Firefighters are still battling the blaze at Fibertech in Mitchell. In fact, the smoke is so bad schools have been closed today.

Due to a plume of smoke spreading into the North Lawrence Community Schools area, personnel affiliated with the Lawrence County Emergency Management System, the Indiana State Fire Marshall and Superintendent Gary Conner ​felt it was necessary to close schools today, ​for the safety of​ students and staff.

All after school activities and sporting events and practices are also cancelled.

Mitchell Community Schools are closed today as well. 

Marion Township Fire Department Incident Command from the Fibertech fire is advising all residents of Mitchell that are in the path of heavy smoke to stay indoors if at all possible, until further notice. Thursday night official expanded the “shelter in place” to residents north of Mitchell to Yockey Road and those between State Road 37 and Meridian Road.

Firefighters remain on scene this morning trying to contain the massive blaze.

Residents are encouraged to stay indoors to avoid breathing in the smoke.

Get out and vote – and do it early!

Absentee “Early Voting” began on Monday, April 10 and continues through May 7th and can be done at the Clerk’s Voter Services Office Monday through Friday,
8:00 am to Noon and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Washington County Clerk Sarah Milligan said early voting will end on Monday, May 7th at noon.

Voters should enter through the main entrance of the Justice Center. 

Washington County Commissioner Phil Marshall said some early voters are attempting to enter the new building through a side entrance to the Clerk’s office. 

He said everyone needs to enter through the front entrance to pass through security before entering the various areas of the building. 

There will also be special voting hours on Saturday April 28 and May 5 in the Clerk’s Voter Services Office from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, the two Saturdays
prior to the election.

“Residents can register to vote in the Clerk’s Voter Services, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm,” stated Voter Deputy Stephanie Rockey. “Or they can go to any Bureau of Motor Vehicles License Branch or National Voter Registration Act full service agency to register as well.”

5K COLOR RUN TO BENEFIT RELAY FOR LIFE ON MAY 12 AT WALMART

WSLM RADIO and WALMART are partnering to hold the first annual Charlotte Martin 5K COLORS FOR CANCER run/walk on Saturday, May 12 at 9a at the Walmart in Salem.

The event will benefit Relay For Life and the fight against cancer. Registration begins at 8a.

The event will all all cancer victims and survivors and is named in honor of WSLM 1220 AM and WSLM 97.9 FM owner Rebecca White’s mother, the late Charlotte Martin who died from cancer in 1986.

“Mom passed away on Valentine’s Day 1986 after fighting breast cancer for several years,” said White. “She passed away on the day WSLM celebrates its birthday so every year that’s a bittersweet day for me,” said White. “This is a great way to honor her memory and continue the fight against cancer.”

Brad Gilbert, Human Resources Manager of the Salem Walmart said the Salem Walmart is proud to be partnering with WSLM in this fight against cancer.

“We look forward to showing our support for all participants in this event,” said Gilbert. “Our hope is that with its success, there will be support of those currently fighting and fond memories of those we have lost to the battle.”

“What is more fun in the spring than to see lots of bold and exciting colors?” asked White. “You’ll get spread colored powder (which is 100 percent safe) on your clothing, hair and anything else you are running with, including each other.”

The 3.1 mile (5k) walk/run will begin at Walmart of Salem and continue east towards Salem and back to the Walmart parking lot.

” We at Walmart could not be more honored than to be able to partner with Becky and WSLM in their Colors for Cancer 5k to raise money and awareness in the Fight Against Cancer. I also , as most of us can say , have been dramatically affected by this terrible disease. One of the people who first believed in me was my grandmother , Ruth King , who we lost way too soon. Please join Becky, myself ,  and Team Walmart for this inaugural event. Hope to see you there!” Mike King, Salem Walmart Store Manager.

“We are working with Pacers and Racers to help provide technical expertise with our event to ensure that any of those who want to participate will be professionally managed and measured for accuracy,” White said.

New this year, because often during this time people have so many other activities going on, there will be a Virtual Race option.

“All you have to do is register for the race and download the course via this link via MapMyRun http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/2008809829 then walk/run the course anytime between May 1 and May 11,” said White. “Then take a selfie and post it to WSLM Radio’s or Walmart’s Facebook page with the hashtag #COLORSFORCANCERSALEM.”

The morning of the race, there will be a selfie station so all those participating on the day of the race can post their pictures, too. “Then everyone can be part of the fun,” said White.

Pre-race and virtual race registration is now open at Walmart of Salem and at WSLM Radio, 1308 East Hackberry Street, Salem.

Registration is $20 until the day of the race and includes a t-shirt and a bag of paint powder to get you started in the fun. Children 10 and under are free with a paying/attending adult.

Race day registration is $25. Additional packets of color and t-shirts can be purchased, while supplies last.

Additional baggies of paint and other paint-throwing accessories will be available for purchase the day of the race.

Registration and arrival for the race is 8a near the Garden Center at Walmart. The race begins at 9a.

A bill authored by State Sen. Erin Houchin (R-Salem) aimed at combatting the increasing drug epidemic in Indiana by reforming usage practices for Indiana’s prescription drug monitoring system (INSPECT) was ceremonially signed into law today at Franciscan Health by Gov. Eric Holcomb.

Senate Enrolled Act 221 requires all prescribers of controlled substances to register with INSPECT and search a patient’s prescription history prior to writing a prescription for an opioid or benzodiazepine.

INSPECT allows a prescriber of opioids or benzodiazepines to search a patient’s previous prescription history to determine if they are “doctor shopping” for multiple prescriptions, are using their prescriptions at a rate higher than prescribed, or are at risk for an overdose. Without SEA 221, registration and regular searches of the INSPECT system are voluntary.

“In order for INSPECT to be a valuable tool, it needs to be used efficiently and routinely,” Houchin said. “Overprescribing opiates is one of the main contributors to this epidemic. By requiring mandatory INSPECT registration and searches, we will combat opiate addiction at the source – the prescription pad. Determining if patients are doctor shopping or abusing opiates is a critical step to curbing prescription drug abuse in Indiana.”

SEA 221 requires practitioners who wish to prescribe opioids or benzodiazepines to register with INSPECT and perform mandatory searches, which will be phased in over a three-year period:

• Prescribers in emergency rooms and pain management clinics are required to register and search by Jan. 1, 2019;
• prescribers in hospital settings are required to participate by Jan. 1, 2020; and
• all other prescribers are required by Jan. 1, 2021.

This legislation was a part of the Senate Majority Caucus’ 2018 Agenda and Gov. Eric Holcomb’s 2018 Next Level Agenda.

Over 24 days, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office and Scottsburg City Police issued 68 citations and made 2 arrests during St. Patrick’s Day, college Spring Break and the first rounds of NCAA Tournament.

In 2017, the weekend beginning St. Patrick’s Day had the highest number crashes involving impaired drivers. Federal traffic safety funds administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) supported random patrols, saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints for more than 230 law-enforcement agencies across the state.

“Enforcement of traffic laws is focused on preventing crashes, injuries and deaths in our community,” said local law enforcement leaders. “As we look ahead to celebrating Easter, the Final Four and the rest of Spring Break, make sure your plans include a sober driver and extra stopping distance.”

In every state, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. In Indiana, drivers under 21 with a BAC of .02 are subject to fines and a license suspension for up to 1 year.

The top causes of all Indiana traffic crashes are drivers following too closely and failing to yield the right of way. Aggressive, distracted and impaired driving reduce reaction times to unexpected slowed traffic, bicycles and pedestrians.

Experience different perspectives on an impaired-driving crash scene in 360 degrees at https://on.in.gov/nobigdeal.

New impaired-driving equipment

Last year, ICJI and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) purchased 1,759 new portable breath tests for Indiana law-enforcement agencies. An additional 836 devices are being purchased this year.

But unlike alcohol, there is no quick field test for the legal and illegal drugs that can impair drivers. ICJI and NHTSA are issuing Android tablets and apps to assist 185 highly-trained police officers in the recognition and enforcement of drug-impaired driving.

If you’re taking a new drug or higher dose, talk with your doctor or don’t drive until you know how it affects you. Even over-the-counter medication such as cold medicine or sleep aids may cause impairment, especially when combined with alcohol or a second drug.

Yesterday, shortly before 5:00 pm, The Indiana State Police at Versailles received a call from the Indianapolis Metro Police Department that a reported stolen vehicle was south bound on Interstate #65 near Seymour.

The vehicle, a maroon Chrysler 200, was stolen from a car lot in Indianapolis when it was not returned during a test drive.

Troopers from the Sellersburg and Versailles State Police Posts located the vehicle at a gas station in Austin, (Exit #34).

When troopers attempted to stop the car, it fled from troopers back south bound on Interstate #65.

As the vehicle was fleeing, it struck another vehicle, causing minor damage. While troopers and officers from other agencies pursued the vehicle south on the Interstate, the driver was able to avoid five sets of stop sticks and speeds reached a maximum of up to 140 miles per hour.

Near the 14.8 Mile Marker in Clark County, troopers, other officers and a Good Samaritan box truck, were able to trap the stolen vehicle in and force it to a stop.

Marty S. Clark, 30, from Indianapolis, was arrested and transported to the Scott County Jail where he was charged with Possession of a Stolen Vehicle; Resisting Police by Fleeing in a Vehicle; Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Crash and Reckless Driving.

Marty S. Clark allegedly stole the vehicle so he could get to Florida.

Late Monday evening, troopers from the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg received information that a possible wanted person was hiding out at 505 West Cherry Street in Austin.

Troopers and officers from the Austin City Police arrived at the house and searched the house for Travis Lee McCleery, the wanted person. During the course of the search, pieces of drug paraphernalia were located in the home. After locating the drug paraphernalia troopers obtained a search warrant for the residence.

During the search, several used syringes and other pieces of drug paraphernalia with Methamphetamine residue were located.

The wanted person, Travis McCleery, was also located, hiding behind a panel in the insulation of the attic.

Travis McCleery, Misty Collins and Charles McIntosh were all arrested out of the home and transported to the Scott County Jail.

Approximately three grams of Methamphetamine was located on Misty Collins at the jail.

Arrested and Charges:

1) Travis McCleery, 36, of Scottsburg, was wanted out of Washington County, IN for possession of Methamphetamine and out of Scott County for Possession of a Syringe. In addition to his warrants, he was also charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of a Syringe, Visiting a Common Nuisance, Resisting Law Enforcement, and Possession of Paraphernalia.

2) Misty Dawn Collins, 30, of Austin, was charged with Visiting a Common Nuisance, Possession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of a Syringe, False Informing, Assisting a Criminal, and Possession of Paraphernalia.

3) Charles McIntosh, 58, of Austin, was charged with Maintaining a Common Nuisance.