INDIANA — The Indiana Department of Transportation is scheduling a full call-out of plow trucks throughout the state in anticipation of icy conditions during Friday morning’s commute. Weather forecasts are calling for rain, followed by freezing rain and snow. 

INDOT has 1,092 snow plows across the state and drivers will be in place along 929 designated snow routes in advance of the approaching winter storm. INDOT subdistrict garages will be fully staffed with mechanics until operations have concluded. Drivers and mechanics will work 12-hour shifts as long as needed. 

State highways and interstates will be treated continuously with granular salt along snow routes during tomorrow morning’s “rush hour” to minimize iced-over pavements.

INDOT officials advise motorists to leave early, drive slowly and be on constant alert for icy patches and black ice on roadways. Take it slow when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady areas – all are hot spots for black ice.

Tomorrow afternoon’s commute will be impacted by significant snowfall and drivers are urged to give plow truck drivers plenty of room to maneuver. Remember to stay out of drivers’ “blind spots” and allow ample time to make the trip and arrive safely. 

Yesterday afternoon a 29-year-old Underwood man was arrested in Clark County for possession of used syringes, Heroin and drug paraphernalia 

Shortly after 4:00 pm, Trooper Zach Smith stopped a vehicle on Interstate #65 South near the 11 Mile Marker in Clark County for a traffic violation.

During the course of the traffic stop trooper Smith observed a syringe and suspected drug paraphernalia within the driver’s vehicle.

As the stop progressed trooper Smith found out the driver, Anson Barthold, 29, from Underwood, IN, was driving while having a suspended driver’s license.

A search of the vehicle revealed over 14 used syringes and other drug paraphernalia.

Barthold was placed under arrest and transported to the Clark County Jail without incident.

He was charged with Possession of a Syringe, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Possession of Paraphernalia and Possession of a Narcotic Drug, (alleged Heroin).

The Indiana State Police discovered a meth lab in Hanover and arrested two, including one man from Hanover.

On January 9th, 2018, Troopers from the Indiana State Police All Crimes Policing Team and Deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff Department received information that a wanted individual was staying at 4303 W. SR 256. Hanover, Indiana.  

When officers arrived they found drug evidence lying in plain view outside of the residence.  Officers applied for a search warrant for the residence, which was ultimately granted.  

The Jefferson County Emergency Response Team was summoned to scene to assist with clearing the residence.  

One individual was located in the residence and the homeowner returned to the scene as the situation progressed.  

During a search of the residence, officers located items used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine, methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and stolen property.  

Both the individual in the residence and the homeowner were arrested for drug related charges.  The wanted individual that officers were initially searching for was not located.

ARRESTED:

Michael D. Brown, age 46, 4303 W. SR 256, Hanover, IN

Charges:         Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Level 4 Felony

                        Dealing Methamphetamine, Level 5 Felony

                        Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony

                        Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Level 6 Felony

                        Possession of a Syringe, Level 6 Felony

                        Possession of Stolen Property, 2 Counts, A Misdemeanor

Amanda G. Caudill, age 37, Woodlawn, VA

Charges:         Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 6 Felony

                        Possession of a Syringe, Level 6 Felony

                        Visiting a Common Nuisance, B Misdemeanor

The suspects were transported and processed at the Jefferson County Jail.  The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, The Jefferson County SWAT team, and the Jefferson County Animal Control Department.

Last night at approximately 8:00, Trooper Brent Gramig stopped the driver of a Ford Mustang on Washington Avenue east of U.S. 41 for improper registration.  The driver was identified as Joshua Hernandez, 21, of Evansville. 

Trooper Gramig immediately detected a strong odor of marijuana inside the vehicle. Gramig searched the vehicle and discovered a small amount of marijuana, digital scales and a 9 mm Smith and Wesson pistol.

Further investigation revealed Hernandez did not have a permit to possess the firearm and he has never received a driver’s license. He also refused to submit to a chemical test. 

Hernandez was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held without bond.

Arrested and Charges:

• Joshua Hernandez, 21, of Evansville, IN

1. Driving While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
2. Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor
3. Possession of Paraphernalia, Class A Misdemeanor
4. Possessing a handgun without a Permit, Class A Misdemeanor
5. Operating a Vehicle without ever Receiving a Driver’s License, Class A Misdemeanor 

Arresting Officer: Trooper Brent Gramig, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officer: Trooper Ross Rafferty, Indiana State Police 

Assisting Agency: Evansville Police

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.