Early this morning, Indiana Conservation Officers (ICOs) helped rescue a teenager who fell from a cliff in Hoosier National Forest last night.

At approximately 11:30 p.m. last night, ICOs Zach Howerton and Logan Hodges responded to the 4000 block of South Hatfield Road in Crawford County regarding a missing juvenile who had not been seen for an estimated four hours.

ICOs determined the juvenile had left the area on his ATV and possibly traveled to Hoosier National Forest to explore caves.

This morning at approximately 1:05 a.m., responders formed a search team and set out in attempts to locate the juvenile near Messmore Cliffs in Hoosier National Forest.

While searching, Hodges made verbal contact with the juvenile, learning that he had fallen 50-60 feet from the cliffs.

At approximately 3:57 a.m., search crews removed the juvenile from the area, and he was flown to University of Louisville Hospital for head, lower back and leg injuries.

“There is no doubt the officers’ knowledge of the area and expertise from being members of the Indiana Conservation Officer Cave Rescue Team played a huge role in locating, securing and transporting this juvenile to safety,” said Maj. Tim Beaver of DNR Law Enforcement.

Indiana Conservation Officers were assisted by the Indiana State Police, Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, Crawford County EMS, English Fire Department, Crawford County EMA, and the English Police Department.

Senate Enrolled Act 141, authored by State Sen. Erin Houchin (R-Salem) was ceremonially signed into law today by Gov. Eric Holcomb. SEA 141 aims to combat the opioid epidemic by establishing modest regulations for Office-Based Opioid Treatment (OBOT) programs, which offer Suboxone as a treatment for opioid addiction.

“In 2018, more than 100 new OBOT providers popped up across Indiana, bringing the total number of Suboxone clinics and practitioners in the state to around 650,” Houchin said. “By contrast, the number of methadone clinics allowed to operate in Indiana is strictly capped by state law at 27, and the clinics are highly regulated. SEA 141 establishes similar guidelines for Suboxone clinics so those who need help fighting addiction can rest assured knowing they are receiving quality treatment.”

From 2014 to 2018, the amount of Medicaid dollars spent annually on Suboxone increased from $7.8 million to more than $29 million. Companies have been able to easily open OBOT facilities and some begin using Medicaid dollars without the intention of actually helping addicts through the full process of recovery. 

The framework of regulations in SEA 141 will help ensure Indiana’s Medicaid dollars are being used to treat patients holistically, with the long-term goal of recovery. 

SEA 141 requires providers to, among other things, do the following:

• Search INSPECT, Indiana’s prescription drug monitoring program, for each patient before prescribing to them and four times per year during treatment;
• Perform mental health assessments on each patient;
• Provide ongoing supportive therapy, such as counseling, to each patient; and
• Outline a specific treatment agreement with each patient prior to treatment.

“The opioid epidemic has been ruining Hoosiers’ lives for too long, and it is time for us to fight back,” Houchin said. “By taking a three-point approach of prevention, treatment and enforcement, the state of Indiana is working to fight against this crisis and improve the mental and physical health of Hoosiers, and I am proud to contribute to this effort.”

At Brown County State Park, the campgrounds, cabins and Abe Martin Lodge closures have been extended another day through at least Wednesday, June 26. Campers and lodge guests with reservations have been contacted directly. 

The park will continue with day use activities and services only on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 25 -26. This includes such activities as sight-seeing, fishing and picnicking. Gates are staffed, but no admission is charged. The Saddle Barn is also open for guided horseback rides. 

Abe Martin Lodge remains closed, and the pools, and drinking fountains remain closed. Modern restrooms are closed, but vault toilets are available. Guests who visit for permitted activities must bring their own drinking water, although bottled water and packaged snacks are now available at the park’s Country Store near the campground. 

The nature center and park office remain open, but restrooms in those buildings are closed. Hiking trails 1 and 3 are fully open; trails 2, 8, 9, and 10 are open but with some washouts so please use caution. Hiking trails 4, 5, 6, and 7 are closed. Mountain bike trails and horse trails remain closed. 
The park vistas, for which Brown County is so well known, are beautiful and green as they always are in summer. 

Park staff, working together with DNR’s Division of Engineering, consultants and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) are making daily progress in removing the excess sediment from water from Ogle Lake to produce a potable water supply. Park staff are also continuing the process of evaluating the more than 116 miles of trails of all types and conducting initial repairs.

Closure of overnight facilities beyond Wednesday night will be evaluated as we watch lake conditions and rainfall, and as we receive water test results.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a boat accident on Geist Reservoir in Marion County in which one boat left the scene.

At approximately 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, Randy L. Mathis, age 66 of Charlottesville, was anchored and fishing south of Geist Marina.

He said he saw a boat exceeding the nighttime speed limit of 10 mph coming toward him from the rear. The other boat failed give way to Mathis’s boat, and a collision occurred.

Mathis was thrown to the bottom of his boat and suffered bumps and bruises.

He was taken to a local hospital by ambulance for precautionary measures.

His boat sustained damage to the rear port (left) side. The boat that caused the collision fled the scene. Responding officers’ efforts to locate the fleeing boat were unsuccessful.

Due to the dark conditions, investigators have been unable to obtain a good description of the other vessel. They are looking for a boat that has damage toward the front, with black or maroon paint transfer. Anyone with information that could be useful to the investigation should contact Indiana Conservation Officer Central Dispatch at 812-837-9536.

Indiana Conservation Officers were assisted by Fishers Police Department.

To learn more about Boating Education and Safety, see: dnr.IN.gov/lawenfor/8678.htm

As the summer vacation season kicks off, the world’s largest travel site – TripAdvisor.com – welcomes Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari into its new Hall of Fame.

“TripAdvisor just notified us that our long history of receiving positive reviews has earned us an inaugural spot in their Hall of Fame,” says park president Matt Eckert. “We read every review and appreciate the feedback!” 

The TripAdvisor Hall of Fame recognizes businesses that have won the site’s “Certificate of Excellence” for at least five consecutive years. TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence is awarded to the top 10 percent of attractions, restaurants, and lodging worldwide.  

In another recognition, Popular Mechanics magazine named The Voyage as the best roller coaster in Indiana in its list of “The Best Roller Coaster in Every State.” Holiday World’s Voyage is 1.2 miles long and is consistently voted a top-10 wooden roller coaster by enthusiasts worldwide.

Holiday World’s Friday Night Fireworks return this week and continue for the next five Fridays, plus the 4th of July. Holiday World is the only park in the nation with a “4th of July” themed section. For more information, visit HolidayWorld.com or call 1-877-463-2645.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an off-road vehicle (ORV) crash involving serious injury. 

On June 22, 2019 just after 5:00 pm, Conservation Officers and other first responders were dispatched to the 300 block W on CR 425 N in Clinton County for an ORV crash with injury.

Barbara Brown, age 41 of Frankfort, and Shelley Peterson, age 44 of Frankfort, were riding a Polaris four-wheeler on private property when the incident occurred. Witnesses stated that as Brown was driving, she attempted to maneuver around a woodpile and lost control of the four-wheelers causing it to roll, throwing both riders from the vehicle. 

Neither rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the incident. Brown was rendered unconscious and landed with the machine coming to a rest on top of her. Brown sustained significant head trauma and lacerations and required transport via Lifeline Helicopter to IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis for further medical treatment. Peterson sustained a laceration and multiple contusions and was transported to IU Arnett Hospital in Lafayette for medical treatment. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor at this time, there are no charges pending in the investigation.

Conservation Officers want to stress the importance of wearing a helmet and other safety equipment when operating an off-road vehicle. In addition, it is important to be familiar with the machine you are operating as well as the terrain and obstacles on the property you are on.