Joint Investigation Leads to Union County Meth Lab

Union County – Shortly after midnight, early this morning, troopers from the Meth Suppression Squad along with deputies from the Union County Sheriff’s Department served a search warrant on a residence located at 205 E. Glade Montgomery Rd. just north of Liberty. The warrant, which was the result of an ongoing meth investigation between the two agencies, led to the discovery of a meth lab and the arrest of a Union County man.

Arrested was Derek Kassens, age 28, charged with Manufacturing Methamphetamine, Class “B” Felony; Neglect of a Dependent, Class “C” Felony; Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Precursors, Maintaining a Common Nuisance and Possession of Paraphernalia, all four Class “D” Felonies.

The Neglect of a Dependent charge stems from a small child being in the home at the time the warrant was served. The child was released to relatives. The investigation is ongoing with further charges possible. Meth labs are often found as the result of a tip received from a concerned citizen.

Anyone with information about illegal drug use may call the Pendleton Post at 1-800-527-4752, or the Indiana State Police Drug Tip Line at 1-800-453-4756. Tips can be made and kept anonymous.

The Indiana Meth Investigation System or IMIS, can also take tips on meth labs. Just go to www.meth.in.gov and click on the “Report Suspected Meth Activity” Link. Also available on the meth site is information regarding meth statistics, meth lab cleanup, educational videos and materials about meth manufacturing and addiction.

All Suspects Are Presumed Innocent Until Proven Guilty in a Court of Law

Address/Location
Indiana State Police-Pendleton District 51-Pendleton, IN
9022 State Route 67
Pendleton, IN 46064

Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 765-778-2121

John Bowling
Public Information
jbowling@isp.in.gov
765-778-2121

One Fatality in Wayne County Crash

Wayne County – Last night, (1/25/14,) shortly after 6 p.m., a passing motorist stopped by Trooper Scott McPheeters car at the 137 exit and advised him he had just witnessed a crash on I-70 east of their location. Trooper McPheeters started east on I-70 and found a white 2001 Chevrolet Impala in the median in the area of the 140.5 mile marker. There was also a semi at the location off the south side of I-70 turned over on its side. 

Preliminary investigation revealed the west bound Impala, for an unknown reason, traveled across the median onto the east bound side where it was hit head on in the eastbound driving lane by a 2013 Volvo semi-tractor trailer. The Impala ended up back in the median, and the semi traveled off the south side of the interstate. 

The driver of the Impala, Patrick Wesseler, age 31 of Newberg, IN, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Wayne County Coroner. The driver of the semi, Stoyan G. Stoyanov, age 64 of Syracuse, New York, was uninjured. East bound I-70 traffic was detoured off at the Cambridge City 137 exit, SR1, for over two hours while troopers investigated the scene. 

Troopers were assisted at the scene by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, Centerville Police Department and the Cambridge City and Milton Fire Departments.

Contact Information: 
John Bowling 
Public Information 
765-778-2121 
jbowling@isp.in.gov

Another deputy joins sheriff’s race

By Bev Woodruff, Staff Writer

 

Three deputies from the Union County Sheriff’s Department have thrown their hats into the primary race to be named their party’s candidate for UC Sheriff.

Late last week, longtime UCSD Deputy Alvin Day (D) declared his intent to seek the Democrat nomination for sheriff.

Day joins fellow deputies Jeff Franklin (D) and Dale Dishmond (R). All three candidates have been deputies with the UCSD for several years.

Sheriff Eric Cantrell is completing the last year of his second term this year. Indiana Code limits a county sheriff to two terms in office. Cantrell worked as a deputy for several years before seeking the sheriff’s star.

In 2010, the primary election drew three Republican candidates, former sheriff Steve Leverton, Noah Vickers and Gary Van Winkle II. Cantrell did not face a challenge from a fellow Democrat. After the primary election in 2010, UCSD reserve deputy Derek Walton filed as an Independent candidate in the Nov. General Election.

The sheriff’s race usually draws several candidates, and more candidates are expected to file before the primary filing deadline at noon on Feb. 7.

January Arrests announced by the Union County Sheriffs Department

 

1-1-14 Cody Webb of Hamilton was arrested for dealing methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine

1-2-14  Levi Woosley of West College Corner was arrested for auto theft, operating a motor vehicle while never licensed, and Resisting Law Enforcement

1-3-14   Alica Shera of Connersville was arrested for Operating while intoxicated.

1-8-14  Brian Bryant of Liberty was arrested on a Warrant for Child Support

1-8-14   Michael Curry of Liberty was arrested on a Warrant for Failure to appear

1-8-14   Levi Woosley of West College Corner was arrested on a Warrant for probation violation.

1-10-14   Jeremy Butler of Richmond was arrested on a warrant for probation violation

1-10-14   Stephen Gaskey of Richmond was arrested on a warrant for probation violation

1-11-14   Amanda Harvey of West College Corner was arrested on a warrant for probation violation

1-11-14   Amanda Terry of Kettering, OH was arrested for operating while intoxicated.

Union County Youth Baseball League Board Meeting

The UCYL will be having a board meeting this Wednesday Night at 6:30 at Pizza King in Liberty. If anyone is interested in becoming a board member please come to the meeting or call Tommy Davis at 765-580-1012.

Union County Youth League Baseball and Girls Fast-pitch Softball have partnered with Active Sports to offer Online Registration. In the past they have held a couple of registrations at different locations which they will still do. Those dates are still to be determined, but this hasn’t always worked out for everyone. This year starting today you can register your kid(s) online.
There are still requirements that they will have to get from you at a later date.  3 proofs of residency and a birth certificate if it is your child’s first time playing in the league.

Please follow the link and there are instructions on how to register your kid(s).https://active.leagueone.com/Olr/Pages/Welcome.aspx?ClubId=13871

Union County Vs Franklin County 1/11/14

The first clip is of Wilbur Curry receiving The Sagamore of the Wabash award. filmed in between the JV and Varsity Match ups this past Saturday evening.

This game is brought to you by

Union County Vs Blackford 1/4/14

This game is brought to you by :

Patriot Sales of Liberty Indiana. New and used cars 202 S.Main St Liberty 765-458-0447 http://www.thepatriotsales.com

1st and 2nd grade girls are 2013 Tournament Champions

The following is a picture of the 2013 Regenstrief 1st & 2nd Grade Girls Basketball Co-League Champions and 2013 Tournament Champions. From left to right Ava Rambo, Bailey Mathews, Peyton Shepler, Amber Soper, Madysson McClure, Peityn Fairbanks, Mackinzey Carter, and Coach Kyle Gillman. picture submitted by Tyler Soper

Patriot Basketball games soon to be online

The Liberty Herald is able to bring you broadcasts of your Union County Patriots sporting events on our website now. We are currently looking for sponsors to be able to bring these to your desktop, tablet, and phone. Local Liberty resident Cyrus Johnson, Owner of Midwest HD Video  will be filming the games and doing all the editing. Johnson is a 2002 graduate of Union County High School. He is also a graduate of  Ball State.  Away games will not be aired live but will be online only a few hours after the game is over. We are currently looking for score clock sponsors for upcoming games. To become a sponsor you can email libertyherald@gmail.com or call Chris at (765)580-9182. A demo of the season opener at the Spartan Bowl is viewable below.

Union County Vs Connersville 11/27 Demo video

CCVFD plans to renovate building for firehouse

The College Corner Volunteer Fire Department is the new owner of the former Crop Production Services plant in West College Corner, and the department has plans to renovate the property to house a new firehouse.

On Monday, several members of the fire department asked the Union County Commissioners if they could help the department with a grant. Several years ago the commissioners offered a $10,000 match for a grant the fire department was seeking, a project that didn’t proceed because the department didn’t have property for the project, fire chief David McDill said.

“We have the deed to this property,” McDill said, which was acquired in the spring at a cost of $10,000. “We’re strapped for money to do anything with it. There are no grants out there now. FEMA grants have all dried up. The $10,000 would help us a lot.”

The fire department also serves the Ohio side of town and part of the rural Ohio townships, so it may get some financial assistance from them, McDill said.

Plans call for putting fire truck bays on the east side of the former fertilizer mixing building and tearing down an adjacent older structure, which would be in the way, McDill said.

“We have one door and six trucks,” McDill said of the current firehouse. “It’s a compact area. It’s hard to get all the equipment in.”

Fireman Brad Wiwi said the department will create construction plans this winter. Most of the firemen are farmers, so winter is a time when they may work on the plans. Many also have construction experience and can do a lot of the work themselves, McDill said.

Commissioner Tony Talbert asked if the work could be done in phases. To move the trucks, the building will need to be pretty much done, McDill said. The old firehouse on Brookville Street will be sold when the new facility is finished, he said.

Talbert asked if seeking volunteers would help.

McDill said most of the work must meet building codes, so volunteers might not be an answer.

The commissioners will be creating their spending plan for the Economic Development Income Tax Fund at their Jan. 6 meeting and said they would consider a contribution to the firehouse project.