No doubt over the last week residents have watched surveyor’s work and mark right of ways along both sides of State Road 56 West beginning at Water Street and moving west.

According to Natalie Garrett, Media Relations Director of Indiana Department of Transportation, Seymour District, “the survey work and flags you are seeing on SR 56 in Salem, near SR 135, are related to a future project that is scheduled to let to contractors in August 2021.”

According to Salem Street Superintendent Tom Voyles, the project would be similar to the work done on SR56 East three years ago – with widening the street, adding sidewalks and making utility improvements. 

Garrett said the project would include pavement replacement on SR 56 between SR 60 and High Street, asphalt resurfaces on SR 135 north of SR 56 and bridge replacement on SR 56 over Brock Creek, just west of SR 135.

A public information meeting will likely be scheduled later this year to provide additional information about the project and address questions.

Indiana Department of Transportation crews will be present on S.R. 45/46 in Bloomington at the intersection of Monroe Street and Stonelake Drive tomorrow through the end of the week (Jan. 8 to Jan. 10, weather permitting) to install curb delineators.

Once installed, only right turns will be permitted onto S.R. 45/46 from Monroe Street and Stonelake Drive. Left turns will be allowed onto these city streets from S.R. 45/46 only. 

This change comes as a shorter-term safety solution following a pattern of right-angle and left-turn crashes at the intersection and will remain in place until a more extensive intersection improvement project is ready to let to contractors in 2023.

Motorists are urged to use extra caution in the area while installation is taking place.

On Tuesday, January 7^th, the Indiana State Police Bloomington District ACES concluded a lengthy drug investigation by arresting a Bedford couple at their residence. 

ISP had received information that Jeffrey Rose, age 54, of Bedford, Indiana, and his wife, Shannon Rose, age 49, were possibly involved in dealing methamphetamine.

January 7, 2019, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Sgt. Greg Day and Troopers Caleb Garvin and Cody Brown went to the Rose’s residence in the 300 block of R Street in Bedford. 

Upon knocking on the door and making contact with Jeffrey, troopers smelled the overwhelming odor of marijuana and also observed drug paraphernalia in plain view.  The residence was secured while troopers applied for and received a search warrant.

During the execution of the search warrant, troopers located marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and over 5 grams of methamphetamine, which was individually packaged for sale.  In addition, troopers located scales and other items of evidence showing that dealing was taking place.

There were two juveniles living in the residence.  The Department of Child Services responded to the scene and ensured the safety and welfare of the children.

Once the investigation was complete, Bloomington Troopers arrested Jeffrey and Shannon Rose and transported them to the Lawrence County Jail.  

Arrested and Charges:

Jeffrey Rose, 54, Bedford, IN 

1.       Dealing Methamphetamine between 5 and 10 Grams, Level 3 Felony
2.       Possession of Over 5 Grams of Methamphetamine, Level 5 Felony
3.       Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony
4.       Neglect of a Dependent, Level 6 Felony
5.       Possession of Marijuana, B Misdemeanor
6.       Possession of Paraphernalia, C Misdemeanor

Shannon Rose, 49, Bedford, IN 

1.       Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony
2.       Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony
3.       Neglect of a Dependent, Level 6 Felony
4.       Possession of Marijuana, B Misdemeanor
5.       Possession of Paraphernalia, C Misdemeanor

Anyone with illegal drug information is encouraged to contact the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post at 812-332-4411.  Tips can remain anonymous.

Thirty-seven probationary troopers graduated from the 79th Indiana State Police Academy on December 19, 2019.

Two of those probationary troopers are being assigned to the Indiana State Police Jasper Post and will begin their next phase of training. These officers have already completed over 1,000 hours of structured training in law enforcement techniques as well as hands-on and scenario-based training at the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy.

The curriculum included criminal law instruction, emergency vehicle operations, psychology, traffic law, crash investigation, self-defense, first responder and other general enforcement related training.

The new Troopers are Andrew S. Jones and Jonathan Villanueva.

Jones ,27, a native Jasper and attended Jasper High School graduating in 2010. In August of 2010, Jones joined the United States Marine Corps .

Jones spent his first two years of his Marine Corps enlistment in Okinawa, Japan and the remainder of his time at Camp Pendleton, California. . Jones worked as a correctional officer at Branchville Correctional Facility from October of 2014 until November of 2016. In November 2016, Jones was hired as a police officer in Huntingburg until June of 2019 when he started the State Police Academy to become a trooper. Jones and his 5-year-old son are residing in Jasper.

Villanueva ,29, graduated from Jasper High School in 2008. Villanueva worked for Goody’s and Sternberg Automotive.

In December of 2014, Villanueva became a reserve officer for the city of Huntingburg and that is when he fell in love with this profession. In 2019, he attended and graduated the 79th recruit class for ISP. Villanueva currently lives in Huntingburg with his wife and children.

Lieutenant Jason Allen stated he is excited to have the two new Troopers in the district, and is excited for them to become part of the Jasper Post family.

The hay crop of 2019 in the Midwest region is reported to be among the poorest quality in years – a significant challenge to the 10,000 sheep and goat producers in Indiana and Kentucky.

To help with this, Purdue University Extension and Kentucky State University will host the 2020 Sheep and Goat Webinar on Tuesday, January 28 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. The webinar will be
offered at the Purdue Extension – Washington County office at 806 Martinsburg Rd., Suite 104 in Salem.

RSVP’s are appreciated, but not required by calling 812-883-4601 or emailing dhowellw@purdue.edu. Home viewing also will be available at: www.ansc.tv.

Approximately 25 Extension offices in Indiana and Kentucky area will be host sites for the webinar, created to help farmers identify the consequences of feeding poor quality hay, and
instruction on best practices for health and maintenance in the sheep and goat industries.

Purdue’s Fulton County Extension Director, Mark Kepler said the first cutting of hay for 2019 was late, due to rainy weather. The additional weeks of maturing, he explained, increased the fiber content and decreased the protein content.

“We found the second, third, and in some cases, fourth cuttings made were much higher quality, so this made quality hay much more expensive, and harder to obtain this year,” Kepler said.

Mike Neary, Purdue University Extension sheep, and goat specialist explained that animals being fed poor quality hay may lose condition and need supplemental grains and other quality feed
sources.

“In the months when pasture isn’t available, good quality hay is essential to maintaining a healthy herd. This year brought many farmers a poor hay crop, and as a result, we are reaching
out to help provide some tips and helpful solutions for surviving the winter months ahead,” Neary said.

He also expressed concern for future goat and sheep offspring born to mothers fed a poor hay diet, which sets up a disadvantaged start at the onset of life, resulting in poor milk quality and low birth weights.

During the webinar, Keith Johnson, Purdue University Extension Forages Specialist will address “The Problem” and the importance of testing. Richard Ehrhardt, Michigan State University
Sheep and Goat Specialist will discuss “The Consequences of Feeding Poor Quality Hay” and potential feeding problems that could result, with ways to have a productive year, despite the
challenges.

Interested persons can join others for the webinar viewing, and a list of participants is in process and available at https://extension.purdue.edu/fulton. Contact the nearest county extension office for exact viewing sites.

Live streaming on Facebook Live also will be available at the Purdue Sheep and Goat Extension Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/purduesheepandgoats/.

“We hope this webinar is helpful to those who choose to watch online, however, we strongly encourage office site viewing sessions for producers and Extension Educators who can watch
and discuss the webinar in a shared location,” Kepler added.

Purdue University and Kentucky State University have been co-hosting small ruminant workshops for the past 10 years. Additional information about issues facing the sheep and goat
industries can be found at the Purdue Sheep & Goat Website.