Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Leavenworth: Detectives from the Indiana State Police and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office have launched an investigation into the death of a two year old male in Leavenworth. At approximately 11:45 p.m. last night the Crawford County 911 Center received a medical emergency call that a two year old male having difficulty breathing was being transported by personal vehicle to the Leavenworth Fire House. Debbie Young of the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office along with members of the Leavenworth Fire Department, and the Crawford County Ambulance Service responded to the fire station. When the child arrived at the fire house, the firefighters and EMS personnel began to work on the child. Shortly thereafter the child was flown from Leavenworth to Kosair’s Children’s Hospital where the child was pronounced dead. After hearing of the child’s death Deputy Young requested assistance from the Indiana State Police. Master Trooper Detective Rick Magill responded and according to Magill the young child was being cared for by family friends. Throughout the night they had noticed that the child’s breathing was becoming more difficult. Due to their remote location they decided to call 911 and drive the child to the Leavenworth Fire Station. An autopsy is scheduled for today in Louisville, KY. The name of the child is not being released at this time.

If House bill 1276 gets signed by Indiana’s Gov. Mitch Daniels, It would reduce the French Lick casino admission tax from $4 to $3, the same rate paid by other casinos in Indiana. According to an article in the Bedford Times Mail, it also would redistribute that tax money to local governments, the Orange County Economic Development Commission and the Indiana Economic Development Corp. According to Rep. Sandy Blanton, of Orleans this will boost the area’s economy. She was a sponsor of the legislation, along with Rep. Eric Koch, R-Bedford, and Sen. Brent Steele, R-Bedford. “Currently, French Lick pays a $4 admissions tax every time someone is admitted to the casino,” Blanton said. “This bill will allow French Lick to pay only a $3 tax and be consistent with all other gaming entities in Indiana. The third major part of the bill would provide money to the West Baden Springs Hotel historic preservation fund, to help restore and preseve the dome structure and it’s other buildings and grounds.

With the threat of severe weather arriving with spring,  Orleans Town Officials and emergency personnel are reminding that the town’s emergency siren will be tested at 1pm on Fridays  through Orange County Sheriff’s Department. In a statewide test scheduled for Wednesday, March 17th, Sirens throughout the area will also be activated .  The testing is part of as part of "Indiana Severe Weather Preparedness Week."

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Orange County Rural District 2 VFD along with the Livonia and Orleans VFD's responded to a large field fire around 3:51PM Saturday. The field fire was on the Tincher property located off of County Road 550 North, south ofeast of orleans. The fire was spread out over about 30 acres. No structures were involved and firefighters were out about 2 and a half hours.

A judge will make a decision on whether a gambler must repay $75,000 in loans from a southern Indiana casino where he claims workers kept serving him bourbon drinks while he was drunk. A lawyer for Jimmy Vance of Corbin, Ky., says that the key issue in the case is whether Indiana law allows a casino to enter into a legal contract with a patron who is drunk. Attorney Larry Wilder says Vance was served at least seven drinks in less than three hours at the former Caesars Indiana casino and doesn’t remember borrowing the last $55,000. Casino staffers testified during todays/Wednesday’s bench trial that Vance didn’t appear intoxicated as he was playing blackjack. Orange Circuit Court Judge Larry Blanton is expected to rule after reviewing more written arguments from lawyers.

In response  to complaints of smoke from an outdoor wood/coal furnace being operated by a business owner in downtown Mitchell, the city of Mitchell will conduct a public meeting. According to an article in the Times Mail newspaper, Mitchell Mayor Dan Terrell will take comments at the public meeting to be held wednesday from 5PM-7PM at the Mitchell City Hall.

Wednesday, March 3d, 2010

A Martin County man has been arrested Tuesday by the Daviess County Sheriff Department after leaving the scene of a property damage accident and battery by bodily waste.  25 year old Demetrius Greer of Shoals was taken to the Daviess County jail. 

A Lawrence County man was arrested Tuesday evening in Oolitic for possession of drugs. Cody E. Freeman was pulled over in Oolitic for speeding.  The officer’s K-9. Shani, went on alert on drugs in Freeman’s vehicle.  A search netted marijuana and methamphetamine in the vehicle.  Freeman was taken to the Lawrence Co. Detention Center on drug charges. 

Springs Valley Bank & Trust was nationally recognized for it’s contributions to the communities it serves at the American Bankers Ass. Nat. Conference in Hollywood, Florida, February 23d.  Seven banks were awarded out of over 100 nominations based upon the nominee’s innovation, creativity and effectiveness to making a difference in it’s community. 

Tuesday, March 2d, 2010

 An autopsy indicates that a 4-month-old baby found dead in a bassinet at a Bloomington day care home died from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Judah Welk was in the home of a day care owner who had left her two older sons in charge while she was out.  Authorities say there was no sign of mistreatment.

 A Texas man has been arrested in Seymour following a “drive-by shooting” at the Seymour Pizza Hut .  25-year-old Thomas Myers is facing a charge of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon. that Several employees were working inside the business, but no one was hurt. Police later determined two brothers were fighting in a vehicle and shots were fired through the windshield.  Myers says he was visiting family in the area at the time of the shooting.

Some people are wanting rock singer John Mellencamp to run for Evan Bayh’s vacated Senate seat.  However, Mellencamp has not replied to the suggestion.  A Facebook page supporting him list over 6,000 fans.  The Indiana Democratic Party will choose Bayh's successor after the May 4 primary election.

Monday, March 1, 2010

A 21 year old Monroe County man faces preliminary felony weapons charges after reportedly brandishing a loaded gun at a crowd in a downtown Bloomington bar and striking one patron with the gun. 21 year old Alexander Edward Brill, of Bloomington was arrested by Bloomington police and booked into the Monroe County Jail at 2:50AM Saturday on preliminary charges of battery while armed and intimidation with a deadly weapon, both Class C felonies, and pointing a firearm, a Class D felony. Bond was set at $5,000 surety, $500.00 cash

Baron Hill, Indianas 9th District Congressman, will not seek the US Senate seat being vacated by Evan Bayh. In a statement released Saturday, Hill said he believes that his colleague, Congressman Brad Ellsworth, is the right democrat to run for Bayh's seat. In the statement, Hill said he was contacted by Bayh when the senator made the decision to not seek re-election. The 9th congressional district includes Orange and other surrounding Southern Indiana counties. Ellsworth represents Indiana's 8th Congressional District, which includes Martin County

The city of Bloomington is going a little "Greener". Usng funds from the Federal Stimulus act, city officials say they plan to buy several solar powered trash compactors about the same size as trash cans. The goal is to reduce fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions. City officials say the fuel cost reduction will come with only having to clean out the trash compactors twice a week.

Friday, February 26th, 2010

The Orange County Sheriffs Department is investigating a fatal crash that was reported around 5:07AM this morning along Unionville Road about 3 miles south of Paoli. According to a press release from the Orange County Sheriffs Department, 19 year old Zeke Goodpasture of Rural Paoli, was found trapped underneath a wrecked 1993 Chevy S10 PU. Police believe the S10 was southbound on Unionville Road, when it went off the east side of of the road, hit a ditch and flipped. Goodpasture, who was not wearing a seatbelt was ejected from the vehicle and trapped beneath the PU. The crash may have occurred as early as 2AM this morning. Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is urged to contact teh OCSD at 723-2417. Orange County Sheriff Richard Dixon said " This is the 5th fatality that we have experienced in Orange County this year, and two of those fatalities involved people who were not wearing seatbelts." The Orange County Sheriffs Department was assisted at the scene by members of the Paoli and Orange County Rural District 1 VFD's, Paoli and French Lick Police Departments and Orange County EMS.

One person was innjured in a 2 vehicle crash that occurred around 10:45AM Thursday morning on CR 75 South near French Lick. According to the Orange County Sheriffs Department, 41 year old Beth Sizemore of west Baden was driving a 1994 Hyundai two door west on CR 75 Sout, when the Hyundai slid across the ice covered road and hit head on a eastbound 2004 Ford PU driven by 63 year old David Hammond of French Lick. Following the crash, Hammond was transported by ambulance to BHOC for treatment of abrasions to both arms. Property damage was estimated at over five thousand dollars.

Lieutenant Don Bolen, Commander of the Jasper District, has announced troopers will be participating in the upcoming Operation Pullover Blitz. Between Friday, March 5^th and Sunday, March 21^st, Indiana State Police and more than 250 local law enforcement agencies around the state will focus their enforcement efforts on impaired and dangerous drivers.  Troopers will be conducting sobriety checkpoints, saturation patrols and will be aggressively enforcing seat belt and child restraint violations during the 17-day blitz. This enforcement blitz is scheduled to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day holiday and Hoosier basketball tournaments.  During March of 2009, there were 41 traffic fatalities on Indiana roadways.  Of those crashes, 24% involved an impaired driver. Operation Pullover Blitz 62 is a statewide enforcement effort supported by federal funding allocated from the Traffic Safety Division of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI)

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

A Paoli man was arrested Wednesday by State Police on a charge of Child Molestation. On February 9th, State Police from the Jasper Post started an investigation into the alleged molestation of a 4 year old little girl. During their investigation detectives established enough probable cause to get an arrest warrant for 23 year old Paul Froman of Paoli. Froman was arrested at his home Wednesday without incident. He was charged without incident. He was charged with Class A Felony Child Molestation and was booked into the Orange County Jail.

A Dale Indiana teen was killed in a 2 vehicle crash around 7:20AM Wednesday morning near the Heritage Hills High School in Spencer County. According to Indiana State Police, 14 year old Danielle Reinke was transported by ambulance to St Marys Hospital where she died from her injuries sustained in the crash. The accident occurred on Spencer County Road 1600 near the school. 16 year old Alexandria Hamilton of Dale was driving a 2000 Ford Mustang that Reinke was a passenger in. The Mustang was headed east, when the car slid sideways and into the path of a westbound 1997 Chevy SUV driven by 36 year old Mary Messmer also of Dale. All 3 people were initially transported to the Jasper Memorial Hospital, then Reinke was transported to St Marys Hospital with head and chest injuries. Hamilton and Messmer were listed in stable condition. Both vehicles were totaled and police say all 3 were wearing seatbelts.

Martin County Highway Department has declared a 10 ton weight limit on all Martin County roads effective immediately and until further notice.

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

An Elletsville woman was killed in a one vehicle crash last night on 37 north of Paoli.  40 year old Brenda Cannon found near her "Kia" that had overturned in a ditch.  Cannon had been ejected from the vehicle.  Police say she was not wearing a seat belt.  The crash occurred around 10:41pm.  Cannon was transported by ambulance to the Bloomington Hospital of Orange County and pronounced dead of her injuries.  Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff's Office at 723-2417.

A second 3d house session will be hosted by the Bedford area Chamber of Commerce this Saturday at 9am.  The Bedford area Chamber office is located at 1116 16th St in Bedford.  Republican State Senator Brent Steele, Republican State Representative Eric Koch, and Democratic State Representative Sandy Blanton are scheduled to provide updates and answer questions.  Call 275-4493 for more information. 

The Martin County Highway Department has declared a ten ton weight limit on all Martin County roads, effective immediately and until further notice. 

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Hoosier National Forest Supervisor, Ken Day, has recently signed an order banning un-authorized fire wood from being brought onto the Forest properties.  The firewood bans are already in place in State Parks and State Forests.  The reason for the ban is an attempt to slow the infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer, which has  been discovered in several locations here in Southern Indiana, including northern Orange County.

Some Democrats in Indiana are calling on Congress to look into Indianapolis-based Wellpoint's Health Care rate increases in the state.  House speaker, Pat Bauer, and state representative Craig Fry, who chairs the House Insurance Committee, have sent a letter to congress indicating some people in the state are facing rate hikes of more than 50 percent.

Ninth District Indiana Congressman, Baron Hill is considering a possible Senate run.  The Democratic Representative said Monday that he is open to the idea of trying to succed Senator Evan Bayh, who announced his retirement last week.  Hill, who has been visiting troops overseas, said he has not had the chance to speak with Bayh about the opening.  Hill said he will also talk with New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial campaign committee before making a decision.

Monday, February 22nd, 2010

Three people were injured in a two vehicle accident crash that occurred around 12:39AM Sunday on Orange County Road 25 south near Paoli. According to the OC Sheriffs Department, 18 year old Lexie Spencer of French Lick wa sdriving a 1996 Plymouth Neon four door east on CR 25 South, when the Plymouth Neon collided head on with a westbound 2000 Chevy Cavalier driven by 34 year old Warren Free of Paoli. Police say road marks indicate the Plymouth Neon was left of center. Following the crash, Free went to BHOC by private vehicle with a cut to his head. A front seat passenger in the Plymouth Neon, 19 year old Natasha Smith of Paoli was transported by ambulance to BHOC for treatment of an ankle injury. Spencer was trapped inside the Neon and was extricated by members of the OC Rural 1 VFD. She was initially transported by ambulance to BHOC and then flown by helicopter to U of L Hospital. The accident is still under investigation.

A Loogootee man was arrested around 1:11AM this morning when State Police and the Martin County Sheriffs Department served an arrest warrant at 211 Cedar Street Apartment 5 in Loogootee. The warrant charged 45 year old Robert E Albright with purchasing more than 3 grams of Pseudoephedrine. Once inside the apartment, police noticed drug paraphernalia and Albright led police to various items including methamphetamine and meth manufacturing paraphernalia. Albright was booked into the Martin County Jail. He is now charged with a Class A Felony because the apartment was government subsidized and was located less than 1,000 feet from a pre-school.

A bill that would end the public access to Indianas Database of Information of people who have gun permits has won final approval in the Indiana General Assembly. The State Senate approved the bill 48-0 on Thursday and it now goes to Governor Mitch Daniels for consideration. Indiana legislators were urged to close the records by gun owners after the Herald Times of Bloomington and the Indianapolis Star chose to publish some of the information. The House approved the bill in January by a vote of 85-11.

Friday, February 19th, 2010

The Surface Transportation Board will meet with the Indiana Railroad Company to discuss its plans of abandoning 21 miles of railroad in Lawrence County. The meeting will be held March 5th in Salem. Already, the board has received letters of protest and requests for a public hearing from several area officials, including U.S. Rep. Baron Hill, a Democrat representing the 9th congressional district, Sen. Brent Steele, R-Bedford, Rep. Eric Koch, R-Bedford, and Rep. Sandy Blanton, D-Orleans. Also, the mayors of Bedford, Mitchell, Salem and New Albany have all written in to protest the line’s abandonment. Local officials have been working to come up with a solution after learning in November that CSX Transportation Inc. asked the STB for permission to discontinue service along 62 miles of track, basically from Mitchell to New Albany. The tracks would remain, at least for the meantime, but there would be no active trains running along those lines. But it was a one-two punch for Lawrence County as the Indiana Railroad company filed plans to abandon their track as well. In an effort to save the rails, the cities of Bedford and Mitchell are working to establish a port authority. A port authority, under state code, can acquire, maintain and operate railroad property and rights of way. It can also accept and spend money from various sources. Both city councils have OK’d ordinances to establish the board, and the Lawrence County Economic Growth Council will fund a feasibility study to determine if a port authority is viable for these efforts. All documents, including letters of protest and board decisions, can be viewed by going online and visiting www.stb.dot.gov/stb.

A Southwestern Indiana woman will spend 55 years in prison for murdering her husband. 58 year old Barbara Earle of Princeton was convicted by a jury last month of shooting to death 65 year old Bill Earle. Prosecutors say she shot him 5 times in the back while he sat smoking a cigarette. Earle reportedly plans to appeal her conviction.

Represenative Brad Ellsworth will seek Evan Bayhs US Senate seat. Ellsworth made the announcement during a listening tour stop this morning at the CK Newsome Center in Evansville. State Represenative Trent Van Haaften (D-Mount Vernon) will file to run for Ellsworths seat. Van Haaften is currently the House Public Policy committee chairman and the Deputy speaker Pro tem of the Indiana House.


Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Local highway improvement advocates learned Wednesday that three separate projects associated with improving access from Mitchell to Interstate 64 are moving on schedule. Members of the Indiana 37/145 Association heard the update during the latest of their quarterly meetings. According to Linda Painter, who manages the projects for the Indiana Department of Transportation, the stretch of Ind. 56 through French Lick and West Baden Springs, is moving right on schedule and final plans have been sent to INDOT’s central offices and will be published soon so contractors can bid on the work. “Bid-letting is now scheduled for April 14, 2010. Painter also described work that will be done in that stretch. It will include sidewalks and curbs, a trail across the Lost River bridge and stabilization of the Scarlett Terrace wall. The project begins in an area near the railroad and continues to just north of the Lost River bridge. The Prospect portion, is not experiencing any real problems, and the contract letting will be March 2011. Also the Indiana 37 portion from Paoli north to Mitchell, INDOT’S real estate section is working on right of way acquisition along Ind. 37 . The contract letting is scheduled for Dec. 8 of this year for that portion

Wednesday , February 17th, 2010

School situation for Thursday:
Springs Valley and Paoli will be open.....
Northeast Dubois and Orleans on a two hour delay...... 
Shoals Schools will be closed Thursday.....

In Orange County this week the snow storm dropped ten inches in some areas.

Some of the games cancelled due to the storm will be played tonight:

.....Orleans Girls Class "A" Section 61 Championship between Northeast Dubois and Orleans will be played tonight.  Tip off on 6:30pm......
.....The Springs Valley boy's Basketball game at Barr-Reeve will be played tonight.  JV at 6pm and varsity around 7:30pm.  Both games will be broadcast by Q-100.

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Orange County has lifted the "Level 2 Snow Emergency" at noon today,  which went into effect after the Level "1" expired at 7am this morning.  The Level "1" went into effect at 6pm Monday evening, forbids travel.  Level "2" provides for essential travel only (Doctor, work or grocery store).  A travel advisory is in effect for the county.  Stay home if you can. 

Sports: 
.....The Orleans Class "A" Section 61 Championship game between Orleans and Northeast Dubois is postponed again  until Wednesday evening at 6:30pm. 
.....The Brownstown Class 2A girls section championship Paoli and Austin will be played tonight at 6:30pm.  
.....The boys Orleans-West Washington game tonight is postponed and will re re-scheduled. 
 .....Tonight's Springs Valley boy' Barr Reeve game is postponed to Wednesday at 6pm at Barr-Reeve.   

School situations for Wednesday:
No School at Paoli

Monday, February 15th, 2010

From our news web person:  Due to deep snow and our home location in the back 40, could not make it into the station today.  Sorry

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Early this morning the Indiana State Police began an investigation into the death of five week old Sebasten Morgan of 5602 S. Riddle Road, English. Preliminary investigation reveals that at approximately 1:00 a.m. the Sebasten and his father David Morgan fell asleep in the father’s bed.  At approximately 4:00 a.m. Sebastens mother Mary Blevins found the child unresponsive when she went into the bedroom to check on the child.  She called 911 and attempted CPR while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.  Crawford County EMS arrived but the child was pronounced dead.  State Police Detective Phil Stowers along with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, Coroner, and Department of Family and Children responded to the scene to conduct an investigation into the death.  Stowers said “As of right now no foul play is suspected and we are treating this as a death investigation,”  According to Crawford County Coroner Chris Brown the autopsy has been completed however the results of the autopsy are pending until toxicology results are back.  “The toxicology tests are standard procedure,” said Brown.  Indiana State Police Detective Phil Stowers advises that this case is still being treated as a death investigation

A Bloomington man was sentenced to life imprisonment today in federal court following his guilty plea to two counts of child exploitation. 50 year old Rickie L Rarey was arrested in July 2009 following a 3 month investigation. Police say Rarey admitted to molesting two girls under the age of 10 and leaving sexual explicit pictures of them on his laptop computer. He was living in Columbus at the time of the incidents. Rarey was given a life sentence because of 3 previous child molestation convictions in 1993 in Bartholomew County.

An Indianapolis man will spend 53 years in prison for shooting a pregnant bank teller. 30 year old Brian Kendrick was sentenced Friday following his conviction for attempted murder, feticide, robbery and carrying a handgun without a license. Katherin Shuffield survived the shooting, but her twin daughters did not.

Thursday,  February 11th, 2010

The cold snowy weather has closed several schools in the area.  All Orange County as well as Shoals schools closed doors again today.  Northeast Dubois and Mitchell went to class with a two hour delay.  Snow showers and flurries are forecast through the weekend. 

A 51 year old New Albany man fell behind a shopping center and died from exposure to the cold Wednesday. Richard Glotzbach had fallen due to medical conditions and apparently could not get up

Indiana lawmakers are considering a bill that intercepts the money for child support owed by parents who win money gambling and are not supporting children. Those who win over $1,200 dollars could be subject to the new legislation.

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010

The 3 Chambers of commerce in Orange co. will hold a combined meeting this Saturday at 10am at the West baden Town Hall.  It's the first of two scheduled third house sessions this yer.  State Representative Sandy Blanton, State Senators Brent Steele and Lindel Hume have been invited. 

The Orange Co. Sheriff's Dept. has released their stastistics for the month of Jaunary.  A Total of 405 court papers were served; 28 arrests were made; 8 traffic citations were issued;  33 traffic warnings, 108 public service duties performed.  734 courtesy checks; Investigation of 29 traffic accidents, 36 crimes and 7 incidents.  Dispatchers answered 6,766 phone calls in January. 

The campground at Williams Dam is closing.  Along with that a reduction of DNR staff.  The fishing platform, and two boat ramps to the White River will remain open.  Reasons cited were rising costs, staffing changes, and non compliance with State Health Sanitary regulations.  The campground lacks a sanitary dumping station required by the state dept. of health which would cost around $40,000.

Tuesday February 9, 2010

School Closings for Wednesday as of 10pm that have been reported to WFLQ-Q100 are:  Springs Valley, Paoli, Orleans, Mitchell Community Schools, Shoals Community Schools are all closed Wednesday due to the weather.  Northeast Dubois will be on a 2 hour delay, with re-evaluation early Wednesday morning.  Four to seven inches of snow fell in the area, creating hazardous driving conditions.  The Orange County Sheriff's Department has requested the citizens stay off the roads unless it is absolutely necessary.  It is difficult to get to these accidents because of the road conditions.

Democratic Congressman Baron Hill has plans to file paperork to seek re-election, but he must first weather the storm. Hill's spokeswoman, Katie Moreau says her boss had planned to formally enter the race Monday before his flight was canceled in Washington as a result of recent snowfall. 

Monday, February 8th, 2010

Another round of snow is set to visit the Hoosier Hills. The National Weather service out of Louisville has issued a Winter Storm Warning from 7PM til 1PM tomorrow Tuesday afternoon. Accumalation of 4 to 6 inches of snow expected overnite with another 1 to 2 inches tomorrow. Keep your eyes to the sky and your ear to Q-100, we'll keep you up to date with the latests weather and weather related cancellations and closings.

51 year old Kim "Boomer" Burton formerly of Orleans, died Friday in a house fire in Warrick County. The fire was in Burtons residence near Tennyson. It was reported at 8:20PM on Friday. Three fire departments responded. Burton was alone in the home at the time of the fire. His funeral will be Thursday at 1PM at Ochs tetrick Funeral home in Orleans. Vistation will be Thursday 10AM-1PM. 

The next meeting of the 37-145 assocaiation has been set for Wednesday, Feb 17th at 12 noon at Miguels Restaurant in West Baden. Linda Painter, 37-145 Project Manager will be attending.

Friday, February 5th, 2010

Extensive snowfall continues across Central Indiana. The NWS in Indianapolis says snow amounts of 5 to 8 inches possible there. Locall a Winter Storm Warning in effect until Saturday Morning at 6AM for Lawrence and Washington Counties. Snowfall of 4 to 9 inches possible in the warned areas. Here in Orange County and most of Southern Indiana a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect until 1PM tomorrow. Snowfall of 2 to 4 inches possible. Keep an eye to the sky and your ear to Q-100 for the latest in weather and postponements and cancellations

The Town of Paoli expereinced a widespread brief power outage this morning. It was first reported at 5:17AM this morning. Paoli Polic ereport the power was back on around 7:35AM. It was reportedly caused by a blown transformer.