Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe McGuinness today announced 218 Indiana cities, towns, and counties received a combined $100.2 million in state matching funds for local road projects through Community Crossings, a component of the Governor’s Next Level Roads program.

Washington County received $1 million for upcoming road projects, along with Harrison, Jackson, Jennings, and New Albany. 

Other grants went to:

• Austin – $130,347
• Crawford County – $160,7171.50
• Columbus – $689,351.25
• Crothersville – $269,897.25
• Floyd County – $700,450.41
• Georgetown – $178,236
• Jeffersonville – $857,631.74
• Lanesville – $138,847.50
• Mitchell – $87,705
• Orange County – $999,057.90
• Orleans – $113,468.10
• Scottsburg – $905,245.96
• Seymour – $108,200.18 

“Superior transportation infrastructure – from interstates to local roads and everything connecting in between – make our communities safer attractive places to do business and create jobs,” Governor Holcomb said. “Thriving communities, in turn, provide exceptional places for Hoosiers to call home and raise families. With that in mind, I’m so pleased to invest and partner with local leaders to deliver on high-priority projects that keep Indiana moving forward.”

The Community Crossings initiative has provided more than $931 million in state matching funds for local construction projects since 2016. Communities submitted applications for funding during a highly competitive call for projects held in January. Applications were evaluated based on need and current conditions and impacts to safety and economic development. Funding for Community Crossings comes from the state’s local road and bridge matching grant fund.

“Community Crossings is a major asset to Indiana cities, towns, and counties as they build and modernize local roads and bridges,” INDOT Commissioner Joe McGuinness said. 

“The state’s funding partnership allows local partners to tackle larger-scale projects more quickly than would otherwise be possible, maximize their resources to complete more projects and achieve the best possible value for Hoosiers.”

To qualify for funding, local governments must provide local matching funds, 50 percent for larger communities or 25 percent for smaller communities, from a funding source approved for road and bridge construction. They must also submit an INDOT-approved asset management plan for maintaining existing roads and bridges. 

State law requires annually that 50 percent of the available matching funds be awarded to communities within counties with a population of 50,000 or fewer. State lawmakers identified long-term funding for Community Crossings as part of House Enrolled Act 1002, passed by the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Holcomb in April 2017.

The next call for projects in Community Crossings will open in July 2021.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces flagging operations on two S.R. 45 bridges over Bean Blossom Creek in Brown County starting on or after Monday, May 3, weather permitting. 

INDOT contractor Ragle Inc. will complete joint repair and replacement over a 10-day period. Flagging will take place during daytime hours. No lane restrictions or closures are planned at night.

Similar work will also take place on I-65 NB and SB over U.S. 50 near Seymour. Lanes on I-65 will be restricted overnight for up to 20 days as early as mid-May. The $250,000 contract was awarded in January and is expected to be complete by the end of June.

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.

On Tuesday evening, the Indiana State Police concluded a lengthy drug investigation by arresting a Mitchell man.

ISP Drug Enforcement Detectives and the ISP Bloomington District A.C.E.S. (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section) had received information that Robert Lane, 45 years old of Mitchell was allegedly dealing methamphetamine.

During the investigation, troopers developed probable cause that Lane not only dealt methamphetamine but did so in the presence of a minor child. The investigation resulted in troopers applying for and being granted an arrest warrant for Lane.

Once Troopers obtained the arrest warrant, ISP Sergeant Greg Day and Trooper Chance Humphrey located Lane at his residence on Moto Cross Road outside of Mitchell. During the arrest, the minor child was once again present at the residence along with further evidence of drug activity.

The Indiana Department of Child Services responded to the scene and assisted ISP to help ensure the safety of the child. Also during the investigation, further alleged evidence was found and seized by troopers who have submitted a new report to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

Robert Lane was then transported to the Lawrence County Jail and held on the following charge of Dealing Methamphetamine in the Presence of a Minor, a Level 4 Felony.

Sgt. Day and Trp. Humphrey was assisted by Trp. Cody Brown and Trp. Sam Gillespie.

Anyone with knowledge of illegal drug activity is encouraged to call the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post at 812-332-4411. All calls can be confidential.

The Washington County Sheep Association and Washington County Fair Board
are hosting an Open Sheep Show on Saturday, June 5 at the Washington County
Fairgrounds Livestock Pavilion.

There will be classes for Market Lambs, Breeding Ewes, Rams and

Showmanship. Sheep may start arriving at 8:00 a.m. Weigh-in will be from 8:30-10:00
a.m.

The show will start at 12:30 p.m. with showmanship classes. Anyone needing rules
or more information should contact the Purdue Extension – Washington County Office at
812-883-4601 or visit the website https://extension.purdue.edu/washington.

The Sheep Association will be selling bratwursts and lamb burgers along with
chips and drinks beginning at 11 a.m. and continuing until 4 p.m. or the end of the show.

Homemade cinnamon rolls and drinks will be available for breakfast. The Wash. Co. 4-
H Jr. Leaders will also be selling ice cream.

The public is invited to come to watch the show and enjoy a delicious lamb meal.

Detectives from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post are requesting the public’s help in identifying a man who was found deceased in rural Ripley County, Indiana yesterday.

Shortly after 10:00 am yesterday, April 27, troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post responded to a rural area west of Osgood, Indiana after a man was found deceased.  At this point, the man has not been identified and the cause of death is not known.

The man appeared to be a white male in his 30s or early 40s.  He was approximately 5 feet 7 inches, 160 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes, and a beard.  He had distinct tattoos on his upper right arm (Attached picture).

An autopsy will be conducted today to determine a cause of death and to obtain more information to assist in identifying the man.

Anyone who believes they may know the identity of the man is urged to call Detective Tracy Rohlfing at the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post at (812)689-5000.