A reward is being offered for information about the 2016 death of a French Lick man.

Investigators say there is now a $5000 reward being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the death of 66-year-old James A. Bryson of French Lick. 

Bryson was found deceased on December 27, 2016 at 11387 West County Road 50 South in French Lick, after concerned family members asked police to check on Bryson’s welfare. 

Bryson was last seen on December 24, 2016, three days prior to being found.

State Police investigators, along with grieving family members, are pleading for information that may help solve this case. 

Anyone with even the smallest piece of information is asked to contact the Indiana State Police Jasper Post by calling 1-812-482-1441.

A South Bend man, last night, was arrested on the Indiana Toll Road for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) with minors in the vehicle, OWI Prior Conviction, Dealing Marijuana, and Operating without receiving a Driver’s License.

Preliminary investigation by Trooper Alaa Hamed revealed at approximately 10:26 p.m,, yesterday, July 4th, 2017, evening, he was sitting stationary on the Indiana Toll Road in the cross over at the 2.5 mile marker (this is 2 ½ miles east of the Indiana/Illinois state line). 

Hamed observed a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu east bound in the left lane at a high rate of speed. 

Hamed was able to obtain a clock with his radar of 108 miles per-hour in a well posted 70 miles per-hour zone.

As Hamed was going after the Malibu with his emergency lights and siren on he watched the Malibu make an unsafe lane movement and nearly sideswipe another car.

After stopping the Malibu, Hamed noticed a female passenger in the front seat, and a male passenger and three children in the rear passenger seats. 

The children ages were 15, 13 and 5 years old.  The 5 year old was sitting in the lap of the male rear passenger (child’s father).

The driver, identified as Steven P. Smith (by his Indiana Identification Card) 37 of South Bend, IN, had an overwhelming odor of alcoholic beverage and slurred speech. 

Further investigation revealed that Smith refused to submit to a chemical test and that he had approximately 15 grams of marijuana individually packaged on his person.

Smith was taken and incarcerated at lake County Jail in Crown Point and was charged with:

• Operating While Intoxicated with minor in car-Level 6 Felony
• Operating While Intoxicated Prior Conviction-Level 6 Felony
• Dealing Marijuana-Class A Misdemeanor
• Operating without receiving a license-Class C Misdemeanor

The car and occupants were turned over to the male passenger who was a valid driver and sober.

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

Music industry leader Big Machine Label Group is the new entitlement sponsor of the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, one of the crown jewels of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

This year’s race, scheduled for Sunday, July 23 at IMS, will be called theBig Machine Brickyard 400. The chart-topping country star, signed to BMLG’s Valory Music Co. imprint, will attend the event and perform for fans during pre-race celebrations.

More details about the multi-year agreement, including plans for the 2018 Big Machine Brickyard 400, will be announced at this year’s race.

“I’m very excited to officially announce that Big Machine and Brantley Gilbert are joining the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 2017 Brickyard 400 NASCAR race!” said Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta. “Racing has always been part of Big Machine’s DNA, and we’re thrilled to partner with the world’s most iconic racing brands.”

Said Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles: “We have enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Big Machine, and we’re thrilled to see that expand through this very unique entitlement sponsorship. This partnership will bring a big-name artist our fans know and love to IMS, enhancing what already is one of NASCAR’s marquee event weekends.”

Founded in 2005, Big Machine Label Group is an independent record label headquartered in Nashville. In addition to Gilbert, the artist roster includes superstars such as Taylor Swift, Reba McEntire, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Rascal Flatts, Danielle Bradbery, The Cadillac Three, Justin Moore, Ronnie Dunn, Jennifer Nettles, Eli Young Band, Drake White, Brett Young, Tucker Beathard and A Thousand Horses.

Gilbert has emerged as one of the most exciting, energetic solo artists in country music since the 2009 release of his debut album “Modern Day Prodigal Son.” His second album, “Halfway To Heaven,” was re-released in 2011 and reached No. 2 on the Billboard U.S. Country chart, producing two No. 1 singles on Hot Country Songs chart he wrote – “Country Must Be Country Wide” and “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do.” The Georgia native followed up his 2013 ACM New Male Vocalist Award win with the chart-topping album “Just As I Am” in May 2014. Featuring two No. 1 singles, “Bottoms Up” and “One Hell of an Amen,” “Just As I Am” earned Gilbert the American Music Award for Favorite Country Album.

Gilbert’s fourth studio album, “The Devil Don’t Sleep,” climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard U.S. Country chart after its release in January 2017, marking his second straight No. 1 record.

The 24th annual Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400 race weekend features more attractions and entertainment than ever July 21-23.

400 Fest, a new, two-night concert at IMS, is scheduled for Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22. The event features six global music superstars over two nights, with Major Lazer headlining July 21 and The Chainsmokers headlining July 22. Visit www.400fest.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

Another off-track attraction is the return of the annual IMS Hauler Parade, featuring a special “NASCAR Fan Fest” that will bring the stars of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series to Speedway’s Main Street for an afternoon and evening of fun and engaging activities Friday, July 21.

On the famous 2.5-mile oval, practice for the Lilly Diabetes 250 NASCAR XFINITY Series race will take place Friday, July 21. Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying for the Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400 and qualifying and the race for the Lilly Diabetes 250 are set for Saturday, July 22 at IMS.

The Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400 will start at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, July 23, featuring all of the stars of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The race also will mark the final IMS start of popular NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is retiring after this season.

Visit IMS.com to purchase tickets for all 2017 IMS events, including the Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400 and Lilly Diabetes 250 on July 21-23, and for more information on all events.

Yesterday, at approximately 1:00 pm, the Indiana State Police and Switzerland County Sheriff’s Department responded to a two vehicle crash on State Road 156 near Concord Road that claimed the life of a Monticello, Indiana man.

The initial investigation by Trooper Matt Holley with the Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team determined that a 2004 Harley Davidson motorcycle being driven by Steven W. Adams, age 60, Monticello, Indiana was traveling eastbound on State Road 156 when a deer ran into the path of the motorcycle. 

The motorcycle struck the deer, causing Adams’ passenger, Deborah A. Bloch, age 50, Monticello, Indiana to be thrown from the vehicle. 

Adams and the motorcycle then crossed into the westbound lanes of State Road 156 where the motorcycle was struck by a westbound 2008 Chevrolet Equinox being driven by Michele L. Disney, age 63, Milan, Indiana.

As a result of the collision, Adams suffered fatal injuries.  He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Switzerland County Coroner. 

Bloch was flown to University of Cincinnati Hospital with serious injuries. 

Disney was uninjured in the collision.  Neither Adams nor Bloch were wearing helmets.  Disney was wearing a seatbelt.  Alcohol and drugs are not believed to be factors in the crash.

The crash investigation is ongoing at this time.

The Adams family has been notified.

Trp. Holley was assisted by the Switzerland County Sheriff’s Department, Switzerland County EMS, Posey Township Fire Department, Air Methods Medical Helicopter, and the Switzerland County Coroner’s Office.

The Fourth of July holiday ended abruptly for a Huntingburg man, as he spent the remainder of his night in the Daviess County Jail on impaired driving charges.

Arrested and Charged was Russell J. Morris, 57, Huntingburg, IN. 

– Operating While Intoxicated, Controlled Substance, Class A Misdemeanor

– Reckless Driving, Class B Misdemeanor

At 11:27 P.M. Tuesday night, Trooper Beau Brumett observed a blue 2006 Toyota Tacoma driving on State Road 257 at over 100 miles per hour.  

Brumett stopped the Toyota on SR257 near County Road 650 North. 

While speaking with Morris, Brumett believed Morris was driving his vehicle while impaired.  

After testing at Daviess Community Hospital in Washington, Morris was found to be under the influence of THC and opiates.

Morris was transported to the Daviess County Jail without incident and charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving.