More than 128,000 Hoosiers have received a first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, according to Indiana Chief Medical Officer Dr. Lindsay Weaver.

Nearly 600 have received a second dose, making them fully vaccinated.

Weaver said during today’s press conference that vaccines for those Indiana residents aged 80 and over would begin this Friday (see related story).

This week, vaccines were made available to firefighters, EMS, law enforcement, and Department of Corrections officers.

In Southern Indiana, here are the number of residents that have received the vaccine, as of Tuesday, Jan. 5:

• Lawrence County – 569
• Jackson County – 741
• Jennings County – 267
• Orange County – 346
• Washington County – 317
• Scott County – 253
• Clark County – 2224
• Floyd County – 1531
• Harrison County – 572
• Crawford County – 85

Washington County – along with 56 other counties around Indiana – turned to Red today on the State of Indiana’s Covid 19 map and some schools will be changing to reflect the high rate of spread of the virus. 

West Washington School Corporation will move to a hybrid mix of in-person and virtual education. 

Salem and Eastern Schools will continue in-person classes. 

Effective today – January 6 – the Indiana Department of Revenue’s (DOR) Clarksville District Office, located at 1200 Madison St. Suite E., is temporarily closed, additional information will be provided soon.

Most customer requests can be addressed without visiting a district office location.

Customers who would typically visit our Clarksville office are encouraged to take advantage of our online service options, including:

• Individuals can pay their taxes online, both in full and as part of a payment plan, with DORPay at DORpay.dor.in.gov or set up a payment plan with INtax pay at INtaxpay.in.gov.
• Businesses and corporations can pay their bill, set up a payment plan, file and send secure messages with INTIME at INTIME.dor.in.gov.
• Customers can contact DOR through the online customer email form.

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) issued the following statement regarding today’s joint session of Congress to certify the Electoral College results as required by the Constitution:

“As Congress meets to formally receive the votes of the Electoral College, I will uphold my Constitutional duty and certify the will of the states as presented. The people voted and the Electoral College voted. Congress must fulfill its role in turn.

“Like so many of my patriotic constituents and colleagues, I too wish the results of this election were different. I strongly supported President Trump and his agenda for the last four years. I campaigned hard for him. But upon assuming this office, I took a solemn, inviolable oath to support and defend our Constitution, just as I did as a United States Marine. I will not violate that oath.

“Congress’ role in the presidential election process is narrow by design. The states are responsible for their own elections, and for determining the resulting electors. Congress has no authority to do anything other than certifying states’ Electoral College votes as reported. For Congress to supplant the will of a state’s certified electors for its own would be unconstitutional and set a dangerous precedent, damaging the integrity of and future respect for the Electoral College. This is not an empty warning. Democrats have already shown the political will to subvert our institutions through calls to pack the Supreme Court, eliminate the filibuster to weaken the Senate and abolish the Electoral College itself. It would be a grave mistake to join them in this effort. 

“However, with several states implementing various changes to their systems of election integrity this year, I see value in establishing a bipartisan Election Integrity Committee charged with reviewing the 2020 election and making recommendations to state legislatures to improve the security, integrity, and administration of federal elections. That’s why I will join my colleague Senator Tim Scott in introducing legislation that would create such a committee. We must ensure appropriate safeguards are in place at the state and local level, similar to those we have in Indiana, to restore voters’ trust.”

Shortly before midnight Tuesday, a Clarksville man led state troopers on a vehicle pursuit through two counties which ended in a crash in Columbus where the driver was taken into custody.

Andrew Moore, 18, Clarksville, was arrested on charges of Resisting Law Enforcement in a Vehicle-Level 6 Felony, and Reckless Driving, Class A Misdemeanor. 

He was transported to the Jackson County Jail where he was incarcerated, pending an initial appearance in the Jackson County Circuit Court.

The incident began when Trooper Derek Eggers, Indiana State Police-Versailles, conducted a traffic stop on a 2004 Toyota passenger car on I-65 Northbound near the 55-mile marker in Jackson County. 

After the vehicle stopped, Trp. Eggers was approaching the vehicle on foot when the driver fled the scene northbound on I-65.

Trooper Eggers pursued the vehicle, which entered Bartholomew County. 

The vehicle exited I-65 at exit 68 at Columbus. 

After exiting the interstate, Moore’s vehicle collided with another passenger car traveling westbound on State Road 46. 

The driver of the second vehicle was treated for minor injuries. 

After the collision, Moore initially fled from the vehicle on foot before eventually being taken into custody.

Trooper Eggers was assisted by other troopers with the Indiana State Police-Versailles District along with officers from the Columbus Police Department and Bartholomew County Sheriff’s

The American Red Cross and the National Football League are teaming up this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals – especially those who have recovered from COVID-19 – to give blood and to help tackle the national convalescent plasma shortage.

Right now, more donors are needed to help hospital patients.
During this critical time, the Red Cross and NFL are thrilled to offer all those who come to donate an opportunity to receive a special thank you this month.

Those who come to donate blood or platelets this January will be automatically entered to win two tickets to next year’s
Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.*

In addition, those who come to give January 1-20, will also be
automatically entered to win the Big Game at Home package for an awesome viewing experience safely at home, with a 65-inch television and a $500 gift card to put toward food and
fun.

Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood today with the American Red Cross by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or activating the Blood Scheduling Skill for Amazon Alexa.

“Blood and plasma donors who have recovered from COVID-19 may have the power to help critically ill patients currently battling the virus,” said Cyndi Dahl, regional donor services
executive for the Red Cross River Valley Blood Services Region.

“With hospital distributions for convalescent plasma increasing about 250% since October, these generous donations are vital
in helping to save lives throughout the winter – a time that is often challenging to collect enough blood products for those in need.”

As COVID-19 cases have risen across the U.S., so has the need for convalescent plasma – leading to a shortage of this potentially lifesaving blood product. Like “special teams” units on the field,

COVID-19 survivors have a unique ability to make a game-changing difference in the lives of COVID-19 patients. Individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 may have antibodies in their plasma that could provide a patient’s immune system the boost it needs to beat the virus.

How those recovered from COVID-19 can help
There are two ways COVID-19 survivors can help – through a convalescent plasma donation or by simply giving whole blood.

Plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for COVID-
19 antibodies may be used to help COVID-19 patients. Health emergencies don’t pause for holidays, game days or a pandemic – blood is needed every two seconds in the U.S. to help
patients battling injury and illness.
Blood donation safety precautions
To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, individuals who do not feel
well or who believe they may be ill with COVID-19 should postpone their donation.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and
infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing
and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of
all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the
drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment
with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.  
Upcoming blood donation opportunities (Jan. 5-31, 2021):
Calvary Baptist Church, 2632 Michigan Road Madison, IN 47250
1/21/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
First Capital Christian Church, 305 Oliver St. Corydon, IN 47112
1/12/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
First Christian Church, 305 East Walnut St. Salem, IN 47167
1/8/2021: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Immanuel Lutheran, 605 South Walnut Seymour, IN 47274
1/19/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Ivy Tech Community College, 590 Ivy Tech Drive Madison, IN 47250
1/28/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Jefferson County Battle of the Badges-Clifty Inn, 1650 Clifty Hollow Road Madison, IN 47250
1/7/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Lincoln Hills United Methodist Church, 1598 West State Rd 64 English, IN 47118
1/16/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Lucas Oil, 3199 Harrison Way N.W. Corydon, IN 47112
1/7/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Marengo Cave, 400 E. State Rd. 64 Marengo, IN 47140
1/20/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
North Madison Christian Church, 1400 E. S.R. 62 Madison, IN 47250
1/20/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Old Capitol United Methodist Church, 141 W. Heidelberg Rd N. W. Corydon, IN 47112
1/28/2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Palmyra United Methodist Church, 14170 Greene St. N.E. Palmyra, IN 47164
1/15/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.

2020-APL-01656

Southern Hills Church, 1645 IN-135 Salem, IN 47167
1/6/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
St. Mary's Catholic Church, 2500 St. Mary's Drive Lanesville, IN 47136
1/25/2021: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.
About blood donation
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or
driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are
17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at
least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school
students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and
weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass ® to complete
their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation,
before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at
RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

In addition to the Indiana Department of Transportation’s snow and ice removal operations during winter storm events, the agency also pre-treats roadways with brine solution prior to winter weather if conditions allow. 

This typically occurs 24 to 48 hours before precipitation begins to give time for crews to apply brine solution and time for it to dry and adhere to the surface of the road.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about pre-treatment of state roadways.

What is brine? Salt brine is an anti-icing solution made up of water and 23.3 percent salt that is used to prevent snow and ice from bonding to pavement. Brine is effective at temperatures as low as -5 degrees Fahrenheit and can be mixed with other chemicals to lower the freezing point if necessary. Compared to salt, brine is fairly inexpensive at just pennies on the dollar. Brine solution also stays in place better and longer than salt crystals because it is applied as a liquid and stays where it is directed. Solid salt crystals can bounce off the road as they are spread along a route. Why does INDOT pre-treat roadways? INDOT pre-treats roadways ahead of winter weather to prevent snow and ice from bonding to pavement and creating slick spots. Pre-treatment occurs 24 to 48 hours prior to a weather event, even when temperatures are above freezing to provide an extra layer of protection, which makes clean-up easier once precipitation starts to fall. Brining also is used as a preventative measure for frost and/or freezing fog that occurs when temperatures, high humidity, low cloud cover, and low wind can create hazardous conditions, especially on elevated surfaces and bridges.  How long does it take to pre-treat roadways? Individual snow routes are typically 1 1/2 to three hours in length. It takes an INDOT unit approximately 12 to 16 hours to complete all routes prior to a storm. Does rain wash away brine after it’s been applied?  If temperatures are above freezing as a weather system approaches, rain may fall before changing to snow or ice. Light rain (amounts up to 0.4 inch) will not wash away brine from a surface if it has had time to completely dry and adhere to the roadway. Forecasted rain totals are taken into consideration when deciding whether or not to pre-treat. How is the decision made to pre-treat roads? Prior to a weather event, INDOT utilizes a Maintenance Decision Support System (MDSS) that provides weather forecasts, pavement temperatures and recommendations on treating various surfaces. During an event, INDOT relies on reports from the field in addition to forecasts and MDSS when making treatment decisions. Predictions of accumulating snow and ice are main reasons why INDOT may pre-treat a roadway, but freezing fog and heavy frost are also scenarios where pre-treatment is effective.

This is general information regarding pre-treatment of state roadways and may vary slightly depending upon specific conditions in a geographic area. In addition, bridges, overpasses and elevated surfaces may be treated more heavily as they tend to freeze first. For more information about INDOT winter operations, visit www.indotwinterops.com.