The bodies of two missing girls have found in the woods east of Delphi in Carroll County.

They were positively identified as 13-year-old Abigail J. Williams and 14-year-old Liberty Rose Lynn German, both of Delphi.

The two girls were reported missing on Monday, Feb. 13.

Their bodies were discovered about 12:15 p.m. on February 14th, in the woods near the Dear Creek by volunteers helping in the search for the missing girls.

Police say this is a double homicide investigation.

No further information will be released as far as condition or cause of death of the two girls.

Police are asking for anyone to come forward with information or if they were in the area of the Delphi Historic Trails or Monon High Bridge that might have seen a person or persons, vehicles parked in the area or were taking pictures.

They are also looking for the man in this photo or information on who this man is.

Any information may be helpful to solving this case. Those with information can contact the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department or the Delphi Police Department at 765-564-2413, option #1, or the Indiana State Police at 765-567-2125.

The families and all law enforcement would like to thank all those who volunteered in helping in the search for the two missing girls. Police say without their help, it may have taken longer to locate and find them.

The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort, the award-winning golf destination in Southern Indiana, has been named the 2017 Golf Course of the Year by the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA).

This marks the first time a Pete Dye designed course has received this honor.

The announcement was made this past week at the NGCOA 2017 Golf Business Conference, held in conjunction with the Golf Industry Show in Orlando, FL.

The NGCOA selected its finalists based on four criteria; quality of golf course, quality of ownership and management, outstanding contributions to the local community, and significant contributions to the game of golf.

The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort fit all of these criteria perfectly and was nominated by the Indiana Golf Course Owners Association, a chapter of the NGCOA. Other finalists for the 2017 national award included Canoe Brook Country Club (New Jersey), Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club (Florida) and Poppy Hills Golf Course (California), which rounded out the final four for this prestigious honor.

“We are thrilled and humbled to receive this honor from the NGCOA, and to be recognized alongside so many top facilities from around the country,” says Dave Harner, director of golf at French Lick Resort. “The Pete Dye Course has become a symbol of excellence in the industry being an economic driver that is changing the lives of so many people through jobs, major golf championships, and our many charitable events such as Riley Children’s Foundation with our previous Legends and upcoming Senior LPGA Championships.”

The Pete Dye course, which opened in 2009, burst on to the national scene by receiving America’s best new course accolades by the two leading golf publications in the country, Golf Digest and GOLF Magazine.

The course has been recognized for its many contributions to the community including millions of dollars of economic impact from major golf championships and job creation, as well as raising hundreds of thousands of dollars through charity events including Riley Children’s Foundation, the fundraising arm of Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health from the Legends Championships and upcoming Senior LPGA Championship presented by Old National Bank.

The Dye Course has benefitted a number of students through the Evans Scholarship and caddie program the course provides, which was founded by the Western Golf Association (WGA) and specifically famed golfer Chick Evans Jr. in 1929. Today, more than 840 caddies are attending one of 19 universities on a Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship. The scholarship covers full tuition and housing costs for up to four years. A wonderful opportunity for youth.

The course was also a major factor in the $600 million restoration and casino development project lead by its founder and chief visionary, Bill Cook, whose corporate philanthropy changed lives and communities around the world including the small town of French Lick, Indiana. The development of the Pete Dye course and the reclamation of French Lick Resort continue to have an enormous economic impact on the small town of French Lick. Cook’s generosity and vision still provides jobs for nearly 1,700 of the counties 3,000 residents.

“This honor is also a testament to the vision of Mr. Cook and Chairman of the Board of Cook Group, Inc., Steve Ferguson, who both recognized the impact that this project would have on the community and the thousands of lives who live in the region,” added Harner.

The Pete Dye course was carefully carved into a dramatic site upon a hilltop – one of the highest points in the state – offering panoramic views in all directions that stretch for 30-40 miles. The course features a variety of elevation changes, rugged and dramatic terrain, narrow fairways, and challenging bunkers, along with spectacular views from every hole.

The Dye course has already gained recognition as a leading national tournament site by hosting the 2015 Senior PGA Championship presented by KitchenAid, 2014 USGA State Team Championship, 2010 PGA Professional National Championship, 2012 Indiana Open, 2012-2014 Big Ten Men’s Championship, 2014 Big Ten Women’s Championship, 2013-2016 Legends Championship, and the upcoming inaugural Senior LPGA Championship presented by Old National Bank.

For more information and to view the French Lick Resort video, click on the link below. B-roll footage is available for any television segments.

A black bear spotted across Southern Indiana – including Harrison, Washington and Scott Counties last summer is expected to wake from its winter hibernation soon.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources said in a news release that the lone black bear has been hibernating in the Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge.

The bear was last spotted in November in the refuge, and officials believe it stayed there for the winter. Bears typically wake up from hibernation in late winter or early spring to find food and water. The Southern Indiana bear could emerge any day now, depending on the weather.

DNR first confirmed the bear’s presence near Corydon in July and has since monitored its movement throughout the region. It is the second confirmed bear sighting in the last two years.

The bear entered Washington County from the south and proceeded east to Pekin and then to the Henryville State Forest and on to Madison. 

Young, male black bears “disperse” in the spring to find their own territory and find mates. The bear in Madison likely swam across the Ohio River form Kentucky, which has a growing bear population, according to DNR.

State administrative code prohibits the killing of black bears, except by a landowner or tenant if the bear is “destroying or causing substantial damage to property owned or leased by the landowner or tenant.”

DNR officials say black bears are not aggressive in most situations and “prefer fleeing from humans when given the chance.” Officials recommend the following tips “to keep both humans and bears safe”:

• Don’t intentionally feed bears. If a bear becomes accustomed to finding food near your home, it is likely to become a “problem” bear.

• Place garbage cans inside a garage or shed.

• Clean and store grills away after use.

• Don’t leave pet food outside overnight.

• Remove bird feeders and bird food from late March through November.

• Don’t add meat or sweets to a compost pile.

• If you encounter a bear, don’t run. Shout, wave your arms and back away slowly.

• Collect and remove low-hanging or fallen fruit from fruit trees.

• Eliminate meat, cooking oil, fish or fruit odors from near your home. This includes fish-meal fertilizers.

• Collect and remove any ripened vegetables from your garden.

• Protect bee hives through the use of electric fencing.

Indiana DNR wants residents to report bear sightings to dfw@dnr.IN.gov or by calling 812-334-1137 during regular business hours. Photos or videos can be sent to the same email address.

FFA Week Donations Support Hundreds of Student-led Agricultural Projects in IN

The Salem-area Tractor Supply Company store will collect donations during National FFA Week to support grants for FFA chapters in IN.

During National FFA Week, Feb. 17 through Feb. 26, Tractor Supply shoppers can donate $1 or more at checkout. Donations will fund the Grants for Growing Program, which supports IN FFA chapters that are making a difference in their communities with unique and sustainable agricultural projects. The program is coordinated through a partnership with the National FFA Foundation and Tractor Supply.

“Through the commitment of our loyal customers and team members who raise money for the Grants for Growing program, Tractor Supply is excited to support IN’s FFA chapters that represent America’s bright future in agriculture,” said Christi Korzekwa, senior vice president of marketing at Tractor Supply Company. “When we invest in FFA students through this program we are making a great investment in the next generation of agricultural leaders.”

In 2016, the program’s first year, Grants for Growing raised more than $700,000, funding 374 grants supporting projects involving 39,038 students. Notable 2016 grant recipients included the Jemison, Alabama FFA chapter, which used program funding to construct an addition to its animal science lab to house show animals such as pigs, donkeys, rabbits and Texas Longhorn heifers. In Cedar Springs, Michigan, the local FFA chapter built a garden to provide the community with food donations, as well as help students learn more about raising vegetables.

Earlier this year, FFA chapters submitted applications detailing how they will start or expand a project that will benefit their communities and future FFA students. Funds have been requested to purchase vegetation, trees, seed, chickens, feed, mulch and tools, for projects ranging from greenhouses to aquaculture labs.

Winning FFA chapter initiatives will be awarded Grants for Growing in the spring. The minimum competitive grant amount is $500 for chapters. All in-store donations remain within the state in which they were raised. 

For more details about the program, visit https://www.ffa.org/grantsforgrowing.

Troopers were in the right place at the right time to intercept a wrong way driver along Interstate 69.

Arrested and charged was Tracey D. Gross, 45, Washington, IN

• Operating While Intoxicated, Controlled Substance (with Prior Conviction), Level 6 Felony
• Public Intoxication, Class B Misdemeanor
• Reckless Driving, Class C Misdemeanor

 
At 4:50 P.M. this afternoon, the Daviess County Sheriff’s Department issued a dispatch regarding a wrong way driver along Interstate 69 near the Washington exit. 

Troopers Beau Brumett, Ross Johnson and Andrew Watson had been in the area conducting a saturation patrol and were approximately one mile north of the vehicle. 

Brumett, after observing a gray 2004 Oldsmobile Alero travelingnorthbound in the southbound lanes, blocked the southbound lanes, causing the Oldsmobile to stop.
 
Troopers began speaking with the driver, 45 year old Tracey Gross of Washington, and found her to be in an extremely impaired condition, to the extent that emergency medical personnel needed to be called to the scene. 

Gross was transported to the Daviess Community Hospital, where preliminary blood tests indicated Gross was under the influence of benzodiazepines.
 
Immediately after Gross was stopped by troopers, the southbound lanes of Interstate 69 became backed up with nearly 50 vehicles. 
Law enforcement, while striving to remain proactive in protecting motorists on Indiana’s highways, can always use help from you.  Motorists are encouraged to immediately call 911 to report any suspected reckless and dangerous drivers they encounter on the roadway to attempt to prevent potentially tragic events.

An Amish horse was killed in an accident tonight on State Road 56 East involving a buggy and a 4-door Chevy Colorado. 

Shortly after 8p, an Amish buggy driving East on State Road 56 approached the entrance to the bypass.

According to Salem Police Officer Russell Wilcoxson, the buggy had approached the intersection. 

The truck was driven by a couple from Clarksville who had come to Salem to watch a family member participate in a sporting event at the Salem Middle School. 

“As the buggy approached the intersection, the drive thought the truck was yielding. The drive of the truck, thought the buggy was yielding. The driver of the buggy got the horse started, and about the same time the truck pulled out onto 56 West,” said Wilcoxson. 

As a result, the buggy and horse t-boned the truck, killed the horse. 

Both adult occupants of the buggy, along with four chlidren were without injury. 

There were no injuries among the driver and passenger of the truck. 

Police did not release the names of those in the truck. 

Salem Police, Salem Fire Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department assisted with the accident. 

Indiana Department of Transportation personnel are taking pavement samples on State Road 265 between Interstate 65 and S.R. 62 during overnight hours (FEBRUARY 14 & 15).  Single lane closures are required between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

•  TONIGHT      Coring operations will take place in the right lane of westbound S.R. 265 —closing that lane to traffic.
• WEDNESDAY  Nighttime coring will occur on S.R. 256 left lanes—first the eastbound, then the westbound—both requiring closures while INDOT crews are onsite

Motorists can learn about highway work zones and other traffic alerts at indot.carsprogram.org, 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) or 511 from a mobile phone. For highway information, monitor social media sites: www.Facebook.com/INDOTSoutheast and Twitter @INDOTSoutheast.  Subscribe to receive text and email alerts at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/INDOT/subscriber/new.