Governor Eric Holcomb for his announcement this afternoon of his commitment to fully fund K-12 education in the state budget for the rest of Fiscal Year 2020 and all Fiscal Year 2021.

This funding commitment includes an increase of $183 million in funding for schools during the next fiscal year. Governor Holcomb stated that this decision was reached in agreement with legislative leaders.

This commitment is nothing short of tremendous news considering the decline in state revenue projected to be as much as $2 billion by the end of the Fiscal Year 2020 on June 30, 2020, the Indiana School Board Association today released.

The decline in state revenue is a result of the coronavirus recession and historic unemployment rates not seen in more than 80 years, dating back to the Great Depression (1929-1939), the release stated. 

Governor Holcomb stated during the press conference that this plan “underscores the top priority placed on K-12 education, a longstanding priority (of the administration), and I hope it will relieve anxiety” about budgeting decisions of school corporations for the school year ahead.

The governor went on to say that the ability to fully fund K-12 education illustrates how prudently the state has managed its financial resources and have reserves to assist during this global pandemic.

Indiana PK-12 schools and higher education institutions can now apply for a needs-based, competitive $61.6 million grant program providing funding to improve remote learning, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Monday.

“Teachers, administrators, and superintendents have faced this pandemic with innovative solutions to ensure our students continue to receive the best education possible,” Holcomb said. “Our Governor’s Emergency Education Relief funds will help meet technology needs and grow educator development while working to reduce the disparities between districts.”

The $61.6 million Indiana received in Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funding, provided through the federal CARES Act, will be focused on three areas:

· Device Availability — Address the need for access to digital learning devices to support remote learning for students in PK-12.

· Connectivity — Develop comprehensive community-level and regional-level solutions to address gaps in internet connectivity for remote learning.

· Educator Capacity — Support partnerships between higher education and PK-12 to develop professional development and curriculum opportunities as educators throughout Indiana continue to build expertise in remote learning.

In a collaboration among the Governor’s Office, the Indiana Department of Education, the Commission for Higher Education and the Indiana State Board of Education, the state expects to award dozens of grants.

There is no minimum or maximum threshold, however, grants may not be funded at the full amount requested.

Traditional public school corporations, public charter schools, accredited non-public schools, higher education institutions, and other education-related entities are eligible to apply.

The deadline is Friday, July 17.

More information may be found at the ISDH website at coronavirus.in.gov and the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

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.