On Monday afternoon, detectives from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post arrested a Lexington, Indiana man on charges of child molesting, rape, and sexual battery.

The investigation by Detective Jason Duncan began in March 2021 when two female juveniles reported that they were molested by Phillip Phillips, age 52, Lexington, Indiana.  During interviews with the Child Advocacy Center, the victims indicated that between August 2019 and March 2021, they were inappropriately touched by Phillips on more than one occasion at Phillips’ Jefferson County residence.

After the nearly five-month investigation by the Indiana State Police, the case was presented to the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office for review.  As a result, an arrest warrant was recently issued for Phillip Phillips on one count of Child Molesting, Level 1 Felony, one count of Child Molesting, Level 4 Felony, one count of Rape, Level 3 Felony, and one count of Sexual Battery, Leve 6 Felony.

Phillips was arrested this morning at his place of employment in Scott County, Indiana. 

He was transported to the Scott County Jail before being transferred to the Jefferson County Jail where he is being held pending an initial court appearance.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Child Advocacy Center-Madison, Indiana.

An unidentified male with a self-inflicted gunshot wound was taken by air ambulance to University of Louisville hospital Monday afternoon, according to Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Tory Hildreth. 

According to police, the Washington County Dispatch Center received a 911 call at 4p and responded to the intersection of Rush Creek Road and Branaman Road. 

Sheriff Brent Miller, Hildreth, Jefferson Township Volunteer Fire Department, and a crew from the Washington County Ambulance Service located the victim in a vehicle along the roadway. 

Hildreth noted in his police report that the victim was in critical condition and EMTs began treating the male subject on scene. 

He was brought to a stable condition and transported to U of L Hospital. 

Today Hildreth said he believed the victim was in stable condition. 

The incident is still under investigation. 

CSX Railroad will be closing their railroad crossing on State Road 11/Broadway St between E 2nd St and East St/Circle St in Seymour beginning on or after Wednesday, August 18.

The closure will be in place for approximately four days while they make repairs to the crossing.

Motorists should seek an alternate route. The official detour will follow U.S. 50 and I-65

A crash on SR 67 between a Spencer Owen Community School bus and a passenger car has claimed the life of one person.

At approximately 4:00 p.m., on August 12, 2021, Indiana State Troopers and Owen County Deputies responded to calls of a crash between a school bus and a passenger car on SR 67, just north of Gosport.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Ian Portteus indicates a yellow 2015 International bus being driven by Taresa L. Tharpe, 56 of Gosport, IN was traveling northbound on SR 67 approaching Culross Rd. when the bus driver had to make evasive maneuvers to avoid a southbound passenger car that was driving erratically and had entered the northbound lane of travel.

Tharpe had attempted to steer the bus onto the shoulder when it was then struck head-on by the car whose driver succumbed to their injuries.

At the time of the crash, the bus was occupied by 12 students, and the driver, Tharpe. Each occupant of the bus was evaluated by emergency responders and of the bus occupants, 9 juveniles were transported to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

All other passengers were transported to Gosport Elementary where they were assisted by the SOCS Corporation.

A Toxicology test was provided by Tharpe and results are pending, which is required by law for vehicle operators involved in serious injury or fatal crashes.

The Indiana State Police in conjunction with the Owen County Coroner will release the identity of the deceased driver pending identification and notification of next of kin.

An autopsy of the unidentified driver is scheduled for tomorrow.

State Road 67 remained closed until approximately 8:00 p.m. between Smith Road and Culross Road for the crash investigation and removal of the vehicles.

The Indiana State Police were assisted by the Owen County Sheriff Department, Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Department, Owen County EMS, Owen County Coroner, and the Spencer Owen Community School Corporation.

The Indianapolis Colts and Lucas Oil Stadium today released plans for welcoming fans to the stadium for Colts home games during the 2021 season.

The 2021 season will feature the first full capacity game at the stadium since December 2019. 

The team will host fans for the first time this season on Sunday, Aug. 15 for a preseason matchup with the Carolina Panthers.

“We were one of the few teams in the league to host fans last year, but it wasn’t the same without the entire Colts family with us,” said Pete Ward, Colts chief operating officer. “That’s why we’re so excited to welcome back Colts fans this fall as we go on this journey toward a Super Bowl championship.”

“We’re still very mindful of the health and safety situation across our community and country, so we will continue to consult with city officials and continue to take steps to protect the health of our fans, players and staff,” Ward added. “But we also look forward to returning to a more normal gameday with many enhancements, amenities and activities that will keep our fan experience as one of the best in all of the sports.” 

Health & Safety

• Full Capacity.  After consulting with the Marion County Public Health Department, the Colts and Lucas Oil Stadium were cleared to return to full capacity for the 2021 season. 
• Masks. Consistent with local, NFL and CDC guidelines, masks or face coverings in the stadium are recommended, but not required.
• Show Up 100%.  Fans who have tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 14 days, have been exposed to someone who has tested positive within the last 14 days, or have experienced COVID-19 symptoms within the last 48 hours, should stay home.
• Security Screenings.  Security screenings at stadium entrances will be conducted in a manner that minimizes person-to-person contact.
• Stadium Roof/Window.  The stadium is equipped with hospital-grade air filters and provides 24/7 air circulation. The total air supply and outdoor air ventilation are set for each event based on the specific event requirements and outdoor weather conditions. As such, the stadium roof and window will be open when weather and other operational conditions permit. Fans should stay tuned to Colts social media the morning of each game to find out if the roof will be open or closed.
• Stadium Disinfection & Cleaning.  Stadium staff will routinely disinfect all surfaces, including door handles, push plates, restroom fixtures and partitions, tables and furniture, trash cans, and other areas on a 24/7 basis.
• Hand Sanitizer Stations. Fans and staff will have access to hand sanitizer stations throughout the stadium.  Fans and staff are encouraged to sanitize and wash their hands frequently on gamedays.
• Staff Training & Protocols.  Front-line stadium staff and vendors working game days will complete enhanced training on CDC guidelines, PPE and other COVID-19 practices and protocols and will abide by all stadium health and safety policies.
• Player/coach interactions.  Due to NFL COVID-19 protocols, fans will not be permitted to interact with players or coaches at any time. 

• On-field activity.  Per NFL health and safety protocols, fans who participate in on-field festivities must be fully vaccinated and have proof of vaccination.

Pre-Game

• Touchdown Town returns!  American Family Insurance Touchdown Town returns in 2021 as the best pre-game party in town. This free experience includes drink specials, food trucks, live music, kid-friendly activities, interactive experience, Colt’s partner activations, and much more.

• Tailgating.  Tailgating on stadium property may return to normal after being restricted during the 2020 season. 

Fan Experience 

• 100% Mobile Ticketing.  To create a more safe and efficient entry, all tickets will be mobile for the 2021 season and can be easily accessed and managed via the Colts Mobile App.

• Cashless Transactions.  All Colts home games will be cashless. Major credit and debit cards, as well as mobile pay services, will be accepted at concessions and the Colts Pro Shop.  Cash-to-card machines will be available on street level and terrace level. 

• Colts Pro Shop.  The main Colts Pro Shop location is being remodeled to better serve fans, including an enhanced custom area and more streamlined checkout.  In addition, two mobile shop locations are being converted to walk-in stores near sections 121 and 137. These projects are scheduled to be completed for the Colts regular-season home opener on Sept 12 vs. Seattle.
• Concessions.  Most food services throughout the stadium will return to normal operations.  All concession and catering staff will be trained on CDC guidelines and are required to follow enhanced handwashing procedures and maintain cleaning and sanitization protocols for food and beverage contact surfaces. 
• Enhanced Food & Beverage Offerings. There will be several enhancements to the food and beverage offerings at the stadium, including the new official pizza of the Colts, Hot Box, as well as several new programs in the Faegre Drinker Club and West Club lounges including an expanded wine menu, craft beer bar, samplings from local restaurants, live music and more. More will be announced on Sept. 1.
• Aluminum Draft Beer Cups.  Draft beer will now be served in reusable/recyclable aluminum cups instead of disposable plastic cups.
• Kids Meals & Gameday.  An enhanced Kids Meal that includes a commemorative kids cup, as well as a Colts, branded arm sleeve.  A free Colts activity book will be available for kids at all guest services locations throughout the stadium. 

• Gameday Themes & Celebrations.  The team will return many of the NFL’s longstanding themes, such as Salute to Service, Intercept Cancer and Inspire Change, as well as special celebrations around Hall of Fame Inductions, the Colts Ring of Honor and the new throwback uniforms.

• Lucas Oil Plaza.  One of the most iconic spaces in the stadium – Lucas Oil Plaza – has been refreshed and updated, including the addition of a race car photo experience.

• Allegiant Terrace Level.  Throughout the season, Allegiant and the Colts are partnering to develop a new “Hall of Fans” on the Terrace level, honoring some of the team’s most passionate fans.  The new addition will be unveiled in 2022.

New Gameday Technology (With Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband)

• Stadium WiFi.  4G LTE service has been enhanced throughout the stadium and Verizon customers with WiFi turned on will automatically connect to its new WiFi 6 network in the stadium.
• 5G Ultra-Wideband (5X more coverage compared to 2019).  Fans can experience Verizon’s unparalleled 5G Ultra Wideband network experience in and around Lucas Oil Stadium, where they can upload videos of top plays, touchdown dances, and selfies in Colts gear faster than ever with super-low latency and massive bandwidth.  This includes inside the bowl itself, meaning no more spinning wheels when trying to look up stats or even post to social media during or after a big play.
• Verizon 5G Multi-View.  Verizon is offering fans a unique and immersive in-stadium-only experience with Verizon 5G Multi-View, available on the Colts mobile app.  Never miss a moment or a play as fans can see the action happening live from up to seven different camera angles all at once.  Fans can also project AR overlays of NFL’s Next Gen Stats for players in near real-time.

A Pekin man was arrested Wednesday afternoon for attempted murder after allegedly stabbing an acquaintance in the neck.  

Josh Marion, 38, Pekin is in jail on charges of attempted murder and Battery against a Public Official, a level A Misdemeanor.    

Just after noon on Wednesday, Washington County dispatch received a 911 call reporting that family members brought thirty-nine-year-old Jacob Kennedy to St. Vincent hospital in Salem after he was reportedly stabbed in the neck while at his apartment. 

Kennedy was later flown to University Hospital in Louisville due to the severity of his wounds.

Troopers and detectives from the Indiana State Police in Sellersburg were dispatched to investigate along with Sheriff Brent Miller from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department.  

As part of the investigation, an ISP detective responded to St. Vincent hospital in Salem.

At the same time, other investigators went to the apartment building located at 557 East SR60 in Pekin, where the stabbing allegedly occurred.

Following leads gathered at both locations, officers drove to a nearby residence to speak with Marion about his possible involvement in the stabbing.

While at that residence, detectives say Marion became agitated and attempted to forcefully take one of the officers to the ground.

Officers then took Marion into custody.

After taking Marion to jail, the investigation continued as crime scene investigators gathered physical evidence and detectives interviewed potential witnesses. 

As a result of the investigation, Marion was additionally charged with Attempted Murder.

He currently has no bond set. 

Jacob Kennedy is listed in stable condition at the University of Louisville Hospital.  

This case is still under investigation.