While there are many uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak, one thing is for certain – the Hancock County 4-H Fair will have a new date.

Recently, officials announced last week the fair will be moved from its June date, and that, while it is moved, it is not cancelled. Officials are slated to announce new dates on April 21.

Brian Greer, Purdue extension educator for 4-H/youth development, told Giant FM, this is the first time he has had to reschedule and re-plan for such a large event.

In a letter to 4-H members and families, officials with Purdue’s Extension 4-H Youth Development stated that all face to face events would be banned until June 30, 2020.

“We do not take this decision lightly. The health and well-being of the 4-H’ers, families, volunteers, employees and communities is our top priority. Our hearts break in your disappointment. Right now, and always, 4-H Youth Development will continue to provide opportunities for youth to learn, grow, develop skills and showcase and celebrate their achievements. We will try new things and relate to each other in innovative ways. We will harness the resilience and determination 4-H has taught us, and we will stand in awe of the individuals and communities 4-H has built,” the letter read.

Greer wrote his own letter to Hancock County 4-H families and has held a Facebook live session to answer questions by families.

“Since Indiana 4-H is a Purdue-sponsored organization, all decisions regarding the postponement or cancellation of events due to COVID-19 are made at the institutional level,” Greer told Giant FM.
As for what the fair could look like under new dates, and, potential new guidelines, Greer told Giant FM he is unsure.

“At this moment, I can’t say what exactly the fair will look like. We are still developing a plan. We will announce the new fair dates and schedule April 21. As for whether the fair will be safer, Purdue Extension and the Hancock County 4-H are committed to ensuring the health and safety of all our 4-H families and public fair-goers. Thus, we follow guidelines provided to us by Purdue University leadership and public health officials,” Greer said. 

A NYC murder suspect has been caught in Hancock County.

On Tuesday, April 14, at 12:10 pm PACE Team Sergeant James Goodwin of the Henry County Sheriff’s Department was patrolling westbound Interstate 70 near the Hancock County / Henry County Line near the 113 mile marker. Sgt. Goodwin observed a white Honda Civic with a New York license plate. This vehicle committed multiple marked lane violations prompting Sgt. Goodwin to perform a license plate inquiry. The license plate came back with a wanted hit for felonies and the occupants were deemed armed and dangerous. 

Sgt. Goodwin radioed his dispatch and coordinated a multi-agency response to converge on his location to safely conduct a high risk felony apprehension stop. This was done to ensure the safety of the occupants and the safety of the other motoring public. 

Sgt. Goodwin was then met by multiple other law enforcement agencies where he coordinated the apprehension at the 109 mile marker along westbound interstate 70 in Hancock County. The driver fled for a couple miles while traveling westbound on interstate 70 before pulling over. 

The driver Muhammad Habib age 24 of Jamaica, NY was arrested without incident and was wanted for multiple felonies out of New York namely, Murder in the Second Degree related to the stabbing homicide of 43 year old victim, Wycliffe Gentles, which occurred on Monday, April 13, 2020 within the confines of Queens County, NY.

The female passenger, Khusbu Patel age 22 of Queens, NY was also arrested without incident on local charges for multiple drug violations.(See below).  

Sgt. Goodwin and Sgt. Ernstes of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Dept. searched the white Honda Civic and found two pounds of suspected marijuana, suspected crack cocaine, multiple packages of illicit pills and heroin. 

Detective McFarland of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Dept. was also called to the scene where she conducted a searched incident to arrest of the female passenger Khusbu Patel and found that she was concealing suspected narcotics in her clothing. 

The felony warrant from New York had just been active on April 13th, 2020 by NYPD's Queens Homicide Detectives and Detectives of the 103 Precinct in Queens County. 

The occupants were allegedly traveling from New York to Missouri. The investigation is ongoing at this time. 

Multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in the felony apprehension including the Indiana State Police, Knightstown Police, Henry County Sheriff, Hancock County Sheriff and the Shirley Police Department. 

Muhammad Habib was arrested and is being held in the Hancock County Jail pending a warrant for Murder in the Second Degree and associated charges, in Queens County, New York. 

His local charges include:

Dealing Marijuana

Possession of Cocaine

Possession of Heroin

Possession of Controlled substance (1)

Possession of a Controlled Substance (2)

Resisting Law Enforcement

Khusbu Patel is also being held in the Hancock County Jail and her charges include:

Possession of Cocaine

Possession of Heroin

Possession of Controlled substance (1)

Possession of a Controlled Substance (2)

Dealing Marijuana