Earlier today, East Washington School Corporation announced they would be closing the middle and high schools for the next two weeks beginning tomorrow (August 20) after a staff member tested positive for Covid-19.

The corporation has made preparations to provide food and continued transportation for elementary school students who will not be affected. 

A staff member at East Washington School Corporation has tested positive for Covid-19, according to Superintendent Dennis Stockdale. 

He said a possible positive test of a second staff member with the virus could come very soon. 

“We have been so fortunate, since our start date of August 5th to have no positive case from the coronavirus,” he said in a letter issued this afternoon. 

He said the positive result affects the middle and high schools only. 

Salem School Corporation had a positive staff member which delayed school from an August 5 start to August 17. 

West Washington School Corporation reported two students with positive Covid-19 last week. The students were siblings and both are in the elementary (2nd & 4th grade).

The Senator students had not been in the building since August 7 and did not experience any symptoms. The first symptoms a household member experienced were on August 8. 

The middle and high school students will be transitioned to remote learning for the next two weeks so the buildings can be deep cleaned, sanitized, and prepared for the students’ return. 

This will be effective beginning Thursday, August 20. 

All middle and high school students will need to stay home and not return until Thursday, Sept. 3. 

“We ask that all students self-monitor, while at home, for possible symptoms,” said Stockdale. “Should the time need to be extended, the information will be communicated prior to Sept. 3.”

Stockdale said East Washington Elementary students will continue school in-person at this time. 

“The goal with doing this is to keep the elementary-aged students in school as long as possible due to their young age and the need for one-on-one instruction as they learn to read and develop math skills,” said Stockdale. 

“Should a positive case arise at the elementary school, we will close that building and implement the proper protocol,” he said. 

“We appreciate your understanding and support during this challenging time as we face difficult decisions,” he said.

The Indiana Senate Republican Caucus is offering paid spring-semester internships in its communications, information technology, legal, legislative and policy offices during the 2021 session of the Indiana General Assembly, said State Sen. Erin Houchin (R-Salem).

Qualified candidates may be of any major and must be at least a college sophomore. Recent college graduates as well as graduate and law school students are also encouraged to apply. Positions are open to Indiana residents as well as nonresidents who attend a college or university in Indiana.

Interns earn a $750 biweekly stipend and benefit from the scholarship and academic credit opportunities, professional development, community involvement, and networking.

Senate internships are full-time positions at the Statehouse in downtown Indianapolis that typically begin with a mandatory orientation in late December and conclude at the end of the legislative session in April 2021. The Indiana Senate is currently developing plans to conduct legislative work amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and, as always, strives to provide a safe working environment for all interns, staff, and senators.

“I know firsthand how beneficial this internship can be for young professionals,” Houchin said. “My experience as a Senate intern helped me realize my passion for public service, which led me to run for office and being elected as a state senator. This year, Senate interns will be more essential than ever as we work to complete this legislative session safely and responsibly. I encourage all eligible residents of Senate District 47 who wish to serve their communities and gain professional experience to apply for this internship.”

For more information and to access an application, visit www.IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Intern.

The deadline to apply is Oct. 31.

Washington County Circuit Clerk Stephanie Rockey said this morning on WSLM’s Coffee Club morning show that residents have until Friday at noon to file for open seats on local school boards in Eastern, Salem and West Washington School Districts. 

Today, Allison Jean Ezzell filed and is certified to run for a seat on the Salem Community School Board

Constance (Connie) Young has filed and is certified to run for a seat on the Salem Community School Board.

Aaron (Spud) Schocke also has filed to run for a seat on the Salem Community School Board – At-large

There are a total of four spots open on the Salem board representing Gibson, Jefferson, Monroe, & Washington Townships. 

Those in the Salem district that are up for reelection are Mark “Bubba” Abbott, Ericka Garloch, Ron Haendiges, and Dustin Davidson, who was appointed to finish out former board member Steve Motsinger’s term. 

As a reminder, the filing deadline for all three county schools is Friday, August 21^st at noon.

Additional filings to date are:

Sal Sama filed on July 27^th and is certified to run for West Washington School Board- Vernon Twp. seat.

Aaron Dennis filed on the 28^th and is certified to run for West Washington School Board- Madison Twp. seat.

Both are currently board members.

Jeff Clem, Jr.- East Washington School Board- Town of Pekin

Thomas K. Coats- East Washington School Board- Polk Twp.

The day after a Washington County Jail Corrections Officer was arrested by the Indiana State Police on a charge of sexual misconduct and trafficking with a female inmate, Sheriff Brent Miller says he will not tolerate this type of behavior.

“We expect, and the people of Washington County deserve, an even higher standard of our jail officers and this will not be tolerated in our facilities,” he said. 

Jacob Silverthorn was arrested on Monday, August 17, 2020 and charged today with Sexual Misconduct, a level 5 felony, and Trafficking with an Inmate, a class A
misdemeanor.

Silverthorn has also been terminated from employment with the
Washington County Sheriff’s Department.

The investigation leading to Silverthorn’s arrest and termination was initiated by the Washington County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police.

On August 17, a female inmate at the Washington County Jail advised Jail staff that she had had sexual contact with Silverthorn while she was an inmate and he was on duty.

“Upon learning this information, I acted immediately to investigate the matter with the assistance of the Indiana State Police,” said Miller. “We took necessary and quick action to hold the perpetrator accountable and protect the victim.”

Upon being interviewed by Indiana State Police Detective, Travis Baker, the female inmate confirmed what she had told Jail staff, and advised that on August 14, 2020, she and Silverthorn had sexual intercourse in her cell.

The female inmate further advised that Silverthorn had also brought liquid nicotine into the jail and given it to her and other
inmates.

Detective Baker also interviewed Silverthorn, who admitted that on August 14, 2020 he had sexual intercourse with a female inmate in her cell.

Silverthorn also admitted to bringing liquid nicotine into the jail and giving it to female inmates.

Based upon this information, Detective Baker arrested Silverthorn, who was transported to the Scott County Jail.

A New Castle man was arrested this morning on a one-count warrant for Level 6 Felony, Possession of Child Pornography after he turned himself in at the Henry County Jail. 

The warrant was the result of an ongoing investigation that began in January of this year after Pendleton District Detectives received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

As a result of that tip and ongoing investigation, a search warrant was served on a residence on SR 38 west of New Castle in February of this year.

During the search and ongoing investigation child pornography was found on electronic devices in the home, and an arrest warrant was issued. 

Damien J. White, age 40, of New Castle, was arrested at the Henry County Jail this morning after turning himself in.

Anyone with information about a missing or exploited child may leave a tip on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children web site at http://www.missingkids.com/gethelpnow/cybertipline  or by calling 1-800-THE-LOST, or 9-1-1. Tips can be made and kept anonymous.