Thirty-seven probationary troopers graduated from the 79th Indiana State Police Academy on December 19, 2019.

Two of those probationary troopers are being assigned to the Indiana State Police Jasper Post and will begin their next phase of training. These officers have already completed over 1,000 hours of structured training in law enforcement techniques as well as hands-on and scenario-based training at the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy.

The curriculum included criminal law instruction, emergency vehicle operations, psychology, traffic law, crash investigation, self-defense, first responder and other general enforcement related training.

The new Troopers are Andrew S. Jones and Jonathan Villanueva.

Jones ,27, a native Jasper and attended Jasper High School graduating in 2010. In August of 2010, Jones joined the United States Marine Corps .

Jones spent his first two years of his Marine Corps enlistment in Okinawa, Japan and the remainder of his time at Camp Pendleton, California. . Jones worked as a correctional officer at Branchville Correctional Facility from October of 2014 until November of 2016. In November 2016, Jones was hired as a police officer in Huntingburg until June of 2019 when he started the State Police Academy to become a trooper. Jones and his 5-year-old son are residing in Jasper.

Villanueva ,29, graduated from Jasper High School in 2008. Villanueva worked for Goody’s and Sternberg Automotive.

In December of 2014, Villanueva became a reserve officer for the city of Huntingburg and that is when he fell in love with this profession. In 2019, he attended and graduated the 79th recruit class for ISP. Villanueva currently lives in Huntingburg with his wife and children.

Lieutenant Jason Allen stated he is excited to have the two new Troopers in the district, and is excited for them to become part of the Jasper Post family.

The hay crop of 2019 in the Midwest region is reported to be among the poorest quality in years – a significant challenge to the 10,000 sheep and goat producers in Indiana and Kentucky.

To help with this, Purdue University Extension and Kentucky State University will host the 2020 Sheep and Goat Webinar on Tuesday, January 28 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. The webinar will be
offered at the Purdue Extension – Washington County office at 806 Martinsburg Rd., Suite 104 in Salem.

RSVP’s are appreciated, but not required by calling 812-883-4601 or emailing dhowellw@purdue.edu. Home viewing also will be available at: www.ansc.tv.

Approximately 25 Extension offices in Indiana and Kentucky area will be host sites for the webinar, created to help farmers identify the consequences of feeding poor quality hay, and
instruction on best practices for health and maintenance in the sheep and goat industries.

Purdue’s Fulton County Extension Director, Mark Kepler said the first cutting of hay for 2019 was late, due to rainy weather. The additional weeks of maturing, he explained, increased the fiber content and decreased the protein content.

“We found the second, third, and in some cases, fourth cuttings made were much higher quality, so this made quality hay much more expensive, and harder to obtain this year,” Kepler said.

Mike Neary, Purdue University Extension sheep, and goat specialist explained that animals being fed poor quality hay may lose condition and need supplemental grains and other quality feed
sources.

“In the months when pasture isn’t available, good quality hay is essential to maintaining a healthy herd. This year brought many farmers a poor hay crop, and as a result, we are reaching
out to help provide some tips and helpful solutions for surviving the winter months ahead,” Neary said.

He also expressed concern for future goat and sheep offspring born to mothers fed a poor hay diet, which sets up a disadvantaged start at the onset of life, resulting in poor milk quality and low birth weights.

During the webinar, Keith Johnson, Purdue University Extension Forages Specialist will address “The Problem” and the importance of testing. Richard Ehrhardt, Michigan State University
Sheep and Goat Specialist will discuss “The Consequences of Feeding Poor Quality Hay” and potential feeding problems that could result, with ways to have a productive year, despite the
challenges.

Interested persons can join others for the webinar viewing, and a list of participants is in process and available at https://extension.purdue.edu/fulton. Contact the nearest county extension office for exact viewing sites.

Live streaming on Facebook Live also will be available at the Purdue Sheep and Goat Extension Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/purduesheepandgoats/.

“We hope this webinar is helpful to those who choose to watch online, however, we strongly encourage office site viewing sessions for producers and Extension Educators who can watch
and discuss the webinar in a shared location,” Kepler added.

Purdue University and Kentucky State University have been co-hosting small ruminant workshops for the past 10 years. Additional information about issues facing the sheep and goat
industries can be found at the Purdue Sheep & Goat Website.

Do you want to see what 4-H is all about? Come to the Extension Office on Tuesday, January 14th to the 4-H Club Ice Cream Social from 5-7 p.m.

You will get ice cream, visit the different clubs we have to offer and get plenty of toppings for your ice cream as you visit. We will also have computers available that night to enroll in 4-H.

Regular 4H is open to anyone currently enrolled in grades 3-12. Anyone who is currently in Kindergarten, 1st or 2nd grade is eligible to join Mini 4H.

To enroll in 4-H online, go to https://in.4honline.com. If you have been enrolled in the past, simply log in with your username or password and re-enroll.

If this is your first time, you may create a profile and enroll. Regular 4-H is $20 and Mini 4-H is $5.

This can be paid online with a credit card or in the Extension Office with cash or check.

For further information concerning 4H or for assistance enrolling, call Purdue Extension – Washington County at 812-8834601, stop by their office located on the lower level of the Washington County Government Building at 806 Martinsburg Road in Salem, or email mcbrough@purdue.edu.

Wednesday was the first day to file for candidacy in the upcoming May 5 Primary election.

Four candidates filed to seek their party nomination to run in the fall election. 

Washington County Clerk

Stephanie Rockey – Republican

Washington County Treasurer

Shirley Batt – Democrat

Washington County Commissioner – District 1

Phil Marshall – Republican 

Washington County Commissioner – District 3

Rick Roberts – Republican 

Local candidates will file with the county clerk’s office in the Washington County Justice Center. 

Filing will remain open until 12:00 pm local time on Friday, February 7, 2020.

Candidates encouraged to file documents early, may file until noon, February 7

Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey became the first Washington County candidate to file to run in the upcoming 2020 Primary election.

She will seek the Republican nomination in the May 5 Primary to run in the fall election for county clerk. 

Candidates seeking public office this year may begin filing their declarations of candidacy for the 2020 Primary Election today –  Wednesday, January 8.

Candidates for federal or state office will file with the Secretary of State or the Indiana Election Division.

Local candidates will file with the county clerk’s office.

Filing will remain open until 12:00 pm local time on Friday, February 7, 2020.

A candidate seeking nomination by a major political party may file, as well as independent or minor party candidates and state convention delegates.

Candidates for President or Governor may begin filing petitions of nomination with county voter registration offices for verification of petition signatures.

“Free elections sit at the foundation of our republic, and I congratulate those individuals who have made the decision to run for public office,” said Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson. “I encourage all candidates to pay careful attention to the policies and deadlines set forth by the laws of our state, and to file the appropriate documents sooner rather than later to avoid unnecessary mistakes and ensure an easy and efficient process for all parties involved.”

The Secretary of State’s Office is located in Room 201 of the Indiana Statehouse, 200 West Washington Street, Indianapolis. The Election Division is located in Room E-204 of the Indiana Government Center, 302 West Washington Street, Indianapolis. Offices are open from 8:00am-4:30pm EST.

Further information can be found at https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/2395.htm

An Indiana State Police investigation has led to a former New Castle Police Officer being summoned into court later this month to face a charge of Misdemeanor Criminal Recklessness.

The charge stems from an incident that occurred on August 19, 2019, around 1:30 a.m. while the man was working as a New Castle Police Lieutenant.

On August 19^th, 2019, just before 1:30 a.m. two New Castle Officers were patrolling in the area of 12^th and Woodward St. in New Castle when they noticed a suspicious man walking west on 12^th St. As the officers got out of their car to speak with the man, he fled on foot.

The officers pursued on foot and caught up with the man in the area of 10^th St. and Thornburg St. where the fleeing man surrendered.  As the officers were approaching the man to handcuff him, then New Castle Officer Lt. Aaron Strong, age 42, arrived on the scene and allegedly began striking the man with his expandable baton as the man lay on the ground.

The original arresting officers took the man to Henry Community Hospital to be checked out before taking him to jail for Resisting Law Enforcement, Fleeing. 

The two arresting officers then reported the incident immediately to New Castle Police Department Supervisors, who immediately requested the Indiana State Police to conduct an investigation. 

When the investigation was completed it was turned over to Henry County Prosecutor Joe Bergacs in September, who then referred the case to Special Prosecutor Rodney Cummings. Cummings filed the charge on Aaron Strong late yesterday afternoon.

Tuesday morning, at approximately 6:30, am, the Indiana State Police, North Vernon Police Department, and Jennings County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two-vehicle crash just north of North Vernon that claimed the life of a Ripley County, Indiana man. 

The initial investigation by Trooper Matthew Holley, Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team indicated that a maroon Ford Taurus being driven by Justin M. Rangel, age 26, Osgood, Indiana was traveling eastbound on the US 50 Bypass, just east of State Road 3.  For an unknown reason, Rangel’s vehicle crossed the centerline into the path of a westbound 2013 Mack truck pulling a loaded trailer, being driven by Todd E. Lennartz, age 49, Fort Recovery, Ohio.

The vehicles collided nearly head-on in the westbound lane of US 50.  Both vehicles then skidded into the eastbound lane where they came to a stop.  Rangel sustained fatal injuries in the crash.  He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jennings County Coroner’s Office.  Lennartz was transported to St. Vincent-Jennings Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Toxicology results on both drivers are pending at this time.  The investigation is ongoing.

US 50 was closed just east of State Road 3 for nearly four hours for crash investigation and cleanup.

Justin Rangel’s family has been notified.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the North Vernon Police Department, Jennings County Sheriff’s Office, North Vernon Fire Department, Jennings County EMS, Jennings County Coroner’s Office, 31 Wrecker Service, and Lee’s Wrecker Service.