Indiana Issues with Abdul-Hakim Shabazz talking about Red For Ed Day. 

Salem High School FFA and National Honor Society will be holding the 9th Annual Randy Johnson Memorial Soup Dinner on Friday, November 22nd. There will be over fifteen varieties of delicious soups available. Drinks and desserts will also be provided. Dinner will begin at 5:00 p.m. and last until the start of the varsity game. 

Randy Johnson was instrumental in the development of facilities and programs at Salem Community Schools, and we hope to continue to remember the legacy Randy left behind for our school system, as well as the surrounding area. 

Salem High School FFA and NHS have collected over $8,000.00 in the last eight years for the scholarship with assistance from the Washington County Community Foundation and the Lilly Endowment in the last few years. 

If you have any questions or would like to make a donation to this fund and cannot attend, please contact Seth or Nicole Purlee via email at spurlee@salemschools.com or npurlee@salemschools.com. You may also contact them by calling Salem High School.

Please note the dinner will be occurring before and during the JV/Varsity Girls Salem vs. Eastern (Pekin) basketball game. 

On September 30th, 2019 at approximately 5:55 pm, Deputy J.L. McElfresh responded to 1324 S CR 740 W, Medora, IN in reference to a reported burglary. At the residence, Deputy McElfresh found that forced entry had been made into the residence and a handgun had been stolen. During the investigation, Deputy McElfresh was able to obtain photographs of the suspect and the suspect’s car.

On November 4th, 2019; Brownstown Officer Ryan Cherry found a vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle.
Deputy McElfresh was able to obtain photographs of the registered owner of the vehicle, Joseph C. Hacker; and those photographs matched the photographs of the suspect at the scene of the burglary.

On November 15th, 2019; Deputy McElfresh obtained a search warrant to collect DNA from Joseph C. Hacker. Deputy McElfresh and Deputy Jordan Hawn were able to locate Joseph at his residence in Brownstown. Deputy McElfresh executed the search warrant for Mr. Hacker’s DNA, and at 1:12 am on November 16th, 2019; Joseph C. Hacker, 33 years old, of Brownstown, IN was arrested for Burglary of a Dwelling; Level 4 Felony, and Theft. Mr. Hacker was taken to the Jackson County Jail where he awaits an initial hearing on the charges.

The investigation is ongoing.

Last evening (11/14)  just before midnight Trooper Ray Otter was on I-70 eastbound just west of the New Castle exit when he saw an eastbound GMC Yukon that had a license plate light out and was following the vehicle in front of it too closely. 

Otter activated his lights but the vehicle continued to drive for a mile before stopping on SR 3 after exiting I-70.

After Trooper Otter made contact with the driver, Yolanda Romana Bisaiz, age 47 of Los Angeles, California, her two adult female passengers and two children under five, he became suspicious.

Trooper Ratliff was nearby with his K-9 partner Tora and came to assist Otter.  Trooper Ratliff took “Tora” around the outside of the Yukon for an open-air sniff, and the dog indicated the presence of contraband in the vehicle.

Further investigation by the troopers turned up 21 pounds of Methamphetamine in the vehicle, along with a small amount of marijuana. 

Bisaiz was arrested for Dealing Methamphetamine in the Presence of a Minor, Level 2 Felony; Dealing Methamphetamine 10 or more grams with the Intent to Deliver, Level 2 Felony; Possession of Methamphetamine over 28 grams, Level 3 Felony and misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana. 

Bisaiz was lodged in the Henry County Jail and her vehicle was impounded.  The other passengers were transported from the scene and allowed to leave. 

The Methamphetamine had an estimated street value of $105,000 to $210,000. Otter was assisted in his investigation by Trooper Ratliff and Henry County Deputies Thrasher and Marcum.

The deer firearms license allows one deer to be taken with that license, and it must be a buck. If you want to take a doe with a firearm during the firearms season, a bonus antlerless license, resident youth combo hunt/trap license, deer license bundle, or lifetime license is required.

The doe counts toward that county’s bonus antlerless bag limit for resident youth, lifetime, and bundle license holders. Some DNR properties have restrictions on bonus antlerless deer that can be taken.

Buy your deer hunting license now

You can purchase your license online, at a retailer, or over the phone/in-person through our Customer Service Center (317-232-4200) during normal business hours.

Resident youth must purchase a youth hunt/trap combo license, which includes deer hunting privileges. If you buy your license online, do you know your username (email address) and password? Has your email changed recently? Log in now to make sure you have the correct information. If you aren’t sure, click on the appropriate links to find your username or reset your password, or call 317-232-4200 during normal business hours for assistance.

An online account can be used to purchase licenses only for the person whose name and customer ID is on the account, with the exception of youth hunting and trapping licenses that may be purchased through an adult’s account. If you get your license at a retailer, buy early to avoid long lines. A list of license retailers can be found online. Be sure to check your license for accuracy before you leave the store.

Check-in your deer, wild turkey, or river otter

The Indiana CheckIN Game system allows hunters and trappers to check in their harvested game from any device connected to the internet. You will receive a confirmation number that must be written down on a temporary transportation tag for the harvested game species (turkey, deer, and/or river otter).

Be sure to check your information to ensure accuracy before submitting the check-in. Deer and wild turkey must be checked in within 48 hours of harvest, and river otters must be checked in within 24 hours. Have your customer ID (CID) and harvest information ready. 

Do not re-enter the correct information if you have entered incorrect information into the CheckIN Game system; each submission is considered a harvested animal. Email your confirmation number, name, and changes that need to be made to INhuntfish@dnr.IN.gov.

To view all game that was previously checked in with the CheckIN Game system, you will need to set up an account through our online system. You can purchase licenses, check in game, complete your HIP registration, and make a donation through your account. 

Hunters still have the option of visiting traditional check stations where a confirmation number will be provided to hunters to place on their temporary transportation tag. There is also a phone-in option at 1-800-419-1326 for a $3 fee (Visa or Mastercard only).

INDOT contractor E&B Paving Inc. will conduct two traffic switches later this week on I-65 in Jackson and Bartholomew Counties as part of the $143 million reconstructions and added travel lanes project that began last year.

The switches will be the first step toward moving traffic into the project’s winter shutdown configuration.

On Friday night (Nov. 15), southbound traffic will be shifted back to the southbound side of I-65 from just south of S.R. 11 to Seymour (MM 53.8 to MM 50).

On Saturday night (Nov. 16), northbound traffic will be shifted back to the northbound side of I-65 from just north of S.R. 11 to the south of S.R. 58 (MM 56 to MM 61.2).

Following both switches, traffic will travel in its respective lanes through the entire length of the project (MM 50 to MM 64).

Although any planned work during the winter months is not expected to impact traffic, motorists should continue to adhere to the 55 mph speed restriction and use extra caution in the construction zone.

All trucks should continue to use the left lane for travel. The project is expected to be completed in 2020. All work is weather permitting.

The Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District is sponsoring a free Beginning Farmer Breakfast on Saturday, December 7, 2019, for beginning farmers and new landowners.

This event co-sponsored by Purdue Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, and Washington Co. Farm Bureau Inc. will provide attendees with information about the programs and services that each of these organizations has to offer as well as opportunities and agricultural updates for beginning farmers.

Breakfast and registration begin at 7:30 AM on Saturday, December 7 at the Washington Co. Government Building Meeting Room (806 Martinsburg Rd., Salem).

Participants are asked to RSVP to the Washington County SWCD by Wednesday, December 4 at 812-883-3704, ext. 3 or by email to jill.roll@in.nacdnet.net.

The two newest attractions at French Lick Resort are just days away from opening their doors to guests.

Reservation dates are open starting Friday for the new Valley Tower, a 71-room hotel includes larger suites and adjoining rooms, while the Valley Bar will bring a new type of informal setting to share drinks with friends or grab a bite to eat.

Both are part of a $17 million addition to French Lick Resort.

The new guestrooms and bar will cover more than 50,000 new square feet at French Lick Resort, and they are also expected to bring more than 100 new jobs to the resort as well.

The Valley Tower is located adjacent to the resort’s Event Center and French Lick Casino.

The Valley Tower, a 71-room hotel, and the Valley Bar are both set to officially open on Friday, November 15. Media guests are invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony from 2 to 4 p.m. that day at the Valley Tower, located adjacent to the resort’s Event Center and French Lick Casino. Guests will be able to take a tour of the Valley Tower and Valley Bar facilities, as well as the two other additions at French Lick Resort that have been completed within the past year: the new sportsbook and sports viewing area at French Lick Casino, and the refurbished Exhibition Hall.

Valley Tower and Valley Bar are both part of a $17 million addition geared toward providing resort guests more variety and options during their stay.

In the six-story Valley Tower, guestrooms will feature connecting room options for a new level of flexibility. It will also include 12 suites configurable in one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom combinations for a spacious stay. ADA-accessible rooms and pet-friendly rooms will also be available. Adorned with modern décor, Valley Tower rooms will also provide a new look and a complementary option to guestrooms at the resort’s historic French Lick and West Baden Springs Hotels. 

The additional rooms will supplement the existing 686 guestrooms at French Lick Resort’s two historic hotels (443 at French Lick Springs Hotel and 243 at West Baden Springs Hotel) and bring the resort’s overall capacity to 757 rooms.

Valley Bar, located just off the Valley Tower lobby, will be the resort’s only 21-and-over eating establishment with a menu featuring light fare including appetizers, sliders, wings and hearty soups. From the drink menu, guests can choose from nearly 20 regional craft beers, along with domestic brews, signature and traditional cocktails, and a selection of wines. Rustic décor and plenty of big-screen TVs will also make this a cozy new spot to meet up with friends during the day and after hours. Two event rooms will also be available for larger groups to rent.

Already the largest employer in Orange County with 1,700 associates, French Lick Resort is adding approximately 100 new jobs to expand its workforce for the resort additions. The sports bar and new guestrooms are the latest major capital investment the resort has made over the past 12 years, following the opening of French Lick Casino in 2006; the adjacent Event Center that underwent a $20 million expansion in 2015; and the nearby Exhibition Hall that recently underwent an extensive renovation. 

Construction on the Valley Tower and Valley Bar was contracted to Krempp Construction, Inc., a Jasper, Ind.-based company that was also highly involved in the historic restorations at French Lick and West Baden Springs Hotels in the mid-2000s

On November 12, 2019, Deputy Johnney Coomer with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop in Scottsburg. 

An investigation led to the arrest of Carla Guilmette, 46, of Scottsburg for Driving While Suspended Prior. 

On November 12, 2019, Deputies John Hartman and Johnney Coomer and Reserve Deputies Tim Hall and James Siler went to an address on Melody Street in rural Scott County in an attempt to serve an outstanding arrest warrant. 

Upon arrival Kimberly Bishop, 45, of Scottsburg was arrested on an outstanding warrant through Marion County Indiana.