Starting at 9 a.m. this morning (Friday) the Indiana State Department of Health will begin to open up vaccinations by age group.

People 80 years old and older will be the first group eligible.

That group of people makes up only 3.8% of the state’s population but more than 19% of COVID-19 hospitalizations and 52% of COVID-19 deaths, according to the state health department.

Sign up at https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/vaccine/ or ourshot.in.gov, searching for a nearby vaccine clinic, and selecting an appointment time.

Appointments may also be made by calling 211.

A caregiver or loved one may make an appointment on behalf of an eligible senior.

At least one vaccine clinic will be located in each Indiana county.

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

People 70 years old and older will be next, followed by people 60 years old and older.

Combined, the three groups make up 22.5% of Indiana’s population, 64.1% of COVID-19 hospitalizations, and 93.3% of COVID-19 deaths.

The state health department hasn’t announced specific dates for any age group except those 80 or older, who may begin making appointments on Friday morning.

A 19-year-old Newburgh man was arrested last night for reckless driving and resisting law enforcement after a brief chase.

The driver was identified as Cameron Shepherd, 19, of Newburgh.

1. Resisting Law Enforcement with a Vehicle, Level 6 Felony
2. Reckless Driving, Class A Misdemeanor

Last night at approximately 7:30, Senior Trooper Finney was patrolling US 41 near CR 925 South when he observed a 2011 Toyota Scion traveling northbound at 107 mph.

Trooper Finney immediately activated his emergency lights and attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver continued north at a high rate of speed.

The driver turned east onto Coal Mine Road and then north on CR 10 East. Trooper Finney located the vehicle parked partially in a driveway and front yard of a residence.

The driver was ordered out of the vehicle and arrested without further incident.

Further investigation revealed the registration on the vehicle was expired and he didn’t have insurance for the vehicle.

Shepherd is currently being held on bond in the Gibson County Jail.

Arresting Officer: Senior Trooper Michael Finney

Assisting Officers: Trooper Lukeman, Trooper Widner and Trooper Boeckman

Indiana Department of Transportation maintenance crews plan to close lanes of I-265 at three bridges in Floyd County next week to complete patching work.

Motorists can expect single-lane closures in both directions from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting Monday, Jan. 11, weather permitting. Locations scheduled for repair include I-265 over Slate Run Creek, Jacobs Creek, and Silver Creek, between I-64 and I-65.

Patching is expected to take approximately four days to complete but is temperature-dependent. Work may be rescheduled or extended if needed due to weather. Motorists are reminded to slow down, use extra caution, and drive distraction-free in and near work zones. 

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.