Recently, six probationary troopers graduated from the 85th Indiana State Police Academy, Lateral Class. Three of those probationary troopers are being assigned to the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post and will begin their next phase of training, which includes a two-month field training period while riding with veteran troopers. Upon successful completion of field training, the troopers will be assigned a state patrol vehicle and will begin solo patrol. 

These officers have already completed over 800 hours of structured training in law enforcement techniques as well as hands-on training at the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy.  The curriculum included criminal and traffic law instruction, emergency vehicle operations, psychology, crash investigation, self-defense, first responder, and other general law enforcement-related training.

The three new troopers that were assigned to the ISP-Versailles Post are Jacob Lusby, Noah Moore, and Bryce Protraffke.

Trooper Jacob Lusby, age 26, Milan, Indiana, is a 2016 graduate of South Dearborn High School, Aurora, Indiana.  After high school, Trp. Lusby attended Indiana University-East where he attained a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.  Prior to being hired by the Indiana State Police, Trp. Lusby served as an Aurora Police Officer for nearly five years.  Trp. Lusby comes from a long line of law enforcement officers with his grandfather and father both having retired from law enforcement.  His brother is a current police officer in Dearborn County. 

Trooper Noah Moore, age 27, Greensburg, Indiana, is a 2016 graduate of North Decatur High School, Greensburg, Indiana.  After high school, Trp. Moore served as a corrections officer for the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office for two years and as a Decatur County Deputy for nearly five years.

Trooper Bryce Potraffke, age 26, Milan, Indiana, is a 2015 graduate of Rising Sun High School, Rising Sun, Indiana.  After high School, Trp. Potraffke attained an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Ivy Tech.  He then worked for Dearborn County Community Corrections as a field officer before being hired as a police officer with the Rising Sun Police Department.  Trp. Potraffke was employed as a police officer with the Rising Sun Police Department and Aurora Police Department for approximately five years total before being hired by the Indiana State Police.      

Individuals interested in a rewarding career as an Indiana State Trooper should visit http://www.in.gov/isp/careers. This website provides a detailed synopsis of the application process and career information about the Indiana State Police Department.

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Quarterhill plans to conduct temporary lane closures on I-265 between International Drive and the Lewis and Clark bridge beginning on or after Saturday, June 8, to complete in-road sensor maintenance work in Clark County. Work is expected to take up to two days, weather permitting.

The lane closures are currently scheduled as follows:

• Saturday, June 8 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. (weather permitting): The right lane of eastbound I-265 will close between International Drive and the Lewis and Clark Bridge in Clark County.
• Saturday, June 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (weather permitting): The left lane of eastbound I-265 will close between International Drive and the Lewis and Clark Bridge in Clark County.
• Sunday, June 9 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. (weather permitting): The left lane of westbound I-265 will close between International Drive and the Lewis and Clark Bridge in Clark County.
• Sunday, June 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (weather permitting): The right lane of westbound I-265 will close between International Drive and the Lewis and Clark Bridge in Clark County.

CRAWFORD COUNTY

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Pacific Painting Company, Inc. plans to close State Road 62 over Dry Run located east of Leavenworth on or after Monday, June 17, to complete a bridge rehabilitation project in Crawford County.

The closure will take place approximately 2.4 miles east of State Road 66 and is expected to take up to 10 days, weather permitting. Crews will begin to place signage in the area prior to the start of construction. During the closure, motorists should use the official detour route which follows S.R. 66 to S.R. 135 to S.R. 62.

This project is part of a contract awarded to Pacific Painting Company in August 2023. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling in and near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

BLOOMINGTON 

The Indiana Department of Transportation plans to extend the duration of the North Smith Road closure at State Road 46 in Bloomington to complete additional utility relocation work. North Smith Road was previously scheduled to reopen as soon as early July.

Once utility relocation work is complete, construction will resume. Additional information, including an updated timeline, will be provided by INDOT at a later time. During the closure, motorists should use the official detour route which follows S.R. 46 WB to the E State Rd 46 Bypass to S.R. 45 to North Smith Road.

This contract was awarded to Milestone Contractors in May 2023. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

COLUMBUS

 Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE) is scheduled to reduce State Road 46 to one lane over the East Fork White River on or after Wednesday, June 12, to complete routine bridge inspection and testing in Columbus.

Work will take place on S.R. 46 just east of S.R. 11 and is expected to take up to three days, weather permitting. Crews will be actively working from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Flagging operations will be utilized while work is in progress. 

JACKSON COUNTY

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Dave O’Mara Contractors is scheduled to close State Road 250 between Brownstown and Dudleytown on or after Monday, June 17, to complete a box culvert replacement in Jackson County.

The closure will take place approximately one mile east of State Road 39 and is expected to take up to five weeks, weather permitting. Crews will begin to place signage in the area prior to the start of construction. During the closure, motorists should use the official detour route which follows S.R. 250 to U.S. 50 to S.R. 11.

This project is part of a $4.5 million contract awarded to Dave O’Mara in January 2023. The contract includes a total of six district bridge projects. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

LITTLE YORK

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor Dave O’Mara Contractors is scheduled to close State Road 39 over Henry Creek on or after Monday, June 17, to complete a bridge rehabilitation project near Little York.

The closure will take place approximately one mile north of State Road 56 and is expected to take up to 75 days, weather permitting. Crews will begin to place signage in the area prior to the start of construction. During the closure, motorists should use the official detour route which follows S.R. 56 to I-65 to S.R. 256.

This project is part of a $4.5 million contract awarded to Dave O’Mara in January 2023. The contract includes a total of six district bridge projects. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor RAM Construction Services plans to begin work on State Road 60 (Salem Bypass) on or after Monday, June 17, to complete a series of bridge rehabilitation projects near Salem.

Work will take place on S.R. 60 at three different locations between Jackson Street and State Road 56 and is expected to be complete by early August, weather permitting. Temporary traffic signals will be utilized while work is in progress. Crews will begin to place signage in the area prior to the start of construction.

This work is part of contract awarded to RAM Construction in December 2023. The contract includes a total of three bridge projects located on S.R. 60 in Washington County. INDOT reminds drivers to slow down, use extra caution and avoid distractions when traveling in and near work zones. All work is weather-dependent and schedules are subject to change.

According to Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey, the period for school board filings is currently open and runs until June 20^th at Noon.

The positions will be on the ballot on November 5. 

Those positions are:

• Salem Community Schools: 4 At-Large seats
• East Washington Schools: Polk Township and Town of Pekin seats
• West Washington: Seats in Madison, Posey and Vernon Townships.

Candidates must reside in the district seat that they are seeking and are to petition to be on the ballot by acquiring 10 registered voters signatures in that school district.

“We recommend completing two petition forms (CAN-34) capturing 20 “good” signatures to have enough at the time of filing,” said Rockey.

Potential candidates may call the Clerk’s office at 812-883-5748 or stop by with any questions.

On May 24th, the former Jackson County Auditor was arrested on multiple charges of Fraud, Theft, and Official Misconduct following a month-long investigation by Indiana State Police Investigators into allegations of misconduct that occurred while she was the Auditor.

As a result, an arrest warrant was recently issued for Staci Eglen, 44, Seymour, on charges of Official Misconduct, Level 6 Felony (4 counts), Theft, Level 6 Felony (4 counts), and Fraud, Level 6 Felony (2 counts). 

The investigation by Indiana State Police Detectives began in April 2024 when Investigators with the Indiana State Board of Accounts discovered possible misconduct by Eglen.

During the investigation, detectives determined that Eglen altered two invoices for goods and services and then submitted the altered invoices to the Jackson County Treasurer’s Office for reimbursement.  She then deposited the checks issued by the Treasurer’s Office into her personal bank accounts.  

Eglen also received at least two checks from the Treasurer’s Office that were issued to her to be used in her official capacity as an employee of the Hamilton Township Trustee’s Office.  She allegedly deposited the checks into her personal bank account and received cash that was used for personal purchases.

In total, Eglen allegedly obtained in excess of $18,000 illegally from the county through fraud and theft.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the case was presented to a special prosecutor that had been assigned to the case. 

She was arrested yesterday afternoon without incident and incarcerated in the Jackson County Jail, pending an initial appearance in the Jackson County Circuit Court.

Eglen resigned her position as Auditor soon after the investigation into these allegations began.