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Gary Byrne, Indiana State Senator, District 47
Communities in Senate District 47 will receive more than $4.3 million to improve roads and bridges through the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program (CCMG), said State Sen. Gary Byrne (R-Byrneville).
The CCMG, established by the Indiana General Assembly in 2016, aims to advance community infrastructure projects, strengthen local transportation networks and improve Indiana’s roads and bridges. Since its enactment, the program has awarded nearly $1.7 billion in state matching funds for local construction projects.
In Senate District 47, the following communities received grants:
- Harrison County received $1.5 million;
- New Albany received $895,898.42;
- Salem received nearly $451,683.75; and
- Washington County received $1.5 million.
"Taking care of infrastructure is one of the more important jobs of government," Byrne said. "I am glad to see local communities taking advantage of the Community Crossings Matching Grant Program and making travel easier for residents and visitors alike."
Through the program, the Indiana Department of Transportation matches up to $1.5 million annually when localities invest in road and bridge repairs. Counties with populations fewer than 50,000 and cities and towns with populations fewer than 10,000 receive a 75%/25% match, while counties with populations greater than 50,000 and cities and towns with populations greater than 10,000 receive a 50%/50% match.
The CCMG offers two rounds of applications each year, with the next call for applications occurring in July of 2024.
Scott County - Troopers and crash reconstruction investigators from the Indiana State Police Sellersburg Post are investigating a three-vehicle crash that claimed the lives of two drivers on I-65 southbound just south of Austin.
Around 11:50 Monday night, police and emergency personnel responded to a reported crash and truck fire on I-65 southbound near the 33 mile marker, just south of the Austin exit. Responding officers found three semi-trucks blocking both lanes of traffic, with two of those semi-trucks on fire. First responders and firefighters from Jennings Township, Scottsburg City, Vienna Township, and other area departments responded to extinguish the fire.
The crash is still under investigation; however, based on their preliminary examination, ISP crash reconstruction investigators believe a white Volvo semi-truck in the driving lane stopped in traffic due to construction near the 31-mile marker. A short time later, a second southbound semi slowed to stop; however, a third southbound tractor-trailer failed to stop and collided with the second truck. That collision, in turn, pushed the second truck into the trailer of the first truck. Both the second and third trucks involved immediately caught fire after the crash. The drivers in both the second and third tractors died at the scene, and a driver in the sleeper of the third truck was flown to University Hospital in Louisville with severe burn injuries. Investigators have not released any names or identities at this time.
Following the crash, I-65 southbound traffic was diverted off the interstate at the Austin exit (Exit 34) and rerouted to US31 southbound during the investigation and clean-up. Both lanes remained closed until approximately 11 am, when workers opened the right lane, and the Indiana Department of Transportation continued repairs to road surface damage.
UPDATE: Authorities have identified the two commercial drivers killed in Monday’s tragic crash on I-65 in Scott County.
The driver of the second semi listed below has been identified as 55-year-old Julianne Reid of Indianapolis, Indiana. Julianne Reid was driving a 2019 Kenworth tractor with trailer and was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators believe Reid’s semi-truck was slowing to stop at the time of the crash.
The driver of the third semi listed below has been identified as 38-year-old Damion Calvin Stewart of Miami, Florida. Stewart was driving a 2021 Freightliner at the time of the crash and was also pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators believe Stewarts truck initially struck Reid's Kenworth from behind before both vehicles caught fire.
The driver in the sleeper of the third semi, flown by medical hospital to University Hospital in Louisville, is listed in critical condition after being rushed to the hospital with severe burn injuries.
Dejaune Anderson is in the custody at the Washington Justice Center, where she is being held on three charges relating to the death of her son, Cairo Jordan. Those three charges include murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death, and obstruction of justice.
Her accomplice, Dawn Coleman, was arrested in November 2023. She was tried for her connection to Jordan’s death and was sentenced to 30 years in prison, with five years suspended for probation.
Anderson has filed many motions concerning her case. Most recently, on April 22, she filed a motion to vacate the amended order for psychiatric evaluation. Washington County Circuit Court Judge Larry W. Medlock made the order for evaluation on April 10.
In the four pages of the hand-written motion, she described herself as “I, princess Califia Haton Tubak Bey 2nd. Representing entity Dejaune Anderson, known as the defendant, am requesting a vacating motion for order for psychiatric evaluation on the grounds the court using influence of judicial office to conduct impropnety (sp) towards the dependent.” It continues as she explains the basis for the motion.
Anderson goes on to object about her court-appointed lawyer, Alex Ooley, and cites many other objections.
Judge Medlock has changed the pretrial date of April 4 to June 20 at 9 a.m. Anderson is being held without bond.
In the case of State of Indiana vs. Dejaune L. Anderson, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Larry Medlock has issued a court order for a psychiatric evaluation of the defendant.
At the trial, Medlock decided that a public defender be assigned to the case, even after Anderson requested not to have one.
At the arraignment Anderson identified herself as “Princess representing the entity of Dejaune Anderson.” She also spoke of Space Force and the NSA surveilling her for eight months.
Anderson is facing three charges in the death of her son, Cairo Ammar Jordan, whose body was found in a suitcase in the woods near Pekin by Jeffrey Meredith. Meredith is a mushroom hunter who found a suitcase with "Las Vegas" printed on it. He discovered Jordan’s body in the case.
After almost two years later Anderson was located in California and arrested by U.S. Marshalls. She is now in custody at the Washington County Jail.
While representing herself during the arraignment, Anderson asked for a dismissal, documents, motion of relief due to violation of constitutional rights and the right to represent herself.
Two doctors have been asked to evaluate her state of mind at the time she committed the offenses, also, her competency to stand trial and assist counsel with her defense.
The doctors appointed are Dr. George Parker and Dr. Stephanie Callaway. They are to deliver their results of the examination in writing and to testify as court-appointed psychologists. The examination will be at the Washington County Jail at a time to be determined that is convenient with the doctor' schedules. The order was signed by Judge Medlock Wednesday, Apr. 10.
Anderson is charged with murder, neglect of a dependent resulting in death and obstruction of justice.
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Latest Washington County Mugshots
The following individuals were arrested recently by local law enforcement agencies. Those listed, in most cases, are just facing charges at this point, and are to be considered innocent of those charges unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges are often dropped or lessened. Mugshots are collected from local law enforcement agencies on Mondays and are public records.
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