Yesterday afternoon, just before 6 pm, an investigation between the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section and the ISP Bloomington District ACES (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section), concluded with the arrest of two local residents for dealing methamphetamine. 

ISP ACES members Trp. Zach Parker and Trp. Matt Harris conducted traffic stops on two vehicles on Bloomington’s south side involved in dealing methamphetamine. 

The first vehicle was operated by Tanner Wessell 26, of Bloomington.  During a search of Wessell’s vehicle, troopers located approximately 50 grams of crystal methamphetamine, along with heroin and a handgun.  

The second vehicle was operated by Daniel Boyer, 24 of Bloomington.  During the search of Boyer’s vehicle, approximately 14 grams of methamphetamine was recovered.  Trooper’s also located 4 firearms in Boyer’s vehicle, two which had been reported stolen.

Both Wessell and Boyer were arrested on dealing and possession of methamphetamine charges.  Both were incarcerated at the Monroe County Jail.

Anyone with illegal drug information is encouraged to contact the Bloomington Indiana State Police Post at 812-332-4411. Your tip can remain anonymous and could save lives!

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Country music superstar Brad Paisley has announced the continuation of his highly successful Weekend Warrior World Tour with dates added in 2018.

The 27-date tour will kick-off on January 25 in Los Angeles at the STAPLES Center and extend through April, with more dates to be added.

The tour will stop at Louisville’s KFC Yum! Center on March 23. Special guests will be RED BOW Records hit-maker Chase Bryant and fast-rising star and multi-instrumentalist Lindsay Ell.

The 2018 Weekend Warrior World Tour is promoted by Concerts West/AEG Presents.  Ticket on-sale information will be released soon.

Brad Paisley is a consummate singer, songwriter, guitarist and entertainer whose talents have earned him numerous awards, including three GRAMMYs, two American Music Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards and 14 Country Music Association Awards (including Entertainer of the Year), among many others.

He has been a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2001. Paisley has written 21 of his 24 #1 hits including his most recent smash, “Today.” The song resonated with fans around the globe with the music video garnering over 43 million views, so far.

“Heaven South” is his current single from his 11^th studio album, LOVE AND WAR, which was released April 21. It is his 9^th consecutive studio album to debut #1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. On April 28 LOVE AND WAR was released as country music’s first ever visual album for a limited time exclusively on Apple Music and now is available on VEVO. 

Paisley contributed two instrumental tracks to the Disney·Pixar movie Cars 3, which hit theaters on June 16. He also has a song, “Stubborn Angels,” in the movie Same Kind of Different as Me, in theaters now.

Paisley has partnered with Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare, and Sony Music Nashville, by launching 2017 Band Against Cancer. The campaign will spread the word of community-based treatment, options and support.

Sarah Cannon has adopted Paisley’s #1 hit “Today” as the campaign’s 2017 theme song. Paisley has partnered with Boot Barn® and developed an exclusive line of jeans, hats, T-shirts, jewelry, belts and woven shirts called Moonshine Spirit by Brad Paisley. Connect with Brad at www.BradPaisley.com, www.Facebook.com/BradPaisley, on Twitter @BradPaisley, on Instagram @Brad Paisley, and YouTube at YouTube.com/BradPaisley.

For the first time since 2003, the American Heart Association is updating the comprehensive guidelines for blood pressure and hypertension.

According to a release from the AHA, patients with a blood pressure reading of 130/80 should now be considered to have hypertension, or abnormally high blood pressure. Previously, a blood pressure level of 140/90 was the baseline for being diagnosed with hypertension.

The new AHA guidelines for diagnosing hypertension are listed below.

• Normal: Less than 120/80 mm Hg;
• Elevated: Top number (systolic) between 120-129 and bottom number (diastolic) less than 80;
• Stage 1: Systolic between 130-139 or diastolic between 80-89;
• Stage 2: Systolic at least 140 or diastolic at least 90 mm Hg;
• Hypertensive crisis: Top number over 180 and/or bottom number over 120, with patients needing prompt changes in medication if there are no other indications of problems, or immediate hospitalization if there are signs of organ damage.

The new guidelines from the AHA mean that nearly half of all American adults — 46 percent — suffer from hypertension. By the AHA’s old standards, 32 percent of American adults suffered from high blood pressure. 

“We want to be straight with people – if you already have a doubling of risk, you need to know about it,” said Dr. Paul K. Whelton, the lead author of the AHA’s new guidelines. “It doesn’t mean you need medication, but it’s a yellow light that you need to be lowering your blood pressure, mainly with non-drug approaches.”

Dr. Willie Lawrence, for the American Heart Association was a guest on WSLM’s Coffee Club morning show program this morning. In 2011, The AHA named Dr. Lawrence its national Physician of the Year.

Lawrence provided these details:

• High blood pressure accounts for the second-most heart disease and stroke deaths among preventable causes. It’s second only to smoking.
• About 85 million Americans have high blood pressure, but only half have the condition under control
• High blood pressure is a leading risk factor for stroke. It also leads to heart attacks, heart failure, vision problems and even sexual dysfunction.
• High blood pressure prevalence is highest among African Americans, as is stroke prevalence.

Despite an increase in the amount of Americans with high blood pressure, the AHA hopes their new guidelines mean there will be only a small increase in the amount of patients requiring medication. The Association now generally recommends that patients with Stage 1 hypertension only be prescribed medication in the event of a heart attack or stroke, and they’re also recommending that pharmaceutical companies combine multiple blood pressure drugs. 

The AHA also hopes the new guidelines encourage patients to monitor their blood pressure at home, away from a stressful setting like a doctor’s office that can skew a single blood pressure test.

According to the AHA, the new guidelines were developed by 21 science and health experts who reviewed more than 900 published studies.

At approximately 8:20 this morning, Oaktown-Busserson Township and Washington Township Fire Departments were dispatched to a residential fire at 308 Raymond Street in Oaktown.

While firefighters were inside extinguishing the fire they found Jeanette Rickard, 70, in the living room.

She was deceased. Preliminary investigation indicates the fire originated in the living room where Rickard was found.

An autopsy was conducted earlier today and according to the Knox County Coroner, Rickard died from smoke inhalation. Her manner of death was ruled accidental.

 Investigating Agency: Indiana State Police – Master Trooper Jim Dotson

                                     Indiana State Farm Marshal’s Office

                                     Brian Hagen, Knox County Coroner

 Assisting Agencies: Oaktown-Busseron Township Fire Department

                                 Washington Township Fire Department

                                  Knox County EMS