State Sen. Erin Houchin (R-Salem) made the following statement in response to Gov. Eric Holcomb’s 2019 State of the State address:

“I was encouraged this evening to hear that Gov. Holcomb’s vision for 2019 includes improving access to both affordable high-speed broadband as well as quality treatment for those addicted to opioids, both of which are issues that greatly affect residents of Senate District 47.

“There are more than 500 Suboxone providers across our state treating those with opioid addictions, yet they do not have to conform to regulations like other opioid treatment providers do. It is crucial we put guardrails in place to help ensure these office-based opioid treatment providers are providing quality, effective treatment that helps those who fight addiction. This is why I authored Senate Bill 141, which would create a framework of regulations for these programs to help the public distinguish the good clinics from the bad and ensure responsible spending of Medicaid dollars.

“Along with the governor and my colleagues in the General Assembly, I look forward to improving our state through these and other initiatives this session.”

After recent speculation about a suspect in another crime who may resemble sketches of the suspect in the murders of two girls in Delphi, Indiana, the Indiana State Police are reminding the public they investigate every tip.

The Delphi multi-agency investigative team has received multiple inquiries about a man arrested Jan. 8 in Randolph County for allegations of sex crimes against children and whether or not he is connected to the Delphi case.

Charles Eldridge, 46, was arrested for child molestation, and many people noted the resemblance between him and the sketch of the person suspected of killing Abby Williams and Libby German in February of 2017.

Eldridge’s mugshot and the sketch of the Delphi murder suspect are featured in the photo above.

As of Jan. 11, investigators were saying it was too early to make any connection, and they were not calling Eldridge a person of interest in the Delphi murders.

At the request of the Delphi multi-agency investigative team, which consists of members of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department, the FBI and the Indiana State Police, the following information is being provided to the public and media:

The Delphi multi-agency investigative team, and participating agencies continue to receive media and public inquiries asking about the person arrested January 8, 2019, in Union City, Randolph County Indiana for allegations of sexually related crimes against children and if he is connected to the Delphi investigation. 

The team is aware of this arrest and will investigate to see if there could be any connection to the murders that occurred in Delphi, Indiana on February 14^th of 2017. 

It is important for the public and media to know that many similar tips and arrests of other persons alleged to be connected to the Delphi murders occur with some frequency in and outside of Indiana. 

Each tip – whether it receives media attention or not – is investigated for any connection to the Delphi case. 

That said, members of the Delphi multi-agency investigative team do not speak to specific actions or steps of the ongoing investigation. 

Capt. Dave Bursten, the Chief Public Information Officer for the Indiana State Police, commented, “We know it’s hard for the public and media to resist posting side-by-side comparisons on social media of people who are alleged to have committed heinous crimes and also resemble the sketch of the Delphi murder suspect.” Bursten continued.

“The only positive result from these actions is it keeps this open investigation in the mind of the public.  What we really appreciate is when the public submits their tip information to either the tip email address of Abbyandlibbytip@cacoshrf.com  or calls the tip line at (844) 459-5786 to pass along their information.” 

Bursten concluded, “I can promise you this, when an arrest is made of a suspect identified by the multi-agency investigative team as the alleged perpetrator of the Delphi Murders, rest assured, we will let everyone know.”

Less than a week into the filing season for the upcoming City of Salem Primary Election, and there are six filings to seek their party nomination for a City of Salem office. 

Filing began on January 9 and continues through Noon on February 8. 

The May 7 Primary will allow the public to nominate their party candidates for the November general election. Voters will turn out in Salem’s four city districts. 

Justin Green has filed to run for Mayor on the Republican ticket. Green is currently an at-large member of the Salem City Council and a local business owner. 

City Clerk/Treasurer Sally Hattabaugh (R) has filed to run for re-election. 

Incumbent Danny Libka (R) has filed to seek re-election. 

Rick Stewart has filed to run against incumbent Warren “Truck” Jones – both Democrats – for the City Council, District 2 seat. 

Democrat Wally Terkhorn seeks re-election for the City Council, District 4 seat. 

There have been no filings for City Council, District 3 and the At-Large seat as of Monday morning. 

Those interested in running for their party nominations should file with the Washington County Clerk’s office before Feb 8th at noon.

According to Stephanie Rockey, Voter Deputy Clerk, to run for City Council you must be a residing registered voter in the district you are seeking, except the At-large seat.

“To run for Clerk Treasurer and Mayor, you must be a registered residing voter for the city, Salem 1-4,” said Rockey. 

Since Sheriff Jerry Goodin took office on January 1, 2019, multiple drug related arrests have been made in Scott County.

Sheriff Goodin released an official statement in regards to his zero tolerance policy for drug offenses. He vowed to make Scott County a drug free county and his holding true to his statement.

The following drug arrests have been made since January 1, 2019:

1/3/19: In collaboration with the Indiana State Police, Harold Cochran was arrested for (2) counts of DEALING IN METHAMPHETAMINE – AT LEAST FIVE GRAMS BUT LESS THAN TEN GRAMS.

1/6/19: Deputies responded to a male subject parked in a residence driveway. Jimmie Pate was arrested for OPERATING WHILE INTOXICATED, RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT, and POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA, HASH OIL, HASHISH OR SALVIA – PRIOR CONVICTION

1/6/19: Deputy Josh Watterson conducted a traffic stop on Highway 56 and arrested the passenger, Adaija Boozer for VISITING A COMMON NUISANCE, POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA, and POSSESSION MARIJUANA/HASH OIL/HASHISH OR SALVIA.

Deputies arrested the driver of the vehicle, Kenneth Jones for MAINTAINING A COMMON NUISANCE, POSSESSION MARIJUANA/HASH OIL/HASHISH OR SALVIA, OUT OF COUNTY WARRANT, and FALSE INFORMING.

1/6/19: Deputy Joe Baker conducted a traffic stop and arrested Aaron Couch for MAINTAINING A COMMON NUISANCE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF SYRINGE, and POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE.

Deputies arrested Jacinda Barrett for POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF SYRINGE, and VISITING A COMMON NUISANCE

Deputies arrested Scott Cope for UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF SYRINGE, POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE, VISITING A COMMON NUISANCE, and POSSESSION MARIJUANA/HASH OIL/HASHISH OR SALVIA.

1/8/19: Deputy Phillip Thomas conducted a traffic stop and arrested Kristen Couch for RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, and POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA.

1/9/19: Deputy Kevin Huber conducted a traffic stop and arrested Tyler snow for POSSESSION MARIJUANA/HASH OIL/HASHISH OR SALVIA and POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA.

1/10/19: Deputy Joe Baker conducted a traffic stop and arrested Steven Bowling for POSSESSION MARIJUANA/HASH OIL/HASHISH OR SALVIA and POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA

1/10/19: A search warrant was conducted and led to the arrest of Lora Johnson for MAINTAINING A COMMON NUISANCE, DEALING IN MARIJUANA/HASH OIL/HASHISH OR SALVIA, DEALING SCHEDULE I, II, III CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, and POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA. During the search warrant Jeffrey Powell was arrested for MAINTAINING A COMMON NUISANCE, POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA, DEALING IN MARIJUANA/HASH OIL/HASHISH OR SALVIA.

1/10/19: Deputy Paul Clute assisted by deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Austin City Police Officers, and the Indiana State Police executed a search warrant at 13852 W. 163 N in Deputy, Indiana in Jefferson County.   Two individuals were arrested (Perry Gammons on multiple warrants) (Chris Boyle Possession of Methamphetamine). The individuals were taken into custody by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and transported to the Jefferson County Jail.

1/11/19: Deputy Johnny Coomer conducted a traffic stop that led to the arrest of Justin Smith for POSSESSION MARIJUANA/HASH OIL/HASHISH OR SALVIA, MAINTAINING A COMMON NUISANCE, and RESISTING LAW ENFORCEMENT – USES VEHICLE OR DRAWS ORUSES DEADLY WEAPON. During the traffic stop, Ashley Fleenor was arrested for POSSESSION MARIJUANA/HASH OIL/HASHISH OR SALVIA, VISITING A COMMON NUISANCE, POSSESSION OF COCAINE OR SCHEDULE I OR II NARCOTIC DRUG – AT LEAST 5 GRAMS BUT LESS THAN 10, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OR USE OF A LEGEND DRUG OR PRECURSOR, POSSESSION SCHEDULE I, II, III, OR IV CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE, THEFT — LESS THAN $750, POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA, UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF SYRINGE, OUT OF COUNTY WARRANT and POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA – PRIOR. Also arrested was Austin Hall, POSSESSION OF COCAINE OR SCHEDULE I OR II NARCOTIC DRUG – AT LEAST 5 GRAMS BUT LESS THAN 10 GRAMS.

All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a Court of Law.

Contact Sheriff Jerry Goodin at Scott County Sheriff’s Office (812)752-8400

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, contact the Scott County Sheriff’s Office at (812)752-8400

Just before 3:30 yesterday afternoon, Detectives with the Indiana State Police located Timothy Johnson, 27, of Garrett, Indiana who was wanted on an active warrant for multiple felony offenses.

When Detectives conducted a traffic stop, Johnson pulled over and fled on foot into a wooded area, north of State Road 46 near State Road 37.

Officers from multiple agencies arrived on the scene and established a perimeter while ISP K9 Loki was deployed into the woods with his handler Trooper Richard Klun, in an attempt to locate Johnson. With the assistance of an Indiana State Police Helicopter, K9 Loki was directed to a fenced in area east of the intersection of State Road 46 and Arlington Road.

Prior to deploying Loki, law enforcement made numerous loud announcements that if Johnson was there, he needed to make his presence known or a trained police dog would find him.  

Law Enforcement received no response. 

Once Loki was deployed inside of the fence, the K9 was able to locate and apprehend Johnson.  Law Enforcement Officers then took Johnson into custody.  After being medically cleared at a Hospital, Johnson was arrested on his active warrant and will also be facing local pending charges.

AGENCIES ASSISTING – Bloomington Police Department, Ellettsville Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, IU Health Ambulance Service and the Indiana State PoliceAviation Section.

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