State News from Muncie Free Press

Trooper Lee Ross, age 28, (Redkey District) was struck and injured on I-69 at the 65 mile-marker in Grant County at 9:05 p.m. last night. He is a five year veteran of the Indiana State Police. 

Ross and several other troopers had been working on I-69 all day investigating crashes and slide-offs in Delaware and Grant Counties. Heavy snow fall caused I-69 and other state and U.S. highways to become slick, which created hazardous road conditions for motorists. Strong winds also reduced visibility to nearly zero. 

Ross was physically checking an abandoned vehicle in the median to determine whether it was occupied, it was not. His fully marker police cruiser with emergency lights activated, was park on the inside shoulder of I-69.  

Ross was standing at right front of the cruiser when a south bound 1993 Honda driven by Julia A. Lebrell, age 23, 130 Claremont Street Dearborn, Michigan lost control of her vehicle and struck the trooper and his cruiser.  

Ross was transported by Grant County EMS to Marion General Hospital with complaint of pain, and later released. The cruiser sustained minor damage. Lebrell was not injured. Ross was wearing his department issued lime green high visibility reflective traffic safety vest at the time he was struck. 

During the history of the Indiana State Police, there have been seven (7) state troopers, and one (1) motor carrier enforcement officer struck and killed while working alongside Indiana roadways.

Lieutenant Mike Nichols, commander of the Redkey District reminds drivers that Indiana law requires motorists to approach cautiously when an emergency vehicle is stopped on two or four lane roadways with emergency lights flashing.  

“The intent of this law is to protect the emergency and highway personnel who serve the public. Please be alert when you see emergency lights flashing and give them room to do their job safely. With the road conditions as they are today, motorists are driving too fast and must slow down”, Nichols said. 

Motorists MUST change lanes away from the emergency vehicle if they can do it SAFELY, if not they must SLOW DOWN and proceed with caution.  

Indiana emergency vehicles include:

• Police vehicles                                                                                                                                                                                                    
• Ambulances
• Fire trucks and rescue equipment
• Highway incident-response vehicles
• Highway work vehicles
• Vehicle recovery equipment (tow trucks)

LOUISVILLE, KY - Governor Mitch Daniels, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson today convened the first meeting of the 14-member Indiana-Kentucky Bi-State Authority.

“It’s time to move, and in a way that creates a model on how two states can act together for the good of all,” said Daniels.

The Bi-State Authority was created to spearhead the project to construct two bridges over the Ohio River and to rebuild the Kennedy Interchange, where Interstates 64, 65 and 71 come together in downtown Louisville.

The authority’s mandate includes devising a financial plan for the project. The initial plan set the estimated cost at $4.1 billion. Indiana’s share is 30 percent.

“We’re taking a historic step today,” Gov. Beshear said. “The task before this authority is challenging but critically important. The work done here will benefit both of our states for generations to come.”

“It has taken many years, and lots of hard work, but we are now ready to move this important project forward,” Mayor Abramson said. “This authority will lay the groundwork for a vastly improved transportation system in Louisville and Southern Indiana.”

Beshear proposed the creation of special authorities to oversee development and financing of “mega” projects – those costing more than $500 million – between Kentucky and Indiana. The Kentucky General Assembly enacted the proposal in 2009. It created the statewide Kentucky Public Transportation Infrastructure Authority, which voted in October 2009 to recommend that Beshear, in cooperation with Daniels, create a bi-state authority for the Ohio River bridges project.

Daniels signed an executive order in December that outlined Indiana’s participation in the authority, including the appointments of the state’s seven commission members.

During the meeting Tuesday, the Authority took several actions. They included:

• Election of officers. Joe Prather of Kentucky is chair; Kerry Stemler of Indiana is co-chair; Charles Buddeke of Kentucky is treasurer and Pat Byrne of Indiana is secretary.
• Appointed Steve Schultz, of Columbus, as executive director to serve as the chief administrative officer for the Authority. Schultz has been in-house counsel to First Financial Bank in Columbus since September 2009, and had previously served as general counsel to Irwin Union Bank and Trust Company of Columbus. He was general counsel to Governor Daniels in 2005.

Daniels also has appointed Pete King, an attorney from Columbus, as a new Indiana member of the Bi-State Commission. He replaces Schultz, who has resigned to accept the appointment of Bi-State Authority executive director.

HAGERSTOWN, IN - On January 29, 2010, at about 9 p.m. Trooper Barry Bischoff and his K-9 partner Gaston answered the call to assist the Hagerstown Police Department in looking for a 15-year-old girl who had run away. 

The girl apparently left her house in the 15 degree weather wearing nothing but her pajamas and a blanket.

Bischoff and Gaston tracked the girl's prints in the snow while battling the cold windy conditions.  After a little more than an hour they located her curled up under a pine tree more than a mile away from her home. 

"The tree branches were so thick I couldn't even see her, but Gaston did," Bischoff said.

The young female was returned home by Hagerstown Police. She was cold, but grateful. 

Bischoff remarked, "I'm just glad Gaston and I could help. I'm not sure how much longer she could've lasted in this weather dressed like that."

Trooper Barry Bischoff

WHEATLAND, IN - On Saturday morning, January 30, at approximately 11:00 a.m., Indiana State Police responded to 223 Short Street in Wheatland to investigate a drug complaint.  When troopers searched the residence they found a small amount of methamphetamine, marijuana, several drug pipes and paraphernalia.

The homeowners, Jacob Kail, 32, and Heather Kail, 29, were arrested and taken to the Knox County Jail where they are currently being held on bond.  Kail's three children were taken into protective custody by Knox County Division of Family Services.

ARRESTED AND CHARGES:

• Jacob M. Kail, 32, 223 Short Street, Wheatland, IN
• Heather R. Kail, 29, 223 Short Street, Wheatland, IN

1.       Possession of Meth, Class D Felony

2.      Child Neglect, Class D Felony

Investigating Officers: Trooper Bill Gadberry, Trooper Doug Francis and Trooper Kevin Waters

CENTERVILLE, IN – Yesterday morning at approximately 9:40 a.m. two westbound semi-tractor trailers collided on I-70 at the 148 mile marker just east of Centerville.  It seems a tractor trailer driven by Jordache White, 27, of Thebes Illinois was merging into the driving lane from the berm when a tractor pulling a flat bed with steel beams, driven by George Reimer, 49, of Kingsville Ontario, came over the hill in the driving lane.   

Reimer was unable to tell that White’s semi was not up to speed; he was unable to stop and rammed the back of Whites 2000 Freightliner that was pulling a box trailer loaded with produce. 

Both semis ended up off the north side of the interstate with both westbound lanes blocked at the location.  Reimer had to be extricated from his 2004 International tractor and was air lifted to Miami Valley Hospital with leg and internal injuries.  White refused medical treatment. 

I-70 traffic was routed off at the 149 exit to US35 to SR 38 to Sr 1 to get back to I-70.  The passing lane was reopened around 10:30 a.m.  The driving lane remained closed. 

The box trailer and tractor was off loaded and removed from the interstate last night around 8 p.m.  Crews are currently working to remove the flat bed semi from the north side of I-70.  Motorists can expect lane restrictions there this morning as crews continue working.

PENDLETON, IN - Lt. Bob Burke, Commander of the Pendleton Post, recently presented Indiana State Police Sergeant Bill Spalding and Trooper Corey Berfield with a safe driving award.  Sergeant Bill Spalding has accumulated 800,000 safe driving miles and Trooper Corey Berfield has accumulated 50,000 safe driving miles. 

Sergeant Spalding is a 20 year veteran of the Indiana State Police and resides in Hancock County.  Trooper Berfield graduated from the Indiana State Police Academy in 2007 and resides in Hamilton County.  Sergeant Spalding currently supervises the Indiana State Troopers assigned to patrol Hamilton County.  Trooper Berfield currently patrols Hamilton County. 

Trooper Berfield

Sergeant Spalding

Bill would help schools to develop policies and provide education concerning dating violence

INDIANAPOLIS - Legislation authored by State Senator Earline S. Rogers (D-Gary) that would require school corporations to enact policies and educate young people about dating violence was amended and approved by the Senate Education and Career Development Committee by a vote of 8 to 1 today.

As amended, Senate Bill (SB) 316 would require the Department of Education to develop guidelines that schools may use in professional development activities concerning dating. This training must include the warning signs of dating violence; the basic principles of dating violence prevention; and methods to foster parental education and outreach.

"By educating young people about the behaviors of dating violence and empowering them to address it, we can break the cycle of violence early and keep it from recurring during their adult years," said Rogers.

According to data from Clarian Health, 11.6 percent of Indiana high school youth reported being hit or physically hurt by their boyfriend or girlfriend; approximately 13.2 percent of females and 3.2 percent of males reported being physically forced into sexual relations.

Nationwide, 1 in 5 female high school students report being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner.

For more information on Senator Rogers, her legislative agenda or other State Senate business call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.senatedemocrats.in.gov.

STATEHOUSE - Rep. Cleo Duncan (R-Greensburg) received the Frank O'Bannon Sunshine Award today during the Hoosier State Press Association's annual meeting and government conference.

The award, first presented in 2005, is named in remembrance of the late Gov. O'Bannon who died in 2003 during his second term. The prestigious award honors individuals, groups and organizations for their efforts to protect and enhance the concept of open government in Indiana.

"It is truly an honor to be recognized for an award that represents integrity and transparency in government operations," said Rep. Duncan. "As as a member of the Indiana General Assembly, we are the voice for all Hoosiers in our state and I am dedicated to doing right by the people of district 67."

Rep. Duncan has been a state legislator since being elected in 1994. She is currently the Ranking Republican Member of the House Roads and Transportation Committee and Committee on Financial Institutions.

Vevay Newspapers and Ripley Publishing nominated Rep. Duncan for the award.

FORT WAYNE, IN - A Fort Wayne man was arrested Wednesday night after he allegedly stole approximately $700 worth of alcoholic beverages from a local Kroger grocery store.  The problem was that not only did he not pay for the beverages, but that the Kroger store was across the street from the Fort Wayne Post of the Indiana State Police and there also happened to be an off-duty trooper, in his marked police car, in the Kroger's lot as the suspect drove away.

According to Senior Trooper Brad Shultz, at approximately 7:00 pm, 38 year old Archie Bernard Smothers from Fort Wayne entered the Kroger grocery story in the 8800 block of West Jefferson and allegedly left with approximately $700 worth of alcoholic beverages that he did not pay for.  A store employee flagged down off-duty Master Trooper Don Stoffel to inform him of what had just occurred.  At that moment, Sergeant Mike Yordy was just leaving the Post and observed the suspect's vehicle, a red 1990 Chevrolet pickup truck, traveling southbound on Yohne Road.

As Yordy activated his emergency lights and siren and attempted to catch up to the vehicle, the driver turned off the vehicle's lights and pulled off the side of the road where he got out and ran on foot.  Smothers then took control of the pickup and led police on a chase that ended in the area of Hoagland Road and Oakdale where he fled on foot.  Shultz, his K-9 partner Gunnar, Yordy and officers from both the Fort Wayne Police and Allen County Sheriff Departments searched for, and at approximately 7:30 pm, located and took Smothers into custody.  The original driver of the pickup was later located, but not charged at the time as he turned into a witness against Smothers, who was incarcerated in the Allen County Lockup.  The stolen alcohol was located and recovered.

ARRESTED AND CHARGED:

Archie Bernard Smothers, 38, 3524 Reynolds Street, Fort Wayne, IN

• --Theft, Class D Felony
• --Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Class D Felony
• --Driving While Suspended (Prior), Class D Felony
• --Criminal Recklessness with a Vehicle, Class A Misdemeanor
• --Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Class A Misdemeanor