On April 9, 2021, Clarence Johnson, 37, of Austin, appeared in court.  He was arrested on Failure to Comply and was booked at the Scott County Jail. 

On April 9, 2021, Deputy Zach Brown initiated a traffic stop in Scottsburg.  The driver was identified as Shannon Barger, 39, of Crothersville.  Barger was not compliant and refusing to cooperate.  He was arrested and charged with Refusal to Identify, Disorderly Conduct, and Resisting Law Enforcement.  He was transported to the Scott County Jail. 

On April 9, 2021, Corporal Charlie Morgan responded to Mariann’s Motel on a female slumped over in a vehicle.  Upon arrival, Corporal Morgan made contact with Victoria Howard, 31, of Crothersville.  Howard was evaluated by EMS.  Further investigation revealed she had an active arrest warrant in Jackson County.  Howard was arrested for an Out of County Warrant, Possession of Marijuana/Hash Oil/Hashish or Salvia, Possession of Cocaine or Schedule I or II Narcotic Drug – At Least 5 to 10 Grams, Unlawful Possession of a Syringe, Possession of Methamphetamine, and Maintaining a Common Nuisance.   

On April 10, 2021, Corporal James Ward and First Sergeant Keith Hartman responded to a dispute in a vehicle on Highway 31.  Upon arrival, Corporal Ward and First Sergeant Hartman made contact with Brittany Rose, 30, of Scottsburg, and Jonathan Barger, 31, of Lexington.  Further investigation resulted in the arrests of both Rose and Barger.  They were arrested and charged with Domestic Battery. 

On April 11, 2021, Corporal James Ward and First Sergeant Keith Hartman responded to a trespassing call on Hardy Mill Road.  Upon arrival, Deputy Ward made contact with Corey Smith, 27, of English.  Further investigation revealed Smith was occupying a stolen vehicle.  Smith was arrested for Criminal Trespassing and Auto Theft.  He was transported to the Scott County Jail. 

Legislation to fully fund public school students attending classes virtually this academic year due to COVID-19 is now law, according to State Rep. Steve Davisson (R-Salem).

Without this new law, public schools would receive 85% of tuition support per virtual student, which is defined as a child learning 50% or more of their instruction online.

Davisson said this law provides 100% of the state’s tuition support for students at public schools who have gone to virtual instruction for part or all of the 2020-2021 academic year, so long as those students weren’t already learning virtually prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our schools continuously made adjustments to help protect students, staff and families during the pandemic, and that included online learning,” Davisson said. “Education remains the state’s largest investment, and this commonsense law makes sure our public schools are fully funded as they focus on providing high-quality instruction to young Hoosiers.”

Senate Enrolled Act 2 is effective immediately. Visit iga.in.gov to learn more.

On Monday, April 12, 2021, a joint investigation involving the Indiana State Police Bloomington District Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section (A.C.E.S.), Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section (D.E.S.), and the Bedford Police Department culminated in a methamphetamine dealing arrest of Andrew S. Rankin, 37, of Bedford.

After ISP, BPD and the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office had all received information that methamphetamine was allegedly being dealt out of a residence in the 1500 block of 6 ½ Street in Bedford. Officers utilized various investigative techniques and were able to confirm illegal drug activity was taking place.

Today, plainclothes officers observed Rankin, who had active felony arrest warrants through Lawrence County, in the yard of the residence working on a vehicle. They then notified uniformed officers of the location of Rankin and ISP A.C.E.S. Sergeant Greg Day, BPD Captain Jeremy Bridges, along with BPD Officers Jarrett Tedrow, Faheem Bade, and his canine Zazu, arrived at the residence.

As the uniformed officers were approaching the driveway, Rankin ran toward the residence and entered through a garage door. Officers gave chase and Officer Bade with Zazu, stood at the door while officers gave verbal commands for Rankin to exit. Ultimately, Rankin was located after acknowledging he did not want the dog released.

While Rankin was being placed into custody, Sgt. Day observed suspected drugs and paraphernalia lying in plain view. ISP DES Detectives applied for and obtained a search warrant, which was signed by the Honorable Robert Cline of Lawrence Superior Court 2.

Upon execution of the search warrant, officers located approximately 10 grams of methamphetamine which was packaged for sale, an ounce of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and other items associated with dealing drugs.

Rankin was arrested and incarcerated at the Lawrence County Jail for the following offenses:

• Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deal, Level 3 Felony
• Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 5 Felony
• Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor

This case remains under investigation and additional arrests may be forthcoming.

Anyone with knowledge of illegal drug activity is requested to call the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post at 812-332-4411, the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office tip line at 812-545-4700, or send an email to drugactivity@lawrencecounty.in.gov. All calls are confidential.

​On behalf of the 2020 Winter Test cooperators, IBEP board of directors and advisory personnel, we invite you to the 87th IBEP Performance Tested Bulls Sale on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 2 pm (EDST) at the Springville Feeder Auction Market in Springville, IN and broadcasted live on CattleUSA.com.  

Options for bidding include in-person, internet via CattleUSA.com or placing a proxy bid with Nick Minton at 812-279-4330.

​Of the 181 bulls performance tested and developed in the 2020 Winter Test, 101 bulls will be offered in the 87th IBEP Performance Tested Bulls Sale.  We are confident you will find a great deal of quality throughout this offering of performance tested bulls.  

Bulls are available for viewing at any time at the IBEP Test Station and onsite in Springville on sale day.  

​Only those seriously considering investing in their next herd sire should attend in person.  

Individuals who enjoy watching the sale can do so through CattleUSA.com.  This as a measure to minimize the crowd size yet for this sale.

All who attend the sale in person will be required to wear a face covering at all times and abide by COVID safety measures.

​For questions on individual bulls please contact the respective cooperator (page 17 of catalog) and IBEP with questions about the sale.

IBEP Test Station: 812-279-4330 or nminton@purdue.edu

Website: https://ag.purdue.edu/ansc/ibep/Pages/default.aspx

The Washington County Farmers’ Market Board of Directors is hosting a meeting for past, current, and potential market vendorsfor 2021. 

The meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 26, 2021at 6:30 pm at the 4-H Building of the Washington Co. Fairgrounds (118 Fair St., Salem).  This meeting will cover information such as the 2021 Vendor Contract, market updates, and to answer vendor questions. 

Meeting participants should plan to social distance and wear a mask.  

Anyone who has recently been in contact with an individual with COVID-19 should not attend the meeting.

If there are questions about this meeting, contact Purdue Extension – Washington County by calling 812-883-4601 or emailing dhowellw@purdue.edu.