Vanderburgh and Gibson County - This afternoon between 3:15 -4:15 p.m., motorists traveling northbound and or southbound US 41 near I-64 should expect a 15-20 minute delay. At Approximately 3:15 p.m. this afternoon, 600 plus motorcycles will be exiting I-64 EB at US 41 NB and will be stopping at the Flying J truck stop located just north of the interstate. 

Troopers will be shutting down the northbound and southbound lanes of US 41 near I-64 to allow the 600 plus motorcycles to safely exit the interstate and pull into the Flying J truck stop. After the motorcyclists take a 45 minute break, troopers will shut down only the southbound lanes of US 41 at Warrenton Road to allow the motorcycles to safely enter the highway. The motorcycles will exit US 41 and go eastbound on I-64 to Corydon. Northbound US 41 will remain open, but motorist will not be able to turn left onto Warrenton Road until all motorcycles have entered US 41.

SOURCE: Indiana State Police

(This is part of the Annual Run for the Wall. The ride starts in California and goes to Washington DC, picking up riders along the way)

This weekend, Memorial Day weekend marks the official start of the summer travel season. Many folks are gearing up for that summer vacation. Your Indiana State Police offer a few tips one should keep in mind when traveling. First, carrying large amounts of cash is not a good idea. Carry only enough cash to pay for cabs, shuttle services, and other minor incidentals. 

Credit or debit cards are convenient but one must constantly guard against theft, not just of the card itself, but one must make sure they protect their credit card number. Don’t leave your card lying on the table in a restaurant or display it freely where someone could see your number. Be aware of someone who may be nearby who may attempt photograph the card with a camera phone. Keep your credit card company’s number in a separate, easily accessible place so if you do lose your card or if its stolen, you can report it immediately to have the missing cards canceled. It’s also best to carry no more than one or two credit cards while traveling. 

When leaving home for that summer trip, let someone know where you are going, your route or means of travel, how to contact you in case of emergency, and when you expect to return. Stop your mail and newspaper delivery service. Nothing says, “No one is home” better than having several days worth of newspapers lying on the front porch. Turn off your water and water heater and make sure curling irons, hair dryers, and other small appliances are unplugged before leaving your house. Make sure all doors and windows are locked and have a timer set up to turn some lights on in your house during the evening hours and shut off at the time you would normally go to bed. Ask a neighbor or relative check your house daily while you’re away to make sure everything is okay. 

Special precautions should also be taken when traveling outside the United States. Certain areas of Mexico and the Middle East can be very dangerous for U.S. citizens. Check the U.S. Department of State website at www.state.gov and click on the “travel” tab to get up-to-date information and tips for traveling abroad. 

When loading up the family for the shorter trips to places like the Great Smokey Mountains, make sure your car is ready for the trip. Get the oil changed, check your tires (including your spare) for proper air pressure and for any possible defects. Check fluid levels, belts, and other critical mechanical parts to make sure your vehicle is roadworthy and throw a few tools such as a wrench set, breaker bar, flashlight, and other such items in a tool box in your trunk along with a gallon of antifreeze and a quart or two of oil. It’s also a good idea to obtain a AAA membership or other roadside assistance package “just in case.” 

Prior to leaving, make sure you’re well rested. Have your route of travel mapped out and check ahead for any possible road construction on your route. Make sure everyone is buckled up and if you have small children, make sure they are properly restrained in a child restraint system. With small children it’s also a good idea to take books for them to read or other items to occupy their time to avoid the constant, annoying question, “Are we there yet?” Make frequent rest stops during your trip to stay well rested and keep your cell phone charged or have a car charger for your cell so if necessary, you can make an emergency call. 

Another good idea when traveling with children is to write the child’s name, your name and cell number, as well as a close friend or relative’s name and number on a card. Include other information on the card such as allergies or any other health conditions your child may have. Give each child the card to carry with them in their pocket or back pack in case you get separated. Also, tell your children should they get separated, to stay in the area and not to wander off looking for you. Remind them not to speak with strangers or go anywhere with a stranger. Tell them to speak only to a police officer or other individual in uniform such as park rangers, uniformed amusement park employees, etc. Tell them to give the card with your contact information to the official so immediate contact can be made with you. 

If you take prescription medication, make sure to take an adequate supply including extra in case you are unexpectedly detained for a few extra days. Make sure to take the prescription bottle with you as well. If you use one of the daily pill distribution containers and you don’t have your prescription with you, you are committing a felony violation by possessing a prescription drug without the prescription in your possession. You should also make sure your health insurance cards are current and have them with you in case it becomes necessary to seek medical attention while away from home. 

Nothing is more enjoyable than a summer trip with the family or close friends. By following the above tips, you should be able to avoid some of those things that can otherwise ruin that family vacation.

Vanderburgh County – Monday night, May 20, at approximately 9:45 p.m., Trooper Wes Alexander stopped the driver of a 2007 Chrysler PT Cruiser for traveling 73 mph in a 50 mph zone on the Lloyd Expressway near McDowell Road. When Trooper Alexander approached the the vehicle he detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage and observed an open vodka bottle. The driver, Sarah Ricketts, 31, of Evansville, had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. Further investigation revealed Ricketts was six months pregnant and had a BAC of .19%. She was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where she is currently being held without bond. 

ARRESTED AND CHARGE: 
• Sarah Ricketts, 31, Evansville, IN 
1. Driving While Intoxicated with a Prior DUI Conviction, Class D Felony 

Arresting Officer: Trooper Wes Alexander, Indiana State Police 

UPDATE: Sad news to pass along, the worker has died from his injuries according to the Owensboro Messenger Inquirer. 

ORIGINAL POST: A worker on the KY 2262 Ohio River “Blue” Bridge was seriously injured late today.   About 6:30 p.m., Owensboro Police and Fire units were called to the bridge where other employees working on the bridge painting project had found a 35 year old co-worker unconscious in safety netting at the work site. 

Workers used a lift to access the safety netting, cut the injured man from the netting, and bring him down to street level where he was transported to the Owensboro hospital. 

The worker had burns on his hands, indicating that he may have come into contact with energized electrical wires on the bridge.

The contractor and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet safety personnel will be initiating an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.


SOURCE: Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

Members of the Evansville Police Department have been working closely with the family of a local school student who filed a complaint against an EPD Officer last week. The family has decided that they do not wish to file criminal charges against the officer. The EPD made it clear to the family that they would pursue the charges the same as they would with any other citizen. The mother advised that the student didn't want to see the officer charged criminally and the parents concurred with his wishes. 

Although the criminal investigation has ended, an Internal Investigation has now begun. The officer will remain on administrative leave pending the outcome of the Internal Affairs investigation.


SOURCE: Evansville Police Department - Nixle

FROM THE EVANSVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT - FACEBOOK:  On May 18th, Officer Kevin Mason and several other officers were sent to the 1300 block of W. Delaware for an assault in progress.

When the officers arrived, they found a man who had been mauled by a neighbor’s dog during an argument. Witnesses told the officers that the two men were arguing when the dog came out of the owner’s house and attacked the victim. The victim suffered severe injuries during the attack. 

Officer Mason checked the victim’s injuries as medical crews were called to the scene. One of the victim’s arms was badly injured and had blood squirting from it. Officer Mason used a tourniquet to control the bleeding. When medical crews arrived, the bleeding was completely controlled and they were able to concentrate their care on the victim’s other injuries. One of the EFD personnel on scene commented that the amount of blood the victim was losing could be life threatening if not immediately controlled. 

The EPD recently purchased tourniquets for all of the officers. All of the officers have been trained on when and how to use them. This newly acquired equipment and training has proven to be a difference maker. We commend Officer Mason on his quick action during this incident.

OWENSBORO, KY—The former owner of Tree Tops business, located in Henderson County, Kentucky, was sentenced to 12 months and one day by Chief Judge Joseph H. McKinley, Jr. today in United States District Court for trafficking in counterfeit goods, announced David J. Hale, United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky. There is no parole in the federal system.

Yorel Petrie, of Henderson, Kentucky, pleaded guilty on February 20, 2013, to a one-count federal indictment returned on September 12, 2012. According to the plea agreement, between January 2008 and October 6, 2009, Petrie, while owner and operator of Tree Tops, trafficked in hats, shoes, and clothes, while knowingly using counterfeit marks to represent trademarks then owned and registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Examples of the spurious marks the defendant knowingly used, which were identical to or substantially indistinguishable from marks that were then in use and registered for hats, shoes, or clothes include: the Nike “Swoosh” trademark, the Nike “Jumpman” trademark, the Polo Ralph Lauren “Polo by Ralph Lauren” tag, the Major League Baseball logo, the NBA logo “Jerry West” silhouette, the Ed Hardy stylized cursive logo, and the Lacoste “alligator” logo.

Petrie admitted in court that the purpose of the Tree Tops business was the importation and sale of goods bearing counterfeit trademarks. Further, Petrie admitted that the use of the counterfeit marks and logos was likely to cause confusion and deceive customers.

This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Micah R. Reyner and is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).


SOURCE: www.fbi.gov

Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and key City department heads began two days of Lean training this morning at Innovation Pointe, 318 Main St. Lean training is another step being implemented by Mayor Winnecke to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of City government.

In his 2013 State of the City speech, Mayor Winnecke announced a new initiative that will look for ways to streamline city government processes and make it easier for the public to do business with the City of Evansville.

Lean training is being offered through a unique partnership between the City and the University of Southern Indiana Center for Applied Research and Economic Development (CARED). CARED Director Daniela Vidal will train City department heads to evaluate the services their office provides, identify hidden wastes and streamline the process to make it more effective in servicing customers. Department heads will then share what they have learned with other members of their departments.

At the end of the two-day training session, department heads will identify areas for improvement that will become the first City projects to apply the Lean thinking process. The City will continue to look for additional projects to apply Lean thinking, with the overall goal of enhancing customer service and implementing a culture of continuous improvement.


SOURCE: www.evansville.in.gov

Industrial Contractors will be closing the far right (inside) lane of Division St between Mary St and Oakley St on Monday, May 20th. This is adjacent to the existing Berry Plastics facility. The lane closure will last about 2 months.