On March 12, 2021, First Sergeant Keith Hartman received information of possible neglect to an elderly person in Scottsburg being cared for at their home. The elderly person was hospitalized after a welfare check was completed by deputies.  

After completing an investigation and sharing the investigation with the Scott County Prosecutor’s Office the decision was made to charge two people for Neglect charges. 

As a result of charges being filed arrest warrants were issued for the two suspects.  On April 8, 2021, First Sergeant John Hartman, Deputy Eric Balingit, Corporal Johnney Coomer and a Scottsburg City Police Officer went to a local business in Scottsburg in an attempt to locate the suspects. 

As a result, both suspects were located and arrested.  Barbara Lowe, 45, of Scottsburg, was arrested for the arrest warrants for two counts of Neglect of a Dependent Causing Bodily Injury and received additional charges of Unlawful Possession of a Syringe, Visiting a Common Nuisance, Possession of Paraphernalia and Possession of Cocaine or a Schedule I or II Narcotic Drug At Least 5 Grams but Less Than 10 Grams. 

Ryan Smith, 40, of Scottsburg, was arrested for the arrest warrants for two counts of Neglect of a Dependent Causing Bodily Injury and received additional charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Unlawful Possession of a Syringe, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Cocaine or a Schedule I or II Narcotic Drug At Least 5 Grams but Less Than 10 Grams. 

Sheriff Goodin praised his deputy’s dedication and the effort they gave in getting justice for our elderly. One of Sheriff Goodin’s main priorities as Sheriff is protecting our elderly as he has increased training and knowledge of investigating and identifying elderly crimes.  He went on to ask anyone who knows of an elderly person who is being abused or needs assistance to contact his office and report it.

Milestone to begin building acceleration lane at the U.S. 50 WB ramp to I-65 NB

Traffic will be reduced to one lane on I-65 NB near Seymour (Exit 50) starting at 9 p.m. Sunday (April 11) for temporary striping work that will shift existing travel lanes toward the inside median. Two shifted lanes are expected to reopen by 6 a.m. Monday morning.

Lanes will remain in this configuration for four-to-six weeks as Milestone Contractors, L.P. constructs an acceleration lane for the U.S. 50 WB to I-65 NB ramp. New pavement will extend the acceleration area around 700 feet for traffic merging onto I-65 NB from U.S. 50.

Motorists will continue using temporary ramps and signals at Exit 50 to enter and exit I-65. Pavement reconstruction will continue along the U.S. 50 between U.S. 31 and Agrico Lane through the fall.

Drivers are reminded to slow down, use extra caution, and travel distraction-free through all work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

On Friday, April 9, 2021, around 11:30 a.m., a Bedford man was arrested for dealing heroin after a traffic stop along Bellback Road in Bedford.

This concluded a multi-week joint investigation conducted by the Bedford Police Department, the Indiana State Police Bloomington District A.C.E.S., and the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section.

Through the course of their duties, officers had obtained information that Lordmiester Swift Eagle Powers, 31, of Bedford was allegedly involved in dealing heroin in Lawrence County. 

Utilizing a large variety of investigative techniques, officers determined that Powers was dealing heroin around a local hotel.

On Friday morning, Powers was observed as a passenger in a vehicle being driven on Bellback Road toward the motel. Bedford Police Officers, Clint Swanson, Robert Looney, and Faheem Bade conducted a traffic stop.

During the stop, Officer Bade deployed his canine, ZuZu, who gave a positive alert to controlled substances on the vehicle. A subsequent search eventually resulted in locating almost 3 grams of heroin. 

Powers, who initially did not comply with the officer’s commands and then physically resisted, was placed under arrest and incarcerated in Lawrence County Jail for the following offenses.

• Dealing in a Narcotic Drug Between 1 and 5 Grams, Level 4 Felony
• Possession of Heroin, Level 6 Felony
• Resisting Law Enforcement by Force, Class A Misdemeanor 

Other officers who assisted throughout the investigation included BPD Officer Jarrett Tedrow, BPD Captain Kevin Jones, and ISP Sergeant Greg Day.

Sgt. Day expressed how well the two agencies worked together to make the community a little safer. “I cannot stress enough the great work that was done during this joint investigation. Unfortunately, we all know that the opioid epidemic is real and has hurt countless families. Hopefully, this investigation will serve notice to those that want to wreak havoc in our community by peddling their drugs. I want to thank the Bedford Police Department for their excellent work throughout this investigation.”

Anyone with 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.

Last night at approximately 11:35, Trooper Hurley was patrolling northbound US 41 near the 38 mile-marker when he observed the driver of a Toyota Highlander traveling south in the northbound passing lane.

Arrested and Charged was Macray Robinson, 19, of Fort Branch, IN

1. Driving While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
2. Minor in Possession of Alcohol, Class C Misdemeanor

Trooper Hurley immediately activated his emergency lights hoping the driver would stop, but the driver of the Toyota continued to drive south in the northbound lanes.

Trooper Hurley turned around and while traveling south to catch up to the Toyota he observed the driver of the Toyota pass five vehicles that were traveling north on US 41.

Trooper Hurley eventually was able to pass the Toyota by utilizing the southbound lanes and then used the cross-over at Old US 41 to block and shut down both northbound lanes.

Moments later, the wrong-way driver stopped in the northbound lanes approximately 15 yards from Trooper Hurley’s patrol car. 

Robinson displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests. Further investigation revealed Robinson had a blood alcohol content of .16%. Robinson was arrested and taken to the Gibson County Jail where he is being held on bond.

Arresting Officer: Trooper Tanner Hurley, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Gibson County Sheriff’s Office

The Louisville Bats today announced they are scheduled to host 11 scrimmages during the month of April at Louisville Slugger Field as the official alternate training site of the Cincinnati Reds. Fans can purchase general admission tickets for the scrimmages at batsbaseball.com for just $10, beginning with the opening contest on Monday, April 5 at 7 p.m.

The team will consist of players within the Reds’ organization who are not currently on Cincinnati’s active 26-man roster. This player pool features several of the organization’s top prospects and 40-man roster players.

The squad is scheduled to play up to 19 scrimmages during the month of April, leading into the beginning of the Triple-A season in May. Eleven of those contests are scheduled at Louisville Slugger Field, with the Reds’ alternate training site team taking on Cleveland, Kansas City and Pittsburgh. *All scrimmages and times are subject to change.

Fans can purchase tickets for just $10 on a first-come, first-served basis. A very limited number of tickets are available for each contest and tickets must be purchased online at batsbaseball.com in advance of each scrimmage. Tickets will go on sale Thursday, April 1 at 10 a.m.

Click HERE to view the complete home schedule.

Scrimmages will run in a similar fashion to Spring Training games, where contests may not span a full nine innings. However, each scrimmage is a great opportunity for fans to see up-and-coming Reds players in action at the award-winning Louisville Slugger Field.

Please note the following additional information regarding each home scrimmage:

• All tickets are general admission. Seating is first-come, first-served.
• Gates will open 30 minutes prior to the first pitch.
• Fans can enter the ballpark through only the East, West, and Main St. entrances (Witherspoon St. entrance will be closed).
• Fans can enjoy FREE parking in the East lot adjacent to the stadium.
• Limited concessions will be available on the concourse. All concessions are CASHLESS.
• Due to ongoing construction, certain areas of the ballpark will be inaccessible to fans.
• Per COVID protocols, autographs are not permitted. Masks must also be worn at all times while in Louisville Slugger Field, except while eating or drinking. 

Louisville Slugger Field will also be observing health and safety protocols mandated by state and local health officials, as well as Major League Baseball, during each scrimmage. Click HERE for a complete “know before you go.”

Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey said the office has partnered with Indiana-based PayGOV.US to process electronic payments.

The office joins a growing number of Indiana counties that have selected PayGOV.

The program will continue to allow customers to pay with credit or debit.

Rockey led the effort to find a vendor with experience serving government clients.

The expanded payment capability offers customer convenience.

“By partnering with PayGOV, the county will better serve residents with cutting-edge technology without bearing the cost,” said Rockey.

Customers can pay online via the county’s website at: http://www.washingtoncounty.in.gov/ and
via PayGOV’s Mobile app. The Pay Location Code or PLC is 38454.

PayGOV.US, a leading provider of electronic payment options is a Certified MWBE based in
Indianapolis, Indiana.

They were a “2009 Indiana Companies to Watch” Award Winner and have similar agreements with government entities and utilities in over 46 states.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces lane restrictions on I-64 for a bridge painting project.

Beginning on or around Tuesday April 13, contractors will close one lane on the I-64 bridges spanning Riddle Road about two miles east of State Road 237 in Crawford County for a bridge painting project.

Bridge painting helps inspectors identify potential structural issues more easily and provides protection against rust and corrosion of a bridge’s structural components.

During the project, one lane will be closed both east and westbound with one 16-foot lane open at all times.

Restrictions will be in place around the clock. Work is expected to last until early May depending upon weather conditions.

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