Indiana set a daily high of newly reported cases of COVID-19 Thursday as the number of hospitalizations and new infections across the state continued to spike.

The 3,649 new infections reported by the Indiana State Department of Health on Thursday marked the first time Indiana has recorded more than 3,000 positive cases of the virus in one day.

The department’s daily update of its coronavirus dashboard showed 1,733 Hoosiers are currently hospitalized with the coronavirus, the highest since early April. Of those, 509 are in intensive care, which is the most since May 6.

Such hospitalizations have grown by more than 72% since Sept. 22 — the day before Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb announced his decision to lift nearly all of Indiana’s restrictions while extending the statewide mask mandate.

More than 70% of Indiana’s ICU beds are also in use, according to the health department, leaving 565 beds available as of Thursday. Now, more of Indiana’s ICU beds are filled than at any other point in the pandemic so far.

Indiana’s seven-day rolling average for newly confirmed cases also rose to 2,511. That is the highest level the state has seen during the pandemic and nearly triple the seven-day rolling average of 858 newly confirmed cases the agency reported on Sept. 22.

Indiana’s 33 newly recorded COVID-19 deaths raised the state’s pandemic death toll to 4,260, including confirmed and presumed coronavirus infections.

To date, more than 1.6 million people have been tested for COVID-19 in Indiana, and a total of 172,730 Hoosiers are known to have had the virus.

Locally, the WSLM listening area added 182 new cases as follows:

Lawrence County

8941 (93 New) Tests,1042 Cases, 38 Deaths 22 New Cases 

11.5 percent positivity rate

Jackson County

9534  (67 New) Tests, 1254 Cases, 20 deaths (1 new)  – 20 new cases 

10.2 percent positivity rate

Jennings County

4593 (26 New) Tests, 402 Cases, 13  deaths, 6 new cases 

2.1 percent positivity rate

Orange County

4051 (33 New) Tests, 436 Cases, 25 deaths – 5 new cases 

5.8  percent positivity rate

Washington County

4538 (45 New) Tests, 414 Cases, 3 deaths, 16 new cases 

5.9 percent  positivity rate

Scott County

6211 (64 New) Tests, 579 Cases, 16 deaths  –  10 new cases

5.3 percent positivity rate

Clark County

28797 (285 New) Tests, 3188 Cases, 65 deaths  – 61 new cases 

8.5 percent positivity rate

Floyd County

18,709 (157 New) Tests, 1933 Cases, 69 deaths (1 new), 28 new cases 

5.1 percent positivity rate

Harrison County

8940 (55 New) Tests, 835 Cases, 24 deaths, 11 new cases 

4.9 percent positivity rate

Crawford County

2207 (11 New)  Tests, 169 Cases, 1 deaths – 3 new cases 

5.1 percent positivity rate

Last week, Trooper Dustin Zehnder was promoted to sergeant by Indiana State Police Superintendent Douglas Carter.

Prior to joining the Indiana State Police (ISP), Trooper Zehnder was a 2005 graduate of New Albany High-School and later attended Indiana University-Southeast. 

Dustin joined the Indiana National Guard in 2005, where he currently holds the rank of First Sergeant and serves as the Headquarters Battery First Sergeant for the 1-163rd Field Artillery Battalion based in Evansville, Indiana. 

Dustin also served a combat tour in Iraq in 2008. 

Trooper Zehnder graduated from the 72nd ISP Recruit Academy in December of 2012 and was initially assigned to the Toll Road Post before transferring to Sellersburg in 2014.  Dustin was named Trooper of the District and also received the DUI Life Award in 2016. 

Sergeant Zehnder will serve as one of five squad sergeants assigned to the Sellersburg Post and currently resides in Floyd County with his wife Ashley and son Hank.  Please join us in congratulating Sergeant Zehnder on his promotion.  

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb said yesterday during his weekly address that members of the Indiana National Guard are set to deploy to long-term care facilities across the state beginning November 2.

The deployments are part of a statewide response to what health officials are calling a “troubling” increase in coronavirus case numbers and positivity rates.

Governor Holcomb said Wednesday afternoon the state is seeing the coronavirus spread in virtually every community at every level.

He said 69% of hospitalizations are of people that are 60 years and older, and more specifically, 47% of hospitalizations consist of individuals that are age 70 and over.

This comes after the state reached its highest total for hospitalizations on Tuesday. Over 1,6700 people were hospitalized for COVID-19.

Indiana National Guard Brigadier General Dale Lyles explained guardsmen are being deployed to prevent further infection in Hoosier communities.

General Lyles said guardsmen will arrive at 133 long-term care facilities beginning November 2, and will broaden support over the following three weeks.

Dr. Kristina Box who has returned from quarantining, said in addition to the increase in hospitalizations, the state is seeing a steady number of Hoosiers who are dying from COVID-19.

Dr. Box explains that 56% of COVID-19 deaths are those who are treated in long-term care facilities.

In an effort to limit and lower the number of Hoosiers who are dying in long-term care facilities, the governor is deploying the Indiana National Guard to help assist those working in long-term care facilities.

General Lyles from the Indiana National Guard broke down the deployment timeline:

• On Nov. 2, 399 Indiana National Guardsmen will be working in 133 long-term care facilities around the state.
• On Nov. 9, 750 Guardsmen will be working in 250 long-term care facilities around the state.
• By mid-November, 1,350 Guardsmen will be working in 534 long-term care facilities.

Training for the guardsmen is provided by professional staff beginning this week to teach infectious control measures and prepare the guardsmen for the weeks ahead.

Guardsmen will be tested during training as well as weekly when deployed.

In addition to the Indiana National Guard being deployed, over two million N95 masks and other PPE will the sent to long-term care facilities.

As of Tuesday, Dr. Box said that about 50% of the PPE and masks have been sent to the facilities.

The state is reaching out to the healthcare reserve workforce to supplement long-term care resources.

Currently, the state plans to hire about 50 clinical staff. Any licensed professional who might be interested in volunteering is asked to visit the Indiana State Department of Health website.

Yesterday, the Indiana State Police Bloomington District ACES (Aggressive Criminal Enforcement Section) and Drug Enforcement Detectives continued an on-going investigation into locating Demetrious Coleman, 36 of Evansville.

Coleman was wanted on several Lawrence County warrants for Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 2 Felony), Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 3 Felony), two counts of Carrying a Handgun without a License with a Prior Conviction (Level 5 Felonies), Possession of a Legend Drug (Level 6 Felony), and Possession of Marijuana (B Misdemeanor).

Troopers found that Coleman had been evading arrest by moving around several cities and towns in southern Indiana.

The investigation revealed that Coleman was in Lawrence County and ISP Troopers were able to determine that Coleman was staying at a residence in the 300 block of Heltonville Road.

The investigation also showed that Coleman was allegedly dealing methamphetamine while in Bedford.

A Lawrence County Search Warrant was granted for the residence.

Indiana State Police Sgt. Greg Day, DES Detectives, Troopers Chance Humphrey and Cody Brown, Bedford Police Officers Chase Hamilton and Toby Gerkin and Officer Shaun Cabral of the Lawrence County Highway Interdiction Team executed the search warrant in the early morning hours of Tuesday, October 27^th.

Upon entry into the residence, several individuals were encountered.

Coleman was reportedly found destroying suspected methamphetamine in the home’s bathroom, while a resident of the home, Austin R. Perry, 35, attempted to run out the back door.

Perry was quickly apprehended and the search resulted in the discovery of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and marijuana.

Coleman was arrested for his warrants, along with new offenses of Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony) and Obstruction of Justice (Level 6 Felony).

Perry was arrested for Maintaining a Common Nuisance (Level 6 Felony) and Possession of Under 3 Grams of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony). 

Both were incarcerated at the Lawrence County Jail. The other visitors at the residence were not arrested.

It’s that time of year when kids are looking forward to dressing up in their favorite costumes and spending time with family and friends trick-or-treating! 

Although everyone loves to get lots of candy and have fun, the most important thing is health and safety while trick-or-treating and making sure everyone gets home safely!

Listed below are some safety tips that the Indiana State Police Jasper Post would like to provide.

1)      Know what the dates and times are in your community for trick-or-treating.

2)      Make sure that you have a flashlight, glow stick, or reflective material on the costume so that you can be seen at all times.

3)      Always trick-or-treat with an adult or use the buddy system when approaching a house, and please practice social distancing by remaining at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you.

4)      Please walk on the sidewalks and not in the roadway and make sure that you look both directions before crossing the roadway.

5)      Only go trick-or-treating at houses where the front porch light is on.

6)      Never enter the house of a stranger and preferably only trick-or-treat at homes that you are familiar to you.

7)      If a trick-or-treater gets separated from others, have them stay where they are and ask an adult for help. 

8)      Have an adult inspect the candy before it is eaten. 

9)     If you’re not actively participating in trick-or-treating and are out driving, we ask that you please slow down and drive with caution.

10)  Please follow your local health department and CDC guidelines for personal protective measures. A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask.  Everyone is encouraged to make your cloth mask part of the costume!             

The Jasper State Police Post hopes that these few safety tips help you enjoy your night out with friends and family while trick-or-treating!

On October 24, 2020, Deputy Chris Bowling conducted a traffic stop in Scottsburg.  An investigation led to the arrest of Juan Alcocer, 37, of Lexington for Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person, Operator Never Licensed and Operating with a B.A.C. of At Least .08 or more. 

On October 26, 2020, Corporal Charlie Morgan met with the Crothersville Police Department in Crothersville to serve an outstanding arrest warrant.  Upon arrival Mickey Noel, 40, of Scottsburg was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant for Failure to Appear If Charge was a Felony. 

On October 26, 2020, First Sergeant John Hartman responded to a report of a reckless driver in rural Scott County.  Once in the area he located the reported suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop.  An investigation led to the arrest of Emelee Ardos, 31, of Bowling Green, KY, for Child Abuse/Neglect, Battery to a Person Less Than 14 Committed by a Person At Least 18 and Operator Never Licensed. 

On October 26, 2020, Deputy Skylar Coomer responded to rural Scott County for the report of an unknown person entering into a residence uninvited.  Upon arrival an investigation led to the arrest of Steven Coomer, 50, of Scottsburg for Residential Entry and Unlawful Possession of a Syringe. 

A driver and passenger were both arrested and booked into the Orange County Jail after a traffic stop in French Lick. 

Arrested and charged were:

Conner DeHart 

• OWI Controlled Substance
• Possession of a Narcotic Drug (Heroin)
• Possession of Paraphernalia
• Possession of a Syringe.

Curt Brinkman 

• Possession of a Narcotic Drug (Heroin)
• Possession of a Syringe
• Possession of Paraphernalia.

On October 26th, 2020 Sergeant Mike Allen was traveling south on Highway 145 near Airport Road in French Lick.

A northbound vehicle drifted into Allen’s lane forcing him onto the shoulder, almost colliding with him head-on. 

Sergeant Allen then initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle for driving left of center. Trooper Clay Ford then arrived to assist.

During the traffic stop, the driver of the vehicle showed signs of impairment. Sergeant Allen then performed a Drug Recognition Evaluation on the driver, Conner DeHart, 25.

DeHart was found to be under the influence of an illegal substance. DeHart was arrested for OWI with a controlled substance.

Sergeant Allen and Trooper Ford then conducted a search of the vehicle.

During the search of the vehicle 30 needles, several items of paraphernalia, heroin, and counterfeit $100.00 bills were found.

Curt Brinkman, 42, was a passenger in the vehicle and was also placed under arrest. 

The counterfeit money will be submitted to and reviewed by the prosecutor.

The Indiana State Police is investigating a fatal crash after two vehicles collided head-on west of Salem, leaving a 57-year-old Salem man dead.

Jerry Edward Mosier, 57, of Salem, Indiana, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Washington County Coroner.

State Road 60 was closed for about three hours while traffic was diverted and police investigated the crash. 

Around 4:10 Tuesday afternoon, officers from the Indiana State Police (ISP), the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana Conservation Officers, and the Salem Fire Department responded to a two-vehicle crash on State Road 60 just west of Salem near Abbott Lane. 

When officers arrived, the crash was determined to be a fatal crash, and an ISP reconstruction team was dispatched to the scene. 

As a result of the preliminary investigation, officers believe a purple 1993 Saturn SC2 passenger car driven by Mosier was westbound on State Road 60 in the area of Abbott Lane. 

A black 2018 Jeep SUV, driven by Mark Cochran of Bedford, Indiana, was eastbound approaching the same location.  For an unknown reason, the Saturn crossed over the centerline and collided head-on with the Jeep. 

After impact, the Saturn came to rest in the middle of State Road 60, and the black Jeep spun and came to rest on the north side of the roadway. 

Washington County EMS transported Mark Cochran to University Hospital in Louisville with serious injuries. 

Neither alcohol nor drugs are believed to be a factor in the crash; however, toxicology reports are pending. 

State Road 60 was closed from the time of the crash until approximately 7:15 p.m., and traffic was diverted onto area roads

There is a boil water advisory for the customers of Posey Township Water Corporation east of the intersection of Bridgewater Road and State Road 56 in Washington County.

This includes Livonia and will continue until further notice.

Affected customers should boil all tap water to be used for cooking, drinking and ice making for at least three-to-five minutes until further notice effective immediately, according to the utility.