Local News: Monday, February 19, 2018

Dubois County Roadways Closed Due to High Water

The Dubois County Highway Dept. has closed the following roads due to high water.

Monday – 8 a.m. UPDATE

Please note, traffic officials say they do not believe this list will change for the next 24 hours.  We do expect the list to grow as steady, heavy rain is possible for several days this week.

This may result in flooding across parts of the area.  Stay tuned for updates.

Madison Township

  • CR 875 W –      South of CR 150 N
  • CR 800 W –      North of CR 300 S
  • CR 620 W –      @ Dillon Creek
  • CR 150 S –       West of Old Huntingburg Road
  • Ell Creek Rd. –  North of CR 400 S

Bainbridge Township

  • Old Huntingburg Rd. –  North of CR 400 S

Patoka Township

  • CR 400 S-      West of Ell Creek Rd.
  • CR 400 S –     East of U.S. 231
  • CR 130 W-     North of 400 S
  • 1st St. –          Huntingburg, west of CR 75 W


Semi Crash Closes U.S. 231 For a Short Time Monday Morning

HARBISON TOWNSHIP — A semi crash this morning closed U.S. 231 for about half an hour.

Crash reports show Jonathan Haskins, 28 of Louisville was driving a semi north on US 231 near the intersection with Old Road 45 around 7:10 this morning when he failed to notice a vehicle slowing down to turn left.

Haskins veered left of center to avoid a collision and sideswiped that vehicle, hitting a telephone poll and pedestal box.

Stork’s heavy wrecker service was called in to remove the semi and trailer from the ditch.

The other car was able to be driven from the scene.

Luckily, no one was hurt, but damage to the scene is estimated to be between 20 and 40 thousand dollars.


Man Arrested For Stealing Medical Supplies From Memorial

JASPER — An Eckerty man was arrested last night, accused of stealing medical supplies from Memorial Hospital.

Jasper Police were called to the hospital just after 10 last night after security reported finding stolen supplies in a back pack belonging to Joshua Saylor,33 of Eckerty.

He was taken into custody without incident and lodged in the Dubois County Security Center.

He’s charged with theft, possession of a hypodermic needle, and possession of a schedule IV narcotic without a prescription.


Jasper Man Arrested For Driving Drunk and High

JASPER — A Jasper man is arrested for driving under the influence along with marijuana charges.

Police received a call about a suspicious vehicle in the 600 block of Tealwood Drive around 7:30 last night.

Police say they noticed a glass smoking pipe and a small amount of marijuana in plain sight when they arrived on scene.

Arrest reports allege 23-year-old Landon Hardin admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol and marijuana and was arrested.

Hardin is charged with OWI along with marijuana and paraphernalia possession charges.

He’s lodged in the Dubois County Security Center.


Jasper Man Arrested on Felony Battery, Strangulation Charges

JASPER — A Jasper man was arrested Sunday on multiple felony domestic battery charges.

Police were called to an apartment in the 1700 block of Leopold Street in reference to a fight.

Douglas Rockey was arrested after an investigation revealed he allegedly strangled and punched his wife and held a knife to her throat.

Police say Rockey also kept the victim from leaving the apartment and kept her from calling 911.

He’s charged with felony domestic battery, strangulation, intimidation, criminal recklessness, and criminal confinement.  Rockey is also charged with a misdemeanor count of interference with the reporting of a crime.


Weather Service Warns of Potential Flooding This Week

AREA WIDE — The National Weather Service is warning area residents about the possibility of flooding this week.

Water is already getting high in and around Dubois County from steady rain last week.

Some roads in the county were closed Friday due to high water.

Meteorologists say we could see another 2 to 3 inches of rain Tuesday night through this weekend, with locally heavier amounts possible.

With ground already saturated and rivers running high, the added rainfall could lead to flooding, according to the National Weather Service.

Forecasters urge you to stay up-to-date on the latest forecast and be prepared to take action if a warning is issued.


Jasper Engines Equipping Top NASCAR Drivers With Vital Parts

Credit: M. Crane, Dubois County Free Press

JASPER — Jasper Engines & Transmissions has announced its Driveline Division will supply 4-speed transmissions to some NASCAR organizations for this year’s Monster Energy Cup Series.

Stewart-Hass Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, Furniture Row Racing and Leavine Family Racing will all be running on locally-built transmissions this year.

Danica Patrick will have a Jasper 4-Speed Transmission in her Premium Motorsports entry as she makes her final Daytona 500 start.

Several other drivers will be using the single-rail version of the Jasper 4-Speed Transmission this year.

Jasper Engines and Transmissions had a highly successful season LAST racing season.  5 of the top 10 drivers in last year’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series were equipped with Jasper products.


Deborah Major Announces Bid for County Council

DUBOIS CO. — Deborah Major has announced she’s filed to seek the Democratic nomination to the Dubois County Council, District 3 seat in this November’s Mid-Term Election.

District three covers Columbia, Hall, Ferdinand, Jackson, Jefferson and Marion townships.

In a statement announcing her bid, Major calls herself fiscally conservative and believes that all spending should be subject to well-reasoned cost-benefit analysis.

You can see Major’s full campaign announcement over on our Facebook page.

The district 3 seat is currently held by Republican Charmian Klem, who recently announced she’s running for a second term.