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Gina D. Walker, First Deputy of Election and Voter Services for the Washington County Clerk of the Courts. has released an abbreviated list of county school board candidates for the 2024 General Election, which will be November 5.

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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

It seems it's that time of year were deer want to cross the road without any warning.

In Indiana there are 14,000 deer-vehicle collisions reported annually. The likelihood of seeing a deer varies with time of day and month. Unfortunately, they are likely to appear when people are commuting to and from work. 

Generally, the motorist is most likely to come upon a deer at dawn and dusk. September through December, and particularly October and November during the mating season, the chances of running into a deer may increase. Areas to watch out for are agricultural fields and forest land. In urban area where deer hunting is illegal, deer maybe plentiful.

Remember, it’s better to hit the deer than to swerve into oncoming traffic or running into a deep culvert off the road.

Braking and blowing your horn continuously maybe your best defense. Never assume that there is only one deer.

An Indiana government website sites states, “Don’t rely on novelties like deer whistles. Whistles, fences, and reflectors are ineffective at deterring deer. “  

Don’t drive too close to other cars as they may hit the deer sending it over their car and into yours.

Deer may hit a vehicle in the front end as well as a side door costing thousands of dollars, personal injuries as well as death. The worst possible scenario is for the deer to enter the car interior and still be alive.

A recent accident happened in Washington County where a deer vs. motorcycle accident happened on June 11. The motorcycle driver was ejected from his seat. He was transported to University Hospital by Air Methods with non-life-threatening injuries.

If you hit a deer, pull over and turn on the hazard lights. Call the police or county sheriff.  Do not approach the deer, as it maybe still alive and very unpredictable. Deer can survive a direct hit and still be alive.

As a consolation you have the right to keep the deer for your own use. Deer meat can not be sold in the state of Indiana. A proper permit may be obtained from local police, state trooper, DNR conservation officer, DNR district or DNR property manager. 

Parts of this story were obtained through DNR Indiana department of Natural Wildlife website.

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Kids in grades 3 through 6 are invited to attend a special one-day event at Delaney Creek Park (8215 North Delaney Park Road, Scottsburg, IN 47170) on Wednesday, July 24th.  This event will be held with the cooperation of Delaney Creek Park, The Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), Purdue Extension-Washington County, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.  Registration will begin at 9:00 AM and activities will begin at 9:15 AM. Kids will participate in activities and learn about water quality monitoring, Hellbender salamanders, wildlife, trees, and getting involved in 4-H!  The event will wrap up at 2:00 PM.  A sack lunch will be provided to each participant at that time and families will be welcome to stay and enjoy the park after the event.

Kids should dress to spend the day outdoors.  There will be an opportunity to get in the water during activities so please have water-appropriate clothing and footwear.  Sunscreen, bug spray and a water bottle are also encouraged.

Admission to the park will be waived for attendees. 

Pre-registration is required by July 19th.  This can be done online at https://tinyurl.com/Kidsdayatdelaney. Please contact the SWCD at (812) 883-3006 ext. 3 with any questions.  If you need an accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the Soil & Water Conservation District at (812) 883-3006 ext. 3 at least 2 weeks prior to the event.

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INDIANAPOLIS – Maj. Gen. Dale Lyles, adjutant general of the Indiana National Guard, announced that Chief Warrant Officer 5 Wendy Robinson, of Roachdale, will become command chief warrant officer for the Indiana National Guard in September, following the retirement of Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Ronald L. Baird Jr.

As command chief warrant officer, Robinson will advise the adjutant general on all warrant officer matters including training, discipline, morale, policy and well-being.

“I am looking forward to Command Chief Warrant Officer 5 Wendy Robinson stepping into this role and joining our command team.” said Lyles. “Her years of experience and strong leadership development skills are an asset to our organization.”

Robinson, who began her military career in 1990, most recently held the commander position for the Warrant Officer Candidate Accession Program.

Robinson has held multiple command and staff positions including with the 113th Support Battalion, 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 38th Division Support Command, 138th Quartermaster Company, 519th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 38th Infantry Division logistics staff, and Indiana National Guard headquarters. Robinson has also held various roles with the Reserve Component Warrant Officer Candidate School since 2006.

“I am excited to take on this new role and look forward to taking on new responsibilities and challenges,” said Robinson, who will be the Indiana National Guard’s sixth command chief warrant officer. “I am grateful for the trust placed in me and I am honored to work hard on behalf of the Indiana warrant officer cohort.”

Robinson deployed as part of Task Force Indy to Iraq in 2006 and with the 38th Infantry Division to Kuwait in 2019.

Robinson will replace Baird who’s held the role since May 2020, following his deployment to the Middle East supporting Operation Spartan Shield as the 38th Infantry Division’s senior maintenance warrant officer.

“I would like to thank Maj. Gen. Lyles for this opportunity over the past four years,” said Baird. “Command Chief Warrant Officer Robinson is a great servant leader, and I am excited for her to take on the senior leader responsibilities of our organization.”

Baird, of Scottsburg, has served in the Indiana National Guard for more than 37 years. During his career he’s also served as a leader at every level from company to battalion to brigade and division.

Baird plans to retire from military service and remain as a civilian employee of the Indiana National Guard.