Today at approximately 12:30 p.m., the Indiana State Police Bloomington Post was asked by the Brown County Sheriff’s Department to conduct a homicide investigation in their county. 

A 9-1-1 call was received by the sheriff’s department in reference to a deceased body being located near Bean Blossom Road and Bell Road.

While it’s early in the investigation, detectives do believe this is an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public. 

The identity of the victim is being withheld until positive identification can be made and until an autopsy is conducted to determine the exact cause of death.  

The investigation is being conducted by Indiana State Police detectives Tim Cummings, Ian Matthews, and First Sergeant Paul Suding, with the assistance of crime scene technicians Sergeant Jan Kruse and Darrell Terrell of the Bloomington State Police Post.

The Brown County Coroner’s Office is also assisting. 

The investigation is ongoing, and this is all the information currently available for release.  

In Oregon, Thanksgiving dinners are to be held to under 6 people. Kentucky says to limit Thanksgiving dinner to no more than 2 households. Pennsylvania is requiring masks be worn indoors in people’s own houses.

Chicago is limiting turkey dinners to no more than 10 in one location. With US COVID-19 hospitalizations at an all-time high today and an ORANGE status for Floyd County.

What is a rational nonpartisan approach for our community?

The Center for Disease Control [CDC] has issued straight forward guidance: limit Thanksgiving celebrations to home events with the people you have lived with for the preceding two weeks.

This specifically doesn’t include a student home from college or those home from military service. The CDC recommends against Thanksgiving travel, noting that staying home is the safest option. “Amid this critical phase, the CDC is recommending against travel during the Thanksgiving period “says Dr. Henry
Walke, COVID-19 Incident Manager.

Many have expressed concerns and threats of noncompliance to the Floyd County Health Department [FCHD] and its Health Officer, Dr. Tom Harris, regarding Holiday gatherings restrictions.

While the CDC recommendations are correct and consistent with public health mitigation measures, many may find
these recommendations unpalatable. Fortunately, there are additional ways to limit the risk to families
and the medically vulnerable.

The standard protective measures are especially valuable during the Holidays. Wearing masks when not eating or drinking can lower the risk of spread, as can frequent hand washing or sanitizer use. Social distancing in the home, particularly for the elderly and medically vulnerable, is also essential. Limiting
traffic in the kitchen, avoiding buffet style food service, considering the use of single-use items like utensils and condiments, and spreading out diners are all specific feast related interventions that can reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The American Automotive Association [AAA] estimates that 30 million Americans will travel during the Thanksgiving celebration. Public Health exists not to limit freedoms, but to limit disease and promote Community well-being. The FCHD encourages all citizens to include protecting their loved ones in their
Holiday planning.

For additional information contact the FCHD AT 812-948-4726, ext. 655 or online at floydcounty.in.gov.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb and First Lady Janet Holcomb have tested negative for COVID-19.

The Governor and First Lady began quarantining Tuesday after several members of their security detail tested positive for COVID-19 and they were determined to be close contacts of the infected individuals.

The Governor and First Lady received both an Abbott rapid test and a nasopharyngeal PCR test, and had negative results on both. They are doing well and are not experiencing symptoms.

Per the advice of Indiana Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver, the Governor and First Lady will not be tested again unless they develop symptoms.

They will continue their 14-day quarantine and can resume a normal schedule with vigilance about masking and social distancing on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

A Jeffersonville woman was arrested on felony drug charges after investigators searched her residence Wednesday afternoon. 

Units with the Indiana State Police Drug Enforcement Section (DES) began an investigation in October after receiving information about alleged drug activity at a Jeffersonville address. The Sellersburg Post All Crimes Policing Squad (ACP) assisted.

At the conclusion of their joint investigation, officers requested and received a search warrant. 

On Wednesday, DES and ACP units served the search warrant on 1420 Grubbs Avenue in Jeffersonville. During the search, officers discovered over 5 ounces of suspected methamphetamine, as well as marijuana and other drug-related items.  

As a result of the search and investigation, Christina E. Abbott, 49, of Jeffersonville is charged with the following: 

• Dealing in Methamphetamine – Level 2 Felony
• Possession of Methamphetamine – Level 3 Felony 
• Maintaining a Common Nuisance – Level 6 Felony
• Possession of a Syringe – Level 6 Felony 
• Possession of Paraphernalia – A Misdemeanor
• Possession of Marijuana – A Misdemeanor

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Christian Abbott was transported to the Clark County Jail without incident.  

On November 9, 2020, First Sergeant John Hartman began an investigation after Scott County School District #2 contacted the sheriff’s office because of a threat made to one of their bus drivers.

The investigation involved a parent of one of the students riding on the bus. The parent, Charles Linne, 35, of Austin, entered onto the bus while it was stopped on a county road in southern Scott County, dropping off children.

When he entered onto the bus to start a confrontation, he was told to exit the bus by the bus driver. Charles Linne then made verbal threats of violence towards the bus driver before exiting the bus.

First Sergeant Hartman concluded his investigation and turned it into the Scott County Prosecutor’s Office.

After review, an arrest warrant was issued for Charles Linne on November 16th. He was charged with two counts of Intimidation and Escape/Flees from Lawful Detention with a Prior. 

Charles Linne was arrested on the same day the arrest warrant was issued by the Austin Police Department on separate charges and is currently incarcerated at the Scott County Jail. 

Sheriff Goodin stated, “Threats towards others will not be tolerated, especially in the presence of children and anyone who does this should expect the same outcome as happened to Charles Linne.”