The Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Salem Fire Department, and Indiana Conservation Officers responded to Cox Ferry Road at 3:34 p.m. this afternoon after a report of a vehicle in the water.

A person was reportedly on top of the vehicle needing help.

A bystander was able to get the person out of the water and no injuries were reported during the incident.

Indiana conservation officers were responding with a boat prior to the motorists being rescued by the bystander in a pickup truck.

Motorists are reminded to “Turn Around Don’t Drown.”

Do not drive through flooded roadways, especially during flash flooding. Vehicles can be swept away very easily in floodwaters.

Yesterday afternoon Washington County Commissioner Phillip Marshall told WSLM that the Washington County Clerk’s Office and the Washington County Government Center were closed until August 12 due to a county employee testing positive for Covid-19.

Marshall said the two buildings were on mandatory quarantine for 14 days. 

“We had another case pop up there…one of the employees, so we had to shut ’em back down,” said Marshall. 

He said the Public Defender, Board of Health, Probation, Child Protective Services, and the Prosecutor’s Office and the Clerk’s Office were closed. 

The public can call the offices to schedule an appointment for service. 

Marshall said the jail remains closed and the courts are open but only for the cases that are scheduled with the public not going in. 

“As of now we’re in an automatic quarantine until August 12,” said Marshall. 

However, this morning Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey clarified the closure. 

“My office is closed to the public under the order of the Washington County Commissioners and the Washington County Health Department as a precautionary measure,” she wrote in an email. 

“For clarification, [neither] myself nor any of my staff are on a 14-day quarantine, as previously stated on social media.  We are like before, closed to the public, but will all be on hand to answer phone calls and conduct business by appointment.”

She said the phones at the clerk’s office have been ringing non-stop. 

County offices were closed in the early part of the pandemic but were reopened to the public as long as those entering the offices practiced social distancing and wore masks.

On Monday, July 27, Gov. Eric Holcomb’s emergency order went into effect across the state that required Hoosiers to wear masks in all public places.

“We are still accepting payments by mail,” said Rockey. “Marriage licenses and candidate filings for school board will be conducted by appointment.”

“The safety of everyone is our top priority and we will continue to exercise health practices as recommended by the Washington County Health Department,” Rockey said.

She encouraged the public to call the office with any questions or contact our Washington County Health Department with any questions or clarifications. 

The Clerk’s office number is (812) 883-5748. The Health Department number is (812) 883-5603.

Chief Judge Jane E. Magnus-Stinson today issued a General Order that suspends jury trials in all divisions of the Southern District of Indiana through and including at least August 31, 2020; subject to further order of the Court, some jury trials may resume on September 1, 2020. To the extent this Order differs from previous orders of the Court on this subject, this Order supersedes and replaces those Orders.

Please read the General Order for specific details. The Court’s decision to once again suspend jury trials stems from the recent rise in COVID-19 cases across the state and within the Southern District of Indiana.

While jury trials have been suspended, the courthouses remain open and other in-person proceedings, including plea and sentencing hearings, are taking place. Certain limitations and restrictions established in previous General Orders remain in effect, such as the mandatory wearing of face coverings in all public spaces (except for individuals with medical exemptions, or those excused from wearing a face-covering in a courtroom by the presiding judge). 

The screening and other requirements set forth in the General Order issued on March 20, 2020, also remain in effect, with the understanding that the screening questions may change based upon guidance by public health officials and as knowledge about the symptoms of COVID-19 develops.

The Court also continues to hold certain proceedings, such as initial appearances and detention hearings, as well as civil conferences, via video conference and telephonically.

The District  Court has created a COVID-19 response page on its website that contains all orders, press releases, and other information regarding Court operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Indiana State Police are investigating the death of a 31-year-old New Albany man in Lexington, IN.

At approximately 8:30 am, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office responded to a deceased male in the Lexington area of southern Scott County.

Deputies secured the scene and requested assistance from the ISP.

The initial investigation revealed a male identified as, Nicholas D. Casey, 31, of New Albany, IN was found deceased in a relative’s residence at located 5225 Kinderhook Road. 

The scene was secured by deputies while Indiana State Police Evidence Technicians along with Indiana State Police Detectives and Scott County Deputies investigated the circumstances.

An autopsy is scheduled for Friday morning to try and determine a cause of death.

No further information is available at this time.

The Scott Coroner’s Office also assisted at the scene. 

Floyd County’s Health Officer mirrors Indiana’s mask mandate for the county, putting it in place before Monday’s statewide order and staying in place until Sept. 11

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to plague our community.

“In the last four (4) weeks we have seen an increase in cases, despite the current mitigating measures,” said Thomas M. Harris MD, FACEP, Floyd County Health Officer.

The State of Indiana has slowed the reopening stages; however, the daily rate of new illnesses continues to rise.

“There is currently no vaccine to prevent the illness. Measures such as hand hygiene, facial coverings, and social distancing are the most effective strategies to reduce the spread from infected persons to noninfected persons. Therefore, to protect public health and simply save lives, restrictions must be established to assist in the reduction of COVID-19 transmission,” said Dr. Harrris. 

With this understanding, and with the approval of the Floyd County Board of Health, as the Floyd County Health Officer, Harris hereby orders a facial covering mandate, pursuant to
Indiana Code 16-20-1 et seq. and 16-41-9 et seq.

This order took effect 00:01 (12:01 AM) EDT 24 July 2020. The order will remain in effect for six (6) weeks, expiring 00:01 (12:01 AM) EDT 11 September 2020.

The order may be extended depending on pandemic conditions.

Every individual must wear a facial covering over their nose and mouth when they are at:
 An indoor area open to the public including public transportation
 A private indoor or outdoor area where a social distance of six (6) feet from individuals
outside their households cannot be maintained
 An outdoor public area where a social distance of six (6) feet from individuals outside
their household cannot be maintained
 An enclosed public space or place of business.
A properly worn facial covering fully covers the individual’s mouth and nose fits snuggly against the sides of the face with no gaps, is secured to prevent slipping, and allows for breathing
with no restrictions. All face coverings that are not disposable should be washed each day before reuse. An adult should supervise the use of facial coverings by children age three (3)-twelve (12) to avoid misuse.
Exceptions to the policy include, but are not limited to:
 Any child age two (2) or less
 Any individual in respiratory distress
 Any individual who is hearing impaired and needs to remove facial coverings to communicate
 Any individual who has been advised, in writing, by a primary care provider that wearing a facial covering is detrimental to the individual’s health
 Any individual who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the facial covering without assistance
 Any individual who is directed to remove a facial covering by a law enforcement officer

 Any employee engaged in work where a face covering would be deemed a hazard by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
 Any restaurant or bar customer while they are dining
 Any individual not in an area open to the public and where a social distance of six (6) feet can be maintained from non-household members [Ex. A single person private office]

The intent of this order is to provide a safe environment for all people in Floyd County, whether engaged in work, social, or everyday activities, by mandating the use of facial coverings to
prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This will protect public health in Floyd County.

“Nothing in this order reduces or eliminates the requirements imposed by the executive orders by Governor Holcomb or orders from other regulating governmental agencies. This order is intended to be used to educate, encourage, and persuade people to wear facial coverings,” according to Dr. Harris. 

Citizens should continue to use frequent hand washing or sanitizing; maintain a minimum social distance of six (6) feet; avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands; and most importantly, stay home and isolate yourself if you are sick.

The Indiana Department of Transportation will host a public hearing on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at 6:00 pm in the CW Mount Community Center & Banquet Facility, 341 West Jefferson Street, Tipton, Indiana 46072.

Prior to the official public hearing, the meeting room will be open for a project open house from 5:00-6:00 pm. Following the public hearing, a second project open house will occur from 6:30-7:00 pm.

The public hearing will adhere to State of Indiana Department of Health (ISDH) health and safety guidelines including face coverings, implementing social distancing practices and providing hand sanitizer. Attendees are encouraged to adhere to ISDH guidelines and safety protocols.

The purpose of the public hearing is to offer all interested persons an opportunity to comment on the environmental document and the preliminary design plans for the US 31 over the Norfolk Southern Railroad Grade Separation Project. This project is being developed using federal and state funds.

The purpose of this project is to improve the flow of traffic on US 31 across the Norfolk Southern Railroad, reduce traffic disruptions for those traveling on US 31 and to reduce vehicle collisions.

The need for this project stems from the frequency of traffic disruptions, the number of individuals impacted daily by the train crossing, and a history of vehicle collisions. Approximately seven trains utilize the existing rail facilities each day crossing this segment of US 31.

The train crossing stops traffic flow increasing the potential for vehicle collisions and results in delayed travel times.

The Indiana Department of Transportation proposes to construct single-span twin structures carrying US 31 over County Road 100 South and the existing Norfolk Southern Railroad.  The project limits are approximately 5,940 feet in length. 

The project begins 1,850 feet south of the Norfolk Southern Railroad and extends 4,120 feet north of the Norfolk Southern Railroad (to compensate for poor soil conditions). 

The proposed structures will be single-span twin bridges with a 44.5-foot out-to-out coping width and 41.58-foot clear roadway. The bridge cross-section consists of two 12.0 foot travel lanes and varying-width shoulders with a minimum width of 5.67 feet to the inside and 11.67 feet to the outside. F shaped truck height (Type FT) bridge railing is warranted along each coping.

The structures will provide a 23-foot minimum vertical clearance over the railroad tracks and a 14.5-foot minimum vertical clearance over County Road 100 South.

The proposed structures will consist of a 120-foot span from the centerline of bent to the centerline of bent.  MSE walls will be constructed to retain the proposed embankments. Additional details will be presented during the public hearing and also made available via the INDOT website.

Federal and state funds are proposed to be used for the construction of this project. INDOT and the Federal Highway Administration have agreed that this project poses minimal impact to the natural environment. 

A Categorical Exclusion (CE) environmental document has been prepared for the project.

The environmental documentation and preliminary design information are available to view via the Greenfield District webpage https://www.in.gov/indot/2704.htm and the Tipton County Public Library, 127 East Madison Street, Tipton, Indiana 46072 (765) 675-8761. 

Public statements for the record will be taken as part of the public hearing procedure. All verbal statements recorded during the public hearing and all written comments submitted prior to, during, and for a period of two (2) weeks following the hearing date, will be evaluated, considered, and addressed in subsequent environmental documentation. Written comments may be submitted prior to the public hearing and within the comment period to United Consulting, Room 848, 8440 Allison Pointe Boulevard Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46250.

E-Mail: mike.oliphant@ucindy.com.  INDOT respectfully requests comments be submitted by August 14, 2020.

With advance notice, INDOT will provide accommodations for persons with disabilities with regards to participation and access to project information as part of the hearings process including arranging auxiliary aids, interpretation services for the hearing impaired, services for the sight-impaired and other services as needed. 

In addition, INDOT will provide accommodations for persons of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) requiring auxiliary aids including language interpretation services and document conversion.  Should accommodations be required, please contact Rickie Clark, INDOT Public Involvement (317) 232-6601.