On April 19, 2021, the Dubois County Prosecutor filed charges on Joann T. Voelkel due to a months-long investigation by the Indiana State Police in reference to a fatal accident that occurred on October 16, 2020, and claimed the life of Ruth A. Meyer.

Voelkel has been charged with one count of Reckless Driving Class A Misdemeanor and summons to the Dubois County Court.

On October 16, 2020, at approximately 6:35 PM EST, the Indiana State Police and the Dubois County Sheriff’s Department responded to a vehicle vs. utility tractor crash in northern Dubois County.

The crash occurred on County Road 675 North, west of Portersville Rd near the address of 4288 West 675 North. Preliminary investigation shows that at the time of the crash, Ruth A. Meyer, 60, of Jasper, was operating her lawnmower when she entered the roadway from the south into the path of a black 1996 Chrysler LHS driven by Joann T. Voelkel, 62, who was traveling west on County Road 675 North.

Voelkel was unable to avoid collision and struck the utility tractor.

Meyer was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of the crash.

Preliminary investigation shows that alcohol or drugs did not contribute to this crash. The crash is still under investigation by an Indiana State Police.

On April 24, 2021, Deputy William Morris conducted a traffic stop in Scottsburg.  An investigation led to the arrest of Keith Dixon, 57, of Scottsburg for Driving While Suspended Prior, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia. 

On April 25, 2021, Deputy Zach Brown responded to a domestic situation in Scottsburg.  Upon arrival and investigation led to the arrest of two people.  Matthew Cole, 40, of Scottsburg was arrested for Domestic Batter Committed in the Presence of a Child Less Than 16 Years old and Domestic Battery.  Tiffany Cole, 37, of Scottsburg was arrested for Domestic Battery Committed in the Presence of a Child Less Than 16 Years of Age, Domestic Battery and Strangulation. 

On April 26, 2021, Deputy Jessica Dickey received a report of a female that was possibly intoxicated and headed to a school to pick up her children.  Shortly thereafter Deputy Dickey observed the alleged female suspect and began an investigation.  After completing the investigation, Valerie Best, 39, of Scottsburg was arrested for Operating While Intoxicated Endangering a Person, Operating While Intoxicated and Neglect of a Dependent. 

On April 26, 2021, Deputy John Hartman responded to an address in rural Scott County in an attempt to serve an outstanding arrest warrant.  Upon arrival Kaylie Mullins, 22, of Austin was arrested on an arrest warrant for five charges of Failure to Appear, an additional arrest warrant out of Jackson County and an arrest warrant out of Clark County. 

On March 26, 2021, Deputy John Hartman responded to a vehicle accident on Marshfield Road.  Upon arrival an investigation led to the arrest of Cory Christensen, 36, of Scottsburg for Operating While Intoxicated Endangering a Person and Operating While Intoxicated. 

On April 26, 2021, Corporal Johnney Coomer and Deputy Skylar Thompson responded to a medical call in rural Scott County.  Upon arrival an investigation led to the arrest of Charlie Stacy, 46, of Scottsburg for Escape, Flees Lawful Detention. 

The annual 4th of July Parade and other events are being planned for the 191st celebration of our nation’s independence in Pekin on Monday, July 5. 

The Pekin Community Betterment Organization is holding meetings and organizing the events for this year’s celebration. 

Those who would like to be in the flea market, which was not held last year, can contact 812-620-5682 or  812-972-3509. 

PCBO President Taylor Humphrey said they were also looking for food vendors and participants in a tug of war event. 

The parade, prince and princess contest, and the annual Queen contest will be held on Monday, July 5. 

Information on other events, fireworks and the parade will be provided here soon. 

Entry information can be found below:

 Rules and regulations for the 4Th of July Queen Contest

July 4th Prince and Princess Contest

Due to last Saturday’s rainout, the Orleans “Cruise, Blues and BBQ” car show has been moved to this coming Saturday, May 1.

The hours will remain the same, 2-6 p.m. on historic Congress Square in downtown Orleans.

Registration will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. and awards will be presented at 6 p.m.

“This will be the chamber’s first big event in the last 12 months,” said Robert F. Henderson, Chamber Executive Officer.   We are hoping everyone will come out and join us on the historic town square for this fun family event.

The vehicles that are named “best of” a certain category will be able to compete head-to-head against the winner of the same “best of” category named at the Fall Fun Fest car show in October.

All types of cars, trucks, bikes, and motorcycles are welcome to compete in the show.

There will be non-food and food vendors set up near the show. Also, SpeakEasy Pizza will be open. They will also have live music and the car show will be providing a DJ for entertainment during the show hours.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Orleans Chamber of Commerce and its promotion of business and general life in the Orleans community.

For more information on the show, contact organizer Mike Harkness at 812-653-1648 or the Orleans Chamber of Commerce at 812-865-9930.

A traffic stop on Monday afternoon netted $2 million in narcotics headed for the streets of Indianapolis.

Monday at approximately 1:30 p.m., an Indiana State Police Trooper stopped a Chrysler van on Interstate 70 near the fifty-nine-mile marker for unsafe lane movement. 

Arrested and Charges were: 

Driver of the vehicle, Ester Osegueda, 32, Porterville, California

• Dealing Narcotics, Level 2, Felony

Passenger of the vehicle, Adam Lopez, 27, Tulare, California

• Dealing Narcotics, Level 2 Felony 

During the conversation with the two occupants, the trooper observed criminal indicators and a subsequent investigation led to a search of the vehicle. 

During that search, the trooper discovered 134 pounds of crystal methamphetamine and 90 pounds of fentanyl concealed in the cargo area.

The drugs originated from Memphis, Tennessee, and were destined for Indianapolis, Indiana. 

The estimated value of the narcotics is two million dollars.

Both subjects were taken into custody and transported to the Hendricks County Jail where they are currently being detained.

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Duncan Robertson Inc. plans to begin construction on or after Monday, May 3, at the S.R. 135 bridge over Bean Blossom Creek in Brown County.

The bridge is located just south of S.R. 45 and will be reduced to one 11-foot lane with temporary traffic signals as work progresses on a bridge deck overlay project. 

The signals are expected to remain in place through early August, weather permitting.

This project is part of a $1.2 million contract that includes a small structure replacement on S.R. 45, just west of S.R. 135, also in Brown County.

Work is expected to begin on the structure replacement this summer. 

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.