Governor Eric Holcomb has declared September 22-28, 2019 as Indiana Rail Safety Week in conjunction with the U.S. and Canada Rail Safety Week that will take place in all 50 states and Canadian provinces.

The goal is to increase rail safety awareness by working collaboratively on national rail safety week. Indiana State Police, Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), local law enforcement agencies and railroad companies have partnered together to raise awareness about the dangers of disregarding railroad crossing laws and trespassing on railroad property.

“Every three hours, a vehicle or person are hit by a train in the United States,” states Jessica Feder, Executive Director, Indiana Operation Lifesaver. 

“Indiana law enforcement agencies and railroad special agents will be out monitoring railroad crossings and checking for trespassers during rail safety week. We want the public to know how important it is to pay attention at railroad crossings and that trespassing on railroad tracks and property is dangerous and illegal.” 

Indiana Operation Lifesaver has scheduled numerous enforcement blitzes throughout the state involving law enforcement agencies and an event with Amtrak called Operation Clear Track.

There will be public safety announcements throughout the state, safety information distributed at college campuses, booths at statewide festivals and events, social media campaigns, messages on the INDOT dynamic highway signs, first responder training, and Operation Lifesaver signs at crossings where multiple train versus vehicle collisions have occurred.

Indiana Operation Lifesaver is taking a proactive lead in the elimination of crossing collisions and trespasser fatalities.

In 2018, there were 150 railroad crossing collisions resulting in 54 people injured and 17 fatalities in the state of Indiana. Indiana is currently ranked 3rd nationally for railroad crossing collisions. The Hoosier State had 12 trespasser deaths last year as well as seven injuries.  

“Our goal is to keep Hoosiers safe at crossings and near train tracks,” said Jessica Feder. “We encourage everyone to make safe decisions and pay attention at all railroad crossings and near railroad property. It could save your life!”

Indiana Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade intersections and on railroad rights-of-way through public education, engineering and enforcement. 

To learn more about Indiana Operation Lifesaver, please visit us online at www.oli.org or call 812-528-4327.

Crews will be on-site Thursday, September 26, at the I-65 bridge over S.R. 46 in Columbus (Exit 68) to conduct a biannual bridge inspection. A number of lane restrictions and ramp closures will be in effect while the inspection is completed.

The following I-65 ramps will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, September 26:

• I-65 SB to S.R. 46 EB
• I-65 NB to S.R. 46 WB
• S.R. 46 EB to I-65 NB
• S.R. 46 WB to I-65 NB

S.R. 46 will also be restricted to two lanes in each direction from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the inspection.

Motorists should slow down, use extra caution and drive without distractions in the work zone. All work is weather dependent. In the event of inclement weather, the inspection will take place on Friday, September 27.

The Annual Orleans Fall “Town-Wide Clean Sweep,” has been set for the week of October 7^th and community leaders are encouraging all local residents to participate in the clean-up efforts.

Town crews will be picking up any large type items of discard free of charge this week. Discard items should be placed curbside for easy pickup.

In addition, a large dumpster has also been set at the Orleans Town Garage for resident use as well through Noon on this Saturday.

Residents are strongly encouraged to bring any unwanted or small junk type items they want to dispose of and place in the dumpster.

The Orleans Chamber of Commerce is also participating in this special community event and asking everyone’s help to make our hometown beautiful by taking the time to clean up, spruce up, fix up, and paint up all around town that week. Youth groups, service groups, business people, families and churches are welcome and urged to help sweep the town clean for the fall and winter months ahead.

In addition, in preparation for the upcoming Orleans Fall Fun Fest in the Park on October 12^th Chamber representatives are encouraging residents and business owners alike to dress up their properties with fall décor i.e. pumpkins, mums, scarecrows,  stray bales, fodder shocks, etc.   

To arrange for pick up of items or for more information on the “Fall Clean Sweep” contact the Orleans Town Offices at 812 865-2539 or visit the town’s website at www.town.orleans.in.us

A lengthy joint investigation between the Indiana State Police DES and Indiana State Police Bloomington District A.C.E.S. culminated on Friday night, September 20^th, with two Bedford residents being arrested for dealing methamphetamine.

The following arrests were made as a result of the investigation and traffic stop:

Tracy D. Sego

1. Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony
2. Possession of Methamphetamine Over 28 Grams, Level 3 Felony

Kenzie D. Cox

1. Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony
2. Possession of Methamphetamine Over 28 Grams, Level 3 Felony

Both Sego and Cox were incarcerated at the Lawrence County Jail.

Information was obtained that Sego, 52, of 17^th Street in Bedford was allegedly dealing large quantities of methamphetamine in Lawrence County.

The investigation included traffic stops and interviews.

On Friday night, just after 9:15 pm, Indiana State Police Sgt. Greg Day and Trp. Chance Humphrey observed Sego driving a black, 2004 Dodge Dakota northbound on VFW Road, crossing State Road 60 East.

As the troopers caught up to the Dodge, Sgt. Day observed an item being thrown from the passenger side door into the woods. Sgt. Day and Trp. Humphrey conducted a traffic stop.

Sego was the driver and had a female passenger, Cox, 25 yrs old of Norton Lane Bedford.

Both Sego and Cox displayed indicators of criminal activity and both appeared extremely nervous.

Troopers requested the assistance of the Lawrence County Highway Interdiction Team (HIT) and a short time later, HIT team members, Mitchell Police Officer Shaun Cabral and Lawrence County Prosecutor Investigator Greg Hagen, arrived at the scene of the traffic stop. 

Officer Cabral deployed his canine partner, “Jack”, who gave a positive alert for the presence of narcotics in the truck.

Officers located a container with a small amount of methamphetamine along with a bottle of legend drug prescription pills, for which neither Sego, nor Cox had a prescription.

Sgt. Day went back to the area where he observed an item being thrown from the Dodge and located a make-up bag, which contained 107 grams of methamphetamine.

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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

Police continue to investigate an early Sunday morning shooting in Vallonia that sent one man to the University of Louisville Hospital with multiple gunshot wounds and a 66-year-old man to jail for attempted murder. 

Washington County Sheriff Brent Miller said a 911 call came into the dispatch 4:52a from Shona L. Root, 47, 10005 North Hattabaugh Road in Washington County (Vallonia).

The caller said that Roger N. Root, 66, had shot Richard L. Williams, 46, who was rushed to St. Vincent Hospital in Salem. 

Williams was transported to U of L Hospital and was listed in stable condition Sunday evening.

Indiana State Police Detective Travis Baker was called to assist at 7:23a Sunday.

Baker said he interviewed the younger Root, and Jason B. Howard, whom she said was living with her at the residence. Baker also said he tried to interview the elder Root but “due to his state of impairment, the interview was concluded until a later date.”

When asked about what type of impairment he was under, Washington County Prosecutor Dustin Houchin responded: “The matter is still under investigation, and we expect to answer some of those questions as the investigation proceeds.”

Shona Root told Baker that Williams and Roger Root were staying the night at her house and had just met earlier in the day. 

Shona Root told police that between 2 and 4a Roger Root went outside.

“She said that when he returned, he appeared to be very agitated and aggressive,” Baker wrote in his probable cause affidavit. “She said he kept saying, ‘They are going to kill me.'”

Howard told Baker that he had gone downstairs and heard Root come back in the house saying, ‘They’re after me’. 

Baker said Howard dismissed the statement and continued back upstairs to bed. 

Root said she was in the bathroom and came out “to see Mr. Wililams bleeding and bent over holding his stomach.”

Howard said when he got upstairs he heard gunshots and Williams screaming. 

Baker said she told him that Willams said “he shot me” several times. Howard rushed downstairs and they helped Williams into a vehicle and rushed him to St. Vincent Hospital in Salem. 

Baker said both Howard and Root told him that Root was the only other person in the house and was in a bedroom where the sound of the gunshots came from. 

It is not known where Root was after the three went to the hospital or how the altercation began or why Root came to shoot Williams. 

Baker responded to the scene along with ISP Crime Scene Technicians. 

Root was transported to the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. 

As a result of the investigation, Roger Root is charged with one count of Attempted Murder, a Level 1 Felony, and is incarcerated at the Washington County Jail. 

The report didn’t indicated if Root was arrested at the scene or at the Sheriff’s Department. 

Last night at approximately 9:00, Trooper Jordan Lee stopped the driver of a 1999 Pontiac for driving left of center on SR 168 near Church Street.

The driver was identified as Bradley Beadles, 43, of Princeton.

During the traffic stop Trooper Lee observed signs of impairment. Beadles’ nine-year-old daughter was also in the vehicle.

Further investigation revealed Beadles tested positive for marijuana and had a blood alcohol content of .10%.

The nine-year-old was released to a family member. Beadles was arrested and taken to the Gibson County Jail where he posted bond and was later released.

Arrested and Charges:

• Bradley Beadles, 43, Princeton, IN

1. Driving While Intoxicated with a Passenger less than 18, Class 6 Felony
2. Driving While Intoxicated (Marijuana), Class C Misdemeanor
3. Driving While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor

Arresting Officer: Trooper Jordan Lee, Indiana State Police

A 66-year old Vallonia Man has been charged with Attempted Murder after an early morning shooting sent one man to the University of Louisville Hospital (UofL) with multiple gunshot wounds.  

Just before 5:00 a.m., Sunday Morning, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched to the residence at 10005 N. Hattabaugh Road, Vallonia, located in northern Washington County. 

When officers arrived, they learned that an overnight guest, Richard L. Williams, 46, of Salem, Indiana had just been transported by car to St. Vincent Hospital in Salem. 

Williams had allegedly been shot by Roger N. Root, 66, of Vallonia. 

According to the residents, Root was also an overnight guest at the house. 

The Indiana State Police (ISP) in Sellersburg was contacted to assist, and Detective Travis Baker responded to the scene along with ISP Crime Scene Technicians. 

As part of the investigation, Detective Baker interviewed Roger Root, who had been transported to the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. 

As a result of the investigation, Roger Root is charged with one count of Attempted Murder, a Level 1 Felony, and is incarcerated at the Washington County Jail. 

This case is still under investigation. 

The victim, Richard Williams, was transported to UofL Hospital and was listed in stable condition as of the writing of this news release.