The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day and is forecasting high ozone levels for Saturday, June 20, 2020, in the following areas: 

• Southeast Indiana – Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Scott and Washington
• Southwest Indiana – Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh and Warrick 

IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce ozone while remaining safe during the COVID-19 health crisis by making changes to daily habits. You can:

• Walk, bike, or work from home when possible
• Combine errands into one trip
• Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m.
• Turn off your engine when idling for more than 30 seconds (e.g., at a bank or restaurant drive-thru)
• Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air conditioner to 75 degrees or above 

Air Quality Action Days are in effect from midnight to 11:59 p.m. on the specified date. Anyone sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected when ozone levels are high. Children, the elderly and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors. 

IDEM examines weather patterns and current ozone readings to make daily air quality forecasts. To learn more about ozone or sign up for air quality forecasts, visit www.SmogWatch.IN.gov.

Ground-level ozone is formed when sunlight and hot weather combined with vehicle exhaust, factory emissions, and gasoline vapors. Ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks ultraviolet radiation, but ozone near the ground is a lung irritant that can cause coughing and breathing difficulties. 

After consultation with the Washington County Health Department, Salem Community Schools will open the 2020-21 school year under two phases, according to Superintendent Jon Acton. 

These plans are fluid and dependent upon CDC, ISDH and Washington County Health guidance.  

Phase One will begin Monday July 6th

• All Athletic teams may begin summer activities 

  • All Athletic activities will adhere to IHSAA and IDOE guidelines

• All Band and Vocal Arts may begin summer activities 

  • All Band and Vocal Arts activities will adhere to ISSMA and IDOE guidelines

• Appropriate safety measures will be in place across the district.

• Athletic plans/schedules will be released June 23rd.

Acton said Phase Two will begin on Thursday August 6th

• All schools will open on time

• The first student day will be Thursday August 6th.

• School will be in session and in person five days per week

• The approved 2020-2021 school calendar will be followed

• Appropriate safety measures will be in place across the district.

“For parents who have students with medical conditions that may prohibit them from physically returning to school and/or are concerned about returning to school due to COVID-19, we will offer the Online Lions program,” Acton said.   “This option will provide online instruction in the core classes for kindergarten through eighth grade and a catalog of classes at the high school level.”

Acton said the school will finalize plans over the coming weeks and release a complete re-entry plan to Salem Families at the Salem Board of School Trustees meeting on July 13th. 

“We will continue seeking guidance from the CDC,  ISDH and the Washington County Health Department if changing health conditions dictate adjusting our start date or school year calendar,” he said.

On Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at approximately 2:30 am, Indiana State Police Investigators were contacted in reference to a shooting that occurred near Jefferson Street in Marengo.  

The initial investigation has shown that Jason Hillesheim, 42, was at a residence on South Main Street in Marengo, the residence of Danny Eason Jr.

While at the residence, Hillesheim then got into a physical altercation with a female.

The altercation then ended on Jefferson Street with Eason firing several shots with at least one of the shots striking Hillesheim.

Hillesheim was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital via Air Methodist helicopter.

Eason was arrested on Wednesday evening  by the Washington County Sheriff’s Department on several drug charges including: 

• Possession of Meth
• Possession of Marijuana, Hashish, Hash Oil or Salvia
• Possession of Paraphernalia
• Possession of a Controlled Substance

It is not known if Eason will be charged in the shooting. 

State Police were assisted at the scene by the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department, Marengo PD, Marengo Liberty Volunteer Fire Department and Crawford County EMS.

This is an ongoing investigation.

Indiana National Guardsmen are again assisting Indiana University researchers and the Indiana State Department of Health with the second wave of a COVID-19 study.

Hoosier Guardsmen first assisted with the ISDH and the university’s Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, located in Indianapolis, during the study’s initial launch. The data gathered from the study is integral to Gov. Eric Holcomb’s “Back on Track” initiative.

“This study is paramount in his decision process because he is going to use the scientifically-based process to make policy decisions about the safe reopening of the state,” said Indiana National Guard 1st Sgt. Ryan Richmond, a medical branch noncommissioned officer in charge. “It affects every Hoosier and his objectives and goals are to safely reopen and to monitor for the potential rebound and second wave of COVID-19.”

During the pandemic, Richmond, a Mooresville resident and Salem native, works as a liaison officer to Indiana’s Department of Health, and he is deeply involved in the Indiana National Guard’s cooperation in the study.

“The study will help determine the prevalence of coronavirus within the state,” said Richmond. “The results of wave one are a finite mark in time. This study will build on wave one and will have data points that will help drive the fidelity of the data and help us understand the current infection rate and also show us through the serology study who was infected.”

In late April, researchers purposefully designed the study to be conducted in four waves, ending in April 2021. The study tests randomized groups of Hoosiers from across the state. Each test group consists of individuals who are proportionally sized to accurately represent the demographics of Indiana.

In theory, this information will give researchers a more valid set of data points to extrapolate information and measure the impact of COVID-19. The study will help indicate who is sick, who has been sick, and who has a natural immune response. This data will also help researchers more accurately assess infection and mortality rates.

The Indiana National Guard continues to provide medical professionals to assist with nasal swabs and blood draws while also providing additional manpower to help with traffic control, site set up and tear down.

Indiana National Guard Staff Sgt. Jonathan Lewis works on the frontlines as a testing site senior medic.

“I love being out here and being able to help in any way we can. It just goes to show how well we can work together and get stuff done,” said Lewis.

The collective efforts among these Hoosier organizations and the research itself is incredibly important for the future of all Indiana residents. The governor and his staff are transparent in their use of data in opening the state.

Despite the pandemic, Hoosiers remain resilient as many individuals return to work and businesses begin to reopen. While this study measures the impact of COVID-19, data alone can’t measure the importance of the cooperation and dedication it takes from organizations like the Indiana National Guard, Indiana State Department of Health and IU Fairbanks, in making sure that Indiana can continue to reopen safely and swiftly.

Pekin will be celebrating its 190th annual celebration of the 4th of July and if you’re going to participate in the parade, there are a few changes.

First off, you’ll need to fill out a registration form.

Also, entries should follow these rules: 

1. Only one entry is allowed per entry form. Any with two entries on the same form will be discarded.
2. This form is for parade entities only. This form does not enter you in the Prince, Princess or Queen competitions.
3. KEEP MOVING through the parade and through the park. DO NOT STOP DURING THE PARADE. KEEP MOVING.
4. No throwing or tossing of candy, souvenirs or other giveaways.
5. Commercial floats are only allowed 2 floats per department.
6. There are no walkers allowed!!
7. Participants must follow the social distancing guidelines and stay 6ft apart at the parade line up as well as during the
parade.
8. Please be at the line up the morning of the 4th no later than 9:00AM.
9. If you do not register before the parade, you will NOT be allowed to participate!!!!! This year is Pre-Registration
only!!!!

Please mail in your forms to one of the addresses below
a. 102 Mahuron Dr, Salem IN 47167
b. 103 Kathy St, Salem IN 47167

For additional information or questions, please contact:
a. Tisha Coles 317-430-8277
b. Taylor Humphrey 812-896-5277