Listen to the morning sessions of the Girls 3A Regional at Charlestown High School. 

LIVE on WSLM 97.9 FM and 1220 AM 

Regional Semi-Final Game #1:
Greensburg (20-3) v. Vincennes Lincoln (21-4); scheduled for a 10:00 am (EST) tipoff.

Regional Semi-Final Game #2:
Salem (22-4) v. Evansville Memorial (16-6) scheduled for a 12:00 pm (EST) tipoff; or
approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of Semi-Final Game #1.

Regional Championship Game:
Semi-Final Game #1 Winner vs. Semi-Final Game #2 Winner, scheduled for 7:30 pm (EST) tipoff.

WSLM1220AM is on Mixlr

After the noon deadline passed, WSLM has the official ballot set for the upcoming May primary election that will exhibit several party races for nomination to run in the November primary. 

There will be a three-way race in the Republican party for the nomination to run in the fall for Washington County Sheriff. 

Deputy Wayne Blevins will be seeking the nomination against 2014 Republican Candidate and former City of Salem Police Assistant Chief Roy Overshiner. Overshiner lost to Democrat Candidate Roger Newlon. 

Blevins and Overshiner will also face Republican challenger Tracey England. 

Democrat candidates Bill Denham and Chief Deputy Sheriff Brent Miller will face off for the party nomination. 

There is a race for county commissioner with former County Councilman Todd Ewen facing current District 2 Commissioner Preston Shell for the Republican nomination. 

In County Council District 1, incumbant Ben Bowlilng will be running against Washington County Economic Growth Partnership Executive Director Sabrina Burdine and Jason Cockeril, former Washington County Assessor. 

There will be a race between Republican candidates Jason Nelson and Karen Wischmeier for County Council, District 4. 

Brown Township will see a race between David Brown and Sharon L. Roberts for the trustee position. 

Gary D Chastain and Tom Guthrie will face off for the Democrat nomination to run for the Brown Township Advisory Board. 

Today, two Columbus, Indiana women were arrested on charges related to a death investigation that began on October 7, 2017 when an inmate, Angela Blair, age 42, Elizabethtown, Indiana died while in custody at the Bartholomew County Jail.

The investigation by Detective Christopher Howell, Indiana State Police-Versailles, determined that the Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office ruled that Blair died of methamphetamine intoxication.  

The investigation further revealed that Debin Paige Gabbard, age 27, Columbus, Indiana smuggled methamphetamine into the jail when she was arrested on October 5, 2017.  

Gabbard allegedly gave the drugs to Mary L. Snyder, age 19, Columbus, Indiana.  Snyder then provided methamphetamine to Blair while they were housed together in the jail.  

Blair collapsed and passed away soon after obtaining the methamphetamine from Snyder. 

At the conclusion of the investigation, the case was presented to the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office.  

As a result, warrants were issued on February 8, 2018 for both Gabbard and Snyder.  

Today, the warrants were served on both women who were still incarcerated.  

Gabbard was still incarcerated at the Bartholomew County Jail while Snyder had been transferred to Rockville Correctional Facility where she is serving time on an unrelated charge.

Gabbard was arrested on charges of Dealing Methamphetamine, level 5 Felony, Trafficking with an Inmate, level 5 Felony, Possession of a Narcotic Drug, level 6 Felony, and Possession of Methamphetamine, level 6 Felony.  Snyder was charged with one count of Possession of Methamphetamine, level 6 Felony.

Both women will remain incarcerated, pending their initial court appearances in Bartholomew County.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office, and the Bartholomew County Prosecutor’s Office.

The initial investigation by Indiana State Police Detectives has determined that the jail staff responded to a cell after an inmate, Angela L. Blair, age 42, Elizabethtown, Indiana was apparently in need of medical attention.  

As the jail staff arrived at the cell and spoke to Blair, she collapsed and became unresponsive.  The jail staff immediately provided her with medical treatment and called an ambulance from Columbus Regional Hospital.  

Attempts to revive Blair were unsuccessful.  She was pronounced deceased by the Bartholomew County Coroner’s Office. 

An autopsy was conducted at Columbus Regional Hospital.  The autopsy and toxicology results are pending at this time.

Blair was serving a sentence for a probation violation on drug related charges. 

Yesterday around 2:30 pm, a trooper from the Indiana State Police Post at Sellersburg observed a white Mitsubishi passenger car traveling south on Vincennes Street disregard the lighted signal at the intersection of Vincennes and Market Streets.

While speaking with the driver, later identified as Russell Miller, 32, from New Albany, it was learned that he did not have a driver’s license and the vehicle he was driving was falsely registered.

 The front seat passenger, Michael Frazier, 43, from New Albany, was also asked for his driver’s license or an ID and he was unable to provide one as well. There were also two children in the back seat of the car.

A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded a shotgun, Methamphetamine and $14,000.00 Dollars in U. S. Currency.

Russell Miller was arrested and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Methamphetamine while in Possession of a Weapon, Neglect of a Dependent, (Two Counts), Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felony Offender, Possession of a Controlled Substance and Driving While Suspended Prior.

Michael Frazier was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Serious Violent Felony Offender and Visiting a Common Nuisance.

Both of the arrested were incarcerated at the Floyd County Jail.

At approximately 9:00 p.m. last night a traffic stop on I-69 near the 61 mile marker ended with an Evansville man in jail on drug related charges.

Arrested and Charged with Christopher R. Ness, 30, Evansville

• Possession of marijuana
• Possession of paraphernalia
• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
• Maintaining a common nuisance

Trooper Ross Johnson was conducting traffic patrols on I-69 when he stopped a 2010 Dodge Caliber traveling 80 mph in a 70 mph zone.  

While speaking with the driver, Christopher R. Ness, 30 Evansville, Trooper Johnson noticed signs of impairment and a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle.  

Trooper Johnson conducted Standardized Field Sobriety tests and determined that Ness was impaired.  Ness was detained so a certified chemical test could be conducted.

A search of the vehicle revealed a book that had been modified to conceal illegal narcotics.  The book contained marijuana, a marijuana grinder and a lighter.  Also located in the vehicle glass pipe commonly used to smoke marijuana.

Ness was transported to Daviess County Community Hospital for the certified chemical test and while the certified results will not be known for some time as the samples are sent to the Indiana Department of Toxicology for analysis the preliminary results indicated the presence of THC, the chemical in marijuana, in Ness’ blood.  

Ness was then transported to the Daviess County Jail and remanded to the jail staff without incident.

Assisting at the scene of the traffic stop was Trooper Beau Brumett and the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office

All suspects are innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

At approximately 8:30 p.m. last night, a Philpot, Kentucky man found himself being arrested after being stopped for speeding and having a headlight out.

Arrested and Charged was Robert Colton Newton, 23, Philpot, KY

• Dealing Marijuana– Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Marijuana– Class B Misdemeanor
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated—Class A Misdemeanor
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated with a controlled substance-Class C Misdemeanor

Trooper Steve Nolan was conducting traffic patrols on State Road 66 near the Warrick/Spencer County line when he stopped a vehicle for traveling 73 mph in a 60 mph zone and for having a headlamp out.  

As Trooper Nolan was speaking with the driver he noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.  Trooper Nolan also noticed that the driver, Newton, 23, Philpot KY showed signs of being impaired.

After conducting Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, Trooper Nolan determined that Newton was impaired and detained him so a chemical test could be conducted.  A search of the vehicle revealed a large plastic bag containing marijuana, over $1,500 in cash and other items commonly associated with the use and sales of illegal drugs.

A chemical test was conducted, however, the results will not be known for some time as they are sent to the Indiana Department of Toxicology for analysis.

Newton was transported to the Spencer County Jail and remanded to the custody of the jail staff without incident.

Assisting at the scene: Trooper Nathaniel Kern and the Spencer County Sheriff’s Office

 All suspects are innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law

It’s been a busy day for the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Salem Police Department as well as other emergency services in the county including the ambulance staff and fire departments. 

Slick roads contributed to dozens of vehicles in accidents throughout the day, include a pile up on Leer Hill between Borden and Pekin that left 10 vehicles damaged and State Road 60 closed for a few hours this morning.  Traffic was backed to to Pekin and Borden on both sides of the accident. 

In about 12 hours, the departments have responded to 11 accidents resulting from slick roads to the wintrymix we received overnight. 

A large structure fire was also reported at Salem Hardwood Lumber and was contained during this time.

“Remind everyone to slow down and drive carefully,” said Washington County Deputy Sheriff Brent Miller. “There is a lot of emergency vehicles on the road. Watch out for them. Allow a little travel time to get to your destination and be careful.” 

Here’s a rundown of the accidents that were worked this morning:

• 6:34 am, Slide off on the Bypass,  (1) vehicle,  no injuries, worked  by Salem Police  Dept.
• 6:35 am, (3) Accident on State Road 60 E and Leer Hill, involving (5) vehicles,  all vehicles  were damaged,  no injuries worked by New Pekin Marshal  Jeff Thomas.  (3) Other vehicles  slid off on Leer Hill with no damage  or injuries, assisted  by members  of the Pierce/Polk Volunteer Fire Department.
• 6:59 am, Slide off on the Bypass,  (1) vehicle,  no damage,  no injuries, no officer required
• 7:49 am, Accident on Shorts Comer  Road, (2) vehicles  were damaged,  no injuries, worked  by Chief Deputy  Brent Miller
• 8:12 am, Accident involving (3) vehicles,  all vehicles  were damaged,  no injuries, worked by Mark Blackman, assisted by members  of the Pierce/Polk Volunteer Fire Department.
• 8:13 am, (2) Accident at State Road 60 and Voyles  Road, involving (5) vehicles,  all vehicles  were damaged,  (2) patients  were transported to St. Vincent  by the Washington County  Ambulance Service  for treatment of non-life  threatening injuries, worked  by Mark Blackman,  assisted  by members  of the Pierce/Polk Volunteer Fire Department.
• 8:56 am, (3) Slide offs on State Road 66, no damage  to vehicles  and no injuries, worked by Captain  Ryan Larrimore
• 9:04 am, Slide off on Conway  Church  Road, (1) vehicle  with minor  damage  and no mjunes
• 9: 19 am, Slide off on Vincennes Trail, (1) vehicle  with minor  damage  and no injuries, worked  by Chief Deputy  Brent Miller
• 10: 13 am, Accident  on Hardinsburg/Livonia Road (1) semi-tractor and trailer  over turned with no injuries, worked  by Captain Ryan Larrimore
• 12:13 pm, Accident  on Mt. Carmel  Road, (1) vehicle  with damage,  no injuries, worked by Lieutenant Wayne Blevins

Roads recovered when temperatures hovered around 30-32 degrees in the afternoon, but side roads were still slick in spots. 

Thursdays temperatures are expected to be in the upper 30s with 52 predicted for Friday. 

Another round of wintry mix of rain and sleet is set for Sunday afternoon. 

Salem Schools are exploring e-learning for students to complete their homework during days when the area is experiencing inclement weather and schools need to be closed for safety. 

Salem Schools Superintendent Lynn Reed appeared on the monthly educational segement, EDUCATION WEDNESDAY on WSLM 97.9 FM and WSLM 1220 AM. 

She said Salem Community Schools will host a community involvement dinner on March 6 at Salem High School at 6p.

“There will be a link online to RSVP and tickets will be created so the school will have an idea how many will be participating,” she said. “The dinner is free and open to the public.”

“After a spaghetti dinner, we will have a short, but informative program and explain how our first e-learning day will work,” said Reed. “With this first dinner, we will explain that next year, individual schools will be having these dinners each semester so the parents/students/community will have the opportunity to attend 6 different dinners and learn about what is going on in the schools.”

In 2009 changes in the rules for textbook funding opened the door to technology in Indiana schools.

In the eight years since, Indiana school corporations have greatly expanded the technology which students and teachers access for learning.

According to the Indiana Tech Plan data, over half of all corporations brought their student/device ratio up to 1:1 at either all or some grade levels.  

This access to devices spurred innovative ways to engage students and teachers outside of the traditional day and place through virtual options for learning.

These experiences brought about the IDOE Flex Program, launched in 2011, and the Virtual Option for Inclement Weather, launched in 2014.

With these programs, school corporations designed and implemented blended learning experiences for all students and met the IDOE criteria for eLearning Days (listed below).

Through interaction with the corporations approved for Flex and the Virtual Option over the past six years, it has become clear that having the capacity to utilize digital tools for learning away from the classroom, and for all students, is the same regardless of the reason for doing so.

With that in mind, beginning with the 2017-2018 school year we have combined the Flex and Virtual Option programs into the IDOE eLearning Day Program.

The new IDOE eLearning Day Program can be used on a day of inclement weather, on a make-up day for inclement weather, or on a planned day for a myriad of valid opportunities, ie: professional learning for teachers, parent meetings, etc.

School corporations must still meet the IDOE criteria, fill out an online application, and receive approval from the IDOE Office of eLearning in order to utilize eLearning Days.