Memorial Day weekend traditionally starts off the summer travel season, and this season is shaping up to be the busiest in years.

AAA expects a million more motorists on the road over last year and the most travelling around the US in a decade (see graphic). 

Many activities and events are happening all over Indiana this weekend. With that in mind, the Indiana State Police, would like to remind all motorists that there will be extra troopers on the roadways this upcoming holiday weekend. 

Troopers will be working federally funded overtime during the “Click it or Ticket” Campaign and Operation CARE, or Combined Accident Reduction Effort, to help insure safe family travel.

The “AAA” Motor Club suggests leaving early if planning to travel this holiday weekend, as they are predicting that 39.3 million Americans will be traveling. The increase is expected to be the highest volume for holiday travel since 2005. 

With the expected increase in traffic, it’s important that motorists follow the safety tips below:  

·   Obey all speed limits and always use your turn signals.

·   Never drink and drive-If celebrating make sure to have a designated driver.

·   Make sure everyone is buckled up and children are properly restrained in child seats.

·   Always watch for and expect slowed or stopped traffic ahead, especially when approaching construction zones.

·   When stopped in traffic be watchful of traffic approaching from behind and be ready to take evasive action if it appears traffic is approaching too fast to stop.

·   If you’re planning to travel a long distance, make sure you are well rested.   A fatigued driver is as dangerous as an impaired driver.

·   Avoid tailgating.  Remember the two-second rule, and always increase following distance in construction zones.

·   Leave early, expecting heavy traffic, and give yourself extra time to reach your destination.

·   Remember to ALWAYS SLOW DOWN AND MOVE OVER for emergency, utility and highway service vehicles.

For more summer travel safety tips please visit http://www.in.gov/isp/2968.htm

 KFC Yum! Center and AEG Facilities’ commitment to strengthen community outreach continues with sponsoring 30-50 children from Metro Parks during the Robbie Valentine Summer Basketball Camp. 

There will be three camps throughout June and July.

During the camps, participants will receive instruction from experienced coaching staff including Robbie Valentine, Chris West and Milt Wagner from the University of Louisville 1986 Championship team, Joe Estes of Loyola University, Corey Clark from the University of Kentucky, Brooke Valentine and Brittany Weaver from Bellarmine University with special guest appearances, including by Hall of Fame Coach Denny Crum, throughout the week.

WHO:                          Boys and Girls Ages 6-16 by the start of the camp date

WHEN:                       June 5-8

                                    June 12-15

                                    July 24-27

TIME:                          9AM-3PM (9AM-12PM for half day)

                                    Drop off will begin at 8AM

WHERE:                     KFC Yum! Center

                                    1 Arena Plaza, Louisville, KY 40202

COST:                        $150 per camper for full week ($80 for half day sessions)

                                    Registration is open now through the first day of camp. Register HERE.

This afternoon, at approximately 1:30 pm, the Indiana State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on I-65 near the 58 mile marker in Bartholomew County that resulted in the driver of one vehicle being transported to an Indianapolis hospital for treatment.

According to the initial investigation by Master Trooper Tommy Walker, a 2012 Freightliner pulling a box trailer being driven by John G. Olson, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin was traveling northbound on I-65 near the 58 mile marker. 

For an unknown reason, Olson’s vehicle crossed through the median and into the southbound lanes of I-65. 

His vehicle then made contact with a southbound 2006 Toyota SUV being driven by Wendy L. Crowder, age 50, Veedersburg, Indiana. 

Olson’s vehicle again entered the median before coming to a stop.  Crowder’s vehicle came to a stop on the shoulder of I-65.

As a result of the collision, Crowder sustained serious injuries. She was transported by air care to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Her condition is unknown at this time.  Olson was uninjured in the crash.

Olson’s trailer contained a load of potatoes that shifted during the crash.  I-65 traffic was slowed in both directions for nearly six hours while crews worked to offload the potatoes before removing the vehicle from the median.

The investigation is ongoing.

Trp. Walker was assisted by other troopers with the Indiana State Police, the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department, Wayne Township Fire Department, Columbus Regional EMS, and 31 Wrecker Service.

An early morning crash Thursday between Jasper and Ferdinand claimed the life of a Spencer County woman and left her husband in critical condition.

Police are currently looking for witnesses of the crash, who they believe might have seen someone who was involved. 

At 4:30 A.M. this morning, 18-year-old Katherine Wire was driving southbound on State Road 162 less than a mile south of State Road 64.  

Investigators believe that Wire had noticed a vehicle suddenly slowing to a stop in front of her, and applied the brakes of her 2003 Ford Explorer. 

While braking, the Ford pulled to the left and crossed the center line, striking a northbound 1997 Chevrolet Malibu head on. 

The impact crushed the driver’s side of the Chevrolet prior to the Chevrolet leaving the east side of the roadway.  Wire’s Explorer spun and came to rest in the northbound lane nearly 200 feet south of the point of the crash.

The driver of the Chevrolet, 40-year-old Raven Waninger, did not have time to react to the oncoming Ford prior to being struck. 

She was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Dubois County Coroner’s Office.  Her passenger and husband, David Waninger, was transported to Memorial Hospital in Jasper where he was listed in critical condition.  Wire was also transported to Memorial Hospital for injuries but was later released.  All three occupants were wearing seatbelts.

Investigators believe there was a possible witness to the crash that did not speak to officers at the scene.  Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information is asked to contact Sgt. Philip Hensley at the State Police Post in Jasper by calling 812-634-5520.

The crash remains under investigation by the State Police.  ISP was assisted at the scene by the Dubois County Sheriff’s Department, Ferdinand Police Department, Ferdinand and St. Anthony Fire Departments, Memorial Hospital EMS and the Dubois County Coroner’s Office,

According to Washington County Historian Jeremy Elliott, this is the old home-place of Harvey Morris Esq. & Martha Tucker Morris that sits on the corner of Main Street and Hackberry/Hwy.56, now lived in by Mrs. Ginger Morris. 

Harvey was a local attorney and occasional author, (including; Washington County Giants and Washington County’s Underground Railroad), a grandson of county pioneer, Benoni & Rebecca (Trueblood) Morris. 

Martha, also was a granddaughter of early pioneers, James and Sarah (Huston) Tucker and the daughter of Judge Tucker. 

Martha is considered to be the original matriarch of our county historical society, serving as president and for many years as the driving force of the organization, preventing it’s demise. 

She also served as the Vice President of the Indiana Historical Society and was the Genealogical Editor for the Indiana Magazine of History and the Indianapolis Star. 

Martha was also instrumental in the organization of the Salem Public Library. 

Harvey & Martha’s benevolence ensured the survival of the Washington County Historical Society for over 2 decades.

Estin Ervin Martin, age 91 of Borden, Indiana, passed away on May 24, 2017 at his residence. Born on November 28, 1925 in Washington County Indiana, he was the son of the late Emmett Martin and Ivy K. Metzger Martin.

Estin was a member of the Memphis Church of Christ. He was a Timber Buyer for over 50 years.

Survivors include, 2 sons, Barry Lee Martin, and Donivan Ray Martin and his wife Martha; daughter, Melanie Beth Martin Mitchell and her husband Dennis; step children, Allen Morris, LuAnn Metcalf, Peggy Rice, and Doug Morris; 19 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Preceded in death by 2 wives, Leeta I. Martin, and Charlene Martin; sister, Evelyn Hancock.

The funeral service will be at 11:00 AM Friday at the Hughes-Taylor Funeral Home in Borden.

Viewing will be from 2-8 PM Thursday and Friday from 9:00 AM until time of service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Martinsburg Cemetery. Brian Anderson will officiate.

A Hardinsburg, Indiana man is in jail this evening on charges of battering his step-children.

Devin Wilson, 22, Hardinsburg, was arrested and charged with Battery on a Child Less than 14 Years of Age Causing Serious Bodily Injury (x2), Level 5 Felony

On April 12, Trooper Brock Werne began assisting the Indiana Child Protective Services with an investigation involving a five-year-old girl, who had allegedly been struck with a belt.

Through the course of the investigation, Werne learned that the child’s stepfather, Wilson, had not only struck the five-year-old, but also struck his 19-month-old stepdaughter with a belt, hard enough to leave markings on her back side.

After turning the case over to the Orange County Prosecutor’s Office on May 9^th, a warrant for Wilson was issued on May 22^nd for two counts of Battery on a Person Less than 14 Years of Age Causing Injury. 

Werne and Trooper Steven Sexton arrested Wilson today outside the Orange County Courthouse without incident. 

He was transported to the Orange County Jail where he is being held on a $300,000 cash bond.

Here is a comprehensive list of items that can be donated to flood victims and where you can bring them.

The Washington County Family YMCA will accept bottled water and cleaning supplies for distribution to workers and residents affected by the flood. 

CLOTHING DONATIONS:

C.A.R.E PREGNANCY CENTER- Maternity and Children’s clothing up to size 6

607 W Market St, Salem, IN 47167

(812) 883-2675

Open M 10-3, T 10-6, Th 10-3, F 10-3pm

http://www.carepregnancysalem.org/

CLOTHED IN CHRIST:

Located at Southern Hills Church, Attn: Jessica McKinely

Hwy 135 N Salem, IN 47167

812-883-1637

KAY’S CLOSET:

Located at First Christian Church open every Wednesday 12-3 pm

305 E. Walnut Street Salem, IN 47167

812-883-4506

Furniture, toys, clothes, etc.

GOODWILL INDUSTRIES:

400 S. Main Street Salem, IN 47167

812-883-2779

Open M-Sa 9am-9pm, Sun 11a-7p

FINANCIAL DONATIONS

SEND TO:

Emergency Flood 2017

Clerk Treasurer’s Office, Attn: Sally Hattabaugh

201 E. Market Street #101

Salem, IN 47167

812-883-4264

If you are unable to directly drop off donations at the organizations above, please contact the YMCA at 812-883-YMCA to coordinate arrangements.

OTHER RESOURCES

RESIDENTIAL ASSISTANCE

RED CROSS – Initial referral Brandy Graham- Disaster Program Specialist

812-265-3818

812-701-3818- cell

RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

Washington County Emergency Management (EMA)

801 South Jackson St.

Salem, IN 47167

• Desi Alexander- EMA Director 812-883-4962 Opt. #2
• Meredith “Pete” Peters- Volunteer Coordinator for residences and businesses 812-620-5835, Petebev69@gmail.com

Volunteers wishing to work:

Contact Meredith “Pete” Peters- works with Desi Alexander at EMA office at 812-620-5835

CLEAN UP KITS

SALVATION ARMY

Clean Up kits at First Christian Church and EMA Office on Anson Street

Cina Bogdas, Secretary at First Christian Church 812-883-4506

*Maybe Vouchers for Wal-Mart to flood victims- must be on a list

CAPS PROGRAM

RESOURCE REFERRAL TO ASSIST WITH NEEDS

CAPS is a voluntary home-based case management service free to families with children 0-17 years of age who are not otherwise receiving preventative case management services.

It provides short-term goal oriented services to help families meet their maximum self-sufficiency potential.

By connecting families with resources needed to strengthen them, as well as educating them on things such as parenting techniques, we hope to decrease the prevalence of child abuse and neglect in our communities.

For questions or concerns, contact the Program Manager, at 812-288-4304 ext, 327