There is no realistic scenario in which government units in Indiana come out of the COVID-19 pandemic unscathed, says a new report from Ball State University.

“COVID-19 Effects on Indiana’s State and Local Taxes,” an analysis by Ball State’s Center for Business and Economic Research, finds that the economic shutdown caused by COVID-19 has deeply damaged the state’s economy.

The study estimates state and local governments are now facing tax revenue losses for all local governments that range from $240 million to $700 million in 2020. CBER anticipates tax revenues will rebound by the end of 2021 but remain beneath the 2019 levels by as little as $39 million and as much as $559 million.

“Our scenarios reflect a state that will not fully recover from this pandemic before 2022, if not much longer,” said Michael Hicks, CBER director who conducted the study with Dagney Faulk, CBER research director, and Srikant Devaraj, a CBER research professor. “These estimates are for a deep and lengthy downturn, and each of our scenarios are among the seven worst since the start of the Great Depression.”

CBER estimates decreases in tax revenues to state and local government for five familiar economic scenarios resulting from the pandemic in 2020 and 2021:  a V-shaped recession (downturn followed by a quick and lasting recovery), a V-shaped recession with a hangover (quick down, quick upturn followed by slow growth), Nike swoosh (gradual, but still aggressive recovery), roller coaster (up and down economic growth), and L-shaped recession (fast downturn followed by long, brutally-slow recovery).

For each scenario, CBER estimated the impact on Indiana state sales tax, personal and corporate income tax, and other tax revenue with reasonable assumptions. For the calendar year 2020, researchers expect tax losses to range from 3.8% to 10.9% of 2019 total revenues for the state. In 2021, the study anticipates tax revenues will still range from 0.7% to 9.4% beneath those of 2019.

“While we generally anticipate improved economic conditions in 2021, our most optimistic scenario places GDP at only 2% above that of 2019,” Hicks said. “Our most pessimistic scenario considers GDP in 2021 at 2% beneath the 2019 level. “

Compared to the state, county-level tax losses comprise a smaller share of total revenues, ranging from losses of 2.4% to 6.8% across the five scenarios in 2020 and between 0.4% to 5.8% losses in 2021. In 2020, the report anticipates county-level revenue losses to range from less than 1% of total tax revenue to more than 48%.

Hicks said the wide variation in anticipated tax losses for local governments can be attributed to variations in local economic structures, with a higher share of employment in the most “at-risk” sectors of recreation, eating and drinking establishments, and accommodations.

Variation in tax revenue losses can also be attributed to variation in the local share of non-property tax revenues, which is a local decision, he said.

Faulk said the goal of this study is to help state and local policymakers better understand the fiscal impacts of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic and aid with budget planning considerations.

“We also hope that our work will help federal policymakers understand the risks of diminished public services to state and local economies,” she said.

Opening about a month behind schedule due to the Coronavirus, Holiday World opens today to the general public. The water park is set to open in July. 

The park will open today with 50% capacity, and opened on Sunday for Season Passholders.

The park will sell date-specific tickets online and officials ask that all guests come with a ticket in hand to make sure they can enter. 

“We want to make sure everyone who shows up gets to enter the park,” says Park President Matt Eckert. “While we know some complexities are going to be necessary, we want to try to keep this process as simple as possible. If you have a Season Pass or a ticket with the date on it, you’re all set to come to enjoy the parks. It’s that simple.” 

Tickets that listeners win on WSLM Radio can be used as regular tickets to enter the park. (register to win online at wslmradio.com/contests or share to win on Facebook)

“Although the website says visitors should buy tickets online, I don’t want there to be any confusion on the tickets our listeners win on WSLM,” said station owner and general manager Rebecca White. “Holiday World is allowing capacity for people with WSLM tickets that are marked as general admission to be able to visit. They do not need to redeem anything online prior to attending the park.”

As part of the phased reopening plan, officials plan to open Holiday World first, then open Splashin’ Safari no later than July 4.

“It’s important that we open slowly and safely, so we want to make sure we have Holiday World operations finely tuned when we open Splashin’ Safari,” adds Eckert. 

This summer, Guests will also be asked to use inLine Reservation System, Holiday World’s new virtual queuing system. To keep queue areas from getting overly crowded, Guests enter the queue from their smartphone, then return and wait just 5-15 minutes in a physical queue. Those who don’t have smartphones, or choose not to use their smartphones will be able to use a barcoded wristband.

The park will also be making other smaller changes to their operations including 90 Hand “Santatizer” Stations, increasing sanitation procedure frequency, and adding sanitation processes for high-touch point areas, including attractions.

Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari have also added three operating days in August. 

New for the 2020 season is Holiday World’s Worry-Free Weather Guarantee for inclement weather.

Guests who visit on a day where weather forces attractions to close will now be able to visit another day of their choosing by bringing their original ticket back to the park. 

The Worry-Free Weather Guarantee is activated when the weather closes major attractions for a period of two cumulative hours on the day of a Guests’ visit.

“After an abnormally rainy June last year, we wanted to do more for our Guests who had picked stormy weather days through no fault of their own,” says park president Matt Eckert.

“We’ve worked a little magic on our end so all Guests get a fair shot at having a fantastic day here.” Here’s how it works: Guests will need to keep some form of their tickets from their visit–either the original ticket, a picture of the ticket, or a screenshot of their digital ticket–just in case the guarantee gets activated.

If Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari rides are down for a total of two or more hours, the guarantee is activated and the date will be posted on HolidayWorld.com/worryfree/ Guests will need to bring the photos or original tickets with them on whatever day they pick to return. 

“We don’t get to pick rainy days, but neither do our Guests. Rain or shine, every day should be a worry-free day to visit Holiday World,” adds Eckert. 

Southern Indiana Community Health Care received an award from the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Division to increase availability of prenatal care for women in targeted areas.

The purpose of this grant is to help meet the needs of women and families in rural areas of the state where needed obstetrical services are not available nearby.

Southern Indiana Community Health Care (SICHC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community health center with comprehensive primary care offices in Paoli, West Baden, English, and Marengo, Indiana. 

SICHC has provided accessible prenatal care to rural women for over four decades and is expanding those options to women in counties that have no inpatient delivery services and no local prenatal care.

Chief Executive Officer, Nancy Radcliff, states, “SICHC feels honored to partner with ISDH to open two new offices and expand OB services in Washington, Martin, and Crawford counties.  Our organization has always focused on how we can best serve patients while reducing as many barriers as possible, including transportation.  Bringing obstetric and prenatal care to new counties is a step in the right direction for the women and families of southern Indiana.”

A traveling SICHC Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and a team of SICHC physicians will collaborate to provide prenatal care, postpartum care, family planning, and well-baby visits.

These services will be provided at six locations including Shoals, Salem, West Baden, English, Marengo, and Paoli. Later this year, the SICHC obstetrics team will grow with the addition of new physicians to strengthen OB services further.

“I am thrilled to be a part of the SICHC team and to be providing obstetric care in these areas where such services are lacking,” says Missy Ray, FNP, SICHC’s traveling OB provider.  “It can be a hardship during pregnancy for expectant mothers to get to appointments on a regular basis.  By opening these offices, I am hopeful that we can relieve this burden and continue to provide compassionate, skilled care that patients need in their own communities.”

SICHC physicians will assist moms in delivery at IU Health Paoli Hospital. Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Yolanda Yoder, reports that “moms and families in South Central Indiana have positively described the high-quality care they receive when delivering at IU Health Paoli Hospital. They appreciate the flexible, patient centered approach of tailored birth plans, great support for breastfeeding, and focused attention and care from nursing staff.” SICHC and IU Health Paoli have been ongoing partners in providing rural maternity care and ensuring it remains strong well into the future.

Assessments of the mother’s physical and emotional wellbeing will be conducted throughout the pregnancy and postpartum period.

As an integrated health center, SICHC can provide internal referrals to mental health providers and substance abuse medication-assisted treatment prescribers as needed.

External referrals to community collaborators like Nurse Family Partnership, Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program, and other social support agencies will also be available.

SICHC participates as a Medicaid provider and has in-house staff to assist clients with insurance enrollment. Please visit www.sichc.org or call our offices to schedule your appointment (812) 723-3944

The Indiana Department of Transportation has announced plans to move forward with a $2.4 million intersection improvement project at the Salem Bypass and S.R. 60 in Washington County.

The existing two-way stop intersection will be converted to a single-lane roundabout, which aims to enhance safety by reducing the number and severity of crashes at this location. 

The proposed project includes replacing the pavement to full depth (as needed), building new approach legs leading into the roundabout.

The contract is currently scheduled to let to contractors this fall, with construction expected to begin in 2021 and last one construction season.

Existing guardrails along the south side of the intersection and a portion of the existing guardrail along the north side of S.R. 60 to the east of Salem Bypass will be removed and not replaced.

New guardrail end treatments will be installed. The project proposal also includes intersection lighting.

Closures will be necessary on the Salem Bypass and S.R. 60 next year while work is in progress.

Access will be maintained to all businesses and residences along those routes.

The project was proposed earlier this year at a public hearing held at Salem City Hall where local residents and officials were invited to view plans and documents associated with the project, in addition to sharing comments during an official comment session.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, roundabout intersections have proven to reduce fatal and injury crashes by 82 percent and eliminate vehicle conflict points within a stop-controlled intersection by 75 percent — from 32 conflict points to eight.

Roundabouts also encourage slower vehicle speeds and allow more efficient traffic flow.

INDOT responses to questions and concerns brought up at the public meeting –  SR 60 Salem Bypass Public Comments Responses

A 40-year-old Washington County man was arrested Friday on five felony charges after he forced a woman into his vehicle and drove off, according to police.

Mark A. Warren is facing preliminary Level 5 felony charges of kidnapping, domestic battery and criminal confinement and Level 6 felony charges of strangulation and criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon.

He also faces misdemeanor charges of intimidation and interfering with the reporting a crime.

According to a news release from Jackson County Sheriff Rick Meyer, county Officer Aaron Wilkins met with a woman at about 7:30 p.m. Thursday who told police she had previously been in a relationship with Warren.

The woman said on June 9, she went to a home she shared with Warren in Washington County after she got off work, Meyer said.

She told police she and Warren verbally argued and then went to get gas in Brownstown.

At the gas station, the dispute continued and turned physical, and when Warren threw a drink at the woman and demanded she return to the vehicle, Meyer said.

After she refused to get into the vehicle and called police, Meyer said the woman told police Warren began to chase her on foot before getting back into the vehicle and recklessly driving in between gas pumps, police said.

Eventually, Warren was able to catch the woman, force her into the vehicle and leave before officers arrived.

Meyer said Warren also took the woman’s phone and ended the call to police for help.

Meyer also reported Warren took the woman back to their home, forced her inside and used his hands to restrict her breathing. While doing this, Meyer said Warren verbally threatened the woman’s life multiple times.

Based upon bruising on the woman and security footage from the gas station, Meyer said police were able to establish probable cause and make an arrest.

Warren was located by Wilkins and Officer Billy Dishman outside the woman’s place of employment and arrested late Thursday. He was booked into the Jackson County Jail in Brownstown at 2:22 a.m. Friday.

Brownstown Police Department officers assist with the investigation, and personnel with Jackson County Emergency Medical Services assisted.

A Level 5 felony charge carries a sentence of one to six years with an advisory sentence of three years if convicted.

Detectives from the Indiana State Police (ISP) in Sellersburg were called to investigate an incident in Scottsburg after a man was rushed to the hospital with a suspicious injury, which resulted in his death. 

Around 11:40 Saturday morning, Trooper Jon Cain responded to the Scott County Memorial Hospital to assist deputies after learning a man was dropped off at the emergency room with a possible gunshot or stab wound to the neck. 

The man, later identified as Scott M. Powers, 39, Clarksville, Indiana, was then flown to University Hospital in Louisville, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. 

ISP Detective Matt Busick and Crime Scene Investigator Phil D’Angelo responded to investigate. 

The preliminary investigation reveals that Powers was with a friend at the Jackson Heights Trailer Park in Scottsburg. 

During his visit, Powers unveiled and attempted shooting a home-made firearm in a wooded area next to the trailer park. 

The weapon was designed to fire a 12-gauge shotgun shell and is sometimes referred to as a “slam-fire”.

Upon firing the weapon, the barrel exploded, injuring Powers in the neck.  

Powers ran to his car and was driven to the emergency room by his friend, who also attempted rendering aid.  

The Kentucky Medical Examiner performed an autopsy on Monday morning and ruled the death as “accidental”.

At this time, Investigators believe Powers made the weapon himself.  This case is still under investigation pending toxicology reports.