The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1477088
Call: 812-354-8500 Email: news@pressdispatch.net or bring in a hard copy: 820 E. Poplar Street, Petersburg LOCAL The Press-Dispatch Wednesday, August 24, 2022 A-3 Catt-Hall arrested for theft By James Capozella Press-Dispatch News news@pressdispatch.net Camera sur veillance at the David and Deatra Las- well residence helped solve the theft of silver coins and copper wire taken from the family's burned-down house in Pike County. Deatra Laswell spoke with Deputy Br yce Man- ning concerning the theft that occurred around Au- gust 12. Extra patrol was set up for the area to protect property still at the home. Jamie Catt-Hall, 54, 383N CR 525W, Petersburg, was identified in photos taken on August 17 at 3:23 and 3:24 a.m. on the property according to the report. Catt-Hall was inde- pendently identified from the photos according to the repor t. Catt-Hall was ar rested for theft less than $750. Patoka Valley Quilt Guild August meeting Patoka Valley Quilt Guild met Tuesday, August 2, in the Ferdinand Community Center with President Me- lissa Ruschau presiding. Members were reminded that the quilt show at Thy- en-Clark Center will end August 22, and they should pick up their quilts the next day. After the treasurer's re- port, the education report was given. Finishing direc- tions for Becky Fuller's Sew Along will be sent in the monthly newsletter. Open Sewing dates at the Ferdinand Librar y include September 15-17, October 20-22, and Novem- ber 10-12. Birthdays for the month were announced. Special Projects gave six quilts to organizations this month. The scrap quilts project "30 Quilts in 30 Days" which was started at the Thyen-Clark Center will be available during Open Sewing at the Ferdinand Li- brar y. The fiscal year's bud- get was read and approved. Show and Tell was fol- lowed by a program on scrap vortex quilts present- ed by Melissa Ruschau. The next guild meeting will be September 6 at 7 p.m. in the Mobel Room of the Ferdinand Community Center. New members are always welcome. NEWS BRIEFS VFW Car show and vendors fair this Saturday The third annual Petersburg VFW Car and Bike Show begins Saturday at 2 p.m. Registration starts at 1 p.m. and entr y free is $25. There will be people's choice voting for first and sec- ond place cars and bikes. The show will be on the Main Street car lot with the vendors fair in the post hall. For more information call 812-354-9653. All proceeds go to the VFW. Indiana State Police End of Summer 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' Campaign Drive sober or get pulled over. That is the war ning coming from the Indiana State Police as it gears up to par ticipate in an end-of- summer impaired driving enforcement campaign. Star ting this weekend through Labor Day, of ficers will be increasing patrols designed to target those driving under the influence of dr ugs or alcohol. The extra high-visibility enforcement is funded by the National Highway Traf- fic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI). Alcohol-impaired traf fic fatalities have increased over the past few years, as have other dangerous driv- ing behaviors, fueling a na- tionwide surge in roadway deaths. It's an unfor tunate trend that doesn't appear to be slowing. Newly released data from NHTSA shows that an esti- mated 9,560 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the first quar ter of 2022. That's up 7% from the pre- vious year and the highest number of deaths in 20 years for that period. I n Indiana, traf fic fatal- ities increased by more than 20% during that time compared to 2021. If the pace continues, 2022 could be the third straight year with more fatalities, follow- ing 897 in 2020 and 931 in 2021. "People who drive dr unk or high aren't thinking about the repercussions," said Devon McDonald, ICJI Executive Director. "It's not just their life they're risk- ing, but the life of the per- son in the car next to them and the pedestrian crossing the street. No one 'acciden- tally' drives impaired. It's always a choice." Dr unk driving continues to be a major factor making up roughly 25% of the state's fatal collisions, but alcohol isn't the only concer n. Research indicates dr ug prevalence has been on the rise among drivers during the pandemic. Last year, the number of blood samples submitted to the Indiana Depar tment of Toxicology for dr ug analysis after a crash increased by 7%. "Since the star t of the pandemic, more drivers are testing positive for THC and poly-dr ug use, a com- bination of dr ugs," said Rober t Duckwor th, ICJI Traf fic Safety Director. "We're working to address that by training more of fi- cers in advanced detection techniques and providing new tools to law enforce- ment, but the best and easi- est solution is for people to not drive high in the first place." Driving under the influ- ence, whether it's dr ugs or alcohol, is illegal in Indiana. Those who choose to drive impaired are, not only risk- ing their life and the lives of others, but also could face an ar rest, jail time, and sub- stantial fines and attor ney fees. The average dr unk driving ar rest costs up to $10,000. With of ficers showing zero tolerance throughout the campaign, the depar t- ment recommends celebrat- ing the end of summer re- sponsibly by having a safety plan in place. Even if it's only one drink, designate a sober driver or use pub- lic transpor tation or a ride ser vice to get home safely. Never drive impaired or let friends get behind the wheel if they've been drink- ing. It's also impor tant to wear a seat belt at all times. It's the best form of protec- tion against dr unk drivers. Motorists are encouraged to repor t suspected im- paired drivers by calling 911 or contacting the de- par tment. For more information on impaired driving, click here or visit www.nhtsa.gov. For those of you per- sonally wanting to make a real dif ference in the fight against impaired and dan- gerous driving, please go to w w w. I n d i a n a T r o o p e r. c o m today, and head down the path to becoming an Indi- ana State Trooper. It's not just their life they're risking, but the life of the person in the car next to them and the pedestrian crossing the street. No one 'accidentally' drives impaired. It's always a choice." -Devon McDonald County's new paver in use The Pike County Highway Dept. new paving machine was put into operation last week. Last Friday it was paving on Knox Road. The previous paver was destroyed when it caught fire. FINANCING PLANS AVAILABLE Maintain your comfort year-round with HVAC sales and service from your local Bryant ® dealer. We offer energy-efficient hea ng and air condi oning systems. Whatever It Takes ® whatever T H E T E M P E R AT U R E O U T S I D E . 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