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On Saturday, December 28, at approximately 4:37 pm, Washington County Deputies and other emergency personnel responded to the area of State Road 135 North and Spurgeon Road regarding a two-motor vehicle accident with injuries.

Deputies arrived on the scene and observed a 2018 Jeep Wrangler off the west side of the roadway with extensive front end damage. The driver of the Jeep was identified as Larry T. Stark, age 61, of Brownstown, Indiana.

Deputies also observed a 2013 Ford Fusion off the east side of the roadway with extensive front end damage. The driver of the Ford Fusion was identified as Carrisa Shepherd, age 25, of Salem.

Members of the Washington County Ambulance Service, Salem Fire Department and Monroe Township Volunteer Fire Department worked to extricate Stark from his vehicle. Stark was then transported to U of L Hospital in Louisville for treatment of his injuries.

Shepherd was transported to St. Vincent Hospital in Salem and later transferred to U of L Hospital for treatment of her injuries.

During the investigation, it was determined that Shepherd was traveling south on State Road 135, while Stark was traveling north. Both vehicles collided head on in the northbound lane.

Detective Brad Naugle is the lead investigating officer and was assisted by Deputy Hailee Lopotosky and the Indiana State Police.

The collision remains under investigation at this time.

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A Statewide Silver Alert has been declared.

The Muncie Police Department is investigating the disappearance of Shonda Howard, a 74 year old white female, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 108 pounds, white hair with hazel eyes, last seen wearing a grey shirt and black pants.

Shonda is missing from Muncie, Indiana which is 63 miles northeast of Indianapolis and was last seen on Thursday, December 26, at 1:17 a.m. She is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance.

If you have any information on Shonda Howard, contact the Muncie Police Department at 765-716-9852 or 911.

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By Becky Killian, Staff Writer

City officials have changed the process for obtaining or renewing off-road vehicle permits.

The change – which aims to simplify the process – was made during the Monday, Dec. 9, meeting of the Salem Common Council.
Before the change, owners of off-road vehicles had to register them annually with the Salem Police Department and visit the city’s Clerk’s Office to pay the $25 registration fee.Now, the entire process will be handled at the Clerk's Office.
Police Chief Eric Mills explained that off-road vehicle owners typically provide photos to prove the vehicles are properly equipped as required by city code.
In addition to headlights, taillights, and brakes, the vehicles must have a functional rear-view mirror and either an orange pennant or flag or a slow-moving vehicle emblem. Also, vehicles must have installed turn signals that are visible from the front and back.
Owners must also provide proof of registration with the Indiana Department of Motor Vehicles as well as proof of insurance.
Mills said about 150 off-road vehicle permits have been issued this year, which is up from last year’s total of about 80.

Photo by Jeff Faughender, Courier Journal.

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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

In an effort to recover 3.1 million dollars in restitution from Jamey Noel’s criminal case, Judge Larry Medlock has ordered the collected items to be sold at auction on January 1, 2025. Funds garnered from the auction will be split and distributed as follows:

$2,870,924 to Utica Township Volunteers Firefighters Association
$173,155.07 to Indiana Department of Revenue
$61,190.77 to Clark County Sheriff’s Department
$435,245.60 to Indiana State Police

Many items have been held back for the trial involving Jamey Noel's wife Misty and daughter Kasey. Noel was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to 27 felonies of theft and fraud. 3 of the 15 years were suspended to probation, and he could even be released in as early as 9 ½ years with good behavior.

The property seized by the Indiana State Police will be auctioned off by Freije & Freije Auctioneers. Online and live bidding are both available, and the physical location for the auction will be 2340 W. US Highway 40, Clayton, Indiana. Doors open at 8 a.m. ET., and the live auction begins at 10 a.m. with a 10% buyer’s fee and a $500 deposit to bid online. Online bidders bidding on Freijeauctioneers.com will pay a 2.5% online bidding fee, and bidders using Proxibid will undergo a 3% online fee.

There are 85 firearms for sale, mainly including handguns, shotguns and rifles. Also up for grabs are shoes, custom suits, pants and two Rolex watches. The watches already hold bids at $9,000 and $10,500.

If you are interested in viewing or placing bids, all 140 of Noel’s items can be found here.

Hon. Dustin Houchin Swearing-in Nancy Coats, Treasurer

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Yesterday morning, December 26 at 10 a.m., the newly-elected officials of Washington County were sworn-in. Friends, family and community members alike packed Judge Larry Medlock’s courtroom at the Circuit Court to congratulate the new additions to our governmental body.

A total of 14 electees raised their right hands yesterday and swore an oath of office to uphold the duties and responsibilities of the positions in which they have been elected for the betterment of Washington County. Judge Medlock and Judge Dustin Houchin worked in tandem to swear-in the new officials, and Stephanie Rockey, who also was sworn-in for her second term as the Clerk of Courts, organized the ceremony.

Enjoy photos from the swearing-in ceremony below!

Swear in 6 (Left to right) Hon. Houchin, Treasurer Coats and Clerk of Courts Rockey.