A five-month investigation conducted by Deputy Jeff Walters and Detective Ben Rudolph led to the arrest of Robert England, 64, of Medora. 

England has been charged with 2 Counts of Dealing Methamphetamine, a Level 2 Felony, and Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 4 Felony.

England was arrested on March 6, 2018 during an undercover operation.  During the arrest, England was found to be in possession of Methamphetamine and Scheduled II Controlled Substances.  Also, during the arrest England was found to be in possession of a firearm and drug paraphernalia.

Detective Rudolph secured a search warrant for England’s residence which yielded an additional 95 grams of Methamphetamine and $8,770 in cash.  Detectives also found Marijuana, and Marijuana growing in the garage.  After the search warrant, England will be remanded on additional charges of Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 2 Felony, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Paraphernalia.

England is currently incarcerated in the Jackson County Jail.  A Level 2 Felony has a punishable range of 10-30 years in prison.

Assisting with the execution of the search warrant were Lt. Andy Wayman and Detectives Bob Lucas and Tom Barker.

A $1.51 billion settlement has been reached in the nationwide class action lawsuit filed in Kansas federal court over Syngenta’s genetically modified corn seed. 

It is believed to be the largest agricultural litigation settlement in U.S. history.  The settlement covers all U.S. corn producers – farmers and crop share landlords – as well as grain handling facilities and ethanol plants nationwide who sold corn priced after September 15, 2013.

A motion for preliminary approval has been filed. The settlement must be approved by the Honorable John W. Lungstrum, a United States District Judge for the District of Kansas.

The litigation has been led by four lawyers who were appointed Co-Lead and Class Counsel by the Court – Scott Powell of Hare, Wynn, Newell and Newton; LLP, William Chaney of Gray Reed & McGraw LLP, Patrick Stueve of Stueve Siegel Hanson LLP, Don Downing of Gray, Ritter & Graham, P.C.

The four co-lead counsel issued a statement: “We are very pleased with this outcome. America’s corn farmers and related businesses were hurt economically and this settlement will provide fair compensation for their damages. It is an equitable result for all involved.”

Who is Covered Under this Syngenta Corn Class Action Settlement?

All corn growers, grain handling facilities and ethanol plants across the country – as defined in the settlement and who choose to stay in the settlement – are covered by this settlement, including any U.S. farmers who opted out of previous Syngenta litigation.

However, all class members must submit a claim form to receive settlement funds. 

Next Steps

If preliminarily approved, the settlement terms and claims process information will be set forth in notices mailed to class members and published in various media outlets across the country, as well as in a settlement website.

Members of the class then will have a period of time to submit a claim form, opt out of the settlement, or object to the terms of the agreement.

Judge Lungstrum then will decide on whether to finally approve the $1.51 billion settlement.  If the settlement is ultimately approved, it is anticipated that funds could be distributed to class members in the first half of 2019.

The Syngenta Genetically Modified Corn Seed Litigation

Judge Lungstrum certified the nationwide class action lawsuit in September 2016. 

Eight state class action lawsuits were also certified in the multi-district litigation. The four co-lead plaintiff’s counsel in the nationwide class action lawsuit also represented more than 7,000 Kansas farmers in the first and only state class action lawsuit to be tried to a verdict. In June 2017, a Kansas jury returned a $217.7 million verdict in favor of the Kansas grown growers.

These farmers, as well as all corn farmers nationwide, will be covered under this class action settlement and must submit a claim form to receive compensation.

For more information, visit www.syngentacornlitigation.com

On March 7, 2018, school leaders from across the nation traveled to Beaumont, Texas, to share their recovery experiences with educational leaders whose districts were impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

Troy Albert, Salem High School Principal and Dr. John Reed, West Clark Superintendent joined other volunteer mentors to share experiences and discuss important recovery related topics. Both were involved in the recovery efforts and rebuilding project after the destruction of Henryville’s High School by a tornado. 

Among issues discussed were current mental and behavioral health challenges, how school district leadership can best support educators and students through recovery, effective communication strategies and other topics pertinent to school districts in the Region 5 Education Service Center in Beaumont, Texas.

Volunteer mentors worked with local school leaders to problem solve current and potential future challenges and in the development of action plans to guide recovery efforts going forward.

In addition to a number of collaborative activities, Troy Albert Salem High School Principal and Dr. John Reed, West Clark Superintendent, participated on an expert panel to share lessons learned from their personal recovery experiences to provide valuable insight on issues Harvey-impacted leaders may encounter post disaster.

In discussing what did the panel learn after six months after a tragedy, “The greatest
lesson learned was the people matter and their feelings and emotional well-being is vital.The teachers lost items and the need for more outside support was really the greatest item that need a to change. Listen to the needs of the teachers and support staff.” said Albert.

The seminar was part of an ongoing effort to strengthen local resiliency and build system-wide capacity in areas across the Hurricane Harvey impacted region.

The Indiana State Police were called to investigate a double homicide on Friday that occurred in Pulaski County.

Friday, March 9, 2018, evening detectives with the Indiana State Police were called to a residence in the 3900 block West County Road 200 North in Pulaski County. 

A family member had went to this residence for a well-being check as the relative living there had not been heard from in approximately two days. The family member found two people dead in the house.  Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department were notified and responded.

Pulaski County Sheriff Department secured the scene and called for ISP detectives and ISP Crime Scene Investigation personnel.  The two deceased have been identified as Loss Stacy, 59 (resident) and Mary Kurek (Loss Stacy girlfriend), 56 of Gary, Indiana.  The manner of death and cause of death are pending the results of an autopsy and toxicology.  Family has been notified.

Evidence from the investigation has lead to the arrest early Saturday, March 10, 2018, of Ross Stacy, 32 of Winamac.  Ross Stacy is being held in the Pulaski County Jail and has been formally charged with Murder.

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

On Friday, March 9, 2018, at approximately 7:50 pm, the Indiana State Police responded to a report of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle on State Road 56 at Lincoln Street in Rising Sun.

The initial investigation by Trp. Kyle Stovall indicated that a blue 2012 Chevrolet Cruze being driven by Gary Turner, age 77, Rising Sun, Indiana was traveling eastbound on State Road 56 at Lincoln Street. 

Turner’s vehicle struck a pedestrian, identified as Onlie Gulley, age 83, Morrow, Ohio who was in the roadway.  Further investigation revealed that Gulley was walking southbound across State Road 56 when he was struck.      

Gulley was transported to the Dearborn County Hospital where he died as a result of the injuries he sustained in the crash.  Turner was not injured in the collision.

Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be factors in the crash.  However, toxicology results on Turner are pending at this time.

The crash continues to be under investigation by the Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team.  The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Rising Sun Police Department, Ohio County Sheriff’s Department, Ohio County EMS, and the Ohio County Coroner’s Office.