Did you know that teens spend an average of 6.5 hours a day in front of a digital screen? And this does not include school or homework time. How is all this screen time affecting teens, how much is too much, and how can we find balance?

Screenagers: Growing up in the Digital Age is a new documentary that explores the impact of digital screen time on students’ academics, relationships and personal development. Most importantly, it offers tips on ways that families can manage this technology in their lives.

The film will be shown at Salem High School on Tuesday, May 2 at 6 pm and is open to all Washington County residents. There will be refreshments and a discussion afterwards. 

There is no charge for admission, but in order to plan for seating, reservations are encouraged through the Screenagers link at  www.salemschools.com

Please click the FREE button to reserve your seats.

Physician and filmmaker Delaney Ruston says the idea for the movie came to her while struggling with her own children over the use of screen time. As a physician she wanted to understand the science of tech time on children’s development, and as a mom she wanted to know what to do about it.

The resulting film is an eye-opening look at ways digital screen time has taken hold in our lives. Ruston discusses the issue with parents, scientists, mental health professionals, and kids, including her own, in an attempt to get a handle on the enormous shift taking place in how tweens and teens interact with the world and each other. “This is the parenting issue of our time,” says Ruston. “Tech on its own isn’t bad, but it’s bad when it’s out of balance.”

The film has received high praise. Author Dave Eggers calls the film a “sympathetic and sane look at the way millions of teens are struggling with phones and games and technology in general. The teens themselves speak about their own concerns and solutions.” Melinda Gates, spouse of Microsoft founder Bill Gates, comments, "As the mother of three kids—two of them teenagers—I’ve noticed that whenever I get together with other parents, the conversation ends up turning to our kids’ screen time. We’re all worried about how much is too much…I loved the documentary, Screenagers. It combines smart insights and practical tips for raising happy, healthy, technologically-empowered teens.

Instead of showing Screenagers at theaters, the film is being released only to sponsoring community groups. Ruston wants the film to be “a vehicle to bring together parents, educators and kids so that change can happen not just in our homes but in our schools and communities.”

Salem Community Schools is pleased to have been selected to participate and is offering this opportunity to all Washington County parents, students and community members. Refreshments will be served prior to the film and a discussion will follow.

Seats may be reserved by following the Screenagers registration link at www.salemschools.com or by calling Salem High School at 812-883-3904.

The Washington County Family YMCA Board of Directors invites all Y members, participants, and community members to attend their annual dinner. 

The event will take place on April 24, 6:00 pm at Southern Hills Church. 

Enjoy an evening of reflection on the Y’s community impact, and learn more about what the future holds for your Washington County Family YMCA through the gift of possibility.

Those in attendance will enjoy a meal catered by Ron Smith’s QBC Catering and desserts by Shelby Elrod.   

There are several incentive prizes donated by local businesses including a youth Jeep from John Jones Auto Group, a YETI cooler from ACE Hardware of Salem, a $200 Wal-Mart Gift Card from MainStream Fiber Networks, and a pair of IU Basketball tickets donated by Dr. Gene and Judy Hedrick to name a few. 

Tickets for the event are $15 and available at the YMCA Front Desk, or by contacting Board Member Donna Brewster at 812-883-2203. 

An Orleans man is facing a charge of murder after an early Sunday morning shooting at the McDonald’s restaurant in Bedford.

Around 1:19 a.m. Sunday, Bedford Police officers responded to the parking lot after a report of a physical fight. But before they arrived, they were notified one male had been shot and the shooter had fled the scene.

Witnesses were able to provide police with a description of the vehicle and a direction of travel. A short time later police spotted the vehicle stopped at Patrick Robbins Way and State Road 37.

Evan Schaffer, 22, Orleans, was arrested and is currently being held in the Lawrence County Jail on the charge of murder.

The injured man, Justin Lampkins, was taken to IU Health Hospital where he later died from his injuries.

The investigation is ongoing and further information will be released at a later time.

According to social media posts, Lampkins was 4th person in line at the McDonald’s drive through.

The post noted the person in the first car ordered and then moved around, but the person in the second car, Schaffer, didn’t move so the driver in the third car honked their horn.

Schaffer allegedly got out of his car, went back to the driver in the car behind him and asked it he was the one that honked his horn. That driver said no, so he went to the next vehicle, Lampkins’ truck.

“Justin already had his window down and was with his girlfriend and a buddy,” Lampkins’ sister wrote on Facebook. “The guy (Schaffer) reached in Justin’s truck and grabbed him and punched him. Justin got out to go after the guy (Schaffer) and the guy (Schaffer) turned around a shot Justin dead in the chest. The guy (Schaffer) ran and Justin’s girlfriend and his buddy told the cops what he looked like and what car he was in and they (Bedford Police) caught him he’s in jail for murder charges.”

Starting last Thursday evening, April 20th through Sunday morning April 23rd, Troopers and command staff from the Indiana State Police Post in Bloomington conducted saturation patrols in Monroe County in conjunction with IU Little 500 festivities. 

Troopers assigned to this detail focused on traffic and criminal enforcement in and near the city of Bloomington in an effort to help ensure everyone’s safety. 

In addition, troopers assisted local police departments in calls for service, crowd control and other details.

Throughout the Little 500 saturation patrols, assigned troopers generated 387 traffic contacts (125 citations and 262 warnings), 15 OWI arrests, and 114 total criminal arrests (25 felonies). 

Most of the criminal arrests were for alcohol and drug related offenses.  Troopers seized a wide variety of illegal narcotics, including marijuana, heroin, methamphetamine, syringes, and controlled substance pills from dozens of the traffic stops.

In addition, several were found to be in possession of handguns while not having a permit to carry a firearm.  One handgun was recovered that had been reported stolen in Marion County. 

Multiple suspects wanted on warrants in various Indiana counties were also found during traffic stops and arrested.

ISP Patrol Results Included;

-On April 20th, Trp. Griggs conducted a traffic stop west of the IU campus.  During the stop, he observed synthetic marijuana in plain view between the two front seat occupants.  A subsequent search uncovered methamphetamine pipes in the vehicle and on the female driver’s person.  In addition, the male passenger had no identification but verbally identified himself.  As the investigation continued, it was discovered the male had lied about his identity to conceal the fact he had two active felony warrants in Marion County.  He also tried throwing a baggie of methamphetamine out of his pants.  Both occupants were arrested for multiple drug charges and the passenger was also arrested for providing a false identity statement.

-On April 20th, Trp. Richard Klun and Trp. Zach Parker conducted a traffic stop along SR 37, just north of Bloomington.  Upon approach to the vehicle, Trp. Klun observed a marijuana pipe in plain view.  A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed marijuana.  The driver was cited for possession of paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

-On April 21st, Trp. Chris Griggs and Sgt. Greg Day conducted a traffic stop on Lincoln Street.  Upon approach, Trp. Griggs smelled the odor of marijuana. The single occupant admitted to possessing marijuana and paraphernalia.  A subsequent search revealed the marijuana and several pieces of paraphernalia.  Trp. Griggs cited the driver for possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.

-On April 21st, Trp. Zach Parker conducted a traffic stop near the IU campus.  After smelling the odor of marijuana, a subsequent search revealed the passenger was in possession of a small amount of marijuana.  Trp. Parker cited the passenger for possession of marijuana.

-On April 21st, Sgt. Greg Day stopped a vehicle on 17th Street.  During the course of the stop, it was discovered that one of the passengers was wanted on two warrants – one from Monroe County and one for Boone County.  Both warrants were for failure to appear.  Trp. Bartalone was called to the scene and arrested the male passenger on the warrants.

-On April 21st, Trp. Tummers conducted a traffic stop on the SR45/46 Bypass near the IU football stadium.  Once smelling an odor of marijuana, other troopers arrived to assist as there were six occupants in the vehicle.  During the search of the vehicle, Trp. Tummers found three handguns, marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the locked glove box.  One occupant had the key to the glove box in his pocket.  Further investigation revealed that one of the guns was reported as stolen out of Marion County. Trp. Tummers arrested one male for multiple drug charges and for possession of the stolen gun.

-On April 21st, Trp. Zach Parker conducted a traffic stop near the IU campus.  During the stop, indicators of criminal activity were detected.  Trp. Allen Deel assisted and deployed his certified K-9 Drogos, who gave a positive alert on the vehicle.  A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed approximately ½ pound of marijuana and three handguns.  Trp. Parker arrested all four occupants of the vehicle for multiple drug charges.  Three of the occupants were arrested for possession of a firearm without a permit.

-On April 22nd, Trp. Julie Deel conducted a traffic stop near the Owen/Monroe County line.  Upon her approach to the vehicle, she smelled the odor of burnt marijuana.  A search of the vehicle revealed the driver was in possession of a controlled substance (Xanax) and marijuana.  Trp. Deel arrested the driver for multiple drug charges.

-On April 22nd, Sgt. Greg Day conducted a traffic stop on 19th Street on the IU campus.  There were four occupants in the vehicle.  Upon approach, Sgt. Day smelled the odor of burnt marijuana.  Trp. Chris Griggs arrived to assist, along with officers from BPD.  A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed multiple baggies of marijuana and numerous open alcoholic beverage containers.  Trp. Griggs cited the three passengers for possession of marijuana and illegal possession of alcohol.  Sgt. Day transported the driver to the hospital and obtained a blood draw.  The driver was cited for OWI on controlled substance, possession of marijuana, illegal transport of alcoholic beverage, and driving while suspended misdemeanor.

-On April 22nd, Motor Carrier Inspector Kim Judge conducted a traffic stop along SR 46 between Bloomington and Ellettsville for a commercial vehicle truck inspection.  It was discovered the driver had an active failure to appear warrant out of Lawrence County.  Once Sgt. Greg Day and Trp. Chris Griggs arrived to assist, they took the male driver into custody.  It was revealed the driver was in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.  In addition, the female passenger was found to be in possession of marijuana.  Trp. Griggs arrested the driver for the warrant as well as possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia.  The female passenger was cited for possession of marijuana.

-On April 22nd, Trp. Riley Nungester conducted a traffic stop west of the IU campus.  The driver was found to be operating on a suspended prior driver’s license and was wanted on an active arrest warrant.  A passenger was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine.  The driver was arrested for DWS Prior and the warrant.  The passenger was arrested for possession of methamphetamine.

-On April 22nd, M/Trp. John Yung conducted a traffic stop on the SR 45/46 Bypass, near SR 37.  During the course of the stop, he detected criminal indicators and smelled the odor of marijuana.  Other troopers arrived to assist and a subsequent search of the vehicle revealed marijuana and a loaded handgun.  Trp. Yung arrested one male for possession of marijuana and possession of a handgun without a permit.  He also cited a passenger for possession of marijuana.

-On April 22nd, Trp. Caleb Garvin conducted a traffic stop at 10th Street and Indiana Avenue.  The driver was found to be intoxicated.  In addition, the driver was wanted on an active arrest warrant from Vanderburgh County.  Trp. Garvin arrested the driver for OWI Felony (his 3rd OWI arrest in 2 years) and the criminal warrant.

-On April 22nd, Trp. Gabe Bault conducted a traffic stop on the campus of IU.  He smelled the odor of burnt marijuana and with the assistance of other troopers, Trp. Bault searched the vehicle and found both occupants to be in possession of marijuana.  Both subjects were cited for possession of marijuana.

-On April 22nd, Trp. Riley Nungester conducted a traffic stop near IU’s campus.  It was discovered the driver was wanted on an active felony arrest warrant.  Trp. Nungester arrested him without incident.

-On April 22nd, Trp. Richard Klun received a tip from the Bloomington Police Department that a female wanted on an active parole violation warrant was at a residence on North Lane in Bloomington.  Trp. Klun, along with Troopers Riley Nungester and Michael Tummers, went to the residence and located the wanted female.  As troopers took her into custody, they found heroin and a syringe in her possession.  Trp. Klun arrested the female on the warrant as well as for possession of heroin and hypodermic syringe.

-On April 23rd, Trp. Robert Whyte conducted a traffic stop in Monroe County.  During the encounter, he smelled the odor of marijuana.  A subsequent search of the stopped vehicle resulted in the discovery of marijuana.  Trp. Whyte cited one person for possession of marijuana.

-On April 23rd, Trp. Robert Whyte conducted a traffic stop and established probable cause that the driver was intoxicated.  In addition, the driver was found to be driving on a suspended license.  Trp. Whyte arrested the driver for OWI Felony (prior conviction) and DWS Prior.

The Indiana State Police stresses the filing of criminal charges is only the beginning of the process and that the Defendant is presumed innocent until and unless guilt is proven in court.

Indiana Conservation Officers recovered a body from the Ohio River this morning in Clark County. 

The body of a male was located upstream of Silver Creek on the Indiana side of the river.    
 
An autopsy was performed this afternoon in Clark County, and the man’s identity is being withheld pending family notification. 

The Clark County Coroner’s Office is awaiting toxicology results before determining cause of death. 
 
The investigation is ongoing, and additional information will be released once it becomes available.

The Salem VFW Post 6636 will be hosting Marcus Pride Entertainment on Friday, April

28th from 8:15 PM to 12:15 AM.

He will be singing, playing the best dancing music and providing Karaoke.

There is no cover charge and this event is open to the public.