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November 10, 2025
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New Department of Health Map Shows County Positivity Rates

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A new map from the Indiana State Department of Health is meant to guide local schools amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

ISDH has introduced a color-coded map to track COVID-19 community spread across the state, along with new guidance for schools as they navigate positive COVID-19 cases.

The map includes county scorings based on three metrics — weekly cases per 100,000 residents, the 7-day all positivity rates, and the change in percentage positivity from the previous week.

The scores are used for the color-coded rating system indicating the county’s level of risk and community spread of COVID-19.

According to the ranking system, three of 10 counties in the WSLM Listening Area are designated with the color yellow, which indicates a moderate community spread.

Three counties – Jackson, Scott, and Crawford – are listed as blue, which indicates less than 10 positive cases in a week. 

For counties designated with yellow, the state encourages schools to exercise additional caution in terms of mask-wearing, social distancing, and hand-washing, as well as considering restricting attendance at athletic events to parents and close family.

The state’s guidelines are only recommendations, and they do not include any mandates.

Weekly Cases Per 100,000 Residents
  • Blue – Less Than 10 new cases(0)
  • Yellow – 10 to 99 new cases(1)
  • Orange – 100 to 199 new cases(2)
  • Red – 200 or more(3)
Weekly Score
  • Blue (0 and .5)
  • Yellow (1 and 1.5)
  • Orange (2 and 2.5)
  • Red (3)

The color ranking ranges from blue for a minimal community spread to red for high community spread.

The map and scores will be updated each Wednesday.

According to the ranking, here is information on the following counties: 

  • Lawrence County had 81 weekly cases per 100,000 residents and a 7-day positivity rate of 10.51%. 
  • Jackson County had 61 weekly cases per 100,000 residents and a 7-day positivity rate of 2.78 %.
  • Jennings County had 54 weekly cases per 100,000 residents and a 7-day positivity rate of   5.28 %
  • Orange County had 54 weekly cases per 100,000 residents and a 7-day positivity rate of   5.28 %
  • Washington County had 121 weekly cases per 100,000 residents and a 7-day positivity rate of 6.9 %
  • Scott County had 50 weekly cases per 100,000 residents and a 7-day positivity rate of   1.37 %
  • Clark County had 132 weekly cases per 100,000 residents and a 7-day positivity rate of   8.53 %
  • Floyd County had 100 weekly cases per 100,000 residents and a 7-day positivity rate of   8.02 %
  • Harrison County had 120 weekly cases per 100,000 residents and a 7-day positivity rate of   5.49 %
  • Crawford County had 85 weekly cases per 100,000 residents and a 7-day positivity rate of   2.4 %

State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box said in a recent governor’s briefing that the map is meant to assist schools when they are making decisions such as determining in-person or virtual instruction or extracurricular activities.

One of the recommendations for a county designated orange, or moderate to high spread, in the state’s ranking is to consider switching to a hybrid in-person and virtual model for middle and high school students. 

To view the statewide COVID-19 map, go to https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/2393.htm.

West Washington Moves Grades 7-12 to Virtual Wednesdays Sept. 9

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Young student watching lesson online and studying from home. Young woman taking notes while looking at computer screen following professor doing math on video call. Latin girl student studying from home and watching teacher explaining math formula on video chat.

On Thursday, September 4th, the WWSC School Board met to discuss ways to help the school’s teaching staff deliver the best WW instruction and curriculum possible. 

There were several actions approved including staffing, additional supports, and improvements in technology/connectivity, according to information on the school’s website.

The action that affects the schedule and the community is an adjustment to include a virtual day for students in grades 7-12 on Wednesdays each week.

This means that NO students in grades 7-12 will physically attend school on Virtual Wednesdays beginning September 9th and continuing through fall break.

‘We will continue to evaluate the need and frequency for a Virtual Wednesday for the months following Fall Break,” noted Superintendent Keith Nance. 

This type of hybrid model is not uncommon in schools across the state.

The Virtual Wednesdays will count toward our required 180 student days.

This action is NOT due to mitigating the spread of Covid, but to allow our teachers that are simultaneously teaching in-person students and virtual students during a school day time to plan and prepare the high standard of instruction we expect at West Washington.

“We believe that our mitigation plan to social distance, wear masks, and sanitize has been largely effective and those plans will remain intact,” Nance wrote online. 

The school announced a case of Covid-19 and shut the school down the week of 

Data to Support this decision, according to Nance –

Students participating Virtually:

Corporation-Wide

  • 157 students
  • 18% all students K-12

K-6

  • 59 students
  • 13% all students K-6

7-12

  • 98 students
  • 22% all students 

Students with extended periods of quarantine/absence are added to the virtual list.

This increased the numbers above and the burden on teachers teaching virtual and in-person students simultaneously.

WWSC is one of the few schools that deliver their own curriculum with instruction from their own teachers, according to Nance. “We are not pushing out a “canned” online curriculum,” he stated online. 

Students in grades 7-12 have a greater capacity to complete tasks independently and do not need child care, according to the information on the school’s website. 

Reported concerns from meetings with teachers to support the need for additional time to take on the incredible task of teaching in-person and virtual students simultaneously, noted Nance.  

On Virtual Wednesdays (Grades 7-12) teachers will have work and instruction posted by 9:00 am. Students in grades 7-12 are expected to complete the assigned work on Virtual Wednesdays by 9:00 pm to be considered in attendance.

Technical questions and support can be requested by filling out the online Tech Ticket or through the Jr/Sr High School Office (812) 755-4996. 

Students in grades PreK-6th will be expected to be in physical attendance on Wednesdays.

The only exceptions are the elementary students that are already virtual or students that are out sick. 

Nance wanted to make sure students and parents understand “this is not a “DAY OFF” for students or staff. Our staff will be working diligently, in our buildings, to prepare the high-quality instruction for which West Washington is known,” he noted. 

 

IU Men’s Basketball and Three Other Sports Halt Voluntary Practices

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The Indiana University Department of Athletics has administered 1,417 COVID-19 tests for student-athletes, coaches and staff, as a part of its return to campus protocol with 63 positive tests reported. Testing began on June 8.

The department has paused all voluntary workouts indefinitely for members of its men’s basketball, field hockey, men’s soccer, and wrestling programs after 14 participants tested positive during COVID-19 testing this week.

Testing will continue and all workout decisions will be re-evaluated by the Indiana medical staff to protect the health and safety of all student-athletes.

IU Athletics began bringing groups of students back to campus for voluntary workouts on June 15. The Medical Advisory Group’s Restart Plan, which was released June 3, includes a series of pre-participation protocols before participants can be reintegrated. Following reintegration, subsequent requirements for voluntary workout participants include daily medical checks, abiding by CDC guidelines regarding social distancing, and, when deemed necessary by IU Athletics chief medical officer, COVID-19 testing. 

Per the recommendations of the IU Athletics Medical Advisory Group, each positive test results in isolation until further notice and contact tracing measures are established to detect individuals who are considered close contacts and may have been exposed to the virus. These close contact individuals are also quarantined until further notice.

All athletic activities will continue to be voluntary in all sports currently permitted to engage in such activities. Furthermore, student-athletes who choose not to participate in intercollegiate athletics at any time during the summer and/or the 2020-21 academic year due to concerns about COVID-19 will continue to have their scholarships honored and will remain in good standing with their team.

 

American Senior Communities wins national Customer Approved Award from NRC Health

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American Senior Communities (ASC) has earned the 2020 Customer Approved award from Lincoln, Nebraska–based healthcare-intelligence firm NRC Health. The award recognizes senior-care organizations across the country for creating an outstanding care experience for their customers.

Local ASC communities include Meadow View Health & Rehabilitation and Salem Crossing.

Only twenty Independent Living, Assisted Living, or Skilled Nursing organizations across the country earned this remarkable distinction. Winners were selected according to the results from the 2019 Resident and Family Experience Survey conducted by NRC, a third-party vendor.

Donna Kelsey, CEO, stated “Feedback from our customers is so important to us. It allows us to prescriptively shape our plans to ensure we are living out our mission of compassionately serving our customers with quality care and excellence.”

To qualify, organizations must have a high percentage of respondents willing to recommend their locations to friends and family. This measure is known as the Net Promoter Score (NPS), and it strongly correlates with both customer satisfaction and enduring loyalty.

“These organizations have dedicated themselves to creating enriching experiences for each person they serve,” said Stephanie Kolbo, NRC Health’s Vice President of Business Development. “As the survey results show, their efforts have not gone unnoticed by residents and their family members. It’s NRC Health’s pleasure to recognize their achievement.”

 

Nola S. Reynolds, age 75 of Salem

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Nola S. Reynolds, age 75 of Salem, passed away Thursday, September 3, 2020 in Jewish Hospital Louisville.

Born June 20, 1945 in Mozelle, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Rufus and Alice (Nantz) Brown.

She grew pickles and tobacco for Paramount Foods and ran a retirement home from her residence. She had been a resident of Washington County for most of her life and was a graduate of Leslie County High School.  She loved quilting, gardening, flowers and yard work.

On November 18, 1970 she married Victor Doyle Reynolds, who passed away August 4, 2012.

Survivors include:  Daughter: Tammy Pullen of Salem;  Son: Brian Reynolds(Susan) of Salem;   Son: Justin Reynolds of Salem;   Brother: Kenneth Brown;   Sister: Shirley Tilford;   Sister: Taresa Mull;   Sister: Pauline Apple.

She is also survived by 3 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandson.

Memorial Service: 1:30 pm Thursday at Dawalt Funeral Home with Rev. Rodney Wineinger officiating.
Visitation 12 to 1:30 pm Thursday.

 
 

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL LIVE ON WSLM

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Follow high school football on WSLM during Week 3 

Salem Lions at Scottsburg on LIVE WSLM 97.9 FM and listen LIVE

wslmradio is on Mixlr
 

Eastern Musketeers at Brownstown here and LIVE on Facebook

WSLM1220AM is on Mixlr

West Washington Senators LIVE on WSLM 1220 AM

Ginger Lou Baker Morris, 83, Salem

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Ginger Lou Baker Morris, 83, died Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, at 1:30 p.m.
at Baptist Health Floyd in New Albany.

She was born Dec. 5, 1936, in Louisville, the daughter of Herschel and
Edna (Roach) Baker.

Ginger was a lifelong resident of Washington County. She married John R.
Morris on Oct. 23, 1957, and they were married 55 years. She was a
teacher for 43 years, 41 of them with the Salem Community Schools. She
was also a member of the Salem Presbyterian Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband and granddaughter,
Kathleen “Katie” Morris.

She is survived by her sons, John Michael (Pam) Morris of Trinity,
Florida and Christopher (Christine) Morris of Salem; six grandchildren,
John Michael II, Alexander and Stephanie Morris of Florida, Zachary
Morris of California, Cameron and Benjamin Morris of Indiana.

Memorial Contributions to:
Washington County Community Foundation
Touch Tomorrow Fund
1707 North Shelby Street, Suite 100
Salem, Indiana 47167
http://www.wccf.biz

There will be a private service for the family with a public service at
a later date.

Dawalt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements

Salem Man Found Dead on Leota Trailhead of Knobstone Trail

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A Salem man was found dead yesterday afternoon at approximately 3:30p by Washington County Sheriff Brent Miller.

Billy James Wagers, 54, Salem, was found lying in the woods near the parking lot to the trailhead.

There was a report of a suspicious person on a moped in the woods and possibly living there.

Miller said he was investigating the report of a suspicious person and looking for the man and was told that he was sleeping on the state property. 

Miller said he called the Washington County Coroner’s office, the Department of Natural Resources. He said Indiana State Police detective Travis Baker and crime scene technicians were called to the Leota Trailhead of the Knobstone Trail after Wagers was found.

No foul play is suspected, and the Scott County Coroner has ruled the cause of death as natural. 

The family has been notified. 

The trailhead is located at 12598 East Saylor Road, Salem, just inside Scott County, near the Scott-Washington County line. 

State Police investigators were assisted by the Scott County Coroner, Indiana Conservation Officers, the Scott County Sheriff’s Department, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, and Scott County EMS.   

Gov. Holcomb announces more than $51 million for broadband expansion

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Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced $51 million for 50 broadband infrastructure expansion projects across the state as a part of the second round of the Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program.

The $100 million Next Level Broadband Grant Program is the largest single-state investment in broadband.

In total, rounds one and two of the program have awarded more than $79 million for broadband infrastructure for more than 21,900 homes and commercial locations in 41 counties.

“Lt. Governor Crouch and I have been dedicated to improving internet access for years, and now COVID has only made the need for affordable, dependable broadband more apparent,” Gov. Holcomb said. “This latest round of grants will give more Hoosiers access to more affordable, quality internet regardless of where they live, work or go to school.”

This second round of funding will provide broadband infrastructure to more than 10,590 homes and commercial locations across 32 counties. A map marking both rounds one and two is attached to this press release.

In addition to the $51 million awarded today, the 16 telecommunications providers and utility cooperatives contributed more than $53 million in matching funds, resulting in more than $104 million total investment for broadband.

The program allows broadband service providers and utility cooperatives to apply for up to $5 million to expand service to unserved areas if they provide at least a 20 percent match. Unserved areas are those without at least one telecommunication provider offering at least 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload. Proposed projects must provide a minimum level of service at actual speeds of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload.

At Governor Holcomb’s request, Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch, along with the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, administers and oversees the program.

“In a time where Hoosiers are having to adjust their lifestyles due to COVID-19, it’s imperative that we connect as many Hoosiers as possible,” said Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch. “Governor Holcomb’s Next Level Connections initiative is a significant step toward bridging the digital divide and bringing greater opportunities for all Hoosiers.”

Last year during round one, 14 projects were awarded more than $28 million. With more than $23 million in a local match, a total of more than $51 million was invested in broadband expansion.

Information regarding a third round will be released in the future. For more information, visit https://www.in.gov/ocra/3018.htm.

Next Level Connections Broadband Grant Program is part of Governor Holcomb’s $1 billion Next Level Connections infrastructure program, which accelerates the completion of major highway projects, expands access to rural broadband services, creates more nonstop flights and pursues the expansion of rail projects in northwest Indiana.

Gov. Holcomb celebrates completion of the Discovery Trail in Clarksville

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Governor Eric J. Holcomb today joined members of the Clarksville Town Council and Redevelopment Commission to officially open the newly completed Discovery Trail. The 1.9-mile asphalt multi-use trail was built with help from a more than $840,000 Next Level Trails grant.

“I’m so glad I could join you here in Clarksville, Indiana’s oldest town, to celebrate our state’s newest trail. The Discovery Trail accomplishes the key goal of our Next Level Trails program by connecting Clarksville’s residential core to schools, parks, employers, and neighboring communities via the Ohio River Greenway. The opportunity to get outside and exercise with friends and family has never been more important, especially as more Hoosiers are taking advantage of our growing statewide network of trails.” 

The new trail is built on a former railroad corridor, acquired from CSX by the town in 2018.  The project extends through Clarksville, from Applegate Lane southwest to Silver Creek, where the trail merges with the Ohio River Greenway, creating uninterrupted trail connections to New Albany, Jeffersonville, and Louisville. As part of the project, a new trailhead and crossing signal were installed at Eastern Boulevard.

“Completing this trail puts the majority of Clarksville residents within two miles of a trail,” said Ryan Ramsey, Clarksville Town Council president. “Trails are an important investment in our quality of life, and we are grateful to the many partners who helped make this project a reality.”

The trail was developed by the Town of Clarksville in cooperation with the Clarksville Redevelopment Commission and Clarksville Parks & Recreation. Key partners in the project include SoIN Tourism, Duke Energy and Silver Creek Sand and Gravel. The total investment for the project, including Next Level Trails funding, was more than $2,373,000.

The Discovery Trail is one of 17 Next Level Trails grants awarded to communities and non-profit organizations in May 2019. The nearly $25 million investment announced by Gov. Holcomb, the largest infusion of state trails funding in Indiana history, will develop a total of 42 miles of new trail across Indiana in the coming years. As part of Gov. Holcomb’s Next Level Connections initiative, the Next Level Trails program makes critical trail connections within and between communities. Next Level Trails is administered by the Department of Natural Resources.

This is the third Next Level Trails project opened to the public this year. The Veterans Memorial Parkway Trail was dedicated in Hebron on June 6, and the Syracuse-Wawasee Park Foundation celebrated the completion of the Conklin Bay Boardwalk and Trail on July 30.

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