A Fishers woman was arrested in Scott County for driving intoxicated and was five times the legal limit.

Indiana State Police (ISP) Sergeant Tracy Spencer arrested a Fishers, Indiana Woman, on numerous driving and alcohol-related charges.

Shortly after Noon on Saturday, Trooper Spencer observed a north-bound Chrysler 200 passenger car on I-65 just south of the Scottsburg exit after receiving 911 reports of a vehicle matching that description driving recklessly. 

Trooper Spencer observed the car straddling the center line and saw a string of other cars backed up behind the Chrysler, unable to pass. 

Sergeant Spencer attempted to stop the vehicle after it exited onto the Scottsburg ramp, and the car stopped in the middle of State Road 56 even though the traffic light was green. 

After eventually pulling to the side of the highway, the driver then began to back up towards Spencer, forcing him to back up to avoid being struck. 

During the traffic stop and subsequent DUI investigation, Sergeant Spencer also learned that a vehicle matching Chrysler’s description was involved in a hit-and-run crash near Henryville just prior to his traffic stop. 

The Clark County Sheriff’s Department later handled that investigation. 

As a result of the DUI investigation, the driver, Kayla Ann Akin, 27, of Fishers, was transported to Scott Memorial Hospital for a blood draw. 

Akin’s Blood Alcohol Content was .405, over five times the legal limit. 

After being cleared by medical staff, Kayla Akin was transported to the Scott County Jail and was charged with Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) – Impairment, OWI with BAC over .15 percent, and Reckless Driving; all Class A Misdemeanors.  Akin was also cited for Open Container. 

Indiana Conservation Officers arrested an Evansville man on Nov. 20 after a year-long timber theft investigation.

Conservation officers identified 17 victims in Gibson and Posey counties who have not received payment for their timber per agreements going back as far as 2018.

Christopher L. Collins, 40, of Evansville is being held at the Posey County Jail on a $25,000 cash bond.

Conservation officers began their investigation in 2019 after receiving information that Collins had failed to pay for timber as agreed in Gibson County. The investigation revealed that Collins failed to pay more than $250,000 for the timber he purchased over a two-year period.

The investigation also revealed that Collins had operated under the following business names: C&K Forestry Management LLC, C&K Forestry LLC, C&M Forestry LLC, Blackhaus Forestry LLC, and Collins Family Forestry.

This August, conservation officers executed arrest and search warrants on Collins at his residence for violations that occurred in Gibson County. Information and evidence as a result of these warrants led to the discovery of victims.

As a result of the investigation, Collins faces the following charges:

Gibson County:

One count – Corrupt Business Influence – Level 5 Felony

Five separate counts – Theft – Level 6 Felony

Two separate counts – Check Deception – Level 6 Felony

Five separate counts – Failure to Pay for Timber as Agreed – Class A Misdemeanor

Posey County:

One count – Corrupt Business Influence – Level 5 Felony

Nine separate counts – Theft – Level 6 Felony

Three separate counts – Check Deception – Level 6 Felony

Eleven separate counts – Failure to Pay for Timber as Agreed – Class A Misdemeanor

One count – Unlicensed Timber Buyer – Class A Misdemeanor

All charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The DNR Division of Forestry oversees the licensing and regulation of timber buyers and agents. For information on timber buyers, or if you are a landowner seeking to sell timber, please visit: dnr.IN.gov/forestry/2846.htm.

If you or anyone you know has been a victim of timber theft, you are asked to call Indiana Conservation Officer Central Dispatch at 812-837-9536.

Today at approximately 12:30 p.m., the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post was asked by the Brown County Sheriff’s Department to conduct a homicide investigation in their county. 

A 9-1-1 call was received by the sheriff’s department in reference to a deceased body being located near Bean Blossom Road and Bell Road.

While it’s early in the investigation, detectives do believe this is an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public. 

The identity of the victim is being withheld until positive identification can be made and until an autopsy is conducted to determine the exact cause of death.  

The investigation is being conducted by Indiana State Police detectives Tim Cummings, Ian Matthews, and First Sergeant Paul Suding, with the assistance of crime scene technicians Sergeant Jan Kruse and Darrell Terrell of the Bloomington State Police Post.

The Brown County Coroner’s Office is also assisting. 

The investigation is ongoing, and this is all the information currently available for release.  

In Oregon, Thanksgiving dinners are to be held to under 6 people. Kentucky says to limit Thanksgiving dinner to no more than 2 households. Pennsylvania is requiring masks be worn indoors in people’s own houses.

Chicago is limiting turkey dinners to no more than 10 in one location. With US COVID-19 hospitalizations at an all-time high today and an ORANGE status for Floyd County.

What is a rational nonpartisan approach for our community?

The Center for Disease Control [CDC] has issued straight forward guidance: limit Thanksgiving celebrations to home events with the people you have lived with for the preceding two weeks.

This specifically doesn’t include a student home from college or those home from military service. The CDC recommends against Thanksgiving travel, noting that staying home is the safest option. “Amid this critical phase, the CDC is recommending against travel during the Thanksgiving period “says Dr. Henry
Walke, COVID-19 Incident Manager.

Many have expressed concerns and threats of noncompliance to the Floyd County Health Department [FCHD] and its Health Officer, Dr. Tom Harris, regarding Holiday gatherings restrictions.

While the CDC recommendations are correct and consistent with public health mitigation measures, many may find
these recommendations unpalatable. Fortunately, there are additional ways to limit the risk to families
and the medically vulnerable.

The standard protective measures are especially valuable during the Holidays. Wearing masks when not eating or drinking can lower the risk of spread, as can frequent hand washing or sanitizer use. Social distancing in the home, particularly for the elderly and medically vulnerable, is also essential. Limiting
traffic in the kitchen, avoiding buffet style food service, considering the use of single-use items like utensils and condiments, and spreading out diners are all specific feast related interventions that can reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The American Automotive Association [AAA] estimates that 30 million Americans will travel during the Thanksgiving celebration. Public Health exists not to limit freedoms, but to limit disease and promote Community well-being. The FCHD encourages all citizens to include protecting their loved ones in their
Holiday planning.

For additional information contact the FCHD AT 812-948-4726, ext. 655 or online at floydcounty.in.gov.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb and First Lady Janet Holcomb have tested negative for COVID-19.

The Governor and First Lady began quarantining Tuesday after several members of their security detail tested positive for COVID-19 and they were determined to be close contacts of the infected individuals.

The Governor and First Lady received both an Abbott rapid test and a nasopharyngeal PCR test, and had negative results on both. They are doing well and are not experiencing symptoms.

Per the advice of Indiana Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver, the Governor and First Lady will not be tested again unless they develop symptoms.

They will continue their 14-day quarantine and can resume a normal schedule with vigilance about masking and social distancing on Tuesday, Dec. 1.