The Eastern Starz high school dance team placed fifth in Pom and third in Jazz at the Indiana’s High School Dance Team Associations State Finals Saturday, March 9 at Lafayette Jefferson High School.

The East Washington Middle School Starz places second in Pom and third in Jazz. 

Members of the EHS Starz pictured (in no particular order) are Liberty Lincks, Shae Calfee, Kaelin Hopper, Addyson Goodmen, Caitlyn Fleming, Kaylee Harris, Taylor Brown, Emily Browning, and Delaney Bricker.

On March 8, Alan Lee Bennett, 52, Grandview was formally charged for the murder of Linda F Bowman, 64, Grandview. 

Bennett is currently in Indiana State Police custody at an undisclosed hospital for a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, that investigators believe occurred on the date of the murder.

Bennett will immediately be transferred to the Spencer County Jail following his release from the hospital.

Indiana State Police Investigators along with the Spencer County Prosecutors Office have worked tirelessly on this investigation over the last 48 hours.

The support and patience from the community has been greatly appreciated as we continue to piece together the facts and circumstances of the tragic event.  

Spencer County Coroner Rachel Gentry has confirmed Bowman’s death was the result of a single gunshot wound to the head. 

Earlier in the week, Spencer County 911 Dispatch Center received an emergency call from 6280 North Highland Road, Grandview reporting shots fired during an ongoing domestic dispute. 

A short time later, Indiana State Police Troopers, Spencer County Sheriff’s Deputies and Rockport City Police Officers responded to the residence where they discovered Bennett who required immediate medical attention.

Bennett was flown via helicopter to an undisclosed hospital for serious injuries.

Officers also discovered Bowman at the residence. She was confirmed deceased at the residence by the Spencer County Coroner Rachel Gentry.  

Investigators were able to determine that Bennett and Bowman were living in the residence together during the time of the incident.

Indiana State Police Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators remained on scene for nearly nine hours processing evidence and piecing together the circumstances of this tragedy.

Indiana State Police Troopers were assisted by the Spencer County Sheriffs Department, Spencer County Coroner Rachel Gentry, Spencer County EMS, Chrisney Volunteer Fire Department, Grandview Volunteer Fire Department, Rockport Police Department and the Spencer County Prosecutors Office.  

Indiana State Police obtained an arrest warrant March 8 for Jerome Lee, 36, of Evansville, for Dealing in Synthetic Marijuana, a Class 6 Felony.

Lee’s arrest stems from a criminal investigation conducted by Indiana State Police and Indiana State Parole Agents that netted 14 lbs. of synthetic marijuana and a stolen firearm on February 21.

Lee is being held in the Vanderburgh County Jail on the following criminal charges:

1. Dealing in Synthetic Marijuana, Class 6 Felony
2. Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felony, Class 4 Felony

In February, the Indiana State Police All Crimes Policing (A.C.P.) Squad assisted Indiana State Parole Agents with executing warrants on several Evansville residents with parole violations.

While tracking down one of the suspects troopers and state parole agents found a stolen Ruger 9mm handgun inside a north side Evansville residence.

Troopers also received information about a large amount of synthetic marijuana inside an Evansville residence located on the south side.

Troopers and state parole agents responded to the residence, conducted an investigation and located 14 pounds of suspected synthetic marijuana inside the residence.

On March 7, 2019, Troopers from the Sellersburg Post All Crimes Policing (A.C.P.) squad began an investigation after receiving information from a concerned citizen of possible drug dealing at an address in Marengo, Indiana. 

Acting on that information, Troopers obtained probable cause and were granted a search warrant through the Crawford County Circuit Court for the residence located at 82 West Dogwood Drive. 

Officers subsequently located approximately 2.3 pounds of suspected marijuana and marijuana products including 64 THC-laced vape pens. 

As a result of the search, Erica G. Laws, 20, Marengo was arrested on the following charges:

• Dealing in Marijuana – Class A Misdemeanor
• Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Marijuana – Class A Misdemeanor
• Dealing in Paraphernalia – Class A Misdemeanor
• Neglect of a Dependent – Level 6 Felony.