U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) delivered remarks to the Sagamore Institute this week commending the Hoosier communities, businesses, and individuals who have stepped up to help their neighbors during the coronavirus pandemic, and outlining his vision on how to overcome this challenging time.

“The list of those who are asking how they can help, and finding innovative ways to do so, is too long to recite here. The fight against coronavirus has catalyzed our American can-do spirit. Our pride swells as we see problem-solvers take the initiative and overcome another historic challenge, from the bottom up. Let us move forward intent that we, and future generations, might draw energy from this moment — forever.  And let us resolve to find new ways to be better citizens by using our God-given talents to serve others,” said Senator Young.

Here is a link to Senator Young’s video message – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51owPbuF6vw&feature=youtu.be

In response to recommendations from Governor Eric Holcomb, Secretary of State Connie Lawson, and the leadership of Indiana’s major political parties, the Indiana Election Commission has issued an order implementing policy changes for the June 2^nd Primary Election.

According to Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey, the state is still promoting voting by mail. 

Rockey said public service announcements will be launching in the coming days and weeks. 

“Absentee applications can be requested by calling our office at 812-883-5748 x 1128 or by emailing voter@washingtoncounty.in.gov You may also go to Indianavoters.com to print out an Absentee application to mail to our office at Elections & Voter Services Office. 801 S. Jackson Street, Suite 102, Salem, Indiana  47167″

Rockey said these deadlines were still in force:

• May 4^th is the deadline to register to vote.
• May 21^st is the deadline to request an Absentee application.
• Early Voting in-person at our Elections and Voter Services office will be from May 26^th-June 1^st, hours yet to be announced.

Rockey said Lawson announced that they are working on getting PPE gear for election staff, which would be a must to conduct a safe in-person voting environment.

“Since this has just been announced our County Election Board has yet to meet to discuss these latest changes,” Rockey noted in an email. “As your County Election Administrator, I along with the CEB, will be looking at possibly consolidating some polling locations, to reduce the number of poll workers needed.”

Rockey said there are still many decisions to be made at the county level.

“I will keep the Washington County Voters informed in the days & weeks ahead, as those decisions are made,” Rockey noted. 

The State Election Commission’s order included the following changes, which will apply to the June 2^nd Primary only:

• Limited early in-person voting will be available for one week, from May 26^th to June 1^st.
• Poll workers are currently required to live in the county they work for. This requirement is waived so long as the voter is registered to vote in Indiana.
• The Secretary of State and the Indiana Election Division will provide counties with training and guidelines on mail handling procedures and personal protective equipment.
• The Commission advises that all public buildings, such as fire stations and school buildings, be available for use for the June 2^nd Primary.
• All absentee ballot applications submitted after December 2^nd will be accepted regardless of excuse given, as long as they are otherwise compliant with Indiana law.
• County election boards may adopt more than one central count location.
• Counties may move a polling location after giving best possible notice to the public.

The Commission is next scheduled to meet on April 22^nd, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. ET.

On or after Monday, April 20, traffic on S.R. 37 south of Martinsville is changing.

Northbound S.R. 37 from Indian Creek will open to two lanes. The left lane will carry northbound through traffic, and the right lane will exit onto S.R. 39.

Traffic on southbound S.R. 37 will be moved to the right lane just south of S.R. 39 so crews can work in the median.

This traffic configuration will be in place for the remainder of this construction season. Dynamic signage will indicate merge points and help prepare drivers for slowing or stopped traffic.

Beginning on or after Monday, April 20, S.R. 39 traffic lanes are scheduled to shift between Morton Avenue and the railroad crossing. S.R. 39 traffic will shift to one side of the road to allow crews to widen the other side of the road.

S.R. 39 is being improved this year to safely move more traffic during the 2021 closure of S.R. 37 in Martinsville. Daytime traffic flagging is ongoing on S.R. 39 between S.R. 37 and the White River for pavement patching and utility work.

I-69 Finish Line is the sixth and final section of the Interstate 69 connection between Evansville and Indianapolis. The project will upgrade the existing S.R. 37 to interstate standards between Martinsville and Indianapolis.

Governor Eric Holcomb’s Next Level Connections program fully funded the project and accelerated construction by three years. I-69 Finish Line is expected to open to traffic in late 2024, improving safety and reducing travel time.

Follow I-69 Finish Line on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Officials in nearby counties are working to make sure those with birthdays during the Covid-19 era of social distancing still get to feel special. 

In these times, it is now more than ever, a time to celebrate life.

Emergency responders from the Martin County Sheriffs Office, Loogootee Police Department, the Shoals Town Marshal, volunteer fire departments, EMS, Indiana State Police’s Jasper Post, and local Indiana Conservation Officers have committed to ensuring those special days are getting the attention they deserve.

Emergency services are offering “Birthday Patrols” past your front door, for anyone ages 1 to 101, complete with lights and maybe even some sirens depending on the time of day.

Officials will bring as many units as possible depending on the availability of their local heroes.

Please call the Sheriff’s Office at (812) 247-3726 at least a week ahead of the big day so officials can organize the birthday patrol.

Officer will not get out of vehicles, due to social distancing restrictions.

The owner of Indiana Beach has filed for bankruptcy. Apex Parks Group tells The Times of Northwest Indiana the Chapter 11 filing will allow it to restructure debt and enter into a purchase agreement.

“After an exhaustive examination of all options, we’ve determined that a sale of the company through the Chapter 11 process is the best path forward to enable Apex to focus on future operational transformation and growth,” said CEO John Fitzgerald.

Apex operates 10 different amusement parks across the country, but all of them have been temporarily closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In February, the company announced it was closing the popular amusement park on Lake Shafer, and looking for a buyer.

According to The Herald Bulletin, the White County Commissioners say a potential sale of Indiana Beach is still proceeding, hoping the purchase will be finalized “early next week.”

Indiana Senators Todd Young and Mike Braun have been chosen to serve on a committee that will help determine how and when the US economy re-opens. 

Senator Braun said on Wednesday that President Trump notified him that he would be selected for the White House Re-Opening the Economy Committee.

According to Braun, the committee will meet via conference call and offer recommendations on a safe way to move the economy forward.

Braun said he believes the country must listen to medical advice, but also be flexible in areas where Covid-19 numbers are not high. 

Braun said industries like manufacturing and trucking are some of the first he believes could re-open. 

He also went on to say that restaurants in less dense areas should be allowed to experiment with social distancing rather than carryout and delivery options. 

“American families, workers, and job creators have suffered immensely as a result of the coronavirus. In Congress, we acted in an unprecedented fashion with broad bipartisan support to send aid to those who are hurting through no fault of their own. Now we must carefully examine how to safely and effectively re-open our economy and get our people back to work while heeding the guidance of public health experts. I’m grateful that President Trump has asked me to join this task force, and I look forward to working with him and my colleagues in Congress to safely get our country back to work,” said Senator Young. 

The Perry County Coroner’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in the identification of the body of a woman recently recovered in the community of Rome in Perry County on April 6th.

She is described as a white female, approximately 150 pounds, 5′ 6″ talk, with dark brown or black Hair and age estimated in the mid 40’s.

If you have any information regarding her identity, contact The Perry County Coroner’s office at 812-547-5164 or Tell City Police Dispatch at 812-547-7068.

There will be a  “Stuff An SUV” event to help support the staff of Mitchell Manor Nursing Home.

Members of the community are encouraged to bring the following items: pop, snacks, sugar-free items, and packaged cookies. 

This project will begin at 8:00 a.m. and run until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17th.

The items must be packaged and purchased from a retail store so they can be sanitized on delivery before they can be brought into the building.

The Director of Nursing has already been contacted and is aware of the project.

An SUV will be parked at the Lawrence County Soil and Conservation, 1919 Stevens Lane, located behind Lowes in Bedford.

This community project was organized by Mandy Robbins and Denise Barnett of Bedford.

“My daughter has worked in long-term nursing facilities previously and knows the stress that every staff member goes through each day. Let alone when dealing with a situation like the COVID-19 pandemic. We want to show them all the support we can give them. There are approximately 40-50 employees at the Mitchell Manor facility,” said Barnett.

“Many other businesses and individuals have also donated to Mitchell Manor during the week and we want to make sure we continue to show our love and support to these employees,” Barnett continued.

If there is a good response to the project, items will be delivered to other nursing facilities in Lawrence County.

Remember to practice social distancing during the collection of these items. Wearing of masks is encouraged at the drop-off point.

Washington County Circuit Court Judge Larry Medlock denied a motion from Salem Mayor Justin Green’s attorney Larry Wilder to dismiss the case between Green and former Democratic Candidate Wiliam “Bill” Ackerman.  

Ackerman had filed a civil suit against Green on November 18, 2019, that alleged that Green didn’t live in the City of Salem and was not eligible to run for the office of mayor. 

The case was heard in court on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

Wilder had made the motion twice on Wednesday which would allow Medlock to rule as early as Thursday by 4p to dismiss the case in favor of Green. 

Wilder said that his motion is an argument that one makes when the other side has finished putting on their evidence. 

“The argument is that they presented no evidence that would allow the court to find in their favor – even if all the evidence that they presented was true and accurate and correct,” said Wilder. “It’s basically an argument that – if this were a football game – and they had their opportunity to take the ball and run with it…they didn’t get to the goal line and they would never get to the goal line because their turn is over.”

Wilder said his position was that there was absolutely nothing presented during Mr. Ackerman’s case that gives the court the ability to rule in favor of Mr. Ackerman. 

Medlock said Wednesday he had until April 30th by 4p to render a verdict in the case.

Here is a copy of the judge’s order – Order Denying (1)