An early morning crash killed a 60-year-old New Albany woman on US 150 east of Hardinsburg. 

The Washington County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a single vehicle crash on US 150 that took place about 9a. 

According to investigating officer, Deputy Brad Naugle, a 2005 Nissan Max driven by Elizabeth Dodge, 60, New Albany, was traveling West on US 150. 

For unknown reasons, the vehicle traveled off the right side of the road striking a utility pole. The Nissan continued back onto the roadway and off the left side coming to rest in a field. 

Dodge was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The crash is still under investigation. 

Assisting officers were Sheriff Roger Newlon and Deputy Mark Blackman. Other departments involved were the Posey Township First Responders, Washington County EMS, Washington County Cororoner’s Office and Kentucky 7 Air Ambulance. 

Sitting slumped over with shaggy hair drooping down to cover his face, 20-year-old Josh Rainbolt sat in the Washington County Courthouse answering questions posed by Circuit Court Judge Larry Medlock while fighting back tears. 

Rainbolt was arrested last Thursday evening and accused of murdering his high school classmate, 20-year-old Blake Box-Skinner, who was found dead in a shed outside the home they shared north of Campbellsburg. 

According to police records, Box-Skinner had not been in contact with family since Monday, Jan. 9 and Box-Skinner’s uncle (and Indiana State Trooper) Jonathan Cain went to check on him, along with his mother and father on the afternoon of Jan. 12 to the residence at 10609 West Lost River Road in Campbellsburg. 

According to police, they found Box-Skinner’s body in a shed behind the house. This led to an investigation with the ISP and Washington County Sheriff’s Department and Rainbolt’s arrest.

Rainbolt in his first public hearing after his arrest, appeared before Judge Medlock to answer a few initial questions and then was posed with the question about legal representation.

“Do you or will you plan to hire an attorney to represent you,” asked Medlock.

Through sobs, Rainbolt answered,”I don’t know.”

Medlock asked him if he was able to afford an attorney and Rainbolt answered back, “No.”

“Do your parents plan to hire an attorney for you,” asked Medlock. Again, Rainbolt answered, “I don’t know.”

Moving to the Prosecution, Medlock asked if there was any additional information other than the probable cause affidavit filed last week.

Prosecuting Attorney Dustin Houchin admitted that to the court and went on to interview ISP Detective Josh Banet.

Banet said he participated in the interview with Rainbolt and also was present while he was interviewed by someone else.

During that interview, Banet said, Rainbolt admitted that he shot Box-Skinner in the back of the head with a shotgun.

Banet also said Rainbolt told police he had disposed of the gun by throwing it into White River off a bridge at Ft. Ritner.

Banet said the investigation was continuing.

Medlock said he was going to enter an initial plea of Non-Guilty and had appointed Public Defender Mark Clark to meet with Rainbolt initially.

Also, based on the initial evidence, Medlock said no bail would be granted.

“If after you meet with your attorney, you decide you want to ask for bail, you will let the court know and we’ll set a hearing for that,” said Medlock.

Rainbolt faces charges of Murder and Obstruction of Justice. 

The murder charge could bring between 45-60 years and carry a $10,000 fine. 

The obstruction charge could also carry a $10,000 fine and include a jail term. 

The pre-trial hearing is set for Feb. 23 in Circuit Court with the jury trial set for June 6. 

Often times, this life of poverty and struggle is passed down from one generation to the next, creating a cycle that is difficult to break.

The Indiana Youth Institute and Indiana University Health Paoli are hosting an event to help youth workers, educators, parents and other caring adults understand the impact generational poverty has on children. The event is on Friday, January 20 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Super Burger, 600 West Main Street in Paoli.

Melissa Fry with Indiana University Southeast will speak about the changing dynamics of poverty in Southern Indiana and the impact poverty has on overall child well-being. Research shows that children born into low-income families face multiple barriers to success and tend to have worse outcomes than their more affluent peers on many cognitive, behavioral, emotional and health measures.

As part of IYI’s Youth Worker Café program, the seminar and meal are free, but reservations are required. RSVP at www.iyi.org/ywc. If you have trouble with the link, please contact IYI Statewide Outreach Manager Debbie Jones at djones@iyi.org. For more information on the Youth Worker Café, contact Southwest Indiana Outreach Manager Joe Shrode at jshrode@iyi.org.

Youth Worker Cafés are designed to bring together local youth workers to build relationships and inspire collaborations that will benefit children.

Mundell Church is offering a free dinner and viewing of the movie ‘Andy’s Rainbow’ at the church on Sunday.

Dinner will be served at 5 p.m. with the movie viewing at 6 p.m.

There will be another showing at the Westview Christian Church in Campbellsburg on Jan. 29 at 6p. 

A third local showing will be at Mt. Tabor Church on Feb. 12 at 6p. 

Jaboc Dufour who acts in the film is from Salem also wrote the film. It was director by his brother, Adam. 

The movie from the award-winning creators of “The Redemption of Benjamin Black” comes a story of grace, love, and friendship. When Rayne Davis, a rebellious teenage girl, is sentenced to 50 hours of community service at a local group home for special needs youth, she wonders if life can get any worse. Then she meets Andy, a young mentally handicapped man whose profoundly simple insights on life, death, and God soften her heart and help her look at life with newfound optimism.