Memorial dedicated to the late Monroe County Sheriff Reserve Officer Deputy James Driver
Yesterday, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office along with members of the Reserve Division, dedicated a memorial at the crash site where Deputy James Driver lost his life. Full Moon Properties, the owner of the land gave permission for the project; Deputy Josh Fuller and Carmichael Welding, Inc. provided the sign and the metal work; and, Sgt. Don Teague built the Cross.
On March 29, 2021, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Reserve Deputy James Driver was killed in the line of duty. Deputy Driver was responding to an automobile accident when he was involved in a crash of his own near West State Road 45 and West Eller Road. Driver was rushed to IU Health Bloomington Hospital where he later died. Driver, a Reserve Deputy since 2018, was originally from the United Kingdom and lived in Spencer. He was survived by his wife, Anna Driver, a daughter, and two step-children.
Lady Hoosiers catapulted to #4 ranking after win over UK
The Indiana University Women’s Basketball team has earned an unprecedented ranking in this week’s Associated Press Top 25 polling. The Lady Hoosiers are now the 4th ranked team in the country, climbing from #8 after a significant win over the 13th ranked Kentucky Wildcats.
South Carolina and UCONN remain in the top 2 spots, while fellow Big Ten competitors Maryland move up to #3. Also representing the Big Ten in the top 10 is Iowa, who moved up to #8.
The next few weeks will feature several ranked pairings, including a potential; South Carolina/UCONN match-up, should they both advance in their tournament. Additionally, both Indiana and Maryland will play #5 North Carolina State and #7 Stanford over the coming weeks.
Wanted Individual:
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public assistance or information to the whereabouts of 39 year-old Brandon Crowder. Crowder is wanted on a Martin County warrant for Kidnapping, Domestic Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, Intimidation, Strangulation, and 3 additional counts of Felony Domestic Battery.
Crowder is white male, 6’ tall, 190 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. If you have information on his whereabouts, please call the Martin County Sheriff’s Office at (812) 247-3726.
*All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Air Testing Indicates No Lead Dust Contamination
Air testing conducted by Environmental Assurance Company, Inc. (EACI) and VET Environmental Engineering, LLC (VET) indicates that there is no detectable lead dust contamination in the air surrounding the site of the controlled burn conducted at 1213 South High Street in Bloomington, on November 5th. The air testing completed by EACI, required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), takes a continuous air sample from a device attached to the workers completing cleanup activities throughout their entire shift. Surface wipe sampling throughout the same area also returned non-detectable lead levels. Testing was conducted throughout the area determined by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) to have been impacted by the burn. Testing results of soil samples and other materials collected last week in the affected areas are expected to be available by week’s end to provide more information about lead levels.
EACI and VET crews continue to perform remediation of properties in the affected areas this week. The contractor teams are focusing on removing any remaining debris from sidewalks, driveways, hand railings, mailboxes, playsets, patios, and decks. Crews are also performing general yard cleanup, with an emphasis on food-producing gardens and play areas.
Bloomington Fire Chief Jason Moore will offer a presentation to the City’s Board of Public Safety Tuesday, November 16th at 6pm summarizing actions the Bloomington Fire Department has taken to address the impacts of the controlled burn training exercise, testing results, and expert recommendations. The public meeting will be held via Zoom video conferencing
This Week in Hoosier History
1911 – Patrons were introduced to their new public library in Clinton (Vermillion County.) The building was the result of a $12,500 gift from industrialist Andrew Carnegie. The neoclassical structure, with extensive additions, still serves the reading public. Carnegie built 164 libraries in Indiana, more than in any other state.
For more local news . . .
Check out our archived episodes of What’s Happenin’ and Talkin’ Sports with Nick Jenkinson here!