Enjoy the beautiful autumn season by bringing the family to O’Bannon Woods State Park on October 25th and 26th for a fun-filled Autumn Adventure Weekend with activities for everyone.

Most activities take place in the Electric Campground. These activities include a silent auction, autumn crafts, campfire cooking, hayrides, a chili cook-off, campsite decorating contest,
voluntary trick or treating, a night hike owl prowl, the “Great Pumpkin Hunt”, and more.

While most activities are free, there is a minimal charge for a few activities.

At 11:00 am, Patoka Lake Nature Center will be here to show their “Birds of Prey”.

On Saturday, starting at noon, park staff and volunteers will be providing a special fundraising lunch for you.

All proceeds benefit upcoming projects at the park.
Regular park gate entrance fee of $7 per in-state vehicle and $9 per out-of-state vehicle.

O’Bannon Woods State Park (stateparks.IN.gov/2976.htm) is at 7234 Old Forest Road SW, Corydon, 47112.

To view all DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.

Last night at approximately 11:35, Trooper Daltyn Backes was patrolling in the area of the Lloyd Expressway and St. Joseph Avenue when he spotted a Jeep with expired registration.

Trooper Backes attempted to stop the vehicle on Ray Becker Parkway near Ohio Street.

The vehicle stopped just south of Ohio Street, but when Trooper Backes exited his vehicle the driver started to travel southwest on Ray Becker Parkway at approximately 45 mph and refused to stop.

The driver of the vehicle continued south on Barker Avenue after disregarding a red light and then turned east on Dennison Street before stopping at a dead-end and fleeing on foot.

After a brief search, an Evansville Police K-9 unit located and arrested the driver without further incident.

The driver was identified as Kevin Washington, 29, of Evansville. Further investigation revealed Washington had never received a valid driver’s license and he was driving while impaired.

Washington was taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.

Arrested and Charges:

• Kevin Washington, 29, Evansville, IN

1. Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Class 6 Felony
2. Resisting Law Enforcement, Class C Misdemeanor
3. Driving While Suspended Prior, Class A Misdemeanor
4. Driving a Motor Vehicle without ever receiving a Driver’s License, Class C Misdemeanor
5. Driving While Intoxicated-Refusal, Class C Misdemeanor

Arresting Officer: Trooper Daltyn Backes, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officer: Trooper Zack Fulton, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Evansville Police

In the late evening hours of October 1, 2019, Trooper Eric Powers attempted to stop black Chevrolet Corvette for speeding while he patrolled on SR 56 in eastern Washington County. 

As Trooper Powers turned around to stop the car, the Corvette accelerated, then turned south on to Mount Road and fled at a high rate of speed. 

This portion of Mount Road is gravel, and the Corvette left a cloud of thick gravel dust in its wake, which prevented Trooper Powers from safely pursuing. 

After the dust settled, Trooper Powers continued down the road to ensure the car had not crashed. However, he did not locate the vehicle. 

Just after midnight on the 2nd, and shortly after Powers returned to the highway, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department dispatched that a suspicious vehicle had pulled into a nearby residence on Mount Rd. 

The caller said it looked like the driver was trying to hide from someone and had parked by a barn. 

When Trooper Powers arrived, He located Jacquline L. Turner, 48, Medora, seated in the vehicle. 

Turner then exited the car and began to walk away when Trooper Powers ordered her to stop. 

During his investigation, Trooper Powers learned Jacquline Turner was wanted out of Washington County and that a male subject fled from the scene prior to his arrival. 

Powers then searched a nearby wood line and found Jeffrey Lee Wilhoite, 42, Bedford, Kentucky, lying on the ground inside the wood line. 

Powers also observed Wilhoite had an ankle holster containing a pistol.

Wilhoite was taken into custody without further incident, and the investigation continued with Deputies Brad Naugle and Allen Taylor arriving on the scene to assist. 

As a result of the investigation, over 10 grams of methamphetamine was located. Wilhoite and Turner were both arrested and transported to the Washington County Jail.  Both are charged as follows:  

Jeffrey Lee Wilhoite:

Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 3 Felony, Resisting Law Enforcement – Level 6 Felony, Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Level 6 Felony, Possession of Hypodermic Needle – Level 6 Felony, Possession of a Handgun without License – A Misdemeanor. 

Jacquline L. Turner:

Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 6 Felony, Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Level 6 Felony, Possession of Marijuana – B Misdemeanor,  Possession of Paraphernalia – C Misdemeanor.  Warrant – Operating While Intoxicated Prior and Possession of Paraphernalia.

Saturday morning, October 5, at approximately 3:08, Trooper Brock Buchanan and Vincennes Police responded to a vehicle crash at 10^th Street and Wabash Avenue in Vincennes.

Arrested and Charged was Joseph Bauer, 21, Vincennes, IN

1. Driving While Intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor

When officers arrived they determined Joseph Bauer, 21, of Vincennes, was driving his 2000 Dodge pickup truck east on 10^th Street when he collided into several parked cars and then into a church located at Wabash Avenue.

Further investigation revealed he had a blood alcohol content of .22%.

Bauer was arrested and taken to the Knox County Jail. The Vincennes Police Department investigated the crash.

Arresting Officer: Trooper Brock Buchanan, Indiana State Police

Assisting Agency: Vincennes Police