Governor Eric J. Holcomb today took these actions to protect Hoosiers, properties and businesses as the result of two nights of violence, following peaceful protests in Indiana.

After two days of peaceful protests in Indianapolis that turned into violence, Holcomb is allowing communities across the state to increase travel restrictions and said the Indiana National Guard will stay on standby.

Members of the guard along with the Indiana State Police will be at state properties to protect them from further damage. And several hundred guard members are on standby to help communities across the state if requested.

Holcomb also signed an executive order that allows local governments to have more stringent travel restrictions than the state as of 11 a.m. today.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announced earlier Sunday that a curfew will be in place from 8 p.m. tonight to 6 a.m. Monday. 

 Holcomb also verbally asked the Indiana National Guard Reactionary Force company to be available Saturday, but deployment was not requested, per the release. 

The Governor:

• Signed Executive Order 20-29 to lift restrictions on local declarations of emergency that had been instituted as a part of the stay at home and back on track orders pertaining to COVID-19. This order, effective as of 11 a.m. today, allows local governments to place more stringent travel restrictions than the state has in place. A link to the order may be found at https://www.in.gov/gov/files/Executive%20Order%2020-29.pdf.
• Directed members of the Indiana National Guard to be on standby to assist communities across the state if requested. Gov. Holcomb verbally activated the Indiana National Guard Reactionary Force company to be available to assist local communities Saturday, however, no deployment was requested. Several hundred Guard members remain on standby.
• Ordered members of the Guard, supported by Indiana State Police, to establish a presence at state properties in Indianapolis to protect them from further damage.

“At my order, the Indiana National Guard stands ready to assist local communities in need to protect the public and property, and I am deploying Guard members to protect state property beginning today,” said Gov. Holcomb. “Organized protests have taken place across the state without incident but the events that have followed, particularly in Indianapolis, have devastated businesses, defaced public monuments that are centuries old, and resulted in the loss of life.”

Washington County’s Covid-19 number went from 52 back to 51 yesterday with the release of updated data from the Indiana State Health Department. 

Alicia Thompson from the Washington County Health Department explained the change. 

“The patient wasn’t a true Washington county resident and it couldn’t be proven until just the other day when we were able to speak with the patient’s relative,” she said in an email response. 

There were 646 new cases reported on Thursday afternoon with 37 new deaths and 7,112 new tests administered.

This was an increase after three days of new cases numbering in the 300s. 

That brings the total number of cases to 33,068 in Indiana with 1,907 total deaths and 242,287 total tests. 

Of the total tested, only 13.6 percent of Indiana’s population has tested positive.  

Lawrence County

1260 Tests, 152 Cases, 23 Deaths – plus 8 cases

Jackson County

1739 Tests, 372 Cases, 1 death – plus 5 cases 

Jennings County

590 Tests, 129 Cases, 4 deaths – plus 2 cases

Orange County

637 Tests, 124 Cases, 22 deaths – 0 new cases

Washington County

523 Tests, 51 Cases, 1 death – minus one case

Scott County

1594 Tests, 120Cases, 3 deaths  – plus 2 cases

Clark County

3451 Tests, 479 Cases, 38 deaths – plus 18 cases

Floyd County

2068 Tests, 317 Cases, 38 deaths,- plus 3 cases

Harrison County

1163 Tests, 189 Cases, 21 deaths – plus 2 cases

Crawford County

268 Tests, 23 Cases, 0 deaths – 0 new cases

Floyd County Health Department will be having a drive-thru Covid-19 testing site at the Floyd County Health Department located at 1917 Bono Road in New Albany this Saturday, May 30 from 11a until 1p. 

This is a drive-thru test only and will not accept any walk-ups or those on bicycles. 

Individuals must be symptomatic to be tested with any of the following symptoms – cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat, diarrhea, or a headache. 

FCHD will also test those who have been in close contact with a Covid-19 patient or individuals with underlying health conditions or those 65 or older. 

Those being tested must bring their driver’s license or state-issued ID and an insurance card if the person has insurance. 

At the first stop, individuals will be screened for symptoms. FCHD staff will take a picture of ID and insurance cards and will take down information before you will be allowed to proceed to testing. 

Dave O’Mara Contractor Inc. is expected to close S.R. 258 east of Freetown in Jackson County on or after Monday, June 1, weather permitting. Crews will replace two box culverts, one near Persimmon Lake and the second further east at Coon Creek. 

Work will start just east of C.R. 190 W. near Persimmon Lake Drive. Once the first structure is complete, the contractor will move to the second location between Base Road and C.R. 100 E. The road will close for 30 days at each location, weather permitting. Both locations will not be closed at the same time.

The official detour route will follow S.R. 11 to U.S. 50 to S.R. 446 to S.R. 58. The bridge replacement on S.R. 58 near Freetown will be complete prior to work beginning on S.R. 258.

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

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