Billman, 52, of Jeffersonville, Indiana, was entering westbound I-265 from the northbound I-65 onramp. At the same time, a 2012 Freightliner tractor-trailer, driven by James Mayfield, 51, of Andrews, North Carolina, was westbound on I-265, approaching the same onramp. Investigators believe the Freightliner crossed into the onramp at the same time the motorcycle was beginning to merge left towards the westbound lanes and struck the Harley Davidson.  

John Billman was pronounced dead at the scene by the Clark County Coroner’s office.   

Next-of-kin has been notified.  

James Mayfield was not injured in the crash.

Neither drugs nor alcohol is believed to be a factor in this crash.

 I-265 was closed until approximately 5:30 Wednesday afternoon.  

 This crash is still under investigation.