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John Stewart Named Lawrence County Bridge Foreman

Last updated on Wednesday, September 21, 2016

(BEDFORD) - Lawrence County has a new bridge foreman John Stewart.

"He is getting his feet wet and doing a great job," Highway Supervisor David Holmes told the commissioners Tuesday morning.

Bridge crews have the beams set on Bridge 113 on Springville Judah Road. The bridge over Spring Creek was closed after an accident in July knocked out a pier from under the bridge and caused other substantial damage.

CLR will soon begin to take down the 100-foot bridge on Jasper McKeaigg Road. It will cost around $460,000 to take down the bridge located over Guthrie Creek near Leesville.

The county bridge inspections are complete and the final report should be available in a couple of weeks.

Crews continue to to patch potholes, mow and cut brush.

"The chipping and sealing in District 2 is complete," Holmes says."There is still a little to do in District 1."

Holmes attended an Indiana Department of Transportation meeting on September 16 to learn about the Community Crossing Grant funds. Lawrence County will receive $490,500.

"We should receive our money in mid-to-late November," Holmes added. "But we are moving ahead with plans to pave Oolitic Road and Star Boulevard during fall break (Oct. 17-21.)

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The commissioners approved the contract for Sheriff Mike Branham to purchase a body scanner from SecurPASS for the Lawrence County Jail.

Sheriff Branham told the commissioners the scanner is needed to stop drugs from being smuggled into the jail.

The cost is $1,500 a month for 84 months. Sheriff Branham will make the monthly payment with a three year, $10,000 technology grant and once the grant funds are used up will pay the remaining balance with commissary funds.

Whole Body Digital Security Imaging System utilizes a unique and patented blend of micro dose fan beam, slot scanning technology and large field of view imaging capabilities that will allow officers to identify external and internal contraband that is "hidden" on or in a subject. A single whole body image of a subject takes less than eight seconds.

Sheriff Branham reported there were 142 inmates in the county jail on Tuesday morning. Of those 28 are female, 14 Level 6 felons and there were no Department of Correction holds.

The sheriff also requested the county sign a salary contract.

"I have been working the last couple of years without a contract and according to Indiana Code one should be in place," Sheriff Branham says. "I am not asking for more money, everything will remain the same. I need to wrap this up and have one in place for the remainder of my term."

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