Three people were arrested for dealing marijuana following a joint investigation led by the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section on Monday night. 

The Illinois State Police contacted troopers with the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section with information that a load of marijuana was to be exchanged in a parking lot in Plymouth, Indiana. 

Surveillance was set up that resulted in the arrest of Richard McCalvin, age 42, of Argos, IN, John McCalvin, age 65, of Tallahassee, FL, and Karen Sulay, age 61, of California.  All were charged with Level 5 Felony Dealing Marijuana and taken to the Marshall County Jail. 

Seized were nearly 20 pounds of high-grade marijuana with a street value of approximately $45,000, 8 pounds of marijuana butter worth approximately $25,000, 50 marijuana laced cookies with a value of around $5,000, as well as $30,000 cash. 

The Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section was assisted by the Illinois State Police, DEA, and Marshall County Sheriff’s Department. 

A Gibson County Deputy Sheriff is in jail this after being arrested earlier this week on multiple child seduction charges.

Arrested and Charged was Daniel Greer, 29, Princeton, IN
– Child Seduction (x2), Level 5 Felony
– Obstruction of Justice, Level 6 Felony

Earlier in 2017, the Gibson County Sheriff’s Department received a complaint against Deputy Greer.   

The information alleged that Greer had sexual relations with two male juveniles. 

The Sheriff’s Department requested the case be investigated by the Indiana State Police.  ISP detectives began their investigation in early June.

Through the investigation, detectives learned that between January and March 2017, Greer is alleged to have had sexual relations with the two juveniles while off-duty, on two separate occasions.

Greer was a school resource officer for the Sheriff’s Department; however, the incidents did not occur on school property.

Greer was arrested at the Gibson County Jail at 1:30 P.M. CDT without incident.  He was transported to the Knox County Jail where he is being held without bond.

Investigating Officers: Detective Craig Starr, Sergeant Troy Stanton and Sergeant Brad Chandler.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day and is forecasting high ozone levels for Wednesday July 26, 2017 in the following area: 

• Southeast Indiana – Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Scott, and Washington

IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce ozone by making simple changes to their daily habits. You can:

• Walk, bike, carpool or use public transportation
• Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip
• Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m.
• Turn off your engine when idling for more than 30 seconds
• Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or above 

Anyone sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected when ozone levels are high. Children, the elderly and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors. 

IDEM examines weather patterns and current ozone readings to make daily air quality forecasts. To learn more about ozone or sign up for air quality forecasts, visit www.SmogWatch.IN.gov or download our iPhone App: 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/smogwatch/id882860480?mt=8 

Ground-level ozone is formed when sunlight and hot weather bake vehicle exhaust, factory emissions and gasoline vapors. Ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks ultraviolet radiation, but ozone near the ground is a lung irritant that can cause coughing and breathing difficulties. 

About the ozone standard: On October 1, 2015, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) finalized the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone. The new rule sets more stringent standards, lowering both the primary (health-based) and secondary (welfare-based) standards from 75 parts per billion (ppb) to 70 ppb. IDEM encourages all Hoosiers to be proactive and help reduce ozone for those who may be sensitive.

The Annual Kids Fishing Tournament sponsored by the Washington County Fish and Game Club will be this Saturday July 29th from 1:00pm – 4:30pm.

The event will be held at Lake Salinda’s Back Shelter House for children ages 5 – 13 allowed.

Registration begins at 1pm and fishing begins at 1:30pm. 

Prizes given for biggest catch, smallest catch, and most catches.

Goodie bags to each participant. 

“It’s a beautiful place there,” said Salem Mayor Troy Merry. “It was a source of water for the City at one time, but we are working on a dam project for Lake John Hay where we’ll raise the water level. It will be like pouring Lake Salinda into Lake John Hay. I’d like to see it become a community park.”

“For kids that have never been fishing before, I’d like to see them come out,” said Merry. “It’s a good opportunity for parents to bring their children out. We’ll be fishing from the banks.”

Merry will be on hand grilling food for the event. Food and drinks will be provided. 

Thanks to the Salem Police Department, Salem Fire Department, and Park & Rec. Department for their sponsorship.

For more information, call Mike or Paula Pennington at 812.883.6100

By State Sen. Erin Houchin (R-Salem)

During the summer months when the Indiana General Assembly is not in session, study committees are tasked with taking an in-depth look at some of the more complex issues facing our state, and examining topics which may be addressed with future legislation. 

As the State Senator for District 47, I have been advocating for expanding affordable and efficient broadband services to rural communities throughout the state. It is critical that Hoosier families, students and businesses are able to access this technology, and I have passed legislation that will help to bridge the digital divide in rural communities. While we have taken great strides, there is work to be done. 

Recently, I was appointed to serve on the Interim Study Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications, which will be looking at new ways to expand this technology to unserved communities. I am looking forward to working with my fellow lawmakers and various service providers to explore additional options to further this development.

Some of the other topics this committee will examine include:

• Self-generation of electricity by school corporations;
• Health effects, public safety implications, issues with property valuation, policies defining conflict of interest and issues concerning economic development related to wind power devices; and
• Rental rates and other fees for the attachment of communications service facilities on utility poles owned or controlled by electricity suppliers.

I will also be serving as chair of the Commission on Improving the Status of Children in Indiana (CISC).  The CISC studies a variety of issues concerning vulnerable youth and makes recommendations to the General Assembly in order to promote the best interests of Hoosier children across the state. 

You can find a list of all interim study committees and the topics being studied on the Indiana General Assembly’s website at www.in.gov/iga.

If you have any thoughts or questions on these or other issues, please contact me by email at Senator.Houchin@iga.in.gov or by phone at 800-382-9467.