Power is nearly restored to all customers in the Kentuckiana area after an ice storm Thursday morning knocked out electricity to over 50,000. 

Duke Energy gave the estimate to many of restoring power by this evening at 6p. 

Their website shows 655 still without power, including 41 in Washington County.

• Jefferson County – 163
• Jennings County – 2
• Monroe County – 10
• Dearborn County – 5
• Orange County – 7
• Crawford County – 327
• Harrison County – 26
• Washington County – 41
• Scott County – 34
• Floyd County – 37
• Clark County – 3

 Jackson County REMC reported 3 customers still without power on Sunday morning. 

Orange County REMC reported 4 customers without power. 

• Stay away from downed or sagging power lines, and do not touch anything that is on or near a power line (i.e., trees or tree limbs, cars, ladders).
• Keep children and family pets away from areas where lines may have fallen (backyards, fields, school yards, etc.).
• If a power line falls across a car that you’re in, stay in the car. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.
• Report all power line hazards to Duke Energy or your local emergency services department or agency.

Utility workers are working to restore power to over 40,000 customers in the WSLM listening area of Southern Indiana. 

At one point Duke had over 40,000 customers without power. They have restored power to over 5,000 this morning.

Jackson County REMC reported

Jackson County REMC reports over 3,000 without power in Jennings, Jackson, Scott, and Washington. An update now reports that number is down to around 1,100. 

Duke reports outrages in these areas:

• Monroe County – 185
• Lawrence County – 900
• Orange County – 394
• Crawford County – 3,085
• Brown County – 335
• Jackson County – 1,038
• Washington County – 2,207
• Harrison County – 228
• Floyd County – 4,785
• Clark County – 4,757
• Scott County – 1,226
• Jefferson County – 6,616
• Jennings County – 1,333
• Ripley County – 2,977
• Dearborn County – 3,041

This morning at approximately 3:55 am, on Interstate #65 near the 11.9 Mile Marker, a 2011 Toyota Sienna, (minivan), was travelling northbound in the center lane when the driver had to slow down for a fallen tree that was across all three lanes of travel.

A 2015 Mack U.P.S. semi-tractor with duel trailers was travelling behind the van. The semi-tractor and dual trailers was unable to slow down and rear ended the van pushing it into the median guard rail.

The Sienna mini-van was occupied by four people.

The driver, Norma P. Zepeda-Escobar, 28, from Lilburn, Georgia along with passengers, Julio C. Escobar, 32, from Hyattsville, Maryland and Abisai D. Garcia, 30, from Lilburn, Georgia were transported to the University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, KY with unknown injuries.

Another passenger, Isidra Cornejo Pineda, 33, from Lilthonia, Georgia was declared deceased at the scene.

The semi-tractor and dual trailers was driven by Dennis D. Summers, from Franklin, Indiana. He was not injured.

Interstate #65 northbound was closed at the Nine Mile Marker, (Sellersburg), routing traffic to U.S. #31 for approximately 2.5 hours.

Seatbelt use is unknown at this time. No photos are available.

Due to the heavy amount of ice Southern Indiana received overnight over 40,000 are without power for Duke and Jackson County REMC  customers.

Duke Energy has 2,819 customers without power in Washington County.

Other Duke outages include:

• Orange County – 391
• Lawrence County – 1,718
• Crawford County – 3,650
• Harrison County – 341
• Floyd County – 4,902
• Clark County – 5,553
• Jefferson County – 7,448
• Scott County – 956
• Jackson County – 1,006
• Jennings County – 3,027
• Ripley – 1,146
• Dearborn County – 2,631

Jackson County REMC reports over 3,000 power outages in Jennings, Jackson, Scott, and Washington.

REMC has all available crews and contracted crews out working to restore power as safely and quickly as possible.

“Please visit our website www.jacksonremc.com, and our Facebook page Jackson County REMC for more information,” said Nicole Ault, Communications Specialist for Jackson County REMC.

“We will continue to update our Facebook page with the most recent information,” Ault said. 

Remember to stay away and NEVER touch a downed powerline.

Also, tree limbs are still breaking and will continue to do
so until the ice melts. Please stay safe and stay out from under any large trees or limbs. 

Any Jackson County REMC customer who is out of service and has not reported their outage is encouraged to report
their outage either on our SmartHub app, or by calling the office at 812-358-4458.

Here are precinct by precinct reports and a cumulative report from the Washington County election on Nov. 6. 

“We do apologize for just now having the complete election returns from Washington County,” said WSLM Owner and General Manager Rebecca White. “We just received them this morning. These results were denied to WSLM on Tuesday, Nov. 6 by the Washington County Election Board.”

Salem Media made a request shortly after 6a on Wednesday to the Washington County Clerk’s office for any and all election results. 

The results were emailed to WSLM this morning at 9:54a by the clerk’s office. 

The results are unofficial until being certified. 

2018 General Unofficial Precinct Report

2018 General Election-UNOFFICIAL Washington County, Indiana

A stolen vehicle hit an Indiana State Police car on Tuesday evening.

As a result, three were arrested and one person was cited. 

Nov. 6 at 4:39, Indiana State Police Trooper Courtland Woodruff was on duty on Wabash Avenue when he observed a red 2005 Chrysler Sebring with an expired license plate.

A database search indicated the vehicle was stolen. The vehicle then turned onto Van Buren Blvd heading south. Trooper Woodruff activated his emergency lights while behind the vehicle near Riley Avenue.

The vehicle initially came to a stop, however as Trooper Woodruff stepped out of his patrol vehicle, the vehicle took off. Trooper Woodruff requested assistance and pursued the vehicle with all emergency lights and siren activated.

The pursuit started on Riley Avenue heading west towards Brown Avenue. At this time, Trooper Woodruff noticed items being thrown from the vehicle. Also during the pursuit, the vehicle hit Trooper Woodruff’s patrol car. The pursuit eventually ended after the vehicle lost control and hit a stop sign at the corner of Hulman Street and Brown Avenue.

Indiana State Police Troopers along with the Terre Haute Police Department quickly detained five suspects from the vehicle. The vehicle was confirmed stolen out of Terre Haute. During the inventory of the stolen vehicle, a small baggie was located in the back seat containing suspected methamphetamine.

Three suspects were transported to the Vigo County Jail with one being cited and released. The fifth suspect was a 16-year-old juvenile and transported to the Vigo County Juvenile Center. There were no injuries reported.

Arrested:    Megan Coleman age 19, of Terre Haute (driver).

                   Incarcerated in Vigo County Jail.

Charges:    Auto Theft, Child Endangerment, Resisting Law Enforcement, Possession of    Methamphetamine, Possession of a Syringe, Possession of Paraphernalia, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Driving While Suspended (Prior), Reckless Driving and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated

Arrested:    Katie Cheesman age 25, of Terre Haute

                   Incarcerated in Vigo County Jail

Charges:    Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of a Syringe, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, and Possession of Paraphernalia

Arrested:    Jonathon Hemmons age 21, of Terre Haute

                   Incarcerated in Vigo County Jail

Charges:    Wanted on Warrant out of Vigo County for Auto Theft

Cited:         Harleigh Nicholson age 18, of Brazil

Charges:    Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia

Assisting were ISP Senior Trooper David Petrowski, Trooper Rondell Shelton and Trooper Brad Fyfe. Also assisting were officers from the Terre Haute City Police Department.

Yesterday, at approximately 2:00 pm, the Indiana State Police arrested a Seymour man and cited a Seymour woman for drug charges following a traffic stop on I-65 in Jackson County.

The investigation began when Sgt. Stephen Wheeles conducted a traffic stop on a 2017 Hyundai SUV on I-65 Southbound near the 51 mile marker for a traffic offense. Upon speaking to the driver, identified as Timothy W. Shell, age 39, Seymour, Indiana, Sgt. Wheeles detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Sgt. Wheeles conducted a search of the vehicle and located approximately 8.5 grams of suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

Shell was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine (over 5 grams), possession of marijuana, and possession of paraphernalia. He was transported to the Jackson County Jail where he was incarcerated pending his initial appearance in the Jackson County Circuit Court.

A passenger in Shell’s vehicle, Kristen N. Brackemyre, age 37, Seymour, Indiana, was cited into court on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

Sgt. Wheeles was assisted at the scene by Trp. Seth Davidson.

Over 40 Salem High School Choir students are busy preparing for the annual “Bohemian Supper Club” to be presented Nov 8-11 at the school’s Presentation Room.

Shows are at 7:15 pm, Thursday-Saturday, November 8-10, followed by a special Sunday matinee performance at 2:00 pm on November 11.

The thirteenth in a series of original musical revues, this year’s theme is “Under
Cover”, and features performances of memorable “cover” songs by SHS vocalists and
instrumentalists.

All seats are $8, and tickets can be purchased from the Salem High School Bookstore
during school hours only (no telephone sales). Tickets can also be purchased online
at SalemChoirs.org.

Drinks and desserts are available for purchase during the events. All proceeds
benefit the Salem Choir program.