Police are investigating a murder-suicide that took place Sunday afternoon in Corydon that left a man and woman dead.

During the afternoon hours on Sunday, Aug. 8 the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department received a domestic violence call from an apartment on Wilson Street in Corydon. 

The caller reported hearing what sounded like fighting and a possible gunshot from within the apartment. 

Both the Corydon Police Department and Harrison County Sheriff’s Department immediately responded to the scene. 

Upon arrival and entry into the apartment, officers located the deceased body of one female adult and one male adult with visible gunshot wounds. 

The male was identified as Steven Ray Cissell, 48. 

The female was identified as Jessica Jurine Meyer, 46. 

Preliminary autopsy findings revealed that the female was suffered a medium-range gunshot wound to the head while the male suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. 

The investigation remains active and all evidence is being thoroughly evaluated, pending the final autopsy report. 

According to Sheriff Nick Smith, “It is important to note that this is a tragic moment for both families and the above circumstances are beyond the control of either. Please remain respectful to both families during their time of loss by offering them your prayers, kindness, and sympathy.”

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture announced the winners of the 2021 Indiana Agriculture photo contest last week, including winners from Sellersburg, Seymour, and Loogootee. 

The winning photographs will be displayed in the lieutenant governor’s Family of Business office in Indianapolis.

“As I travel across our state I am always awestruck by the beauty of our state’s agricultural landscape from round barns to wildlife and so much more,” Crouch said. “These photos are a wonderful addition to my Business office’s walls and serve as a wonderful reminder of the strength and beauty of Indiana agriculture.”

The winning photos were chosen from hundreds of entries in the following four categories: Agritourism, Conservation, Faces of Agriculture, and On the Farm. Two winners were selected from each category, along with two winners overall.

To be considered, the photo had to be taken in the state by an Indiana resident. The photos were evaluated by a panel of independent judges based on creativity, composition, and category representation.

“I am so grateful for each of the photographers who submitted their photos in this year’s contest,” said Bruce Kettler, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. “Each of the submissions truly captured the essence of rural life and the important role agriculture plays in our state. Thank you for using your talent to showcase Indiana’s agriculture industry.”

The following list includes the photo contest winners for 2021:

Agritourism Category

• “Pollination” by Amber Beams from Roachdale
• “Magical Midway” by Jenise Stewart from Nabb

Conservation Category

• “Last Light” by Sarah Greene from Loogootee
• “The Coneflower Bee” by Sarah Sands from Pierceton

Faces of Agriculture Category

• “4-H” by Andi Pollert from Seymour
• “Farmer Frank” by Beth Legge from Moores Hill

On the Farm Category

• “Among the Flowers” by Cecile Dreyer from Sellersburg
• “Bushels of Fire” by Tom Jones from Star City

Overall Category

• “Nature’s Unicorn” by Kyle Doles from Indianapolis
• “Newborn” by Ross Waitt from Sheridan

You can view the photos here. 

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) today issued the following statement regarding his intent to vote against the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, after first noting that he would support it. 

“For the last several months, I’ve been working diligently with my colleagues toward a bipartisan infrastructure bill to provide crucial funding for our crumbling roads and bridges and to make targeted investments that yield positive long-term results in areas like broadband, ports, and airports.

“As I’ve said many times, while I’m eager for a bill that makes these investments, I’m also committed to doing so in a fiscally responsible way. Having reviewed the Congressional Budget Office’s (CBO) estimated fiscal impact of this legislation as currently constructed, and frankly still not being comfortable with a number of the Democratic priorities contained in this version, I will vote ‘no.’ 

“As many of you know, I have concerns with the way CBO scores legislation and, even in this case, I don’t agree exactly with their scoring analysis. Nonetheless, I’m not yet comfortable with the current pay-fors in this legislation nor am I comfortable with Speaker Pelosi’s continued insistence on tying passage of this bill to the Democrats’ $3.5 trillion reckless tax-and-spend budget proposal. Whether it is infrastructure or the Democrats’ reckless budget, we can’t afford to continue to grow the national debt at this pace, particularly as our economy recovers from the pandemic. 

“Once this legislation passes the Senate, it will move next to the House of Representatives, where changes are all but certain. I intend to do what Hoosiers expect me to do, which is to continue working with my colleagues to improve this bill in hopes that the final product will be one I can support because I sincerely believe we must address our nation’s infrastructure needs.”

On July 28, Young issued the following statement about supporting the bill:

“As the Crossroads of America, Indiana understands the need for federal investment in our crumbling infrastructure, especially with nearly 5,500 miles of Hoosier highways in poor condition. That’s why I voted today to formally begin a debate on a bipartisan infrastructure bill. We’ve made a lot of progress so far on a historic investment in our nation’s core infrastructure that will be fully paid for without raising taxes. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle as we sand and polish the final product.”  

A note from Clark County Schools Superintendent Brad Snyder released the following guidance this afternoon, noting that the district is making decisions based on Indiana’s color-coding system for COVID-19 cases.

Floyd County is currently color-coded yellow for new Covid-19 cases, meaning they have 10 to 99 new cases per week, according to the Indiana Department of Health.

Indiana health officials update the data each Wednesday. 

On Wednesday, Floyd County Health Officer Dr. Thomas Harris issued an order requiring masks for all students K-6th grade in public, private, and charter schools in the county.

His order was rescinded on Thursday pending the outcome of a vote by Floyd County commissioners citing the recent passage of Indiana Senate bill 5. That meeting has since been canceled and the right to issue mandates for mask-wearing has been batted back to the school district. 

Snyder’s letter reads: 

Dear Parents & Staff,

This year our overarching goal is to keep as many students as possible engaged in uninterrupted and direct instruction with their teachers.  We want in-person, every day.  

Everyone likely knows the situation.  Covid transmission and positive cases have been low this summer.  However, in its place, the Delta variant has since significantly increased caseloads across the country and our community.  All of this has happened within a very short time frame.   Additionally, 2 weeks ago, the CDC gave new guidance to schools, which significantly departed from previous guidance.  As we started school this year, within our Return to School plan, we followed the guidance of the CDC, Indiana Department of Health, and the Floyd County Health Department.  At that time, all agencies were recommending face coverings but were not making them mandatory.  Our approach (for the last year and more) has been to follow these recommendations while monitoring local data. 

This school year (only 4 student days) we have already experienced significant staff and student Covid positives.  Additionally, the number of close contacts resulting from these positive cases is also quickly rising.  Close contacts force students to miss school.  In the fight against Covid-19, we know our actions (schools) will not eliminate the spread, but we do believe some measures can help reduce this spread and keep more kids in school.   Virtual instruction is not our desired outcome and one we hope to avoid by using preventative measures.  

Amid the rising number of Covid cases, one of the better metrics which can guide policy decisions exists within the Indiana color-coding system.  This system uses “real-time” data on a county-by-county basis to depict the local prevalence of the disease.  We will now use this system to provide specific policies for the good of our communal operation.  The FCHD is fully supportive and will supply data and technical assistance as needed.  Please note the CDC also uses a color-coded system, but that system is different and is not in sync with the Indiana system.  To be clear, for the local policy actions below, we will be following the Indiana color system.

The following 4 items will not follow the color coding policy:

• All unvaccinated adults (employees and visitors) must wear facial coverings while in our facilities.
• Due to federal regulations for public transportation, face coverings are required on school buses for all students and staff.  This policy will continue until the Feds change it.  This policy is independent of the other color-coded policies. 
• Indoor athletic and spectator events and sales will be governed by the IHSAA and other guidance factors.  
• At present, there are no mask requirements for outdoor activities regardless of color code. 

Typically, Indiana data is refreshed weekly, usually on Wednesdays.  Thus, when a change in color dictates a change in mitigation protocol, we will issue an informative “all-call”.  Additionally, the policy below will be posted on our website for future reference.

With this data at hand, the scale below is in effect for all (P-12) school operations regarding face coverings. 

Please note, at present (8/8/21) Floyd County is coded – yellow.  

New Albany Floyd County Color Code Covid Policy 

Blue: Staff and students who are not fully vaccinated are recommended to wear a face-covering; however, it will be optional during the school day. 

Yellow: Staff and students who are not fully vaccinated are strongly recommended/encouraged to wear a face-covering; however, it will be optional during the school day. 

Orange: Face coverings will be required for all staff and students on school buses and indoors unless a medical situation dictates otherwise. 

Red: Face coverings are required for all staff and students on school buses and indoors unless a medical situation warrants otherwise.  Visitors will not be permitted beyond the main office area.

With this process as a guide, we will begin requiring face coverings for staff and students on the day following movement into the orange category.  At present, we are yellow.

We believe these steps will assist in reducing the spread AND reduce the number of students missing school due to quarantine.  State guidelines for contact tracing provide that if all students are masked during the school day, three feet of social distance can be used instead of six feet to initiate contact tracing if a positive case is identified.  This 3’ metric is a tremendous asset to a community for keeping their kids in school, but to qualify, it requires the implementation of universal masking.

As previously stated in our Return to School plan, we will continue to monitor the data and adjust our plan accordingly as we move forward this year.  We want in-person instruction to be available for every student every day.  This is an ambitious goal that all of us want to see become a reality during our 2nd year of navigating this pandemic.  We will make necessary modifications as things evolve.

Sincerely, 

Brad Snyder

Superintendent

On August 3, 2021, First Sergeant John Hartman responded to Austin in reference to a disturbance call.  Upon arrival, an investigation led to the arrest of Cordell Parker, 69, of Austin for Arson, Criminal Trespass, and Public Intoxication.  Sergeant Hartman was assisted by other deputies with the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, officers with the Austin Police Department, the Indiana State Fire Marshall’s Office, Scott County EMS, and the Jennings Township Fire Department. 

On August 3, 2021, Deputy Jessica Dickey and Chief Deputy Toby Deaton responded to rural Scott County for the report of a vehicle crash.  Upon arrival, an investigation led to the arrest of Colton White, 22, of Louisville, KY, for Possession of Marijuana and Resisting Law Enforcement. 

On August 4, 2021, Corporal James Ward responded to rural Scott County for the report of a suspicious person.  Upon arrival an investigation led to the arrest of Amanda Keeton, 38, of Scottsburg for an outstanding arrest warrant for Dealing in Methamphetamine At Least 5 Grams but Less Than 10 Grams and Dealing in Methamphetamine At Least 1 gram but Less Than 5 Grams. 

On August 5, 2021, Corporal JR Ward initiated a traffic stop in Austin, Indiana.  The driver was identified as Tiffany Wallace, 46, of Scottsburg.  Further investigation led to the arrest of Wallace for Resisting Law Enforcement and Possession of Methamphetamine.  Wallace was transported to the Scott County Jail.

On August 5, 2021, Detective Paul Clute, Deputy Balingit, and Deputy Brown executed a search warrant at a motel in Scottsburg in reference to an ongoing investigation.  The search warrant and investigation led to the arrest of Melissa Adams, age 44, of Scottsburg.  Adams was arrested for Possession of Marijuana/Hash/Oil/Hashish or Salvia, Possession of Paraphernalia, Maintaining a Common Nuisance, Resisting Law Enforcement, and Dealing with Methamphetamine.  Adams was transported to the Scott County Jail.