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By Philip Hensley, Indiana State Police Sellersburg District

A Knightstown woman was arrested Thursday evening on charges related to the alleged battery of a 4-year-old child in Salem.

On Wednesday, December 4, Master Trooper Detective Travis Baker, in conjunction with the Indiana Department of Child Services, began an investigation into the alleged battery of a 4-year-old child. The child had arrived at school on Monday, Dec. 2, in Salem with bruising on both arms, which the school reported to the Department of Child Services. Through the course of the investigation, it was learned that the child was under the care of April Dean, 31, of Knightstown, while at a residence in Salem, from November 28 through December 1. This is the period of time in which the alleged incident is believed to have occurred.

Detective Baker met with Dean Thursday evening. After speaking with Dean, she was placed in custody and charged with Domestic Battery and Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Injury. She was lodged in the Washington County Jail.

The Indiana State Police encourages anyone who believes a child has been harmed or is in a potentially dangerous or harmful situation to report the circumstances to either the Indiana Department of Child Services or a law enforcement agency as soon as possible.

Arrested and Charges:
April Dean, 31, Knightstown, Indiana

Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Bodily Injury, Level 5 Felony
Domestic Battery, Level 6 Felony

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Christmas is here, and The Salvation Army of Southern Indiana needs your help to bring hope to Southern Indiana families throughout the Christmas season and beyond. A generous anonymous donor has provided a match donation to encourage giving and support for this Saturday, December 7. On Saturday, every $20 bill found in a red kettle in Clark, Floyd, Washington, Harrison, Crawford, and Scott counties will be matched up to $5,000.

"Daily we seek to help those in need in Southern Indiana. This can only be done as a community effort. We are still in great need of both volunteers to ring at the kettles and in increase of giving when you stop at them. On Saturday, your giving can be doubled," said Captain Strand of The Salvation Army. "We have seen the generosity of people in Southern Indiana and know together we can love those hurting in our communities beyond this Christmas season. We can bring lasting hope to many in Southern Indiana."

The $20 match will last at all red kettles serviced through The Salvation Army of Southern Indiana from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 7. Those interested in volunteering as bell ringers this season can go online at Registertoring.com or call (812) 944-1018.

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Hoosiers have talent far beyond being top hunters, trappers, and anglers. With almost 450 entries submitted to the Indiana Department of Fish and Wildlife durable license card art and photo contest, the number of winners was increased from four to six to include two more of the staff’s favorites.

These images will be the background art for the new durable license cards available early next year. Thanks to those who shared their art.

A: Short-eared Owl Photo. Photographer: Triston Vittorio
B: White-Tailed Deer Photo. Photographer: Mike Mosier
C: Wild Turkey Photo. Photographer: Carson Hughes
D: Hooded Mergansers Painting. Artist: Robin J. Myers
E: Largemouth Bass Drawing. Artist: Boris Angelkov, Age 11
F: Painted Turtle Photo. Photographer: Bill St.Clair

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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

If you never participated in the Polar Purge this could be your year! Presented by Special Olympics as a fundraiser with 19,000 members state wide, this is the 26th year of the Polar Plunge and is the largest money raising event for the organization. Their sayings are “Be Bold, Get Cold,” and “Freezin’ for a Reason.” Meeting at Deam Lake, groups and individuals step down into the water and splash around in the 194-acre ice-cold bath. Each individual must raise at least $99 to join in the fun; the state goal is one million dollars. Individuals can still make virtual donations even if the plunge is not for you. To register and donate, Click Here!

Some groups that accept new members include Hannah's Frozen Friends or the Washington Co. Chillers group. But feel free to start any group you want!

Aptly named the “world’s coolest field trip,” the first event is at Borden High School on Friday February 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. The plunge begins at 10:30 a.m. at Deam Lake and is open to students.

The community plunge is Saturday, February 15 with registration from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and the Polar Plunge beginning at noon. After the plunge is the Splash Bash at 1:00 p.m. Plungers must be 12 years old the day of the event day to enter the water. Those under the age of 18 must have a signature from parent or guardian. Questions can be emailed to Scott Furnish at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. There are several sites in the state holding this event, however Deam Lake is closest to Salem and is located at 1217 Deam Lake Road, Borden.

In 2024, the group raised $136,000, and the total that took the plunge ended up being 337 individuals and 28 groups. The groups that collected the most money were Hannah’s Frozen friends and SOIN Clark and Floyd Counties Polar Bears tied at $26,000.

Last year, even members of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department joined in and they collected $2,300 for the event! Total people that took the plunge from Washington County was 34 and in total raised $14,050. Register and donate today to have a great time supporting a great cause!

Polar Plunge 2

Polar Plunge 3 Washington Co. Chillers

Polar Plunge 4

Polar Plunge 5 Group from Prosser.

Polar Plunge 6

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Washington County Emergency Management has announced that, beginning December 3, Shorts Corner Rd between E Bill Miller Rd and Martinsburg Rd will be closed for the next 3 weeks. This closure is to allow for repairs to be completed on the bridge.

For questions or more information, call Washington County Emergency Management at (812) 883-4962 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..