Earlier this past week, the Indiana State Police and the Lawrence County HIT (Highway Interdiction Team) concluded an investigation into a report of methamphetamine dealing in Greene County.

ISP had received information that James T. Merriman, 47, of Burnette Lane Springville, was involved in dealing methamphetamine from his residence.

The ensuing investigation included interviews, surveillance, and traffic stops.

On Wednesday evening, Trp. Chance Humphrey observed a traffic violation and conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Tahoe in the area.

The driver was identified as Joey Jacobs, 35, of Spencer. During the stop, indicators of criminal activity were observed.

Officer Shaun Cabral of the HIT Team, deployed his canine, “Jack”, who gave a positive alert on the vehicle.

The officers’ continuing investigation revealed that Jacobs was in possession of drug paraphernalia (pipe) that contained methamphetamine residue. 

Trp. Humphrey arrested Jacobs for Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony) and Possession of Paraphernalia (C Misdemeanor).

Jacobs was incarcerated at the Greene County Jail.

Utilizing the information garnered during the investigation, Trp. Caleb Garvin applied for and received a search warrant for Merriman’s residence. Trooper Garvin, Trp. Humphrey, Officer Cabral, Trp. Cody Brown, and ISP Sgt. Greg Day, executed the search warrant and located Merriman inside of his camper.

Approximately 3 grams of methamphetamine, 10 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, scales, baggies, and other evidence of dealing was seized at the residence.

Trp. Garvin arrested Merriman for Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony), Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Maintaining a Common Nuisance (Level 6 Felony), Possession of Marijuana (B Misdemeanor), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (C Misdemeanor). 

Merriman was incarcerated at the Greene County Jail.

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

People who ate there June 5-14 should monitor for symptoms and consider getting tested

Three employees of El Nopal restaurant located at 9451 Westport Rd. have been diagnosed with COVID-19. As a result, customers who were at the restaurant from June 5 to June 14 may have been exposed.

People who patronized the restaurant during this period should monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days after eating there.

Symptoms include shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever or chills or cough.

Other symptoms may include fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea.

If symptoms develop, contact your health care provider immediately. You might also consider being tested for COVID-19 even if you don’t have symptoms.

Even if you test negative, you should continue to monitor for symptoms for the full 14 days. COVID 19 testing sites are listed here.

Remember to wash your hands often, avoid touching your face, wear a mask when going out in public and stay at least six feet apart from others.

This week, a Seymour, Indiana man was arrested on a warrant for Neglect of a Dependent Causing Death after a two-month investigation by Detectives Jason Duncan and Andrew Mitchell with the Indiana State Police-Versailles.

The investigation began on March 27 of this year when a 9-1-1 call was made to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. 

The caller reported that a six-week-old male infant was not responsive at 518 Colvin Court which is located just east of Seymour. 

Emergency personnel responded to the scene and attempted to provide lifesaving care to the infant. 

However, the infant was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jackson County Coroner’s Office.

The investigation determined that on the morning of March 27, Joseph Michael-Wayne Scott, age 31, that father of the victim, fell asleep in a recliner at the residence while holding the baby. 

Scott was later awoken by a family member who noticed the baby was not breathing due to his position in the chair. 

Further investigation revealed that Scott had methamphetamine and marijuana in his system at the time of the incident when the child was in his care.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the case was presented to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office for review. 

The investigation resulted in a warrant being issued for Scott on a charge of Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death, Level 1 Felony. 

Scott was taken into custody yesterday and incarcerated at the Jackson County Jail pending his initial appearance in the Jackson County Circuit Court.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Excise Police, Jackson County EMS, Jackson County Coroner’s Office, Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Indiana Department of Child Services.

The 190th Pekin 4th of July is being planned and will take place on schedule, as long as Indiana’s Back on Track plan progresses to Stage 5. 

Here is the itinerary from the Pekin Community Betterment Organization. 

The theme of this year’s parade is “Bold Stripes, Bright Stars, and Brave Hearts”
and the honorary Grand Marshall is the late West Washington Football Coach Phillip Bowsman. His family will be riding in the parade in his honor. 

“Phillip’s passing was so tragic and sad and really not only united the county but the entire state,” said Taylor Humphrey, President of the PCBO. “We contacted his family and they will be riding in the parade in his honor. He was a true hero even after he passed away and was an organ donor that helped others.”

The parade is a bit different this year and a registration form has to be filled out and returned before July 4. See story here – https://wslmradio.com/2020/06/19/pekin-4th-parade-participants-must-pre-register/

The day’s shortened activities include: 

8:00 a.m. – Parade line-up at Eastern High School Parking Lot

10:00 a.m. – PARADE Tisha Coles, Coordinator with Family & Friends

Immediately After Parade – Innovation by Jeremy Goen- Pekin Church of
Christ Minister

Presentation of “Colors”- Pekin American Legion Post 203

Star-Spangled Banner – Vocals by Caiti Kemker

Pledge of Allegiance by Pekin American Legion Post 203

Reading of the Preamble of Declaration of Independence by Eastern High
School Valedictorian – Carrie Hoke

Back Home Again in Indiana – Vocals by Caiti Kemker

Welcome Patrons – Taylor Humphrey, Pekin 4th President of the PCBO

11:30 a.m. – Dollars for Scholars of Eastern High School Ray Ramsey and
Terry Thixton

12:30 p.m. – Prince and Princess Contest on Stage – Darlene Hall,
Coordinator

2:00 p.m. – Queen Contest – Darlene Hall, Coordinator

3:00 p.m. – 2020 Queen Crowning Announcement

Special Thanks and Closing – Taylor Humphrey, President PCBO 2020

Masks are not required but suggested and social distancing and CDC guidelines are asked to be adhered to for the safety of everyone. 

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day and is forecasting high ozone levels for Saturday, June 20, 2020, in the following areas: 

• Southeast Indiana – Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Scott and Washington
• Southwest Indiana – Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh and Warrick 

IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce ozone while remaining safe during the COVID-19 health crisis by making changes to daily habits. You can:

• Walk, bike, or work from home when possible
• Combine errands into one trip
• Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m.
• Turn off your engine when idling for more than 30 seconds (e.g., at a bank or restaurant drive-thru)
• Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or above 

Air Quality Action Days are in effect from midnight to 11:59 p.m. on the specified date. Anyone sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected when ozone levels are high. Children, the elderly and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors. 

IDEM examines weather patterns and current ozone readings to make daily air quality forecasts. To learn more about ozone or sign up for air quality forecasts, visit www.SmogWatch.IN.gov.

Ground-level ozone is formed when sunlight and hot weather combined with vehicle exhaust, factory emissions, and gasoline vapors. Ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks ultraviolet radiation, but ozone near the ground is a lung irritant that can cause coughing and breathing difficulties. 

After consultation with the Washington County Health Department, Salem Community Schools will open the 2020-21 school year under two phases, according to Superintendent Jon Acton. 

These plans are fluid and dependent upon CDC, ISDH and Washington County Health guidance.  

Phase One will begin Monday July 6th

• All Athletic teams may begin summer activities 

  • All Athletic activities will adhere to IHSAA and IDOE guidelines

• All Band and Vocal Arts may begin summer activities 

  • All Band and Vocal Arts activities will adhere to ISSMA and IDOE guidelines

• Appropriate safety measures will be in place across the district.

• Athletic plans/schedules will be released June 23rd.

Acton said Phase Two will begin on Thursday August 6th

• All schools will open on time

• The first student day will be Thursday August 6th.

• School will be in session and in person five days per week

• The approved 2020-2021 school calendar will be followed

• Appropriate safety measures will be in place across the district.

“For parents who have students with medical conditions that may prohibit them from physically returning to school and/or are concerned about returning to school due to COVID-19, we will offer the Online Lions program,” Acton said.   “This option will provide online instruction in the core classes for kindergarten through eighth grade and a catalog of classes at the high school level.”

Acton said the school will finalize plans over the coming weeks and release a complete re-entry plan to Salem Families at the Salem Board of School Trustees meeting on July 13th. 

“We will continue seeking guidance from the CDC,  ISDH and the Washington County Health Department if changing health conditions dictate adjusting our start date or school year calendar,” he said.

On Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at approximately 2:30 am, Indiana State Police Investigators were contacted in reference to a shooting that occurred near Jefferson Street in Marengo.  

The initial investigation has shown that Jason Hillesheim, 42, was at a residence on South Main Street in Marengo, the residence of Danny Eason Jr.

While at the residence, Hillesheim then got into a physical altercation with a female.

The altercation then ended on Jefferson Street with Eason firing several shots with at least one of the shots striking Hillesheim.

Hillesheim was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital via Air Methodist helicopter.

Eason was arrested on Wednesday evening  by the Washington County Sheriff’s Department on several drug charges including: 

• Possession of Meth
• Possession of Marijuana, Hashish, Hash Oil or Salvia
• Possession of Paraphernalia
• Possession of a Controlled Substance

It is not known if Eason will be charged in the shooting. 

State Police were assisted at the scene by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, Marengo PD, Marengo Liberty Volunteer Fire Department and Crawford County EMS.

This is an ongoing investigation.

Indiana National Guardsmen are again assisting Indiana University researchers and the Indiana State Department of Health with the second wave of a COVID-19 study.

Hoosier Guardsmen first assisted with the ISDH and the university’s Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, located in Indianapolis, during the study’s initial launch. The data gathered from the study is integral to Gov. Eric Holcomb’s “Back on Track” initiative.

“This study is paramount in his decision process because he is going to use the scientifically-based process to make policy decisions about the safe reopening of the state,” said Indiana National Guard 1st Sgt. Ryan Richmond, a medical branch noncommissioned officer in charge. “It affects every Hoosier and his objectives and goals are to safely reopen and to monitor for the potential rebound and second wave of COVID-19.”

During the pandemic, Richmond, a Mooresville resident and Salem native, works as a liaison officer to Indiana’s Department of Health, and he is deeply involved in the Indiana National Guard’s cooperation in the study.

“The study will help determine the prevalence of coronavirus within the state,” said Richmond. “The results of wave one are a finite mark in time. This study will build on wave one and will have data points that will help drive the fidelity of the data and help us understand the current infection rate and also show us through the serology study who was infected.”

In late April, researchers purposefully designed the study to be conducted in four waves, ending in April 2021. The study tests randomized groups of Hoosiers from across the state. Each test group consists of individuals who are proportionally sized to accurately represent the demographics of Indiana.

In theory, this information will give researchers a more valid set of data points to extrapolate information and measure the impact of COVID-19. The study will help indicate who is sick, who has been sick, and who has a natural immune response. This data will also help researchers more accurately assess infection and mortality rates.

The Indiana National Guard continues to provide medical professionals to assist with nasal swabs and blood draws while also providing additional manpower to help with traffic control, site set up and tear down.

Indiana National Guard Staff Sgt. Jonathan Lewis works on the frontlines as a testing site senior medic.

“I love being out here and being able to help in any way we can. It just goes to show how well we can work together and get stuff done,” said Lewis.

The collective efforts among these Hoosier organizations and the research itself is incredibly important for the future of all Indiana residents. The governor and his staff are transparent in their use of data in opening the state.

Despite the pandemic, Hoosiers remain resilient as many individuals return to work and businesses begin to reopen. While this study measures the impact of COVID-19, data alone can’t measure the importance of the cooperation and dedication it takes from organizations like the Indiana National Guard, Indiana State Department of Health and IU Fairbanks, in making sure that Indiana can continue to reopen safely and swiftly.