On Wednesday morning, State Senator Erin Houchin (R-Salem) held a meeting at the Salem City Hall with Indiana Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe McGuinness to discuss safety concerns at the Salem Bypass.

Senator Houchin and Commissioner McGuinness were joined by Salem Mayor Troy Merry, Clerk-Treasurer Sally Hattabaugh, members of the Salem City Council, Washington County Commissioners, representatives from the Sheriff’s Department, and local business leader, John Jones.

“Our community is rightfully concerned about safety at the Salem Bypass. In just a short time, we have experienced numerous accidents, one fatality, and even more close calls,” Houchin said. “While some safety measures have been put in place, we wanted to invite INDOT Commissioner Joe McGuinness to personally survey the bypass, and discuss further options with local leaders.”

A number of possible safety options were discussed, including adding overhead caution or traffic lights, an overpass interchange, or a roundabout. 

The group also urged INDOT to implement temporary measures such as additional rumble strips and signage while a long-term solution is vetted.

“All options will be explored in the coming months,” Houchin said. “The safety of our community is a top priority, and I thank Commissioner McGuinness for hearing our concerns and working toward a solution.  I also want to thank our community leaders for their ongoing commitment to this effort as well.”

WSLM contacted INDOT to inquire into the status of the safety of the bypass and the possibility of installing traffic lights at the intersections. 

“The bypass has been a long time coming to the community,” said Becky White, WSLM General Manager. “But without effective traffic control, it seems incomplete and after the loss of one life and multiple close calls, it’s time to do something to ensure the safety of the lives of our residents.”

White received a response from the Seymour district: 

“Your inquiry was sent to the Traffic Investigations Department and their Engineer has reported back that he has conducted a crash history of the intersection as well as analyzed numerous safety improvements for the intersection of State Road 60 and the Salem Bypass.

“INDOT has installed Stop Ahead warning signs and pavement markings, flashers on the warning signs, oversized stop signs, flashing stop signs, and rumble strips to alert drivers of the upcoming intersection.

“INDOT is looking to program an intersection improvement project for a future year that will further improve the safety of the intersection for years to come.”

Indiana Conservation Officers are assisting Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department with the investigation of a stabbing that occurred this afternoon at Grouse Ridge Public Fishing Area. 
 
Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department was notified at approximately 4:30 p.m. by Ashley Horn, 29, of Columbus, who claimed her estranged husband, Taylor Horn, 32, of Columbus, attacked and stabbed her friend. She also claimed that Horn damaged and pushed her vehicle from the parking area. 
 
The victim was flown to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis and is currently undergoing surgery for a stab wound to his abdomen.
 
Horn turned himself in to the Sheriff’s Department and was arrested and preliminarily charged with battery with a deadly weapon.  

Both departments will continue the investigation.
 
 All charges are merely accusations and all subjects are assumed innocent until proved guilty.

A State Trooper’s vehicl was struck yesterday afternoon when a suspect rammed into it in Vigo County.

Preston Craig Lee, age 30, of Terre Haute, IN was arrested and taken to Vigo County Jail. 

He was charged with:

Theft (Felony); Resisting Law Enforcement (Felony); Residential Entry(misdemeanor); Criminal Trespass (misdemeanor); Criminal Mischief (misdemeanor) Operating While Intoxicated (Felony) Operating While Intoxicated Endangerment (misdemeanor); Operating While Intoxicated Schedule I or II (misdemeanor).

On Tuesday, August 8th, at 4:30 in the afternoon, Indiana State Police Master Trooper Matt Ames responded to a residence in Idle Creek subdivision on a burglary in progress call.  

Once in the area he observed a white male walking from the residence towards a gold SUV. Trooper Ames approached the SUV in an attempt to speak with the individual, however the male subject got in the gold SUV and sped off.  

Trooper Ames activated his emergency lights and sirens in an attempt to stop the vehicle but the subject ignored the activation of the emergency lights and sirens.

Sheriff Ewing with the Vigo County Sheriff’s office was in the area and observed what was taking place and assisted Trooper Ames in the pursuit.

At one point the vehicle was stopped by a train. Trooper Ames again gave verbal commands that went ignored.

The driver of the gold SUV then put the vehicle in reverse and rammed Trooper Ames’ patrol vehicle.

The train then cleared the tracks and the driver then drove on the tracks where the vehicle became stuck.

Trooper Ames approached the vehicle and was able to gain access to the vehicle and take the driver into custody. There are no injuries to report.  

Assisting were ISP Troopers Erik Smith, Rondell Shelton, Courtland Woodruff and Sergeant Chris Wright. Also assisting were Sheriff Greg Ewing, Deputy David Ewing, and Deputy Chase St. John with the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office.  

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

Washington County Sheriff’s Department is joining about 220 law-enforcement agencies across Indiana and thousands nationwide in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign.

From mid-August through the Labor Day Weekend, police will be out in full force, arresting impaired drivers by aggressively targeting those who put lives in danger. Expect to see increased sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols and saturation patrols.

“If you drive impaired, our officers are trained to spot you and take you to jail. Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over means zero tolerance,” said local law enforcement leaders.

“These enforcement efforts save the lives of impaired drivers, their passengers and others out on the road.”

In every state and the District of Columbia, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. In Indiana, drivers under 21 with a BAC of .02 or higher are subject to fines and a license suspension for up to 1 year.

A DUI arrest means going to jail and losing your driver’s license. The average DUI cost? About $10,000, including car towing and repairs, attorney fees, fines, court costs, lost time at work and other hefty expenses.

Indiana law-enforcement agencies have participated in the annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign for more than 20 years. Overtime patrols are supported with federal highway safety funds administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. For more information, visit http://one.nhtsa.gov/drivesober.

With all of today’s options for getting home safely, there’s no excuse for getting behind the wheel impaired as it endangers you and everyone else around you. Law enforcement recommends these safe alternatives to impaired driving:

• Designate, or be, a sober driver.
• Use public transportation.
• Call a cab or a ridesharing service.
• Download the SaferRide mobile app on the Android Play Store or the Apple iTunes Store. This simple app only has three options: call a taxi, call a friend, and identify your location for pickup.
• Celebrate at home or a place where you can stay until sober.
• Throwing a party? Offer non-alcoholic beverages and plenty of food.
• Never provide alcohol to minors.
• Ask young drivers about their plans.
• Friend or family member about to drive? Take the keys and make alternate arrangements.

Motorcyclists have the reputation for being tough, but no one is tough enough to withstand the effects of impaired riding. Motorcycles make up about 3 percent of registered vehicles, but are dramatically over-represented in fatal crashes involving alcohol. The more that bikers drink, the less likely they are to
wear their helmets.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has released a new “Man in the Mirror” video with a biker judging whether he is sober enough to ride:

https://youtu.be/V– qw9N00KM.

Report impaired drivers

Impaired driving is three times more common at night than during the day. If you see an impaired driver, turn off the road away from the vehicle and call 911. Signs of impaired driving include:
 Weaving, swerving, drifting, or straddling the center line
 Driving at a very slow speed
 Braking erratically
 Making wide turns
 Stopping without cause
 Responding slowly to traffic signals
 Driving after dark with headlights off
 Almost striking an object or vehicle
 Driving on the wrong side of the road
 Turning abruptly or illegally

O’Bannon Woods State Park is looking for past
Wyandotte Cave Guides to come and celebrate the
reopening of Wyandotte Cave, Saturday, August 26th.

With the stories, photos and past history of the Wyandotte Caves being shared since it’s reopening, O’Bannon Wood State Park will host its first Wyandotte Cave Guide Reunion.

They are looking for past Wyandotte Cave guides to come and share even more stories, photos, and reminisce from their experience guiding underground at one of the area’s largest historical caves.

Please let them know that you were once a
guide and would like to attend this reunion by RSVP to the O’Bannon Woods State Park office at 812-738-8232 to find out more details.

The Wyandotte Caves are now back up and running during the summer from Memorial Day through Labor Day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

O’Bannon Woods State Park is located 10 miles west of Corydon, Indiana, on Highway 462, off StateHighway 62.