The 45th annual Indiana High School Athletic Association Sectional Pairings Show will be broadcast on WSLM 1220 AM and 97.9 FM this Sunday at Noon. 

The program will also be streamed from wslmradio.com and the Mixlr app. 

The program will last two hours and conclude at approx. 2p. 

Classes 1A through 5A will begin sectional play on October 20 and continue on Oct. 27 and Nov. 3.  Class 6A play will be Oct. 27 and Nov. 3. 

All games will start at 7p and will cost $6 per person. 

Determining Home Team
First Round: The second-named team in the blind draw is host school unless the two teams agree to switch the site.
Semifinals: The team without a home game will host. Exception: The bye team will always be the visitor. If both teams were hosts or both were visitors, the second-named team in the quarter bracket will host. In 6A & 5A, in the four team sectionals, the second-named team will host.
Championships: Host team will be the team that has played the most away games. If both teams have played the same number of away games, the bottom bracket team shall host.

Class 6A (32 schools)
1. (4): Crown Point, Lake Central, Merrillville, Portage.
2. (4): Chesterton, Penn, Valparaiso, Warsaw Community.
3. (4): Carroll (Fort Wayne), Fort Wayne Northrop, Fort Wayne Snider, Homestead.
4. (4): Carmel, Lafayette Jefferson, Noblesville, Westfield.
5. (4): Fishers, Hamilton Southeastern, North Central (Indianapolis), Pike.
6. (4): Ben Davis, Lawrence Central, Lawrence North, Warren Central.
7. (4): Avon, Brownsburg, Perry Meridian, Southport.
8. (4): Center Grove, Columbus North, Franklin Central, Jeffersonville.

Class 5A (37 schools)
9. (4): LaPorte, Michigan City, Munster, South Bend Adams.
10. (5): Concord, Elkhart Central, Elkhart Memorial, Fort Wayne North Side, Goshen.
11. (4): Harrison (West Lafayette), Huntington North, Kokomo, McCutcheon.
12. (5): Anderson, Greenfield-Central, Muncie Central, New Palestine, Zionsville.
13. (5): Decatur Central, Indianapolis Arsenal Technical, Indianapolis Cathedral, Plainfield, Roncalli.
14. (5): Bloomington North, Bloomington South, Franklin Community, Martinsville, Whiteland Community.
15. (5): Bedford North Lawrence, Columbus East, Floyd Central, New Albany, Seymour.
16. (4): Castle, Evansville North, Terre Haute North Vigo, Terre Haute South Vigo.

Class 4A (64 Schools)
17. (8): East Chicago Central, Gary West Side,  Griffith, Hammond, Hammond Gavit, Hammond Morton, Highland, Lowell.
18. (8): Hobart, Kankakee Valley, Mishawaka, New Prairie, South Bend Clay, South Bend Riley, South Bend St. Joseph, South Bend Washington.
19. (8): Angola, Culver Academies, DeKalb, East Noble, Northridge, NorthWood, Plymouth, Wawasee.
20. (8): Columbia City, Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger, Fort Wayne South Side, Fort Wayne Wayne, Jay County, Leo, Logansport, New Haven.
21. (8): Delta, Frankfort, Lebanon, Marion, Mississinewa, Pendleton Heights, Western, Yorktown.
22. (8): Beech Grove, Connersville, Greenwood Community, Mooresville, Mt. Vernon (Fortville), New Castle, Richmond, Shelbyville.
23. (8): East Central, Edgewood, Franklin County, Jennings County, Madison Consolidated, Scottsburg, Silver Creek, South Dearborn.
24. (8): Boonville, Evansville Bosse, Evansville Central, Evansville F.J. Reitz, Evansville Harrison, Jasper, Northview, Owen Valley.

Class 3A (63 Schools)
25. (8): Andrean, Benton Central, Calumet, Hammond Clark, Hanover Central, Twin Lakes, West Lafayette, Wheeler.
26. (8): Blackford, Brebeuf Jesuit, Crawfordsville, Guerin Catholic, Hamilton Heights, North Montgomery, Northwestern, Southmont.
27. (8): Fairfield, Glenn, Jimtown, Knox, Maconaquah, Mishawaka Marian, Peru, Tippecanoe Valley.
28. (8): Bellmont, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers, Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran, Garrett, Heritage, Lakeland, Norwell, West Noble.
29. (7): Indian Creek, Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, Indianapolis Broad Ripple, Indianapolis Cardinal Ritter, Indianapolis Manual, Indianapolis Northwest, Rushville Consolidated.
30. (8): Brown County, Danville Community, Greencastle, Monrovia, South Vermillion, Sullivan, Tri-West Hendricks, West Vigo.
31. (8): Batesville, Brownstown Central, Charlestown, Corydon Central, Greensburg, Lawrenceburg, North Harrison, Salem.
32. (8): Evansville Memorial, Gibson Southern, Heritage Hills, Mt. Vernon, Pike Central, Princeton Community, Vincennes Lincoln, Washington.

Class 2A (63 Schools)
33. (7): Boone Grove, Gary Roosevelt, Hammond Bishop Noll, Lake Station Edison, North Newton, River Forest, Whiting.
34. (8): Bluffton, Bremen, Central Noble, Manchester, Prairie Heights, Wabash, Whitko, Woodlan.
35. (8): Cass, Delphi Community, Eastbrook, Eastern (Greentown), Oak Hill, Rensselaer Central, Rochester Community, Taylor.
36. (8): Alexandria, Elwood Community, Frankton, Lapel, Madison-Grant, Northeastern, Shenandoah, Winchester Community.
37. (8): Centerville, Eastern Hancock, Heritage Christian, Indianapolis Scecina, Knightstown, Milan, Triton Central, Union County.
38. (8): Cascade, Cloverdale, Indianapolis Washington, North Putnam, Park Tudor, Speedway, Tipton, Western Boone.
39. (8): Clarksville, Crawford County, Eastern (Pekin), Mitchell, Paoli, Perry Central, Providence, Switzerland County.
40. (8): Evansville Mater Dei, Forest Park, Linton-Stockton, North Knox, North Posey, South Spencer, Southridge, Tell City.

Class A (62 Schools)
41. (8): Caston, Culver Community, LaVille, North Judson-San Pierre, South Central (Union Mills), Triton, West Central, Winamac Community.
42. (8): Carroll (Flora), Frontier, Lafayette Central Catholic, North Miami, North White, Pioneer, South Newton, Tri-County.
43. (8): Adams Central, Churubusco, Eastside, Fremont, Northfield, South Adams, Southern Wells, Southwood.
44. (8): Anderson Preparatory Academy, Clinton Central, Clinton Prairie, Monroe Central, Sheridan, Tri-Central, Union City, Wes-Del.
45. (7): Covenant Christian (Indianapolis), Indiana School for the Deaf, Indianapolis Arlington, Indianapolis Howe, Indianapolis Shortridge, South Putnam, Tindley.
46. (8): Cambridge City Lincoln, Edinburgh, Hagerstown, Indianapolis Lutheran, North Decatur, Oldenburg Academy, South Decatur, Tri.
47. (8): Attica, Covington, Fountain Central, North Vermillion, Riverton Parke, Rockville, Seeger, Turkey Run.
48 (7): Eastern Greene, North Central (Farmersburg), North Daviess, Springs Valley, Tecumseh, West Washington, Wood Memorial.

Senator Todd Young today released the following statement after President Donald Trump’s speech in Indianapolis outlining the details of his tax reform plan.

“President Trump made a convincing case today that this tax reform package will boost the economy and increase the take-home pay of every Hoosier. For the first time in 30 years, the prospects for a simpler tax code that lowers taxes for the working class and provides relief for small business owners looks good. Let’s seize this opportunity and deliver on our promises to the American people.”

While traveling with President Trump on Air Force 1, Senator Young also spoke with President Trump about the need for key infrastructure investments in Indiana, including Northwest Indiana’s South Shore double-tracking project and West Lake Corridor project. Senator Young said the following about that conversation.

“President Trump knows we need to make a significant investment in America’s infrastructure and he was receptive to the case I made for rail projects in Northern Indiana, locks and dams to move our home-grown goods, and rural broadband to keep Indiana connected to the world. I’m excited to work with the President on this issue and optimistic that we will get bipartisan support in Congress.”

Indiana Conservation Officers have been investigating Brownsburg Taxidermy located in Brownsburg, IN for the past year and a half.    

The owner of the business, Kevin McGrotty allegedly collected thousands of dollars from his clients and has guaranteed his clients completed work, but has failed to do the work he has promised. 

In all, Kevin has collected over four thousand dollars from sixteen victims that have called in and complained. 

Mr. McGrotty is being charged with sixteen counts of Theft and one count of Corrupt Business Practices (Level 5 Felony).  Mr. McGrotty’s taxidermist license has been revoked as a result of this investigation.
 
On Sept 26 Indiana Conservation Officers and Hendricks County Sheriff’s detectives served arrest and search warrants on Mr. McGrotty and his Taxidermy business.  Officers seized hides, mounts and antlers of customers that had paid Mr. McGrotty to complete taxidermy work on, but had never received their completed work.
 
Mr. McGrotty still has several hundred other hides, specimens and antlers he has yet to complete the taxidermy work on.  The involved agencies are asking for the patience of those individuals who still have property at Brownsburg Taxidermy.  All of the articles in the shop will need to be inventoried and recorded.  Customers will be notified when they will be able to recover their property.
 
The charges filed against Mr. McGrotty are merely allegations. Under the Constitution of Indiana and the United States Mr. McGrotty is innocent of these allegations and will remain so unless or until they are proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court of law.
 

Oil and gas scheme spanned 9 states, victimizing 10 investors for 3 million dollars

After a four year investigation by Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson’s office and a two and half year prosecution by Floyd County Prosecutor Keith Henderson, 15 people have been convicted of securities related charges. The investigation began when oil and gas investments in Earth Energy Exploration attracted the attention of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

When the FBI shifted attention to other related cases, the Secretary of State’s office was notified and assumed the case. Sifting through bank accounts and a number of investor complaints, the office was able to piece together the framework of a massive criminal enterprise.

The scheme began in 2007, when David Rose, founded Earth Energy Exploration, Inc., which offered investments in oil exploration and production companies. Rose hired employees to make cold calls to potential victims. Once an individual showed some interest, a closer would take over the call to get the victim to agree to invest and send money. The money was not invested as promised. Instead, it was used for the personal expenses of Earth Energy Exploration employees and laundered into related businesses.

“It took my team years to uncover the true nature of the scheme,” said Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson. “This was homegrown organized crime that spread through 9 states with a base in New Albany, Indiana. The convoluted scheme used Wyoming as a mail drop and Indiana as a base for calls, with investors stretching from Pennsylvania to Texas. With so many intricate details, this was not an easy case to prosecute. I appreciate Prosecutor Henderson’s leadership and dedication to pursuing justice for victims.”

Rose and his partners made several unusual attempts to increase their income, including the creation of an adult film organization that they would push to potential oil exploration investors. When these ventures sagged, they sent employees to Las Vegas to try and recoup losses through gambling, which backfired.

“This was a massive amount of information to sift through and a tremendous amount of credit goes to Charlie Williams and the entire Secretary of State investigative team,” said Floyd County Prosecutor Henderson. “I am pleased we were able to get convictions on all 15 defendants.

“This case should serve as a reminder that all potential investors should call the Secretary of State’s office to verify an investment advisor and the investment are registered and that potential defendants who want to prey on investors should be aware they will be prosecuted and held accountable.” 

In addition to the Secretary of State’s office and the Floyd County Prosecutor, the Secret Service, and the FBI helped with this case. Thanks to the work of numerous members of law enforcement agencies, this scheme has come to a halt, leading to the arrest and convictions of those involved.

The names and sentences of those prosecuted in this case are below in alphabetical order.

• Thomas Berry provided assistance to Brian Rose and pled guilty to corrupt business influence. Berry was sentenced to 4 years, 1.5 to be served in prison and 2.5 on probation.
• David Brown was a sales closer and pled guilty to aiding the sale of unregistered securities. Brown was sentenced to 4 years in prison.
• Richard Collins was a sales closer and pled guilty to aiding the sale of unregistered securities.  Collins was sentenced to 6 years in prison.
• Bruce Fox was a president of Earth Energy Exploration, Inc. and pled guilty to securities fraud and the sale of an unregistered security.  Fox was sentenced to 6 years in prison and returned $5000 to victims.
• Brent Loveall acted as a sales closer and pled guilty to acting as an unregistered broker-dealer.  Loveall was sentenced to 6 years in prison.
• Robert McGregor was a sales closer and pled guilty to the sale of unregistered securities.  McGregor was sentenced to 4 years with 18 months of probation.
• Keith Mohney was a CPA and the Earth Energy Exploration, Inc. tax preparer.  He pled guilty to aiding the sale of unregistered securities. Mohney was sentenced to 4 years with 4 years of probation.
• Colin Purcell pled guilty to aiding securities fraud.  Purcell was sentenced to 3 years with 3 years of probation and returned $5000 to victims.
• Brian Rose, an owner of Earth Energy Exploration, Inc, pled guilty to securities fraud and corrupt business influence.  Brian Rose was sentenced to 8 years in prison with 2 years’ probation and returned $25,000 to victims.
• David Rose, who was a leader of the scheme, pled guilty to securities fraud and was sentenced to 8 years, 4 of which will be executed in prison.
• Hugh Sackett was a sales consultant and pled guilty to aiding the sale of unregistered securities. Sackett was sentenced to 4 years in prison with 2 years of probation and returned $6000 to victims.
• Jeffery Smith laundered money for Brian Rose and pled guilty to conversion. He was sentenced to 1 year and returned $1000 to victims.
• Jason Towe was a sales closer and a president of Earth Energy Exploration, Inc, he pled guilty to corrupt business influence. Towe was sentenced to 4 years with 4 years of probation and returned $15,000 to victims.
• Mandy Ward-Rose ran a small pornography company and wrote investment paperwork for Earth Energy Exploration, Inc.  She pled guilty to theft and was sentenced to 3 years, while returning $22,000 to victims.
• Michael Wood was a president of an Earth Energy Exploration, Inc affiliate company and pled guilty to aiding the sale of unregistered securities.  Wood was sentenced to 4 years in prison.

Governor Eric Holcomb has declared September 24-30, 2017 as Indiana Rail Safety Week in conjunction with U.S. Rail Safety Week that will take place in all 50 states. Our goal is to increase rail safety awareness by working together on national rail safety week. Indiana State Police, Indiana Department of Transportation, local law enforcement and railroad companies have partnered together to raise awareness about the dangers of disregarding railroad crossing laws and trespassing on railroad property.

“Train versus car collisions are completely preventable,” states Jessica Feder, Executive Director, Indiana Operation Lifesaver.  “Indiana law enforcement agencies and railroad special agents will be out monitoring railroad crossings and checking for trespassers during rail safety week. We want the public to know how important it is to pay attention at railroad crossings and that trespassing on railroad tracks and property is dangerous and illegal.” 

Indiana Operation Lifesaver has scheduled numerous enforcement blitzes throughout the state involving law enforcement agencies. There will also be PSA’s throughout the state, safety information distributed at college campuses, booths at statewide festivals and events, social media campaigns, messages on the INDOT dynamic highway signs, banners on train locomotives and “See Tracks? Think Train!” signs at crossings where multiple train versus vehicle collisions have occurred. Indiana Operation Lifesaver is taking a proactive lead in the elimination of crossing collisions and trespasser fatalities.

In 2016, there were 116 railroad crossing collisions resulting in 36 people injured and 10 fatalities in the state of Indiana. Indiana is currently ranked 4th nationally for railroad crossing collisions. The Hoosier State had seven trespasser deaths last year as well as 12 injuries. 

“We are constantly striving to improve our statistics with both crossing collisions and trespasser incidents,” said Jessica Feder. “We encourage everyone to take these warning devices seriously and pay attention at all railroad crossings. It’s the law and it could save your life!”

Indiana Operation Lifesaver is a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating collisions, deaths and injuries at highway-rail grade intersections and on railroad rights-of-way through public education, engineering and enforcement.  To learn more about Indiana Operation Lifesaver, please visit us online at www.oli.org or call 812-528-4327.