Yesterday (10/15) a trooper’s training and quick actions helped save a woman who was choking at a local restaurant. Senior Trooper Scott Keegan, who is an Indiana State Police Firearms Instructor, was in his range clothes for training yesterday when he stopped for lunch at the Hacienda Vieja Restaurant in Pendleton.

Around 12:15 p.m. Keegan was eating his lunch when he noticed that an elderly female had approached the serving staff.  The server, knowing Keegan was a trooper, gestured to him that the 75 year old woman was choking.  Keegan’s training kicked in and he immediately took action delivering back blows then an abdominal thrust to the woman, clearing her airway.

After catching her breath, the woman was able to speak with Keegan before resuming her meal. Keegan credits his yearly First Aid and Tac-Med Training in helping to prepare him for situations like this one. “I’m glad that the staff knew who I was and knew that I could help. I’m thankful I could assist.” This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of troopers living and participating in the communities they serve. As the old saying goes, “An Indiana State Trooper is never off duty.”

The Indiana State Police has begun a death investigation after human skeletal remains were found in a wooded area in Dearborn County. 

On Sunday, October 13, an individual contacted law enforcement after he observed human remains while walking in a heavily wooded area near Lawrenceburg, Indiana.  On Monday, October 14 and Tuesday, October 15, Investigators from the Indiana State Police and University of Indianapolis forensic anthropologists conducted an additional search of the area. During that search, investigators located additional remains that are believed to be of the same person.

Through dental records, it was determined the remains belong to Josh Batchelor.  The Indiana State Police had been conducting a missing person investigation into the disappearance of Batchelor, who was last seen in May of 2017.

The investigation into Batchelor’s death is ongoing at this time.

Josh Batchelor’s family has been notified.

The Indiana State Police has been assisted by numerous local law enforcement agencies, Dearborn County Coroner’s Office, Dearborn County Prosecutor’s Office, and the University of Indianapolis Forensic Anthropologists.

Police are investigating after a baby was found in a plastic bag a short distance off a road in Seymour, according to the Seymour Police Department.

Just before 4 p.m. Tuesday, a person walking their dog in the 600 blocks of South Jackson Park Drive noticed a baby in a plastic bag alongside a fence about 20 yards off the roadway.

Police arrived to find that the baby was still alive.

Jackson County EMS took the baby to the Schneck Medical Center for treatment. The baby, which appeared to be Latino in origin, was healthy. 

An investigation into the situation is ongoing.

Police want to remind the community that a Safe Haven Baby Box is located at Seymour Fire Station 3, at 605 Meadowbrook Drive.

Safe Haven Baby Boxes allow individuals to surrender newborn babies safely. When the box is opened, a 911 call goes out and an alarm is sounded. When the door shuts, the box is locked, and only fire and medical personnel can retrieve the child.

Early voting is underway for the City of Salem election and will continue through November 1^st, 2019 from 8am-Noon and 1 pm-4 pm and Monday, November 4^th, 2019 from 8am-Noon.

This is an election only for the four districts within the City of Salem limits and voters will elect a new Mayor and City Council members as well as a City Clerk-Treasurer. 

There will also be early voting on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8a-Noon at the Justice Center. 

Polls will be open for the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 6a to 6p at the Salem National Guard Armory, 1100 North Shelby Street in Salem. 

Results will be available LIVE on WSLM 97.9 FM and WSLM 1220 AM as soon as the polls close and votes are tabulated. 

Voting by Precincts are:

Precinct 1

Mayor

• Republican – Justin T. Green
• Democrat – William “Bill” Ackerman

City Clerk-Treasurer 

• Republican – Sally J. Hattabaugh
• Democrat – Kevin W. Stewart

City Council Member at Large

• Republican – Jody Smedley
• Democrat – R.H. Bennett

City Council Member, District 1

• Republican – Danny R. Libka
• Democrat – Richard Longworth

Precinct 2

Mayor

• Republican – Justin T. Green
• Democrat – William “Bill” Ackerman

City Clerk-Treasurer 

• Republican – Sally J. Hattabaugh
• Democrat – Kevin W. Stewart

City Council Member at Large

• Republican – Jody Smedley
• Democrat – R.H. Bennett

City Council Member, District 2

• Democrat – Rick Stewart

Precinct 3

Mayor

• Republican – Justin T. Green
• Democrat – William “Bill” Ackerman

City Clerk-Treasurer 

• Republican – Sally J. Hattabaugh
• Democrat – Kevin W. Stewart

City Council Member at Large

• Republican – Jody Smedley
• Democrat – R.H. Bennett

City Council Member, District 3

• Republican – Steve Crane
• Democrat – Jana Hayes

Precinct 4

Mayor

• Republican – Justin T. Green
• Democrat – William “Bill” Ackerman

City Clerk-Treasurer 

• Republican – Sally J. Hattabaugh
• Democrat – Kevin W. Stewart

City Council Member at Large

• Republican – Jody Smedley
• Democrat – R.H. Bennett

City Council Member, District 4

• Republican – Gail R. Martin Napier 
• Democrat – Joseph Anthony Scifres

Washington County Sheriff Brent Miller warned residents to make sure they don’t get “skimmed” by a card reading skimmer at area gas stations.

The Sheriff’s Department received a call Tuesday from a local bank noting that several customers had received withdrawals from their accounts due to a possible skimmer at an area gas station. 

Miller wouldn’t release the name of the bank or the local gas station but said Chief Deputy Brad Shepherd and Deputy Abby Powers went to investigate and found a skimmer in action.

Miller said this skimmer was actually inside the pump. It has since been removed.