Due to the continued spread of COVID-19 and the important need to slow this spread, this week Purdue University and Purdue Extension announced the decision to extend the existing ban on face-to-face events through June 30, 2020.

As a result, there are 18 county fairs that will be affected by this new order, including ones in Floyd, Scott, Harrison, and Washington Counties. 

According to Megan Broughton, Extension Educator 4-H Youth Development, 4-H officials will meet with county officials on Monday to discuss options. 

She said there are currently three options to be discussed.

1. Reschedule the fair for another date in July.
   1. Broughton said Purdue hasn’t made a decision for July events. They will determine those by May 15. 
2. Hold a Virtual “Fair” 
   1. “This would be for everything,” said Broughton. “It would be for all projects.”
3. Plan for the fair to be in September. 
   1. “They are still planning on having the State Fair in August and they want us to plan around that,” said Broughton. 

“Obviously we want to try for face to face, but we’re going to have to have a backup plan,” said Broughton. 

Broughton said 4-Hers could still show their animals at the state fair. “There are no qualifications. Any 4-Her can show their animals. We would try to figure out something to take other projects to the state fair.”

The Queen and Teen Pageants are events sponsored by the Washington County Fair Board, as well as grandstand events, the carnival, food vendors and commercial exhibits. 

“I’ve invited Cheryl Lee, the fair board president, to the meeting on Monday,” said Broughton. “Ultimately, we want to do this with the fair board. Ultimately, if they decide to do the fair in June, it would be a fair without the 4-H part. And we would have to do that later. It might have to be two separate events or we might be able to work together to do something at a later time.”

Harrison County holds two different fairs – one as a county fair and one labeled as a 4-H fair. 

Washington County’s fair has always been labeled as a “Farmers and Merchants” fair. 

The Fair Board released information last week that they were still planning on having the fair in June but would update that information on May 15. That was released prior to Purdue’s most recent declaration. 

Lee said last week that the local fair is still being planned as scheduled for June 13-20 with a kick-off parade on June 7th. 

This year’s theme is Basketball – The State That Grew The Game, which mirrors the Indiana State Fair theme.

The board met last week to discuss the plans for the 2020 Fair.

“We have made the decision to proceed as planned at this time. We will re-evaluate on May 17th,” according to Lee. 

Currently, the State of Indiana is on a Stay-at-Home order through the first of May. This could be extended depending on the number of active cases and tests being administered for the COVID-19 virus. 

At this time, Gov. Eric Holcomb has asked that no groups gather with more than 10 people.

Lee asked those who are planning to have a food booth or commercial booth, to reserve your spot and plan as normal.

You can email Tim Anderson for details and for a form at trandersona@gmail.com

Anderson said in an email earlier this year that 

“Any monies sent to reserve spots between now and May 17th will be held and returned if we cannot have the fair,” Lee said. “Stay safe and healthy and we hope to see you in June.”

During an outbreak such as COVID-1, the CDC recommends canceling large meetings and events.

The state 4-H staff in collaboration with county 4-H educators are exploring alternative delivery of 4-H programming for the month of June.

As a reminder, all deadlines (animal ID, project drop/add, etc.) that were previously due by May 15 are now due June 1. Fair Entry will also wait to open until after the June 1 deadline.

For the health and well-being of 4-H families, volunteers, and professionals all in-person 4-H events, camps, activities, and experiences that were scheduled to take place before July 1, 2020, will be postponed or converted to non-face-to-face experiences. This includes in-person events and activities led by local 4-H volunteers.

Virtual 4-H programming will be created and offered at no cost to families to replace the following statewide face-to-face 4-H events that were scheduled to take place in June of 2020:

• 4-H Academy @ Purdue
• Indiana 4-H Round-Up
• State 4-H Junior Leader Conference
• State 4-H Band and State 4-H Chorus

4-H Youth Development Extension educators and state specialists will continue their incredible efforts to create and adapt learning opportunities to meet 4-H families where they are and fit the social distancing guidelines that we must abide by.

Visit purdue.ag/4hhomeactivities for a collection of at-home activities for kids created by Purdue Extension and 4-H programs across the nation.

Here are a few highlights:

• World Changers Online Hackathon April 20-22
• Animal Science Web Series every Tuesday since March 31st (recordings available)
• Live, Virtual Cake Decorating Workshop April 16 at 7:00 p.m. EDT

Likewise, if your county fair falls within the dates affected by this decision your local Purdue Extension office will be in touch with you regarding alternate plans for your 4-H fair or the 4-H events at your county’s fair.

Please know county Extension educators are working in partnership with local fair boards and the state 4-H office to provide alternate opportunities for youth to showcase and celebrate their 4-H achievements.

Please exercise patience and give your local Extension office the time they need to communicate the plans to you.

Officials did not take this decision lightly. The health and well-being of 4-H’ers, families, volunteers, employees, and communities is their top priority.

4-H Youth Development will continue to provide opportunities for youth to learn, grow, develop skills, and showcase and celebrate their achievements.

Officials will try new things and relate to each other in innovative ways.

They will harness the resilience and determination 4-H has taught us, and they stand in awe of the individuals and communities 4-H has built.

The court case that was filed on November 18 in Washington Circuit Court by William “Bill” Ackerman (who was defeated in his Democratic bid for Mayor in November 2019) was delivered into the hands of Circuit Court Judge Larry Medlock this afternoon shortly after 2p after both parties rested their cases in this year’s first bench trial.

Mayor Justin Green’s attorney, Larry Wilder, rested his case by asking for a renewal of a motion to dismiss the case based upon the evidence that had been introduced during Ackerman’s case which alleged that Green was not a resident of the City of Salem at the time of the November 2019 General Election, therefore should not have been qualified to run for the office.  

The decision on the motion to dismiss could come as early as tomorrow (Thursday, April 15) at 4p. 

If that ruling isn’t issued, then a general ruling on the case could come at or before 4p on Thursday, April 30. Both parties have until then to submit their findings of fact to the court. 

The first witness on Tuesday was Indiana State Police Detective Tim Denby who testified that there was a special prosecutor appointed to investigate allegations involving Mayor Green’s residency. 

Wilder asked Ackerman at one point during the trial if he knew Jay Davisson, son of Indiana District 73 Representative Steve Davisson, had requested the investigation. 

Ackerman said he did not. 

Wilder said the State Police officer can’t testify about an ongoing investigation. 

Special Prosecutor Michael Steiner from Martin County (former elected prosecutor)  was assigned to the investigation by Judge Medlock in September 2019, at the request of Washington County Prosecutor Dustin Houchin. 

“We just discovered through a conference call on April 9 at a pretrial conference that this [Steiner] has cancer and he has withdrawn from all his special prosecutor case,” said Wilder. 

Medlock is expected to appoint a new special prosecutor from Jackson County. 

Leatherbury called eleven additional witnesses on Tuesday and followed up with four witnesses on Wednesday.

Those witnesses included, in order of appearance, Ron Haendiges, Tara Hunt, Stephanie Rockey, Debbie Schrieber, Scott Campbell, Greg Ball, Randall Bills, Necole Caldwell, Todd Smith and Sabrina Burdine.

Christie Grider, Green’s girlfriend, started out as a witness by phone call on Wednesday morning. 

She was supposed to have appeared on Tuesday afternoon but wasn’t able to come to court because she had been tested for Covid-19 earlier in the day. 

Grider has been living at Green’s property located at 2900 North Old State Road 56 and is quarantined there until her test results come back next week, according to information presented during this morning’s examination.

In today’s testimony, Leatherbury recalled Washington County Assessor Greg Ball, and questioned Green and Ackerman. 

Wilder only called Green to testify.

After the two-day trial ended, Medlock addressed the few people in the courtroom – the bailif, the court reporter along with Ackerman, Leatherbury, Green,  Wilder and his aid.

“One thing I wish to say,” said Medlock from the bench. “My guess is there’s probably a lot of folks who don’t believe this is an essential or an emergency. Mind you that this matter is extremely important to the citizens of the City of Salem and to Washington County. Our forefathers drafted a constitution and from which all laws follow.

“And our form of government has withstood the test of time for over 200 years. I believe in the orderly disposition of official duties and governance of the people is a high priority. I believe that the citizens of the City of Salem need to know who their mayor is and get this matter settled as quickly as possible. Therefore I made the determination that this was important enough and to have this case tried. If the citizens are upset, I accept that responsibility.”

During the state-wide Stay-At-Home order, Gov. Eric J. Holcomb asks that only essential businesses remain open. 

The Washington County Justice Center was closed to the public and all non-essential court cases were required to be postponed or be handled by video conferencing. 

During this two-day bench trial, local media were sequestered into a separate room with audio piped in from the courtroom. 

The witness stand was disinfected before and after each person sat there. 

“I was thoroughly impressed at the court staff who handled every part of what went on for the past two days in light of the Covid-19 virus,” said Wilder. “The conscientious way the judge handled every movement in the courtroom. I’ve been in court during this situation and nobody has handled it like this. [Court staff was] taking temperatures as we came in. My wife came up with me the week before to the pre-trial conference. She sat out in the car and she told me the number of times a gentleman came out and disinfected the hand rails outside the door. I was impressed with how concientious about how everyone was working to keep everyone safe.”

Witnesses were kept outside the courtroom until it was their turn to testify. 

“It went as well as we expected,” said Leatherbury. “It was a battle. Mr. Wilder is a very astute and very smart attorney. I only have good things to say about him.”

“The judge will make a decision tomorrow whether or not to act on Larry’s motion,” said Leatherbury. 

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. 

Washington County Clerk Stephanie Rockey said Green was certified to run in the November election when he beat Ackerman by 572 votes. 

This issue was first brought up by Washington County Democratic Party Chairperson Briscoe at a press conference on Sept. 18, 2019 alleging Green, the Republican Candidate for Mayor didn’t live in the Salem City Limits, despite him owning a home on Tucker Street in Salem. 

“I think the big question is, does he really live there. I don’t buy it. I don’t think he lives there,” Briscoe said during a press conference in which only WSLM attended. 

The building in question is located at 509 East Tucker street. 

According to the Indiana State Department of Health, there were only 10 new cases of Covid-19 reported in nine Kentuckiana counties in the 24 hours between Sunday and Monday. 

Washington, Jackson, Scott, Orange, Crawford and Harrison Counties all reported no additional cases. 

Lawrence County reported two new cases for a total of 73. 

Clark County cases increased by 5 to 132 and Floyd County saw an increase by three to 111. 

Statewide, there were 313 new cases and 37 new deaths. There were additional 1,502 tests administered between Sunday and Monday. 

In total, there have been around Indiana:

• 8,527 total cases
• 387 total deaths
• 46,017 total tests

Also, according to ISDH, there is only 24.7 percent of the ICU beds across the state being used for Covid-19 cases. Twenty-nine percent of ICU beds are being used for non-Covid-19 cases. 

There is 14.9 percent of the ventilators available in Indiana hospitals being used at this time. Non-Covid-19 cases are using 10.6 percent of the ventilators in Indiana.

Indiana DNR has launched a new interactive website that allows hunters of the wild turkey to access spring turkey harvest data as it is accumulated by the state.

Data is supplied by the CheckIN Game harvest reporting system. During the check-in process, hunters report the county of harvest and type of equipment used to harvest a turkey. Harvest data is updated daily during the spring turkey season.

This data can now be accessed and viewed at wildlife.IN.gov/10340.htm, where visitors can also compare information regarding an individual or multiple counties across the past five years.

Hunters have asked for more detailed harvest data and comparisons between years, and the creation of this new website is a direct result of that feedback to DNR.

A fall turkey harvest website will be available at a later date.

State secures 2.6M PPE items to be made by Hoosier manufacturers, donated by businesses for front-line medical workers

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced Indiana businesses across the state are answering the call to support the global novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response effort.

The state’s manufacturers are leveraging their resources, supply chains and Hoosier workers to produce personal protection equipment (PPE) for health care providers, while business and community leaders have stepped up to source and donate additional materials.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), which has been working with business leaders across the state to help meet increased demand for PPE, has secured commitments for more than 2.6 million pieces of PPE.

Of these, more than 1.9 million items are being made by 15 Indiana manufacturers across a diverse range of specialties, from automotive to RVs to caskets and consumer products, while more than 440,000 are being donated by Hoosier businesses and organizations, including Acclaim Graphics, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the Indianapolis Colts, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Toyota and Westfield Outdoors. 

“It’s incredible to see Indiana companies shifting gears to help those who need it most right now, our health care providers on the frontline,” Gov. Holcomb said. “We couldn’t be more grateful for these companies stepping up and contributing in every way they can. They are true examples of how great the Hoosier spirit is.” 

The purchased and donated products are being delivered to the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) for distribution to Indiana’s hospitals, first responders, long-term care facilities and health care providers treating COVID-19 patients. To date, the state has received and distributed more than 375,000 items of PPE and expects to receive more than 150,000 items this week with deliveries daily. 

Indiana businesses that have shifted production to help deliver these critical supplies include:

• The Acid Products-Prairie Packaging Company (LaPorte County), an independent chemical distributor specializing in the packaging and distribution of chemicals and blends, is now helping meet demand for hand sanitizer and hard surface cleaners. The company’s Kingsbury facility is providing hand sanitizer to the state and also donated supplies to first responders in LaPorte County. 
   
• Berry Global Group Inc. (Vanderburgh County), a global, Evansville-based Fortune 500 company, is accelerating production of plastic face shields and aims to soon reach production of 150,000 per week. The company will provide 30,000 face shields to the state, helping provide an added protection for first responders and medical personnel. Berry Global is also leveraging the support of Evansville-based suppliers for foam materials and elastic cutting.
   
• Fatheadz Eyewear (Marion County), founded in Indianapolis in 2004, creates and offers eyewear specifically tailored to customers with heads too large to fit in standard width sunglasses comfortably. The company has now shifted its operations to produce fluid protective goggles, safety glasses and shields and plans to fulfill an order of several thousand items to the state yet this week.
   
• Fleece Performance Engineering (Hendricks County), established in 2008, is a manufacturer of automotive products headquartered in Pittsboro. The company, which makes products such as turbochargers, fuel system components and repair parts, has redeployed its engineers and a portion of its flexible manufacturing space to develop, test, document and begin producing lightweight disposable full face shields. The company now has the capacity to produce up to 250,000 per week.
   
• GDC Inc. (Elkhart County), a certified Woman Business Enterprise, is a total solutions provider of products and components to a range of industries, supplying 20 million parts annually to companies like Ford, Toyota, GM and Trane. The Goshen-based company plans to start manufacturing disposable full face shields in April and expects to provide 500,000 pieces to the state. 
   
• Hentz Manufacturing (Allen County) has been in the business of textile design and manufacturing since 1994, providing scalable solutions for brands like Disc-O-Bed, Vera Bradley, Harris and Cinda B. The company’s Fort Wayne facility has started production of isolation gowns, face masks and face shields and has already filled initial orders for the state. Hentz, which is now in its fourth week of PPE production, has already produced 46,600 PPE items as of last Friday, April 10. The company is ramping up its team to meet demand, hiring 25 new Hoosiers already with more job openings on the way. 
   
• Jordan Manufacturing Company Inc. (Newton & White Counties), a Monticello-based family owned and operated business, produces outdoor patio textiles, such as cushions, umbrellas, furniture, curtains, beverage buddies, bean bags and indoor cushions. The company has shifted production at its Indiana facilities in Monticello and Kentland to make isolation gowns to support healthcare providers, producing 11,500 for the state. 
   
• Mastercraft (LaGrange County), the world’s largest maker of RV furniture, has been serving manufacturers and direct consumers since 1971. The LaGrange-based company is now using its expertise to manufacture non-medical isolation gowns, producing thousands each week. 
   
• Mursix Corporation (Delaware County), which specializes in stamping and component manufacturing, serves a wide range of customers whose applications range from hospital beds to automotive safety to hybrid electric vehicles. The Yorktown company is now manufacturing up to 500,000 face shields each week. 
   
• Royer Corporation (Jefferson County), a leading manufacturer of custom injection molded food service equipment, custom swizzle sticks, beverage stirrers, picks and a variety of branded promotional products, is utilizing its resources to create face shields for medical workers. The Madison-based, family-owned company plans to produce 75,000 weekly pieces, sending 20,000 to support the state’s efforts so far. Royer has partnered with Clifty Engineering, also based in Madison, to fabricate and build an additional die cutting machine, which will double its output of face shields. 
   
• SuperATV (Jefferson County), a provider of aftermarket All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) and Utility Task Vehicles (UTV) parts and accessories, has shifted production to make lightweight full face shields, intubation shields and retail employee protective barriers, with plans to produce face shields for the state’s front-line workers. 
   
• Tiedemann-Bevs Industries (TBI) (Wayne County), has been operating in Richmond since 1974. TBI, which manufactures interior casket components and distributes essential textiles to hundreds of casket manufacturers in the industry, is now producing 1,000 isolation gowns per week.
   
• Top Stitch (Elkhart County) is a family owned commercial sewing business that serves diverse industries, including RVs, equine supplies, interior design and hospitality. The company, one of Indiana’s more than 508,000 small businesses, has applied its textile experience to the healthcare industry and is now making medical gowns and surgical face masks, filling orders to the state as well as to customers in the Northeast U.S.
   
• Williams Distribution (Marion County), a minority-owned chemical distribution company in Indianapolis, helps manufacturers with supply chain simplification, product sourcing and on time delivery. The company is leveraging its expertise to support the increased need for PPE and is shipping nearly 48,000 items, including hand sanitizer, medical gowns and gloves, to the state. 
   
• Worldcell Extrusions (Elkhart County), which has been manufacturing thermoplastic foams for the packaging industry since 2015, has adjusted production at its 90,000-square-foot facility in Elkhart to produce lightweight face shields for medical workers. 

In total, the state has ordered more than: 1 million face masks, 763,000 face shields, 141,000 gloves, 68,000 gowns, 10,000 goggles, and 6,700 bottles of hand sanitizer. The IEDC, which expects these figures to grow, has been in conversation with more than 450 additional Hoosier companies that have pledged their assistance and are exploring ways to support PPE production and procurement as well as related services. 

Additionally, the IEDC noted that the total number of PPE donations is likely much higher than 440,000 as Indiana businesses, charitable organizations and residents across the state have been donating items directly to hospitals and to shelters in their local communities. 

To learn more about Hoosier companies across the state stepping up to help in the fight of COVID-19, click here. Hoosiers with smaller quantities of PPE are encouraged to donate items to the nearest local health department, hospital, EMS agency, nursing home or other first responder or public safety agency in their community.