Road closure planned for State Road 168

GIBSON COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces a road closure for State Road 168 in Fort Branch.

Beginning on or around Monday, June 27th, SR 168 will close for railroad repairs. This closure will take place between Railroad street and West street in Fort Branch. Crews will be working to repair the railroad crossing on SR 168.

The official detour for this closure is US 41 to State Road 68 to State Road 65. Local traffic will have access up to point of closure. Repairs are expected to take a week to complete, depending on weather.

Northbound ramp closure planned for US 41

VANDERBURGH COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces the closure of the northbound ramp of US 41 over Eagle Creek.

Beginning on or around July 11th, the northbound ramp from US 41 to Veterans Memorial Parkway and Kentucky Avenue will be closed due to bridge repairs. During the closure crews will be making bridge deck repairs. Polymeric overlay operations will also be performed.

The official detour for motorists is I-69 northbound to Green River Road to I-69 southbound. The ramp closure is expected to be complete by the end of July, depending on the weather.

Motorcycle Accident Claims the Life of One Individual

Putnam County - June 19, 2022, at approximately 1:40 p.m., the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post responded to an area of Interstate 70 eastbound near the thirty-seven mile marker to investigate a single vehicle accident that claimed the life of one individual.

The preliminary investigation by Senior Trooper Yan Dravigne revealed that Martin Henneman, age 54, of Bradford, Pennsylvania, was driving a 1998 Honda motorcycle eastbound on Interstate 70.  Due to mechanical issues with the front tire, Henneman lost control, traveled off the south side of Interstate 70 and came to an abrupt stop off the roadway.  

Henneman was transported to the Putnam County Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be a contributing factor of the accident.

Family has been notified.  

Assisting Agencies:  Cloverdale Fire Department, Putnam County EMS, Putnam County Coroner’s Office, Seniour’s Towing.

IDEM issues Air Quality Action Day tomorrow for four Indiana regions

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) and is forecasting high ozone levels for tomorrow, June 21, 2022 in the following regions: 

• Central Indiana – Marion, Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Delaware, Hamilton, Hendricks, Howard, Madison, Shelby 

• Southeast Indiana – Clark, Floyd

• Southwest Indiana – Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, Warrick 

• West Central Indiana – Vigo, Carroll, Tippecanoe

Note: The counties referenced in the region(s) above are equipped with ozone air quality monitors. However, all counties within an AQAD region should heed the forecast. Air quality information for all Indiana counties can be found at SmogWatch.IN.gov. 

IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce ozone by making changes to daily habits. You can:

• Drive less: carpool, use public transportation, walk, bike, or work from home when possible

• Combine errands into one trip

• Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m.

• Keep your engine tuned, and don’t let your engine idle (e.g., at a bank or restaurant drive-thru)

• Conserve energy by turning off lights and setting the thermostat to 75 degrees or above 

Air Quality Action Days are in effect from midnight to 11:59 p.m. on the specified date. Anyone sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected when ozone levels are high. Children, the elderly, and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors.

Ground-level ozone is formed when sunlight and hot weather combine with vehicle exhaust, factory emissions, and gasoline vapors. Ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks ultraviolet radiation, but ozone near the ground is a lung irritant that can cause coughing and breathing difficulties for sensitive populations. 

IDEM examines weather patterns and current ozone readings to make daily air quality forecasts. Air Quality Action Days generally occur when weather conditions such as light winds, hot and dry air, stagnant conditions, and lower atmospheric inversions trap pollutants close to the ground.

Judge Announces Fantastic 4th Events

Mt. Carmel Mayor Joe Judge has released details on the upcoming Fantastic 4th Celebration. Things gets underway on Wednesday, June 29th with the Freedom Celebration at Merchants Park. On Thursday, June 30th, the Wabash County Senior Center will host a public fish fry. The first of two concerts will hit the Merchants Park stage on Friday night, July 1st with area favorite Orry Kraw playing from 7 to 10. Saturday night, The Still Company will play from 7 to 10. Rotary Corn Day is scheduled for Sunday, July 3rd. And on the 4th, the parade will step off at 10am with fireworks set to go off at 9pm.

Judge says the overhaul of Riverview Stadium will cause some changes to this year’s 4th fireworks…. 

Despite the changes to parking, Judge vowed the crowd will still see the top notch fireworks show that is known as one of the best in the Tri-State. 

Princeton Man Faces Sexual Assault Charge In Mt. Carmel

On 6/16/2022, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Ethan S. Rumble, age 22, of Princeton, Indiana for Criminal Sexual Assault following an investigation into the alleged sexual abuse of a juvenile in Mt. Carmel. Officers located Rumble leaving Mt. Carmel where they conducted a traffic stop. During the investigation, officers found evidence to indicate Rumble had committed a sexual assault on the juvenile and was placed under arrest. Rumble is currently a registered sex offender out of Indiana. Rumble was taken to the Wabash County Jail where he is being held pending a bond setting by a judge.

Mt. Carmel Man Arrested On Drug Charges

On 6/16/2022, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Trevor J. Cooper, age 31, of Mt. Carmel, for Possession of Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia following an incident at the Villas of Holly Brook on outer West 9th Street. Police were called to the scene due to Cooper arriving on the property asking to use the phone while making delusional statements and appearing impaired. Cooper’s behavior alarmed staff so they contacted MCPD. Once MCPD arrived, they found Cooper standing in the parking lot acting frantic and delusional, as described. During this time, the officer observed Cooper toss several plastic baggies to the ground and what appeared to be a blue pipe. Cooper was detained and the officer found the bags to contain suspected methamphetamine, which later field tested positive. Cooper was placed under arrest, medically cleared, and transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged accordingly. Cooper is awaiting a bond setting by a judge. MCPD would like to commend the staff at the Villas for their prompt response in calling the police to ensure safety to their residents.

WGH Approves New Security Camera System

The Wabash General Hospital Board of Directors has approved spending more than $56,000 on a new security camera system for the hospital. At their recent monthly meeting, the board accepted hospital chief operating officer Tamara Gould’s recommendation to buy 31 new cameras that will be added to the existing 15 cameras in use now. The current camera security system at the hospital can no longer be upgraded as the company that sold WGH the system has gone out of business. The new system will provide 24/7 video recording that can be stored for up to 60 days. The need for a new system was made more urgent as the renovations and new construction projects at the hospital wind down.    

Be Aware of Online Puppy Scams

Greencastle - The Indiana State Police Putnamville Post is currently investigating reports of fraud incidents involving the purchase of puppies using online social media platforms. Citizens report that they believe they are making contact with individuals who have puppies for sale. Once money for the purchase of the puppy is transferred to an account that is provided, the citizen is given an address to pick up their new puppy. Upon the arrival to this address, the citizen realizes it is a scam, loses his/her money, and does not receive the puppy.  

The Putnamville State Police Post wants to remind all citizens that scam artists are pervasive across the internet and all social media platforms. Scammers’ methods and tactics are primarily intrusive to your personal and financial information.  Be vigilant in purchasing anything online.

 Tips if you are interested in purchasing a puppy online:

• Communicate with the seller

• Meet the seller and puppy/dog

• Get a contract and check references

• Never wire money or use gift cards for payment

• If the price is too good to be true, it’s likely a scam!

As a reminder, never give out personal information such as date of birth, social security number, or credit card number. Many of these scammers want you to make a hasty decision and may pressure you or use fear to get your money or personal information. Be aware that transactions made by prepaid card or wire transfer are nearly impossible to recover once sent.

Crops Not Impacted By Heat....Yet

The excessive heat warning expires at 8:00 tonight, but don’t expect a long break from the oppressive temperatures. After a high of 88 on Saturday, temperatures will rocket back into the 90’s and above the century mark next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Farmers are closely watching to see what kind of effects the heat is having on their crops… 

That’s Mike Wilson of Wabash Valley Service Company on yesterday’s Valley Update who said corn’s natural defense against hot, dry weather is rolling its’ leaves, something he’s already seeing in Gallatin and Hardin Counties to our south….  

Wilson said timely rains in May and the first week of June have been instrumental in making this week’s extreme heat less stressful on local crops.