Salem Schools will join with East Washington Schools and move to virtual education beginning Monday, Nov. 16 due to the increase in local Covid-19 cases and the county’s increased color designation being raised to “Orange”.

West Washington Schools are moving Grades 7-12 online beginning Monday but will keep Pre-K thru Grades 6 in-person at this time.

Thanksgiving break begins Nov. 25 and all Salem and East Washington are expected to return to in-person education on Monday, Nov. 30.

West Washington Schools said it would stay in virtual learning as long as the county was designated as “Orange” and would move all grades online if the county moves to “Red.”

Washington County Health Officer Dr. Jeff Morgan advised local administrators in a letter on Nov. 12 that all schools should move to a hybrid/virtual learning environment for middle and high school students. 

Morgan said Pre-K and Elementary classes could remain in-person while the county is listed in the Orange status. 

Morgan also advised all grades to move to virtual education if the county moves to the “Red” status. 

Salem and East Washington are moving all grades to virtual education.

Washington County moved to Orange for the first time on Wednesday (when the state updates this designation each week) and had previously been yellow. 

There are four stages – blue, yellow, orange and red. 

Orange status is given when there are between 100 and 199 new cases per 100,000 residents. 

Red status is given when there are more than 200 cases per 100,000 residents. 

There have been 93 cases of Covid-19 and 2 Deaths in Washington County since November 1 (5 total deaths overall and 526 total cases of Covid-19).

Morgan noted in a letter to schools that the new guidance was “to make stricter guidelines to help further ensure the safety of [the] students, staff and faculty.”

He said that during the “Orange” Status that no assemblies or large group activities would be allowed. 

Extra-curricular activities and any events with competitors/participants must have less than 50 people with a strong recommendation to have no in-person attendees.

Morgan wrote that administrators should “educate parents and guardians about limiting social events outside of schools and home. County education leaders will collaborate with the local health department to implement aggressive precautions in schools and communities.”

Morgan admitted his guidance was “stricter than the ISDH Orange guidelines set forth by the state and are enforceable per Indiana Codes IC 16-20-1-24, IC 36-8-2-4 and IC 36-8-25.”

Morgan also outlined that if Washington County moves to the “Red” status, all three county schools will be closed to in-person education.

“All extracurricular activities would be canceled,” Morgan wrote. “This is a stricter mandate than what ISDH has put out but is in the best health interest of our community.”

He did indicate that all information was subject to change at any time, as it has throughout this pandemic, and that the administrators at the county schools would be notified immediately of those changes. 

Acton said the schools were working with Morgan to monitor the situation and the positivity rate of the county.

“The positivity rate will determine how we will return to instruction on Nov. 30,” said Acton. “We will know more by Nov. 25th and will update the community on that date.”

Gov. Eric Holcomb ended Stage 5 of Indiana’s Back on Track program but didn’t replace it with anything.

Instead he state issued additional advice for counties in Orange and Red counties as follows:

COUNTIES IN ORANGE 

• Social gatherings –inside or outside — are limited to 50 people 
• Special, seasonal or commercial events planned for more than 50 people need to get a safety plan approved by the local health department
• Attendance at winter indoor K-12 extracurricular and co-curricular events are limited to 25% capacity 
• Capacity in common areas and break rooms should be reduced and users should be socially distanced
• Community rec sports leagues and tournaments may continue with limited participant attendance, with required personnel and parents/guardians only 

COUNTIES IN RED

• Social gatherings — inside or outside — are limited to 25 people 
• Special, seasonal or commercial events planned for more than 25 people need to get a safety plan approved by the local health department. Events are not advised to be held. College and professional sports are included. 
• Attendance at winter indoor extracurricular and co-curricular activities, including IHSAA sports, is limited to participants, support personnel and parents/guardians 
• Local officials may consider liming hours for the operations of bars, nightclubs and restaurants 
• Community recreational sports leagues and tournaments may continue with participants, required personnel and parents/guardians only 
• Senior care activities suspended 
• Hospital, long-term care facilities and other congregate settings may impose visitation limits 
• Common areas and break rooms should be closed 

However the state left any additional restrictions up to each county’s Heath department.

Effective immediately all Washington County buildings will be closed to the public, according to Washington County Auditor Kyra Stephenson.

The vast majority of Indiana counties are in higher-risk categories for COVID-19 spread, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.

A look at the ISDH’s coronavirus map shows 87 of Indiana’s 92 counties are in the orange or red categories. Only five counties are in the yellow category, and zero are considered blue.

“Due to the increase in COVID cases the Washington County Health Department and Washington County Commissioners have made the decision to close all county buildings to the public,” Stephenson wrote in a message.

“This decision was made in the best interest of the county employees as well as the community,” Stephenson noted.

According to the release, all county employees will be reporting to work as scheduled. 

If anyone needs assistance please call each office and county employees will do their best to take care of the needs over the phone. 

The number of Covid-19 cases have been on the rise over the past few weeks – nearly doubling each week around the state. 

Washington County is now designated as an “Orange” county, with Red the highest concentration of Covid-19 cases.

There were 155 new Covid-19 cases reported in Washington County in October and 71 cases so far in the first two weeks of November. 

Gov. Eric Holcomb yesterday moved away from the Stage 5 designation on Indiana’s Back on Track program and instead initiated the following new guidelines for counties in “Orange” and “Red” status.

Orange (moderate to high community spread)

• Grade schools continue in-person; strong recommendation for hybrid learning for middle and high school students
• No assemblies or large group activities
• Strong recommendation to limit extra-curricular activities and have competitors and participants only, with no in-person attendees
• Discussions with parents about limiting social events outside of school
• County education leaders work with local health department to consider implementing aggressive prevention efforts in schools and communities

Red (high community spread)

• Grade schools remain in-person or consider hybrid learning; middle and high school students consider virtual learning
• No assemblies or large group activities
• Extracurricular activities canceled
• Discourage social events
• County education leaders work with local health department to consider implementing aggressive prevention efforts in schools and communities.

Eastern High School and East Washington Middle School moved to online-only education today with the elementary school moving to virtual classes on Monday, Nov. 16. 

They plan to return to in-person education after Thanksgiving break. 

Due to staffing issues involving Covid-19 cases and quarantined staff, Eastern High School and East Washington Middle School moved to e-learning today with the elementary school moving to virtual classes next Monday. 

Washington Count has moved to an “orange” level after being previously in the blue and yellow status since the Indiana State Department of Health began tracking these changes. 

Washington County crossed the 500-mark of cases since March yesterday and topped out at 504 total cases. There have been 4 local deaths. 

Yesterday, Gov. Eric Holcomb, moved from Stage 5 in the Back on Track plan and initiated changes to those counties in Orange and Red. 

New restrictions for Orange Counties (Washington County) include:

• Attendance at winter indoor K-12 extracurricular and co-curricular events is limited to 25% capacity.
• Capacity in common areas and break rooms should be reduced.
• Community recreational sports leagues and tournaments may continue with attendance limited to participants, required personnel, and parents/guardians.
• Social gatherings of any kind, inside or outside, are limited to 50 people.
• Special, seasonal or commercial events planned for more than 50 people require the approval of a safety plan by the local health department.

According to Superintendent Dennis Stockdale, the school will still have Thanksgiving break from November 25-27 and plans to return to in-person schooling on Monday, Nov. 30. 

In a statement online, Stockdale said “our staff has done an incredible job, but we are stretched thin right now. In the past several days, the number of students and staff that have been either positive or quarantined due to close contact has grown significantly.”

East Washington staff will be notified by their supervisors when and where to report. 

Prosser students will attend classes at Prosser on their regular schedule. 

Elementary and Middle School extra-curricular activities will be canceled. High School extra-curricular activities will continue on a case by case basis. 

Eastern Lady Musketeers are set to play a basketball game at North Harrison Friday night and at home Saturday night against Austin. 

Stockdale said the lunch program would continue for students at home. 

More information and details on getting those will be released soon. 

“I understand this is a difficult situation for many, and I can assure you that this decision is not taken lightly,” Stockdale said online. “As with everything we have been dealing with for the last several months, this is subject to change. Your continued cooperation is greatly appreciated.”

The annual Veteran’s Day program for Washington County will be held on the Northwest side of the courthouse at 11a on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

The program will be broadcast live on Facebook for those who cannot attend.

Social distancing and masks are asked to be worn for those in attendance.

The schedule is as follows:

MASTER OF CEREMONIES—————–KEVIN BATEMAN CVSO
ATTEND THE FLAG—————————SCOUT TROOP 4029
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE——————-EVERYONE
INVOCATION———————————- Ricky Main (Retired SSG)
PRESENTATION OF COLORS—————AMERICAN LEGION
PLACING OF WREATHS——————- AMERICAN LEGION & VFW AUXILIARIES, DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
MUSICAL SALUTE—————————-Warriors of Christ 
INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKER———— KEVIN BATEMAN CVSO
SPEAKER————————————— DELBERT WRAY
PAY TRIBUTE TO OUR FALLEN————VFW FIRING SQUAD
TAPS——————————————— AMERICAN LEGION
DISMISSAL————————————–KEVIN BATEMAN CVSO

WSLM will provide the sound system. 

A free lunch will be served at the American Legion by the ladies auxiliary immediately after the program on South Main Street.

Everyone is encouraged to attend to support and honor the local veterans.

In case of inclement weather, the program will be held inside the American Legion.

During the city’s update on COVID-19 in Louisville today, Mayor Greg Fischer and Public Health and Wellness Director Dr. Sarah Moyer stated that with Louisville’s COVID-19 case counts significantly increasing, extreme action is needed by everyone to stop the spread.

Jefferson County has surpassed 2,000 weekly COVID positive cases in the past two consecutive weeks.

Voicing her concerns of the city nearing record highs of COVID spread, Dr. Moyer said, “I want to make this clear: everyone in our community is at risk for catching COVID-19 or spreading it to your friends, family or coworkers if you let your guard down.

“We must renew and strengthen our commitment to fight this virus together. I know so many of you are doing the right thing. You have been sacrificing to protect yourselves but also because you care about others. Please don’t give up the fight. Stay strong. We can do this. But it will take all of us.”

“COVID-19 is a threat to our community, and it’s a threat that each of us needs to take more seriously than we have been,” said Mayor Fischer. “We are in the ‘red zone’ again this week. As we look ahead to the holidays and family gatherings, we have to factor COVID-19 into our plans, or we are potentially putting ourselves and our families in serious danger.”

Here are the key data metrics for the week of November 10:

• There were 2,300 new cases over the previous week.
• Louisville’s rolling two-week average positivity rate is at 6.8 percent.
• Hospitalization data:
  • 16% of patients currently hospitalized have COVID-19.
  • 66 patients in ICU with COVID-19 as of November 10, an increase from 58 the week prior.
  • 40 COVID-19 patients on ventilators as of November 10, compared to 34 last week.
• COVID-19 cases are in every Louisville ZIP code, with nearly all at the red alert level.
• Largest increase in cases remains in those ages of 15-34.
• Given the high level of community spread, any interaction with members outside your household leaves you at greater risk of bringing an infection home. Once one person is infected in a household, they are likely to spread it to other members.

As the amount of COVID spread in the community continues on an upward trajectory, Dr. Moyer issued her recommendations on how residents must adapt to break the chain of transmission. They included reducing all contact with people who you do not live with including refraining from attending bars, events such as parties, weddings, funerals, sports practices and other gatherings. 

“Simply put, in order to stop COVID-19 from spreading so rapidly, we need to severely limit where we go and who we are around,” she said. “With the record number of cases weekly, no indoor activity is safe from COVID.”

Updated Compliance Strategy

Due to the uncontrolled outbreak and increasing spread of COVID-19 cases across Jefferson County, Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness is expanding compliance and enforcement activity across Louisville.

“We want our community to know we are taking it seriously. COVID is the primary concern that we have in our community that is affecting our public health right now,” said Nick Hart, Environmental Health Manager.

According to Hart, environmentalists will quadruple the amount of time spent during evening, late-night and weekend surveillance, focusing on peak operation hours. Hart noted these are crucial periods where large numbers of people often congregate in shared spaces.

Additionally, inspectors will be observing businesses that are serving the public on a regular basis. Businesses will not know who is in attendance conducting surveillance, but could get a follow-up email or phone call afterward if a violation is observed.

“We’re not trying to disrupt businesses, but we are trying to get a realistic idea of what it looks like during the times we see people out in our community,” he said.

Hart said Public Health and Wellness plans to publish a violation list on its website for the public to see who is not complying with Healthy at Work or face-covering guidelines.

COVID Care Kits aim to alleviate stress for those in self-isolation

The Department of Public Health and Wellness Center for Health Equity has been working to increase support for residents affected by the virus.

Rebecca Hollenbach, Executive Administrator at the Center for Health Equity, said asking people to partake in new behaviors like self-isolating for 10 days or more can prove difficult.

To improve that experience, care kits are being distributed to individuals in Jefferson County who have tested positive and in the city’s contact tracing system.  Care packages include educational resources, medical resources and items for self-care.

“This is a gift of support from us to you to thank you for everything you’re doing to help keep yourself, your family and your community safe,” Hollenbach said.

First Responder Data

Currently, 116 members of LMPD, Louisville Fire, Metro EMS, Metro Corrections and the Sheriff’s Office are off-duty due to COVID-19:

• 54 are off with positive tests and in self-isolation
• 34 are off and quarantined due to exposure to someone who tested positive
• 28 are off with symptoms, pending test results

Positive test numbers for first responders/public safety since the incident began:

• 322 positive tests
• 269 have fully recovered and returned to duty

Metro Corrections inmate data:

Total Tested = 4040

Total Positive = 251

Total Recovered = 236

Total currently under medical isolation = 15

Total pending = 0

Ahead of the 2020 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) World Finals: Unleash The Beast Nov. 12-15 in Arlington, Texas at AT&T Stadium, the league has announced the 39 riders who have qualified to compete at the sport’s most prestigious event.

One rider is poised to conclude the historic four-day event as the 2020 PBR World Champion, earning the coveted gold buckle and $1 million bonus.

After finishing No. 2 in the world title race the past two seasons, current world leader Jose Vitor Leme is riding to complete his dominant 2020 season with his career-first PBR World Championship.

Leme won a league-leading seven Unleash The Beast events during the regular season, in addition to topping the leaderboard in round wins (15), championship round wins (5), 90-point rides (8), bulls ridden (41) and riding percentage (41-for-60 – 68.33%).

The former semi-professional soccer player will enter the 2020 PBR World Finals with more than double the world points of any other rider except world No. 2. Joao Ricardo Vieira.

Vieira is in contention for his first PBR World Championship in a building where he has had great success, winning more than $895,000, including two Iron Cowboy PBR Majors inside AT&T Stadium

The 36-year-old veteran concluded the regular season on a high note, winning the final Unleash The Beast tour stop in Nampa, Idaho.

His momentum continued in the PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Finals, finishing third on Saturday night to gain further ground on No. 1 Leme.

Vieira now trails his countryman by 424.59 points ahead of the 2020 PBR World Finals, Leme’s smallest lead since late August.

The remainder of the Top 5 includes No. 3 Kaique Pacheco (-688 points), No. 4 Daylon Swearingen (-738.34 points) and No. 5 Jess Lockwood (-745.5 points).

Lockwood, sidelined since early October due to a right shoulder injury, will return to competition at the 2020 PBR World Finals with the experience of overcoming daunting odds to win a world title.

Lockwood made a come-from-behind surge in 2019 to overcome Leme in the standings, winning both the World Finals event and PBR World Championship. The Montana man is the youngest two-time PBR World Champion in league history, winning his first title in 2017.

Two-time PBR World Champion J.B. Mauney earned his 15^th consecutive qualification to the PBR World Finals despite being sidelined until August as he continued to recover from right shoulder surgery.

The grizzled veteran was electric in his return to competition, recording five Top-10 finishes on the elite Unleash The Beast, including three consecutive fourth-places finishes to conclude the regular-season, vaulting him 157 positions in the world standings.

After announcing his retirement at the start of the season, Ryan Dirteater’s storied career will end inside the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. Dirteater, who has now qualified for 12 PBR World Finals, has been plagued by injury in 2020.

After sustaining thoracic fractures in February, which kept him out of competition for three months, the Oklahoman broke his collarbone in August, requiring an additional two-month recovery.

Presently ranked No. 36 in the world, Dirteater is a former PBR World Finals event winner, victorious at the multi-day bull riding marathon in 2016.

In 2020, one rider has qualified for both the PBR World Finals and Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – Boudreaux Campbell. Amid his first season competing on the elite Unleash The Beast, Crockett, Texas native Campbell will make his PBR World Finals debut as the world’s No. 33-ranked rider, having logged three Top-10 efforts on the PBR’s premier series.

In addition to Campbell, several additional Texans have qualified to compete at the first-ever PBR World Finals in their home state including: 2016 PBR World Champion Cooper Davis (Jasper), 2020 Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Champion Mason Taylor (Maypearl), 2012 PRCA Champion Cody Teel (College Station), 2020 PBR Rookie of the Year standings leader Cole Melancon (Paris), rising sensation Ezekiel Mitchell (Rockdale), Taylor Toves (Stephenville) and Tye Chandler (Celina).

The 35 qualifiers via the world standings who will put it all on the line in the Lone Star State are:

Jose Vitor Leme (Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil)

Joao Ricardo Vieira (Itatinga, Brazil)

Kaique Pacheco (Itatiba, Brazil)

Daylon Swearingen (Piffard, New York)

Jess Lockwood (Volborg, Montana)

Lucas Divino (Nova Crixas, Brazil)

Cooper Davis (Jasper, Texas)

Colten Jesse (Konawa, Oklahoma)

Mason Taylor (Maypearl, Texas)

Derek Kolbaba (Walla Walla, Washington)

Ezekiel Mitchell (Rockdale, Texas)

Dener Barbosa (Paulo de Faria, Brazil)

Cole Melancon (Paris, Texas)

Eduardo Aparecido (Gouvelandia, Brazil)

Alex Cerqueira (Iguatemi, Brazil)

Brennon Eldred (Sulphur, Oklahoma)

Cody Teel (College Station, Texas)

Marco Eguchi (Poa, Brazil)

Ramon de Lima (Rio Branco, Brazil)

Mauricio Moreira (Gaviao Peixoto, Brazil)

Stetson Lawrence (Williston, North Dakota)

Keyshawn Whitehorse (McCracken Springs, Utah)

Silvano Alves (Pilar do Sul, Brazil)

Claudio Montanha Jr. (Pacaembu, Brazil)

J.B. Mauney (Statesville, North Carolina)

Joao Henrique Lucas (Bastos, Brazil)

Boudreaux Campbell (Crockett, Texas)

Taylor Toves (Stephenville, Texas)

Tye Chandler (Celina, Texas)

Ryan Dirteater (Hulbert, Oklahoma)

Kyler Oliver (Roy, Utah)

Rafael Henrique dos Santos (Sebastianopolis, Brazil)

Amadeu Campos Silva (Atair, Brazil)

Junior Patrik Souza (Sonora, Brazil)

Dakota Louis (Browning, Montana)

While Fabiano Vieira, Matt Triplett and Andrew Alvidrez qualified to compete, all remain sidelined due to injury. Additionally, Aaron Kleier was unable to accept his qualification due to travel restrictions, and Dakota Buttar and Lachlan Richardson were ineligible.

Joining these 35 men at the 2020 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast are four qualifiers from the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour (PWVT).  

Andre da Cruz de Souza (Decatur, Texas) earned his career-first berth to the PBR World Finals compliments of fifth-place finish at the 2020 PWVT Finals.

Alex Cardozo (Indaiatuba, Brazil), Wallace Vieira de Oliveira (Goiania, Brazil) and Cody Campbell (Summerville, Oregon) punched their tickets to the prestigious event compliments of their season finish in the PWVT standings. Cardozo concluded the year No. 3, a slim 4.67 points behind standings leaders Taylor and Oliver, while Oliveira was No. 5 and Campbell was No. 7.

At 41 years of age, Oliveira is now the oldest rider in league history to qualify for the PBR World Finals. The record was previously held by Gary Richard (Houston, Texas) who was 40 when he qualified for the 2002 PBR World Finals.

Each rider will ride one bull per night during Rounds 1-3 from Thursday, November 12 through Saturday, November 14. On Sunday, November 15 all riders who recorded a qualified ride through the first three days of competition will advance to Round 4. If fewer than 30 riders recorded a score, cowboys will be drawn back based on their world rank until the requisite field of 30 is filled. Following Round 4 on Sunday afternoon, the Top 15 riders will then advance to the championship round. While Round 1 and 3 will be done by random draw, Round 2 and 4 will feature rider drafted selections.

The rider that earns the most world points through the five rounds will earn the PBR World Finals event title and $300,000.

PBR also revealed the available World Finals bullfighters that will take to the dirt to protect the best bull riders in the world. Shorty Gorham, Frank Newsom, Jesse Byrne and Lucas Teodoro will be vigilant throughout each 8-scond ride or wreck throughout the week.

For more information on the 2020 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast Nov. 12-15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, please visit PBR.com.

CBS Sports Network will broadcast every round of the PBR World Finals. Coverage will begin at 9:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 12, 11:00 p.m. ET on Friday, November 13, 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 14, and 5:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 15. Each night’s coverage will be preceded by the 30-minute B&W Hitches Inside the PBR World Finals, presented by YETI, preshow.

RidePass will also bring viewers LIVE coverage of all the action. Streaming will begin at 9:15 p.m. ET Thursday and Friday, 7:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, and 5:15 p.m. ET on Sunday at RidePass.com or via the RidePass app available on iOS, Android and Roku.

The 2020 PBR World Finals Week will also include the landmark $750,000 Women’s Rodeo World Championship, in partnership with WCRA (World Champions Rodeo Alliance). Featuring some of the world’s fiercest female athletes, the more than 200 contestants will compete in four disciplines (barrel racing, team roping (heading and heeling) and breakaway roping) with each champion earning a $60,000 bonus.

Apart from the action in the arena, the PBR will hold a free-to-attend, four-day fan zone in Lot 4 of AT&T Stadium. In addition to holding the 2020 MBR (Miniature Bull Riders) Finals, the fan zone will also feature LIVE tapings of Flint Rasmussen’s “Outside The Barrel,” talk show, mechanical bull rides from veteran rider Chase Outlaw (Hamburg, Arkansas), and a $10,000 Ultimate Bullfighters event. Texas Live! will also welcome PBR for two post-event concerts on No. 13-14, featuring Chevel Shepherd and Wynn Williams.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at ATTStadium.com or SeatGeek.com, or via the phone to PBR Customer Service at (800) 732-1727.