With more cases of Coronavirus being detected in the US and less than a dozen residents of Indiana and Kentucky currently being tested for the flu-like disease, Washington County Schools are beginning to address plans and increase communications to parents. 

This afternoon, Salem Community Schools Superintendent Jon Acton released information to be sent home with parents as well as to all staff. 

East Washington Superintendent Dennis Stockdale said the corporation has posted a letter from the State Health Commissioner on the school’s Facebook page. 

West Washington School Superintendent Keith Nance issued this statement,” West Washington has reviewed guidance from the Indiana Department of Health and the Indiana Department of Education. We are prepared to follow those recommendations. In any situations involving communicable diseases we work closely with the Washington County Department of Health and following recommended protocols.”

Following is from a letter sent home today for all Salem students:

“Salem Community Schools has been closely following recent media reports and information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Global efforts are currently underway to contain the spread of the virus and mitigate its impact. The Federal Government and several Indiana governmental agencies are working closely with both national and regional public health partners to respond to this threat.”

“If by chance, you or your child has traveled to China, Japan or Italy within the last 21 days, please seek and follow medical advice and monitor your health condition,” Acton wrote in the letter.

“Outbreaks like this are always troublesome. Some parents and students might be worried about this virus and how it may impact our schools and communities. Be assured that we are aware of these concerns and are proactively working to ensure our schools are safe for all students and staff. The safety of our students and employees is paramount. This is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation and we will provide updated information as it becomes available.”

Acton said parents can help by promoting good hygiene.

“Our school nurses and staff will be working with students to promote good hygiene and to keep everyone healthy and safe,” he noted.

“We are also working with our custodians to ensure our schools receive thorough cleaning every day. Parents are asked for help in reinforcing healthy practices at home with children.”

Acton listed the following steps Salem Schools have taken so far:

1. COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness Plan creation and ongoing review/additions.
2. Guidance and resources from State and Federal agencies. 
3. Emphasis on cleaning in all educational/common areas of SCS.
4. Ordered hand sanitizer/wipes for all classrooms/offices/buses throughout the corporation.
5. Daily monitoring and review of COVID-19 updates/guidance/plan.

“Thank you for the opportunity to educate your children,” Acton wrote. “We will continue to create readiness plans in hopes they are never needed in order to protect all students and staff of Salem Community Schools.”

Action said for additional information, visit cdc.gov.

2019-ncov-factsheet

salemletter pdf

Salem’s Bradie Shrum Elementary School recently announced that Duke Energy has awarded a $5,000 grant for the school’s Jump Start program.

Jump Start is a non-profit organization that is funded through grants, along with contributions from community businesses, organizations, and individuals.

“Duke Energy is passionate about giving back to the communities in which they serve,” said a Jump Start spokesperson in making the grant announcement. “Jump Start is pleased and honored to be a recipient of the community-minded generosity provided by Duke Energy.”

“The Duke Energy Foundation is honored to support Jump Start with this grant,” said Bruce Calloway, community relations manager for Duke Energy.  “We are pleased to partner in a program that provides students with the tools they need to succeed.”

In 2019 the Jump Start program at Bradie Shrum, now in its 14th year, provided 124 students the necessary supplies that were needed to begin the school year.

Jump Start applications, which were recently sent home with all current kindergarten and first grade students, are currently being accepted for the 2020-2021 school year.

Deadline for applications is Friday, March 20th.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Two caretakers from Pekin were arrested Tuesday on felony neglect charges after the death of a man in their care was ruled a homicide. 

Arrested and Charged were:

Patricia A. Campbell, 56, and Russell E. Cartuyvelles, 50, 599 South Robbs Lane, Pekin.

• Neglect of a Dependent Resulting in Death – Level 1 Felony.

On February 13, Indiana State Police Detective Travis Baker was contacted by a concerned family member after the death of Danny D. Harris. 

Harris, who was 68 at the time of his death, was incapable of caring for himself due to medical and mental issues.  

Harris was in the care of Patricia A. Campbell and Russell Cartuyvelles whom Harris paid for both room and care. 

The residence is not a licensed care facility and neither Campbell nor Russell are licensed, care providers. 

At autopsy, the cause of death has been ruled a homicide due to the lack of required medical care. 

Detective Baker continued the investigation after requesting a search warrant for the residence and conducting numerous interviews. 

Investigators from Adult Protective Services also assisted in the investigation along with other Troopers, ISP detectives, and Crime Scene Technicians.   

Detective Baker turned his findings over to the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office, and on Tuesday, March 4, 2020, both Campbell and Cartuyvelles were arrested at their home in Pekin. 

At the request of the Knox County Prosecutor’s Office, Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation regarding a Knox County Correctional Officer accused of sexually assaulting a female inmate while transporting her from Henderson, KY.

Arrested and Charged was Malyk Jawaun Johnson, 23, Montgomery, IN

1. Sexual Battery, Level 4 Felony
2. Official Misconduct, Level 6 Felony
3. Trafficking with an Inmate, Class A Misdemeanor

According to Indiana State Police Detective Sergeant Chris Fears, Knox County Correctional Officer Johnson was assigned to pick up a 37-year-old female inmate from the Henderson County Jail in Kentucky on February 17 and transport her back to Knox County to face local criminal charges.

While traveling back to Vincennes, Johnson allegedly stopped at a gas station in Princeton and purchased a tobacco product for the inmate.

After they entered Knox County Johnson allegedly pulled over onto Stokley Road just off of US 41 and sexually assaulted the female inmate. The alleged incident occurred between 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

The inmate reported the incident to her attorney, who then contacted the Knox County Prosecutor’s Office.

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office was unaware of the incident until the prosecutor’s office was notified.

This morning the Knox County Prosecutor’s Office filed criminal charges against Johnson.

He was arrested after he turned himself in at the Knox County Jail. He was transferred to the Pike County Jail and is currently being held on bond.

Investigating Officer: Detective Sergeant Chris Fears, Indiana State Police

WSLM will be sharing a live simulcast broadcast of a special health report from CNN on 97.9 FM Thursday night at 10p. 

WSLM will provide a simulcast with CNN, of Coronavirus: Facts and Fears. 

This town hall will focus on the current domestic and international status of the Coronavirus outbreak, and what we should do and not do to prevent the virus from spreading.

The two-hour program will be anchored by Anderson Cooper and CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, with health experts taking questions from the studio audience and listeners.

Coronavirus: Facts and Fears will air from 10:00p to Midnight. 

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness
that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes
COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during
an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

As of 4 March 2020, more than 95,000 cases have been confirmed, of which 7,100 were classified as serious.

At least 83 countries and territories have been affected, with major outbreaks in Central China, South Korea, Italy, and Iran. More than 3,200 people have died: almost 3,000 in mainland China and over 270 in other countries. 

More than 51,000 people have recovered.

Official information from the CDC – 2019-ncov-factsheet