On November 4, 2019, Chief Deputy Toby Deaton and Detective Jacklyn Shofner with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office went to an address on Craig Road in Scottsburg in an attempt to serve an outstanding arrest warrant.  Upon arrival Amber Hall, 38, of Scottsburg was arrested for a warrant for Failure to Comply. 

On November 5, 2019, Deputy James Ward went to Beechwood Park in Scottsburg in an attempt to locate a missing juvenile. 

Upon arrival, an investigation led to locating the missing juvenile and also to the arrest of a male.  Matthew Missi, 19, of Scottsburg was arrested for Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and False Informing. 

On November 5, 2019, Deputy John Hartman went to an address on Blocher Road in an attempt to serve an outstanding bench warrant.  Upon arrival Christopher Tharp, 33, of Deputy was arrested on an outstanding bench warrant. 

On November 5, 2019, Deputy John Hartman went to Kinderhook Road in an attempt to serve an outstanding bench warrant.  Upon arrival Christopher Kimberlin, 43, of Lexington was arrested on an outstanding bench warrant. 

The Indiana State Police is proud to partner again in 2020 with the U.S. Department of Justice in promoting the National Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest. 

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed May 25^th as National Missing Children’s Day. 

This day is dedicated to encouraging parents, guardians, caregivers and all concerned individuals with the well-being of children to make child safety a priority. 

It serves as a reminder to continue our efforts to reunite missing children with their families and loved ones. 

It also serves as an occasion to honor those who are dedicated to this very noble cause. 

The National Missing Children’s Poster Contest provides an opportunity for schools, law enforcement, and parents/guardians to discuss and promote child safety.

The state winner will receive a national award certificate from the U.S. Department of Justice and their poster will be selected to go to the national judging competition. 

The national winner, along with his/her parents and teacher, and the state manager will be invited to Washington, D.C. to participate in the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Missing Children’s Day ceremony.

Some important facts about the contest:

• There is NO LIMIT on the number of posters a school can submit.
• Only one (1) poster per student is allowed for submission.
• Students who submit posters MUST be in the 5th grade. 
• Artwork should reflect the theme “Bringing Our Missing Children Home.” This phrase MUST appear somewhere on the poster.
• The theme may be depicted in the artwork through one or a combination of illustrations and can be created using media such as acrylics, watercolor, pencils, charcoal, magic markers, spray paint, crayons, and pastels. Digitally produced images, collages, cut-outs, and stamping WILL NOT be eligible for consideration.
• The finished poster MUST measure 8 ½ X 14 inches.
• The poster must be submitted with a COMPLETED application, which includes a description of the poster and a brief biography of the artist.
• All poster contest rules can be found at https://ncjtc-static.fvtc.edu/Resources/RS00005796.pdf
• The deadline for submissions from participating organizations to be received by state manager Torie Harris is February 7, 2020.

Submissions are to be sent to:

Indiana State Police Clearinghouse
c/o Torie Harris
100 N. Senate Ave. N340
Indianapolis, IN 46204

To learn more about the National Missing Children’s Day Poster contest visit:  https://www.ojjdp.gov/missingchildrensday/ 

If ever a child goes missing, contact your local police department or dial 9-1-1.  It is also a good idea to keep an updated picture or cell phone image, and a DNA sample from your child.  For more safety and prevention tips please visit http://www.in.gov/amberalert/2335.htm      

We wish all participants good luck in the competition and to have fun creating the posters!

*Photos below are the 2019 Indiana winners*

1st Place – Maycee DeBolt – Independent Submission, Three Creeks Elementary School, Lowell, IN

2nd Place – Kylynn New – Wes-Del Elementary School, Gaston, IN

3rd Place – Carter Flynn – Wes-Del Elementary School, Gaston, IN

On Saturday, October 26, 2019, Hoosiers participated in the 18^th nationwide “Prescription Drug Take-Back Day” by visiting Indiana State Police Posts, locations sponsored by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA) and the Indiana Board of Pharmacy, and other sites across the state.

“Kudos to everyone who helped protect their loved ones from substance misuse by safely disposing of a total of over eight tons of medication,” said Indiana Executive Director for Drug Prevention, Treatment and Enforcement Jim McClelland.

“We hope more people will take advantage of convenient prescription drop-off locations available year-round across Indiana.”

In partnership with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the drug take-back initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of prescription drugs. 88 sites across Indiana partnered with the DEA to collect unused medication.

During the one day event, the DEA reports that Hoosiers safely disposed of 16,483 pounds of unused medication.

Collectively the Indiana State Police received 1,488 pounds of unused, expired or unwanted medications for proper disposal.

Our partners from the IPLA and the Indiana Board of Pharmacy received 1,125 pounds of prescription medication. 

For more information about the bi-annual “Prescription Drug Take-Back Day” or to find year-round disposal locations visit https://takebackday.dea.gov/.

On October 31, 2019, Indiana State Police Troopers were asked to assist the Indiana Department of Child Services with a report of physical abuse of juveniles within a home in Springville, Indiana.

ISP Trooper Julie Deel responded to a residence on Armstrong Station Road and initiated an investigation into the alleged report of physical abuse of juveniles. Upon Trooper Deel’s arrival, it was learned that Scott and Cherry Blattert have 9 children.

As a result of an initial investigation, the Indiana State Police arrested Scott Allen Blattert Jr., 42 years old of Springville.

Blattert was initially incarcerated in the Lawrence County Jail on October 31, 2019 for the charges of Domestic Battery, Level 6 Felony, and Neglect of a Dependent, Level 5 Felony.

ISP Detective Zack Robbins continued the investigation of physical abuse of the juveniles within the Blattert home. Interviews were conducted, then a search warrant was obtained and executed at the residence on Armstrong Station Road on November 1, 2019. 

As a result of the continuing investigation, arrest warrants were obtained by Detective Robbins for Cherry Lynn Blattert, 38 years old, and again for Scott Allen Blattert Jr. on November 6, 2019.

The Indiana State Police Bloomington District A.C.E.S. (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section), along with Trooper Jon Patrick and Trooper Chance Humphrey executed the Arrest Warrant for Cherry Blattert at the Armstrong Station Road residence on November 6, 2019. 

Cherry Blattert was incarcerated in the Lawrence County Jail.

Information was then obtained that Scott Blattert was at his place of employment on NSA Crane Naval Base in Greene County. Trooper Richard Klun of the ISP A.C.E.S. and K9 Loki, with assistance from the NSA Crane Police Department, located Scott Blattert and executed his Arrest Warrant without incident.  

Scott Blattert was transported to the Greene County Jail.

Washington County Treasurer Shirley Batt wants everyone to know the deadline for Fall Property Taxes is Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 5p.

Upcoming hours include:

Thursday, November 7, 2019, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday, November 8, 2019, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Monday, November 11th CLOSED in observance of Veteran’s Day
Tuesday, November 12, 2018, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Current tax payments can be made at FIRST SAVINGS BANK
Locations or can be left in the TREASURER’S GRAY DROP BOX located on
the south side of Courthouse.

Batt provided the following instruction to make paying your taxes easier.

1. Bring ALL your tax statements or documents with you, AND…Know ALL of your PARCELS.
   2. Treasurer’s Office staff is NOT responsible to know all of your property.
   3. Payments are accepted in:
    Cash, Check or Credit Card.
    If paying by Credit Card an additional 2.95% will be added to your balance, with a minimum fee of $3.00.
   And paying by Credit Card does not accumulate points, like a retail store.
    Online website: www.washingtontax.net for payments with an added fee.
    Payments may also be made at any FIRST SAVINGS BANK locations.
    Dropbox is available on the south side of the porch of the courthouse. Look for the window slot; OR, gray
   payment box on sidewalk on the south side of the courthouse, located by flag pole &  handicap parking space.
   4. ALL unpaid taxes will be assessed a penalty of 5% for the first 30 days following the deadline. An additional 5% will be assessed after the 30-day period, which will total a 10% penalty.
   5. Three (3) unpaid tax installments will result in eligibility for Tax Sale.
   6. 2019 Tax Deadline: November 12th (Tuesday) for the Fall Installment. The deadline has been extended due to Veteran’s Day & Weekend.
   7. Tax Statements are mailed one time each year in late March or early April. This statement has installment coupons for both spring and fall.
   8. Any “Revised Tax Statement” will be issued from the Auditor’s Office.

Today, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) announced that the Indiana Department of Transportation will be awarded a $16 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for the I-65 Mobility and Access Project.

The project aims to address the rising demand for modernized transportation infrastructure by constructing or modifying four interchanges along I-65 within Boone County, Indiana. As a result, these improvements will minimize heavy traffic congestion and support the rapid growth in Whitestown and the surrounding local community.

“As the Crossroads of America, it is critical to have a reliable and safe transportation corridor in Indiana for the continuous movement of people and goods,” said Senator Young. “As the primary artery between Indianapolis and Chicago, improvements along I-65 will ensure Boone County remains a regional logistics hub and has the capacity for continued economic growth.”

“Indiana moves American business, and for us to continue serving as the Crossroads of America we need to constantly improve our roads, bridges, and interchanges,” said Senator Braun. “This grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation will allow Whitestown to continue to flourish, and Indiana’s infrastructure to keep connecting Hoosier businesses to the world.”

The Indiana Republican Party achieved a new record in this year’s municipal elections, ending the 2019 cycle with 70 Republican mayors throughout Indiana – including Salem’s Justin Green capturing the first Republican Mayor position in 34 years. 

This involved flipping 19 mayoral offices, including those in traditional Democrat strongholds Kokomo, Muncie, Logansport, and Michigan City.

Republicans now hold 23 more mayoral offices than Democrats, another record.

“It was a historic night for Republicans throughout Indiana as voters in the city after city elected Republicans mayors,” said Indiana GOP Chairman Kyle Hupfer. “Never in the history of Indiana have Republicans held this many mayoral offices or had this wide a margin over Democrats.”

Not content to compete in just one region, the Indiana Republican Party invested time, talent and significant resources in races throughout the state. This coordination and teamwork led to an unprecedented flip of 19 mayoral offices in cities across the state.

In Kokomo, where Republicans had not won the mayor’s race in over a decade, Republican Tyler Moore cruised to victory.

In Muncie, Republican Dan Ridenour brought the mayor’s office back in the Republican column, riding a wave of enthusiasm for his campaign of an open, inclusive and transparent administration in this former Democrat stronghold.

Voters rejected the embattled Democrat mayor of Michigan City and elected Republican Duane Parry to clean up city hall and restore confidence to the office.

In Evansville, Democrats were unable to even field a candidate, and popular mayor Lloyd Winnecke easily secured a third term.

The trend carried throughout the state. Terre Haute, Lawrence, Jeffersonville, Logansport, Winchester, Bluffton, Hartford City and Greensburg all elected Republican mayors, just to name a few. 

This bodes well as Governor Holcomb will lead a motivated, organized and energized team of Republicans into the 2020 elections. Governor Holcomb has already secured the needed signatures to achieve ballot access in his reelection.

“By any measure, Tuesday night was an overwhelming success for Indiana Republicans,” added Hupfer.

Election morning started out with drizzling rain and cold temperatures, but the sun came out and temperatures warmed up in the 50s sending 30 percent of registered voters to the polls in the City of Salem Municipal General Election and giving all Republican candidates a win. 

And delivering Salem it’s first Republican Mayor in 34 years. 

In the biggest race of the election, Republican and City Council President Justin Green handily defeated Democrat Bill Ackerman, 930 to 358. 

Ackerman only topped 100 votes in one out of three precincts, in Salem 3.

Green defeated Ackerman by a 2-1 margin in all four precincts. 

Green, a three-term Salem City Councilman, defeated former mayoral candidate and Salem School Board member Ron Haendiges by 48 votes in May to win the Republican nod to run for City of Salem Mayor in the general election. 

In the primary election, Green captured 338 total votes (including early voting and absentee) or 46.2 percent while Haendiges pulled in just 290 votes or 39.6 percent. 

Republican Incumbent Clerk/Treasurer Clerk-Treasurer Sally Hattabaugh edged Democrat challenger Kevin Stewart, 743 to 549. 

Stewart wasn’t on the ballot back in the spring and joined the race in the summer. 

Republican Jody Smedley won the Salem City Council At Large seat with 739 votes to the 431 votes received by Democrat RH Bennett. 

Republican Dan Libka won the Salem City Council District 1 seat 186 to 93 votes for Democrat Richard Longworth, who lost in the May primary for the Democrat nomination for Mayor. 

Democrat Rick Stewart didn’t have a challenger in the Salem City Council and won that position with 193 votes. 

In Salem Council District 3, Republican Incumbant Steve Crane won with 232 votes over challenger Jana Hayes, who garnered 169 votes. 

In Salem Council District 4, Republican newcomber Gail Napier won with 180 votes to Democrat challenger Anthony Scifres who captures 147 votes. 

BY THE NUMBERS
There were 42 absentee straight-party Republican votes compared to 18 absentee straight-party votes for the Democrat party. 

In early voting, there were five straight-party Republican votes compared with only one straight party Democrat vote. 

Republicans dominated at the polls in straight-party voting – Republicans had 72.2 percent of the vote with 226 straight tickets and Democrats had 87 straight-ticket votes (or 27.8 percent).

BY PRECINCT

Salem 1

Mayor

• R – Justin Green – 195
• D – Bill Ackerman – 84

Clerk/Treasurer

• R – Sally Hattabaugh – 149
• D – Kevin Stewart – 131

Council at Large 

• R – Jody Smedley – 143
• D – RH Bennett – 102 

Council District 1 

• R – Dan Libka – 186
• D – Richard Longworth – 93

Salem 2

Mayor

• R – Justin Green – 201
• D – Bill Ackerman – 76

Clerk/Treasurer

• R – Sally Hattabaugh – 171
• D – Kevin Stewart – 104

Council at Large 

• R – Jody Smedley – 156
• D – RH Bennett – 89

 Council District 2 

• D – Rick Stewart – 193

Salem 3 

Mayor

• R – Justin Green – 294
• D – Bill Ackerman – 108

Clerk/Treasurer

• R – Sally Hattabaugh – 238
• D – Kevin Stewart – 168

Council at Large 

• R – Jody Smedley – 242
• D – RH Bennett – 133

 Council District 3 

• R – Steve Crane – 232
• D – Jana Hayes – 169

Salem 4

Mayor

• R – Justin Green – 240
• D – Bill Ackerman – 90

Clerk/Treasurer

• R – Sally Hattabaugh – 185
• D – Kevin Stewart – 146

Council at Large 

• R – Jody Smedley – 198
• D – RH Bennett – 107

 Council District 4

• R – Gail Napier – 180
• D – Anthony Scifres – 147

MAYOR VOTING

In the mayor’s race, 72.7 percent of voters (958 total votes) compared to only 27.53 percent who chose Ackerman (364 votes).

Green received 146 absentee votes compared to only 51 for Ackerman. 

Green captured 28 early votes (82.35 percent) compared to only 6 for Ackerman (17.65 percent). 

During the polls today, Green received 784 votes compared to 307 votes for Ackerman. 

CITY CLERK/TREASURER VOTING

In absentee voting for Republican Incumbent Sally Hattabaugh, 119 voters cast absentee ballots and 19 early votes. On election day, 624 voters chose Hattabaugh. 

For Democrat Incumbent Kevin Stewart, he received 74 absentee votes and 15 early votes and 475 votes today. 

CITY COUNCIL – AT LARGE

Republican Jody Smedley took 118 absentee votes with an additional 23 early votes. Today, 621 residents voted for Smedley. 

Democrat challenger RH Bennett, earned 57 absentee votes with only 10 early votes. On election day, Bennett took 374 votes. 

CITY COUNCIL – DISTRICT 1 

Republican Dan Libka took 26 absentee votes with 3 early votes and 160 votes at the polls. 

Democrat challenger Richard Longworth had 19 absentee votes and no early votes and 74 votes at the polls. 

CITY COUNCIL – DISTRICT 2 

Democrat Candidate Rick Stewart received 32 absentee votes, five early votes and 161 votes at the polls. 

CITY COUNCIL – DISTRICT 3 

Republican incumbent Steve Crane generated 42 absentee votes and six early votes and took 190 votes at the polls. 

Democrat newcomber Jana Hayes gathered 17 absentee votes and took five early votes and another 152 votes at the polls. 

CITY COUNCIL – DISTRICT 4 

Republican Gail Napier received 21 absentee votes with seven early votes and 159 votes at the polls. 

Democrat challenger Anthony Scifres recieved 23 absentee votes and six early votes with 124 votes at the polls.