A Corydon man lead ISP Troopers, along with several sheriff deputies, on a lengthy pursuit through Harrison and Floyd Counties early Saturday morning. The chase ended with his arrest on multiple charges. 

The driver, identified as Mark Christopher Kirby, 22, of Corydon, Indiana, was incarcerated at the Harrison County Jail and is charged with the following: 

1. Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle – Level 6 Felony 
2. Resisting Law Enforcement – A Misdemeanor
3. Driving While Suspended (Prior) – A Misdemeanor 
4. Possession of a Handgun without a License – A Misdemeanor
5. Reckless Driving – C Misdemeanor 

Around 2:40 Saturday morning, Trooper Nathaniel Newton was patrolling on Highway 337 near Quarry Road in Harrison County when he observed a motorcycle in front of him with no taillights, no license plate light, and no license plate.

When Trooper Newton tried to pull the bike over, the driver failed to stop and then led Trooper Newton and other joining officers on a 58-mile pursuit.

The chase eventually entered Floyd County on SR64 before returning to Harrison County along SR62.

The driver committed numerous traffic violations throughout the chase, including running stop signs, traveling in the opposite lane of travel, and speeding.

The pursuit lasted nearly an hour and ended near Trestle Road in Harrison County when the driver drove off into a field. Harrison County Deputies then gave chase on foot and were able to stop the driver and take him into custody. 

Indiana State Police Detectives initiated a criminal investigation on May 30 after receiving an allegation that a male under the age of 14 had been sexually molested by Harley Deweese, 21, of Petersburg.

The alleged incident occurred during the month of May at an undisclosed location in Pike County. After reviewing the criminal investigation, the Pike County Prosecutor’s Office issued an arrest warrant for Deweese.  He was charged with Child Molesting, a Level 1 Felony.

At approximately 12:30 this afternoon, Deweese was arrested at his residence without incident and taken to the Pike County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.

Arrested and Charge:

• Harley Deweese, 21, Petersburg, IN

1. Child Molesting, Level 1 Felony

Assisting Agencies: Pike County Sheriff’s Office and Petersburg Police Department

On Wednesday, June 10, 2020, a Jefferson County, Indiana man was arrested on a charge of Child Molesting after an investigation by detectives with the Indiana State Police-Versailles Post.

The investigation began this week when the Indiana State Police was notified about a 13-year-old female victim reportedly being pregnant. 

The investigation led detectives to identify Manuel Lopez Velasquez, age 26, as the father of the baby. 

Investigators also determined that Lopez Velasquez and the victim had been living together in Jefferson County and involved in a relationship.

As a result of the investigation, Lopez Velasquez was arrested on a charge of Child Molesting, Level 1 Felony.  He was transported to the Jefferson County Jail where he was incarcerated pending his initial appearance in the Jefferson County Circuit Court.

The investigation is ongoing.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Indiana Department of Child Services.

Dave O’Mara Contractor Inc. plans to begin work on U.S. 31 in Bartholomew and Johnson Counties next week as part of an $8.4 million asphalt resurfacing project from just south of I-65 near Taylorsville and S.R. 252 in Amity. The contract also includes resurfacing work in Franklin, which began late last month.

Starting Monday (June 15), crews will begin saw-cutting, followed by patching, milling and paving. The work will be completed under lane closures and is expected to be complete this fall.

Motorists should slow down, use extra caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones. All work is weather dependent.

Following an emergency motion filed by the Office of the Attorney General, a federal appellate court has ruled that convicted killer John Robert Myers II must stay in prison during ongoing court proceedings.

In 2006, a jury convicted Myers of murder in connection with the death of Jill Behrman.

A 19-year-old Indiana University freshman, Behrman went missing after taking a morning bike ride on May 31, 2000.

Her remains were found three years later, and an investigation revealed she died from a gunshot wound to her head.

A U.S. district court ruled in 2019 that Myers should be given a new trial based on Myers’ contention that his defense attorneys provided inadequate representation at his original murder trial. The Office of the Attorney General filed an appeal, which remains pending.

In April, Myers’ current attorneys argued that he should be released from prison pending the outcome of his ongoing pursuit of a new trial.

A U.S. district court agreed, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on Wednesday sided with the Office of the Attorney General and overturned the lower court’s decision granting a release, which would have occurred on June 15.

The effect of the appellate court ruling is that Myers will remain imprisoned until at least 60 days following the end of the state’s appeal of the U.S. district court’s decision ordering a new trial.

“This result is a just one, allowing the appellate process to play out properly and giving some peace of mind for Jill’s family and friends,” said Steve Creason, chief counsel of appeals for the Office of the Attorney General.

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.