Polls are open across Indiana with 5,341 precincts taking votes until 6p this evening.
The below polling locations will be open in Washington County today.
Voters are reminded to bring their state issued I.D. with them to the polls.
If you have any questions, please contact the Washington County Clerk’s Voter Services Office at 812-883-5748 or email at voter@washingtoncounty.in.gov.
Highest All-Sources Wagering on Kentucky Derby Day program and Kentucky Derby race 157,813 Endure Wettest Kentucky Derby
Fans braved a steady all-day rain and the wettest Kentucky Derby ever as Justify captured the 144th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve over a sloppy track. Attendance of 157,813, was the eighth highest attendance figure in track history.
Wagering from all-sources was the highest all-time on both the Kentucky Derby Day program and on the Kentucky Derby race.
Wagering from all-sources on the Kentucky Derby Day program totaled $225.7 million, an 8% increase over the 2017 total and previous record of $209.2 million. Wagering from all-sources on the Kentucky Derby race increased 8% to $149.9 million from the previous record of $139.2 million set last year.
TRACK PRESIDENT COMMENTARY
“Congratulations to the connections of Justify on a very impressive performance to win the 144th Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve,” said Kevin Flanery, President of Churchill Downs Racetrack. “We were excited to introduce our latest round of renovations and our investments in the facility continue to pay off as we strive to improve the guest experience every year. A special thanks to the Louisville Metro Police Department for their efforts to deliver our new transportation improvement plan. Thanks and congratulations to our horsemen, employees and volunteers that made this an amazing Derby and a phenomenal opening to our 2018 Spring Meet.”
BUSINESS COMMENTARY
“We are deeply grateful to all of the fans of the Kentucky Derby around the world who once again made this an amazing and memorable experience,” said Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI”). “We expect the Kentucky Derby Week Adjusted EBITDA to reflect another record with $11.0-to-$13.0 million of growth over last year.” The Adjusted EBITDA range includes approximately $2.5 million of favorability related to the adoption of the new revenue accounting standard ASC 606.
TWINSPIRES
TwinSpires, the country’s leading online and mobile betting platform and the official betting partner of the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, recorded $39.2 million in handle on Churchill Downs races for the Kentucky Derby Day program, an increase of 15% over the prior year. TwinSpires’ handle on the Kentucky Derby alone race was $24.6 million, up 18% over 2017.
DERBY WEEK
All-sources handle for Opening Night, Saturday, April 28, through Derby Day, Saturday, May 5, rose to a new record of $311.2 million, up 9% from the previous record of $285.1 million set last year. Attendance for those five days was 375,346, up 7% over 2017.
DERBY WINNER
Justify, owned by Kenny Troutt’s WinStar Farm, LLC, Ah King Teo’s China Horse Club, Sol Kumin’s Head of Plains Partners, LLC, and Jack Wolf and partners’ Starlight Racing, and bred in Kentucky by John Gunther, cruised to win by two and a half lengths as the 5-2 favorite, returning $7.80 for each $2 win wager. Justify earned $1,432,000 for the victory, increasing his lifetime earnings to $2,098,000. The winner covered 1 ¼ miles over a sloppy track in 2:04.20 to remain undefeated with his fourth win in four career starts. Trainer Bob Baffert won the Kentucky Derby for the fifth time. His prior victories were with Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in 1998, War Emblem in 2002, and American Pharoah in 2015. Jockey Mike Smith won the Kentucky Derby for the second time, winning previously on Giacomo in 2005. Justify is by Scat Daddy out of the Ghostzapper mare Stage Magic. Good Magic finished second and Audible finished third.
On Saturday, April 28th, 2018 the Indiana State Police participated in the 15th nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative sponsored by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA.) The “Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft.
Collection sites were set up nationwide for expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs to be turned in for destruction. This program is intended for liquid and pill medications.
The Indiana State Police set up collections sites at every post (except the Toll Road.) The Indianapolis post collected 150 pounds of medications between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday.
Statewide the Indiana State Police collected a total of 1,752 pounds of unused or expired medication. Below is a list of each locations results for Saturday.
The Scott County Partnership in collaboration with the Scottsburg Police Department and the Scott County Sheriff’s Department collected 241.4 pounds of medications.
Reserve Sheriff Deputy Ben Mills and Scottsburg PD Assistant Chief David Hardin assisted with collecting the unused, expired, and unwanted medications at Scottsburg Walmart.
Sixty people visit the booth.
Scott County turned in enough unwanted medications to fill 12 boxes, or 241.4 pounds.
It is the best turn out and most pounds ever collected during one of these events.
The Scott County Partnership would like to thank everyone who helped make this an amazingly successful event for Scott County.
John Blaine Elmore, 71, of Salem, passed away on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at 2:37 p.m. at Salem Crossing in Salem.
He was born in Bedford on Jan. 24, 1947, to Stacy and Helen (Williams) Elmore. John married Marilyn Patton on Oct. 27, 1967 in Bedford, and she survives.
John was a graduate of Bedford High School Class of 1965, was a member of the Northside Christian Church in New Albany.
He was retired from the Indiana State Police with 35 years of service. He retired from the Sellersburg Post and also worked many years from the Lafayette Post.
Survivors include his wife, Marilyn Elmore of Salem; two children, John B. Elmore Jr. and wife Nikki of Salem, and Kena Elmore of Salem; grandchildren, Laken Elmore, Tanner Elmore, Jacob Williams, Kaitlyn Jackson and Nikki Brown; and great-grandchildren, Maci, Thomas, Braylynn, Jacob, Dayton, Nolan, Addison and Harper.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one grandson, Brayden Elmore
Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. on Friday May 4, at Cresthaven Funeral Home, with State Police Chaplain Daniel Coffey officiating. Burial will follow in Cresthaven Memory Gardens
Visitation will be from noon to 4 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.
On Tuesday, May 1st, the Indiana State Police-Versailles All Crimes Policing Team along with the Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (Columbus Police Department and Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department) conducted a drug investigation in Columbus, Indiana that resulted in the arrest of two suspects on numerous drug related charges.
One of the suspects was later determined to be the head varsity golf coach at Greenwood High School.
During the course of the investigation, troopers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on State Road 46 at Johnson Blvd. in Columbus, Indiana.
An Indiana State Police K-9 alerted to the odor of illegal drugs coming from the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, troopers located suspected heroin, a syringe, and drug paraphernalia.
The driver of the vehicle, Jared K. Elsner, age 33, Seymour, Indiana was arrested at the scene. He was transported to the Bartholomew County Jail where he was incarcerated on charges of Possession of Heroin, Level 6 Felony, Possession of Syringe, Level 6 Felony, Possession of Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor.
Troopers then conducted a traffic stop on a second vehicle on State Road 46 at Carr Hill Road in Columbus.
The driver of the vehicle, Benjamin L. Beatty, age 37, Columbus resisted the trooper and was detained at the scene. During a search of Beatty’s vehicle, troopers located approximately one ounce of suspected methamphetamine, heroin, and drug paraphernalia.
Beatty was arrested and transported to the Bartholomew County Jail.
Troopers then applied for and received search warrants for Beatty’s residence located at 2559 Lafayette Avenue, Columbus, Indiana and also for a room at the Motel 6 in Columbus that had been rented by Beatty.
The search warrants that were served by the Indiana State Police, Columbus Police Department, and Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department resulted in the discovery of additional methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, syringes, drug paraphernalia, and packaging material. Officers also located counterfeit US Currency and other evidence of counterfeiting during the execution of the search warrants.
During the course of the investigation, troopers learned that Beatty was the current Varsity and Junior High Golf Coach at Greenwood Schools in Greenwood, Indiana.
Beatty was arrested on felony charges of Dealing Methamphetamine, Dealing Heroin, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Heroin, Possession of a Syringe, Counterfeiting, and misdemeanor charges of Resisting Law Enforcement, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Elsner was arrested on felony charges of Possession of Heroin, Possession of a Syringe, and a misdemeanor charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Both suspects were being held in the Bartholomew County Jail pending their initial appearances in court.
Early Wednesday, around 9:00 a.m., the Indiana State Police Dispatch Center began receiving calls about money blowing all over the interstate and people trying to catch it.
The incident occurred on I-70 near Sam Jones Expressway when the door of a Brinks armored truck opened, and packages of money fell onto the interstate. While some money bags remained intact, others broke open and passing traffic blew thousands of dollars of paper currency across the east and west bound lanes of I-70 traffic.
Some motorists, without regard for their safety or the safety of other motorists, stopped in the middle of the interstate to gather and pocket the wind-blown money, as well as the unbroken money bags. As responding troopers arrived they found several people with money in their hands, bags and pockets; all of which was returned to the Brinks employees.
Troopers at the scene did receive detailed information from witnesses who reported a number of other motorists had gathered spilled money and left prior to the arrival of state police officers. State Police detectives are following up on all leads to recover money stolen from the scene.
Fortunately, a number of people made the lawful and morally correct decision to return money they had picked up from the scene.
None of these people were charged with a crime. It is important for anyone who picked up money from the scene, and has failed to return the money, to understand they have committed theft, which is a felony offense. To avoid criminal charges, contact the state police at 317-899-8577 to make arrangements for the money to be recovered.
Money may also be returned to the Indiana State Police Post at 8660 East 21st Street any time of day or night. State Police Indianapolis District Investigations Commander, First Sergeant Bill Dalton said, “People know right from wrong and anyone we track down who kept a dollar of this money will be arrested for theft.” Dalton concluded, “The time to do the right thing and call us to turn in the money is now, because once we knock on your door, you won’t be able to avoid being arrested.”
There will be increased patrols in the area where the money fell from the truck. Citizens are reminded it is an infraction for a vehicle to be stopped or standing on the interstate and it is also a violation for pedestrians to be on the interstate as well, beside the fact it isn’t safe.
Citizens found in this area are subject to being cited for applicable infraction offenses and anyone found in possession of money bags or substantial sums of currency will become persons of interest in this ongoing investigation.
While there have been a number of media reports about the amount of money that fell out of the truck, the investigation remains ongoing and the exact amount of money unaccounted for will not be released, beyond the amount was a substantial amount.
This is an ongoing investigation and no further information is available for release.
Includes James Beard Award and Top Chef Winners to Kick Off Derby Weekend with Flavors from Across the Nation
LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 2, 2018 – The ninth annual Taste of Derby presented by Angry Orchard will kick off the 144th Derby weekend with delicious culinary experiences from award-winning chefs from across the U.S. The event takes place on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at the KFC Yum! Center and includes James Beard award-winners, Top Chef Alumni and chefs from the top-rated restaurants in the country.
Each year, a selection of renowned chefs from America’s horse racing regions come together to delight Taste of Derby guests with regional specialties, exquisite wine and live music. The evening also features the Sullivan University Future Chef Showdown, during which local culinary students compete for a scholarship.
Taste of Derby raises funds and awareness for hunger relief organizations. To date, more than $820,000 has been contributed to hunger relief locally and around the country in regions where participating chefs are located.
Dare to Care Food Bank will return again as the beneficiary of this year’s event.
Featured chefs include:
For a full list of participating chefs, tickets or to learn more about the event, visit https://www.kentuckyderby.com/visit/derby-week/taste-of-derby.
This morning, shortly after 8:00 am, two Jackson County residents were arrested on drug charges and other charges after they were found to be in possession of a stolen vehicle during a traffic stop.
The investigation began when Trooper Seth Davidson conducted a traffic stop on a white 1991 GMC Sonoma that was traveling eastbound on US 50 near County Avenue, just east of Seymour after he observed a traffic violation. A check of the vehicle’s registration showed that the GMC had been stolen out of Jennings County, Indiana on April 9, 2018.
After the vehicle stopped, Trp. Davidson arrested the driver of the vehicle, Jeremy G. Cockerham, age 38, Norman, Indiana and the passenger, Brook B. Neidige, age 19, Seymour, Indiana for charges related to the possession of the stolen vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, officers located suspected methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. Further investigation revealed that Neidige had approximately 88 grams of suspected methamphetamine concealed inside of her clothing.
Both Cockerham and Neidige were transported to the Jackson County Jail where they will be held pending their initial appearances in the Jackson County Circuit Court. Cockerham faces charges of Auto Theft, Level 6 Felony, and Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony. Neidige was arrested on charges of Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 3 Felony, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor, and Criminal Trespass, Misdemeanor.
Trp. Davidson was assisted by Trp. Randel Miller and Seymour Police Officers Craig Owens and Mike Payne.
Yesterday, shortly after 9:00 am, the Indiana State Police arrested an Indiana man on numerous charges after guns and drugs were located in his vehicle during a traffic stop on I-65 in Jackson County.
The investigation began when Trooper Randel Miller conducted a traffic stop on a Ford F-150 on I-65 Northbound near the 55 mile marker in northern Jackson County. During the course of the traffic stop, Trp. Miller became suspicious of criminal activity taking place. Trp. Miller deployed his K-9, Jinx, which alerted to the odor of illegal drugs coming from the vehicle.
During a search of the vehicle, troopers located approximately 55 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, two guns, and over $1,000 in US Currency. The serial number on one of the firearms was removed.
As a result, the driver of the vehicle, Stephen Hoop, age 39, Clayton, Indiana was arrested at the scene. He was transported to the Jackson County Jail where he was being held pending his initial court appearance in the Jackson County Circuit Court.
Hoop was being held on charges of Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony, Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 3 Felony, Felon in Possession of a Handgun, Level 5 Felony, Possession of a Handgun with Obliterated Serial Number, Level 5 Felony, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony, Possession of Marijuana with a Prior Conviction, Class A Misdemeanor, and Possession of Paraphernalia, Class B Misdemeanor.
Trp. Miller was assisted by Trps. Jason Hankins and Christopher Lockman.
