All Washington County students are moving to online learning for the foreseeable future after a new mandate from the county health officer.

According to the Washington County Health Department, Health Officer Dr. Jeff Morgan has ordered that all students move to online learning beginning Wednesday, Dec. 2.

The health department notified local schools of advance information from the Indiana State Department of Health that the county will be listed as “Red” when the state updates its Covid-19 map on Wednesday. 

Washington County has had 432 cases of Covid-19 in November for a total of 865 cases overall. There have been seven Covid-19 related deaths – four of which came in November. 

The state has a 7-day positivity rate of 11 percent. Washington County’s 7-day positivity rate (as of this morning) was 14.7 percent.

Gov. Eric Holcomb signed an executive order today extending Indiana’s public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic until at least Dec. 31.

Morgan instructed in a letter two weeks ago that he would close schools to in-person education if Washington County turned “Red.” Read original letter – morgan 

A new email came at 8:44a Tuesday morning to local administrators and reads:

“We have received notice from the State that we are going “red” starting tomorrow morning 12/2.   Dr. Morgan has stated that all schools, all grade levels will go to virtual learning starting tomorrow.  At this time, sport[s] teams can still come to practice, and parents/guardians and siblings can still attend the scheduled games.  If this changes, I will notify you all immediately.  We will remain in the “red” for at least 2 weeks before we could possibly return to “orange” or lower.”

Morgan issued a letter notice two weeks ago that moved middle and high school students at all three schools to hybrid and virtual learning. 

After Thanksgiving Break, Eastern, Salem and West Washington returned with elementary students going to school in-person and middle and high school students attending some days with other days at home. 

 According to Salem Schools Superintendent Jon Acton, “Dr. Morgan has granted some flexibility to allow high school and middle school athletics to continue during this time using attendance and safety guidelines previously established.”

Acton said while Washington County is under a “Red” classification, the walking track would be closed. 

He said there would be an update on Friday, Dec. 4 for the pickup and delivery of student meals. 

East Washington Schools Superintendent Dennis Stockdale said school buses would begin meal delivery service to students on Monday, Dec. 7 and continue through Friday, Dec. 18. 

“This service is available for any child under the age of 18,” he said. 

A form will be posted online (WSLM will update this story with the link here). The form should be submitted by Friday, Dec. 4 at noon in order to receive meals during this period. 

No additional information has been released from West Washington at the time of this update. 

Indiana Department of Transportation contractor MAC Construction plans to close Utica Sellersburg Road between Maplehurst Drive and Brown Forman Road in Clark County on Monday, Nov. 30, weather permitting.

Under the closure, crews will install pipes as construction continues on the most recent segment of the Heavy Haul Transportation Corridor that began last fall. Utica Sellersburg Road is expected to reopen the morning of Dec. 4. 

The new $14.5 million, two-lane roadway is designed to heavy haul standards to withstand vehicle weights up to 134,000 pounds and will provide a continuous route for heavy haul vehicles between River Ridge Commerce Center and the Port of Indiana at Jeffersonville once complete.

Milestone Contractors plans to move U.S. 50 traffic to its winter configuration next week between Agrico Lane and U.S. 31 in Seymour. Work began in April on the $15 million pavement reconstruction contract.

All traffic was moved to the westbound side of U.S. 50 in August. Shifting traffic to this pattern will allow the Indiana Department of Transportation to safely and effectively perform snow and ice removal duties during the winter months.

Tuesday, December 1 – U.S. 50 EB
On Tuesday, U.S. 50 EB traffic will move back to the eastbound side of U.S. 50 and the two cloverleaf ramps on the south side of the roadway will reopen to traffic (I-65 SB to U.S. 50 EB and U.S. 50 EB to I-65 NB).

Wednesday, December 2 – U.S. 50 WB
On Wednesday, westbound U.S. 50 will move to its winter configuration. From Agrico Lane to Sandy Creek Drive, traffic will be split between existing barrier wall. One lane will travel west on U.S. 50 to the right of the barrier wall (the original outside lane) with access to the full shoulder. This lane will provide access to businesses on the north side of U.S. 50, with exits to U.S. 50 WB only. The second lane will travel west on U.S. 50 to the left of the barrier wall. From Sandy Creek Drive to U.S. 31, westbound traffic will move back to its original pattern.

All ramps to and from I-65 are scheduled to open by end of the day on Wednesday. Temporary signals will also be removed for winter. Turn lanes will be available along U.S. 50 at the following locations: Myers Street, Starbucks/Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Sandy Creek Drive, Steven’s Way and U.S. 31.

Work will resume on the pavement reconstruction project in the spring. Intersection improvements at U.S. 31 and bridge painting are also included in the contract. Two travel lanes in each direction are expected to be maintained for the duration of the project. The intermediate contract completion date is October 31, 2021, with activity continuing through June 2022.

Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones. All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Patching work will close a portion of the I-65 SB on-ramp and the right travel lane of I-65 SB at the S.R. 46 interchange (Exit 68) in Columbus on Wednesday, Dec. 2.

Crews are expected to be on-site from approximately 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to complete repairs. Work will take place on Thursday, Dec. 3, if needed due to inclement weather.

Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution, and drive distraction-free in and near work zones. All work is weather dependent.