With the deer reduction zone season underway, youth deer season and the statewide archery season coming in on October 1, 2020, Indiana Conservation Officers are offering safety tips to help keep Hoosier deer hunters safe.

The various deer hunting seasons run through Jan. 31, 2021.

• Reduction Zone: Sept. 15, 2020-Jan. 31, 2021 (where open)
• Youth Season: Sept. 26-27, 2020.
• Archery: Oct. 1, 2020-Jan. 3, 2021.
• Firearm: Nov. 14, 2020-Nov. 29, 2020.
• Muzzleloader: Dec. 5-20, 2020.
• Special Antlerless: Dec. 26, 2020-Jan. 3, 2021 (where open)

It is estimated that more than 300,000 people will participate in some form of deer hunting in Indiana during that span. Such a large number makes safety more even more important.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced last week that after two months of being in Stage 4.5, Hoosiers will be moving to the final stage of his Back on Track plan to get Indiana back to some form of normalcy after the Covid-19 pandemic that has left more than 3000 Hoosiers dead and over 116,000 in Indiana infected with this new virus.

The plan is temporary, however, until the rate of infection can be studied over the next few weeks to see how Hoosiers can handle being out more often.

Although face coverings are still being required, the Big Ten will begin playing football without fans and everyone is still being asked to maintain social distancing of 6 feet, especially
in public spaces and when you are in close contact with others who are not members of your household, Hoosiers are asked to practice the following:

• Wash your hands frequently; use hand sanitizer
when hand-washing is not available
• Do not go to work or other locations when you
feel sick or symptomatic
• Hoosiers 65 and older and those with known
high-risk medical conditions should remain
vigilant about protecting their exposure to
COVID
• Limit gatherings with those outsides of
your household or regular social bubble
• Hoosiers who will be in contact with individuals
65 and older and those with known high-risk
medical conditions should remain vigilant about
exposure
• Consider obtaining a COVID test before
prolonged exposure to high-risk
individuals. A COVID test before visiting
may enable you to make an informed
the decision about contact with other persons.
Do not visit if you are positive or
symptomatic
• Maintain 6 feet of social distancing
indoors and outdoors and wear a mask for
the protection of other individuals and
yours
• Maintain hygiene standards

What’s New in Stage 5?

IN EXECUTIVE ORDER 20-43, the governor has noted the following:

• Size limitations removed for social gatherings and meetings
• Face coverings are required
• Social distancing of at least 6 feet is required between non-household members
• Organizers of events that will have more than 500 people are required to submit a written plan to their local health
department. 
• Restaurants and bars that offer food service open at full capacity
• Bar section customers must be seated, whether at a table or counter
• Social distancing required as a seating consideration
• Provisions must be made so individuals, households or parties are spaced six feet apart from another individual, household
or party
• Bars and nightclubs open at full capacity
• Customers must be seated, whether at a table or counter
• Social distancing required as a seating consideration
• Indoor and outdoor venues of all types may open at full capacity
• Social distancing of at least 6 feet is required among non-household members, especially for indoor events where
attendees may be gathered for extended time periods. The coronavirus is often spread among groups of people who
are in close contact in a confined space for prolonged periods of time
• Singing or speaking loudly, such as coaching or cheering, increases the spread of respiratory droplets and the risk for
COVID-19 transmission. Please take appropriate precautions to socially distance and consider additional spacing when engaged in these activities
• Businesses should make customers aware of the precautions they are taking to ensure safety
• Senior centers and congregate nutrition sites may reopen according to Family and Social Services Administration guidance. Detailed guidance may be found on backontrack.in.gov
under the Industry Guidelines section.
• Personal services may resume normal operations. Face coverings and social distancing are required
• Gyms, fitness centers and workout facilities may resume normal operations. Face coverings and social distancing are required
• Consider limitations on class sizes and spacing of equipment
• Continue cleaning regimen after each equipment use and class
• Nursing homes and assisted living facilities are required to provide visitation opportunities. Detailed guidance may be found on backontrack.in.gov under the Industry Guidelines section.

A 39-Year-Old Paoli Woman is behind bars after being arrested Friday night for leaving the scene of an accident after allegedly striking her husband and killing him near Hardinsburg.

Today Indiana State Police detectives are investigating the accident and her charges now include Reckless Homicide after police found her dead husband’s body in a ditch along US 150 near Hardinsburg in Washington County.

Sandra Adelle Huff, 39, Paoli, was booked into the Washington County Detention Center Friday night after 11p. 

She is currently charged with Leaving the Scene of an Accident and Reckless Homicide, a Level 5 Felony. 

Dead is her husband, 45-year-old Roger Hardin. 

Police were called to the scene at 6:07 Friday evening after a 911 caller gave information about a male lying in a ditch along US 150 near Honey Creek Road near the Washington/Orange County line. 

After officers arrived on-scene, they located a deceased male and received information that a car may have intentionally struck the victim. 

Officers then requested assistance from Indiana State Police (ISP) detectives and crime scene technicians. 

Detective Travis Baker responded, assisted by Detective Sergeant Dave Mitchell.

As a result of the preliminary investigation, ISP detectives believe that a silver, 2009 Kia Spectra, driven by Huff, 39 was eastbound on US 150 approaching Honey Creek Road.  

Occupying the front passenger seat was Hardin and two adult friends in the rear passenger seat. While driving, a domestic argument began between Huff and Hardin. 

Detectives believe the argument became physical, causing Huff to drive the vehicle off the north side of the roadway and into a ditch. 

According to police, Hardin and one of the two rear-seat passengers then exited the car. 

After Hardin was out of the vehicle, police say, Huff attempted to pull back out onto the highway, striking and killing Roger Hardin. 

Huff then left the scene, leaving both Hardin and the passenger at the crash scene.

ISP troopers and detectives located Huff approximately three hours after the crash in Washington County.  

Huff is currently incarcerated at the Washington County Jail and awaiting arraignment on Monday. 

This investigation is ongoing as detectives await autopsy results and will conduct additional interviews and further inspect the vehicle and crash scene. 

Indiana State Police detectives were assisted by the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, The Orange County Sheriff’s Department, The Washington County Coroner’s Office, and Indiana Conservation Officers.