In alignment with current federal, state and local guidance for social distancing and to ensure the health and safety of its employees, visitors and volunteers, the Hoosier National Forest will temporarily shut down the Hemlock Cliffs Trail in Crawford County, Indiana effective April 17, 2020. 

Details and a map of the affected area can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/hoosier/alerts-notices.

The Forest previously closed all developed recreation sites and mandated a group-size limitation of 10 people or less per group across the entire forest effective April 9, 2020.

Other recreation opportunities, such as fishing, dispersed camping, hiking, backpacking and backcountry camping on the Hoosier National Forest remain available to the public. To protect public health and safety, all visitors to the Forest are encouraged to:

• Avoid visiting the forest if you are sick and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
• Follow CDC guidance on personal hygiene and social distancing before and during your visit to the forest.
• Take your trash with you when you leave. Trash overflowing the receptacles becomes litter and can be harmful to wildlife and attract predators.
• Please make arrangements to use the restroom before or after your visit to the forest. Unmanaged waste creates a health hazard for our employees and for other visitors.
• If an area is crowded, please search for a less occupied location. Also, consider avoiding the forest during high-use periods.
• If taking part in dispersed camping, should you choose to have a campfire, please exercise absolute caution, keep the fire small, never leave it unattended, and drown the fire when done. Visit https://smokeybear.com/en/prevention-how-tos/campfire-safety to learn more about campfire safety.

Visitors cannot camp in the same dispersed or backcountry campsite on the Forest for more than 14 days in a 30-day period or more than 30 days total in a year.

The USDA Forest Service continues to assess and temporarily suspend access to recreation areas that attract large crowds and cannot meet social distancing guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  We are urging all National Forest visitors to follow the guidance of the CDC and the Governor’s “stay at home” executive order.  Though enforceable by fine or imprisonment, we are appealing to the better nature of our Forest users to voluntarily comply with these temporary restrictions to assist the nation in containing this virus and limiting its spread.  Hoosier National Forest employees continue to work during this event, but regular services must be limited, or provided in a different manner, in order to protect the health and safety of our employees and of the public who makes use of these public lands. 

Visitors to national forests are urged to take the precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For tips from the CDC on preventing illnesses like the coronavirus, go to: www.coronavirus.gov . Information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is available at: www.usda.gov/coronavirus.

For up-to-date information on the Hoosier National Forest, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/hoosier.

Three people were arrested on Wednesday afternoon after Indiana Conservation officers were called to the Bedford boat ramp to check on a suspicious vehicle.

According to Conservation Officer Jim Schreck, while approaching the vehicle one of the people threw a syringe in the river.

Officers searched the vehicle and found heroin and drug paraphernalia.

Walmart and Sam’s Club will require all employees to wear masks or other face coverings starting Monday (Today) to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Shoppers also will be encouraged to wear face masks as part of the retailers’ updated COVID-19 response.

The retail giant announced the changes in a letter sent to employees that was posted on Walmart.com late Friday.

The employee policy is for U.S. stores, clubs, distribution and fulfillment centers, and corporate offices, according to the letter written by Walmart U.S. president and CEO John Furner and Sam’s Club CEO Kath McLay.

“We have evolved our policy on face coverings from optional to mandatory as public health guidance has shifted,” the letter said. “The CDC now recommends wearing face coverings in public settings, including grocery stores, to help curb the spread of the virus.”

Throughout this pandemic, the health and well-being of store associates has been Walmart’s top priority.

“It was just over a month ago that we announced our COVID-19 emergency leave policy, and since then, we have taken more steps to protect you, our customers and our members with the guidance of our state and local public health officials, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as well as our company’s own Chief Medical Officer,” the CEOs said in their letter. 

This includes stores, clubs, distribution and fulfillment centers, as well as in our corporate offices.

Walmart also encourages customers and members to wear face coverings when they shop. 

“Although most state and local governments do not mandate the use of face coverings in public settings, the CDC has reported that recent studies show a significant portion of individuals with the virus lack symptoms and can transmit the virus,” the letter stated. “With this knowledge, we believe it is simply in everyone’s best interest to use masks or face coverings to curb the spread of this disease.”

Starting Monday, associates will be required to wear a face covering at work.

They are allowed to provide their own as long as it meets certain guidelines, or the stores will provide them with one as they pass their associate health screen and temperature check.

Walmart also announced that they are extending their associate emergency leave policy through the end of May to ensure they have the support needed if they have to miss work.

During this challenging time as we all focus on our physical health, we must also be aware of our mental health. The emotional and mental effects of this pandemic can be especially difficult for those already coping with mental health conditions and substance abuse issues. These Hoosiers are not alone. There are many free resources available to help.

Mental health professionals say social distancing and staying home takes a toll on our mental well-being. Hoosiers who have preexisting or previously diagnosed mental health conditions are encouraged to contact their providers and discuss their options and services to stay healthy right now.

Help is also a phone call away with the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 and the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), which are available 24/7 and provide immediate crisis counseling to callers.

For those in recovery from substance abuse, social distancing can intensify addiction issues because of the lack of access to their usual healthy coping methods. Anyone struggling can reach out to the Indiana Addiction Hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for referrals for treatment at state-approved agencies and connections to support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Some local groups offer virtual meetings for Hoosiers to continue receiving this service from trained recovery coaches.

Hoosiers can also call 211 to connect with these resources or need assistance finding other help.

We could all benefit from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggestions for coping with stress, including keeping a routine, exercising, maintaining a healthy diet, and staying connected with family and friends. Technology can keep us in touch with each other like never before. For those who may be struggling, a video chat or phone call can go a long way. More information about managing stress is available at cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Please keep in mind that it is normal to feel anxious or stressed during this time. But if those feelings become overwhelming, please take advantage of the resources around you. There are trained professionals ready and willing to help. As we focus on our physical health, we must also be aware of our mental health. And remember, we are in this together.

The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Daviess County Health Department that they had a positive test result with a recently incarcerated inmate for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Three Daviess County Sheriff’s Department deputies, three Washington Police Department officers, five jailers and other individuals who have had contact with the inmate have been tested and placed in quarantine

“Due to procedures already in place, the inmate has been kept in quarantine and has not been in the general population,” said Sheriff Gary Allison.

As required, Sheriff Allison has notified public health officials and the department is following procedures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Indiana State Health Department.

“We are taking every step recommended by authorities to contain the spread,” said Sheriff Allison.

“No further information will be released at this time. Please know that we are bound by Federal guidelines under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which protect the privacy of inmates and staff, who may not want their conditions known,” Sheriff Allison noted.

“Developments are changing day by day and minute by minute. Our focus remains on protecting and serving the community we live in, including those who are incarcerated.”

Friday afternoon Washington County Circuit Judge Larry Medlock issued an order admitting some Mid-Southern Savings Bank documents into evidence into the Ackerman-Green bench trial from earlier in the week. 

Medlock also denied admitting some evidence that he initially accepted during the trial, pending review. 

According to Judge Medlock’s order on April 17, the following documents are allowed to be admitted as Evidence during Bench Trial on April 15, 2020:
A. Annual Borrower Statement for the tax year ending 12/31/2017.
B. Annual Borrower Statement for the tax year ending 12/31/2018.
C. LNS Transaction History Report for Green, Justin Todd, effect dates
1/31/2019 11/29/2019.
D. Mid-Southern Savings Bank checks associated with the mortgage.

The following documents are denied from being admitted as evidence during Bench Trial on April 15, 2020.
A. Universal Credit Application (Consumer Residential Real Estate), dated
10/2/2012.
B. Mortgage, dated 10/20/2012.
C. Adjustable-Rate Note, dated 10/20/2012.
D. Real Estate Purchase Agreement, dated 9/24/2012.
E. Settlement Statement, settlement date 10/20/12.

Medlock had told both sides during the preparation for the trial in April that he would only consider evidence in a two year period prior to the election – so from 2017-2019. 

Additional documents were presented as evidence prior to that date and some testimony was stricken regarding information outside of that date range. 

Medlock is expected to rule on the trial between former Democratic Mayoral Candidate William “Bill” Ackerman and current Republican Mayor Justin Green by April 30. 

The trial took place Tuesday and Wednesday, April 14 and 15. 

Green’s attorney Larry Wilder asked for a motion to dismiss the case due to the evidence presented by Ackerman’s attorney Doug Leatherbury. 

Medlock ruled against that on April 16. 

Last night at approximately 8:00, Trooper Hatfield was on-duty and waiting to wash his patrol car at Dirt Buster Car Wash located at 6^th Street and Saint Clair Street in Vincennes when he noticed a driver in a nearby wash bay falling over while behind the wheel.

Hatfield noticed the front seat passenger would push him back up only for the driver to fall over again.

There was another female outside washing the vehicle. Trooper Hatfield approached the vehicle and noticed the 39-year-old Bicknell man was unconscious and appeared to not be breathing.

Hatfield requested an ambulance and then placed the male outside the vehicle on the ground. Trooper Hatfield believed the driver was experiencing an overdose and requested an ambulance.

When Vincennes Police arrived they administered Narcan to the unconscious male.

Knox County EMS arrived and transported the male to Good Samaritan Hospital. According to EMS personnel, the Narcan took effect while en route to the hospital and the male regained consciousness.

The male was admitted to Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, but his current status in unknown.

A vehicle pursuit initiated by New Albany Police ended with the arrest of the driver on resisting and other charges.  

Arrested and charged was George S. White, 32, New Albany, Indiana:

1. Resisting Law Enforcement using Vehicle – Level 6 Felony,
2. Possession of a Syringe – Level 6 Felony,
3. Driving While Suspended Prior – A Misdemeanor,
4. Reckless Driving – C Misdemeanor.  

Around 11 p.m. Friday, the New Albany Police Department responded to a call on Spring Street after a female caller reported a man in a car had pointed a gun at her.

When officers arrived, they observed a black, 1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass matching the description given by the caller.

They attempted to stop the driver; however, the driver failed to stop, and a pursuit ensued on local city roads. 

As the pursuit continued, officers from the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department and troopers from the Indiana State Police (ISP) in Sellersburg joined in the investigation.

The driver continued west on Spring Street and attempted to enter I-64 eastbound at the Spring Street ramp.

The driver lost control on the ramp due to the wet roadway, and the Cutlass spun out of control and collided with the guardrail.

The suspect then put his car into reverse and backed into a Floyd County Sheriff’s Department car before officers could take the suspect into custody.  

During the arrest, officers located a syringe in the vehicle. Officers did not find a weapon in the car; however, the investigation is ongoing.

No officers were injured in the incident or the crash. The driver was arrested by Trooper Tate Rohlfing and was transported to the Floyd County Jail without further incident.