The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been made aware of a shipment of boxwood plants at Home Depot stores that contain the boxwood blight fungus. They have originated from a nursery named Cottage Gardens in Ohio.

Boxwood blight (Calonectria pseudonaviculata) is a fungal disease that infests members of the popular Buxaceae family, and is often transported through the nursery trade.

Hosts include Buxus (boxwood), Pachysandra (Japanese spurge) and Sarcococca (sweetbox). Annual inspections of nursery stock by the DNR verify that this pathogen is not indigenous to Indiana, nor can it be found in nursery stock that is sourced locally.

When the fungus, which can lay dormant in drier conditions, is present, it can be found on all above-ground portions of the plant and presents itself as dark leaf spots.

It causes rapid defoliation, which typically starts on the bottom of the plant and moves toward the top.

This fungal pathogen can move through sporulation in water and from dropped leaves. As a result, infection can spread to surrounding plants from a single infected plant.

The infected nursery stock is currently being pulled from shelves in 13 Home Depot stores by nursery inspectors and Cottage Garden representatives and will be disposed of in a manner that will prevent the pathogen from spreading to other stock.

There are several varieties of boxwood sold in Home Depot stores. The only species that is currently testing positive for the fungus is Korean boxwood (Buxus Koreana), however the DNR is testing other species to ensure the pathogen has not spread.

If you have purchased a Korean boxwood from a Home Depot store in the last month please contact the DNR for further guidance at 866-NO EXOTIC.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed more than 70 Walmart stores and 18 Rural King stores in the state have received rhododendron plants infected with sudden oak death (SOD), a fungal pathogen that kills oak trees.

Shipments containing infested material were sent to nine other states as well.

Workers from the Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology have been visiting stores across Indiana to destroy any stock that has been found infected and quarantine any stock that is symptomatic. The division has made this its top priority.

The DNR has destroyed approximately 1,500 infested rhododendron so far and pulled another 1,500 from stores.

The DNR has also ordered these stores to stop selling rhododendron until further notice. Any quarantined material not infected will be released following testing at Purdue University.

The DNR is also following up with homeowners that have called in to say they’ve purchased material that they believe is infested or are seeing signs/ symptoms of sick trees in the environment.

SOD has killed large tracts of oaks on the West Coast. SOD has not been established in the Midwest, to date. SOD can kill standing oak trees, which could happen if SOD-positive rhododendron were planted within about 6 feet of a standing oak.

SOD travels in more than a hundred species of host plant material. It causes some browning of the leaves in the host but does not kill it.

For a list of those plants see the following https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/pram/downloads/pdf_files/usdaprlist.pdf

If you have purchased rhododendrons in the last four weeks from Walmart or Rural King, destroy them, or call 1-866-NO-EXOTIC (663-9684) or the local county extension office at 1-888-EXT-INFO (1-888-398-4636) for instructions.

This is an ongoing investigation, and guidance could change as more information is gathered.

To learn more about SOD, see: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/plant-pest-and-disease-programs/pests-and-diseases/phytophthora-ramorum/sod.

The Jackson County Public Library and Jackson County United Way are teaming up to bring Family Fun Day events to the Seymour, Crothersville and Medora libraries.

Numerous community agencies will be on site providing games, crafts, and information about their services for people of all ages. Participants also will enjoy Fla-Vor-Ice pops, hot dogs and chips, a bouncy house, and more.

Patrons are encouraged to sign up for the summer learning program, pick up a program guide, and get ready for an out-of-this-world summer of fun.

The times, dates, and locations are:

• 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Crothersville Library, 120 W. Main St.
• 2 to 6 p.m. June 6, Seymour Library, 303 W. Second St.
• 1 to 3 p.m. June 8, Medora Library, 27 W. Main St.

Information: Follow the library on Facebook, visit myjclibrary.org or call 812-522-3412, option 2, in Seymour, 812-793-2927 in Crothersville or 812-966-2278 in Medora

On May 28th the Indiana State Police were called to assist the Loogootee Police Department with the report of a rape.  

Indiana State Police Trooper Detective Shane Staggs responded and gathered information from the Loogootee Officer and then began his investigation. 

During the course of his investigation, it was discovered that Dakota Lee Browning, 26 of Jasper, IN had met the juvenile victim at a graduation party and had gone to a residence in Loogootee with the victim following the graduation party.

In the early morning hours of May 26^th, it is alleged that Browning went into the bedroom the victim was sleeping in and had sexual intercourse with the victim against her will. 

Detective Staggs was able to gather enough probable cause for the Martin Circuit Court to issue arrest warrants for Browning for Rape a Level 3 Felony and for Child Molestation a Level 1 Felony.  

All suspects are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. 

On Wednesday, May 29, the Indiana State Police began an investigation at the request of the Jennings County Sheriff’s Office after a female inmate at the jail attempted to ingest methamphetamine which caused her to suffer a medical emergency.

The initial investigation by Indiana State Police Detectives indicated the incident began at approximately 9:00 pm on the evening of May 29, when Angela Kay Bennett, age 43, Butlerville, Indiana was arrested by a deputy with the sheriff’s office on a Bartholomew County, Indiana warrant. 

She was transported to the jail where she was being processed by the jail staff. 

During the book-in process, Bennett allegedly removed a baggy containing suspected methamphetamine from her person and attempted to swallow it. 

As a result of her attempting to swallow the baggy, Bennett began suffering a medical emergency. 

Bennett was immediately given medical attention. 

She was transported to St. Vincent-Jennings Hospital before being transported to an Indianapolis hospital for further treatment.

The investigation is ongoing by detectives with the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a possible drowning that occurred Saturday afternoon at Hardy Lake in Scott County.

Just after 4 p.m. responders were dispatched to the beach area of Hardy Lake regarding a possible drowning. 

Tim Nickelson, 53, of Marengo, was recovered in approximately 4 feet of water by other swimmers. 

Once out of the water, CPR was started before Nickelson was transported to Scott Memorial Hospital, where he was subsequently pronounced dead. 

Initial Investigation has revealed that Nickelson was swimming with friends and family when they noticed he was missing. 

Swimmers at the beach began searching the water, eventually locating Nickelson under the surface. 

The exact cause of death is pending an autopsy, which is scheduled for Monday.

Scott County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana State Police responded to the scene.

According to Washington County Sheriff Brent Miller a male inmate was found dead in the Washington County Detention Center Friday morning. 

He said the Indiana State Police are investigating the death, which, he said would likely not involve foul play. 

“We’re following protocol,” said Miller. “We are being 100% transparent.”

Miller said the Washington County Prosecutor was notified immediately.

An autopsy was being performed this morning by the Washington County Coroner.

The Indiana State Police said they rarely issue a press release if there was no foul play involved. 

A name has not been released at this time