• Froderman Peace Chapel;
• Baker-Laird Cabin; 
• Department of Correction Cabin; 
• Minier Cabin; and the 
• Sikh Society Cabin. 

A recent traffic stop by Indiana State Trooper Chad Babbs led to the arrests of Taylor Lee, 26 and Sean Jones, 36, both from Logansport, IN. Both men were incarcerated in the Cass County Jail for dealing methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

On November 16, at approximately 10:41 p.m., Trooper Babbs initiated a traffic stop on a Dodge Charger near Third Street and Linden Avenue. Babbs stopped the Charger for allegedly having blue lighting activated on the front of the vehicle. Jones was identified as the driver.

As Trooper Babbs was speaking to Jones, he noticed indicators that criminal activity might be afoot. Logansport K-9 Officer Bryce Hall, and his narcotics detecting police dog, Krypto, arrived to assist.

Hall walked Krypto around the Dodge, conducting a free air sniff of the vehicle. The dog gave an alert to the possible presence of illegal narcotics inside the Dodge.

During a subsequent search of the Dodge, Jones, and a passenger, Taylor Lee, officers purportedly found methamphetamine, a smoking pipe, and a scale. Jones and Lee were arrested and incarcerated in the Cass County Jail.

On November 18, 2019, Deputy John Smith initiated a traffic stop in Scottsburg. The driver was identified as Eric Jessup, age 47, of Scottsburg. Further investigation showed Jessup was driving while suspended prior and having only an identification card. Jessup was taken into custody and transferred to the Scott County Jail. He was charged with DRIVING WHILE SUSPENDED (SUSP/PRIOR).

On November 18, 2019, Deputy James Ward initiated a traffic stop. The driver was identified as Julie Howard, age 43, of Pekin. Further investigation showed Howard had an outstanding out of county warrant. She was arrested and transported to the Scott County Jail. She was booked in on the OUT OF COUNTY WARRANT.

On November 18, 2019, Deputy Kenton Makowsky observed suspicious behavior in the parking lot of a local motel. Deputy Makowsky approached a vehicle with multiple occupants, one being identified as Jordan Blythe, age 25, of Austin. Blythe admitted to Deputy Makowsky of having syringe(s) in a backpack belonging to him. A search of the backpack revealed an uncapped syringe and multiple other needles. He was transported to the Scott County Jail. While in the jail facility a hidden needle was located on Blythe. Blythe was charged with UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF SYRINGE and TRAFFICKING WITH AN INMATE.

On November 19, 2019, Deputy John Hartman, Deputy John Smith and Deputies Todd Hooker and Cory Hulsizer served an active arrest warrant on Justin Smith, age 29, of Austin. Smith was arrested without incident and transported to the Scott County Jail. Smith’s warrant was for INTIMIDATION.

On November 20, 2019, Deputy John Smith was patrolling the area of Highway 356 and Slate Ford Road when he observed a male subject, identified as Michael Duncan, age 23, of Murfreesboro, TN., walking along the road. Due to weather conditions, Deputy Smith asked where he was going. Duncan stated he had traveled from Tennessee and was heading to town. Duncan advised he needed to gather his belongings in a house and Deputy Smith offered him a ride to Scottsburg. When being directed to where Duncan was staying, he stated to Deputy Smith that he found the residence while walking and noticed a broken window to the home.   Duncan was arrested and transported to the Scott County Jail. He was charged with CRIMINAL TRESPASS.

State Sen. Erin Houchin (R-Salem) gathered with fellow legislators today at the Statehouse for Organization Day – the ceremonial start of the Indiana General Assembly.

Organization Day marks the annual first roll call of all state lawmakers. This day also provides each Senate and House of Representatives caucus with the opportunity to gather before the session officially reconvenes in January. By state law, the 2020 session will conclude on or before March 14.

“For the past few months, I have been participating in summer study committee meetings as well as meeting with constituents and stakeholders to discuss issues facing our community, and with the 2020 legislative session now underway, I look forward to getting to work on these important topics,” Houchin said.

“Among other things, I intend to focus on improving access to high-speed internet, addressing teen vaping and ensuring our special education students have access to all testing accommodations as specified in their IEPs.”

As the 2020 session gets closer, Houchin encourages residents of Senate District 47 to contact her with any questions or comments they may have. Houchin can be reached via email at Senator.Houchin@iga.in.gov or by phone at 800-382-9467.

Monday at approximately 7:20 A.M. on I-74 westbound at the 32.5-mile marker, a semi struck a passenger vehicle that was stopped in the roadway, pushed the vehicle through the median and both vehicles came to rest in the ditch on the eastbound side of the roadway.

The preliminary investigation has concluded that a gray 2013 Dodge Journey was westbound when the vehicle struck a deer which disabled the car in the right lane.  The vehicle at the time did not appear to have operational lights working after the crash. 

A red 2019 Kenworth owned by Dusharm Transport out of Hoffman Estates, IL and driven by Kenneth M. Dusharm, 55 of Carmel, IN was also in the right lane and did not see the disabled Dodge and struck the car in the rear, pushing it through the median, across the eastbound lanes and coming to rest in the ditch on the south side of the interstate blocking both lanes of traffic.

The driver of the Dodge was Christina Mendoza, 26 of Hillsboro, IN.  She was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Montgomery County Coroner.  The family has been notified.  Ducharme was not injured. 

Alcohol nor drugs appear to be a factor in the crash.  The conditions of the roadway were wet and the weather conditions was light fog. The interstate was closed eastbound for about four and a half hours for re-construction of the crash, caring for the injured and cleanup of the crash scene.

The crash was investigated by Trooper Doug Feazel with assistance from Trooper Dave Millburg. 

Assisting at the scene was Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department, Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, Sergeant Roger Dickison of the ISP Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division, INDOT and Wilson’s Towing.  The investigation is continuing.

Troopers are investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred on I-70 eastbound near the 125 mile-marker in Henry County. The on-scene investigation has concluded and the roadway is open.

The wreckage has been removed and emergency personnel has cleared the scene. All lanes of traffic are back open and the traffic backup should begin to dissipate.

Emergency personnel was notified at 7:48 a.m. this morning of the crash involving a semi-tractor trailer and a pickup truck.

Deputies with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, the Spiceland Fire Department, Henry County EMS, and troopers from the Indiana State Police responded to the scene.

The driver of the pickup truck was unresponsive upon arrival and pronounced deceased by the Henry County Coroner.

Two passengers in the vehicle were extricated and transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis via ambulance. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The driver of the semi-tractor trailer was not injured.

The identity of the driver is being withheld at this time until the family is notified. I-70 eastbound is currently restricted to one lane only and will be closed temporarily while the crash is reconstructed by the Indiana State Police. The Henry County Coroner’s Office is also on scene.

It is believed that limited visibility due to thick fog was a factor in the crash. The investigation is ongoing at this time. Further information will be made available after the completion of the crash reconstruction investigation.

Project continues toward winter shutdown configuration

INDOT contractor E&B Paving Inc. will conduct additional traffic shifts tonight (Nov. 19) and this weekend on I-65 in Jackson and Bartholomew Counties as part of the $143 million reconstructions and added travel lanes project that began last year.

Tonight, northbound traffic will be shifted to its winter pattern between MM 50 and MM 53.8, just north of Seymour. The barrier wall will be in place separating the two northbound lanes. Signage will be present to alert motorists of the change.

Southbound lanes are expected to shift this weekend between MM 61.2 and MM 56. This will put traffic into the project’s full winter configuration, with northbound traffic in northbound lanes and southbound traffic in southbound lanes for the entire length of the project. 

Additionally, a third northbound travel lane was opened Monday night between S.R. 11 and S.R. 58 (MM 56 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 throughout the work zone, except for the eight-mile section on I-65 NB with three open lanes (MM 56 to MM 64).

This traffic pattern will remain in place through the winter months until work resumes in the spring. The project is expected to be completed in 2020. All work is weather permitting.

Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews is scheduled to complete surface repair work on S.R. 62 later this week between C.R. 325 E. and Flatbottom Road in eastern Jefferson County, west of Canaan.

The road is expected to close from approximately 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday (Nov. 22), weather permitting, and will be open to local traffic only. Access to homes within the closure will be maintained.

The official detour route for all thru traffic will follow U.S. 421 to S.R. 129.