
Charges made in death of Indiana Officer killed in the line of duty
The following is a letter offered by Dekalb County Prosecutor’s office relating to charges against Terry Sands in the death of Master Trooper Bailey who was killed in the line of duty last week:
DeKalb County Prosecuting Attorney Neal R. Blythe announced today that Terry D. Sands II has been charged with Murder, Resisting Law Enforcement (Level 2 Felony), Operating With a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death (Level 4 Felony), and Resisting Law Enforcement (A Misdemeanor) for his actions on the day of March 3, 2023 that led to the death of Indiana State Police Master Trooper James Bailey.
At approximately 4:35 P.M. on March 3, 2023, Master Trooper Bailey was working traffic on I-69 when he became aware of a pursuit just south of him. Master Trooper Bailey attempted to assist with the pursuit, and was out of his car working to help the Fort Wayne Police Department officer who was pursuing Terry Sands II. Terry Sands II is alleged to have knowingly or intentionally turned his car directly towards Master Trooper Bailey, which resulted in Master Trooper Bailey being struck and killed by Sands’ vehicle.
Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers continue to go out to the family of Master Trooper Bailey. They have been forced to face the most horrible tragedy any family could ever suffer. Master Trooper Bailey served the people of DeKalb County and the State of Indiana with honor and courage, and his loss has left a hole in our community. Today’s announcement is the first step towards seeking justice for Master Trooper Bailey, his family and friends, and the law enforcement community.
The case is pending and the investigation is still ongoing. A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and every Defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Very Truly Yours, Neal R. Blythe
Prosecuting Attorney
DeKalb County, Indiana
Indiana Attorney General pursues info about alleged sterilization of Hoosier children at ‘youth gender clinics’
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is seeking answers from several medical facilities about possible sterilization procedures performed on vulnerable children in order to “transition” them to a gender other than their biological sex. Doctors, clinics and hospitals are increasingly prescribing puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and even surgeries to children without disclosing the known risks.
“Our kids are precious gifts from God,” Attorney General Rokita said. “We should all be concerned about the physical and chemical procedures being performed upon these minors, which in most cases are irreversible.”
In a letter, Attorney General Rokita asked medical-facility administrators to provide answers to a series of questions. Although some children may express a desire to adopt a different gender, they are not mature enough to address such an impulse by making such life-changing decisions that will forever alter their bodies. To permit minors to undergo gender transition surgeries, Attorney General Rokita added, could legitimately be considered child abuse.
Prescribed Fire was to improve plant diversity at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve
Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department natural resource managers had a 5.5-acre prescribed fire on March 9 at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve, in the forest north of the boathouse parking area at 3400 N. Headley Road. Griffy Lake Nature Preserve will remained open during the prescribed fire, but the Nature Trail and Hiking Trail was closed during, and will continue shut down for at least one day after.
The fire was prescribed to allow more sunlight to reach the forest floor to create better conditions for regeneration of oak and hickory trees, which are currently being shaded out by other species. According to Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department natural resources manager Steve Cotter, restoration of native oak and hickory forest is desirable for the increased habitat diversity it brings, especially for insects, birds, understory plants, spring ephemerals, and reptiles.
Bloomington Parks and Recreation contracted with Habitat Solutions Wildlife and Forest Management to conduct the prescribed fire. Parks and Recreation also partnered with the Bloomington Fire Department, who provided additional fire suppression support.
For updated information, follow the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department on Facebook or call the Parks and Recreation office at 812-349-3700.
This Week in Hoosier History

1845 – Johnny Appleseed dies, at 70. His grave lies at the ‘Johnny Appleseed Park’ in Fort Wayne. Johnny Appleseed [John Chapman], was born on September 26, 1774, in Leominster, Massachusetts. He was a pioneer nurseryman who introduced apple trees to Pennsylvania, Ontario, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.

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