Dennis Kunkle, the former Georgetown, Indiana Chief of Police, has been charged with Official Misconduct after an investigation lasting more than seven months.

In September of 2019, Indiana State Police (ISP) Detective Craig Starr was assigned the investigation after Georgetown authorities requested an investigation into possible misuse or misappropriation of department funds. 

Starr, a detective with the ISP Organized Crime and Corruption unit, was assisted by a forensic examiner from the Indiana State Board of Accounts. 

Among the findings, the investigation and subsequent audit revealed over $8,000.00 in tow-in fees that were not deposited with the town clerk-treasurer as required.  

At the conclusion of the investigation, a special prosecutor received the findings, and on Thursday, charged Kunkle with Official Misconduct, a Level 6 Felony, with the predicate offenses of Failure to deposit public funds, a class A Misdemeanor, and Conversion, a class A Misdemeanor.

On Thursday, the Senior Prosecuting Attorney assigned to the case by the appointing Judge also requested a summons be issued for an initial hearing.

Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey wants to update local voters on changes to the spring primary and remind them that registered voters can go to Indianavoters.com and request an absentee ballot. 

The normal election night live reporting will be done via WSLM Radio as the Washington County Courtroom where results are normally read will be closed to the public. 

Also, per the state’s request, the number of polling locations has been consolidated. 

“It’s quick and easy and keeps everyone safe,” Rockey said. 

For those who do not have internet access you may still call our Election & Voter Services office at 812-883-5748 x1128 to request an application by mail.

• Voter Registration closes at midnight on May 4^th.
• Candidates: May 15^th at noon is the deadline to turn in your Pre-Primary report, CFA-4.
• As of now, In-person Early Voting will take place at our Election & Voter Services Office at the Washington County Justice Center from Tuesday, May 26 – Friday, May 29^th from 8 am-Noon and 1 to 4. Saturday, May 30^th from 8 am to Noon and Monday, June 1^st from 8 am to Noon. COVID-19 CDC guidelines will be strictly adhered to.
• Election Day is June 2^nd from 6 am to 6 pm. 

Please be advised that we have merged some polling locations in compliance with the Secretary of State request.

Polling locations for the June Primary are as follows:

• Salem Armory- 1100 N Shelby Street- Precincts Salem 1-4
• Washington County Fair Grounds- 4-H Building- 118 N. Fair Street- Precincts Washington 1-4 and Franklin
• Campbellsburg Community Building- 125 S. Sycamore Street- Precincts Brown and Vernon
• Gibson Twp. FireHouse- 571 N. State Road 39- Precinct Gibson
• Howard Twp. FireHouse- 5279 S. Becks Mill Road- Precinct Howard
• Jackson Twp. FireHouse- 4330 E. Martinsburg Fire Road- Precinct Jackson
• Monroe Twp. FireHouse- 8496 N. State Road 135- Precincts Jefferson & Monroe
• Fellowship Baptist Mission Center (formally Bearcat Civic Center)- 9271 W. US Hwy 150- Precincts Madison & Posey
• Pekin Town Hall- 75 S. Mill Street- Precincts Polk & Pierce

Regarding the logistics of election night results reporting, Rockey said the County Election Board (with a unanimous vote) has changed the way results will be given this election.

The Washington County Justice Center will be closed to the public on election night. 

The results will still be tabulated precinct by precinct, the CEB will supply reports, (in real-time) to the local media, who will be present.

Rebecca White, Owner and General Manager of WSLM will be announcing the results LIVE on WSLM 97.9 FM, 1220 AM, and live on social media.

The local newspaper will be posting results online and in their next printed edition. 

“We are grateful that our local community media outlets are partnering with our County Election Board in keeping everyone safe but well informed,” said Rockey. “As your County Election Administrator, the health and safety of my voters, election workers, my employees, and our families are my number one priority! I’m advising everyone to stay safe and exercise your right to vote, vote absentee by mail!”

REP SAMPLE BALLOTS PRIMARY 2020 (1)

Dem Sample ballots Primary 2020 (1)

WSLM is updating this spreadsheet daily to provide a look at how the Covid-19 virus has spread throughout the Kentuckiana area since it was created on March 20. 

The statistics are updated daily with data released by the Indiana State Department of Health and will continue until this is over. 

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced the state is partnering with Maximus to centralize contact tracing and investigations for Hoosiers who test positive for COVID-19.

This move, in tandem with a previously announced partnership with Optum to significantly expand testing across the state, is an essential component of efforts to safely reopen Indiana.

“As we fight the spread of COVID-19, we need the ability to rapidly contact positive patients and their close contacts to determine who else might have been exposed,” Gov. Holcomb said.

“Centralizing this work will allow us to quickly identify individuals who need to be quarantined, reduce the risk of additional infections, and take actions to ensure our schools, workplaces and public settings are safe.”

Contact tracing involves identifying individuals who have tested positive for illness and asking questions about who they were in contact with during their infectious period, then notifying those close contacts of their exposure.

Historically, local health departments have led this function, with assistance from the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) when requested.

“Our local health departments have been doing an incredible job with contact tracing for COVID-19, but we know that as the number of cases increases, the strain on local resources will be significant,” said State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG. “This centralized approach will free up local health departments to connect people with supportive services in their communities, help with large outbreaks in congregate settings and continue to provide other essential public health services, such as immunizations.”

Plans call for hiring at least 500 employees, who will be trained in contact tracing and investigations by ISDH subject matter experts. The call center is expected to be operational around May 11.

More information about COVID-19 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.