On March 2, 2020, Deputies Johnney Coomer, Jessica Dickey, Skylar Thompson and John Smith went to a local business in Scottsburg in an attempt to serve an outstanding arrest warrant.  Upon arrival, an investigation led to the arrest of two people.  Natasha Prosser, 33, of Austin was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Failure to Comply and received additional charges of Possession of Methamphetamine and Maintaining a Common Nuisance.  Michael Cole, 37, of Scottsburg was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine, Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Possession of Paraphernalia. 

On March 2, 2020, Deputy Skylar Thompson conducted a traffic stop in Scottsburg.  An investigation led to the arrest of Shelly Tallon, 44, of Scottsburg for an out of county warrant.  Shelly Tallon received additional charges of Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Paraphernalia and Neglect of a Dependent. 

On March 2, 2020, Deputies Zach Brown and Johnney Coomer checked a male walking in Austin.  An investigation led to the arrest of Darrell Mcintosh, 36, of Austin for Possession of Methamphetamine. 

Indiana Severe Weather Preparedness Week will run during the third full week of March. 

The Indiana Broadcasters Association (IBA) in cooperation with the National Weather Service (NWS) is conducting a test of the state Emergency Alert System (EAS) on Wednesday, March 18^th at 10:15 a.m. EDT (9:15 CT) that will include a Live Tornado Warning alert. 

The 15-minute alert is done to ensure the system is working properly in the event of an actual tornado.
 
The test is part of Severe Weather Preparedness Week which runs March 15-21 and includes coordinated efforts to work with their residents, businesses, and government agencies across Indiana on preparedness activities.

In the event of severe or inclement weather, the test will be rescheduled and held on the morning of Thursday, March 19th.

Monday the Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY) Act (H.R. 4351) passed the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support, after being approved by the House Financial Services Committee last week.

Introduced by Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (R-IN) and Rep. Denny Heck (D-WA) on September 17, 2019, YIMBY requires Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) recipients to report on policies to remove barriers that impact access to housing for Hoosiers and all Americans.

Specifically, the YIMBY Act requires reporting under the existing Consolidated Plan on the implementation of certain land-use policies, including enacting high-density single-family and multi-family zoning and allowing manufactured homes in areas zoned primarily for single-family residential homes, among others, to promote housing production and increase affordability.

According to Up for Growth Action, a non-profit organization that focuses on housing affordability, from 2000 – 2015 the United States underproduced housing by 7.3 million homes. One considerable barrier to housing construction has been zoning and land use policies that stifle construction and have a significant impact on housing availability. As these regulations have increased, the result is fewer homes built and untenable housing costs.

H.R. 4351 seeks to increase transparency in land use and zoning decisions while encouraging localities to eliminate barriers to housing

“America is missing millions of homes, and solving our nationwide housing crisis will require federal, state and local governments to work together towards this shared goal,” said Heck. “Sunlight is the best disinfectant and we need to identify and reduce barriers to housing construction at the local level. In passing the YIMBY Act, I am proud that Congress is taking a critical first step towards bringing relief to cost-burdened renters and homeowners across America.”

“We want more affordable homes for American families,” said Hollingsworth. “Today’s bipartisan passage of YIMBY signals strong support across the aisle to reform our nation’s housing regulations at all levels of government.”

The CDBG program provides annual grants to states and local units of government to develop communities by providing decent housing and expanding economic opportunities.

Recognizing that CDBG funds are critical for localities, the YIMBY Act seeks to encourage local governments and CDBG practitioners to work together to address severe housing underproduction and improve the lives of families and individuals who are negatively impacted by a lack of affordable housing.

H.R. 4351 is supported by the American Planning Association, Congress for New Urbanism, Council for Affordable and Rural Housing, Habitat for Humanity International, Housing Advisory Group, Leading Builders of America, Manufactured Housing Institute, Mortgage Bankers Association, National Apartment Association, National Association of REALTORS, National Leased Housing Association, National Community Stabilization Trust, National Multifamily Housing Council, Prosperity Now, Real Estate Roundtable, Smart Growth America, YIMBY Action, and Up for Growth Action.

The Washington County Sheep Association is hosting “A Taste of Lamb” on Friday, March 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Southern Hills Church located just south of Salem on State Road 135.

This year the “Taste of Lamb” will feature a Lamb Cook-off. Attendees will enjoy a complete meal featuring approximately six locally grown lamb dishes.

Attendees will then vote for their favorite lamb dish and prizes will be awarded to the top three. Those in attendance will also learn how to prepare the lamb, and can take home recipes to try.

The cost for “A Taste of Lamb” meal is $10 per person. Reservations are required. Please RSVP by calling the Purdue Extension – Washington County office at 812-883-4601 by Friday, March 13.

The Washington County Sheep Association has also created a Lamb Cookbook with more than 170 lamb recipes. These cookbooks will be for sale at the Taste of Lamb or can be purchased from the Purdue Extension – Washington County
office (806 Martinsburg Rd., Suite 104, Salem) for $10 each.

On February 25, 2020, Deputy Kenton Makowsky conducted a traffic stop in Austin.  An investigation led to the arrest of Christopher Staggs, 38, of Austin for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Paraphernalia and Maintaining a Common Nuisance. 

On February 27, 2020, Deputy John Hartman conducted a traffic stop in rural Scott County.  An investigation led to the arrest of Shawna West, 47, of Austin for Driving While Suspended Prior. 

On February 29, 2020, Deputies Christopher Bowling and Charlie Morgan checked a male walking in Austin.  An investigation led to the arrest of Trent Campbell, 27, of Austin for Public Intoxication. 

On February 29, 2020, Deputies Kenton Makowsky, Charlie Morgan, Christopher Bowling and Reserve Deputy Jamie Royce responded to an altercation that had occurred on Thomas Town Road.  An investigation led to the arrest of Steven Coomer, 50, of Scottsburg for Battery Committed with a Deadly Weapon. 

On March 1, 2020, Deputies Kenton Makowsky and Charlie Morgan responded to an unconscious male in Scottsburg.  An investigation led to the arrest of Brian Sanchez, 33, of Scottsburg for Possession of Cocaine or a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Neglect of a Dependent, Obstruction of Justice and Possession of Paraphernalia. 

This morning, at approximately 10:00, am, the Indiana State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on I-65 Southbound near the 38-mile marker in Jackson County that sent two people to a Scott County hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The initial investigation by Trooper Tia Hunt, Indiana State Police-Versailles, began when troopers responded to a two-vehicle crash on I-65 Southbound near the 38-mile marker that occurred in the backup from a previous crash that occurred at approximately 6:00 am. 

In the earlier crash, investigated by Trooper David Owsley, a southbound tractor-trailer left the west side of I-65 and collided with a guardrail before coming to rest off the roadway after colliding with trees. The driver of that single-vehicle crash was not injured.

As a result of the first crash, traffic was backed up for the removal of the vehicle. 

A 2016 Freightliner pulling a trailer, being driven by Hal E. Hash, age 48, Corbin, Kentucky was slowed in the left lane of I-65 Southbound near the 38-mile marker. 

A 2017 Jeep Wrangler, being driven by Connie A. Anderson, age 46, Crothersville, Indiana failed to slow for the stopped traffic.  Anderson’s vehicle collided with the back of Hash’s trailer.  Anderson’s vehicle entered the median before coming to rest.

Anderson was transported to Scott Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.  A six-year-old female backseat passenger in Anderson’s vehicle sustained serious but non-life threatening injuries. 

She was also transported to Scott Memorial Hospital for treatment. 

The investigation also determined that the proper use of seatbelts kept both Anderson and the child from sustaining more serious and possibly life-threatening injuries.

During the crash investigation, I-65 Southbound was closed for nearly two hours. 

During the closure, traffic was diverted off I-65 at exit 41.  Traffic was detoured onto US 31 Southbound from I-65.

Both crashes remain under investigation.  Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be factors in either crash.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Crothersville Police Department, Jackson County EMS, Vernon Township Fire Department, and 31 Wrecker Service.

On February 26, 2020, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of River Valley Resources graduated nine students with their G.E.D. that was obtained over the last several months. 

This is part of the continuing plan by Sheriff Jerry Goodin to educate, job train and rehabilitate inmates when they enter the Scott County Jail. 

With the skills that they obtained they can better assimilate back into our communities. 

The nine graduates are Kyle Cox, William Miller, Logan Roger, Whitney Stacy, Jimmy Storms, Tommy Akers, Devon Howard, Justin Turpin, and Cody Williams. 

Of the nine graduates, five were able to attend the graduation ceremony held in the Scott County Circuit Court.  Justin Turpin also received his safe food handling certification. 

Sheriff Goodin would like to give a special thanks to River Valley Resources for providing the teacher and material needed to make this happen.