According to Alicia Thompson, Washington County Health Department Nurse, the second stage of the IUPUI research study begins June 3-7.

Thompson explained that if residents receive a postcard or text, be sure and participate. 

“Neither the postcard nor text will ask for any type of financial information, so please don’t fall for scams,” she pointed out. 

“Your participation is greatly appreciated in helping to learn more about this virus,” said Thompson. “At this time you can not volunteer for this study only those that have been preselected are eligible.”

Tuesday night (June 2) you’ll be able to drive into the parking lot of the Washington County Justice Center, grab some snacks, and tune to WSLM to hear the LIVE results of the primary election. 

The Washington County Commissioners have given their approval as well as Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey. 

“We wanted to do something creative and give those that normally gather to listen to the results the ability to do so in as near a normal manner as possible,” said Rebecca White, owner, and general manager of Salem Media. “The Washington County Election Board usually reads the results but the public won’t be able to come in as they have in years past.”

County buildings remain closed to the public due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Snacks will be available on a table near the entrance to the Justice Center, courtesy of Walmart. 

“Of course, like any Drive-In, you’ll need to head to the snack bar before the Feature Presentation,” said White. “Grab some chips, candy, and a drink, and enjoy the election results in your vehicle. I will be reading the results live on WSLM 97.9 FM and WSLM 1220 AM, as well as broadcasting, live on social media and wslmradio.com.” 

White will be joined by Brad Gilbert to present the results after the polls close at 6p. 

The only two races are on the Republican ticket for Coroner and County Council. 

Today is the final day for early voting in Washington County prior to the polls opening for June 2’s Primary Election. 

Indiana officials moved the primary from May to June due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Indiana under a Stay-at-Home order at that time. 

Voters who have not voted by absentee ballot or plan to vote on Tuesday may due so today, Monday, June 1^st from 8 am to Noon. COVID-19 CDC guidelines will be strictly adhered to.

Election Day is June 2^nd from 6 am to 6 pm. 

“Please be advised that we have merged some polling locations in compliance with the Secretary of State request,” according to Stephanie Rockey, Washington County Clerk. 

Polling locations are as follows:

• • Salem Armory- 1100 N Shelby Street- Precincts Salem 1-4
  • Washington County Fair Grounds- 4-H Building- 118 N. Fair Street- Precincts Washington 1-4 and Franklin
  • Campbellsburg Community Building- 125 S. Sycamore Street- Precincts Brown and Vernon
  • Gibson Twp. FireHouse- 571 N. State Road 39- Precinct Gibson
  • Howard Twp. FireHouse- 5279 S. Becks Mill Road- Precinct Howard
  • Jackson Twp. FireHouse- 4330 E. Martinsburg Fire Road- Precinct Jackson
  • Monroe Twp. FireHouse- 8496 N. State Road 135- Precincts Jefferson & Monroe
  • Fellowship Baptist Mission Center (formally Bearcat Civic Center)- 9271 W. US Hwy 150- Precincts Madison & Posey
  • Pierce and Polk precincts which have been merged will be held at the Pekin park in the Community Building

Regarding the logistics of election night results reporting- The County Election Board with a unanimous vote, has changed the way results will be given this election, said Rockey.

The Washington County Justice Center will be closed to the public on election night. 

The results will still be tabulated precinct by precinct, the CEB will supply reports, (in real-time) to the local media, who will be present.

Rebecca White, Owner and General Manager of WSLM will be reading the results LIVE along with her co-host of the election broadcast, Brad Gilbert. 

“We are grateful that our local community media outlets are partnering with our County Election Board in keeping everyone safe but well informed,” said Rockey. “As your County Election Administrator, the health and safety of my voters, election workers, my employees, and our families are my number one priority!”

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today took these actions to protect Hoosiers, properties and businesses as the result of two nights of violence, following peaceful protests in Indiana.

After two days of peaceful protests in Indianapolis that turned into violence, Holcomb is allowing communities across the state to increase travel restrictions and said the Indiana National Guard will stay on standby.

Members of the guard along with the Indiana State Police will be at state properties to protect them from further damage. And several hundred guard members are on standby to help communities across the state if requested.

Holcomb also signed an executive order that allows local governments to have more stringent travel restrictions than the state as of 11 a.m. today.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announced earlier Sunday that a curfew will be in place from 8 p.m. tonight to 6 a.m. Monday. 

 Holcomb also verbally asked the Indiana National Guard Reactionary Force company to be available Saturday, but deployment was not requested, per the release. 

The Governor:

• Signed Executive Order 20-29 to lift restrictions on local declarations of emergency that had been instituted as a part of the stay at home and back on track orders pertaining to COVID-19. This order, effective as of 11 a.m. today, allows local governments to place more stringent travel restrictions than the state has in place. A link to the order may be found at https://www.in.gov/gov/files/Executive%20Order%2020-29.pdf.
• Directed members of the Indiana National Guard to be on standby to assist communities across the state if requested. Gov. Holcomb verbally activated the Indiana National Guard Reactionary Force company to be available to assist local communities Saturday, however, no deployment was requested. Several hundred Guard members remain on standby.
• Ordered members of the Guard, supported by Indiana State Police, to establish a presence at state properties in Indianapolis to protect them from further damage.

“At my order, the Indiana National Guard stands ready to assist local communities in need to protect the public and property, and I am deploying Guard members to protect state property beginning today,” said Gov. Holcomb. “Organized protests have taken place across the state without incident but the events that have followed, particularly in Indianapolis, have devastated businesses, defaced public monuments that are centuries old, and resulted in the loss of life.”

Washington County’s Covid-19 number went from 52 back to 51 yesterday with the release of updated data from the Indiana State Health Department. 

Alicia Thompson from the Washington County Health Department explained the change. 

“The patient wasn’t a true Washington county resident and it couldn’t be proven until just the other day when we were able to speak with the patient’s relative,” she said in an email response. 

There were 646 new cases reported on Thursday afternoon with 37 new deaths and 7,112 new tests administered.

This was an increase after three days of new cases numbering in the 300s. 

That brings the total number of cases to 33,068 in Indiana with 1,907 total deaths and 242,287 total tests. 

Of the total tested, only 13.6 percent of Indiana’s population has tested positive.  

Lawrence County

1260 Tests, 152 Cases, 23 Deaths – plus 8 cases

Jackson County

1739 Tests, 372 Cases, 1 death – plus 5 cases 

Jennings County

590 Tests, 129 Cases, 4 deaths – plus 2 cases

Orange County

637 Tests, 124 Cases, 22 deaths – 0 new cases

Washington County

523 Tests, 51 Cases, 1 death – minus one case

Scott County

1594 Tests, 120Cases, 3 deaths  – plus 2 cases

Clark County

3451 Tests, 479 Cases, 38 deaths – plus 18 cases

Floyd County

2068 Tests, 317 Cases, 38 deaths,- plus 3 cases

Harrison County

1163 Tests, 189 Cases, 21 deaths – plus 2 cases

Crawford County

268 Tests, 23 Cases, 0 deaths – 0 new cases

Floyd County Health Department will be having a drive-thru Covid-19 testing site at the Floyd County Health Department located at 1917 Bono Road in New Albany this Saturday, May 30 from 11a until 1p. 

This is a drive-thru test only and will not accept any walk-ups or those on bicycles. 

Individuals must be symptomatic to be tested with any of the following symptoms – cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat, diarrhea, or a headache. 

FCHD will also test those who have been in close contact with a Covid-19 patient or individuals with underlying health conditions or those 65 or older. 

Those being tested must bring their driver’s license or state-issued ID and an insurance card if the person has insurance. 

At the first stop, individuals will be screened for symptoms. FCHD staff will take a picture of ID and insurance cards and will take down information before you will be allowed to proceed to testing. 

Dave O’Mara Contractor Inc. is expected to close S.R. 258 east of Freetown in Jackson County on or after Monday, June 1, weather permitting. Crews will replace two box culverts, one near Persimmon Lake and the second further east at Coon Creek. 

Work will start just east of C.R. 190 W. near Persimmon Lake Drive. Once the first structure is complete, the contractor will move to the second location between Base Road and C.R. 100 E. The road will close for 30 days at each location, weather permitting. Both locations will not be closed at the same time.

The official detour route will follow S.R. 11 to U.S. 50 to S.R. 446 to S.R. 58. The bridge replacement on S.R. 58 near Freetown will be complete prior to work beginning on S.R. 258.

Motorists should slow down, use extra caution and drive distraction-free through all work zones.