On Monday, March 23rd, the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office received unconfirmed information that a Lawrence County Sheriff’s deputy may have committed a theft.

The theft allegation did not involve any conduct that related to the deputy’s employment with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department and was not a theft alleged to have occurred while the deputy was on duty.

However, the allegation prompted action by Prosecutor Sam Arp.

Today, Arp made the following statement regarding the case:

“I certainly take allegations like these by law enforcement officers very seriously. Officers of the law must be above reproach. These allegations, if proven true, trigger an ethical response mandated by the Indiana Supreme Court and established United States Case Law. Upon receiving the information, I immediately followed up and determined that an investigation should move forward. I sent a request to the Indiana State Police to investigate the matter and will await the results of their full investigation.”

On Wednesday, April 1st, the Prosecutors Office was informed that a detective from the Indiana State Police District #33, Bloomington Post, had been assigned the case.

No further details are being released at this time.

“Because this matter is in the investigation phase, no additional information can be provided until the work by the State Police has been completed. To prevent any speculation of impropriety, I will request an out of county Special Prosecutor be assigned to review the results of the investigation for any charging decisions or the handling of a potential prosecution that may result,” said Arp.

With the announcement today of the closure of K-12 schools throughout Indiana for the remainder of the school year, the IHSAA announces the cancellation of all spring sports tournament series events for the 2019-20 school year.

The Indiana High School Athletic Association staunchly supports our Governor, our State Commissioner of Health and our State Superintendent of Public Instruction in their herculean efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are extremely fortunate in Indiana to have these exemplary leaders providing guidance and care to all Hoosiers,” said Commissioner Bobby Cox.

“It is imperative that our students, coaches, officials, administrators, and parents be encouraged in every manner to adhere to the guidance provided by our leadership. The Association understands the extreme seriousness of this pandemic and joins in support of current measures being implemented as well as future considerations in unwavering support yet with extreme sadness, we must cancel our spring sports programming.”

Cox said he and his staff join all Hoosiers in anticipation of a triumphant homecoming back to our schools in the fall of 2020 complete with a full complement of IHSAA sports.

The Association continues to remind its member schools and the general public to follow the guidance of the governor and the Indiana State Department of Health via IN.gov/coronavirus.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today signed an executive order requiring all K-12 schools in Indiana to provide instruction via remote learning for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year and outlines options for districts to continue education during the fight against COVID-19.

WSLM will be reporting on how this affects Washington County schools once those plans are finalized sometime on Friday. 

Click here for a link to the executive order: https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

“Students are the future of our state and teachers are the heart of our schools,” Gov. Holcomb said. “While COVID-19 is impacting every classroom, our teachers, administrators, school board members and school staff are going to extraordinary levels to deliver quality learning to students all across our state, even while school buildings are closed. We’ll continue to do everything we can to empower educators and parents, while protecting students’ health.”

To complete the school year, all schools previously received a 20-day waiver to reduce the number of required in-person or remote instruction days to 160. Schools must continue to provide instruction via remote learning until they complete either:

• 160 instructional days or
• At least 20 additional days of remote learning between the date of the executive order (today) and the end of the school year. If a school completes 20 days and falls short of the required 160 instructional days, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) can waive the difference.

All K-12 schools will need to submit a plan for review and approval by IDOE by April 17. The plan can include eLearning, extended learning, project-based or portfolio learning, competency-based learning, partnerships with higher education for increased student supports, and other similar methods.

The governor, in conjunction with Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick, also directed the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) to provide flexibility for school corporations for students who are to graduate in 2020. A school corporation may issue an Indiana diploma to a student who has done all of the following:

• Has met all of the course and credit requirements for the specific diploma designation based on a combination of high school credits earned prior to and the course in which a student was enrolled as of March 19, when the governor issued the statewide school closure.
• Meets any virtual or remote learning participation requirements established by the governing body of the local school corporation in response to the statewide school closure order issued by the governor.
• Meets any additional graduation requirements established by the governing body of the local school corporation prior to the school closure order issued by the governor.

The executive order also extends teacher licenses expiring between March 1, 2020 and Aug. 31, 2020 until Sept. 1, 2020.

Other deadlines and requirements for the current school year will be reviewed by Dr. McCormick, the executive director of SBOE, and relevant state agencies. They will submit recommendations to the Governor by April 7 for review and further action.

According to the Indiana State Health Department, Washington County now has 12 confirmed cases of Covid-19 virus – up three from yesterday’s count. 

There are still no deaths being reported by ISHD for Washington County.

This averages one confirmed case per day for the 12 days since the first case was reported by the Washington County Health Department on March 22. 

That first case was a patient confirmed to be at Schneck Memorial Hospital in Seymour that tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday, March 22. 

That patient has a Scottsburg, IN address but lives in Washington County. 

The WCHD has said it would release no further information on any Covid-19 patients in the county due to possible violations of patient’s rights. 

Washington County’s second confirmed case was on March 23, followed by a third case on March 25. 

Cases four and five came the following day, and case number 6 on March 30. 

Three new cases were confirmed in yesterday’s state health update. 

WSLM will continue to update these numbers from the state each day. 

Around the WSLM Listening Area, here’s a look at how other counties are doing:

• Lawrence County – 12 cases (1 new confirmed case)
• Jackson County – 19 cases (9 new confirmed cases)
• Scott County – 5 cases (4 new confirmed cases)
• Clark County – 49 cases (11 new confirmed cases)
• Floyd County – 34 cases (13 new confirmed cases)
• Harrison County – 18 cases (3 new confirmed cases)
• Crawford County – 1 case (no change)
• Orange County – 1 case (no change)

Dave O’Mara Contractor Inc. is expected to begin work on a $1.4 million pavement replacement and restoration project on S.R. 258 and S.R. 11 on or after Monday, April 6.

The contract includes asphalt resurfacing on S.R. 258 west of Seymour and concrete pavement restoration on S.R. 11 between U.S. 50 and I-65 in Jackson County.

Crews plan to start with curb ramp removal and replacement along S.R. 258. Following this work, crews will begin patching, milling, removing concrete pavement and paving. Lane closures will be in effect while work is in progress.

Flagging will take place on S.R. 258, while temporary traffic signals will be in place on S.R. 11.

The contract was awarded in October 2019 and is expected to be complete in late August 2020. Motorists should slow down, watch for slowed or stopped traffic, and drive distraction-free through all work zones. All work is weather dependent.

Property Taxes are still due May 11, according to Washington County Treasurer Shirley Batt. 

However, the State of Indiana has granted a 60-day waiver of late fees so the spring installment can be paid anytime up until the spring installment may be paid up to and including July 10, 2020, without penalty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. 

Batt said the courthouse is still closed to the public until further notice.

“We will have no in-person contact,” said Batt. “Only 2 essential employees will be in the office to answer phone calls or emails. As events change, we will update on Facebook and through the local media.”

Batt said partial tax payments will be accepted.

“Include parcel number or duplicate number when making a partial payment,” she said. “This is the only way we can identify properly to post the payment.”

To get a receipt for your payment, include a self-addressed stamped envelope for return.

Batt also asks that taxpayers check to see if their payment has been posted.

Batt said people can go to washingtoncounty88.us, click on TREASURER, then on left choose PROPERTY TAX INFORMATION.

“On the next screen, you may search by name, property address or parcel number. Search by last name. This will provide a list of parcels. Click on the parcel you want to research and scroll to the bottom of the page. Once payment posted a receipt number and date will show for payment made,” explained Batt. 

The State of Indiana has granted a 60 Day waiver of penalties for late property tax payments.E.O. #20-005 states as follows in Section 6, Paragraph B:
Property taxes remain due on May 11, 2020, however counties are to waive penalties on payments made after May 11, 2020, for a period of 60 days. This waiver does not apply to tax payments which have been escrowed by financial institutions on behalf of property taxpayers.

Hence, each county shall waive any penalties for any property taxes paid within sixty (60) days after the statutory deadline; therefore, the spring installment may be paid up to and including July 10, 2020, without penalty. However, taxpayers are encouraged to make timely payments (that is, on or before May 11, 2020) in order to ensure orderly
operations of government.

Please note that this will not apply to property tax payments made through an escrow account or mortgage company.

This waiver applies to property tax liabilities for both real and personal property.

“Please be patient with us during this difficult time in our local communities, counties, state, nation and world. We are attempting to keep business on schedule and help with any questions you may have,” said Batt. 

Taxpayers can reach out by email or phone at treasurer@washingtoncounty.in.gov or sbatt@washingtoncounty.in.gov, or 812-883-3307.

The Treasurer’s Hours are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday-Friday

The Treasurer’s Office maintains the following options for payment:

• DROPBOX: Checks, money orders or cashier’s checks and MUST INCLUDE THE PAYMENT COUPON.
  • Payments may be dropped in the gray payment box on the south side of the courthouse by the flagpole handicap parking space. Include contact information (phone OR email).
  • DO NOT PUT CASH IN PAYMENT DROPBOX.
• BANK: Pay at any First Savings Bank branch. You must provide a payment coupon. Include a phone number on the check.
• MAIL: Send your check, money order or cashier’s check with PAYMENT COUPON made payable to:
  • Treasurer Washington County    99 Public Square Suite 101    Salem IN 47167
  • Include contact information (phone OR email).
  • DO NOT PUT CASH IN MAIL. Website www.washingtontax.net – payments may be made on this website.
  • Please note a convenience fee of 2.95% will be applied.

Groups representing dairy farmers and cooperatives in the Midwest today urged the federal government to provide direct assistance to farmers and to expedite the purchase of additional dairy foods amid unprecedented disruptions in supply and demand due to the COVID-19 national emergency.

In a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the groups cited the mass closure of restaurants, schools and other foodservice outlets, decimated export markets and a sharp drop in prices farmers are being paid for their milk.

“Direct relief to dairy farmers and a substantial purchase of dairy commodities by USDA can ensure our industry will remain fiscally able to function in its primary role of feeding the nation and the world,” the groups said. 

The letter was issued jointly by Cooperative Network, Dairy Business Association, Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, Wisconsin Farm Bureau and Wisconsin Farmers Union.

Dairy processors and farmers are working in cooperation and with open lines of communication, but these circumstances, far beyond their control, are beginning to result in fresh farm milk finding no available market for processing. Commodity dairy prices have plummeted and will result in milk prices lower than many farms can handle to sustain long-term viability, according to the groups.

The dairy groups urged the USDA to consider the different means available to the agency to make farmers whole for the milk they have produced but needed to dispose, or for which they received drastically reduced payments.

In pushing for product purchases, the groups specifically asked USDA to focus on non-fat dry milk, butter, cheddar, mozzarella, other Italian styles of cheese, and dairy products purposed for use by restaurants and food service vendors.

The recently passed CARES Act directs $14 billion to the Commodity Credit Corporation, $9.5 billion to a dedicated disaster relief fund for agriculture, $25 billion for SNAP programs and $450 million to support food banks serving the food insecure.

“This bill enables unprecedented support for farmers and unprecedented commodity purchases, and we need USDA to bring these forms of aid to bear immediately,” the letter said.

Below are comments from each of the dairy organizations:

“Dairy manufacturers have seen their largest market channel — food service sales to restaurants, schools, colleges, and destinations — deeply cut in the effort to curb the spread of COVID-19. Sales lost at hundreds of thousands of restaurants and institutions cannot be replaced, and our industry looks to the U.S. government to purchase dairy products to move to food pantries and family feeding programs.”

— Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association
 

“During this is a time of great uncertainty, the government must act quickly to provide assistance to those who supply the world’s food with more stability. In the dairy space, that means farmers should have confidence that they will be paid for all the milk they produce. There is also a need for the mass purchase of dairy products to help markets adjust to this new environment.”

— Dairy Business Association and Edge Dairy Farmer Cooperative
 

 “The dairy industry is facing unprecedented challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is essential that every possible means of support be given to Wisconsin dairy farmers and cooperatives as quickly as possible. This support should include increased government purchases and distribution of dairy products from cold storage.” — Cooperative Network

 “America’s freedom, strength and future hinges on its ability to feed its people.  We must make sure that this crisis doesn’t leave America weak by our inability to deliver food to our own people. There is no good reason for Americans to go hungry while our farms are the most capable and efficient in the world. We need immediate action.” — Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin

 “In a time when normal seems to be something from the past, we are looking to Secretary Perdue to recognize the importance of Wisconsin dairy farmers to the nation’s food security. Dairy farmers need assistance and this is the first step to attempt to help keep them farming and providing the safest food supply in the world.”

— Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation

 “America’s dairy farmers are doing everything they can to support the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular making sure that American households have a steady supply of milk and other dairy products.  The economic disruption of the past several weeks has had dire consequences for U.S. dairy farmers.  Wisconsin Farmers Union urges the USDA to take swift action to help dairy farmers so they can in turn help others at this critical time.” — Wisconsin Farmers Union
 

According to the Floyd County Health Department, 57 people were tested for the Covid-19 virus on March 31. 

In the past 19 days, FCHD has administered 702 tests (since March 13) and 58 of those had a positive result.

There has been 9 new positive patient identified with 58 total positives identified by Floyd County. Of those, 27 were Floyd County residents. 

Numbers of tests conducted are compiled from Floyd County Health Dept, Baptist Health Floyd Hospital and Medical Groups, and other Physician Offices in Floyd County.

A third person from Scott County has tested positive with the COVID-19 virus and is currently in quarantine in their home. 

According to the Scott County Health Department, the patient was tested on March 30 and the result came back positive today (April 1).

This is the second positive result being returned today.  

The SCHD has identified all other close contacts of the patient who might have been exposed and ensured that appropriate precautions have been taken in accordance with the latest CDC guidance. 

The patient is in the highest risk category for age. 

The patient does not work and in the past 14 days has only left their home to seek medical care. 

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.