Indiana Department of Transportation contractor E&B Paving Inc. plans to close two bridges on S.R. 135 near Palmyra for deck overlay projects. Each bridge will close over separate weekends, from Thursday evening to Monday morning.

The first closure is planned at Bear Creek, approximately four miles north of U.S. 150. The closure is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 8, and reopen by 5 a.m. the following Monday.

The second closure is planned at South Fork Blue River, approximately five and one-half miles north of U.S. 150. The closure is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 15, and reopen by 5 a.m. the following Monday. Traffic will be rerouted along U.S. 150 and S.R. 56 during both closures.

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

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor E&B Paving Inc. plans to close S.R. 60 at the Salem Bypass on Tuesday, July 6, to continue construction on a $2 million roundabout project that began earlier this year.

State Road 60 is expected to remain closed through late August with an official detour route of I-65 to S.R. 56.

A design change along with weather delays have pushed the completion of Salem’s roundabout at the bypass to late August, according to Natalie Garrett, INDOT Public Relations Director, Southeast District. 

Construction was halted for over a week recently while design changes were made. 

Garrett said design changes were made to the splitter islands on each approach leg of the roundabout to make them mountable.

Garrett said “mountable” means that the elevation of the curb is lowered so the back wheels of trucks and other large vehicles can travel over the curb if needed.

The interior island was already designed to be mountable, she said. 

The detour for the Salem Bypass will continue to follow U.S. 150 to S.R. 56.

There are several other local routes to get further down SR 60 – including Martinsburg Road and Shorts Corner Road as well as taking 160 to Henryville to I-65.

The project will upgrade the existing two-way stop intersection to a single-lane roundabout with 12-foot truck aprons, which aims to enhance safety by reducing the number and severity of crashes at this location.

The contract also includes full-depth pavement replacement, guardrail work, and intersection lighting.

The contract was awarded last fall and the new intersection is now scheduled to open in late August following design changes to the splitter islands on each leg of the roundabout.

Additional construction activity may take place later in the year with minimal interruptions to traffic. 

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

Thursday evening, deputies from the Scott County Sheriff’s Office executed two drug-related search warrants.

One of the search warrants was executed at 3499 Red Bud Lane in rural Scott County around 9:00 pm.

This search warrant yielded Heroin, Meth, Marijuana, and over $4,000.00 in U.S. Currency. As a result of the search warrant and located items Eight (8) people were arrested out of the home.

• 1) Jessie L. Broadus, 28, from Harrod Road in Austin was arrested on the preliminary charges of Visiting A Common Nuisance, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of Cocaine or Schedule I, II Narcotic Drug and Possession of Marijuana.

• 2) Trista Rene Broadus, 27, from Harrod Road in Austin was arrested on the preliminary charges of Visiting A Common Nuisance, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of Cocaine or Schedule I, II Narcotic Drug and Possession of Marijuana.

• 3) Steven G. Webster, 34, from Red Bud Lane, Austin was arrested on the preliminary charges of Maintaining A Common Nuisance, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of Cocaine or Schedule I, II Narcotic Drug and Possession of Marijuana.

• 4) Scott G. Martin, 40, from Red Bud Lane, Austin was arrested on the preliminary charges of Visiting A Common Nuisance, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of Cocaine or Schedule I, II Narcotic Drug and Possession of Marijuana.

• 5) Jami Knight, 28, from Red Bud Lane, Austin was arrested on the preliminary charges of Maintaining A Common Nuisance, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of Cocaine or Schedule I, II Narcotic Drug and Possession of Marijuana.

• 6) Jessica D. Polly, 30, from Liberty Knob Road, Scottsburg was arrested on the preliminary charges of Visiting A Common Nuisance, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of Cocaine or Schedule I, II Narcotic Drug and Possession of Marijuana.

• 7) Jeremy R. McIntosh, 42, East County Line Road, Crothersville was arrested on the preliminary charges of Visiting A Common Nuisance, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of Cocaine or Schedule I, II Narcotic Drug and Possession of Marijuana.

• 8) Mike A. Martin, 36, from North Meridian Road, Austin was arrested on the preliminary charges of Visiting A Common Nuisance, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of Cocaine or Schedule I, II Narcotic Drug.

All the above arrested were incarcerated at the Scott County Jail.

The second search warrant executed at 1085 East Cutshall Road, Scottsburg later that evening, resulted in deputies locating Methamphetamine, a Legend Drug, and Paraphernalia. Six (6) people were arrested on this property.

• 9) Ashley Kemp, 36, from East Cutshall Road, Scottsburg was arrested on the preliminary charges of Dealing in Methamphetamine, (warrant), Maintaining A Common Nuisance, Possession of Methamphetamine, Legend Drug Possession, Possession of Paraphernalia and Possession of Schedule I, II,III or IV  Controlled Substance.

• 10) Bethany L. Sparrow, 35, from East Cutshall Road, Scottsburg was arrested on the preliminary charges of Maintaining A Common Nuisance, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Legend Drug, Possession of Paraphernalia and Possession of Schedule I, II, II or IV  Controlled Substance.

• 11) Jacob Lee Donovan Allen, 25, from North Slab Road, Scottsburg was arrested on the preliminary charges of Maintaining A Common Nuisance, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of a Legend Drug and Possession of Schedule I, II, III or IV   Controlled Substance.

• 12) Wesley M. Tevis, 21, from Jeffersonville, was arrested on the preliminary charges of Maintaining A Common Nuisance, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of a Legend Drug and Possession of Schedule I, II, II or IV Controlled Substance.

All the above were incarcerated at the Scott County Jail.

• 13) Bryce B. Mathers, 21, Birch Street, Scottsburg was arrested on the preliminary charge of Visiting a Common Nuisance. (Released on own Recognizance after processing per Covid-19 Rules).

• 14) Presley S. Gambill, 27, from North Michael Drive, Scottsburg was arrested on the preliminary charge of Visiting a Common Nuisance. (Released on own Recognizance after processing per Covid-19 Rules).

Sheriff Goodin commented “Another win for the citizens of Scott County.” He went on to say “with every arrest Scott County gets safer.”

Goodin also praised the citizens again saying, “The tips are what helps us make the arrests.” He said, “Keep them coming.”  

Sheriff Goodin also wanted to thank the Scott County Prosecutor’s Office for their assistance.

The Columbus Police Department has requested assistance from detectives and crime scene investigators from the Indiana State Police Versailles Post to investigate an officer-involved shooting that took place in the city of Columbus early this morning.

At approximately 4:05 a.m. this morning, a homeowner from the 3000 block of Grove Parkway was out of town on vacation. The homeowner noticed security footage showing an unknown person on his property.

The homeowner contacted 911 to report the suspicious activity. A Columbus police officer arrived at the residence at approximately 4:12 a.m.

At 4:13 the officer reported shots had been fired.

The officer requested an ambulance which arrived on the scene approximately one minute later to provide medical care to the suspect.

The suspect has been transported to IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis where he is currently undergoing surgery and is believed to be in critical condition.

The officer was not injured in the shooting and has been placed on administrative leave per Columbus Police Department protocol.

This is an active and ongoing criminal investigation by the Indiana State Police. Once the criminal investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office for their review and determination of charges, if any, to be filed.

Investigators will release the name of the suspect when the information is available. The name of the officer involved in this incident may be released by the Columbus Police Department after the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office has reviewed the completed case investigation and subsequently authorizes the release of that information.

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/