A West Washington High School student won first place in the Secretary of State’s “I Voted” sticker design contest.

Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales extends a heartfelt congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Indiana Secretary of State “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest.

Ryli Skinner, West Washington Jr-Sr High School won for her design featuring the State of Indiana seal and an Indy 500 race car. 

This contest was an opportunity for children across the state to get involved in the election process.

Secretary Morales encouraged creativity and civic engagement by challenging Hoosier students to design “I Voted” stickers that will be handed out to voters at the polls in November.

There were nearly 1,000 creative sticker designs submitted from Hoosier children across the state.

“I am incredibly proud of the young Hoosiers who participated in the “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest. Creativity and enthusiasm for our election process shine through each design, showcasing that the future of our state is bright. Congratulations to our winners – you’ve made a positive mark on Indiana’s elections with your artwork,” said Diego Morales, Indiana Secretary of State.

The 2024 Sticker Contest Winners are:

K-3^rd Grade: 1^st place, Iris Lopez, Alexander Hamilton Elementary School. 2^nd place, Noelle Bartal, Batesville Intermediate School. 3^rd place, Liam Bruce, Maple Glen Elementary School.

4^th-8^th Grade: 1^st place, Anna Rose Worthington, Zionsville Middle School, 2^nd place. Tzipporah Holloway, South Newton Middle School. 3^rd place, Melanie Muñoz, Silver Creek Elementary School.

9^th-12^th Grade: 1^st place, Ryli Skinner, West Washington Jr-Sr High School. 2^nd place, Ava Sponsler, Mooresville High School. 3^rd place, Tori Zook, Mooresville High School.

Secretary Morales is inviting first place winners from each age group and their parents to visit their Indiana Statehouse on October 29^th from 10 am-12 pm to further recognize them.

Second and third place designs will be displayed on the Indiana Secretary of State website as well as featured on social media. All top three winners for each category will receive a certificate.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a road closure for State Road 58 in Lawrence County.

Beginning on or around Monday, October 14, crews will begin a road closure on State Road 58 in Lawrence County near Bedford. This closure will occur between GM Drive and H Street.

This road closure will allow for the removal of a railroad bridge that crosses State Road 58. This project is expected to last through the beginning of November, depending on the weather.

The official detour for this project is State Road 37 to U.S. 50 to State Road 446. Local traffic will have access up to the point of closure.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a road closure for State Road 145 in Orange County.

Beginning on or around Monday, October 14, crews will close State Road 145 in Orange County near French Lick. This closure will occur between Wildwood lake Road and Old State Road 145.

This road closure will allow for a slide correction and surface erosion correction project to be performed. Work is expected to take a week to complete, depending on the weather.

The official detour for this project is State Road 56 to U.S. 231 to State Road 64. Local traffic will have access up to the point of closure.

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor E&B Paving, Inc. is scheduled to temporarily close the eastbound I-265 off-ramp to northbound I-65 on or after the evening of Saturday, October 19, to complete pavement work in Clark County.

Work will begin at approximately 9 p.m. and is expected to take up to one night, weather permitting. Motorists should utilize the official detour, which follows I-265 EB to IN 265 EB to Exit 11 in Utica to International Drive NB to IN 265 WB to I-65 NB (Exit 7A).

This project is part of a $22.9 million contract awarded to E&B Paving in October 2023. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling in and near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change

The Washington County Sheriff’s Department is seeking information about a fatal hit-and-run that occurred over the weekend in Fredericksburg.

A 911 call at 7:45 a.m. Sunday reported a man lying off the roadway in the area of 3946 West U.S. 150, Fredericksburg.

Detective Brad Naugle arrived at 8:01 a.m. and found a man who had sustained blunt force trauma, appearing to have been struck by a vehicle. The Washington County Coroner’s Office declared the man dead at the scene.

The victim has been identified as Shawn Edward Crabtree, 49, a resident of Fredericksburg.

Naugle said there were parts from a vehicle and debris from the impact at the scene. A crime scene technician and a reconstructionist from the Indiana State Police examined and collected evidence at the scene.

A time of death has not been established, but Naugle said the incident occurred sometime after 9:30 p.m. Witnesses saw Crabtree hitchhiking on U.S. 150 in Harrison County around that time.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Department at 812-883-5999 and request to speak with Detective Brad Naugle. Callers may remain anonymous.

On Monday morning, October 7, the body of a missing male was located in the Ohio River at the Newburgh Lock and Dam.

Multiple agencies responded to the area and recovered the male from the river.

An autopsy was performed at the Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office on Tuesday, October 8.

The deceased male was confirmed as being Justin R. MacDonald. The family has been notified.

The death was ruled an accidental drowning after no signs of foul play or trauma were found.

Detectives with the Indiana State Police had been searching for MacDonald, who was last seen at approximately 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 29, 2024, near the French Island Marina on River Road and County Road 1040 West.