According to the Indiana State Department of Health, there is a 6th reported case of Covid-19 in Washington County. 

There was no local information released about this current case. 

Last week, WSLM was told that the ISDH had asked all local health departments to not release epidemiology reports on future Covid-19 cases. 

Epidemiology includes information on where a patient has been that could possibly transmit a disease. 

Officials are being careful to not violate a person’s HIPAA rights. 

All counties surrounding Washington now have Covid-19 cases.

• Lawrence – 9 
• Jackson – 8
• Scott – 1
• Clark – 27
• Floyd – 20
• Harrison – 15
• Crawford – 1

 Yesterday at approximately 3:00 p.m., a two-vehicle crash involving a white 2010 Ford Taurus and a red 2010 Ford truck occurred on the Indiana Toll Road (I-90) at the Lake Station Toll Plaza. 

An off-duty firefighter witnessed the crash and stopped to check for injuries. 

The firefighter called 911 and stated one of the drivers was attempting to leave the scene of the crash.  As the vehicle fled the scene, the caller followed the vehicle from the Indiana Toll Road to I-80/94 where it continued westbound.

Trooper Logan Hensley was able to locate the vehicle at approximately the 13.8 mile-marker and observed the vehicle weaving between the middle and far-right lane.

Tpr. Hensley also determined that this was the same vehicle involved in the Toll Road crash as it had substantial front end damage.  Trp. Hensley activated his emergency lights and siren in an attempt to stop the vehicle. 

The driver continued for approximately a half-mile prior to coming to an abrupt stop on the right shoulder.  Trp. Hensley and the off duty firefighter were able to place the subject into custody without incident.

A K9 was called to the scene and a positive alert was made by the K9 to the presence of a controlled substance inside the vehicle.  A subsequent vehicle search was conducted and a magnetic key hider was located that had six small bags inside that was suspected to be heroin.

The driver, Shannon L. Taylor, 47, from Chicago, IL, also admitted to using a controlled substance approximately an hour and a half prior to the incident. 

Taylor refused medical treatment at the scene and was transported to a local hospital where she consented to a blood draw.  Taylor was then transported to the Lake County Jail where she is facing the following charges:

• Possession of Heroin Prior Conviction- Level 5 Felony
• Leaving the Scene of a Crash While Intoxicated- Class A Misd.
• Operating While Intoxicated Endangering a Person (controlled substance)- Class A Misd.
• Operating While Intoxicated (controlled substance)- Class C Misd.
• Violation of No Travel Order- Class B Misd.

Trp. Hensley was assisted by Trp. Eric Madry, Trp. Jason Pratt, S/Trp. O’Bryan Winfield, Trp. Amjad Umrani and Trp. Regan Smith.  The vehicle was impounded by Ridge Towing.

The Indiana State Police reminds citizens that if you drive impaired during this Essential Travel Only Order, you can be charged with violating said order, in addition to Operating While Intoxicated. 

All charges listed above are merely accusations and probable cause for arrest and any crime mentioned in this release is alleged. Actual charges and/or additional charges will be determined by the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.

The six victims of yesterday’s fatal house fire in rural Switzerland County, Indiana, the victims have now been identified following autopsies conducted this morning in Madison, Indiana.

The Switzerland County Coroner’s Office has identified the six deceased victims as Paige A. M. Ridener, age 25, James S. Ridener, age 15, Jordan T. Ridener, age 13, Joshua A. Ridener, age 12, Emilee A. Ridener, age 11, and Elizabeth G. Ridener, age 10.

All six victims were siblings. 

The five youngest siblings lived at the residence while Paige Ridener had recently been staying at the home. 

Joseph Buchheit, age 33, who was the boyfriend of Paige, was also at the residence when the fire started shortly after 3:00 am on Saturday March 28. 

Buchheit escaped the home without injury. 

He attempted to re-enter the home to get to the six victims but was unable to due to the heavy fire and smoke.

The investigation by the Indiana State Police, Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office, and Switzerland County Coroner’s Office is ongoing at this time.

The cause of the fire and the cause of the deaths has not been determined yet although no foul play is suspected at this time.

The family of the victims has been notified.

According to EWSC Superintendent Dennis Stockdale, breakfast and lunch will be provided all week.

“We will be providing breakfast and lunch for all 5 school days and will deliver those meals on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week we are out of school due to the Coronavirus situation,” said Stockdale. “We ask that you fill out this form and we will deliver to your child’s bus stop.”

Stockdale asks that someone is watching for the bus during those days and be at the end of the driveway to get the meals.

Stockdale said staff cannot bring meals to the door.

Buses will leave the East Washington Campus at 11:00 a.m. to begin deliveries.

“Please use this start time to estimate the time your child’s bus would/should arrive at your stop,” said Stockdale. “We will travel slowly, but can’t sit and wait for extended periods of time on the road. This is a plan in progress so please watch/listen for School Messenger messages, email, and Facebook for updates.”

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) today released a comprehensive toolkit to help Hoosiers navigate the resources available in the Senate’s coronavirus emergency relief package that was signed into law yesterday, known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

“Now that the CARES Act has been signed into law, immediate relief is on the way to Hoosiers. To help Hoosiers navigate the CARES Act, and the relief it will provide, my team created a comprehensive toolkit to help individuals, small businesses, health care workers, and patients understand the relief measures that are available. Hoosiers can also visit my coronavirus relief webpage at young.senate.gov/coronavirus and contact my office with specific questions. We are standing by and ready to help,” said Senator Young.

Resources in the toolkit are hyperlinked below:

• HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYEES 

• SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES 

• BOLSTERING OUR HEALTH CARE RESPONSE 

• FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RELIEF PAYMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS

• UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE INFORMATION

• PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Hoosiers can also visit young.senate.gov/coronavirus or email COVID_19@young.senate.gov for additional assistance.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a fatal off-road vehicle (ORV) accident.

The accident occurred at approximately 9:30 p.m. last night, near the 1400 block of Cedar Bluff Road in Bloomington.

David Deckard Jr., 37, of Bloomington, was operating a four-wheeler on private property in a wooded area. For reasons not yet known, Deckard lost control and was thrown off the vehicle, receiving head and chest injuries.

Deckard was transported by ambulance to Bloomington Hospital for treatment. He was pronounced dead early this morning as a result of his injuries.

The cause of the accident is still being investigated. The victim was not wearing a helmet or proper safety equipment. Indiana Conservation Officers stress safe operation of ORVs and the use of proper protective equipment such as helmets.

Indiana Conservation Officers were assisted by Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Monroe County Medics, and Monroe Fire Protection District.

Governor also provides INDOT, food assistance updates

INDIANAPOLIS — Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced offenders at the Miami Correctional Facility are producing face masks, personal protection gowns, face shields and hand sanitizer to be used in the fight against COVID-19.

“I’m pleased to have the Department of Correction joining the ranks of Hoosier businesses, large and small, stepping forward in the fight against COVID-19.  Production of these items will lessen the strain on the supply chain, leaving more of these products available for Hoosiers,” Gov. Holcomb said.

After the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in the State of Indiana, the Department of Correction changed the mission of Indiana Correctional Industry’s (ICI) production lines at Miami Correctional Facility from offender uniforms to the production of protective equipment. This week, ICI stood up two production lines that are producing 200 protection gowns and 200 masks per day. Additionally, the shop is currently in production of 650 12-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer.

The Department of Correction plans to repurpose another production line at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility to expand the production of protective equipment.

The personal protective equipment (PPE) being made by offenders will be used by first responders and in Department of Correction facilities to allow traditional PPE to remain available for health care workers.

Gov. Holcomb outlined these additional efforts from INDOT and the National Guard:

• Traffic on state roads, highways and interstates is down significantly as a result of many Hoosiers honoring the Stay-At-Home Order (A traffic chart is attached).

o   To speed up deliveries to retailers, commercial trucks hauling products essential to COVID-19 response are eligible for an emergency overweight vehicle permit. This permit will allow trucks to operate in the state at 90,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight rather than 80,000 lbs. through at least April 13. Trucking companies and drivers needing this permit should call 317-615-7320.

• Highway maintenance is ongoing, and construction season will begin on time. Move over, slow down, and pay attention if you must be on the roads for essential travel to help keep our employees and contractors safe.
• The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), in partnership with the state’s food banks, the Indy Hunger Network and Feeding Indiana’s Hungry, has developed a statewide, interactive map that will help Hoosiers seeking food assistance find what they need. Click here to see the map:https://www.in.gov/fssa/dfr/5768.htm

o   There are two types of organizations shown on the map: food pantries and meal sites. Food pantries are locations where Hoosiers can pick up groceries to prepare and use at their homes. Meal sites serve packed meals, ready to take home and eat.

• The Indiana National Guard is being deployed to six food banks across the state to help sort and pack food for distribution to food pantries.

o   The food banks are in Marion County (2), Bloomington, Lafayette, Fort Wayne and Merrillville.

o   The Indiana National Guard will also work at mobile food distribution sites across the state.

Attorney General Curtis Hill is warning Hoosiers of scammers taking advantage of the scarcity of COVID-19 tests by falsely claiming to be able to provide testing.

“Consumers are at risk not only of losing money from these scams,” Attorney General Hill said, “but of getting dangerously false information about their infection status. We’re working to protect Indiana residents and ensure better outcomes.”

There are currently no tests that can be self-administered at home to find out whether someone has COVID-19.

The only tests currently available in Indiana require a doctor’s order and specimen collection done by a medical professional. At this time, there is no FDA-approved blood test to determine whether someone has COVID-19.

Because conditions are constantly changing regarding the availability of testing and decisions about who qualifies, Hoosiers should keep up with the latest information by consulting credible sources.

The Indiana State Department of Health’s COVID-19 Call Center can be reached 24/7 at 877-826-0011, and the agency regularly updates the coronavirus.in.gov website.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains online information about testing, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration also provides in-depth information related to these topics.

As always, if you encounter suspected scams, you may report them online to the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Indiana Attorney General. If you need additional information regarding the Office’s Consumer Protection Division, please call 1-800-382-5516.