The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) announced today it will resume walk-in service and will continue to accept a limited number of appointments beginning June 15, 2020. Hoosiers will be able to complete all transactions needed in a branch with the exception of driving skills exams. The BMV is finalizing its timeline to resume driving skills exams and will share details in the coming weeks.

The majority of branches will return to a five day per week schedule serving Hoosiers Tuesday through Saturday. Branch hours, and branches with different schedules, are noted on the branch map page of the BMV website, found here: https://www.in.gov/bmv/2415.htm

The BMV is focused on maintaining a safe, healthy environment for its customers and employees.

“We know many Hoosiers need to visit a branch in the next few weeks. Folks will check in with our staff prior to entry to a branch and we will work to process transactions as quickly as possible without compromising service or safety,” BMV Commissioner Peter Lacy said.

BMV branches will continue to adhere to CDC guidelines which means there will be a limit on the number of people permitted in a branch at one time. Appropriate spacing will be marked outside branches to accommodate all customers until they can enter for their transaction.

“These operational changes will be an adjustment for both customers and employees. With a couple of steps added to the process for safety reasons, visits may feel different than what Hoosiers have grown accustomed to,” Lacy said. “We promise to do everything possible to minimize wait times.”

Customer-facing BMV team members are required to wear masks and customers visiting a branch are encouraged to do the same.

The Indiana BMV continues to encourage Hoosiers to complete transactions online whenever possible.

Hoosiers may also visit a BMV Connect kiosk, call the contact center, or return renewal through USPS using preprinted forms.

In response to the overwhelming demand from guests eager to return to the Louisville Zoo, the organization’s website, which is the third-party purchasing website, experienced technical difficulties and will remain down for member ticket reservations until 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 11.

During this time, the Zoo will be reviewing and testing the online store in an effort to make future online purchases easier. 

The technical issues were caused by a system overload from an influx of Zoo members in the Louisville community trying to purchase tickets, following the Zoo’s 12 week-long closing in response to COVID-19.

“At the Louisville Zoo, we value the support from our members and thank them for their patience during this frustrating time,” said the Louisville Zoo Director John Walczak.

“Our team is working diligently to resolve these issues and establish a solution that will improve future online transactions.” 

On Friday, June 5, the Louisville Zoo announced their initial reopening plan, which included two weeks set aside for members only.

In order to ensure a visit to the Zoo, members and guests are required to reserve tickets online at LouisvilleZoo.org/tickets, with their chosen date and arrival time.

Reserving tickets online is an effort to help reduce contact and manage guest capacity.

Per the Mayor’s office and the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, the Zoo will operate with a reduced average capacity of 100 guests per hour, which requires a limited number of tickets.

Average admittance prior to the COVID-19 pandemic during this time of year was 1,000 people per hour, with 8,000-10,000 total guests each day.

Over the next two weeks, only 12,700 tickets will be available for member reservations, based on capacity restrictions for the over 130,000 Zoo members in the Louisville community.

More tickets will be released and capacity increased as we proceed through this opening phase.

The Zoo has remained in communication with the Mayor’s office and the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness throughout the COVID-19 response and has closely worked with them on the reopening. The Zoo will be following the latest safety guidelines.    

Staff will have mandatory temperature checks as they arrive to work. All staff in public areas will wear masks. We will be strongly encouraging guests to wear masks as well. Zookeepers will continue to wear masks around vulnerable animal populations.

The Zoo will be cleaning and disinfecting high-touch areas frequently. All of the restrooms will be open with step-and-pull entry or touchless access. Zoo staff and markers will be present to help encourage social distancing.

In order to encourage social distancing, guests will be asked to follow one route. Indoor exhibit areas will not be open during the initial reopening phase. The Wild Walk trail will take guests through popular exhibits like the Islands, the Americas, Glacier Run and Gorilla Forest. Along the way, guests will be able to see Sunni and Sebastian in the Zoo’s new sloth exhibit and the elephant calf, Fitz. In the coming months, the Zoo hopes to reopen indoor exhibits, rides and playgrounds.

There will be limited menus available at select outdoor food kiosks throughout the Zoo, as well as water bottle refill stations. Guests can still bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Outdoor picnic areas have been arranged to ensure social distancing.

The Get Healthy Walking Club presented by Norton Healthcare will also return on Friday, June 26, 2020. Walking Club hours are 8 – 9:15 a.m., before the Zoo opens. This program will also operate on a reduced capacity and first-come basis. It will be closed to new members during this initial reopening phase. 

Governor Holcomb announced Stage 4 of the Back On Track Indiana Plan will begin this Friday instead of Sunday.

His announcement came today during a press conference after State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box said that the data “looks good for now.” 

Holcomb said as the numbers hold, Indiana will move up Stage 4 for this Friday at 12:01 a.m. instead of Sunday, June 14 as previously planned.

Here’s what it means when Stage 4 begins on Friday:

• Social gatherings can go up to 250 people as long as people stay six feet apart.
• Retail stores and malls can open at full capacity following social distancing guidelines.
• Restaurants can open at 75% capacity.
• Bar seating in restaurants, bars, and nightclubs can open at half-capacity.
• Zoos, museums, and other sites may open, but a capacity limit isn’t specified yet.
• Movie theaters and bowling alleys can open at half-capacity.

The governor added, “I do think that this illustrates that we made the right decision early on to hit pause. Thank you Hoosiers for your patience and your vigilance.”

During the briefing, Holcomb said Marion and other Counties are allowed to enter Stage 4 on Friday if they choose to do so.

Dr. Box reported 339 new positive coronavirus cases Wednesday, bringing the state’s total to 38,337.

ISDH also announced an additional 15 confirmed deaths from COVID-19, bringing Indiana’s total to 2,173.

Dr. Box then announced Indiana will partner with Eli Lilly and the Indiana Hospital Association to create a lab testing network with the goal of doubling testing capacity.

Dr. Box also stressed the importance of social distancing and continuing good hygiene, especially as children return to the playgrounds.

She said the state has done messaging and PSA campaigns. Holcomb added that “the word is getting out, but it will never be enough.”

When officials were asked, Dr. Dan Rusyniak confirmed that the state of Indiana is not tracking all long-term care data and does not have a comprehensive list of coronavirus-related deaths.

“We do not have every facility, all of their cases and all of their deaths,” he said.

Indiana is currently in Stage 3 of the governor’s “Back on Track Indiana” plan.

Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews plan to close sections of S.R. 135 from just north of Story to Freetown in Brown and Jackson Counties over the next several weeks to complete culvert replacement work.

The road is expected to close Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, weather permitting. Crews plan to begin work today (June 10) between Bellsville Pike and Christianburg Road and move south as work progresses.

All thru traffic should seek an alternate route.

Access to homes and businesses within the closures will be maintained.

Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones.

All work is weather dependent.

On June 8, 2020, Corporal Johnney Coomer was dispatched to Interstate 65 for a vehicle all over the roadway. 

Corporal Coomer was able to locate the alleged vehicle and conduct a traffic stop.  An investigation led to the arrest of Larry Simpson, 39, of Louisville, KY. for Unlawful Possession of a Syringe, Resisting Law Enforcement by Vehicle, Possession of Paraphernalia, Possession of Cocaine or a Schedule I or II Narcotic Drug and Maintaining a Common Nuisance. 

On June 8, 2020, Corporal Johnney Coomer and Deputy Skylar Thompson went to an address on Boatman Road in an attempt to serve an outstanding arrest warrant. 

Upon arrival John Vest, 30, of Scottsburg was arrested on an outstanding warrant for Domestic Battery. 

On June 8, 2020, Corporal Johnney Coomer, Deputy Jessica Dickey and a Scottsburg City Police Officer went to an address in Scottsburg in an attempt to serve and outstanding arrest warrant. 

Upon arrival Robert Davis, 41, of Scottsburg was arrested on an outstanding arrest warrant for Domestic Battery with Bodily Injury to a Pregnant Woman.

Yesterday afternoon, the Indiana State Police began an investigation into a shooting that occurred at a rural Ripley County residence that sent one victim to a Louisville hospital for treatment.

At approximately 4:30 pm, on Monday, June 8^th, troopers from the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post and deputies from the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office responded to an address on West County Road 700 South after receiving a report that a male had been shot at the residence.

The officer arrived and located a 24-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound to his lower body.  The victim was transported to King’s Daughters’ Hospital in Madison, Indiana before being transferred to a Louisville area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The investigation by Indiana State Police Detectives has determined that an altercation at the residence led to the victim being shot.  At this time, there have not been any arrests in this case and the investigation is ongoing.

No further information will be released at this time.

The Indiana State Police have been assisted by the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office and Ripley County EMS.