Master Trooper Travis Coryea was recently recognized in a ceremony in Indianapolis for achieving 25 years of service with the Indiana StatePolice.
Coryea graduated from the 51st ISP Recruit School on December 4th, 1994. For reaching this milestone, he received an award from Indiana StatePolice Superintendent Douglas G. Carter that consisted of a framed certificate and a longevity pin to be worn on the uniform.
Coryea grew up in Owen County and graduated from Owen Valley High School in 1990.
Coryea graduated from Indiana State University in 1994 all while serving in the United States Marine Corps from 1990-96 where he was a member of the Infantry.
He was Honorably Discharged in 1996 at the rank of Sergeant after already beginning his career with the Indiana StatePolice.
Upon his graduation from the ISP Academy, Coryea was assigned to the Lafayette Post where he served as a road trooper until ultimately transferring to the Bloomington Post in 1999.
Master Trooper Coryea was then promoted to Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer in 2008 where he is primarily responsible for school bus and commercial vehicle inspections.
Coryea stated “I have a wonderful family whose support has been and continues to be an important part of my career!”
On December 11, 2019, deputies with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Indiana StatePolice executed a search warrant at 33 Harrod Road in northern rural Scott County.
The search warrant stemmed from an investigation led by the Sheriff’s Office. During the search warrant, a large number of prescription pills and marijuana were located.
After the search warrant was completed four people were arrested.
Trenton Moore, 26, of Austin was arrested for Dealing in Marijuana, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of a Legend Drug, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Possession of Paraphernalia, Resisting Law Enforcement and an out of county warrant.
Bethany Holder, 19, of Scottsburg was arrested for Visiting a Common Nuisance.
Chatana Mccreary, 30, of Underwood was arrested for Possession of a Schedule I, II, III or IV Controlled substance, Possession of a Legend Drug, Possession of Paraphernalia and Visiting a Common Nuisance.
Dustin Helton, 34, of Deputy was arrested for Visiting a Common Nuisance.
December 12, 2019, at approximately 8:00 p.m., Roy J. Haight, age 62, of Terre Haute, was stopped for driving while suspended near 7th Street and Windsor Road, by Trooper Gerald Stump.
Further investigation by Trooper Stump revealed that Haight was driving under the influence.
Haight refused to submit to a certified chemical test and was then taken into custody and transported to the Vigo County jail where he is currently being detained.
Arrested and Charges: Roy J. Haight, 62, Terre Haute, IN
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated (Prior within 5 years), Class 6 Felony
Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person, Class C Misdemeanor
Yesterday, at approximately 12:30 pm, four people were arrested on numerous drug and weapon charges following a traffic stop on I-65 in southern Jackson County.
The investigation began when Trooper Jason Hankins, Indiana StatePolice-Versailles All Crimes Policing Team, stopped a 1999 Toyota passenger car for a traffic violation on I-65 northbound near the 38-mile marker near Crothersville, Indiana.
During the course of the traffic stop, Trp. Hankins smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
During a search of the vehicle, officers located over 600 grams of marijuana, methamphetamine, digital scales, drug paraphernalia, and a handgun.
All four occupants of the vehicle were arrested on charges of Dealing Marijuana, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Handgun without a Permit, and Possession of Paraphernalia.
Arrested: Mercedes N. Santibanez, age 23, Lansing, MI (Driver)
Kera M. Jackson, age 26, Lansing, MI
Tylor L. Hintz, age 24, Lansing, MI
Anthony E. Jean, age 21, Lansing, MI
All four were transported to the Jackson County Jail where they were incarcerated pending their initial appearances in the Jackson County Circuit Court.
Trp. Hankins was assisted by other troopers from the Indiana StatePolice-Versailles and Sellersburg Posts as well as officers from the Crothersville Police Department.
On Tuesday, December 10th, shortly after 3:00 pm, a single-vehicle crash on State Road 7 near County Road 750 North in northern Jennings County claimed the life of a North Vernon, Indiana man.
The initial investigation by Trooper David Owsley, Indiana StatePolice-Versailles, indicated a Ford Ranger being driven by Mark A. Holt, age 58, was traveling northbound on State Road 7 near County Road 750 North.
The truck left the east side before returning to the road and overturning. After it overturned, the vehicle caught fire. Holt sustained fatal injuries in the crash.
He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jennings County Coroner’s Office.
Investigators believed Holt was the driver of the vehicle and had made contact with his family on Tuesday evening. Holt’s identity was confirmed today through dental records. His family has been notified.
The investigation is ongoing.
Trp. David Owsley was assisted by the Indiana StatePolice-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team, Jennings County Sheriff’s Office, Jennings County EMS, Scipio-Geneva Fire Department, and Jennings County Coroner’s Office.
The Indiana Senate is now accepting applications for the 2020 Senate Page Program, said State Sen. Erin Houchin (R-Salem).
Through the full-day program, students in grades six through 12 can tour Indiana’s Statehouse, watch the legislative session and listen to debates, and assist staff with various tasks. Students also have the opportunity to meet with their state senators.
“I always enjoy meeting with Senate Pages, and I am encouraged to see students getting involved with the legislative process at such a young age,” said Houchin. “The Page Program is a great way to supplement what is learned in the classroom with real-life experience as bills are being debated and passed, and I highly encourage students in Senate District 47 to take advantage of this opportunity.”
The Senate Page Program will begin in January and run through early March. Positions fill quickly, so it is important to apply early. Pages are scheduled for Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays during the legislative session. They begin their day at 8:30 a.m. and are dismissed at 3:30 p.m. Groups serve together on Wednesdays. Serving as a page is considered an excused absence from school.
Della May (Wilson) Jones, left her earthly house of this tabernacle on December 10, 2019, to be with the Lord at the age of 83 years, 9 months, and 3 days.
Della was born March 7, 1936, at Jeffersonville, Indiana to the late Roy and Fannie (Denny) Wilson and was the youngest of 12 children. She married Philo Jones on November 20, 1954.
Preceding her in death besides her parents were 8 brothers and 3 sisters.
Survivors include her husband J. Philo Jones and 6 children: David Jones (Debbie), Mark Jones (Shawna), Stephen Jones (Jennifer), Wesley Jones (Teri), Janice Mitchell (Dan), Teri Hosier (Scott); 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren.
Della was a member of the Wesleyan Church and served as pastors wife with her husband, Philo as they pastored 8 different churches in Southern Indiana for 38 years. She also traveled with her husband in evangelistic work for 22 years. She was a faithful wife, a loving mother, grandmother and great- grandmother. She will be sadly missed by all.
Funeral services will be on Friday, December 13, 2019, at 11:00 am at the Marengo Wesleyan Church. Interment will follow at the Batman Ridge Cemetery.
Visitation will be on Thursday, December 12, 2019, from 4-8 pm and Friday, December 13, 2019, from 9:00 am until time of the service at 11:00 am, all at the Marengo Wesleyan Church.
Pastors Wesley and Stephen Jones will officiate the funeral service.
Casket Bearers will be Jason Jones, Christopher Jones, Alex Hosier, Nicholas Hosier, Tyler Poteet, and Andy King.
Brown Funeral Home in Milltown, Indiana is entrusted with the arrangements.
At an evening ceremony lasting about 30 minutes, the City of Salem’s newly elected officials were sworn in by Washington County Circuit Judge Larry Medlock and outgoing Mayor Troy Merry.
Merry swore in Mayor-Elect Justin Green telling him “there’s no better person that I would rather see take my office than Justin Green as Mayor. I know it’s going to be in good hands.”
Washington County Circuit Judge Larry Medlock watches as Salem Mayor Troy Merry swears in Mayor-Elect Justin Green.
Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey assisted with the paperwork to certify each officeholder.
“I’d like to thank everyone for attending the City of Salem swearing-in ceremony,” Rockey said. “It’s an honor to process the election and I know everyone has put in a lot of hard work. Please take pride in that piece of paper…it means so much. Everyone works together and gets along.”
Medlock swore in the council members in one group – Dan Libka, Jody Smedley, Gail Napier, Rick Stewart, and Steve Crane.
“A few weeks ago, we had a city election,” Medlock said. “The people of the City of Salem made their decision. They have bestowed upon those that have been elected – a sacred trust. They have trusted you with their future, with their children’s future, their grandchildren’s future and the future of this city. Today we’re going to witness the peaceful transition of government. There’s a lot of countries in which the peaceful transition of government doesn’t occur. it’s done by force, by violence, by guns, by secret ballots, treachery…But we have the honor of living in a country that recognizes our form of government and holds it dear and sacred. It’s always an honor to swear in those individuals who have been elected by the people.”
Medlock then swore in Clerk-Treasurer Sally Hattabaugh for her second term.
Mayor-Elect Justin Green was sworn in by Merry who first spoke to the 30 or so who gathered in the City of Salem Council chamber.
“It’s been an honor to be the Mayor of this city and to serve the people of this community,” said Merry. “It’s been a great honor. We’ve had a great time. I got a lot of things done with everyone working together. It’s not about one person – it’s about everyone being a team.”
“You may not all agree on the same thing but you come to an agreement on how to get the job done so that everyone benefits,” Merry said. “I want to thank the council, Sally, the Board of Works, county officials…We all got the job done. It was an honor to serve you and I’m looking forward to handing over the reins.”
After Merry aided Green in taking the oath of office, Green addressed the group.
“Thank you, Judge, Thank you, Troy, thank you, Stephanie… I want to speak about privilege. I’ve had the privilege to be a councilman for 12 years. I’ve had the privilege to learn under Mayor Bower — Under Troy Merry. I’ve had the privilege of working with a very good council and the privelidge of having a lot of support. I promise you this is something that I don’t take lightly. I want to be your mayor. A lot of good things are going to come in 2020,” said Green.
Green said he was looking forward to the council’s first meeting on January 13.
“We have a business to conduct,” he said. “I want to leave this evening on a positive note. The theme is going to be a lot of positive things in the years to come and soon, very soon, January is fast approaching. I have large shoes to fill. Troy has done a great job, been a great friend. He is leaving, sadly. I’m taking over and I’m very excited. We have a lot of things to look forward to.”
Merry, ended the ceremony with a laugh.
“The city is in good hands,” said Merry. “It is an honor to turn my office and desk over to Justin Green…after I set a few booby traps.”
At approximately 3:50 p.m. this afternoon officer, firefighters, and first responders were called to the 233-mile marker of I-69 for a report of a car off the west side of the road into a tree.
Daleville officers and firefighters arrived to find Dion L. Crittle, age 24, of St. Louis, Missouri walking away from the crash and refusing to stop.
An officer with the help of a firefighter was able to subdue and place Mr. Crittle into handcuffs until they could determine what had happened.
At some point Officers and firefighters noticed Mr. Crittle had become unresponsive on the ground where he was placed and they immediately rendered first aid.
Mr. Crittle was transported to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The exact cause of the death of Mr. Crittle is unknown pending autopsy results.
The Daleville Police Department has asked the Indiana State Police to conduct an investigation into the incident.
A preliminary investigation by Detective Ron Halbert and the Indiana State Police – Pendleton Crash Reconstruction Team indicated that a black 2019 Hyundai, being driven by Mr. Crittle was traveling south on the southbound on-ramp to I-69 from S.R. 67.
While traveling southbound Mr. Crittle’s vehicle left the roadway. Once off the roadway the vehicle proceeded through the retaining fence of the interstate and into an open grass field, before striking a tree.
Family notifications have been made. These are all of the facts that are available for release at this time. The investigation remains on-going.
Assisting at the scene were Detective Dave Preston, Trooper Lee Tinch, Trooper John Clawson, Trooper Blake Stephenson, Crash Reconstructionist’ s Senior Trooper Coley McCutcheon and Trooper Mark Hanna, the Daleville Police Department, the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, the Delaware County EMS, Daleville Fire Department, the Delaware County Coroner’s Office, as well as Northwest Wrecker Service.
On December 7, 2019, Deputy John Hartman with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office responded to address in Scottsburg in reference to an assault that occurred in northern rural Scott County. After an investigation was conducted it led to the arrest of the suspect identified as Buddy Williams, 30, of Austin for multiple charges. Buddy Williams was arrested for Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, Strangulation, Criminal Confinement, Intimidation, Battery and Criminal Confinement Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.
On December 7, 2019, Reserve Deputy Cory Hulsizer with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop I n Austin. An investigation led to the arrest of Tonya Lee, 47, of Scottsburg for Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Possession of Paraphernalia.
On December 7, 2019, Reserve Deputy Cory Hulsizer was patrolling northern rural Scott County when he observed a female that matched the description of a wanted person. Shortly thereafter he maed contact with the female identified as Ashley Dowling, 27, of Scottsburg. Ashley Dowling was placed under arrest for an out of county warrant.
