A Cloverdale woman died as a result of driving into a pond this afternoon.

Putnam County Coroner David Brown has released the victim’s name. 

Lavada Anne Boyette, age 56, of rural Cloverdale, IN. Family has been notified. 

This afternoon at 12:48, Indiana State Police and several other emergency agencies responded to the area of US 231 and County Road 1300 South for a report of a vehicle that ran off the roadway and into a pond.

Moments before this crash, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a victim reporting they were ran off the road by another vehicle in the area of this event. 

Indiana State Police Senior Trooper John Myers arrived on scene at 1:02 and was met by Cloverdale Police Chief Steve Hibler and Officer Rick Lambert. The trio braved the ice and made their way across the approximately 30 feet of frozen area to the vehicle.

The same officers broke out the driver’s side rear window, unlocked the driver’s door, and pulled the unresponsive female from her vehicle.

The officers and now fire-rescue personnel, initiated efforts to revive the victim. She was then transported to Putnam County Hospital for treatment and later pronounced deceased. 

Indiana Conservation Officer divers Lieutenant Kent Hutchins and Sergeant Chris Springstun arrived moments later, donned their water rescue gear and entered the frigid water to check for other victims.

No other victims were found. The ICOs remained at the scene to assist with vehicle recovery efforts from the water. 

Preliminary investigation revealed the southbound 2013 Honda Pilot traveled off the east edge of US 231 for an unknown reason. The Honda continued a southeasterly course for approximately 600 feet before coming to rest in the pond. 

At this time, troopers do not know why the Honda Pilot left the roadway. Investigation is ongoing with an autopsy scheduled tomorrow morning at Terre Haute Regional Hospital with Pathologist Dr. Roland Kohr.  

The crash was investigated by ISP Senior Trooper John Myers. Assisting were ISP Troopers DuJuan Presley-McFadden and Ryan Winters, Putnam County Sheriff’s deputies, Cloverdale Police, Cloverdale Fire/Rescue, Putnam County EMS, and Putnam County Coroner’s Office. 

The Indiana State Police is asking for the public’s help in finding those involved in stealing a used pickup truck this past Sunday from a used car dealership in Columbia City.

According to Detective Andrew Mills, at approximately 10:20 p.m. on Sunday, January 7, 2018 a Dodge Dakota pickup truck pulled into the lot of Bart’s Car Store located at 3536 Lincoln Way in Columbia City.  Two people exited the truck and proceeded to steal a dark gray colored 2004 Ford F-250 Super Duty Lariat.  Photographs of the suspect’s Dodge Dakota and the actual Ford F-250 which was stolen are provided.

Mills is asking anyone with any information at all to contact him through the Indiana State Police Post in Fort Wayne at either (260) 432-8661 or (800) 552-0976 (Indiana only). 

Anonymous tips will be accepted.

Sen. Erin Houchin has filed with the Indiana Secretary of State’s Office for re-election to the State Senate.

“When I was sworn into office in November of 2014, I pledged to fight for the people of Senate District 47 – never forgetting whom I represent, and the values we share,” said Houchin. 

Houchin is currently serving in her first term, and represents District 47, which includes Crawford, Orange, Harrison, Perry and Washington counties, and eastern Dubois County.

“Serving my community has been rewarding, and I am proud of what we have accomplished together. We have made positive things happen for Southern Indiana, but there is still more to be done.”

Houchin helped to create balanced budgets for Indiana every year of her term and voted to support a Balanced Budget Amendment to Indiana’s State Constitution. For her work on expanding access to affordable and efficient broadband services to underserved areas, she was named ‘Legislator of the Year’ in 2015 by the Indiana Broadband and Technology Association.

In 2017, her work to provide law enforcement the tools necessary to protect us, and require that drug dealers receive tougher penalties for their crimes, earned her the ‘Legislative Excellence Award’ from the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council.

She has maintained a 100 percent voting record on Right to Life issues, and passed the only pro-life legislation in the 2017 Legislative Session.

“It is my honor to serve in the State Senate, and I am incredibly blessed to have this opportunity,” said Houchin. “Indiana is a great place to live, work, and raise a family – and I look forward to working to make it even better in the months and years to come.”

Houchin currently serves on the Commerce & Technology, Elections, Family & Children Services, Tax & Fiscal Policy, and Utilities Committees, and is a former Chairman of the Indiana Commission for Improving the Status of Children.

She also serves as the Assistant Majority Whip for the Republican Caucus.

She lives in Salem with her husband, Dustin, and their three children.

Washington County Positions Illegible For the Spring Primary 2018

The following offices are open to for those seeking election in the upcoming May Primary. The filing period began today and will continue through Friday, Feb. 9 at noon.

Future candidates can file their declaration of candidacy form as well as other necessary documents to the clerk’s voter services office.

Those who are interested in updating their voter registration can do so by visiting Indianavoters.com, as well as contacting the voter services office.

Early voting in the clerk’s office will start on April 10 th and will go until noon on May 7 th .

The clerk’s office and voter service is located in its new location at 801 S. Jackson Street, in the Washington County Justice Center.

Prosecuting Attorney

Auditor

Recorder

Sheriff

Assessor

Washington County Commissioners

Commissioner District 2

Washington County Council

• Council District 1
• Council District 2 
• Council District 3
• Council District 4

All Township Trustees

All Township Advisory Boards 

Town of Campbellsburg

• Clerk/Treasurer
• Town Council 

Town of New Pekin

• Clerk/Treasurer
• Town Council 

East Washington School Corporation

• Franklin Township Seat
• Jackson Township Seat
• Pierce Township Seat

Salem Community Schools

• At-Large Seat 1
• At-Large Seat 2
• At-Large Seat 3

West Washington School Coporation

• At-Large Seat
• Brown Township Seat
• Howard Township Seat
• Town of Campbellsburg Seat

State Convention – Republican

• All At-Large (10 seats)

State Convention – Democrats

• All At-Large (7 Seats)

Precinct Committeemen – Democrats

• All Precincts

The Washington County Clerk’s Office is now accepting paperwork from individuals interested in running for elected offices during the 2018 election.

Future candidates can file their declaration of candidacy form as well as other necessary documents to the clerk’s voter services office.

The filing period will close on Friday, February 9 th , at noon.

“We’re excited to utilize our new voter services room this year,” said Clerk Sarah Milligan. “I think the new setup will make for a smoother process when people come to register to vote or to vote absentee in the office.”

Voter registration from the primary election will end on April 9 th .

Those who are interested in updating their voter registration can do so by visiting Indianavoters.com, as well as contacting the voter services office.

Early voting in the clerk’s office will start on April 10 th and will go until noon on May 7 th .

The clerk’s office and voter service is located in its new location at 801 S. Jackson Street, in the Washington County Justice Center.