A late afternoon crash on State Road 56 claimed the life of a Scott County resident yesterday. 

Beth A. Senatore, 64, of Scottsburg, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Scott County Coroner. 

Around at 4:40 pm Thursday, the Scott County Sheriff’s Department and Scottsburg Police Department responded to a crash at the intersection of SR 56 and Slab Road just east of Scottsburg. 

After arriving on-scene, authorities requested an Indiana State Police crash reconstruction team, and Troopers Tyler Matthew, Tate Rohlfing, and Matt Holly responded. 

After their preliminary investigation, officers believe a black 2014 Chevrolet Equinox driven by Senatore was eastbound on SR56 approaching Slab Road. 

The Equinox was slowing as it approached an uninvolved vehicle preparing to turn north from eastbound SR56 onto Slab Road. 

A white 2000 Saturn LS1 passenger car was also eastbound on SR56, approaching the black Equinox from behind.  Investigators believe the Saturn failed to slow down or stop for the black Equinox and entered the westbound lane of SR56. 

As the Saturn entered the westbound lane, a blue 2006 Toyota Highlander approached the intersection from the west.  The white Saturn and the blue Highlander collided head-on. 

After the collision, the Highlander drove off the north side of SR56 and came to rest.  

The white Saturn spun slightly and then struck the black Equinox.  The Saturn then came to rest in the roadway.

The driver of the white Saturn, Christian M. Williams, of Madison, Indiana, was transported by ambulance to Scott Memorial Hospital and later to the University of Louisville Hospital. 

At this time, investigators do not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash, but toxicology reports are pending. 

Investigating troopers were assisted by the Scott County Sheriff’s Department, The Scottsburg Police Department, The Scott County Coroner, the Scottsburg Volunteer Fire Department, and Scott County EMS. 

October 15, 2020, at approximately 6:50 p.m., Hollie Tingle, age 26, of Brazil, IN, was stopped for left of center, near south 7^th Street and Harrison Street, by Trooper Andrew Mattern. 

She was arrested and charged with:

• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a passenger less than 18 years of age, Class 6 Felony
• Neglect of dependent, Class 6 Felony
• Operating a vehicle while intoxicated endangering a person, Class C Misdemeanor
• Operating a vehicle with a Schedule I or II substance in the body, Class A Misdemeanor
• Possession of marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor
• Possession of paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor
• Operating a vehicle without ever obtaining a license, Class C Misdemeanor

Further investigation by Trooper Mattern revealed that Tingle was under the influence of a controlled substance. 

During a consent search of Tingle’s vehicle, marijuana and paraphernalia was discovered.  An eight-year-old was with Tingle in the vehicle. 

The Vigo County Department of Child Services was contacted, and the child was turned over to a family member.  Tingle submitted to a certified chemical test and failed. 

Tingle was taken into custody and transported to the Vigo County Jail.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

October is domestic violence awareness month. As your Sheriff, I
am always focused on the safety and well-being of domestic violence victims in our community.

This month, I want to take the opportunity to place special emphasis on this topic and the work being
done locally.

Domestic violence, unfortunately, continues to be one of the most underreported crimes. Statistics show that as much as 42% of women in Indiana have experienced some form of violence by a partner or spouse.

These cases remain among the most difficult and complex cases to investigate and to ensure victim safety in the future.

Domestic violence also impacts children. Children are often not only caught up in violence between domestic partners and spouses, they are also victims themselves.

Research by Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk indicates the costs of child abuse “exceed those of cancer or heart disease.” We are certainly not immune to the effects of domestic violence and child abuse on children in our community and I will continue to push back vigorously on this issue.

In doing so, it is my hope to eradicate as much trauma for young
Hoosiers as possible.

When these instances of violence occur, it is difficult for others to understand why victims stay. There are a variety of reasons this can be the case, including feelings of isolation, financial reasons, feelings of fear, isolation, and denial.

I urge the public to report suspected abuse. Recognizing signs of abuse can help friends and family identify victims and facilitate connecting them to vital resources. Victims of domestic violence may be isolated, appear depressed, have low self-esteem, or engage in substance abuse.

The cycle of violence for victims often comes in three stages. In the first stage, the victim may feel as if they are constantly walking on eggshells. The perpetrator may be easily angered, blame the victim, or argue more often. Next, the perpetrator may actually attack the victim, physically, sexually, or emotionally.

This will often be followed by a “make-up” period where the abuser is apologetic and reassure the victim it will not happen again.

If we are going to make any impact to reduce incidents of violence in our community, we need to ensure victims have access to the information and resources that can help. Of course, anyone can contact the Sheriff’s Department for information and resources, in addition to our responses to emergency calls.

As your Sheriff, I also work hand in hand with the Prosecutor’s Office, which can assist with filing protective orders, obtaining restitution, emergency and short-term housing, counseling, confidential address relocation, victim advocacy and assistance programs.

There are also a number of resources available
through our local service providers including emergency shelter and prevention programs.

If we can help more adult and child victims feel protected and supported by increasing awareness of the resources available locally to help them begin again, I am hopeful we will one day break the cycle of abuse.

For emergencies, you should call 911. For more information about resources available from the Sheriff’s Department, you may call (812) 883-5999. If you are a victim of violence, resources including the emergency shelter can be accessed locally by calling (812) 883-3318.

After trending toward the Red alert status last week, Louisville’s COVID-19 cases are now at the Orange level, according to Mayor Greg Fischer and Public Health and Wellness Director Dr. Sarah Moyer.

An orange alert level includes a combination of data metrics, but most notably means there are 10-25 positive cases per 100,000 people per day, based on the most recent 7-day average.

Louisville’s current rate is 24.2 cases per 100,000 people per day. The prior week it was 24.9  

Speaking during this week’s COVID-19 update on Tuesday, Dr. Moyer cautioned that while Louisville is at the Orange level, the city is treading dangerously close to the borderline of 25 cases per 100,000 that would move the city back to Red.

Mayor Fischer acknowledged that many are feeling “COVID-19 fatigue,” but he stressed that recent increases in cases nationally and locally are reminders that the virus is still here and still dangerous.

“As the numbers are showing, this virus is not ready to be over,” Mayor Fischer said. “It doesn’t take a day off. It’s not going to stop until we stop it. The goal is to get to the point where everyone is practicing the right things. So, it’s wearing masks, social distancing, avoiding crowded spaces.”

Being faithful to those measures is the only way to reverse the trends not just locally, but around the country, he said.

“This is something where we can’t look the other way,” he said. “We’ve got to come together and get this done.”

Here are the key data metrics for the week of October 13, 2020:

•       COVID-19 cases increased over the previous week for a total of 19,795 cases.
•       Louisville’s rolling two-week average positivity rate is at 7.2 percent.
•       Hospitalization data:
  • 9.9% of patients currently hospitalized have COVID-19.
  • 34 patients in ICU with COVID-19 as of October 13.
  • 24 COVID-19 patients on ventilators as of October 13.

•          35.4 % of COVID-19 cases in Louisville are in the 15-34 age range. The CDC reported that young adults account for more than 20% of all confirmed cases in the U.S.
•         Cases continue to be in every Louisville ZIP code. There are higher case numbers in west and south Louisville among Black and Latino communities.

Dr. Moyer said the disproportionately high number of COVID cases in these areas illustrate the overall inequities within our current healthcare system.

Louisville and the Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness are working to alleviate some of the issues by offering more testing in impacted areas.

“We have over 21 sites available in every area of town, and especially in west Louisville,” Dr. Moyer said. “An important step in stopping the spread of COVID-19 is to know if you are positive or not.”

Dr. Moyer urged residents to get tested in order to make better informed decisions about their health.

“With cases continuing to rise and a vaccine still some time away, we all have to protect ourselves and others by avoiding crowded indoor spaces, wearing your mask and practicing social distancing,” Dr. Moyer said. “There’s complications with long-term effects of COVID-19 that we do not want people to experience.”

Local critical care doctor shares insights from treating COVID19 patients

Dr. Sonia Compton, a pulmonary and critical care specialist treating COVID-19 patients in Louisville since the start of the pandemic, said there are common misconceptions and changing trends with the COVID pandemic.

One of the major changes in trends Dr. Compton has observed is the number of younger patients contracting COVID-19 with more prolonged and severity of illness.

 “Early on, there was talk about older people with heart and lung disease and we’re seeing less of that,” she said, and more among people in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.

Dr. Compton shared her personal experiences with patients and described what can happen to even healthy people, based on the acute and long-term effects of COVID.

“I have one patient that had asthma, got admitted to the ICU and improved,” Dr. Compton said. “Now two-and-a-half months later, he has persistent shortness of breath and chest pains. Even though his CT scans and oxygen levels are better, he’s having these symptoms and is very limited in his activities daily.”

And while most healthcare systems in the area are opening post-COVID clinics, she said there’s no treatment for the lingering effects of COVID, she said.

Dr. Compton said a lack of caution and information are contributing factors in cases rising among the younger demographic. She added that some people feel that because cases are going up masks won’t work.

“It’s the opposite,” she said. “It’s when we ease up on any of the restrictions that the virus starts to spread. We know that masks work. There’s good data emerging that masks not only decrease transmission but may also contribute to a lower severity of illness. But they are mostly effective when used in conjunction with social distancing and staying away from gatherings of more than 10 people.”

First Responder Data

Currently, 63 members of LMPD, Louisville Fire, Metro EMS, Metro Corrections and the Sheriff’s Office are off-duty due to COVID-19:

• 35 are off with positive tests and in self-isolation
• 6 are off and quarantined due to exposure to someone who tested positive
• 22 are off with symptoms, pending test results

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

• 227 positive tests
• 192 have fully recovered and returned to duty

Metro Corrections inmate data: 3,647 inmates have been tested

• 231 positives
• 0 tests are pending

Due to several cases of Covid-19 among staff at Salem Schools, all in-person instruction will be moved to virtual beginning Friday, October 16 through Monday, Nov. 2, giving a full two weeks of quarantine for those individuals affected. 

Remote learning will take place with all grades in all three schools and plans are to return to in-person classes on Monday, Nov. 2. 

“After consulting with the Washington County Health Department due to positive cases and mandated quarantine measures, we will move to remote learning instruction during this time to mitigate the effects for the students, staff and the community,” said Superintendent Jon Acton. 

Currently Covid-19 cases, close contact and self-quarantining are impacting all three buildings, said Acton. 

This includes Bradie M. Shrum, Salem Middle School and Salem High School. 

“We are frustrated with the move to remote instruction but we know this is the most prudent thing to do for the safety of our students, staff and community,” said Acton. “We were hoping to avoid the rising Covid numbers that are impacting our country. From the President of the United States to the Governor of Indiana being forced to quarantine.”

“Our students and teachers will continue their amazing daily work, now utilizing remote instruction,” Acton said. “Per athletics,  we will continue with high school-only outdoor-based and in-season activities during remote instruction.”

Acton said high school football and Varsity Cross Country will continue their seasons as long as Covid does not negatively impact those athletes/coaches. 

Salem Varsity Boys Football plays their last game of the regular season at West Washington this Friday night at Art Sanders Field beginning at 7p.

The Lions are set to play the Corydon Panthers at home for the first game of sectionals on Oct. 23. 

West Washington has moved to virtual classes on Tuesday and Thursdays after several of the custodial staff were quarantined due to Covid-19.  They plan to return to in-person classes on October 26. 

As previously allowed by the Indiana High School Athletic Association, all in-season activity may continue at this time during remote learning, said Acton. 

“We will return to in-person instruction on Monday November 2nd which will then allow Winter Sports Teams to begin practices as well such as girls basketball,” Acton said. “Online Lions will continue as scheduled,” he said. “We will provide updates throughout our school web page, Facebook and Twitter social media accounts.”

Meals will be provided for students over the next two weeks by filling out a form here – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdOBCyi_fbPPX0eh-Sr3dOCxCixP9JfZtS6ECWEGAB_JmhPeA/viewform

This week the meal distribution will be for children 18 and under NOT ATTENDING SCHOOL IN PERSON.

Distribution days will be on Monday, 10/19 and Wednesday, 10/21.

Please sign-up by Friday, Oct. 16 at noon.

The school is requesting email addresses to enable us to send email reminders. If you don’t have an email, please enter none@salemschools.com. 

Meal Pickup will take place will be Monday from 11 am – 12:30 pm (2 breakfast/2 lunch) and Wednesday from 11am – 12:30 pm (3 breakfast / 3 lunch)

All pickup will be at the BSE Gym Doors in a drive-thru style.

Please stay in your vehicle. Children are not required to be present, and another person may be designated to pick up meals.

Despite some audio issues that prevented many from hearing the address Wednesday afternoon, Gov. Holcomb announced that Indiana will stay in Stage 5 for another month, through at least Nov. 14. The state’s mask mandate will continue through that date as well.

He said we’re at a level of COVID-19 spread we’ve not seen since the spring.

“In less than a month, our positivity rate has moved to under 4% to where it sits today at 5.3%,” he said.

He noted record daily case numbers and hospitalizations are also concerning.

Three weeks ago, Holcomb rolled back most of the state’s restrictions on businesses and crowd sizes. Events with more than 500 people must submit a safety plan to health officials.

Since then, Indiana has seen a surge in COVID-19 cases, reporting multiple days with more than 1,500 new daily cases. Hospitalizations are at levels not seen since the end of May, according to the Indiana State Department of Health.

In fact, Indiana is one of 11 states in the US with alarming Covid-19 increases. 

Holcomb said Stage 5 is not an excuse for indifference. He said while most Hoosiers are following the guidelines, that’s not the case for everyone.

“We all see Hoosiers with a disregard for the health of fellow citizens,” he said.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box says she, her daughter and grandson tested positive for the coronavirus. She said she’s not experiencing symptoms.

Governor Holcomb and other state officials will get tested this afternoon. He said he’ll quarantine until he gets his results. He thinks he’ll get the results by midday Thursday.

Dr. Lindsay Weaver said she knows we’re all tired of the pandemic and the restrictions, but reiterated several times that this is not over and we’re not trending in the right direction.

She said to make sure we’re doing the things we know work: Practice social distancing, wear a mask, wash your hands and participate in contact tracing.

When asked why the state is staying in Stage 5 with our numbers increasing, Holcomb said, “Every one of these cases is an extremely localized occurrence. For us to continue to balance our lives and our livelihoods…and we don’t want another lockdown…we are proving that folks are operating responsibly at Stage 5. We need more of that and that’s what gets us through this.

He said the approach of shutting things down misses the point.

“It’s not necessarily the size of the event that determines the spread. There are countless examples of people that responsibly hold events. Ultimately it comes down to personal actions or inactions. Virus spikes always trace back to folks believing it won’t happen to them.”

Holcomb did note that the state health department could step in with additional restrictions for areas that appear in red on the state’s color-coded county map.

In response to Indiana being added to Chicago’s emergency travel order, Holcomb said he’s not spoken with the mayor but believes she’s acting in the best interest of her city.