The Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District is sponsoring a free Beginning Farmer Breakfast on Saturday, December 7, 2019, for beginning farmers and new landowners.

This event co-sponsored by Purdue Extension, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, and Washington Co. Farm Bureau Inc. will provide attendees with information about the programs and services that each of these organizations has to offer as well as opportunities and agricultural updates for beginning farmers.

Breakfast and registration begin at 7:30 AM on Saturday, December 7 at the Washington Co. Government Building Meeting Room (806 Martinsburg Rd., Salem).

Participants are asked to RSVP to the Washington County SWCD by Wednesday, December 4 at 812-883-3704, ext. 3 or by email to jill.roll@in.nacdnet.net.

The two newest attractions at French Lick Resort are just days away from opening their doors to guests.

Reservation dates are open starting Friday for the new Valley Tower, a 71-room hotel includes larger suites and adjoining rooms, while the Valley Bar will bring a new type of informal setting to share drinks with friends or grab a bite to eat.

Both are part of a $17 million addition to French Lick Resort.

The new guestrooms and bar will cover more than 50,000 new square feet at French Lick Resort, and they are also expected to bring more than 100 new jobs to the resort as well.

The Valley Tower is located adjacent to the resort’s Event Center and French Lick Casino.

The Valley Tower, a 71-room hotel, and the Valley Bar are both set to officially open on Friday, November 15. Media guests are invited to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony from 2 to 4 p.m. that day at the Valley Tower, located adjacent to the resort’s Event Center and French Lick Casino. Guests will be able to take a tour of the Valley Tower and Valley Bar facilities, as well as the two other additions at French Lick Resort that have been completed within the past year: the new sportsbook and sports viewing area at French Lick Casino, and the refurbished Exhibition Hall.

Valley Tower and Valley Bar are both part of a $17 million addition geared toward providing resort guests more variety and options during their stay.

In the six-story Valley Tower, guestrooms will feature connecting room options for a new level of flexibility. It will also include 12 suites configurable in one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom combinations for a spacious stay. ADA-accessible rooms and pet-friendly rooms will also be available. Adorned with modern décor, Valley Tower rooms will also provide a new look and a complementary option to guestrooms at the resort’s historic French Lick and West Baden Springs Hotels. 

The additional rooms will supplement the existing 686 guestrooms at French Lick Resort’s two historic hotels (443 at French Lick Springs Hotel and 243 at West Baden Springs Hotel) and bring the resort’s overall capacity to 757 rooms.

Valley Bar, located just off the Valley Tower lobby, will be the resort’s only 21-and-over eating establishment with a menu featuring light fare including appetizers, sliders, wings and hearty soups. From the drink menu, guests can choose from nearly 20 regional craft beers, along with domestic brews, signature and traditional cocktails, and a selection of wines. Rustic décor and plenty of big-screen TVs will also make this a cozy new spot to meet up with friends during the day and after hours. Two event rooms will also be available for larger groups to rent.

Already the largest employer in Orange County with 1,700 associates, French Lick Resort is adding approximately 100 new jobs to expand its workforce for the resort additions. The sports bar and new guestrooms are the latest major capital investment the resort has made over the past 12 years, following the opening of French Lick Casino in 2006; the adjacent Event Center that underwent a $20 million expansion in 2015; and the nearby Exhibition Hall that recently underwent an extensive renovation. 

Construction on the Valley Tower and Valley Bar was contracted to Krempp Construction, Inc., a Jasper, Ind.-based company that was also highly involved in the historic restorations at French Lick and West Baden Springs Hotels in the mid-2000s

On November 12, 2019, Deputy Johnney Coomer with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop in Scottsburg. 

An investigation led to the arrest of Carla Guilmette, 46, of Scottsburg for Driving While Suspended Prior. 

On November 12, 2019, Deputies John Hartman and Johnney Coomer and Reserve Deputies Tim Hall and James Siler went to an address on Melody Street in rural Scott County in an attempt to serve an outstanding arrest warrant. 

Upon arrival Kimberly Bishop, 45, of Scottsburg was arrested on an outstanding warrant through Marion County Indiana. 

On November 8, 2019, Deputy Keith Hartman with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of theft on Alsup Road in rural Scott County. 

After speaking with the victim, Deputy Hartman began patrolling the area.  Shortly thereafter he located a vehicle sitting at a residence that was described as a possible suspect vehicle. 

While continuing the investigation Deputy Hartman discovered a male in possession of a stolen article that had just been reported. 

This led to the arrest of Jimmy Gay, 48, of Lexington, for Theft with a Prior Unrelated Conviction. 

Deputy Hartman continued investigating which led him to locate numerous other items that had been reported as stolen.

During his investigation, Deputy Hartman working with Washington County Deputies applied for a search warrant.

The search warrant was granted and executed in the evening hours of November 9, 2019, at a residence which was located in Washington County, (close to the Scott County line).

As a result of the search warrant, additional stolen items were located and additional charges will be sought.       

Sheriff Jerry Goodin said, “People work hard and when other people steal something that does not belong to them, it makes you angry.”

“Anytime we can recover stolen items and take an alleged thief off the streets it is a good case,” said Goodin, who commended Deputy Hartman and the other deputies involved on their continued dedication to making Scott County the safest county in the mid-west.

Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation on August 13, 2019, after receiving information from the Dugger Town Marshall concerning allegations of physical and sexual battery, as well as strangulation.  

The investigation revealed that  William T. Smith, age 20, of Dugger, IN, on two separate occasions, had allegedly physically and sexually battered and strangled two females under the age of 17. 

These allegations were to have occurred in Sullivan County.

After reviewing the investigation, the Sullivan County Prosecutor, Ann Mischler, asked for a warrant to be issued for Smith’s arrest. A warrant was issued by Sullivan Circuit Court on November 12, 2019. 

Smith turned himself into the investigating detective, Master Trooper Angie Hahn, at the Sullivan County Sheriff’s office and bonded out.  

Arrested and Charges:

William T. Smith, 20, Dugger, IN

• Strangulation (2 counts) Level 6 Felony
• Sexual battery victim compelled to submit by force or imminent threat of force (2 counts) Level 6 Felony 
• Battery resulting in bodily injury (2 counts) Class A Misdemeanor 

Assisting Agencies:  Dugger Town Marshall

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

Last Wednesday evening, just after 11 o’clock, Trooper Cory Knight observed a Blue Chevrolet Colorado traveling southbound on State Road 37 approaching Main Street in violation of Indiana’s license plate code.

Trooper Knight conducted a traffic stop on State Road 37, just south of Main Street.

The driver, who was identified as Kaden M. Williams, 28 of Mitchell, displayed several indicators of criminal activity.

Mitchell Police Officer Cabral arrived to assist with the traffic stop.

A search of Williams’ vehicle revealed a light bulb, with the bottom cut out, containing a burnt crystal residue.

The residue in the light bulb field-tested positive for methamphetamine.

Kaden was then transported to the Lawrence County Jail and released to the Jail staff.

CHARGES –

• Possession of Methamphetamine, 35-48-4-6.1, Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Paraphernalia, 35-48-4-8.3, Class C Misdemeanor

All Suspects Are Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty in a Court of Law

Salem Community Schools will be among a growing list of Indiana School districts to take the day off to lobby for better conditions for teachers.

The Salem School Board announced at its regular board meeting Monday night that all three schools will take a snow day on Nov. 19 to allow teachers to participate in Red For Ed Action Day at the Indiana State House.

Salem is added to the list of over 75 other school districts taking the day off to allow educators to attend the political rally.

At last check, more than 7,000 Indiana teachers had registered to attend the Red For Ed Action Day at the Indiana Statehouse for the Indiana General Assembly Organization Day. 

The Indiana State Teachers Association organized the event to gather support from teachers statewide to voice their concerns to lawmakers on issues like school funding, teacher pay and standardized testing.

Teachers will be asking legislators to be held harmless from the ILEARN results; salary increases and removal of the 15-hour externship requirement, where teachers have to work in a community field to renew their teaching licenses. 

“We are supporting our teachers in the effort and trying to help them have their voices heard,” said Salem School Board President Rebecca White. She said canceling classes was the best way to do that due to a safety issue with reduced staff size. 

“Also it’s been difficult to find enough substitute teachers to cover for those teachers planning to go to Indianapolis,” she said. 

The Washington County Family YMCA Preschool at Bradie M. Shrum will also have the day off. 

East and West Washington School are planning on being in session on Nov. 19, although West Washington School Board did vote to allow ten teachers to attend the rally. 

Organization Day is made up of the swearing-in of new and returning General Assembly members as well as the annual first roll call of all state lawmakers. 

White said the day would be made up either in December or February.