257 REPAIRS
The Indiana Department of Transportation has approved a multi-million dollar contract to resurface State Road 257.
The Washington Times Herald is reported today that state officials have awarded a $7.8 million contract to J.H. Rudolph to fix the roadbetween Washington and Otwell.
President of the Daviess County Commissioners, Michael Taylor says repairs have been attempted and didn’t work so now it looks like INDOT will rebuild the road entirely.
The road will be milled down 4 inches and blacktopped. Some of the old sub pavement will be removed and there’s work planned on the Veale Creek Bridge. The paper reports the bridge work will be extensive enough to close the road for a time.
The work is expected to start this fall.
ARRESTS
Cory Burton, 35 of Linton was arrested by Washington Police on Friday. He’s chargd with residential entry and criminal mischief. Bond was set at $5000.
39-year-old Bradley Churchwell of Vincennes was arrested by The Daviess County Sheriff’s Department on Friday. He faces charges of dealing meth and maintaining a common nuisance.
29-year-old Carey Ridgely of Washington was arrested on Friday for disorderly conduct and battery on a minor resulting in injury. Bond was set at $25000.
37-year-old Christopher Clark of Wahsington was picked up on warrant Friday for failure to appear. Bond was set at $2000 and he did post bond.
FARMERS TO BE HONORED
Several area farmers will be recognized for their conservation practices at the Indiana State Fair next week. Jerry Like of Knox County, James Malone from Daviess County, Leon and Mark Schmitte of Pike County will be among 48 recipients receiving the River Friendly Farmers award for the work they do in protecting Indiana’s water resources. The individuals were put up for the award by their local Soil and Water Conservation District based upon their management practices which help keep rivers, lakes and streams clean.
The event will coincide with Farmer’s Day next Wednesday at the State Fair.
Presenting the award will be Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann and Indiana Farm Bureau President Don Villwock.
STATE BRIEFS FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana State Department of Health says its staff has confirmed three people have been infected with E. coli. The confirmation Friday comes as the department investigates reports of diarrheal illness in three northern Indiana counties. Officials say family members and others who may have been in contact with the victims are being monitored for diarrheal illness.
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SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller has submitted a friend of the court brief saying he believes the University of Notre Dame police department should be subject to the state’s open records law. The brief filed Thursday involves ESPN’s appeal of a ruling by St. Joseph Superior Court Judge Steven Hostetler that the department doesn’t have to make arrest reports public.
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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana’s health commissioner has approved a needle-exchange program for a third Indiana county to help officials there combat a hepatitis C epidemic. Doctor Jerome Adams declared a public health emergency Friday for Fayette County that allows the eastern Indiana county to launch a needle-exchange program.
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(BLOOMINGTON) A federal appeals court has upheld a lower court’s dismissal of a lawsuit the parents of a missing Indiana University student filed against two men who were with her the night she disappeared four years ago.
In October 2014, U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt ruled the parents of Lauren Spierer failed to present evidence showing the men had anything to do with her disappearance. The lawsuit filed by Robert and Charlene Spierer maintained Jason Rosenbaum and Corey Rossman gave their 20-year-old daughter alcohol and didn’t make sure she returned safely to her apartment.
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals said it found no decisions under Indiana law where persons were held liable for the actions of their social peers.
There’s been no sign of the Greenburgh, New York native since her June 2011 disappearance.
INDIANA STATEHOUSE-DOORS
Action delayed on Indiana Statehouse security upgrade
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Action is being delayed on a request from Governor Mike Pence’s administration that would spend $873,000 upgrading security at entrances to the state government complex.
Skeptical lawmakers on the State Budget Committee said Friday more discussion is needed because Pence’s administration did not provide enough information about the project.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Luke Kenley said the administration seemed to expect a “rubber stamp.” The Noblesville Republican said he was concerned security upgrades, including turnstiles at entrances, could amount to harassing the regular employees at the Statehouse and two neighboring office buildings.
The Indiana Department of Administration says upgrades are needed to prevent possible security threats, including disgruntled employees or homegrown terrorists inspired by the Islamic State group.
Pence has said the request is about putting public safety first.