Positive ID made of body found in 2004, near Lake Lemon
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has made positive identification of skeletal remains found by a turkey hunter in May of 2004. Evidence recovered from the site located on Richardson Road, near Lake Lemon in northeast Monroe County, indicates a homicide likely had occurred. Monroe County Sheriff investigators recently obtained funding for a forensic genealogy DNA examination through Othram, a private firm that assists law enforcement in solving unidentified remains, by comparing DNA of family members with those recovered in an investigation.
The remains are confirmed to be those of Steven Gabbard of Louisville KY, aged 38 at the time he was reported missing by family members. He was last known to have been in Indianapolis, IN. An investigation regarding Gabbard by authorities in the Indianapolis area from this same time period, indicated he may have been met with foul play. Through the years, attempts to identify these remains was made by entry of DNA into a federal database; facial reconstruction through forensic computer programs and modeling clay methods; and numerous press releases requesting assistance had been conducted. A match of the remains entered into the NCIC Unidentified Persons database to this investigation was made, among many other potential matches from other cases across the United States. Detective Alex Hahn examined matches related to this case and pursued Mr. Gabbard as a potential match.
In 2022, Detective Hahn received special funding from the Monroe County Council, to contract with Othram, for further DNA extraction and genealogy. During this process, Othram requested a DNA comparison with Steven Gabbard’s nephew with the remains from 2004. Positive identification was made last week. Steven Gabbard’s nephew and other family members have been notified.
Man charged in Antisemitic crimes
Jeremy Chung Ho Park Patzelt has been charged with two counts of criminal mischief for allegedly stealing and burning mezuzahs from Bloomington houses on September 29th, in the midst of the Jewish New Year Holiday season. A mezuzah is affixed to the doorpost of Jewish homes to fulfill the mitzvah (Biblical commandment) to “write the words of God on the gates and doorposts of your house.” Patzeit was summoned to the court in lieu of being issued a warrant, by request of the Monroe County Prosecutor’s Office. The hearing will be held on November 15th.
Statistics demonstrate a 34% year over year increase in Anti-semetic crime since 1979, the year in which such data began being tracked by the Federal Government.
City of Bloomington offers Seasonal maintenance advice to homeowners
Starting Monday, November 14, the City offers residential leaf collection and curbside leaf vacuuming. This year’s leaf management postcard is available online at https://bton.in/xgQ55.
Mulch and Compost Your Leaves
The City reminds residents that composting or mulching leaves is a greener way to reduce waste, create useful fertilizer, and lower the energy cost and emissions associated with municipal leaf collection. More information on composting may be found at https://bton.in/IrZLF.
Yard Waste Collection
Through December 19, leaves bagged in biodegradable or paper bags will be collected biweekly on residents’ current yard waste collection day at no charge. Starting on October 3rd, you can pick up 10 free yard waste bags from any City of Bloomington fire station. Additional leaf bags may be purchased through many local retailers, such as hardware stores and area grocers. Leaves in plastic bags will not be collected. All other yard waste, including sticks, brush, and limbs, must be separated from leaves and bundled and will be collected for a fee of $1 per bag or bundle that is added automatically to residents’ utility bill. Bagged or bundled yard waste set out for collection, including bagged leaves, must weigh 40 pounds or less, and be placed at the curb by 5:00 a.m. for collection.
Curbside Vacuum Pickup
Alternatively, residents may bring leaves to the curb for vacuum pickup. Each residence will receive one pickup from November 14 through December 22 on a schedule posted online at https://bton.in/wr!Xl, which is updated daily throughout the leafing season as it is adjusted for inclement weather. In order for leaves to be vacuumed, they must be as close to the curb as possible, out of the roadway, and clear of storm drains and fire hydrants. Leaf piles left for vacuuming must be free of limbs and debris. There is no charge associated with curbside leaf vacuuming. This is the last year the City will be vacuuming leaf piles.
Keep storm drains clear
Also this season, residents are encouraged to help tackle the challenges presented by the increased rainfall associated with climate change. A simple way to prevent flooding and erosion and keep debris and pollutants from adversely affecting the ecosystem, is to keep storm drains free of leaves, grass clippings, and trash. Residents can help by regularly removing debris from the surface of the storm drain adjacent to their property and/or joining the Adopt-a-Drain program to commit to keeping one or more storm drains clear. Program participants may also affix markers to drains, reminding residents to keep pollutants from entering them. Information about participating in Adopt-a-Drain is available at https://bton.in/1-CE7 or 812-349-3617. Residents who notice a storm drain that needs additional maintenance or who are unable to clear the drain themselves may file a uReport online at bloomington.in.gov/ureport.
Additionally, homeowners within city limits may apply for grants to help manage and mitigate the effects of stormwater. The Residential Stormwater Grants Program (https://bton.in/pQ03m)awards funds to help residential property owners construct green stormwater infrastructure projects, such as rain gardens, stormwater pond maintenance, culverts, and bioswales, among other features. The City of Bloomington Utilities’ Stormwater Education Specialist schedules neighborhood/homeowner visits to share information about options for tackling stormwater challenges. More information is available at bloomington.in.gov/utilities/stormwater or 812-349-3617.
Snow and ice on sidewalks
Finally, as winter approaches, the City reminds property owners that the Bloomington Municipal Code (§6.07.010), https://bton.in/Fk5ho, directs that they are responsible for keeping the sidewalk(s) adjacent to their property clear of snow and ice. To facilitate access for all pedestrians, owners of both commercial and residential properties must clear their adjacent sidewalks within 24 hours after snow or ice has ceased to fall or accumulate.
On sidewalks in the downtown snow removal area, a path of at least 54 inches (or the width of the sidewalk) must be cleared; in other areas, the minimum clear width of the path is 36 inches. The downtown snow removal area includes:
- College Avenue and Walnut Street from 3rd Street to 10th Street
- Gentry Street from 4th Street to 5th Street
- Morton Street from 5th Street to 10th Street
- 3rd Street between Walnut Street and College Avenue
- 4th Street between Walnut Street and Gentry Avenue
- Segments of 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th Streets from Walnut Street to Morton Street
- Kirkwood Avenue from Indiana Avenue to Rogers Street.
This Week in Hoosier History
1930 – Indianapolis residents with a sense of adventure were invited to take a ride in the Goodyear Blimp. Named The Vigilant, the Zeppelin-Type ship was 128 feet long, 37 feet in diameter, and carried 86,000 pounds of helium. The charge was $5.00 for a 15-minute flight over the city. The craft was under the command of Charles E. Brannigan, a world war test pilot.
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