Seven-day closure to begin on or after July 20

The previously announced 90-day closure of St. Joe Road over I-65 in Sellersburg has been reduced to a seven-day closure starting on or after Tuesday, July 20.

The rehabilitation project will consist of replacing the deck of the bridge. The official detour will follow S.R. 60 to C.R. 311 to U.S. 31 to Renz Avenue to Clark Street.

Concrete patching is also planned on the piers underneath the bridge. This work will require lane closures on I-65.

Two travel lanes will be maintained during the day and one travel lane at night, from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Work under the bridge is scheduled to be complete by mid-August.

E&B Paving Inc. was awarded the contract in December 2020. The completion date is October 1, 2021.

Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution, and drive distraction-free in and near all work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Federal Charges Filed Against Man in Killing of Terre Haute Police Officer

Criminal charges were filed today against a Terre Haute man who was taken into custody yesterday for killing Terre Haute Police Detective and FBI Task Force Officer, Gregory Ferency, outside the FBI Resident Agency office on July 7, 2021.

According to court documents, Shane Meehan, 44, drove his pickup truck to the gate of the FBI Resident Agency building. Meehan exited his truck and threw a Molotov Cocktail toward the building. Detective Ferency walked out of the building shortly after Meehan threw the incendiary device and was confronted by Meehan who was holding a firearm. Meehan raised the firearm and shot Detective Ferency. Detective Ferency was able to return fire to defend himself but later died.

Shortly thereafter, an FBI Special Agent ran out of the building and engaged Meehan in a gun battle. Despite being shot twice, Meehan got into his truck and fled the scene. Meehan was located at the Vigo County Regional Hospital where he was treated for his gunshot wounds. A firearm was recovered from Meehan’s pickup truck along with three Molotov Cocktails and additional ammunition.

“An attack on law enforcement is an attack on us all, said Acting U.S. Attorney John E. Childress. “As citizens of this county, we enjoy on a daily basis the security and protection provided by the men and women of law enforcement. That security and protection is all the more precious because it is at times paid for with the lives of those who have chosen to protect us. The selfless dedication exhibited by Detective Ferency throughout his career and his tragic death yesterday is yet another example of why we all owe our respect and gratitude to the members of law enforcement. On behalf of the Department of Justice, I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Detective Ferency’s family and his many colleagues.”

“I want to offer the deepest sympathy of the FBI to the family, friends and colleagues of Detective Ferency. Greg was a valued member of our FBI family and had worked side by side with us as a Task Force Officer since 2010 in our Terre Haute office,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan. “We will work day and night to carefully examine the circumstances of the shooting and we are dedicated to honoring Greg’s memory through a meticulous investigation.”

Meehan is charged with the murder of a federal agent. If convicted, Meehan faces up to life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.

Assistant United States Attorneys Kate Oliver and Barry Glickman are prosecuting the case.

On Thursday, July 8th, around 3:00 pm, off-duty Trooper Cody Brown was contacted by a resident of Middle Leesville Road, who was out of the state. The resident said that he was getting cell photographs sent to him by his camera system at his property in Lawrence County. It appeared there was a white Grand Prix on his property and that a Honda dirt bike was being stolen.

Trp. Brown responded even though he was not working and began calling for other on-duty Troopers to assist. Upon arrival, Trp. Brown discovered the suspects were gone as was the motorcycle. Based on photos from the camera system, Trp. Chance Humphrey and Trp. Brown both recognized the Pontiac as belonging to Tiffany Watterson, a 43-year-old female from Bedford. Furthermore, Troopers were aware of a residence in Kenray Lake where Watterson frequented.

Troopers Humphrey and Brown, along with Sgt. Greg Day and Trp. Caleb Garvin went to the address at Kenray Lake, on Schores Drive. They observed the Pontiac and made contact with multiple people at the residence. The homeowner gave consent to search the property and Troopers located the stolen motorcycle behind the residence.

The subsequent investigation at the residence resulted in establishing probable cause that Taylor F. Carwile, a 25-year-old male also from Bedford, and another male, who had fled the scene before officers arrived, had stolen the motorcycle.  

During the investigation, Watterson showed signs of extreme intoxication and at one point, she started her vehicle and was told by Troopers to turn it off or she could be arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OVWI). A few minutes later, Watterson again started her car, put it in gear, and began to try and drive away even though the vehicle was completely blocked in with nowhere to go. At that time, Trp. Garvin removed Watterson from the vehicle and conducted an OVWI investigation.

Watterson refused to consent to a certified chemical test, so a search warrant was sought and obtained from the Honorable Judge Robert Cline of Superior Court II. Trp. Garvin and Sgt. Day transported Watterson to IU Health Bedford where a blood draw was completed. However, once the blood draw was done, Watterson became belligerent and refused to stop yelling. She resisted officers and would not be quiet after being told numerous times.

Carwile and Watterson were both arrested and transported to the Lawrence County Jail on the following charges,

Taylor F. Carwile

• Theft of a Motor Vehicle (Level 6 Felony) 

Tiffany Watterson 

• Operating While Intoxicated (A Misdemeanor) 
• Resisting Law Enforcement (A Misdemeanor)
• Disorderly Conduct (B Misdemeanor)

The original theft investigation is continuing and more arrests are expected.

The Orange County Players will return to the stage Fri., Sat., July 9, and 10 with ‘Summer Serenade.’

Performances will begin at 7:00 p.m. at Paoli First Presbyterian Church with doors opening at 6:30 each evening.

‘Summer Serenade’ is a musical revue featuring the singing talents of Steve Gorman, Kate Henderson, Beverly Hester, Larry Hollan, Hannah McClure, and Gary Spear. Gorman and Henderson also dance. Hester will play the mandolin,  while Spear will play the guitar. McClure will bake cookies for the show, and Hollan will be at the piano.

Director Kate Henderson put together a Post-COVID format that captures We’ll Survive, Staying Positive,  Looking Back and Looking Forward including favorites “Top of the World,” “These Are My People,” “Leavin’s Not The Only Way To Go,” “A Wonderful Day Like Today,” “Make Someone Happy,” “Smile,” “Happy Days/Get Happy,” and “I Can See Clearly Now.”

‘Summer Serenade’ also features “I Dreamed A Dream,” “Come By The Hills,” “Steppin’ Out,” “Salvation Song,” “The Body Electric,” “You Will Be Found,” and “What A Wonderful World.”

“This is the first show in over a year since the Covid shutdown,” said Summer Serenade Director Kate Henderson. “We wanted to do an upbeat and positive show for our first one back.  Our ‘Summer Serenade’ is just that. It is filled with old songs, folk songs and new songs. Songs that will make you laugh and reminisce. There will even be some dancing going on.”

Tickets for ‘Summer Serenade’ should cost $10. Through the generous donations of its patrons, Orange County Players will sell tickets for $5 per person in advance or at the door. “Of course additional OCP Patron donations would be accepted,” said Henderson.

Tickets are available from any cast member, or by making reservations at 812-723-5672.

A Louisville man was arrested on drug and weapons charges after being stopped for a traffic violation.

Around 3:20 Thursday morning, Trooper Dakota Novak was patrolling eastbound on US-150 in Palmyra and observed the white Nissan Sentra traveling in front of him had an expired Kentucky Temporary Registration tag.

The vehicle turned northbound onto Martin Mathis Road and Trooper Novak initiated a traffic stop. While speaking with the driver, Trooper Novak observed the smell of marijuana from within the car and continued the investigation.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Daniel A. Sikes, 34, of Louisville Kentucky.

During the investigation, Trooper Novak found that Daniel Sikes had an outstanding warrant out of Floyd County for driving while suspended prior and that Sikes current driving status was also still listed as suspended prior.

Further, into the investigation, Trooper Novak found that Sikes was carrying a loaded handgun.

Sikes did not possess a permit to legally carry the firearm. 

As the investigation continued, suspected Heroin was also located in the vehicle.  

Sikes was arrested and transported to the Harrison County Jail with the following charges:

1.  Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felon – Level 4 Felony
2.  Carrying a Handgun without a License with a Prior Felony Conviction – Level 5 Felony
3.  Possession of a Narcotic Drug – Level 6 Felony
4.  Driving while Suspended Prior – Class A Misdemeanor
5.  Warrant for Driving While Suspended Prior – Class A Misdemeanor.

Trooper Novak was assisted by Trooper Clay Boley during the investigation.  

On Wednesday, July 7th, Tommy G. Terry, 51 years old of Bedford, was arrested for multiple offenses following a short vehicle pursuit in Lawrence County. Indiana State Police Sgt. Greg Day was traveling westbound on SR 158, west of Fayetteville, when he got behind a 2005 Ford Taurus traveling below the posted speed limit.

Sgt. Day observed the male driver of the vehicle, later identified as Terry, was weaving all over the roadway, from the right roadway edge to across the centerline.

Sgt. Day believed Terry to possibly be intoxicated based on the extremely poor and dangerous driving behavior.

Sgt. Day turned on his emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop, however, Terry threw up his arms in a manner of disgust and refused to stop.

The Ford then continued to travel westbound on SR 158, with Terry still refusing to stop.

The pursuit eventually traveled north on Boone Hollow Road to the intersection of Hicks Lane, where Terry drove off the roadway into a yard and stopped. Terry exited his vehicle but was immediately taken into custody by Sgt. Day. The pursuit was extremely low speed, with the top speed never getting above 50mph.

Once other troopers arrived on the scene, a search of the Ford was conducted due to the odor of burnt marijuana. The search revealed Terry was in possession of a pipe with burnt marijuana residue on it. 

He also possessed other items of drug paraphernalia. It was also discovered that Terry had a suspended driver’s license.

Terry was transported to IU Health Bedford where he consented to a blood draw. Terry was then incarcerated at the Lawrence County Jail for the following charges,

• Resisting Law Enforcement (Level 6 Felony)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (C Misdemeanor)
• Operating with a Controlled Substance in the Body (C Misdemeanor)

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

The Indiana State Police is well underway with the process of issuing body-worn and in-car cameras to its Troopers across the entire state; a process which started in early June and is expected to take until late August to complete.

In August of 2020, Governor Holcomb mandated the ISP would adopt and implement a body-worn camera system by the Spring of 2021. Since the Governor’s announcement, extensive research and testing has been conducted to ensure the system implemented would best meet the needs of the ISP.

In all, nearly 800 body-worn camera systems, which will also include and work in tandem with in-car cameras, will be put into the field for uniform Troopers and Sergeants assigned to patrol duties, Capitol Police Officers, and specific Special Operations units.  By the end of today, more than 230 body-worn, and in-car camera systems will have been deployed into the field.

“This process was focused on selecting the very best product and system for not only the Department but for Troopers in the field that work in both urban and rural areas”, said ISP Superintendent Doug Carter.

The system utilizes a router that is installed in the vehicle which allows for more accessibility and connectivity in areas of the state where cell phone coverage is not always optimal.

The cost associated with this project is approximately $15 million over a period of five years. 

The ISP policy governing body-worn cameras can be found at the link below:

 https://www.in.gov/isp/files/ENF-010%20LERD.pdf.

Around 5:30 pm this afternoon, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office responded to South Lake Road in Scottsburg for the report of a juvenile pedestrian being struck by a vehicle near Scottsburg Lake. 

During the investigation, officers discovered a 10-year-old male juvenile victim was allegedly struck by a 2007 Ford Taurus being driven by a 17-year-old juvenile.  

The victim was transported to the Scott Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. 

The driver of the vehicle was not hurt by the crash. 

The Indiana State Police are conducting a crash reconstruction of the scene. 

The Scott County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Scottsburg City Police Department, the Indiana State Police, the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, The Scottsburg Volunteer Fire Department, and Scott County EMS. 

The investigation is continuing.  No further information is available for release at this time.