The intersection of State Road 60 East and James Street was closed for about 40 minutes this morning, while the Washington County Sheriff’s Department investigated a two vehicle crash.

Both driver’s were transported to St. Vincent for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

Deputy Lucas Gray is the investigating officer and was assisted by the Salem City Police Department, the Indiana State Police Department, the Salem Fire Department and the Washington County Ambulance Service. 

Online financial literacy courses are now being offered to high school students at no cost through the Indiana Moneywise initiative, according to State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford).

After starting as a pilot program in six Indiana counties during the 2016-2017 school year, Secretary of State Connie Lawson is expanding the Indiana Moneywise Financial Education Program statewide to all Indiana high school students. These web-based courses focus on banking, credit scores, consumer protection, higher education expenses, insurance and taxes, investing, payment types, renting versus owning and savings plans.

“High school students are approaching a time in their lives when they often have to begin making important financial decisions for themselves,” May said. “Providing free classes educating them on a variety of related topics can help them to make these decisions confidently and build a strong foundation for their futures.”

May said the program is available to students in grade levels 9-12, and consists of nine course modules, which take 45-50 minutes each to finish.
“Currently, 52 percent of Hoosiers lack a rainy day fund to cover unexpected emergency expenses,” Lawson said. “Not being prepared for unexpected expenses can financially cripple an individual for years to come and costs them thousands in interest and fees. By teaching students to be financially fit, they will be better prepared to make decisions now that will help them achieve future goals such as applying for financial aid or buying a home.”

The web-based curriculum is derived from state and national financial education standards and adequately prepares students to be responsible for their financial future.

To find out more about the program, visit www.in.gov/sos/indianamoneywise/4495.htm.

State Rep. Chris May (R-Bedford) represents House District 65, which includes all of Brown County, most of Lawrence County and parts of Monroe, Jackson and Johnson counties.

A water leak in the 4300 block of State Road 46 West has resulted in a boil order for a number of customers of Nashville Utilities.

This includes:

• • 3272 State Road 46 West to 4440 State Road 46 West;

• • 3484 Hickory Hill Drive to 3772 Hickory Hill Drive;

• • 4023 Yellowwood Road to 4995 Yellowwood Road;

• • 3465 Somerset Lake Road to 4292 Somerset Lake Road;

• • 3599 Cardinal Drive to 3749 Cardinal Drive;

• • 3505 Mockingbird Lane to 3609 Mockingbird Lane;

• • 2095 Bambi Lane to 3463 Bambi Lane;

• • 86 & 772 Yellowwood Lake Road

• • 1399 Jackson Creek Road

Residents and businesses in these areas should boil all cooking and drinking water through 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1.

Customers with questions should call Nashville Utilities at (812) 988-5526.

The Indiana Department of Transportation, Indiana State Police and Indiana Criminal Justice Institute urge drivers to watch for little ghouls and goblins trick or treating on Indiana streets this Monday evening, Oct. 31. Look out for abnormal traffic patterns as drivers turn to visit friends and family, or stop to allow pedestrians to cross.

INDOT, ISP and ICJI offer parents the following tips to protect the safety of Indiana’s smallest pedestrians:

Driving Tips

• Drive slowly and don’t pass stopped vehicles. The driver might be dropping off children.
• Park your mobile phone. Avoid distractions by waiting until you’ve stopped to call or text.
• Watch for children darting into the streets. Kids can cross the street anywhere, and most young pedestrian deaths happen in spots other than intersections.
• Yield to young pedestrians. Children might not stop, either because they don’t see your vehicle approaching or they may not know how to safely cross the street.
• Communicate with other drivers. Always use your turn signals, and if you pull off or pick up your kids, turn on your hazard lights.

Costume Tips

• Keep costumes short to prevent trips and falls.
• Try face paint instead of a mask. Masks often obstruct a child’s vision, which makes tasks like crossing the street and going up and down stairs dangerous.
• Make sure children wear light colors or put reflective tape on their costumes.
• Costume props, such as swords, knives, etc., should be short, soft and flexible.

Trick or Treating

• Make sure older children trick or treat with friends. Together, map out a safe route so parents know where they will be.
• Instruct children to stop only at familiar homes where the outside lights are on.
• Encourage children to trick or treat while it’s still light out. If children are out after dark, make sure they have flashlights and travel on well-lighted streets.
• Remind children not to enter the homes or cars of strangers.
• Remember to walk and not run, use sidewalks and cross at crosswalks when possible
• Follow your community’s trick-or-treating hours.

Treats

• Remind children not to eat any of their treats until they get home.
• Check out all treats at home in a well-lighted place.
• Only eat unopened candies and other treats that are in original wrappers. Remember to inspect fruits for anything suspicious.

Homeowners should keep walkways clear of obstacles and well lighted. Keep lit candles and other luminaries away from areas where children will be.
Many communities, schools and churches offer children safe alternatives to trick-or-treating designed to keep children safely within parents’ view. Some hospitals and schools allow children to trick or treat by going from room to room, virtually eliminating the dangers associated with being out walking on the street after dark.
For more information, please visit ISP’s Halloween Safety web page at www.in.gov/isp/2900.htm. 

Early Friday morning at approximately 1:05, Trooper Zackary Fulton was patrolling St. Joseph Avenue near Delaware when he observed a vehicle traveling north with only one operating headlight.

Trooper Fulton stopped the vehicle at Thornton’s gas station on St. Joseph Avenue at Maryland Street.

The driver was identified as Keenan McDaniel, 19, of Evansville. His passenger was identified as Devon Ranes, 18, of Evansville. While talking to McDaniel, Fulton detected an odor of marijuana inside the vehicle.

McDaniel, who has a valid Indiana permit to carry a gun, was wearing a Smith and Wesson 9 mm pistol on his right hip. Troopers did not locate any marijuana inside the vehicle, but they found a Keltec .32 caliber pistol on the passenger floorboard.

Further investigation revealed the Keltec pistol was reported stolen out of Henderson, KY and the Smith and Wesson 9 mm pistol was reported stolen out of Vanderburgh County.

McDaniel and Ranes were arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where they are currently being held on bond.

Arrested and Charges:

• Keenan McDaniel, 19, Evansville, IN

1. Theft

• Devon Ranes, 18, Evansville, IN

1. Theft
2. Carrying a Handgun without a Permit 

Arresting Officer: Trooper Zackary Fulton, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officer: Trooper Taylor Fox, Indiana State Police  

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.    

Applications will be accepted beginning on November 1st

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) has announced dates for the 2017-18 Winter Assistance Program through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The program begins November 1, 2017 and concludes May 18, 2018.

Beginning November 1st, applications will be accepted by community-based organizations under contract with IHCDA. These 21 community organizations referred to as “Local Service Providers” (LSPs) cover all 92 Indiana counties. Individuals seeking assistance can apply in person, on-line herebeginning November 9th, through the mail-in or at another subcontractor at the location that services their county.

The LIHEAP Block Grant is a non-competitive, federally funded block grant offered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). LIHEAP provides financial assistance to low-income households to maintain their home utility services.

Since July 1, 2006, the block grant has been administered by IHCDA. During the 2016-17 Winter Assistance period that ended on May 13, a total of 101,300 households were served and received an average benefit of $510.

2017-18 Energy Assistance Program Dates

November 1, 2017 – Statewide start of the Heating Assistance Program and the State Energy Assistance Program.

December 1, 2017 – Clients with active service and have approved EAP applications are protected from disconnection through March 15, 2017.

March 15, 2018 – Moratorium Protection ends; utility companies will begin disconnecting services that are not current.

May 18, 2018 – Winter benefit ends; last day for clients to apply or complete a pending application.

Evansville – Lieutenant Brian Bailey, Commander of the Evansville District, welcomes four new troopers to the Evansville District.  

On October 19, 33 troopers graduated from the Indiana State Police Recruit School after completing 24 weeks of intense training that exceeded 1,000 hours. Some subject areas of training included criminal and traffic law, crash investigations, emergency vehicle operations, defensive tactics, firearms, and a host of other subjects related to modern policing.

Each graduating trooper was assigned to one of 14 State Police Posts across Indiana. The troopers will now spend the next three months working side by side with a series of experienced Field Training Officers. Upon successful completion of field training, the new troopers will be assigned a state police vehicle and will begin solo patrol in the Evansville District.

New Troopers at Evansville:

• Kyle Otolski, 23, is a native of Evansville and a 2013 graduate of Harrison High School. He later attended Anderson University where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Otolski currently resides in Evansville and will primarily patrol Warrick County.

• Jonathan Lukeman, 24, is a native of Evansville and a 2011 graduate of Central High School. He attended Ivy Tech Community College and received an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He currently resides in Vanderburgh County and will primarily patrol Gibson County.

• Daltyn Backes, 24, is a native of Evansville and a 2012 graduate of F.J. Reitz High School. He also attended University of Southern Indiana where he majored in Criminal Justice.  Backes currently resides in Evansville and will primarily patrol Posey County.

• Chase Eaton, 21, is a native of Petersburg and a 2014 graduate of Pike Central High School. He later attended Vincennes University and received an Associate’s Degree in Law Enforcement. Eaton spent nearly three years as a correctional officer and dispatcher at the Pike County Sheriff’s Department before joining the Indiana State Police.  Eaton currently resides in Otwell and will primarily patrol Pike County.