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.  

A 19-year-old Louisville man was arrested Monday afternoon after leading police on a pursuit through New Albany and crashing into multiple vehicles.  

Around 1:30 Monday afternoon, Trooper Brett Walters attempted to stop a red 2007 Ford Explorer for expired temporary plates after observing it pull out onto Charlestown Road in New Albany.

Trooper Walters also observed the Explorer was a possible match to a vehicle recently dispatched as stolen by the Louisville Metro Police Department.

The Explorer initially pulled to a stop on the side of the roadway but then sped southbound from the scene. 

During the pursuit, the Explorer was traveling at a high rate of speed, swerving, and running red lights. At one point, the driver almost struck a New Albany Police Department cruiser with its emergency lights activated and then struck the driver’s side of a white SUV.  

As the pursuit approached the 1500 block of Charlestown Road, the Explorer failed to negotiate a sharp left turn and drove off the roadway, striking two parked cars and several trash cans before coming to rest in a yard.

The driver then fled on foot. Trooper Walters ran after the driver and observed him toss a black object under an abandoned vehicle before tripping and falling to the ground.

The driver, identified as Noah J. Simmons, 19, of Louisville, Kentucky, was taken into custody without further incident. The black item thrown to the ground was discovered to be a semi-automatic pistol reported stolen from Jeffersonville, Indiana. The red Explorer was confirmed as stolen from Louisville, Kentucky.  

Noah Simmons was remanded into the custody of the Floyd County Jail. Simmons is charged with the following: 

1. Auto Theft – Level 6 Felony
2. Possession of Stolen Property – Level 6 Felony 
3. Resisting Arrest by vehicle – Level 6 Felony
4. Possession of a Firearm without Permit – A Misdemeanor
5. Reckless driving – A Misdemeanor
6. Fleeing the scene of an Accident – A Misdemeanor
7. Resisting Law Enforcement on foot – A Misdemeanor

Trooper Walters was assisted by officers from the New Albany Police Department. NAPD also investigated both crashes occurring during the pursuit. 

The Hickory Huskers hung up their jerseys on Saturday in front of friends and fans in Knightstown, Indiana. 

Five of the seven living players of the fictional high school basketball team from Hickory, Indiana gathered Saturday at the Knightstown gym to reminisce with screenwriters Angel Pizzo and the 200 plus fans that gathered there. 

The retirement of the jerseys was meant to honor the 100th anniversary of the Hoosier Gym, where scenes of Hoosiers was filmed in 1985, and to honor the 35th anniversary of the film.

Among those in attendance were Maris Valainis (Jimmy Chitwood), Brad Long (Buddy Walker), Dr. Steve Hollar (Rade Butcher), Brad Boyle (Whit Butcher) and Wade Schenck (Ollie McLellan). 

Kent Poole, who played Merle Webb, passed away in 2003 and his jersey was honored at the gym previously. 

Roger Poole, who played the young boy shooting baskets at the end of the film, was also there along with extras and a man who served as a referee in the film. 

However, one of the stars of the film is celebrating its 100th anniversary — the Hoosier Gym. 

The Knightstown, Indiana facility was built in 1921 and served the community for 45 years as a place for kids to play basketball as well as a spot for civic events. 

It had little use when a new high school gym was built nearby, and closed in 1966. 

That all changed in the fall of 1985, when the gym served as the home court set the filmmakers used for Hoosiers. 

The film’s success and long-lasting appeal saved the gym from the wrecking ball, and the Hoosier Gym now serves as a museum of the movie and all things Indiana basketball, as well as a site hosting over 80 games a year. 

The pandemic has cut down on the 60,000 visitors who descend to Knightstown annually to live out their own hoop dreams, but they have been surviving thanks to volunteers, donations and merchandise sales.

In 2021, people in Kentucky and Southern Indiana and across the country faced great emergency needs as the ongoing pandemic exacerbated the challenges related to severe
disasters, blood shortages and global conflict.

“Our most vulnerable neighbors are facing unique and pressing struggles when crisis strikes on top of COVID-19,”
Steve Cunanan, CEO, Red Cross Kentucky Region said. “This holiday season, join us to provide help and hope in
these difficult moments by making a financial donation or by giving blood or platelets.”

On Giving Tuesday and during the holidays, visit redcross.org to make a financial donation or an appointment to give blood or platelets. Individuals can also learn about volunteer opportunities in their area and give back in honor of American Red Cross founder Clara Barton, whose 200th birthday will be
commemorated on December 25.

RELENTLESS DISASTERS COMPOUND COVID-19 STRUGGLES

2021 marked one of the country’s most
active years for severe weather — which battered many communities still reeling from last year’s disasters. For
thousands of people in need, the Red Cross launched a new major relief effort every 11 days to provide refuge,
food and care.

This year, a family displaced by a disaster in the U.S. spent an average of nearly 30 days in a Red Cross-supported emergency shelter. These extended stays were largely due to a lack of savings and community housing shortages — signs that climate-driven disasters are compounding the financial hardships of the
pandemic.

GLOBAL CONFLICT CREATES MASS NEEDS FOR DISPLACED FAMILIES

Around the world, massivehumanitarian needs emerged in 2021 for a growing number of families displaced by the overlapping challenges of conflict, COVID-19 and climate change.

This year, at the request of federal government partners, Red Cross workers from Kentucky and across the country distributed more than 2.1 million essential items — like
blankets, diapers, medicine and toys — for Afghan evacuees arriving on U.S. military bases and unaccompanied
children seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border.

COVID-19 STRAINS BLOOD SUPPLY FOR PATIENTS

To meet the increasing needs of hospital patients, the
Red Cross distributed 250,000 more blood products in 2021 than last year, until the delta variant began to
spread in August.

The pandemic also resulted in fewer blood drives at schools and colleges, contributing to a 34% drop in new blood donors from last year — one of the largest year-to-year decreases and one that could threaten essential medical care for patients. Locally, the Red Cross Kentucky Region has experienced a 15%
decrease in new blood donors this year.

As a result of low blood donor turnout in recent months, the Red Cross is heading into the holidays with its lowest
blood supply in more than a decade at this time of year. Blood donations are desperately needed now to meet
the needs of accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving
treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.

All those who come to give Nov. 29-Dec.16 will automatically be entered for the chance to win a private screening
for the winner and 50 of their guests of the epic new film The Matrix Resurrections. Plus, those who come to give
Nov. 29-Dec. 16 will also get a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, thanks to Amazon.*

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 22-Dec. 16

Bass Pro Shops, 951 Lewis and Clark Parkway, Clarksville, IN 47129
11/24/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.,

Clark County Community Drive-Knights of Columbus, 225 E. Market, Jeffersonville, IN 47130
11/22/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
12/6/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Clark Memorial Hospital, 1220 Missouri Ave., Jeffersonville, IN 47130

Dr. Black’s Eye Associates, 1407 Spring St., Jeffersonville, IN 47130
12/14/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Knights of Columbus New Albany, 809 E. Main St., New Albany, IN 47150
11/22/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
12/6/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Kroger, 200 New Albany Plaza, New Albany, IN 47150
11/26/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Lafayette Township Fire Department, 4002 Scottsville Road, Floyds Knobs, IN 47119
12/3/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.

One Community Church, 1810 Blackiston Mill Road, Clarksville, IN 47129
12/16/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Locally, there will be a blood drive at the Washington County Family YMCA on Dec. 10 from Noon to 5p. 

There will be another event planned for January 7 at the First Christian Church in Salem from 1-7p.