Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an Off-Road Vehicle crash that claimed the life of a man early this afternoon.

At approximately 2:00 p.m., Christopher M. Crause, 24, of Holton, was operating a Honda TRX 300 ORV on a muddy path in a field near the 400 block of North County Road 850 West in Holton.  Officials believe that Crause swerved to avoid a mud puddle in the path that he was operating on and struck an old abandoned pickup truck.  Crause was ejected and the ORV rolled on top of him.

Christopher M. Crause was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Ripley County Coroner.

A friend of Crause located him sometime after the crash and called 911.  He was found unconscious and began CPR until EMS arrived.

Crause was not wearing a helmet or any other protective gear at the time of the crash.

Indiana Conservation Officers, Ripley County Deputies, Indiana State Police, Holton Fire/EMS, Versailles Fire/EMS, Rescue 69 EMS and Ripley County EMS arrived shortly after the crash.

The crash is currently under investigation.  It is believed that alcohol may have been a contributing factor.

Indiana Conservation Officers strongly encourage riders to wear helmets and necessary safety equipment, as well as understand all laws while operating an Off-Road Vehicle both on and off the roadway.

On October 17, 2017, a Madison, Indiana woman was arrested on numerous charges related to the theft of medication from a Madison pharmacy where she was an employee.

The investigation by Detective Brent Miller began in April of this year when the Indiana State Police was contacted by the Madison Walgreen’s Store about a pharmacy employee stealing medications while she was working there as a pharmacy technician.  The investigation revealed that Kimberly Herrell-Stone, age 37, Madison, Indiana stole numerous medications from the pharmacy between January and April of 2017.

Walgreen’s notified the Indiana State Police after their Asset Protection Division had discovered that numerous types of medications were missing from the pharmacy.  It was determined that the thefts occurred on days when Herrell-Stone was working in the pharmacy.  She was also found to be in possession of some of the stolen controlled substances.  At the conclusion of the investigation, the case was turned over to the Jefferson County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

On October 16, 2017, a warrant was issued for Herrell-Stone out of the Jefferson County Superior Court.  Herrell-Stone was charged with Theft (level 6 felony), Possession of a Legend Drug (level 6 felony), Possession of Controlled Substance (level 6 felony), Dealing a Controlled Substance (class A misdemeanor), and three additional charges of Possession of Controlled Substance (class A misdemeanor).

On October 17, 2017, Herrell-Stone turned herself in to the Jefferson County Jail where she was incarcerated pending her initial court appearance.

Photo: Friendship Vol. Fire Department

Around 10pm on Saturday night (10/21/17) crews from Friendship Volunteer Fire Department responded to the 8700 block of State Road 129 in Cross Plains in reference to a combine on fire.

Crews arrived on scene and found the combine fully engulfed in flames which were quickly knocked down. No injuries were reported and thankfully, the combine did not catch any nearby buildings on fire.

The cause of the fire is unknown. The owner told firefighters the combine had been sitting idle for a few hours when the flames were noticed by a passerby.

The Indiana Department of Transportation plans to open State Road 62 at a slide mitigation site east near Friendship in Ripley Countyand close the highway at a second slide location in Dearborn County south of Dillsboro. These operations are tentatively scheduled to occur this Friday (OCT 27), weather permitting.

Indiana’s unemployment rate stands at 3.8percent for September and remains lower than the national rate of 4.2 percent. With the exception of one month when it was equal (October 2015), Indiana’s unemployment rate now has been below the U.S. rate for four full years. The unemployment rate is a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicator that reflects the number of unemployed people as a percentage of the labor force. Indiana’s labor force had a net increase of 6,105 over the previous month, which was a result of 9,688 more seeking employment, and a 3,583 decrease in employment. Indiana’s total labor force stands at nearly 3.34 million, and the state’s 64.5 percent labor force participation rate remains above the national rate of 63.1 percent.

In addition, Indiana’s initial and ongoing unemployment insurance claims are at historical lows.

Private sector employment has grown by more than 24,900 over the year, and has increased by 8,200 over the previous month, primarily due to gains in the Trade, Transportation and Utilities (4,300) and the Leisure and Hospitality (1,800) sectors. Total private employment stands at 2,693,700 and is 16,800 above the November 2016 peak.

At approximately 1:10 pm on Friday (10/20/17), the Indiana State Police responded to State Road 7 at County Road 900 North for a two vehicle crash that ultimately claimed the life of two Scipio, Indiana children.

The initial investigation by Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, Indiana State Police-Versailles Crash Reconstruction Team, determined that a gold 2004 Buick Sentry, being driven by Mary F. Bailey, age 36, Columbus, Indiana was traveling northbound on State Road 7.  Bailey’s vehicle was slowed in the roadway to turn westbound on County Road 900 North when her vehicle was struck from behind by a black 2015 Chevrolet Silverado pulling a horse trailer, being driven by Nicholas A. Fischvogt, age 24, North Vernon, Indiana.

The force of the collision pushed Bailey’s vehicle off the west side of the roadway before coming to a stop.  Bailey suffered serious injuries in the crash.  She was airlifted to St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana for treatment of her injuries.  Two backseat passengers in her vehicle, Kaylee Creamer, age 4, and Allison Creamer, age 22 months, both of Scipio, Indiana, suffered fatal injuries in the crash.  Kaylee was pronounced deceased at the scene.  Allison was transported to St. Vincent-Jennings Hospital in North Vernon, Indiana where she was later pronounced deceased by the Jennings County Coroner’s Office.

After the collision, Fischvogt’s vehicle continued north before coming to a stop in the roadway.  A passenger in Fischvogt’s vehicle, Nancy Palmer, age 63, Scipio, Indiana, suffered serious injuries in the crash.  She was transported to Columbus Regional Hospital before being transported to Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana for treatment of her injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.  Toxicology results are pending on both drivers.

The Creamer family has been notified.

Sgt. Wheeles was assisted by other troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post, the Jennings County Sheriff’s Department, Scipio-Geneva Fire Department, Jennings County EMS, Stat Flight Medical Helicopter, the Jennings County Coroner’s Office, and the Indiana Department of Transportation.

On Saturday, October 28, 2017 the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is sponsoring the 14th nationwide “Prescription Drug Take Back” initiative.  The “Take Back” initiative seeks to prevent prescription drug abuse and theft through proper disposal of prescription drugs.

Collection sites will be set up nationwide for expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs which will be properly disposed of without threat to the environment.  This program is for liquid and pill medications.  Needles, new or used, will not be accepted for disposal.  This service is free and anonymous with no questions asked.

Last April Americans turned in 450 tons (900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at almost 5,500 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners.  Overall, in its 13 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 8.1 million pounds—more than 4,050 tons—of pills.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue.  Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.  Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Once again, the Indiana State Police are pleased to partner with the DEA, and as in the past, the drugs may be dropped off at any Indiana State Police Post, except the Toll Road Post.  The event will be on Saturday, October 28th, between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

BOYS SOCCER: All Conference Team

                       JAVIER ASIANIN-URDIOZ                       JAC-CEN-DEL
                        CHRISTIAN BALBOA                                  SOUTHWESTERN
                        JAKE BOVARD                                             RISING SUN
                        MITCHELL CLINE                                       SOUTHWESTERN
                        LANDON COLE                                             RISING SUN
                        HUNTER GRAY                                            MILAN
                        AVERY HALCOMB                                      SOUTH RIPLEY
                        TYLER KRAMER                                         SOUTHWESTERN
                        TRENT LINVILLE                                       JAC-CEN-DEL
                        JOSEPH LISLE                                             SHAWE MEMORIAL
                        MATT MARTINI                                           RISING SUN
                        CONNER MILES                                          MILAN
                        KEEGAN MORRIS                                      SWITZERLAND COUNTY
                        ADRIAN PEETZ                                           JAC-CEN-DEL
                        JORGE RODRIGUEZ                                SHAWE MEMORIAL
                        MICHAEL SCHMITT                                JAC-CEN-DEL
                        NICK WEATHERBEE                              SHAWE MEMORIAL
                        KYLE WHITHAM                                     SWITZERLAND COUNTY             

 2017 ORVC Champions                                                                            Jac-Cen-Del Eagles
2017 ORVC Mental Attitude Award                           Quentin Comer         Jac-Cen-Del
2017 ORVC Coach of the Year                                       Derek Jones               Jac-Cen-Del

Girls Soccer: All Conference Team

KAYLA ADKINS                               SOUTHWESTERN
                        SABRINA ALLEN                            MILAN
                        MATTY ANDERSON                      SWITZERLAND COUNTY
                        KASEY BAKER                                 RISING SUN
                        TAYLOR BENNING                        SOUTH RIPLEY
                        TAYLOR BRISON                            SOUTH RIPLEY
                        ALLISON BRUCE                            SWITZERLAND COUNTY
                        RILEY CHIPMAN                           RISING SUN
                        TAYLOR COLE                                SOUTHWESTERN
                        EMMA FOLEY                                 SOUTHWESTERN
                        TORIA GOBEL                                 MILAN
                        LILY PHELPS                                  MILAN
                        SYDNEY PITTS                               RISING SUN
                        CALLEIGH POWELL                    SWITZERLAND COUNTY
                        KINSEY PRICE                               RISING SUN
                        KATE SAMPSON                            SOUTHWESTERN
                        MAGGIE SCHMIDT                      MILAN

2017 ORVC Tri-Champions                                                                    Milan Lady Indians                                                                                                                                                            Rising Sun Lady Shiners                                                                                                                                                  Souththwestern Lady Rebels 

2017 ORVC Mental Attitude Award                      Jayden McAlister               Rising Sun

2017 ORVC Tri-Coaches of the Year                 Todd Gobel                                       Milan                                                                                                                        Christina Rumsey                            Rising Sun                                                                                                              Nancy Totten                                    Southwestern

VOLLEYBALL: All Conference Team

                        COURTNEY BRUNS                       MILAN
                        MADISON COLES                           SOUTHWESTERN
                        KEELY FINK                                     SOUTHWESTERN
                        ELLEN FREDE                                  SHAWE MEMORIAL
                        ALLY FURNISH                               SWITZERLAND COUNTY
                        KATIE GEHL                                     JAC-CEN-DEL
                        MARIAH GENTILE                         SOUTH RIPLEY
                        DANYKA GROOVER                       RISING SUN
                        KINLEY MORTON                          SWITZERLAND COUNTY
                        ABBY RALSTON                              SOUTHWESTERN
                        ELEXAH ROEPKE                          SOUTH RIPLEY
                        KILEY SPARKS                                SOUTH RIPLEY
                        CAROLINE STAPLETON              RISING SUN
                        TORIA TUCKER                               SOUTH RIPLEY
                        BAYLEE YORN                                 MILAN

2017 ORVC Co-Champions (Varsity)                                    Southwestern Lady Rebels                                                                                                                                              South Ripley Lady Raiders

2017 ORVC Mental Attitude Award                   Toria Tucker                     South Ripley

2017 ORVC Co-Coaches of the Year                    Chris Johnson                     Southwestern
Kelly Sparks & Lisa Gilpin             South Ripley

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY: All conference members

Trevor Levi                                      Rising Sun                                       16:45
Ethan Goebel                                  Southwestern                                 17:16
Bradley Winston                           Southwestern                                17:27
Trevor Smith                                   Southwestern                                17:33
Gabriel Rankin                               Milan                                                 17:50
Leon Kinne                                      Shawe Memorial                           17:56
Bryan Avalos                                  Shawe Memorial                           18:12
Damon Hughes                              Jac-Cen-Del                                     18:30
Dylan Trenkamp                            South Ripley                                   18:34
Caleb Geary                                      Southwestern                                18:43
Nick Koons                                      Rising Sun                                        18:46
Dalton Vinup                                  Rising Sun                                        18:48

 2017 ORVC Boys Champions                                               Southwestern Rebels

2017 ORVC Mental Attitude Winner                    Trevor Levi               Rising Sun       

2017 ORVC Coach of the Year                         Zac Nussbaum       Southwestern

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: All conference members

Leah Anders                                                Switzerland County                      20:12
Megan Cole                                                  South Ripley                                   20:48
Shianna Bellingham                                Jac-Cen-Del                                     21:21
Kasey Baker                                                Rising Sun                                        21:44
Elyse Hunger                                              Jac-Cen-Del                                     22:30
Lauren Lundergan                                   Shawe Memorial                           22:50
Alyssa Brinkman                                      Milan                                                  23:13
Caty Battjes                                                Southwestern                                  23:32
Taylor Cole                                                 Southwestern                                 23:38
Kaytlin Sizemore                                     Jac-Cen-Del                                     23:41
Emma Miller                                             Milan                                                 23:52
Keirstan Oeffinger                                  Switzerland County                      23:59

2017 ORVC Girls Champions                                           Jac-Cen-Del Lady Eagles

2017 ORVC Mental Attitude Winner         Lucy Carrigan                    Rising Sun

2017 ORVC Coach of the Year: David Bradshaw – Jac-Cen-Del

GIRLS GOLF:

1. SOUTHWESTERN                                        484            
2. SWITZERLAND COUNTY                          517                      
3. MILAN                                                              583            
4. JAC-CEN-DEL                                               648
   SHAWE MEMORIAL                                  NTS 

ORVC Champions                          Southwestern Lady Rebels
ORVC Coach of the Year               David Bright – Southwestern
ORVC Mental Attitude Award       Mattea Edwards – Switzerland Co.

ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM

Riley King                                                      100 *                           Switzerland County
Katie Hertz                                                    101                              Shawe Memorial
Elle Foley                                                       111                              Southwestern
Kristen Consley                                             115                              Southwestern
Jody Breeck                                                   117                              Switzerland County
Lindsey Tuttle                                               119                              Milan                                     

* – medalist

The National Weather Service in Wilmington OH has confirmed a tornado near Sunman in Ripley and Dearborn counties in Indiana on October 7 2017.

The first evidence of damage and therefor the determined start of the touchdown track was on the westernmost end of Industrial Drive near Sunman. Trees of 4 to 5 inches in diameter were snapped about halfway up the trunks.

At one property on Industrial Drive, barn doors were damaged by the tornado. At another property on the same road, a trailer was pushed off its foundation. Tree damage was also observed along  Industrial Drive, extending to properties on Brick Yard Drive.

On Meridian Street about a half mile south of Sunman, a tractor-trailer was damaged by the tornado. Several trees were observed to be damaged in a wooded area east of Meridian Street and north of Edgewood Lane.

The tornado is believed to have crossed the Ripley/Dearborn county line in the vicinity of N Dearborn Road.

The most significant structural damage was observed at a property on Kruse Lane in Dearborn County. A barn had its roof partially removed and several walls were damaged. According to the resident at this location, metal roofing from the barn was found about three-quarters of a mile away, and insulation was carried as much as four miles downwind. There was also tree damage found at this location.

The last visible sign of damage and presumed end point of the tornado path was about a quarter mile north of the intersection of Fackler and North Dearborn Roads. There were 4 to 6 inch diameter tree limbs down in this location.

For reference: the Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes
into the following categories:

EF0…wind speeds 65 to 85 mph.
EF1…wind speeds 86 to 110 mph.
EF2…wind speeds 111 to 135 mph.
EF3…wind speeds 136 to 165 mph.
EF4…wind speeds 166 to 200 mph.
EF5…wind speeds greater than 200 mph.

On Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at approximately 11:40 a.m. a homeowner in the 7100 block of Glen Arbor Drive near Florence, Kentucky walked into his garage only to find a man there holding a leaf blower, drill, and drill charger all of which belonged to the homeowner. The homeowner pushed the would-be burglar out of his garage and exchanged a few choice words with him as he followed him down his driveway to the street where he (homeowner) got the license plate number of the thief’s car as he drove away.