Washington County Circuit Clerk Stephanie Rockey said this morning on WSLM’s Coffee Club morning show that residents have until Friday at noon to file for open seats on local school boards in Eastern, Salem and West Washington School Districts. 

Today, Allison Jean Ezzell filed and is certified to run for a seat on the Salem Community School Board

Constance (Connie) Young has filed and is certified to run for a seat on the Salem Community School Board.

Aaron (Spud) Schocke also has filed to run for a seat on the Salem Community School Board – At-large

There are a total of four spots open on the Salem board representing Gibson, Jefferson, Monroe, & Washington Townships. 

Those in the Salem district that are up for reelection are Mark “Bubba” Abbott, Ericka Garloch, Ron Haendiges, and Dustin Davidson, who was appointed to finish out former board member Steve Motsinger’s term. 

As a reminder, the filing deadline for all three county schools is Friday, August 21^st at noon.

Additional filings to date are:

Sal Sama filed on July 27^th and is certified to run for West Washington School Board- Vernon Twp. seat.

Aaron Dennis filed on the 28^th and is certified to run for West Washington School Board- Madison Twp. seat.

Both are currently board members.

Jeff Clem, Jr.- East Washington School Board- Town of Pekin

Thomas K. Coats- East Washington School Board- Polk Twp.

The day after a Washington County Jail Corrections Officer was arrested by the Indiana State Police on a charge of sexual misconduct and trafficking with a female inmate, Sheriff Brent Miller says he will not tolerate this type of behavior.

“We expect, and the people of Washington County deserve, an even higher standard of our jail officers and this will not be tolerated in our facilities,” he said. 

Jacob Silverthorn was arrested on Monday, August 17, 2020 and charged today with Sexual Misconduct, a level 5 felony, and Trafficking with an Inmate, a class A
misdemeanor.

Silverthorn has also been terminated from employment with the
Washington County Sheriff’s Department.

The investigation leading to Silverthorn’s arrest and termination was initiated by the Washington County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police.

On August 17, a female inmate at the Washington County Jail advised Jail staff that she had had sexual contact with Silverthorn while she was an inmate and he was on duty.

“Upon learning this information, I acted immediately to investigate the matter with the assistance of the Indiana State Police,” said Miller. “We took necessary and quick action to hold the perpetrator accountable and protect the victim.”

Upon being interviewed by Indiana State Police Detective, Travis Baker, the female inmate confirmed what she had told Jail staff, and advised that on August 14, 2020, she and Silverthorn had sexual intercourse in her cell.

The female inmate further advised that Silverthorn had also brought liquid nicotine into the jail and given it to her and other
inmates.

Detective Baker also interviewed Silverthorn, who admitted that on August 14, 2020 he had sexual intercourse with a female inmate in her cell.

Silverthorn also admitted to bringing liquid nicotine into the jail and giving it to female inmates.

Based upon this information, Detective Baker arrested Silverthorn, who was transported to the Scott County Jail.

A New Castle man was arrested this morning on a one-count warrant for Level 6 Felony, Possession of Child Pornography after he turned himself in at the Henry County Jail. 

The warrant was the result of an ongoing investigation that began in January of this year after Pendleton District Detectives received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

As a result of that tip and ongoing investigation, a search warrant was served on a residence on SR 38 west of New Castle in February of this year.

During the search and ongoing investigation child pornography was found on electronic devices in the home, and an arrest warrant was issued. 

Damien J. White, age 40, of New Castle, was arrested at the Henry County Jail this morning after turning himself in.

Anyone with information about a missing or exploited child may leave a tip on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children web site at http://www.missingkids.com/gethelpnow/cybertipline  or by calling 1-800-THE-LOST, or 9-1-1. Tips can be made and kept anonymous.

Monday at approximately 5:45 pm, the Indiana State Police were called to investigate a two-vehicle crash with serious injuries on US 50 near Short Street in Lawrenceburg, Indiana that occurred after a suspect fled from police in a vehicle.

The initial investigation by the Indiana State Police Crash Investigation Response Team indicated the Aurora Police Department attempted to stop a 2011 Chevrolet Impala on US 50 at Sycamore Estates Drive after the occupants of the vehicle were allegedly wanted for questioning in a theft investigation that occurred at Wal-Mart in Aurora, Indiana. 

The vehicle, being driven by Jesse M. Fuqua, age 34, Georgetown, Kentucky, fled from the officers eastbound on US 50 into Lawrenceburg. 

The Lawrenceburg Police Department assisted in pursuing the vehicle. 

At US 50 near Short Street, Fuqua lost control of the vehicle.  The vehicle collided with the rear of a 2019 Ford truck being driven by Christopher R. Gaines, age 39, Okeana, Ohio. 

As a result of the collision, Fuqua and a female passenger in his vehicle were transported to the University of Cincinnati Hospital with serious injuries.  Gaines and a passenger in his vehicle were not injured.

US 50 was down to one lane through the area for approximately three hours for crash investigation and cleanup.

The investigation is ongoing.

On August 13, 2020, Deputy Jessica Dickey responded to rural Scott County for a suspicious person.  Upon arrival an investigation led to the arrest of Dalton Zollman, 21, of Otisco, IN. for an out of county warrant.  Dalton Zollman also received an additional charge of Unlawful Possession of a Syringe and was remanded to the Scott County Jail. 

On August 13, 2020, Deputy James Ward observed a vehicle near the Lexington School acting suspiciously.  Deputy Ward conducted a traffic stop with the vehicle as First Sergeant John Hartman arrived and assisted.  Through an investigation, it was learned that the occupant, Ferrell Mcintosh, 36, of Austin had an out of county arrest warrant.  Ferrell Mcintosh was taken into custody and transported to the Scott County Jail on the warrant. 

On August 13, 2020, Corporal Johnney Coomer attempted to conduct a traffic stop in rural Scott County.  The vehicle fled from Corporal Coomer to an address on Newman Road.  An investigation led to the arrest of Timothy Anderson, 47, of Lexington for Resisting Law Enforcement Using a Vehicle, Battery Resulting In Injury to a Public Official, Possession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of a Syringe (with prior), Unlawful Possession or Use of a Legend Drug or Precursor, Possession of a Schedule I, II, III or IV Controlled Substance, Possession of Paraphernalia, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia. 

On August 14, 2020, Major Joe Guarneri went to a local business in Scottsburg in an attempt to serve an outstanding arrest warrant from a case that had been prepared by Detective Jacklyn Shofner for alleged battery. 

Upon arrival Andrew Hodge, 29, of Scottsburg was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant for the charges of Neglect of a Dependent.

On August 15, 2020, Deputy James Ward traveled to a residence in rural Scott County in an attempt to locate the other alleged suspect in this case. 

Upon arrival Barbara Hodge, 32, of Scottsburg was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant for Domestic Battery Person Less Than 14 Committed by a Person At Least 18, Domestic Battery Committed in the Presence of a Child Less Than 16 Years of Age and Neglect of a Dependent. Previously involving this same case by Detective Shofner, Austin Police Officer Brian Smith served an arrest warrant. 

Debra Mitchell was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant for Battery No Injury Victim is Less Than 14 Years and the Defendant is At Least 18 Years of Age and Battery that Results in Serious Battery Injury to Another Person. 

On August 14, 2020, Deputies Chris Bowling and Darrell Cochran went to an address in northern rural Scott County in an attempt to serve an outstanding arrest warrant.  Upon arrival William Cummings, 49, of Austin was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant for Failure to Appear if the Charge was a Felony. 

On August 14, 2020, Scott County Detectives and Deputies served a drug-related search warrant at 237 W. Owen Street in Scottsburg.  The search warrant stemmed from an ongoing investigation by the Scott County Detectives.  As a result of the search warrant, two people were arrested and two people were cited into court.  Deborah Smith, 57, of Scottsburg, was arrested for Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Neglect of a Dependent.  Daniel Smith, 35, of Scottsburg, was arrested for an outstanding arrest warrant for two counts of Dealing in Methamphetamine.  He received two additional charges of Trafficking with an Inmate and Possession of a Schedule I, II, III or IV Controlled Substance.  Hailey Lowry, 30, of Scottsburg was cited into court and released on the charge of Visiting a Common Nuisance.  Gregory Dilger, 44, of Scottsburg was cited into court and released on the charge of Possession of Paraphernalia. 

On August 15, 2020, Deputy James Ward served an outstanding arrest warrant on Jeremy Wilson, 33, of Austin for the charges of Strangulation, Domestic Battery Committed in the Presence of a Child Less Than 16 Years of Age and Intimidation.  Jeremy Wilson was remanded at the Scott County Jail. 

On August 15, 2020, Deputy James Ward went to a disturbance call in rural Scott County.  Upon arrival, an investigation led to the arrest of Tiffany Stidham, 24, of Scottsburg for Invasion of Privacy and Criminal Trespass. 

On August 15, 2020, Deputy Charlie Morgan responded to rural Scott County for the report of a disturbance.  Upon arrival, an investigation led to the arrest of Anthony Gross, 34, of Scottsburg for Residential Entry and Resisting Law Enforcement. 

On August 16, 2020, Deputy Zach Brown responded to a property damage accident in rural Scott County.  An investigation led to the arrest of Travis Brock, 39, of Austin for Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person, Operating While Intoxicated, Operating a Vehicle with a BAC of 0.08 or more and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated with a Prior. 

Falls of the Ohio State Park is hosting it’s annual Digging the Past event on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visitors can explore fossils, minerals, and archaeology.  A variety of programs will be offered outside, behind the Interpretive Center. Masks will be required to be worn in order to approach program tables.

Parking is $2 per vehicle with discounted Interpretive Center admission of $7 per person.

Saturday’s events include:

• The park’s free collecting piles, which will be operated per ticketed times every 30 minutes. More piles will be offered later this year to accommodate social distancing.
• Refreshed Silurian and Devonian fossil piles, courtesy of Irving Materials, Inc. (IMI), and Bagshaw Trucking. New minerals will be available as well.
• An outer fossil bed hike (for ages 12 and older) beginning at 9:30 a.m.
• Hourly guided hikes at 10 and 11 a.m., noon, and 1, 2, and 3 p.m.
• Talks and tips on a variety of topics, including collecting fossils at 10:30 a.m., minerals at 11:30 a.m., collecting tools at 12:30 p.m., collecting safely at 1:30 p.m., and collecting geodes at 2:30 p.m.
• Roving naturalists to help those who don’t want to join a hike to discover the fossil beds.
• Creating an “egg carton” geology collection.
• Making a weather rock or pet rock.
• Tabletop fossil and mineral displays.
• Digging “artifacts” in one of the park’s archaeological mini-mock dig stations.
• Information on the identification of artifacts with Wade Tharp from the DNR Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology.
• A chance to get your unknown rocks and fossils identified.

Other sponsors of the day include the Mineral and Fossil Interest Club.

Falls of the Ohio State Park (on.IN.gov/fallsoftheohiosp) is at 201 W. Riverside Dr. Clarksville, 47129.