MOUNT VERNON, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is announcing there will be temporary lane restrictions on the State Road 62 Wabash Memorial Toll Bridge.  

On Thursday, May 16, bridge inspection teams will finish their bi-annual inspection of the structure. This work is scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time.  Crews will use Friday, May 17, should weather be a factor.  

The east bound lane of S.R. 62 will be closed to allow crews and equipment to set up for the inspections.  Traffic will be maintained on the west bound lanes and will be controlled by flag persons on each end of the work site.  Motorists should anticipate delays. 

INDOT encourages motorists to slow down and pay special attention while traveling in work zones throughout Indiana.  For the latest news and information about INDOT, please visit www.in.gov/indot and www.trafficwise.in.gov

Posey County – Friday morning, May 10, at approximately 8:15 a.m.., Indiana State Police arrested Alice M. Gates, 64, 10340 Middle Mount Vernon Road, Evansville, for practicing nurse-midwifery without a license. A felony warrant was issued for her arrest yesterday. 

On December 21, 2012, Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation after receiving information an infant had been transported by ambulance from a home in rural Posey County to St. Mary’s Hospital in Evansville. The infant, who was later identified as Mara McDonald, was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital. 

The mother, Annika McDonald, 21, of 10032 Wolfinger Road, Mt. Vernon, started to receive prenatal care with Gates, who claimed to be a midwife, at around nine weeks. McDonald was also seen by a physician on two separate occasions. According to Detective Toni Walden, the mother never had an ultrasound or any blood tests during her pregnancy. 

Gates was summoned to the McDonald residence at approximately 2:00 a.m. on December 20th after she started to experience labor pains. Approximately two hours later, McDonald gave birth to her daughter. Gates was present during the birth, but left the residence about two hours later. At approximately 3:00 p.m., the parents summoned Gates back to their residence because their daughter was having difficulty breathing. Gates allegedly examined the infant and determined the respiratory distress wasn’t severe and that the parents could continue to watch their child at home or take her to a hospital. The parents decided to keep their child at home and continue to monitor her condition. During the early morning hours on December 21, both parents noticed their newborn daughter had stopped breathing and summoned an ambulance. Medical personnel attempted to revive the infant, but they were unsuccessful. 

An autopsy revealed Mara McDonald’s death was caused by respiratory arrest due to acute lobar pneumonia. 

Further investigation revealed Gates did not have a license to practice as a nurse-midwife. She was arrested this morning without incident at her residence and taken to the Posey County Jail where she was released after posting bond. 

Arrested and Charge: 
• Alice M. Gates, 64, 10340 Middle Mount Vernon Road, Evansville, IN 
1. Practicing Nurse-Midwifery without a License, Class D Felony 

Investigating Officer: Detective Toni Walden, Indiana State Police 

MOUNT VERNON, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is announcing there will be temporary lane restrictions on the State Road 62 Wabash Memorial Toll Bridge next week.  

Starting on Monday, April 22, bridge inspection teams will be completing their bi-annual inspection of the structure.  This work is scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time each day through Wednesday, April 24, weather permitting.     

The east bound lane of S.R. 62 will be closed to allow crews and equipment to set up for the inspections.  Traffic will be maintained on the west bound lanes and will be controlled by flag persons on each end of the work site.  Motorists should anticipate delays. 

INDOT encourages motorists to slow down and pay special attention while traveling in work zones throughout Indiana.  For the latest news and information about INDOT, please visit www.in.gov/indot and www.trafficwise.in.gov

MT. VERNON, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) has partnered with Posey County Prosecutor Travis Clowers to prosecute habitual toll violators on the Wabash Memorial Toll Bridge. The top violators have been summoned to Posey County Traffic Court, and more will be forthcoming in future months. 

Violators received multiple payment notices, including negative balance letters sent via certified mail, before their names were turned over to the Prosecutor’s Office. Violators may also have a hold placed on their annual vehicle registration. 

Drivers crossing the Wabash River bridge connecting Illinois 141 with Indiana 62 are required to maintain a prepaid Wabash Pass account and affix an associated transponder tag to their vehicle’s front windshield. Drivers who cross the bridge without paying the toll are committing a Class C traffic infraction punishable with $220 in fines and court costs. Toll rates are being enforced to ensure fairness for bridge users who follow the law and keep their Wabash Pass account funded. 

Electronic tolls are 50 cents for cars, 30 cents for motorcycles or bicycles and $1.70 for six-axle trucks. Tolls have not been increased since 1984, and pay for continued maintenance and eventual replacement of the bridge, which opened in 1956. 

To create an account, make a payment or order a transponder tag, please visit www.wabashpass.com or call toll free 1-855-Wabash1 (1-855-922-2741) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Central time Monday-Friday. Users may fund their Wabash Pass accounts through use of a credit card, debit card, automatic payment or check.


SOURCE: Indiana Department of Transportation

Posey County – Friday night, March 29, at approximately 11:00 p.m., Trooper Korey Mauck was patrolling St. Wendel-Cynthiana Road when he observed an Arctic Cat Side by Side vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. The driver then failed to stop for the stop sign at St. Wendel Road. 

Trooper Mauck attempted to stop the vehicle, but it continued southbound on St. Wendel Road and then onto several other county roads. As the driver attempted to turn left onto St. Wendel Hills Road he lost control and the vehicle rolled onto its side. The driver and passenger immediately crawled out of the vehicle and were taken into custody. 

The driver was identified as Rayne Bitter, 27, of Wadesville. While talking to Bitter, Trooper Mauck detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage and noticed he had blood shot eyes. Mauck also observed an open beer bottle in the cup holder of the vehicle. Further investigation revealed Bitter had a blood alcohol content of .09 %. 

Bitter was arrested and taken to the Posey County Jail where he is currently being held on bond. Bitter’s 21-year-old passenger was not arrested. 

ARRESTED AND CHARGES: 
• Rayne M. Bitter, 27, Wadesville, IN 
1. Resisting Law Enforcement, Class D Felony 
2. Driving While Intoxicated, Class A Misdemeanor 

Arresting Officer: Trooper Korey Mauck, Indiana State Police 

Click here The Evansville Police Officers involved in the police action shooting on Monday evening, March 25th in Posey County are identified as: 
• Officer Dave Burris, 45, and a 22 year veteran of the Evansville Police Department 
• Officer Aaron Bourland, 32, and a 6 year veteran of the Evansville Police Department 

The investigation by the Indiana State Police is continuing.

Posey County – Friday night, February 15, at approximately 11:56 p.m., Sergeant Russ Werkmeister stopped the driver of a 2008 Toyota for making an unsafe lane movement and speeding on SR 62 near Davis Road. The driver was identified as Erika Thomas, 43, of Mt. Vernon. Her 15-year-old daughter was a passenger in the car. Further investigation revealed she had a blood alcohol content of .21 %. Thomas was arrested and taken to the Posey County Jail where she is currently being held on bond. 

Arrested and Charge: 
• Erika B. Thomas, 43, Mt. Vernon, IN 
1. Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated with a Passenger less than 18 years of age, 
Class D Felony 

Arresting Officers: Sergeant Russ Werkmeister and Trooper Korey Mauck, Indiana State Police 


SOURCE: Indiana State Police

POSEYVILLE, Ind. -- The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is advising motorists there will be temporary lane restrictions on State Road 66 in Posey County.   

Beginning Tuesday, January 22, INDOT crews will be performing maintenance repairs on S.R. 66 at the 2.5 mile marker.  This is between State Road 69 and State Road 165.  Work will continue through Thursday, January 24.  It is anticipated all work will begin at approximately 7:00 a.m. local time and be complete by 4:00 p.m. each day, weather permitting.  

INDOT reminds motorists to follow the posted work zone speed limit, use caution and consider worker safety when traveling through a work zone.  For the latest news and information about INDOT, please visit www.in.gov/indot or www.trafficwise.in.gov

Indiana State Police News Release:
Posey County – Sunday afternoon, December 23, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Detective Loren Brooks was off-duty and driving his department issued unmarked vehicle on Spring Switch Road when he observed a White 1992 Chevrolet pickup truck southbound near Springfield Road. Detective Brooks observed the driver of the pickup truck pull over to the side of the roadway and point a firearm out of the passenger side window. When the driver observed Brooks he pulled the weapon back into the vehicle. Brooks stopped his vehicle, identified himself as a trooper with the Indiana State Police and ordered him out of his vehicle. The driver was not cooperative. Brooks approached the pickup truck, opened the door and observed several weapons including a Ruger .22 caliber rifle that appeared to have been cut down and made into a pistol. Brooks also observed an eleven-month old child in a child safety seat. The weapon was loaded, the safety was off and a loaded 25 round magazine was on the floorboard along with spent shell casings. The driver was identified as Thomas Fuhs, 21, of Wadesville. Further investigation determined Fuhs was attempting to shoot crows from the roadway. He was arrested and taken to the Posey County Jail, but was later released after posting bond. 

ARRESTED AND CHARGES: 
• Thomas J. Fuhs, 21, 3251 Springfield Road, Wadesville, IN 
1. Neglect of a Dependant, Class D Felony 
2. Possession of a Handgun without a License, Class A Misdemeanor 
3. Hunting on or near Public Highway, Class C Misdemeanor 
4. Hunting without a License, Class C Misdemeanor 

Arresting Officer: Detective Loren Brooks, Indiana State Police
Assisting Agency: Posey County Sheriff’s Department 

SHARING A NOTICE FROM A FACEBOOK FOLLOWER:
ATTENTION: Evansville and surrounding areas, a group of my friends have put together a candlelight vigil in remembrance of the loves lost in Newtown, Connecticut. This vigil will be held at the Mount Vernon riverfront on Friday the 21st at 6 p.m. I hope you all can make it please bring your own candles as many as you would like and also there will be a box for cards and they are trying to raise $2,500 for those families for funeral costs etc.. Thank you in advance. Please come light a candle in honor of those innocent lives that were lost!