Yesterday afternoon at approximately 4:50, Trooper Widner was patrolling in the area of Fulton Avenue near Ohio Street when he stopped the driver of a 2017 Audi for making an unsafe lane movement.

Arrested and Charged was Kelvin Simmons, 29, of Henderson, KY

1. Possession of a Handgun by Serious Violent Felony, Level 4 Felony
2. Possession of Handgun without a License with Prior Conviction, Level 5 Felony
3. Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor

Widner also detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.

When Trooper Widner asked Simmons to step out of his vehicle he immediately rolled up his window and began to search for something in the passenger seat area.

Widner struck the window and ordered Simmons out of the car.

Widner attempted to open the door but it was locked.

After continuing to order Simmons out of the car, Simmons exited his vehicle and was placed in handcuffs without further incident.

After additional officers arrived to assist, a search of the vehicle revealed a fully loaded handgun with armor-piercing rounds under a backpack located on the passenger seat.

Officers also found a small amount of marijuana and another fully loaded magazine. Further investigation revealed Simmons is a serious violent felon and is prohibited from carrying a firearm.

Simmons was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.

Assisting Agency: Evansville Police

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor HydraTech Field Services plans to begin repair work next week on two bridges over I-65 in Scott and Clark Counties. Work will take place simultaneously at both locations listed below. Joint replacement and barrier wall repair is also planned later this spring at the third location on S.R. 3 in Scott County.

S.R. 56 over I-65 – Scott County
Starting on or after Wednesday, March 17, crews will begin repair work on the center pier of S.R. 56 over I-65. This will require inside shoulder closures for both directions of I-65.

Overnight lane closures are expected to begin at the overpass in early May, starting with the right northbound lane. The right southbound lane and entrance ramp from S.R. 56 will close nightly starting in mid-May. Each lane will close at approximately 9 p.m. each night and reopen each morning around 6 a.m.

Youth hunters may apply for reserved turkey hunts during the special youth wild turkey hunting season on DNR properties from March 15-26.

Hunts will occur on April 17-18.

outh hunters who are under age 18 on the day of the hunt are eligible. A limit will be placed on the number of youth hunters allowed to hunt a respective property on each hunting day in order to improve the quality of hunts for participants.

Find a list of participating DNR properties on this site.

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor E&B Paving Inc. plans to begin work on or after Monday, March 15, on a small structure pipe lining project on S.R. 56 in Washington County.

The structure is located 0.58 miles west of S.R. 39.

Significant traffic impacts are not expected as crews will be mostly working off the roadway.

However, shoulders will be closed in the area and lane closures with flagging will be possible for the periodic movement of equipment and materials.

The $336,000 contract was awarded in December 2020 and is expected to be complete in early May, weather permitting.

Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces closures on State Road 66 between Marengo and Carefree for multiple pipe replacements.

Beginning on or around Monday, March 22, INDOT maintenance crews will begin the process to replace five culvert pipes in separate locations between I-64 and S.R. 64. This work requires a pavement cut across all lanes of traffic and will be done under full road closure. Workers will excavate the old pipe, replace it with a new and fill the cut with fill material. The fill material will be compacted under normal traffic conditions. Crews will come back after it has been compacted and replace the asphalt.

Each pipe will be done individually and only one location will be closed at a time. In most cases, work on a culvert pipe can be completed in one day with minimal disruption to the motoring public. Work begins after morning peak traffic hours and typically ends before afternoon peak traffic hours.

Operations at all five locations are expected to be complete by the end of the week depending upon weather conditions. During the closure, local traffic will have access up to the points of closure. However, through traffic should use the official detour following I-64, S.R. 237 and S.R. 64.

INDOT urges drivers to slow down and stay alert near crews.

On Monday, March 8th, the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section and ISP Bloomington District A.C.E.S. concluded an investigation into reported methamphetamine dealing in the 500 block of Yockey Road in Lawrence County.

In February, ISP had received information that Ricky D. Woods, 60, of Mitchell, was allegedly dealing methamphetamine.

Through various investigative techniques, probable cause was developed to arrest Woods for dealing between 1 and 5 grams of methamphetamine.

Sgt. Greg Day of the ISP A.C.E.S. and DES detectives located Woods driving his vehicle northbound on SR 37, near Woodville Road.

Sgt. Day conducted a traffic stop and took Woods into custody. Woods gave troopers consent to search his residence (a shed on Yockey Road).

During this search, a small amount of additional methamphetamine was recovered.

Upon conclusion of the investigation, Woods was arrested for Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 4 Felony) and Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony). He was incarcerated at the Lawrence County Jail.

Anyone with illegal drug activity information is encouraged to contact the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post at 812-332-4411.

All criminal defendants are presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. 

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating after a body was discovered in the Ohio River near the Newburgh Dam. 

At approximately 1;20 p.m., a tugboat operator called to report what they believed to be a body in the water. 

The Newburgh Fire Department responded by boat and was able to locate and recover the victim. 

The identity of the victim is unknown currently, but steps are underway to positively identify the victim utilizing fingerprints and x-rays. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday, March 10, 2021.

Other responding agencies included the Newburgh Police Department, Warrick County Sheriff’s Office, Warrick County EMS, Warrick County Coroner’s Office, and Indiana Conservation Officers.

There is no evidence to believe foul play was involved at this time.  If anyone has information pertaining to this case can contact ICO Central Dispatch at (812) 837-9536