The Indiana Department of Transportation plans to complete its “routine and fracture-critical” inspections of the Sherman Minton bridge next week. Contracted inspection teams will be onsite at the Interstate 64 Ohio River bridge between New Albany and Louisville–weather permitting—Monday through Wednesday (NOV 27-29).

INDOT officials do not anticipate a need for lane restrictions.

Earlier this year, these biannual inspections led to repairs of floor beams and stringers.

Indiana—under its agreement with Kentucky—is charged with inspecting, rehabilitating and maintaining the I-64 Sherman Minton bridge. The cost is split between the two states. Meanwhile, INDOT has full responsibility for approach bridges over land on the Indiana side. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is responsible for the approach bridge on the Kentucky side.

East End Bridge Restrictions

Preventative maintenance activities are scheduled to occur on the Kentucky side of the I-265 East End bridge next Tuesday and Wednesday nights (NOV 28 & 29) between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. There will be lane restrictions—both northbound and southbound—as needed.

All City of Salem and Washington County Government Offices will be closed on Thursday, November 23rd and Friday, November 24th in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.

The City of Salem recycling for Thursday, November 23, 2017 (Thanksgiving Day) will be picked up on Wednesday, November 22, 2017.

All Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicle (BMV) branches will be closed Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Branches resume regularly scheduled business hours on Saturday.

The Washington County Landfill will be closed on Thursday, for Thanksgiving Day and Friday. Since this is the fourth Saturday, the landfill will be closed until Monday, Nov. 27.  

The Orleans Town Water Department will be flushing hydrants today through Wednesday. This may cause a temporary discoloration of the water.

The water is safe for drinking but may discolor clothes washed in it. Residents should flush their systems by running fixtures, including the washing machine etc. until the water clears.

The town regrets any inconvenience these process may cause, and thanks residents for their patience and cooperation. Questions may be directed to the Orleans Town Offices, 812 865-2539.

Yesterday evening just before 10 o’clock, Trooper Gabe Bault conducted a traffic stop for a violation along South Rogers Street, near Rockport Road. 

Upon his approach to the stopped vehicle, Trooper Bault detected the odor of marijuana. 

During the course of the traffic stop, other indicators of criminal activity were also observed. 

A search of the vehicle revealed not only the marijuana, but also methamphetamine, three different types of controlled substance pills and drug paraphernalia.

The driver, Michael Reynolds, 53 of Bloomington was arrested and incarcerated at the Monroe County Jail on the following drug related charges;

• Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 felony)
• Possession of Schedule 2 Controlled Substance (Level 6 felony)
• Maintaining a Common Nuisance (Level 6 felony)
• Possession of Schedule 4 Controlled Substance (Class A Misdemeanor) (2)
• Possession of Marijuana (Class A Misdemeanor)
• Possession of Paraphernalia (C Misdemeanor) 

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating after a Borden man was fatally injured while deer hunting Sunday evening. 

The victim, Thomas Zimmerman, 58, of Borden, was hunting on private property in southern Harrison County near Elizabeth when the incident occurred.   
 
At approximately 6:40 p.m., Indiana Conservation Officers were notified, along with other responders, after Zimmerman was located unresponsive by other members of his hunting group. 

Zimmerman was hunting from an elevated ladder type tree stand. 

Because of his position in the stand, Indiana Conservation Officers and the other responders had to utilize a rope and pulley system to lower Zimmerman to the ground.
 
Zimmerman died due to a close range gunshot wound to the head. 

No foul play is suspected.  The investigation is ongoing pending findings on toxicology and other tests.
 
Assisting agencies included the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, Harrison County EMS, Harrison County Coroner, and Boone Township Volunteer Fire Department.
 
Indiana Conservation Officers urge everyone hunting from an elevated stand to always use a safety life-line while hunting, check their equipment before each use, and provide a hunt plan and location to someone in case of emergencies.

According to Salem Walmart Human Resources Director Brad Gilbert, a scam is circulating around Salem. 

“We’ve had two people who have come in to purchase a Green Dot gift card to send to an attorney in order to get their grandchildren out of jail,” said Gilbert. 

Apparently, someone is calling residents in Washington County and preying on the elderly, telling them a grandchild is in jail and needs bail money. 

The person pretends to be an attorney and asks the grandparents to go to Walmart and purchase a Green Dot gift card and either call back with the account information or asking them to wire the money to an account. 

“They ask to either load the card or a Walmart gift card with funds or to wire the money to another Walmart store,” said Gilbert.

Gilbert said two people tried to purchase funds from the local store yesterday to send to the fictitious attorney. 

“We have an assistant manager who is a former police officer and he talked to the people and said, hey, let’s call where they say your grandson is in jail and see what’s going on. You don’t wire money to an attorney who’s waiting for it. Thankfully they caught it in time,” said Gilbert. 

Gilbert said similar scams have been tried in other communities, but felt it was being tried in Washington County since there is a Walmart located here now. 

If anyone gets a suspicious call, please call the Washington County Sheriff’s Department at 812.883.2834.

“At this time of year (or anytime) we don’t want anybody in our community to be taken advantage of,” said Gilbert. “These people are preying on peoples’ concerns for their grandchildren.”