Due to member excitement and demand for tickets, but limited capacity, Louisville Zoo officials announced today that Member Days will be extended through July 3. Ticket sales for general admission will be announced at a later date.

“We knew our community would be excited to return to their Zoo and many of our members have enjoyed a visit this past week,” said Louisville Zoo Director John Walczak. “We heard from many members who weren’t able to visit, ask us for a bit more time — and we are listening. We met our member capacity quickly and have made adjustments to allow more members an opportunity to enjoy their Zoo within our COVID-19 operational guidelines.”

With the consultation of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, the Zoo is gradually and safely increasing attendance capacity to best serve the community.

Extended member opportunities for June 26 through July 3 will be made available on the Louisville Zoo’s website beginning Monday, June 22 at 10 a.m. 

Everyone, including members, must reserve tickets online at LouisvilleZoo.org/tickets. No one will be admitted without a ticket. Members and guests will be asked to choose their date and hour of arrival. This will help to reduce contact and manage guest capacity. Ticket entry will be valid for the assigned date and hour only, however, guests may enjoy the Zoo at their leisure. In order to accommodate the most guests, the Zoo requests that members limit their visits to one per week during this initial phase. The special ticketing policy, including frequently asked questions about the Zoo’s reopening, is available at louisvillezoo.org/together.

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 undergoes mandatory temperature checks as they arrive to work. All staff in public areas are required to wear masks. We strongly encourage guests to wear masks as well. Zookeepers continue to wear masks around vulnerable animal populations. 

The Zoo is cleaning and disinfecting high-touch areas frequently. All restrooms are open with step-and-pull entry or touchless access. Zoo staff and signage throughout the Zoo are in place to help encourage social distancing.

In order to encourage social distancing, guests will follow a one-way route through the Zoo. Indoor exhibit areas remain closed 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 or Sebastian in the Zoo’s new sloth exhibit and visit elephant calf Fitz.

In the coming months, the Zoo hopes to reopen indoor exhibits, rides, and playgrounds. 

There are limited menus available at select outdoor food kiosks throughout the Zoo, as well as water bottle refill stations. Outdoor picnic areas are arranged to ensure social distancing.

The Get Healthy Walking Club presented by Norton Healthcare will 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 a first-come basis. It will be closed to new members during this initial reopening phase.

The Louisville Zoo season is sponsored by Ford Motor Company and T-Mobile. 

Earlier this past week, the Indiana State Police and the Lawrence County HIT (Highway Interdiction Team) concluded an investigation into a report of methamphetamine dealing in Greene County.

ISP had received information that James T. Merriman, 47, of Burnette Lane Springville, was involved in dealing methamphetamine from his residence.

The ensuing investigation included interviews, surveillance, and traffic stops.

On Wednesday evening, Trp. Chance Humphrey observed a traffic violation and conducted a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Tahoe in the area.

The driver was identified as Joey Jacobs, 35, of Spencer. During the stop, indicators of criminal activity were observed.

Officer Shaun Cabral of the HIT Team, deployed his canine, “Jack”, who gave a positive alert on the vehicle.

The officers’ continuing investigation revealed that Jacobs was in possession of drug paraphernalia (pipe) that contained methamphetamine residue. 

Trp. Humphrey arrested Jacobs for Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony) and Possession of Paraphernalia (C Misdemeanor).

Jacobs was incarcerated at the Greene County Jail.

Utilizing the information garnered during the investigation, Trp. Caleb Garvin applied for and received a search warrant for Merriman’s residence. Trooper Garvin, Trp. Humphrey, Officer Cabral, Trp. Cody Brown, and ISP Sgt. Greg Day, executed the search warrant and located Merriman inside of his camper.

Approximately 3 grams of methamphetamine, 10 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, scales, baggies, and other evidence of dealing was seized at the residence.

Trp. Garvin arrested Merriman for Dealing Methamphetamine (Level 5 Felony), Possession of Methamphetamine (Level 6 Felony), Maintaining a Common Nuisance (Level 6 Felony), Possession of Marijuana (B Misdemeanor), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (C Misdemeanor). 

Merriman was incarcerated at the Greene County Jail.

Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

People who ate there June 5-14 should monitor for symptoms and consider getting tested

Three employees of El Nopal restaurant located at 9451 Westport Rd. have been diagnosed with COVID-19. As a result, customers who were at the restaurant from June 5 to June 14 may have been exposed.

People who patronized the restaurant during this period should monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days after eating there.

Symptoms include shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever or chills or cough.

Other symptoms may include fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea.

If symptoms develop, contact your health care provider immediately. You might also consider being tested for COVID-19 even if you don’t have symptoms.

Even if you test negative, you should continue to monitor for symptoms for the full 14 days. COVID 19 testing sites are listed here.

Remember to wash your hands often, avoid touching your face, wear a mask when going out in public and stay at least six feet apart from others.

This week, a Seymour, Indiana man was arrested on a warrant for Neglect of a Dependent Causing Death after a two-month investigation by Detectives Jason Duncan and Andrew Mitchell with the Indiana State Police-Versailles.

The investigation began on March 27 of this year when a 9-1-1 call was made to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. 

The caller reported that a six-week-old male infant was not responsive at 518 Colvin Court which is located just east of Seymour. 

Emergency personnel responded to the scene and attempted to provide lifesaving care to the infant. 

However, the infant was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Jackson County Coroner’s Office.

The investigation determined that on the morning of March 27, Joseph Michael-Wayne Scott, age 31, that father of the victim, fell asleep in a recliner at the residence while holding the baby. 

Scott was later awoken by a family member who noticed the baby was not breathing due to his position in the chair. 

Further investigation revealed that Scott had methamphetamine and marijuana in his system at the time of the incident when the child was in his care.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the case was presented to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office for review. 

The investigation resulted in a warrant being issued for Scott on a charge of Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death, Level 1 Felony. 

Scott was taken into custody yesterday and incarcerated at the Jackson County Jail pending his initial appearance in the Jackson County Circuit Court.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Excise Police, Jackson County EMS, Jackson County Coroner’s Office, Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Indiana Department of Child Services.