INDOT contractor Duncan Robertson Inc. will close the S.R. 135 bridge over Wayman Ditch on or after Monday, April 13, weather permitting, for a total bridge replacement project. The bridge is located just north of U.S. 50 in Jackson County.

State Road 135 is scheduled to close for 180 days, through mid-October. The official detour will follow U.S. 50 to S.R. 446 to S.R. 58. 

The $1.8 million contract was awarded in November 2019 and is expected to be complete by October 31, 2020. All work is weather dependent.

Today, Senator Erin Houchin joined 28 other Senators from around the state in signing a letter to the Indiana Supreme Court in response to a petition filed by the ACLU of Indiana that asks the court to change existing rules on the release of prisoners during the
COVID-19 pandemic.

The letter states the position of the undersigned Senators that such a broad rule change is a risk to public safety and a violation of the separation of powers. Most notably, under the proposed rule change, the court could direct local Judges, by rule, to not only release prisoners awaiting trial, but also to modify sentences of those already convicted.

Current law requires local Prosecutors to approve sentence modification petitions filed in cases where plea agreements have already been established.

The rule, if changed, would allow Judges to make decisions to release convicted prisoners into the public without the approval of Prosecutors, and contrary to what is currently Indiana Law.

Houchin and others made the argument that the current Department of Correction and local officials already have the ability to work together to make decisions in the best interest of both public health and safety and the ACLUs request to change the rules goes too far. Houchin and the 28 other signers to the letter respectfully ask the court to deny the petition.

The petition filed by the ACLU-IN follows similar filings by the ACLU across the country.
Houchin said the following today of the filing.

It is deeply concerning in this time of uncertainty that the ACLU would take such a broad approach in mitigating potential health threats within the criminal justice system.

These threats are prevalent in any institution and our existing laws, as well as ample available space in our Indiana Department of Correction to allow for separation of
prisoners and mitigation of risk, make the request invalid. We cannot and should not undermine our very system of justice or the separation of powers in taking such an action.

Local officials have already been implementing allowable procedures to reduce jail populations while balancing public health and safety under current law.

The ACLU request goes too far and I urge the court to deny the petition.

FINAL ACLU Inmate Letter

A civilian employee of the Indiana State Police has been diagnosed with the Department’s third confirmed case of the COVID-19 virus.

The employee, who is assigned to a field installation in the southern half of the state and has been self-quarantined since the middle of last week, received notification of the positive test yesterday.

State Police officials have been making notifications with additional co-workers and taking appropriate disinfecting measures in the affected work area.

The Indiana State Police is working closely with the Indiana State Department of Health and is continuing to monitor the situation and is also following accepted virus mitigation practices for the health and safety of its employees, their families and the greater community.

For up to date information on COVID-19, please visit the Indiana State Department of Health at https://www.in.gov/coronavirus/.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today issued a new two-week Stay At Home order designed to limit interactions among Hoosiers through April 20. 

Holcomb also asked any business remaining open to only sell through online, curbside or delivery. 

The governor’s order asks that for retail purchases of goods or services:

a. All individuals in the State should postpone making in-person purchases of goods and services unless and until such items are needed for sustenance) health) education) or 
~ employment;

b. All individuals in the State should use the online or call-in ordering of goods and services with either delivery or curbside pickup to the greatest extent practicable;

c. In instances where an individual must visit a retail business an individual should limit the number and frequency of retail businesses visited to purchase goods and services; and 

d. All individuals in the State should limit the number of household members who travel to and enter stores for the purpose of making necessary purchases to the minimum necessary.

As of today, 4,944 people have tested positive and 139 people have died from the disease. There are now positive tests in 89 of 92 counties.

Click here to see the executive order: https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

“Hoosiers have done a great job adapting to the new rules put in place during this public health emergency, but I believe the next two weeks to month could be the most critical for all of us,” said Gov. Holcomb. “So I am asking you to take even more precautions: only make in-person purchases when absolutely needed and use other delivery and pickup options when available. Limit who is traveling with you and entering stores.”

While the Stay At Home order chiefly continues as is, modifications and restrictions have been made to limit interactions among people. Here are some highlights of EO 20-18:

• Retail businesses that provide necessities of life may remain open but should limit the number of customers in the establishment at any given time; implement hours for elderly and other vulnerable populations, as well as limited hours of operation, to restock and clean; and comply with all mitigation measures to protect employees and the public. A list of such businesses is included in the executive order.
• All other retail businesses may remain open if they restrict sales to online or call-in ordering with delivery or curbside pickup.
• Professional services should be conducted virtually or by telephone.
• All campgrounds will be closed except for those who use recreational vehicles or cabins as their primary residence. State parks remain open to daily visitors.
• Hoosiers are reminded that all public and private gatherings of any kind that include more than 10 people are prohibited.
• All employers, regardless of type, must continue to comply with the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA) standards and safety and health standards established and enforced by IOSHA. IOSHA is actively accepting and investigating complaints of violations. The complaint process may be accessed at https://www.in.gov/dol/
• In addition to IOSHA investigations, Gov. Holcomb has directed the creation of a multi-agency enforcement response team, led by the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission to respond to and investigate other violations of the new order. Much like the enforcement of the restaurant, bar, and nightclub executive order, this team will be charged with helping business owners comply with the order before issuing a directive to close a business.

To allow retail, campgrounds and other establishments to make adjustments, enforcement will not begin until 24 hours after the order takes effect. The effective date and time of the order is 11:59 p.m. April 7.

The Critical Industries Hotline will be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to respond to business and industry questions about whether a business is considered essential. The center may be reached by calling 877-820-0890 or by emailing covidresponse@iedc.in.gov

Those in Southern Indiana who are having trouble accessing the internet will soon have a few free options in Salem and other areas. 

In response to the growing need for greater Internet connectivity during the COVID-19 crisis, Hoosier fiber-optic broadband company Mainstream Fiber Networks has created 11 free public Wi-Fi access points across southern Indiana.

“During this challenging time we want to make sure our friends and neighbors have access to broadband when they need it most,” said Bryan Gabriel, founder and CEO of Mainstream Fiber Networks. “These public Wi-Fi access points will allow students to continue e-learning, employees to stay connected with their workplace, and families to remain in touch with loved ones.”

Community members who wish to use a public Wi-Fi access point simply need to agree to Mainstream’s terms of service. No fee or password is required. The public Wi-Fi access points can be found in the parking lots of the following locations:

Brown County

• Brown County Career Resource Center, 246 E Main St, Nashville, IN 47448
• Brown County High School, 235 School House Ln, Nashville, IN 47448
• Brown County Junior High School, 95 School House Ln, Nashville, IN 47448
• Brown County Intermediate School, 260 School House Ln, Nashville, IN 47448
• Helmsburg Elementary, 5378 Helmsburg School Rd, Morgantown, IN 46160
• Sprunica Elementary, 3611 Sprunica Rd, Nineveh, IN 46164
• Van Buren Elementary, 4045 IN-135, Nashville, IN 47448

Harrison County

• Harrison County Community Foundation, 1523 Foundation Way NE, Corydon, IN 47112
• Mainstream Fiber Networks Regional Office, 3039, 2370 Landmark Way NE #102, Corydon, IN 47112

Washington County

• Salem High School, 700 N Harrison St, Salem, IN 47167
• Mainstream Fiber Networks Regional Office, 205 N Main St, Salem, IN 47167 (the old REMC building)