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.