Rolling slow-downs are scheduled to begin Monday night (Feb. 17) on I-65 south of Columbus (MM 64 to MM 68) in Bartholomew County for overhead bridge demolition work at Carr Hill Road. Tree clearing began earlier this month for the nearly-$5 million superstructure replacement project that also includes C.R. 200 S. 

Crews will begin demolition over I-65 SB Monday night at 10 p.m. All southbound lanes will close for up to twenty minutes at a time while overhead work is in progress. Traffic will then be released until normal traffic flow is reached. Drivers will also be stopped at the exit ramp from S.R. 46 to I-65 SB in Columbus (Exit 68) during this time. Demolition work over I-65 SB is scheduled each night through Thursday next week (Feb. 20).

Crews are expected to begin demolition over I-65 NB at 9 p.m. on Friday (Feb. 21), with no weekend activity planned. Rolling slow-downs will resume the following Monday (Feb. 24) and continue each night through Wednesday, Feb. 26.

During all demolition activities, I-65 will be reduced to one lane in each direction. Both directions of I-65 will not close at the same time. Demolition and slow-downs will end by 6 a.m. each morning.

Motorists are encouraged to seek an alternate route to avoid delays or allow extra time when traveling through the area. Drivers should slow down, use extra caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones. All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Carr Hill Road will remain closed through mid-July as bridgework continues. The detour route is Terrace Lake Road to Goeller Blvd. to S.R. 46. Crews will move to C.R. 200 S. following completion of Carr Hill Road. The contract completion date is November 30, 2020.

On February 11, 2020, Deputies Chris Bowling and Keith Hartman went to North Street in Austin in an attempt to serve an outstanding warrant.  Upon arrival Donald Bowling, 55, of Austin was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear. 

On February 12, 2020, Captain Joe Guarneri served an outstanding arrest warrant at the Scott County Jail.  Jason Elliott, 44, of Ramsey, In. was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Robbery Armed with a Deadly Weapon, Intimidation and Theft Greater Than $750 but Less Than $50,000. 

On February 12, 2020, Captain Joe Guarneri served an outstanding arrest warrant at the Scott County Jail.  Gabrielle Little, 29, of Scottsburg was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Dealing in Methamphetamine At Least 1 Gram but Less than 5 Grams, Dealing in Cocaine or a Narcotic Drug and Failure to Appear if Charge was a Felony. 

On February 13, 2020, Deputy Skylar Thompson conducted a traffic stop in Austin.  An investigation led to the arrest of three people on drug-related charges.  Kristin Cahal, 20, of Scottsburg, was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine At Least 5 Grams but Less Than 10 Grams, Unlawful Possession of a Syringe, Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Possession of Paraphernalia.  Anna Smith, 23, of Austin was arrested for Possession of Marijuana and Visiting a Common Nuisance.  Johnnie Cooley, 18, of Scottsburg was arrested for Visiting a Common Nuisance. 

On February 13, 2020, Deputy John Hartman conducted a traffic stop in Scottsburg.  An investigation led to the arrest of Nicholas Henry, 41, of Deputy, In. for an out of county warrant, Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Paraphernalia. 

On February 14, 2020, Detective Paul Clute assisted the Indiana State Police and Scott County Probation on a home visit on Clay Street in Austin.  As a result of Melissa Sword, 34, of Paris Crossing, In. was arrested for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Schedule I, II, III or IV Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana and Unlawful Possession of a Syringe. 

A 30-year-old man from Richland is in jail for possession of Meth, Cocaine, Marijuana as well as guns. The female driver was also arrested but later released. 

Arrested and Charged was:

• Lee Aders, 30, Richland, IN

1. Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
2. Possession of Cocaine, Level 6 Felony
3. Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
4. Possession of Firearm by Serious Violent Felon, Level 4 Felony

Early this morning at approximately 12:15, Trooper Widner was patrolling I-64 west of US 41 when he observed the driver of a Chevrolet Suburban following another vehicle too closely.

Widner conducted a traffic stop after the vehicle exited I-64 onto US 41.

The driver was identified as Nicole Pettit, 30, of Rockport. A male passenger was identified as Lee Aders, 30, of Richland.

Petit was cited and released for Possession of a Handgun without a Permit, Class A Misdemeanor

Due to suspicious activity a search of the vehicle was conducted. Trooper Widner found a bag under Ader’s seat containing 18 grams of marijuana and small amounts of meth and cocaine.

When searching Pettit’s purse a fully loaded handgun was located. Another loaded handgun was found between the console and front passenger seat.

Aders was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.

Pettit was cited for possession of a handgun without a permit and released. Both weapons and illegal drugs were seized.

Arresting Officer: Trooper Tyler Widner, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officer: Trooper Chase Eaton, Indiana State Police

Northbound ramp closure planned following weekend

The I-65 SB exit ramp to Blue Lick Road at Memphis in Clark County (Exit 16) is scheduled to close at 8 p.m. Friday evening (Feb. 14) for ramp repairs. The ramp is expected to reopen by 6 a.m. Monday (Feb. 17).

The I-65 NB exit ramp at Memphis is scheduled to close for repairs the following Friday (Feb. 21) and will reopen early Monday (Feb. 24).

Motorists may utilize U.S. 31 as an alternate route to access Memphis/Blue Lick Road. Work schedules are subject to change and may be adjusted due to inclement weather.

On February 10, 2020, Deputy Charlie Morgan conducted a traffic stop in Scottsburg.  An investigation led to the arrest of Kasen Albertson, 21, of Scottsburg for Possession of Marijuana and Resisting Law Enforcement. 

On February 11, 2020, While on Patrol Deputies Zach Brown and Kenton Makowsky checked a vehicle stationary in the roadway in Austin.  An investigation led to the arrest of Patrick Vogel, 39, of North Vernon, In. for Possession of Methamphetamine. 

A random registration check leads to the arrest of a Jeffersonville man on charges for possession of methamphetamine and heroin.  

Arrested and charged was Myron V. Conley, 51, Jeffersonville for the following:

1. Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 5 Felony 
2. Possession of Narcotic Drug(Heroin) – Level 6 Felony
3. Possession of Syringe – Level 6 Felony 
4. Warrant – Violation of Pre-Trial Placement

Around 12:30 pm Monday, Trooper Andrew Taylor and probationary Trooper Clay Boley were patrolling in Jeffersonville. As the two stopped at a traffic light on 10th Street, Trooper Taylor ran the license plate on the vehicle stopped in front of him.

The plate advised that the registered owner was Conley and was wanted out of Clark County due to a prior methamphetamine offense.

The driver matched the physical description and photo on the registration, and Troopers Taylor and Boley initiated a traffic stop.  

After confirming Conley’s identity and wanted status, the officers continued the investigation, leading to the discovery of suspected methamphetamine and heroin in his possession.  

Conley was arrested and transported to the Clark County Jail.