Indiana’s largest body of public officials is undergoing a number of changes to longstanding regulations. Indiana Notaries Public can now discharge their duties remotely, and new rules for continuing education will soon take effect.

One major change introduced this year was the debut of remote notarization, which took effect on March 31, 2020. In a remote notary situation, signers appear before the remote notary public by two-way audio/visual communication. This communication must be on a pre-approved platform, and the notarization and signatures are captured electronically.

For this change, the Business Services Division fast-tracked the adoption of the rules, and the office started accepting applications for remote notary authorization three months earlier than planned. This authorized Indiana notaries to perform remote notarizations at an essential time, due to stay at home orders and social distancing protocols stemming from COVID-19.

Only active notaries can become remote notaries, and only after an application has been accepted (in addition to the general requirements for notaries).

Remote notaries must work through state-approved technology vendors.

Starting July 1, 2020, all notaries will be required to take a continuing education course every two years during their eight-year commission. All notaries are required to participate, and if a notary fails to complete their continuing education requirements by the deadline, their commission will be terminated.

“With the changes made over the past few months, we have taken huge steps to balance technological innovation with notarial integrity,” said Secretary of State Connie Lawson. “I am excited by the introduction of remote notarization in our state and want to extend a special thanks to the Business Services Division team for their hard work on this issue.”

For additional details regarding these important updates, please visit https://www.in.gov/sos/business/index.htm.

Three men – including one from Louisville – were arrested for the afternoon theft of generators from a Home Depot in Jasper. 

Today at approximately 12:58 pm, the Indiana State Police received a report of a theft that had occurred in Jasper at the Home Depot store.

The suspects’ vehicle left the store with three male occupants, northbound on U.S. 231.

Martin County Sheriff’s Major, Keith Keller, observed the vehicle a short time later on U.S. 50 near Rama Dye Road in Martin County. Major Keller conducted a traffic stop, as Trooper Ross Johnson and Deputy Jonathan Wells arrived.

All three male occupants were detained and identified.

Upon further investigation by Trooper Johnson it was discovered that two generators, stolen from the Jasper Home Depot were inside the vehicle.

The three men were identified as Mr. Ramone Stroud, 50, of Louisville; Jordan D. Armstrong, 18; and Howard S. Stiltz, 37, of Winamac, IN.

All three men were arrested and lodged at the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

Stroud was found to be operating the vehicle without a driver’s license and Armstrong was found to be in possession of an illegal substance.

Trooper Johnson is currently investigating the theft, discovering the generators have a value of nearly $1,200.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Loogootee Police Department and Martin County EMS.

Howard S. Stiltz, 37, Winamac, IN

Theft, Level 6 felony

Jordan D. Armstrong, 18, Winamac, IN

Theft, Level 6 felony

Possession of Cannabinoid, Class B misdemeanor

Ramone L. Stroud, 50. Louisville 

Theft, Level 6 felony

Operating a motor vehicle without ever receiving a license, Class C misdemeanor

A Paoli Police Officer pleaded guilty to a single charge of Conversion, a class A Misdemeanor. earlier today in the Orange County Superior Court. 

Special Prosecutor Dustin Houchin charged Officer Tyler Phillips with the crime after Paoli Police Chief Randall Sandersrequested the Indiana State Police conduct an investigation. 

It was alleged that Phillips had taken several items of evidence to his residence and had not placed them into evidence at the Paoli Police Department.

It was also alleged that Phillips had conducted a controlled buy of methamphetamine and had kept the methamphetamine in his possession instead of placing it into evidence.

During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Phillips had several cases where evidence was missing from the evidence room at the Paoli Police Department.

It was also discovered that Phillips had several items of evidence in his possession that had not been placed into evidence at the Paoli Police Department.

As businesses and services are re-opening in Orange County it is important to remember why we had precautions put in place.

Although some may be tempted to see all that has been going on as simply a test to see if our residents can comply or not, please keep in mind that COVID -19 is a new and contagious virus.

With everyone being excited about this step toward what is considered normal, some precautions must continue to be in place.

The following guidelines are general guidelines for the citizens in our county as they get out and about.

These guidelines have been taken from the Governor’s order explaining through step three of the re-opening of Indiana, which will be in place through June 13.

Reopening of Indiana Businesses and Entities are done with a County by County Assessment. County Commissioners, the Local Health Officer and others assess continually what is the best thing for Orange County.

As you enter these places of business, the following guidelines are still in place to ensure your safety and good health.

Businesses must ensure a safe environment for their employees, and customers or clients, including enhanced cleaning and disinfecting; and complying with social distancing requirements

Stay at home if you are sick or have been ill. Before venturing out you should be fever-free (without the use of medication) for at least 72 hours and at least ten days have passed since symptoms first began. Use cough and sneeze etiquette, and wash hands or use sanitizer frequently.

When outside the home, individuals shall, as much as reasonably possible, maintain social distancing of at least six (6) feet from any other person, with the exception of family or household members. They are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings.

People at high risk of severe illness from COVID- 19, including those 65 and above and those who are sick or have underlying medical issues, are urged to stay in their residence when possible, except as necessary to seek medical care.

Retail businesses shall limit the number of customers in their facility at any given time to no more than 75% of occupational capacity. They should consider limiting their hours of operation and implementing separate operating hours for the elderly and other vulnerable customers.

Retail businesses should recommend employees and customers wear face coverings, as well as continue to promote online or call-in ordering with delivery or curbside pickup.

Restaurants are able to open to in-person dining. limited to no more than 50% of seating. Bar Areas in restaurants shall remain closed. Tables or available booths should be spaced at least 6 feet apart and parties should be 6 persons or fewer. Self-service stations (salad bars, beverage stations, etc.) may have restrictions. All staff shall be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before being allowed to work; and all staff shall wear face coverings. Live music and live entertainment are not permitted.

Professional Services and other office-based businesses should be conducted virtually or by telephone whenever reasonably possible.

Personal service businesses include spas, salons, barber shops, tattoo parlors, massage salons and similar facilities may open and operate. Workstations shall be spaced to achieve social distancing. Workstations must be cleaned after each customer or client.

Places of worship and faith communities are encouraged to continue live-stream services or otherwise provide virtual services to safely serve their communities, or alternatively, conduct drive-in services. Religious services, including wedding ceremonies and funeral services, may continue and will no longer be subject to limits on social gatherings. (Please check with your funeral home for specific guidance.) Wedding receptions and visitations before or after funerals remain subject to the limitations and restrictions for social gatherings

All public and private social gatherings (outside a single household or living unit or religious service), whether familial, social, governmental, philanthropic or otherwise, are prohibited unless: gathering is limited to one hundred (100) or fewer people who must also engage in social distancing and other sanitation measures.

Drive-In theaters are allowed toa be open with restrictions. No self-ferve fod will be avaialbel and self-serve sdrink statins will have restricitons. Movie theaters will be closed at least until June 13. Playgrounds sahll remain closed. Provided they comply with social distancing requirements, individuals are permitted to engage in outdoor activities, such as golf, walking, hiking, running or biking.

Public libraries may reopen when allowed by their own policies but subject to social distancing and sanitation measures being employed.

Local units of government or political subdivisions will continue to decide how and when to reopen and provide services.

Indiana Conservation Officers and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department likely saved a Pekin man’s life today.

An intoxicated man, who had passed out in a raft with a bottle of rum in his lap,  somehow floated over 7 miles down the flooded Blue River.

Morris Ferguson, 54, 8746 East Blankenbaker Road, Pekin was arrested and booked into the Crawford County Jail this afternoon on a charge of public intoxication.

After receiving multiple calls, ICOs Neal Brewington and Jim Schreck responded and were unable to reach him with throw bags or awaken him despite shouting and blowing a whistle from the bank.

ICOs Dennis Talley and Logan Hodges launched a boat while Brewington and Schreck set up a tag line across the river in hopes of preventing the man from going over the boiling Milltown Dam.

Fortunately, a Crawford County Deputy spotted the man who washed ashore a couple of miles above the dam, and was able to reach him.

After a medical evaluation, ICO Hodges arrested the man without incident.

Multiple fire departments and EMS personnel assisted. 

A lawsuit filed Thursday is asking a judge to rule on whether Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill can remain in office while his law license is suspended for being accused of groping a state legislator and three other women.

The lawsuit comes after a state Supreme Court order Monday in which it declined a request from Gov. Eric Holcomb for a ruling settling that question. The court said Holcomb’s request was outside the scope of the disciplinary case against Hill.

Hill, a Republican, began serving the 30-day suspension on Monday and designated his chief deputy to oversee the office in his absence.

The lawsuit filed in Marion County by Democratic lawyer William Groth on behalf of four Indianapolis residents argues Hill no longer meets state law’s requirement that the attorney general is “duly licensed to practice law in Indiana” and that he doesn’t have the legal authority to give his legal duties to a deputy.

The attorney general’s office didn’t immediately reply to a message seeking comment on the lawsuit.

Hill, 59, has denied doing anything wrong at a March 2018 party where the groping occurred, but a unanimous Supreme Court decision last week said the state’s attorney disciplinary commission “proved by clear and convincing evidence that (Hill) committed the criminal act of battery.”

Holcomb has called for Hill’s resignation and would appoint a new attorney general if Hill was found ineligible to remain in office. But he said Monday he wouldn’t take more action to force Hill from office.

Republicans are going to place former Congressman Todd Rokita on the ballot to run against Hill in the next election.