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 making it easier for Hoosiers to vote in the June 2^nd Primary Election.

Governor Holcomb previously moved the primary from May 5^th to June 2^nd.

The complete order detailing each change is available at https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/2404.htm.

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

• Moves all election dates by 28 days.
• Avoids reprinting ballots and other forms that have the May 5^th, 2020 date.
• Allows everyone to cast an absentee ballot by mail without having a specific reason to do so.
• Grandfathers applications already received for an absentee ballot, which did not state an excuse permitting the person to vote by mail.
• Permits county election boards to conduct meetings electronically rather than in person.
• Encourages counties to appoint medical professionals to act as traveling absentee boards to help voters confined in medical facilities to cast a ballot.
• Permits family members and caregivers of a confined voter to personally deliver and return a ballot.
• Allows county election boards to consolidate voting locations and vote center sites and to take spacing measures to ensure the safety of voters.
• Loosens restrictions on students who wish to serve as poll workers or absentee board members.
• Allows county election boards to begin expeditiously counting ballots at 6 a.m. on Election Day.
• Advises county election boards that election results must be determined by 3 p.m. on June 12^th. 

“As we take precautions to protect Hoosiers from the threat of COVID-19, it is vitally important to protect citizens’ right to vote,” said Secretary Lawson. “I am pleased that our bi-partisan recommendations have been adopted, and I thank the Indiana Election Commission for their expeditious work. With these changes, I am confident our primary will move forward with minimal disruption.”

The Commission will meet again on April 22^nd, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. ET.

Eligible Hoosiers can register to vote online, check their registration status, and request an absentee ballot by visiting www.IndianaVoters.com.

March 25, 2020, at approximately 7:04 a.m., officers from the Indiana State Police and Sullivan City Police Department responded to a single-vehicle accident on State Road 54 at South Section Street in the city of Sullivan, which injured one individual.

Preliminary investigation by Master Trooper Tom Hanks revealed Genevieve Stone, 70, of Linton, Indiana, was driving a 2003 Buick westbound on State Road 54 and failed to observe a stop sign at the intersection of State Road 54 and South Section Street. Stone’s vehicle ran off the roadway striking several trees and an electrical box. 

The vehicle came to a rest in a ditch approximately sixty feet off the roadway in a wooded area.  Power to the south side of Sullivan was shut down temporarily until Duke Energy could make proper repairs. 

The investigation revealed that Stone failed to observe the stop sign due to a preexisting medical condition.

Stone was transported to Union Hospital due to minor injuries received from the accident.  Master Trooper Hanks stated, “It is believed that seatbelt usage greatly reduced injuries in this accident”.

Assisting:  Sergeant Brent Robinson of the Indiana State Police, Sullivan City Police Officer Rob Smith, Sullivan City Ambulance Service medic 1, Duke Energy and Recovery Plus. 

Today at approximately 9:00 a.m., officers from the Indiana State Police and the Tipton County Sheriff’s Department responded to a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 31 at County Road 600 South, in which two Indiana men were injured.

The preliminary crash investigation by Master Trooper Lee Williams revealed that Andrew Paschal, 29, Anderson, IN was driving a 2005 Ford SUV westbound on Tipton County Road 600 South, approaching a stop sign at the intersection Of U.S. 31.

Paschal allegedly failed to stop for the sign at the intersection and pulled into the path of a northbound 2019 Chevrolet pickup truck. The Chevrolet, driven by Eric Woker, 42, Greenfield, IN hit the Ford in the driver’s side door.

Paschal was transported, via ambulance, to an Indianapolis hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Woker was treated at the crash scene for lacerations and bruising.

There was dense fog in the area at the time of the crash.  Also, further investigation revealed Paschal was allegedly driving with a suspended operator’s license.

This crash is still under investigation, but at this time neither the use of alcohol nor narcotics is suspected as having contributed to the crash.

Master Trooper Williams was assisted at the crash scene by the Tipton County Sheriff’s Department, Master Trooper Ron Fisher, Master Trooper Matt Rogers, and Tipton County EMS.

The Crothersville High School Athletic Director and Boys Varsity Basketball Coach has been arrested for a Felony after authorities found he was sending text messages to a 14-year old female student.

Gregory T. Kilgore, 52, of Crothersville, was arrested and charged with Child Solicitation, a Level 5 Felony. 

On March 18th, 2020; the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department received a report of possible inappropriate messages being sent through social media from a Crothersville High School employee to a 14-year-old female student. 

Detective Mark Holt conducted the initial investigation into the allegations after being contacted by the Jackson County Department of Child Services.

During the course of the investigation, it was learned that inappropriate messages were sent from Kilgore to a 14-year-old female student from Crothersville Junior/Senior High School.

Jackson County Detectives located Kilgore at an address in Jennings County on Wednesday, March 25th at 11:06 a.m.

Kilgore was taken to the Jackson County Jail where he is being held until his initial hearing in Jackson Circuit Court.

The investigation is on-going and Detectives ask that you contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department if you believe you have any additional information. 

Detective Holt was assisted by Jackson County Detective/CSI J.L. McElfresh, Detective Sgt. Stan Darlage and Jackson County Deputy Billy Dishman.   

In an effort to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) per order of Indiana Codes IC 16-20-1-24, IC 36-8-2-4 and IC 36-8-2-5, Dr. Jeffrey G. Morgan, Washington County Health Officer, do hereby order a mandate for all non-essential retail services to close walk-in services to the public.

This includes, but may not be limited to:
 Auctions
 Automobile dealers (except for service vehicles)
 Appliance Stores (except for servicing appliances)
 Electronics Stores (except for servicing electronics)
 Cosmetic Stores
 Salons, Beauty/Nail & Barber Shops
 Tattoo; Piercing Parlors
 Clothing; Shoe Stores
 Jewelry Stores
 Sporting Goods
 Music Stores
 Book Stores
 Hobby & Craft Stores
 Florists
 Libraries
 Fitness Centers/ Gyms, playgrounds & equipment at parks/public places
 Sports Training Facilities/Schools
 Pet Groomers
 Stationary; Gift Stores
 Factories not making life-sustaining products and must be able to meet a 6 foot or more
distance for all employees
 Churches; Religious Entities

Exemptions to this mandate are as follows (while keeping 10 persons or less and a 6 foot or more distance for the public):

 Auto, Appliance; Electronic Repair Services
 Car Rental

 Home/Garden Supply
 Banks, Credit Unions; Financial Services
 Grocery, Markets; Beverage Stores
 Pharmacies; Medical Supply Stores
 Gas/Diesel Fueling Stations
 Supercenters
 Pet Stores
 Delivery, Carryout, and Curbside Food Services
 Agriculture
 Emergent Medical and Dental Care
 Insurance Agencies
 Childcare Centers proving care for employees under these exemptions
 Walking/hiking trails

All Non-essential retail services shall remain closed, beginning immediately, until further notification from the Washington County Health Department.

All mandates and exemptions are subject to change.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s business and industry hotline are receiving a high volume of inquiries. We are working to respond to these inquiries as soon as possible to provide insight or guidance on essential businesses based on Gov. Holcomb’s Executive Order 20-08 issued March 23, 2020.

This Executive Order mandates Hoosiers to remain in their homes except when they are at work or for permitted activities, such as taking care of others, obtaining necessary supplies, and for health and safety.

The order is in effect from today (March 25) to April 7.

We urge businesses, employees and the general public to please review the details and resources provided below:

• If you’re an employee, please check with the leadership of your company for any additional information regarding whether they qualify as an essential or non-essential business.
   
• If you are a business/employer please review Gov. Holcomb’s Executive Order here, which outlines essential functions. Essential businesses are outlined beginning on page 5.
   
• If you have general questions regarding the Executive Order, view the FAQ page here. 
   
• We understand that while the Executive Order highlights a wide variety of businesses, it does not address every type of business or industry. We encourage businesses to review the Executive Order and to consider if their service or product meets the basic threshold of an essential business, which: 
  • Contributes to the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences and essential businesses deemed essential in the Executive Order.
  • The primary purpose of the Governor’s Executive Order is to protect Hoosiers and request they remain at home to combat the spread of COVID-19. While not every service or business is explicitly outlined, we recommend businesses take a “common sense” approach to determining if your business contributes to the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences and businesses deemed essential. 
     
• Employees of essential businesses are not required to provide any documentation. Law enforcement will not be stopping drivers on their way to and from work, traveling for an essential activity such as going to the grocery store, or just taking a walk. 
   
• For non-essential businesses and Hoosiers impacted by this ongoing public health emergency, we encourage you to visit iedc.in.gov/response to explore resources available to you. 

General questions from the public or healthcare provider inquiries about COVID-19 may be directed to the ISDH COVID-19 Call Center at the toll-free number 877-826-0011 (available 24/7) or email epiresource@isdh.in.gov.

Six Indiana high school girls basketball coaches – including Salem’s Girls Coach Jerry Hickey – have been chosen as 2020 Bob King Coaches of the Year by their peers in the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association.

Brandon Appleton of Angola, Adam Yoder of NorthWood, Kathie Layden of Northwestern, Lauren Votaw of Fishers, Hickey of Salem and Brian Smith of Loogootee have been selected as honorees for the 2019-2020 season through voting that occurred from late January through early March, IBCA executive director Steve Witty said.

Honors are awarded according to IHSAA district boundaries, and two coaches from each district are recipients – Appleton and Yoder in District 1; Layden and Votaw in District 2; and Hickey and Smith in District 3.

Here is information about the six girls’ Coach of the Year honorees.

      Appleton is recognized after leading Angola to a 21-3 season that included a 10-0 slate in the Northeast Corner Conference. In six seasons with the Hornets, Appleton’s teams have compiled a 111-40 record, including a sectional title in 2019. Appleton is a 2001 graduate of Peru High School, where he set school records in assists for the Tigers. He played basketball for four seasons at Tri-State (now Trine) University, earning a bachelor’s degree in 2006. He earned a master’s degree from Marian University in 2011. He previously was a boys’ assistant at Indianapolis Scecina and Angola before becoming the head coach for the Angola girls in 2014-15.

Yoder is cited after guiding NorthWood to a 28-3 campaign that included the Class 3A state championship. Earlier, the Black Swish won the Northridge Bankers’ Classic, the Northern Lakes Conference, the Lakeland Sectional, the Jimtown Regional and the LaPorte Semi-State. In six seasons as the NorthWood varsity coach, Yoder’s teams are 108-48 with two NLC championships. He previously was a NorthWood girls’ basketball assistant for six years. Yoder is a 1998 graduate of Bremen High School, where he competed in basketball, football and golf. He earned his bachelor’s degree from IU-South Bend in 2003 and a master’s degree from Olivet Nazarene in 2008. Yoder began his basketball coaching career in 1999 at Bremen as a boys assistant coach. He also has been an assistant football coach at Bremen and NorthWood as well as boys track, girls track and girls golf at Northwood. 

Layden is honored after directing Northwestern to a 29-1 effort that included a Class 4A state runner-up finish as well as championships in the Subway/Columbus North Invitational, Hoosier Conference, the Logansport Sectional, the Marion Regional and the LaPorte Semi-State. In eight seasons at Northwestern, Layden has compiled a 154-49 record with four sectional titles, three regional crowns, three semi-state trophies and Class 3A titles in 2018 and 2019. In 20 seasons a varsity coach, Layden has a 336-149 record with eight sectionals, six regionals, six semi-state and five state crowns. Layden is a 1994 graduate of Taylor High School, where she played basketball, volleyball and tennis. She was a four-year basketball player and one-year tennis athlete at the University of Evansville, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in 1998. Layden was an assistant coach for one season at Tri-Central, then became the school’s head coach for 11 seasons with a 171-90 record and three Class A state titles. She coached Western to an 11-10 mark in 2010-11, then took over the Northwestern girls for the 2012-13 season. Layden previously was an IBCA District 2 Coach of the Year in 2017.

Votaw is cited after leading Fishers to a 23-2 ledger that included championships in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference and Westfield Sectional. Votaw is 51-24 in three seasons as a varsity coach, following 13-12 and 15-10 marks in her first two seasons. Votaw is a 2004 graduate of Greenfield-Central High School, where she competed in basketball, volleyball, softball and track. She played four years of basketball at Anderson University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in 2008. She later received a master’s degree from Ball State in 2013. Votaw began her coaching career as a Noblesville assistant in 2008-09. She moved to Fishers a year later, serving as a Tigers’ assistant for eight seasons before being named the program’s head coach.

     Hickey is honored after directing Salem to a 25-4 season that included championships of the Mid-Southern Conference, Charlestown Sectional, Charlestown Regional and Jeffersonville Semi-State en route to a Class 3A state runner-up finish. In seven seasons with the Lions, his teams are 117-62 with two conference titles, four sectional trophies, two regional crowns and one semi-state title. In eight seasons as a girls varsity coach, including one year at Beaufort (S.C.), he has a 136-67 record. Hickey is a 1993 graduate of Brashear High School in Missouri, where he competed in basketball, baseball and track. He is a 2001 graduate of Indiana University and began his teaching career at Brown County High School, serving as a boys basketball assistant and varsity baseball coach. He coached the Beaufort girls in 2008-09 before moving to Salem as a boys’ assistant in 2009-10. He took over the Salem girls’ program in 2013-14.

     Smith is recognized after guiding Loogootee to a 27-2 campaign that included the Class A state championship. Along the way, his Lions also won the Blue Chip Conference, the North Daviess Sectional, the West Washington Regional and the Jasper Semi-State. In five seasons with the Loogootee girls, Smith’s teams are 90-32. Smith is a 1991 graduate of White River Valley High School, where he competed in basketball and cross country. He went on to Indiana State, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1997. Smith began his coaching career in 1999 as a boys’ basketball assistant at WRV. He became the boys’ basketball varsity coach at Shoals in 2007, guiding the Jug Rox to a 36-90 record in six seasons. He became the Loogootee girls’ coach in the 2015-16 season.  

These six coaches will receive plaques as an IBCA District Coach of the Year during the 2020 IBCA Clinic, which now is to be held on dates to be determined following its postponement from original April 24-25 dates because of the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information about the IBCA Clinic, go to www.ibcacoaches.com. 

The Coach of the Year award is named for the late Bob King, the IBCA executive director from 1984-94. King was a Lebanon native who coached at Sacred Heart and Shortridge high schools in Indianapolis before serving as an assistant basketball coach at Purdue and later an assistant and associate athletic director at Purdue.