The Washington County Health Department is working to confirm a case of Covid-19 locally.

The Indiana State Health Department updated its map this morning showing a single case in Washington County. 

“We were just notified and are trying to take the proper steps per ISDH protocol to make this official,” said Alicia Thompson, RN. 

WSLM will provide more details when they become available. 

As of this morning, ISDH reported 201 total cases of Covid-19 in Indiana with 1,494 people tested. 

Four Hoosiers have died from the virus at the latest count. 

Due to an increase in the volume of items that can cause issues with the City of Salem’s wastewater treatment operations, Mayor Justin Green recently made the following notice available from Wastewater Superintendent, Troy Watts:

“We are seeing an uptick of problems at the wastewater treatment plant due to
disinfecting wipes being flushed,” said Watts. “Please remember sewer systems can get clogged when improper items are put down the drain or flushed. This can cause backups and overflow at our treatment facilities, which can create additional public health concerns.”

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, people around the country have flocked to stores to purchase large quantities of toilet paper, leaving shelves empty and others scrambling to find an alternative.

“It is also advisable to refrain from flushing paper towels or wipes labeled as “flushable” or “septic-safe” as some wipes with this label can still cause issues with wastewater
systems” said, Superintendent Watts.

Mayor Green and Watts remind residents that flushable wipes must have 3 main
qualities:

1. They must break down quickly into small pieces,
2. They should not be buoyant or float,
3. They should only be made of ingredients that will easily and naturally degrade.

The city asks for your help in keeping the system operating and functioning well, particularly during this time, by only throwing your disinfecting and other wipes, including paper towels and baby wipes, in the trash.

For updates and information from the City of Salem, please visit the website at www.cityofsalem.in.com.

A search is underway after floodwaters swept two vehicles off a roadway near the town of Laurel early this morning.

At approximately 5 a.m., Franklin County 911 received a call from a witness who reported seeing headlights off the roadway and hearing calls for help coming from an area near the intersection of Sanes Creek and Tee Hill roads. 

Responding authorities discovered the bridge over Sanes Creek had been partially washed away. 

An initial search located one vehicle, and a second vehicle was located a short time later. 

At this time, responders have recovered four deceased victims and believe two individuals are still missing. 

The search is still underway, and updates will be provided when available.

The victims’ identities are being withheld at this time, pending family notification.

Agencies assisting on the scene are Indiana Conservation Officers, Franklin County Fire Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, Laurel Police and Fire, Metamora Police and Fire and Franklin County EMS.

Governor Eric Holcomb joined Secretary of State Connie Lawson, Republican Party Chair Kyle Hupfer and Democratic Party Chair John Zody today to announce an agreement to move the date of this year’s Indiana primary election from May 5 to June 2.

All dates corresponding with the primary election will be moved by 28 days to reflect the new date of the primary. For example, military and overseas ballots are required to mailed 45 days prior to the primary election, so they’ll move 45 days prior to June 2.

“The right of citizens to elect their leaders in a free and open election is one of the cornerstones of America. In order to balance that right with the safety of county employees, poll workers and voters, delaying Indiana’s primary election is the right move as we continue to do all we can to protect Hoosiers’ health,” said Gov. Holcomb.

Gov. Holcomb signed an executive order to suspend Indiana’s election statute and move the dates. The executive order is posted here: https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

In addition, Governor Holcomb, Secretary Lawson, Chairman Hupfer and Chairman Zody made the following recommendations to the Indiana Election Commission.

• Suspend absentee by-mail rules to allow all Hoosiers the option to vote by mail in the upcoming primary election.
• Allow county clerks to continually mail ballots from now through 12 days out from the new primary election date.
• Confirm ballots with a May 5, 2020 date will be valid.
• Enable medical professionals to be eligible members of traveling boards to vote nursing home and hospital patients.
• Give family members the ability to deliver absentee ballots. Currently only a member of a voter’s household may take possession of their ballot.

“As Indiana’s Chief Election Officer, it is my top priority to protect our elections, but, above all else, it is my duty to protect the health and safety of Hoosiers,” said Secretary Lawson. “I believe the bi-partisan recommendations we have asked the Indiana Election Commission to take will allow us to provide all Hoosiers the opportunity to vote.

Indiana Election Commission Chairman Paul Okeson has called a meeting of the Indiana Election Commission on Wednesday, March 25 at 10 a.m. to discuss the recommendations. The meeting will be held in the south atrium of the Indiana Statehouse.

Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) Commissioner Peter L. Lacy announced the following service adjustments included in Executive Order 20-05 issued by Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb today, March 19, 2020. The Executive Order can be found here: https://www.in.gov/gov/files/EO_20-05.pdf

These adjustments are designed to assist with the state’s efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect BMV employees and the public. In-branch visits to the BMV should be used only when absolutely necessary.

Changes Driven by Executive Order
The following changes will be effective today and remain in place for the next 60 days:

• Administrative Penalty Fees Waived (more commonly called late fees)
  If a renewal cannot be done online, this change eliminates the need to go to a branch during this emergency time due to the expiration date.

  The following administrative penalty fees will be waived:

  • $6 for late driver’s license or identification card renewals
  • $15 for late vehicle registration renewals
  • $30 for late title transactions
  • $15 for late ORV and snowmobile registration renewals
  • $10 for late salvage titles
• Suspend the requirement to operate a branch in each of Indiana’s 92 counties.
  This requirement has been waived to address closures due to potential staffing shortages.

Out-of-Branch Transaction and Fee Changes
The following changes are operational and will go in to effect immediately and also remain in place for the same 60-day period:

• Out-of-Branch Transaction Requirements
  The BMV will restrict several transactions to out-of-branch only. Those transactions include:
  • Registration Renewal for Vehicles
  • Replacement Documents for:
    • Driver’s Licenses and Identification Cards
    • Registration
    • Title

There are several options to complete an out-of-branch transaction including online services through in.gov/BMV, BMV Connect kiosks, phone, and regular mail. More information including a full list of available transactions can be found on the BMV website: https://www.in.gov/bmv/4363.htm

Due to federal requirements, we will continue to complete Commercial Driver’s License transactions in branches.

• Credit Card Fees for Online Transactions Will Be Waived
  Indiana law provides for BMV to collect an online fee to cover the cost of the transaction. The normal fee is $1 plus 1.99% of the transaction. These fees will be waived under these changes.

Operation Changes in Branches
The following operational changes are being made to ensure the safety of the public and BMV employees:

• A BMV employee will be at the entrance of every branch
  Employee will confirm transaction need and limit the number of customers inside the building to 20
• The number of chairs in the lobby will be reduced to reinforce the number of customers
  No more than 20 chairs for customers spaced at least 6 feet apart
• The use of Examiner terminals will be limited to every other terminal
  This provides an empty space between each tester
• Customer Service Representative (CSR) stations will be limited to every other station
  Provides an empty station between each CSR
• Only one customer may work with a CSR during a transaction
  Special exceptions will be made for customers requiring support
• In-person interviews for open positions are suspended