SINCE 1882 Successor to The Poseyville News & New Harmony Times POSEY COUNTY’S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NEWSPAPER
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Volume 136 Edition 23
‘Operation Lone Wolf’ results in 13 Posey drug arrests Members of several agencies converged on Posey County on Thursday morning to conduct a round-up of those facing drug-related charges. Ten of the original 12 individuals were arrested along with three others who were with some of the alleged offenders at the time of their arrest. Two others are still being sought. Officials indicate that there could be several ‘spin-off’ arrests from this operation.
Harold Shahan
Alex Parrish
Andrew Rollins
Antjuan Rollins
Beth Parrish
Christopher Chavis
Adam McGhee
James Smiley
Jennifer Hanmore
Keith Nunnally
Laterio Gibson
Margaret Rollins
Tyler Wunderlic
By Dave Pearce The Posey County team of Sheriff Greg Oeth, Prosecutor Travis Clowers, and Drug Task Supervisor Kenneth Rose are making quite a name for themselves among the Posey County illegal drug community. On Thursday morning, some 50 officers gathered in Posey County to conduct the seventh drug raid since Oeth and Clowers were elected seven years ago. The group set out to make 12 arrests in Operation Lone Wolf and ended up with 13, and two of the original ones not yet in captivity. The combination of Posey County officers owns a 100 percent conviction rate of those arrested in seven raids over the past seven years. “It’s a great collaborative effort,” said Rose, when asked about the success of this particular raid. “I think the word is finally getting out. Everyone I was able to talk to in the interview room was more than willing to talk. So this is not over. There will be some spin-off arrests as the result of the arrests made Thursday and several investigations will be ongoing.” Officers were on hand from the Indiana State Police, the FBI Drug Task Force, the Posey County Drug Task Force, the Mount Vernon Police Department, the Poseyville Police Department, the Indiana Department of Conservation, the Posey County Emergency Medical Services, the Posey County Probation office, and the Posey County Division of Child Services were directly involved with the operation as well as employees of the Posey County Jail, and the various county department that had to be kept running normally during the time of the arrests. Oeth said the stance on drug offenders in Posey County is the result of the number one concern Posey County residents voiced when he and Clowers ran for office originally. “It was a major concern of all the communities,” Oeth said. “It is obviously something we took very serious and that has culminated into seven of these opera-
tions so far. And we are going to continue to seek out people who distribute illegal drugs in our communities.” According to officers, the groundwork for this raid began in January and although it could probably have been larger, the timing seemed right for getting as many off the street as possible right now. Other raids will probably be forthcoming. “We have methamphetamine buys, we have undercover buys with prescription pills, marijuana, synthetic marijuana…so it’s a wide range of stuff,” said Clowers. “We’ve heard defendants make the statement ‘They’re not kidding any longer. They’re not joking any longer,’ so that comes back to us with a resounding impact,” said Oeth. Arrested on Thursday morning were: Andrew William Rollins, 32, of Mount Vernon. Rollins faces charges of Dealing in a Synthetic Drug or Synthetic Drug look-alike Substance as well as Conspiracy to commit Dealing in a Synthetic Drug or Synthetic Drug look-alike Substance. Both are Level 6 felonies. Jennifer R. Hanmore, 27, also of Mount Vernon. She faces charges of Conspiracy to commit Dealing in a Synthetic Drug or Synthetic Drug look-alike Substance, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, and two charges of Neglect of a Dependent, all Level 6 felonies. Keith E. Nunnally, 39, of Mount Vernon, faces two charges of Dealing in a Synthetic Drug or Synthetic Drug look-alike Substance, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, and Neglect of a Dependent, all Level 6 felonies. Christopher D. Chavis Jr., 18, also of Mount Vernon. He faces two charges of Dealing in a Schedule II Controlled Substance, both Level 4 felonies. Alex Daniel Parrish, 22, of Mount Vernon. He faces two charges of Dealing in a Schedule II Controlled
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Trying to look through some of the evidence that was found during the Drug Raid conducted in Posey County on Thursday morning are Sheriff Greg Oeth, Deputy Jeremy Fortune, Drug Task Force Supervisor Kenneth Rose, Deputy Andrew Porath, and Deputy Bill Denning. Photo by Dave Pearce
Nuisance ordinance faces setback By Lois Mittino Gray The hotly debated ‘nuisance ordinance’ that has been in development for over a year now faced another setback at the May 26 meeting of the Mount Vernon Common Council. After considerable discussion among council members and the audience, all four council officials voted to not pass the ordinance Expressway Auto World welcomed over 130 children to it’s Third Annual Jimmy Houston Kids Fishing Clinic on Saturday morning. The kids were treated to free fishing lectures and practice, free food, Archery courtesy of INDNR, and prizes. Seen here, professional fisherman Jimmy Houston shows off a snapping turtle that a young fisherman caught. Photo by Zach Straw
Briefly
Knowles reminds farmers to fill out form Greg Knowles, Posey County Executive Director, would like to remind farmers that if they have prevented planted corn they need to come into the Posey County FSA Office between June 6 and June 20 to fill out a FSA-576 form. Seed and chemical receipts are required. Also be sure to certify your Spring seeded crops by July 15. Planting dates are required. If you have any questions, please contact the Posey County FSA Office at 812-838-4191, ext. 2.
on second reading. The fifth council member, Andy Hoehn, was absent for the roll call vote. The negative vote came after the last speaker, Laird Davis made the impassioned comment, “This ordinance can’t do what needs to be done. Council should
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Eagle Scout project ‘bridges’ carts By Lois Mittino Gray Cade Latshaw hopes his Eagle Scout service project will prevent what he called an “accident just waiting to happen.” The seventeen-year-old observed golf cart users venturing onto Church Street in New Harmony in heavy traffic, creating a dangerous situation, especially during the annual Kunstfest. He knew it is also illegal, since Church Street is a state
highway and golf carts are not permitted on it. Many tourists renting golf carts are not aware of this. To alleviate one aspect of this problem, Latshaw supervised a project to build a wooden bridge across Mill Ditch, between the Wilson Auction Barn and the Old Mill Mart. Pedestrians and golf cart users can now go across the small waterway without having to veer out onto Church Street. Pre-
liminary structural work with the steel girders was started in April, with most of the bridge building accomplished over Memorial Day weekend. Latshaw, a member of Boy Scout Troop 386, must plan a project, obtain the materials, supervise workers and document progress as one part of his path toward the
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MV Bicentennial Committee announces next event, meeting A celebration will be held Saturday, June 11, 2016 beginning at 1 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 120 East Sixth Street, Mount Vernon. Enjoy traditional songs from different eras in America’s history played on their 101-year-old pipe organ, a gift from Andrew Carnegie. The Mount Vernon Bicentennial Committee will meet on Wednesday, June 8 at 6 p.m. at the Police and Fire Training Room. Everyone is welcome attend. For more information, call Becky Higgins 812-204-7388.
2016 MV Riverdays set for September 9-11 The Mount Vernon River Days Committee is currently planning another fun-filled festival this year, scheduled for September 9-11, 2016. This years’ event includes special entertainment, the Orsanco Aquarium, a Classic Car Show, Bike Show, lots of crafts and food, plus much more. If you are interested in serving on the committee, or want more information about a food or craft booth please contact Chairperson Kay Kilgore at 812-483-2922, visit our website at mtvernonriverdays.wikispaces.com or follow us on Facebook at Mt. Vernon River Days.
$1.00
(USPS SPS 4 439-500) 3 9 5 00
Shown working on the bridge from left Derek Latshaw, Eagle candidate Cade Latshaw, Jonah Blevins, Joseph Blevins, Leigh Ann Latshaw, Danner Latshaw, and Nick Wiley. In front on the bridge are Nik Haggard and Scoutmaster Todd Wiley. Photo by Lois Mittino Gray