Lawrence County traffic stop leads to arrest
On Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at approximately 3pm, the Indiana State Police Bloomington District A.C.E.S. (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section), was patrolling a rural area in Lawrence County. Sgt. Greg Day and Trooper Chance Humphrey were traveling south on Old USHWY 50 in Lawrence County when they observed a northbound silver 2006 Pontiac Grand Am that traveled left of the center dividing line after it passed the trooper’s vehicle. After turning around, the troopers traveled north trying to catch the Pontiac when they observed a female, later identified as Destiny Powers, 30 years old of Bedford, walking down the road. Powers matched the description of the female driver of the Pontiac and the troopers stopped, identified themselves, and began speaking with Powers who they identified with an Indiana Identification card.
During the interaction, Powers displayed indicators of criminal activity and admitted that she was driving the car that the troopers were looking for and that she had pulled into a driveway after passing the trooper’s vehicle to avoid being stopped. Powers also consented to a search that revealed that she was in possession of a small amount of suspected methamphetamine. Powers was released from the scene and charges were presented to the courts pending confirmation of the alleged controlled substance.
On Thursday, October 27, 2022, Trooper Humphrey was notified that a signed arrest warrant was granted for Destiny Powers and at approximately 1:45pm, Trooper Humphrey and a Detective with the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section arrested Powers at her residence. Powers was transported to the Lawrence County Jail and incarcerated for possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 Felony.
Anyone with information on illegal drug activity is requested and encouraged to call the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post at 812-332-4411, the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office tip line at 812-545-4700, or send an email to drugactivity@lawrencecounty.in.gov. All calls are confidential.
*Criminal Defendents are presumed innocent unless and until convicted by a court of law
Bloomington Infrastructure Improvement Update
Progress Continues on the Playground at the Waldron, Hill and Buskirk Park
Contractors continue to install play structures at the new playground at the Waldron, Hill and Buskirk Park. Once all the equipment is installed, poured-in-place rubber safety surfacing will be added as weather permits.
Utilities
City of Bloomington Utilities is completing a water main replacement between College & Walnut and 7th & 8th. In 2016, CBU instituted a long-term program to replace aging infrastructure, which has a current budget of $3 million per year on water main replacements. Water main replacements are prioritized based on several factors such as mains feeding critical locations, pipes known to be in poor condition, and opportunities to coordinate with other departments to minimize damage to roads. There have been several water main breaks in this area, which this service upgrade should prevent in the future. This project is substantially complete and workers are finishing road and curb repair and cleaning out inlets.
Public Works
Two sections of alleys on the western portion of the square will be paved on Thursday. Next week, on Tuesday and Wednesday weather permitting, a crew will be repairing the sidewalk and meter post in front of the Bluebird at 216 N Walnut Street. We do our best to project work times accurately, but due to supply chain issues, there could be a delay in some concrete-related work.
Hopewell Phase 1 East Development
The demolition and site restoration is complete! The Engineering Department is seeking bids for the infrastructure phase of the project, with construction starting early next year. The infrastructure phase will construct a north-south extension of Madison Street from 1st to 2nd Street and a new east-west street, named University Street, from Morton to Rogers Street. Along the north side of the new University Street, the project will create a linear park with a wetland garden, tree grove, stage/lawn area, and other park amenities. The infrastructure work will support the creation of 15 parcels totaling over 3.5 acres of development land.
17th Street (College to Monroe)
Construction has begun on the continuation of the 17th Street multiuse path. This path will connect the previous phase east of Walnut Street to the multiuse path at the 17th Street/Arlington Road/Monroe Street roundabout. Beginning this week and continuing throughout the winter, utility companies will be relocating poles along the north side of 17th Street. Traffic lanes have been shifted south to accommodate the new pole locations. Construction work will begin in early Spring 2023.
Duke Energy dedicates an additional $200,000 in energy bill assistance to its Indiana customers in need
Duke Energy is dedicating an additional $200,000 in financial assistance to its Indiana customers who may be struggling to pay their energy bills. Qualifying Duke Energy customers can receive up to a $300 credit annually. Year-to-date, Duke Energy has aided nearly 1,700 Indiana households with more than $378,000 in energy bill assistance through its Share the Light Fund. Duke Energy works in partnership with the Indiana Community Action Association to distribute assistance funds. Customers should contact their local community action agency to see if they are eligible. A list of Indiana community action agencies by county can be found at www.incap.org/energy-assistance.
The company also is encouraging customers who may be struggling to apply to the Indiana Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The federally funded program is administered through statewide community action agencies and assists qualifying individuals with their energy bills. The application period opened Oct. 3.
Hoosiers should contact their local service provider to apply for LIHEAP. A list of service providers and more information can be found at eap.ihcda.in.gov. Duke Energy also offers a number of tools and resources to help customers manage their bills, control their energy use and save money, including:
Budget Billing, Pick Your Due Date, Usage alerts, and Budget alerts. To learn more about these programs and others, visit www.duke-energy.com/HereToHelp.
This Week in Hoosier History
1999 – Market Square Arena closed in Indianapolis. Opened in 1974, it was home to the Indiana Pacers and the site of Elvis Presley’s final concert. The structure was demolished in 2001.
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