Public Health Emergency Extended in Indiana

Indianapolis, IN (October 31, 2020) - Governor Eric Holcomb signed an executive order Friday extending Indiana's public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic until at least December 1, 2020.

So far, this is the eighth extension of the coronavirus emergency initially declared by Indiana's chief executive March 6, 2020 after the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in Indiana. 

A state law enacted in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks entitles vast authority on the governor when he determines the state has been struck by one or more of 30 potential disasters, including a "public health emergency." 

The governor is authorized during a disaster to "employ any measure and give any direction" in accordance with the recommendations of the State Department of Health or local boards of health, both of which have a statutory obligation to "do what is reasonable and necessary for the prevention and suppression of disease."



Governor Holcomb's directive for residents to wear face masks in public places is among the powers derived from his emergency declaration is one example.

Marion County Restrictions Easing Slightly

Marion County, IN (September 25, 2020) - Today, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Dr. Virginia Caine, Director of the Marion County Public Health Department provided an update of Marion County restrictions on various activities and current COVID-19 data.

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One restriction that won't ease up is the current requirement that taverns, nightclubs and restaurants all close at midnight.

Starting on Monday, September 28, the following changes go into place:

• Restaurants, taverns, nightclubs and food establishments can have up to 50 percent indoor capacity and 100 percent outdoor capacity. 
• Restaurants and taverns will continue to be closed at midnight. 
• Museum, cultural sites, music venues and other similar businesses are now able to open to 50 percent capacity. 
• Gyms, fitness centers and similar businesses can also expand to 50 percent capacity. 
• Live entertainment can resume at taverns, clubs and performance venues with certain social distancing precautions in place. A 10-foot buffer should be maintained between the stage and audiences, as well as audiences social distancing themselves. 
• Assisted living facilities may be open to indoor visitation. 
• Funeral homes and churches can have indoor services at 75 percent capacity. 
• Outdoor services can operate at 100 percent capacity.

Mayor Hogsett said the seven-day moving average rate for all tests has fallen from 5.6 percent at the beginning of the month to 4.8 percent as of Thursday, Sept. 24.

Mayor names new Beech Grove police chief

Beech Grove, IN (December 30, 2019) — A long-time officer with the Beech Grove Police Department has been tapped to succeed retiring Chief Mark Swartz. Mayor Dennis Buckley on Monday named Deputy Chief Michael Maurice as the new chief of the department.

Maurice has been with the department since February 2002. According to a biography provided by the department, Maurice has worked 10 years on the middle shift, with seven of those as shift lieutenant. He has also served as field training officer, Fratneral Order of Police representative and as a member of the Special Response team.

The department said Maurice has served the past eight years as deputy chief. Buckley also named Capt. Robert Mercuri as assistant police chief. Mercuri has been with the Beech Grove Police Department since the start of his law enforcement career in 1991. Captain Mercuri worked in the road patrol division for ten years and in the investigations division for 19 years.

New police chief in Beech Grove
WATCH: Beech Grove Mayor Dennis Buckley is announcing the new police chief following the retirement of Mark Swartz.
Posted by RTV6 (WRTV - Indianapolis) on Monday, December 30, 2019

In 1998 Mercuri was promoted to Corporal and one year later promoted to Sergeant. By 2004 Mercuri became a Lieutenant and soon after was promoted to Captain.

In 2006 Mercuri graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He has been a supervisor at the Beech Grove Police Department since 2011. The announcement comes days after the previous police chief, Mark Swartz announced his retirement.

SOURCE: WRTV

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