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.  

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) delivered remarks to the Sagamore Institute this week commending the Hoosier communities, businesses, and individuals who have stepped up to help their neighbors during the coronavirus pandemic, and outlining his vision on how to overcome this challenging time.

“The list of those who are asking how they can help, and finding innovative ways to do so, is too long to recite here. The fight against coronavirus has catalyzed our American can-do spirit. Our pride swells as we see problem-solvers take the initiative and overcome another historic challenge, from the bottom up. Let us move forward intent that we, and future generations, might draw energy from this moment — forever.  And let us resolve to find new ways to be better citizens by using our God-given talents to serve others,” said Senator Young.

Here is a link to Senator Young’s video message – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51owPbuF6vw&feature=youtu.be

In response to recommendations from Governor Eric Holcomb, Secretary of State Connie Lawson, and the leadership of Indiana’s major political parties, the Indiana Election Commission has issued an order implementing policy changes for the June 2^nd Primary Election.

According to Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey, the state is still promoting voting by mail. 

Rockey said public service announcements will be launching in the coming days and weeks. 

“Absentee applications can be requested by calling our office at 812-883-5748 x 1128 or by emailing voter@washingtoncounty.in.gov You may also go to Indianavoters.com to print out an Absentee application to mail to our office at Elections & Voter Services Office. 801 S. Jackson Street, Suite 102, Salem, Indiana  47167″

Rockey said these deadlines were still in force:

• May 4^th is the deadline to register to vote.
• May 21^st is the deadline to request an Absentee application.
• Early Voting in-person at our Elections and Voter Services office will be from May 26^th-June 1^st, hours yet to be announced.

Rockey said Lawson announced that they are working on getting PPE gear for election staff, which would be a must to conduct a safe in-person voting environment.

“Since this has just been announced our County Election Board has yet to meet to discuss these latest changes,” Rockey noted in an email. “As your County Election Administrator, I along with the CEB, will be looking at possibly consolidating some polling locations, to reduce the number of poll workers needed.”

Rockey said there are still many decisions to be made at the county level.

“I will keep the Washington County Voters informed in the days & weeks ahead, as those decisions are made,” Rockey noted. 

The State Election Commission’s order included the following changes, which will apply to the June 2^nd Primary only:

• Limited early in-person voting will be available for one week, from May 26^th to June 1^st.
• Poll workers are currently required to live in the county they work for. This requirement is waived so long as the voter is registered to vote in Indiana.
• The Secretary of State and the Indiana Election Division will provide counties with training and guidelines on mail handling procedures and personal protective equipment.
• The Commission advises that all public buildings, such as fire stations and school buildings, be available for use for the June 2^nd Primary.
• All absentee ballot applications submitted after December 2^nd will be accepted regardless of excuse given, as long as they are otherwise compliant with Indiana law.
• County election boards may adopt more than one central count location.
• Counties may move a polling location after giving best possible notice to the public.

The Commission is next scheduled to meet on April 22^nd, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. ET.

On or after Monday, April 20, traffic on S.R. 37 south of Martinsville is changing.

Northbound S.R. 37 from Indian Creek will open to two lanes. The left lane will carry northbound through traffic, and the right lane will exit onto S.R. 39.

Traffic on southbound S.R. 37 will be moved to the right lane just south of S.R. 39 so crews can work in the median.

This traffic configuration will be in place for the remainder of this construction season. Dynamic signage will indicate merge points and help prepare drivers for slowing or stopped traffic.

Beginning on or after Monday, April 20, S.R. 39 traffic lanes are scheduled to shift between Morton Avenue and the railroad crossing. S.R. 39 traffic will shift to one side of the road to allow crews to widen the other side of the road.

S.R. 39 is being improved this year to safely move more traffic during the 2021 closure of S.R. 37 in Martinsville. Daytime traffic flagging is ongoing on S.R. 39 between S.R. 37 and the White River for pavement patching and utility work.

I-69 Finish Line is the sixth and final section of the Interstate 69 connection between Evansville and Indianapolis. The project will upgrade the existing S.R. 37 to interstate standards between Martinsville and Indianapolis.

Governor Eric Holcomb’s Next Level Connections program fully funded the project and accelerated construction by three years. I-69 Finish Line is expected to open to traffic in late 2024, improving safety and reducing travel time.

Follow I-69 Finish Line on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Officials in nearby counties are working to make sure those with birthdays during the Covid-19 era of social distancing still get to feel special. 

In these times, it is now more than ever, a time to celebrate life.

Emergency responders from the Martin County Sheriffs Office, Loogootee Police Department, the Shoals Town Marshal, volunteer fire departments, EMS, Indiana State Police’s Jasper Post, and local Indiana Conservation Officers have committed to ensuring those special days are getting the attention they deserve.

Emergency services are offering “Birthday Patrols” past your front door, for anyone ages 1 to 101, complete with lights and maybe even some sirens depending on the time of day.

Officials will bring as many units as possible depending on the availability of their local heroes.

Please call the Sheriff’s Office at (812) 247-3726 at least a week ahead of the big day so officials can organize the birthday patrol.

Officer will not get out of vehicles, due to social distancing restrictions.