Salem Community Schools will end “in-person” education for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year, according to Superintendent Jon Acton.

Acton said the last student e-learning day will be on May 1. 

On Monday, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb ordered schools closed through the end of May. 

There is no word on a planned summer school or other activities over the summer such as driver’s education. 

The Indiana High School Athletic Association canceled all spring sports on Monday shortly after the Governor’s order was announced. 

Acton said meals will continue to be provided for students from 11a-1p on Mondays and Wednesdays through May 20.

“Salem Community Schools will do our part to help “flatten the curve” and fully participate with the #INthistogether movement,” he said in a press release this afternoon. “Based upon the direction of the Governor’s Office, the Indiana Department of Education, and information from the Washington County Health Department, we will continue education AND food services with the updated calendar listed below.”

“We understand this unfortunate end to the school year will create many questions for students, parents and community members,” said Acton. “We will provide additional updates/information next week using our social media and corporation web site as
well as communication from administrators and teachers to students/parents.

“We are disappointed for every student, staff member and parent of Salem Community Schools. We know this is especially difficult for the Class of 2020 and will work to
honor every member of our amazing Senior Class.

“WE are Salem. We can either have Results or Excuses. We have the opportunity to finish the last 15 days of continued education strong. We have the opportunity to social distance, to stay safe and to take care of each other. We WILL defeat Covid-19 and become a better School Corporation, Community, State and Country!

“On behalf of Salem Community Schools thank you for your patience and continued support of our students and staff. Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, and forever Roar Lions!”

As government, businesses, and families further adjust to the pandemic, Indiana courts remain committed to essential operations through proper social distancing.

In support of the State of Indiana’s efforts to slow COVID-19, the Indiana Supreme Court is providing further guidance to trial courts.

Chief Justice Loretta Rush explained, “Indiana courts are ensuring essential operations continue by accepting filings and holding remote hearings. We’ve ordered rule changes to make it easier for lawyers to meet the needs of clients, and we’ve allowed courts to delay jury trials and other non-essential court matters. Today, we must commit to continue social distancing until May 4 for the good of our communities.”

The Supreme Court is extending the effective date of trial court Administrative Rule 17 orders through an order in case 20S-CB-123. AR 17 provides the legal framework for courts to adjust operations.

On March 16, the Indiana Supreme Court ordered courts to implement relevant portions of emergency operations to ensure essential services remain in place.

All 92 counties and many city/town courts filed AR 17 emergency petitions. More than 110 emergency orders give courts the authority to adjust procedures in response to the pandemic.

The orders have various effective dates; 20S-CB-123 brings effective dates in unison.

Additionally, the order authorizes trial courts to review county-jail and community correction sentences of non-violent inmates and juveniles.

The order allows courts to consult with prosecutors, public defenders, community corrections, the sheriff, and health authorities to consider modifying placement.

Courts are going to stay and will not issue new writs of attachment, civil bench warrants, or body attachments (except in emergencies).

By refraining from these actions, the courts will avoid placing undue burdens on individuals and communities during this public health emergency.

Judges are keeping essential operations in place, and with electronic filing, they are considering cases.

More than 450,000 documents have been e-filed statewide since March 9. Individuals interesting in checking their case should visit mycase.in.gov. Details on the Judicial Branch’s response to COVID-19 can be found online.

Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) Commissioner Peter L. Lacy announced today 6 BMV branches will be open by appointment only beginning Monday, April 6 to process new Commercial Learner’s Permits (CLP), new Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL), and upgrade/downgrade for the CDL to add the tank vehicle or hazardous materials endorsement credential transactions.

This decision was made to support the current critical need to increase the number of new licensed commercial truck drivers on the road delivering supplies and to aid in the start of the agricultural season in our state.

An appointment is required to visit a branch during these special hours of operation and the available transactions are limited to new CLP, new CDL, and upgrade/downgrade for the CDL to add the tank vehicle or hazardous materials endorsement.

Individuals must have a Medical Examination Report (MER) and Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC) on file with the BMV prior to scheduling an appointment to take knowledge exam(s).

To schedule an appointment to obtain a CDL individuals must hold a CLP and pass a CDL skills test in a vehicle representative of the class of CDL the driver wants to receive at a BMV-authorized CDL skills test site.

Appointments will be available Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information on requirements and branches offering appointments, please visit our website: https://www.in.gov/bmv/4509.htm.

To schedule an appointment and ask additional questions, call the BMV Contact Center.

The team is available Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The phone number is 888-692-6841.

Commercial Motor Vehicles titling and registration transactions can be completed via mail or through a BMV partner location. Renewal transactions are covered under the State expiration extension and do not need to be immediately completed.

BMV branches continue to be closed to the general public. For more information on operational and transaction-related changes under Executive Orders previously issued by Governor Holcomb, please visit our website: https://www.in.gov/bmv/4363.htm

On Friday, April 3, 2002, Indiana State Police (ISP) detectives arrested Christian K. Pittman, 21, Corydon, Indiana on numerous felony charges including Child Sexual Trafficking and Rape.  

ISP Detective Chris Tucker and the Indiana Department of Child Services were contacted in February after a 14-year-old female run-a-way made allegations she had been raped by Pittman.

Detective Tucker and child advocates then conducted a forensic interview with the victim and began an investigation.

During the investigation, Detective Tucker received information that Christian Pittman drugged and raped the 14-year-old. Pittman originally came in to contact with the victim in January when he found her walking along the roadway in the early morning hours.

The investigation revealed Pittman also forced the girl to perform sex acts on others for pay or in trade for drugs in the days that followed. The investigation also uncovered that Pittman had the victim pose for images that were then sold online.  

Detective Tucker, working in conjunction with the Harrison County Prosecutor’s Office, requested search and arrest warrant for Christian Pittman.

Pittman was taken into custody without incident on Friday morning. Pittman is housed at the Harrison County Jail.  

Christian K. Pittman is charged with the following: 

1. Child Sexual Trafficking, 1 Count, Level 2 Felony
2. Promotion of Child Sexual Trafficking, 1 Count, Level 3 Felony
3. Rape, 2 Counts, Level 3 Felony
4. Human Trafficking, 1 Count, Level 5 Felony
5.  Sexual Misconduct with a Minor, 3 Counts, Level 5 Felony 
6. Child Exploitation, 3 Counts, Level 5 Felony  

ISP units were assisted by the Harrison County Prosecutor’s Office and the Indiana Department of Child’s Services.  

Attorney General Curtis Hill announced today that Sherwin-Williams is donating thousands of masks and gloves to Indiana as the state continues to battle the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The paint and coating manufacturing company is donating 1,500 gloves and 5,000 N95 masks, which are protective devices designed to achieve a very close facial fit and effectively filter airborne particles. The products, which Sherwin-Williams sells in its retail stores, have been delivered to Stout Field in Indianapolis.

The Indiana National Guard and other state agencies will distribute the products to hospitals across the state, which are bracing for a shortage of supplies as more cases of coronavirus are confirmed daily. Medical supplies like masks and gloves are considered essential personal protective equipment (PPE’s) for health care professionals.

“We are grateful for Sherwin-Williams’ generous donations, which will assist our health care workers as they continue to courageously fight the coronavirus pandemic,” Attorney General Hill said. “We encourage other entities who are able to donate these valuable resources to do so. Impactful contributions like this bolster our state’s ability to limit the spread of this virus and treat those who are infected.”

Sherwin-Williams this week contacted Attorney General Hill asking how it could help Hoosiers by donating supplies. Attorney General Hill then directed his staff to coordinate with the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH), and the donated supplies were delivered to Stout Field.

“Sherwin-Williams salutes the heroic efforts of the first responders who are always there for us, especially now,” said Mary Garceau, senior vice president, general counsel and secretary of Sherwin-Williams. “We’re pleased to donate protective masks and gloves to Hoosier health care workers at this critical time, and we’re proud of our employees, who every day make it possible for Sherwin-Williams to continue supporting communities across the country.”

For up-to-date information about the coronavirus pandemic, please visit the Indiana State Department of Health website at www.in.gov/coronavirus/. You may also call the department 24/7 at 1-877-826-0011.

The Crawford County Health Department confirms the 2nd and 3rd cases OF COVID-19 on March 31. 

However, these numbers just showed up on the Indiana State Department of Health’s updated map on April 3. 

The patients are of the same household and currently in isolation at this time.

“We will be working to ensure that anyone who had direct contact with the patients is identified and monitored and that all guidelines are followed,” said the health department. “The patients’ employer has been notified.”

The Health Department will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates as new information becomes available.

The Scott County Health Department confirmed its 6th case of Covid-19 on Thursday in a county resident. 

The person is in quarantine at their residence. 

According to SCHD, the patient said they did not leave home during their infectious period except to seek medical care. 

Officials aren’t sure how the patient was exposed to Covid-19. 

The county is working closely with the state health department to identify any close contacts of the patient who might have been exposed to ensure that appropriate precautions are taken in accordance with the latest CDC guidance. 

Symptoms of novel coronavirus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Like influenza, human coronavirus is most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:

• Respiratory droplets released into the air by coughing and sneezing. 
• Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands.
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands; and
• Rarely, fecal contamination

The best way to protect yourself from any respiratory illness, including the flue, is to:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. 
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. 
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

As the number of people getting tested rises in Indiana and around the US, the more positive tests are being reported. 

Two more cases of Covid-19 were reported in Washington County, bringing the total to 14, according to the Indiana State Department of Health. 

No Deaths or recoveries have been reported locally in Washington County.

When asked yesterday, if Indiana had any reports of recovered patients, Dr. Kristina Box, State Health Commissioner did not fully respond to the question but offered this statement regarding negative testing: 

“We have some negatives that have come in but we’re not receiving all the negative numbers from around the state. We have been looking very specifically – We realized that a lot of hospitals were keeping track of how many Covid suspected patients and the number of Covid positive patients they have. about 80 percent of our hospitals are now reporting on that. When we look at it, We have about 41 percent of our ICU beds available. About 30 percent of those beds are being taken up by non-Covid patients and 30 percent by our Covid patients.”

She said she hoped to have more data on recoveries and negative test results in a week or so. 

In the US, 9,311 people have recovered from the virus. 6,086 people have died around the country from Covid-19 and there are 245,646 cases in the US.

According to the ISDH, there are 3,437 total cases in Indiana as of yesterday. There are 101 today deaths and 16,900 tests have been administered. 

Around the WSLM Listening area, here is an update on cases:

• Lawrence County – 22 total cases (up from 12 yesterday)
• Jackson County – 25 total cases (up from 19 yesterday)
• Scott County – 6 total cases (up from 5 yesterday)
• Clark County – 55 total cases (up from 49 yesterday)
• Floyd County – 37 total cases (up from 34 yesterday)
• Harrison County – 23 total cases (up from 18 yesterday)
• Crawford County – 3 total cases (up from 1 yesterday)
• Orange County – 5 total cases (up from 3 yesterday)

Counties, municipalities and other political subdivisions have no authority under current law to restrict or prohibit the sale of firearms and/or ammunition during an emergency declaration, Attorney General Curtis Hill said today.

Attorney General Hill issued an advisory opinion on this subject following inquiries from state Sens. Jim Buck, Aaron Freeman and Jim Tomes. Their interest in the matter arose following reports that an Indiana county asked gun stores to close their doors during the state’s public health emergency resulting from the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

“Year after year, Indiana’s lawmakers have recognized the paramount importance of Hoosiers’ right to bear arms,” Attorney General Hill said. “We’re talking about a liberty so cherished as to be enshrined in the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.”

Counties and municipalities have significant authority under Indiana’s “home rule” statutes, Attorney General Hill acknowledged, but they only retain power “that is not constitutionally or statutorily denied.”

“Disaster emergencies declared by the governor or local units of government do not abridge Hoosiers’ freedoms to buy, sell or otherwise transfer firearms or ammunition,” Attorney General Hill said. Further, he noted that Governor Eric Holcomb has explicitly classified “firearm and ammunition suppliers” as essential businesses in one of his recent executive orders, in keeping with existing Indiana law.