The Washington County Clerk’s Office is now accepting applications for their 2017 summer internship program.

The program is open to any students, age 18-24, graduating from one of the surrounding high schools and who will be attending an accredited college this fall.

“This program is a great opportunity to gain valuable work experience for young leaders in our community,” said Clerk Sarah Milligan. “This internship will be a great way to build a strong resume and develop an understanding of local government, giving interns will have a first-hand look at the inner workings of the county clerk’s office.”

Along with assisting clerk deputies with daily task and responsibilities, interns accepted into the program will help scan and digitally file decades of public records in order to preserve them for the future generations.

Experience gained from this program will give local students an opportunity to learn more about our justice system and their county clerk’s office.

The internship is unpaid and students must dedicate a minimum of 15 hours a week to participate in the program. The program will begin in late May and will end in mid-August.

“We need dedicated individuals who are willing to get involved and make a difference in their community,” said First Deputy Lindsey Jackson. “Participating in this program will leave a lasting impact in our county and in our clerk’s office.”

Interested individuals are asked to send a completed application, resume and cover letter to the Washington County Clerk’s Office by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 19^th..

Required documents can be dropped off or mailed to:

Washington County Clerk of the Circuit Court

ATTN: Sarah Milligan

99 Public Square, Suite 102

Salem, Indiana 47167

Or emailed to Clerk@WashingtonCounty.in.gov

Those interested in applying can request an application by emailing clerk@washingtoncounty.in.gov or by stopping by the clerk’s office to pick-up a packet.

If you have questions or concerns, individuals are asked to contact Clerk Sarah Milligan at 812-883-5748.

WSLM reported on a meth arrest from last Friday morning, and more details are now available. 

On May 5th, members of the Washington County Drug Taskforce executied a search warrant located at 113 Hickory Avenue in Salem where drugs and an unlicensed gun was found. 

Leslie E. Spaulding, 36, and Monica Dorta, 29, were arrested on the following charges:

Spaulding –

• DEALING IN MARIJUANA HASH OIL, HASHISH OR SALVIA
• PRIOR CONVICTION FOR A DRUG OFFENSE AND AMOUNT IS AT LEAST 30 GRAMS BUT <10 POUNDS MARIJUANA OR AT LEAST 5 BUT <300 GRAMS HASH OIL HASHISH OR SALVIA
• MAINTAINING A COMMON NUISANCE
• NEGLECT OF A DEPENDENT
• POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA HASH OIL HASHISH OR SALVIA
• PRIOR CONVICTION FOR A DRUG OFFENSE
• POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE
• POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA

Dorta – 

• DEALING IN METHAMPHETAMINE W/FIREARM
• MAINTAINING A COMMON NUISANCE
• NEGLECT OF A DEPENDENT,
• POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA HASH OIL, HASHISH OR SALVIA
• POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE W/ FIREARM,
• POSSESSION OF PARAPHERNALIA,
• POSSESSION OF A SYNTHETIC DRUG OR SYNTHETIC DRUG LOOKALIKE SUBSTANCE

Police arrived at the resident along with a K-9 unit and entered the house.

When they initially entered the home, they found Spaulding and Dorta, along with three young children – 6, 5 and one-years-old.

Department of Child Services was called for assistance with the children. They took custody of the three children. 

At that time, the two adults were placed in restraints and the residence was secured.

The adults were served the search warrant issued by Washington Circuit Judge Larry Medlock.

The K-9 “hit” on narcotics in a grey safe, located on the floor in the house’s bedroom, on the north side of the residence. 

The K-9 also alerted to a top dresser drawer located in the same bedroom. 

There were no other “hits” by the drug K-9, the officers secured the dog in the patrol car and conducted a search on the residence. 

Police found a clear plastic bag, containing a dry green plant-like material which weighed approximately 42 grams, in the top right dresser drawer located in the north bedroom. 

Additional plastic bags commonly used to package narcotic drugs were also found.

According to the probable cause affidavit, a hand rolled marijuana cigarette and a clear glass pipe were also located on the top of the dresser.

A loaded Smith and Wesson .38 special was located under the mattress in the bedroom. Laying next to the gun was a plastic bag, containing a white crystal type substance, which was later field tested to be meth. 

Also under the mattress, police found a glass mirror with a white powder reside that tested positive for meth.

 Inside the grey safe, police located a container with white residue, numerous glass smoking devices and drug paraphernalia. 

During the police search, Spaulding was not wearing any pants and had asked police to get a pair of pants from the bedroom. Police officers picked up the pants he asked for and $380 cash in one pocket and $360 in the wallet. 

There was four $20 bills inside with serial numbers that matched drug enforcement buys. 

Another firearm was located in the residence – a Remington shotgun. 

State Rep. Steve Davisson (R-Salem) recently welcomed student pages to the Statehouse.

As a House page, these participants toured government offices, helped staff with daily duties and joined Davisson on the House floor during the legislative session:

• Samantha Albertson, from Salem, attends Salem High School;
• Nevaeh Muntz, from Depauw, attends Crawford County Junior-Senior High School; and
• Ethan Rust, from Seymour, attends Trinity Lutheran School.

Davisson said students aged 13 to 18 should consider participating next session. For more information, visit www.indianahouserepublicans.com/page-program.

Washington County Chamber of Commerce Marketing Director Tara Kritzer shared these top scams with WSLM today. 

“You might want to share this with yourfamily and friends,” she noted. 

1. If you see a Facebook post about a $50 Mother’s Day Lowe’s coupon, don’t click on it! This will send you to a survey site that asks for personal information and asks you to share the post with your friends. Lowe’s is not running this promotion – it is a scam.
2. BBB is still receiving reports of the “can you hear me?” scam. Callers are claiming to be with a warranty department, vacation companies, or government agencies. Don’t say “yes” to these calls – just hang up!
3. Beware of fake Amazon emails. The email provides an order number along with an invoice. If you click on this link, you will be sent to a phishing website. If you receive an email like this, log into your Amazon account directly to check your order status.
4. Consumers are reporting receiving text messages from their banks saying that their card is locked and to call a number to fix the issue. The number they provide goes to the scammer, not to your bank. If you suspect a problem with your account, contact your bank directly.
5. Did you receive a letter from the International Claims Department along with a check? Don’t fall for it! A local consumer received a letter that said she won over $140,000 with instructions to deposit a $3,920 check to cover government taxes and clearance.
6. The jury duty scam is making the rounds again. Scammers are calling and claiming to be with the sheriff’s office. They threaten you with jail time because you failed to show and demand that you wire money to avoid prosecution.
7. Now that tax filing season has passed, local tax payers are receiving phony IRS calls claiming they owe money. Scammers are threatening consumers with lawsuits or jail time. If there is an issue with your taxes, the IRS will send you a letter in the mail.
8. A local consumer received a phone call about a payday loan. The scammer demanded $600 in order to clear up the old debt. When the consumer refused, the scammer threatened legal action. This is a scam!
9. Business owners: beware of “vanity directory” scams. You get an email saying you’ve been selected as “Best of” in your business industry. The email includes options for you to purchase additional advertising in the directory. Do your research on the company before you send any money – many of these are scams!
10. If you receive an email from your IT Department to update your account settings, don’t click on any links! This may be an attempt to phish for your information. Contact your IT department directly to clear up any issues.

For more consumer tips, visit bbb.org or call 800-388-2222.

Indiana Conservation Officers arrested a New Salisbury man this evening at Elk Creek Lake in Washington County on multiple charges; including possession of meth and carrying a gun without a license. He also gave police a fake name when asked. 

Stanley Flannery, 55, 11614 HWY 135 NEW SALISBURY, was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, False Informing, Possession of Paraphernalia, and Carrying a Handgun without a License.   Shortly after 7:00 p.m. this evening, Indiana Conservation Officer Matt Pearcy was on patrol when he observed Flannery acting suspiciously near a secluded lake. 

When asked for identification, Flannery initially provided a false name. 
 
Flannery led Officer Pearcy to the woods to his makeshift campsite, where he continued acting very suspiciously. 

During a pat-down of Flannery, Officer Pearcy ultimately discovered a loaded handgun, suspected methamphetamine, and paraphernalia. 
 
Flannery was taken into custody, and it was discovered that he had multiple outstanding arrest warrants for drug dealing offenses. 

The Washington County Sheriff’s Department assisted at the scene.
 
All charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Yesterday, shortly before 3:00 pm, a trooper from the Indiana State Police as well as officers from three additional agencies worked together to successfully rescue a Bloomington, Indiana man who was trapped in his vehicle that had been swept off the roadway.

Alexander Ferenczy III, age 68, Bloomington, Indiana initially called 9-1-1 to report that his vehicle has stalled in flood waters on County Road 50 North near County Road 950 East in eastern Jackson County. 

Trooper Christopher Lockman, along with officers from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Crothersville Police Department, and the Indiana Conservation Officers responded to assist. 

By time rescuers could arrive, Ferenczy’s 2015 Ford van had been swept off the roadway by the water.

Trooper Lockman, who is a member of the Indiana State Police Department’s Underwater Search and Recovery Team, determined that a water rescue was necessary prior to a rescue boat arriving due to the water rising on the vehicle. 

Lockman donned his swiftwater rescue gear and entered the water while connected to a line that was being manned by the other officers on scene.

Lockman was able to successfully reach the vehicle that was located approximately 300 feet from dry land. 

Lockman was able to attach a personal flotation device to Ferenczy and conducted a water rescue carry of Ferenczy, who was not able to walk due to a prior medical condition.

Lockman, as well as the other officers, removed Ferenczy from the water and began administering first aid.  F

Ferenczy was then transported to Schneck Medical Center by Jackson County EMS for further evaluation.

Trp. Lockman was assisted by Deputy Rob Henley, Reserve Deputies Charlie Murphy and Greg Murphy, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Officer J L McElfresh, Crothersville Police Department, and Conservation Officer Blake Everhart.

The Indiana State Police would like to remind people to avoid driving on roadways that are covered by water. 

A small amount of moving water is capable of sweeping a heavy vehicle off the roadway.  “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”