In light of the recent coronavirus outbreak and the spread across Indiana, the Mitchell Opera House will be postponing a few of our upcoming shows. We appreciate all of our fans and all of your support!

Below is a list of shows that are currently being postponed. As soon as new dates are set, they will be posted as well, so please keep an eye out!

March 21 st – Lick Creek Band
March 27 th – JoAnna Kai Cobb
March 28 th – Kirby Stailey
April 3 rd – Dave Dugan
April 11 th – Big Steel Train

They are still planning for the Avalon’s show this weekend, March 14 th to go on as planned as well as the Trolls event on March 20 th.

Visit www.mitchelloperahouse.com for our most up to date list of events.

At this time, NASCAR will hold its race events at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway without fans in attendance.

These events will be restricted to competitors, crews, officials and other necessary personnel to conduct the race.

“We will work with public health officials as we determine future scheduling beyond these events,” according to NASCAR

The races will be broadcast on WSLM 97.9 FM this weekend. 

Cheerleaders, mascots, pep bands, fans, friends and extended families will not be able to attend the Boy’s High School Basketball Regional live games this Saturday due to a new policy from the Indiana High School Athletic Association. 

Commissioner Bobby Cox announced at a press conference at noon that the remaining games in the IHSAA boys basketball state tournament will continue as scheduled but with limited spectators in attendance as Indiana seeks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

Each school’s team will be limited to 75 passes to enter the game for staff and immediate families.

Those passes will be free. 

The IHSAA continues to monitor the impact of COV-19 around our state.

“Our primary focus has been and will continue to be the health and safety of our students and supporters attending our events,” Cox said. “Given the recent and ongoing spread of the coronavirus and available information surrounding the pandemic, the IHSAA will conclude all winter tournament series events as scheduled with limited to no spectators in attendance.”

Individuals who are at higher risk for the disease as defined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) are strongly encouraged to refrain from attendance.

This includes older adults and people who have serious chronic
medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.

The Association acknowledges these are unprecedented measures and is sympathetic to the loyal fans of education-based athletics in Indiana.

“Your understanding and support during these challenging times is appreciated,” said Cox. “Using the Center for Disease Control’s guidance regarding large gatherings, the IHSAA will limit games/events to approximately 250 individuals.”

Boys Basketball Regionals

The boys basketball regional games are scheduled for Saturday (March 14) at 16 sites around the state.

Semistates are Saturday, March 21 and the state finals are Saturday, March 28.

For the remaining games, each participating school will be allotted only 75 complimentary tickets aside from the 12 dressed players and to include only essential personnel, coaches, administrative staff and immediate family of players.

“We regret that non-varsity boys basketball participants, cheerleaders, dance teams, school mascots and pep bands may not attend the games. This measure is to protect the health and safety of the student athletes, their families and the public at large.”

Anyone holding a regional ticket will be issued a full refund at the point of purchase. Individuals must present the ticket(s) in order to receive a refund.

A very limited number of news media will be approved for covering the Saturday’s regional games.

All print and broadcast news media must request credentials via email through the IHSAA staff from a recognized business
account, not the host school.

A final list of approved news media will be shared with each host school to allow admittance on Saturday.

Regional games will continue to be streamed at IHSAAtv.org and its affiliates as well as previously approved broadcast stations.

Guidelines for the boys semi-states and state championship games have yet to be determined and will be
announced at a later date.

Gymnastics State Finals

The girls gymnastics state finals will be contested this Saturday (March 14) beginning at 1 pm ET at Worthen
Arena.

Due to the number of participants and essential workers, coaches, spotters, and medical personnel at the gymnastics state finals, there will be no spectators allowed at the event and thus no tickets on sale at Worthen Arena.

Anyone holding a state finals ticket will be issued a full refund at the point of purchase.

Individuals must present the ticket(s) in order to receive a refund.

An informational teleconference with host schools and 64 participating teams has been scheduled for today at
2 pm ET / 1 pm CT.

Saturday’s events will continue to be streamed live at IHSAAtv.org and previously-received news media
credential requests will still be honored.

This morning at approximately 12:18, Trooper Fulton was patrolling SR 66 near Big Cynthiana Road when he stopped the driver of a 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck for driving 104 mph in a 60 mph zone.

Arrested and Charged was Andrew J. Goebel, 49, New Harmony, IN

1. Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
2. Reckless Driving, Class C Misdemeanor

Goebel displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests. Further investigation revealed he had a blood alcohol content of .12%.

He was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.

Arresting Officer: Trooper Zack Fulton, Indiana State Police

Indiana State Police Bloomington Post initiated a criminal investigation in January of this year, after receiving information from a Bedford couple that they were being stalked and harassed by a local man.  

Arrested and Charged was  Samuel Shaw, 80, Bedford, IN

• Stalking, Level 6 Felony
• Harassment, Class B Misdemeanor 

The investigation revealed that Shaw had allegedly been stalking and harassing a Bedford couple since March of 2019. 

Shaw had made repeated phone calls to the couple’s business and pursued them by driving past their residence and business on several occasions. 

The investigation also revealed that Shaw had violated a cease and desist order.

After reviewing the investigation, the Lawrence County Prosecutor requested a warrant for Shaw’s arrest. 

Shaw was arrested at his residence on March 11, 2020, by Trooper Chance Humphrey, and is currently being held in the Lawrence County Jail on a $7,500 bond.

Investigating Officer:  Trooper Chance Humphrey of the Bloomington State Police Post.

Under the law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A traffic stop for an infraction ended with the arrest of both the driver and passenger from New Albany on multiple charges.  

Arrested and Charged was 

Mergen Batchuluun, 20, New Albany, IN

• Dealing in Marijuana – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – C Misdemeanor
• Possession of Marijuana – B Misdemeanor 

Chinguun Bishrel, 21, New Albany, IN

• False Identity – A Misdemeanor  

On March 7, 2020, Senior Trooper Mark LaMaster stopped a black 2012 Mercedes-Benz on I-65 southbound for following too closely behind a semi-truck.

He also observed that the car had a large crack in the windshield directly in front of the driver. As Trooper LaMaster spoke with the driver and passenger, he observed criminal indicators and also discovered the passenger had falsely identified himself.

Senior Trooper Nathan Abbott also arrived to assist a short time later. During the investigation, the Troopers discovered approximately five pounds of marijuana packaged in several plastic bags.  

Both subjects were taken to the Clark County Jail without further incident.

Today, Indiana State Police Detectives arrested a Brownstown, Indiana man on felony charges as a result of the investigation into a shooting that took place at a residence on March 4. 

The investigation by Detective Nate Adams, Indiana State Police-Versailles, began shortly before midnight on March 4^th after Avis Wingler Jr., age 40, and his five-year-old son showed up at Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, Indiana. 

Both Wingler and the child were suffering from gunshot wounds to their legs.  Wingler was treated and released at Schneck Medical Center. 

The child was transported to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana where he was later treated and released.  

Police soon learned the shooting occurred at Wingler’s residence at 1027 W. Oak Street in Brownstown, Indiana.

During the week-long investigation, detectives learned that Wingler was supervising his son that evening.  Wingler was handling a loaded handgun in the living room of his residence while his son was nearby. 

The firearm discharged causing one round to go through Wingler’s leg and into the leg of his son. 

After the shooting, surveillance footage from the residence showed that Wingler allegedly altered the scene rather than providing medical aid for his son. 

Wingler then contacted a relative to come to the scene. 

The relative arrived and provided medical aid to the child before transporting both he and the child to Schneck Medical Center.

Tuesday, detectives served an additional search warrant at the residence. 

At the conclusion of the investigation, Wingler was arrested on one felony count of Criminal Recklessness with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury and Neglect of a Dependent causing serious bodily injury.     

He was transported to the Jackson County Jail where he was remanded to the custody of the jail staff pending his initial appearance in the Jackson County Circuit Court. 

The Indiana State Police was assisted in the investigation by the Brownstown Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Seymour Police Department, and the Indiana Department of Child Services.