The Washington County Sheriff’s Department in Indiana has alerted the public about a scam involving fake text messages, allegedly from the United States Postal Service (USPS).

The USPS has also issued a similar warning. Local law enforcement is making efforts to keep the community informed.

The alert emphasizes that the USPS does not request personal information through text messages. People should be cautious about unexpected messages claiming package delivery issues. Such tactics are commonly used by scammers.

People are advised to confirm the legitimacy of any suspicious messages by reaching out to USPS through their official contact channels.

Genuine USPS tracking updates are sent from a 5-digit number. Messages from unknown or dubious sources should be treated carefully.

To report a potential USPS-related scam, people can email spam@uspis.gov or forward suspicious messages to 7726.

Sheriff Brent Miller encourages residents to stay informed, be alert, and share this information with others to help safeguard the community against scams.

Early Tuesday Morning, February 6^th, Trooper Andrew Recker attempted to stop a vehicle with a non-functioning taillight.

Trooper Recker located the vehicle at a rest stop and requested assistance from other officers.

Troopers spoke to the driver, John Mooney, and the passenger, Rita Delong.

After a probable cause search, troopers located approximately one pound of suspected methamphetamine, heroin, a stolen firearm, and a syringe.

Mooney also showed visible signs of impairment.

Mooney and Delong were both transported to the Spencer County jail where they are both being held on bond.

Mooney, 37, Louisville, KY, was charged with: 

• Dealing Methamphetamine with a Firearm – Level 2 Felony
• Possession of Methamphetamine with a Firearm – Level 3 Felony
• Possession of Stolen Property – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of a Syringe – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Meth – Level 6 Felony
• Obstruction – Level 6 Felony
• OVWI – Class A Misdemeanor
• Warrant – Vanderburgh County

Delong, 33, Louisville, KY, was charged with: 

• Dealing Methamphetamine with a Firearm – Level 2 Felony
• Possession of Methamphetamine with a Firearm – Level 3 Felony
• Possession of Heroin – Level 5 Felony
• Possession of Stolen Property – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of a Syringe – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Meth – Level 6 Felony
• Obstruction – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of Paraphernalia – Class C Misdemeanor

Arresting Officer – Trooper Andrew Recker

Assisting Officers – Trooper Teresa Bowling, Trooper Andrew Jones, Trooper Jon Villanueva, and Trooper Chase Snider

All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law

Tuesday afternoon, a bank robbery was reported at the Jackson County Bank located at the intersection of Main and Commerce Streets in Brownstown, Indiana. 

A suspected was quickly apprehended and jailed on charges related to the robbery.

Jeremiah M. Bragg, age 35, Brownstown, Indiana was arrested after he exited the rear passenger seat of his vehicle while holding a handgun and large amount of cash. 

Bragg soon dropped the handgun and was taken into custody by Brownstown Officers and Jackson County Deputies.  Troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post as well as Indiana Conservation Officers arrived on scene to assist.

The investigation began shortly after 2:30 pm yesterday afternoon when a bank alarm was received by Dispatchers with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.  Initial information was that an armed male entered the bank, pointed a gun at the employees, and left the branch on foot with cash.   

Officers from the Brownstown Police Department and Jackson County Sheriff’s Department responded and arrived on scene very quickly.  Additional information obtained from a witness at a nearby residence reported that a male suspect ran through his yard and got into a black passenger car that was occupied by two other individuals before leaving the area. 

Within minutes, a Brownstown Police Officer observed a black Nissan passenger car matching the description traveling westbound on Vallonia Road from Poplar Street, just outside of Brownstown.  A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle.  

The Brownstown Police Department requested Detectives from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post respond to lead the investigation. 

Information collected during the investigation indicated that Bragg was the suspect who entered the bank, pointed a gun at the teller, and left with approximately $900 in cash.

Bragg was incarcerated in the Jackson County Jail on a preliminary charge of Robbery, Level 3 Felony. 

The two adult females in the vehicle with Bragg were soon released. 

The investigation is ongoing.  More charges are likely in this case.

The Indiana State Police was assisted in this investigation by the Brownstown Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, and the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.      

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

“Ready to see what the next level of iconic burger is like? It’s here!,” said WSLM Radio Owner and General Manager Rebecca White. “It’s hotter, juicier and tastier than ever.”

Download the McDonald’s app, order ahead and snag a DOUBLE BIG MAC. That’s right! Not two but FOUR 100% pure beef patties with that iconic sauce and pillowy bun.

White tried the new Double Big Mac for the first time on Tuesday afternoon (see video below).

Tune in this week on WSLM 97.9 FM and listen for your chance to win a McDonald’s ARCH card that you can use to try the new sandwich. 

Originally introduced in March 2020, the Double Big Mac has the same ingredients and taste that McDonald’s fans know and love, including pickles, shredded lettuce, chopped onions, a slice of American cheese, now with four 100 percent all-beef patties and more Big Mac sauce.

Recent updates to the McDonald’s burger recipe are also implemented in the Double Big Mac, including softer, pillowy buns and a juicer, caramelized flavor, making these their best burgers yet.

Customers can always customize their order to match their personal taste preferences, including holding the onions and pickles, or adding even more of the sauce they crave.

The Double Big Mac can be purchased in store or on the app on its own or as part of a Combo Meal, which comes with a side of the World-Famous Fries and a fountain drink.

Prices for the Double Big Mac are determined at individual restaurants and may vary between locations.

Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales and his election administration staff are closely monitoring reports of attempted candidate petition signature fraud coming from county election offices where workers are responsible for verifying signatures and addresses.

As February 9^th deadline for candidate filing for Indiana’s 2024 Primary Election nears, last week a handful of county election offices reported concerns involving apparent fraudulent signatures and invalid addresses on nomination petitions filed for voter certification.

The Secretary of State’s Office has been in communication with election administrators in the counties reporting these issues.

Proper protocol, which involves preserving materials and notifying law enforcement agencies, is being followed.

The Secretary of State has requested the Indiana State Police and Indiana Election Division assist the counties involved.

Only petitions signed by registered Indiana voters are acceptable for candidate qualification.

Secretary Morales commends county clerks and staff for professionalism and attention to detail in the verification of thousands of nominating petition signatures and addresses, to assure candidates meet qualification requirements.

“I’m reminding each of our county clerks and election administrators across the Hoosier state to be vigilant during the filing review process. As Indiana’s Chief Election Officer, I hold election integrity to the highest standard. Be assured that my staff and I are taking this matter seriously.  Hoosier voters deserve secure and trustworthy elections,” said Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales.

According to Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey, the deadline to file to seek election in the May Primary election is this Friday, February 9 at noon. 

Only Republicans have filed to run for county seats so far.

Rockey said the following candidates filed today and are certified to be on the ballot.

She said they were all are Republican candidates.

• Amelia Voyles- Monroe Republican Precinct Committeemen (no photo)
• Tawny Bottorff- Washington 4 Republican Precinct Committeemen (no photo)
• Keeley R. Stingel- Republican State Convention Delegate- At-Large
• Keeley R. Stingel- Franklin Republican Precinct Committeemen
• Joseph L. Keltner- Vernon Republican Precinct Committeemen
• Erin Houchin- Washington 1 Republican Precinct Committeemen (no photo)
• Erin Houchin- Republican State Convention Delegate- At-Large (no photo) 
• Mark E.  (Bubba) Abbott- County Council, At-Large- Republican

Here are others who have filed for the May Primary:

• Nancy J. Coats- Treasurer – Republican
• Mary Durbin- Treasurer- Republican

• Shawnda Keltner- Coroner- Republican

• Stephanie K. Rockey- Clerk-Republican

• Emily Rodman- Surveyor- Republican

• Bradley Gilbert – County Council At-large- Republican
• Rondale Brishaber – County Council At-large – Republican
• Rick Voyles- County Council At-Large – Republican
• Andrew Davisson – County Council At-Large – Republican
• Mark E.  (Bubba) Abbott- County Council At-Large- Republican

• Phil Marshall- County Commissioner- District 1 – Republican
• Troy (Ozzy) Spears, Jr.- Commissioner, District 1- Republican

• Rick D. Roberts- County Commissioner- District 3 – Republican
• Tony Cardwell, Jr. – County Commissioner, District. 3- Republican

• Jeanne Slone has filed and is certified to be on the ballot for Republican State Convention Delegate.
• Molly A. Guetig has filed today and is certified to be on the 2024 Primary Republican ballot for the  State Convention Delegate- At-Large and Madison Republican Precinct Committeemen.
• Angela (Angie) Wilson- State Convention Delegate- Republican
• Stephanie K. Rockey- State Convention Delegate- Republican

These offices will be up for election in the May Primary:

Local:
Clerk
Treasurer
Coroner
Surveyor
Commissioner- Dist. 1
Commissioner- Dist. 3
County Council- At Large- 3 seats
Rep. State Delegates- 10 delegates- At- Large
Dem. State Delegates- 5 delegates- At-Large

Federal:
US President
State Senator
Representative, Ninth District

State:
Governor
State Representative, District 65
State Representative, District 69
State Representative, District 70

The filing deadline is this Friday at Noon!