DNR biologists have confirmed a black bear sighting that occurred in northeast Vanderburgh County before sunrise this morning.

The closest town to the location is Elberfeld, in Warrick County.

Biologists confirmed the bear from photos taken by the landowner, which is about 100 miles west of Salem and approximately 50 miles groom Holiday World.

“This is Indiana’s fourth confirmed black bear,” said Brad Westrich, DNR mammalogist. “With expanding bear populations in neighboring states, this is expected.

“Human-bear conflicts can be avoided if you remove or secure potential food sources from your yard. Bears can smell food from more than a mile away.”

Black bears are rarely aggressive toward humans.

If you see a black bear:

• Do not feed it.
• Observe it from a distance.
• Do not climb a tree.
• Advertise your presence by shouting and waving your arms and backing slowly away.
• Report bear sightings to the Indiana Division of Fish & Wildlife at https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/wildlife-resources/animals/report-a-mammal/

Most problems that occur with bears arise when bears associate food sources with humans and lose their fear of people.

More guidelines for reducing or eliminating the potential for bear-human conflicts:

• Remove bird feeders and bird food if a bear is reported in your area.
• Clean and store away grills after use.
• Eliminate food attractants by placing garbage cans inside a garage or shed.
• Pick ripe fruits and vegetable as soon as possible or place an electric fence around them to ensure bears cannot reach them.
• Consolidate beehives you may have and place an electric fence around them.
• Don’t leave pet food outside overnight.
• Don’t add meat or sweets to a compost pile.
• Don’t climb a tree if you encounter a bear; wait in a vehicle or building for the bear to leave the area.

More information on black bears is at https://www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/wildlife-resources/animals/black-bear/

An 18-year-old Vallonia man faces at least four criminal charges related to a pursuit Friday afternoon that ended when he crashed his motorcycle in a cornfield in southern Jackson County, according to police.

Payton Brice Prewitt, 18, Vallonia, has been preliminarily charged with two counts of resisting law enforcement, possession of methamphetamine and criminal mischief involving damage to the property of an agricultural operation, was booked into the Jackson County Jail in Brownstown at 3:21 p.m. Friday.

According to a news release from Brownstown Police Chief Tom Hanner, the pursuit that led to Prewitt’s arrest started when Hanner attempted to stop the driver of a motorcycle for a traffic violation at State Road 135 and County Road 100S.

Police said the cyclist, later identified as Prewitt, refused to stop leading to a pursuit that went south on State Road 135 and ended when Prewitt failed to make a turn and went into a cornfield.

At that point, Prewitt was arrested and taken to the jail, where he was being held without bond Saturday.

Brownstown Officer Ryan Cherry and Assistant Chief Joe Kelly along with Jackson County Sgt. Ben Rudolph assisted with the pursuit and arrest of Prewitt.

The victim of the shooting that occurred early yesterday morning on John Deere Road in Dupont, Indiana has been positively identified as Dustin B. Lindner, age 35, Georgetown, Kentucky. 

Lindner was found deceased in the yard of a residence shortly after 4:00 am on June 22, 2021, when Jefferson County Deputies arrived on the scene after receiving a call of shots being fired.  

Lindner’s family has been notified.

The investigation is ongoing.  No arrests have been made at this time.

Shortly after 4:00 am Monday, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department received a 9-1-1 call stating that shots were fired at a residence in the 8000 Block of North John Deere Road near Dupont, Indiana. 

Deputies responded to the address and located an adult male, who had sustained a gunshot wound, lying in the yard of the residence. 

Lindner was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.

Indiana State Police Investigators were soon requested to lead the investigation. 

The initial investigation indicates that an altercation at the residence led to shots being fired. 

Lindner was shot at least one time and died as a result of injuries he sustained.

At this time, no arrests have been made. 

Detectives believe the incident was not random and do not believe there is a threat to the general public at this time.

The investigation is ongoing and active at this time.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana Conservation Officers, and the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office.

On June 16, 2021, Corporal Johnney Coomer responded to a disturbance in rural Scott County.  Shortly thereafter additional deputies and an Officer with the Scottsburg City Police also arrived on the scene.  As a result of an investigation, two people were arrested for multiple charges. 

Robert Knight, 47, of Scottsburg was arrested for Intimidation, Resisting Law Enforcement and Battery by Bodily Waste on a Public Safety Official. 

Erika Martinez, 34, of Scottsburg was arrested for Obstruction of Justice and Intimidation. 

On June 18, 2021, Deputy Josh Juliot responded to rural Scott County on the information of a female with a warrant walking down the road.  Upon arrival Kayla rose, 30, of Austin was arrested for an outstanding out-of-county arrest warrant. 

On June 18, 2021, Corporal Charlie Morgan responded to Sommerville Road for the report of a house fire.  After completing an investigation, Patricia Nasby, 49, of Scottsburg was arrested for Arson and Operating a Vehicle as a Habitual Traffic Violator. 

On June 20, 2021, Corporal Charlie Morgan was dispatched to a residence in rural Scott County for a disturbance.  Upon arrival an investigation led to the arrest of Lance Eads, 33, of Lawrenceburg, IN, for an out-of-county arrest warrant. 

On June 20, 2021, Deputy Zachary Brown and Corporal Charlie Morgan responded to the scene of a vehicle accident in rural Scott County.  Upon arrival, an investigation led to the arrest of Jamie Bright, 43, of Scottsburg for Invasion of Privacy and Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident. 

On June 21, 2021, Corporal Charlie Morgan conducted a traffic stop in Scottsburg.  An investigation led to the arrest of Trenton Bowling, 23, of Scottsburg for Operating a Vehicle with a B.A.C. of A.C.E. of 0.15 or More, Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person, Reckless Driving and Public Intoxication. 

On June 21, 2021, Corporal Charlie Morgan attempted to conduct a traffic stop on I-65.  The vehicle refused to stop continuing south on I-65.  Shortly thereafter the vehicle came to a stop.  An investigation led to the arrest of Seth Nunes, 26, of Henryville, IN, for Resisting Law Enforcement Using a Vehicle, Resisting Law Enforcement, Criminal Recklessness and Reckless Driving. 

On June 22, 2021, Corporal Johnney Coomer went to an address in Scottsburg in an attempt to serve an outstanding arrest warrant.  Upon arrival Dustin Helton, 33, of Scottsburg was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant for Failure to Appear. 

On June 22, 2021, Corporal Johnney Coomer conducted a traffic stop in rural Scott County.  An investigation led to the arrest of Tyler Collins, 36, of Lexington, IN, for Driving While Suspended prior. 

The Tippecanoe County Board of Health has authorized Purdue Athletics to return to 100 percent capacity in Ross-Ade Stadium and Holloway Gymnasium for the upcoming fall seasons.

“We are excited to welcome the Boilermaker family back in both Ross-Ade Stadium and Holloway Gymnasium this fall and appreciate our local and campus officials’ support in reaching this exciting milestone,” said the director of athletics Mike Bobinski. “The 2020-21 year of competition required a multitude of sacrifices and adjustments, but the missing energy and excitement from our fans were certainly among the toughest for all of us. Gameday was simply not the same and we can’t wait for our student-athletes to experience you filling the stands to support them this fall.”

While we encourage all fans to make decisions they feel are appropriate to their individual circumstances, Tippecanoe County will not mandate any social-distancing restrictions or facial coverings at Purdue football and volleyball contests this fall, allowing for full capacity at both venues. 

Decisions about capacity in Mackey Arena and other athletics facilities will be made shortly.

This fall, the Purdue football team will play six of its 12 games at Ross-Ade Stadium, including the season opener under the lights on Sept. 4, against PAC 12-member Oregon State. Other home games include Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and the Old Oaken Bucket game against Indiana.

“We’re very excited to have all of our amazing fans back at full capacity in Ross-Ade Stadium this fall,” head football coach Jeff Brohm said. “Our Boilermaker faithful are a huge part of the gameday experience for our players and staff, and they make a difference for our team each home Saturday. Our fans are loud, loyal, and passionate, and we can’t wait to see them in the stands.”

Coming off an Elite Eight appearance, the Purdue volleyball team will open Big Ten play Sept. 24, at home against Ohio State. The full schedule will be released at a later date.

“Few things are more special for our team than running onto Belin Court with a sold-out crowd in America’s best volleyball venue,” said volleyball head coach Dave Shondell. “Knowing a packed Holloway Gym is waiting on the Boilermakers for every home match is an unbelievable feeling, especially after the pandemic season of 2020. We thank the most loyal fans in the land for their love and support.”

In addition to 100 percent capacity at both venues, all traditional gameday activities at Ross-Ade Stadium will resume, including pregame tailgating, the Boilermaker Crossing, fan shuttles, and band and cheer performances. Some enhanced safety measures include digital ticketing and parking pass for contactless entry and payment, contactless gate admission pedestals at all entry gates, cashless transactions at concession stands, and the Purdue Team Store.

Please contact the John Purdue Club with any questions on parking, premium seating, and membership at 765.494.CLUB (2582) or reach out directly to your Boilermaker Athletics Representative. As a reminder, all gifts to the More Than A Game Campaign before June 30 will receive 3x priority points.

Purdue Athletics encourages all fans, if they can, to receive the CoVid-19 vaccine, and we will continue to monitor the environment and will be prepared to make capacity adjustments if deemed necessary.

For ticket information, please call the Hayes Family Athletics Ticket Office at 800.49SPORT.