The Indiana Division of Family Resources operates at least one physical office in every Indiana county and, in order to serve Hoosiers in need, those offices remain open for business.

However, in an effort to keep social contact to a minimum and prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), DFR strongly urges Hoosiers to consider submitting applications for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or health coverage (Medicaid) online.

Applications can be submitted at www.fssabenefits.in.gov. Health coverage applications can also be completed by calling 800-403-0864.

Clients may also report any necessary changes via that site. Required paperwork can also be mailed to P.O. Box 1810, Marion, IN 46952.

For clients who feel the need to go to a local DFR local offices, these offices and their employees are taking precautions to promote social distancing while serving clients.

However, DFR officials say the ideal method of conducting business is either online or over the phone. 

In the interest of the health and safety of the Mitchell Community, the Mitchell City Hall offices will be CLOSED to the public beginning Tuesday, March 17th and continuing through April 5th. 

Offices will still be staffed during regular business hours and officials will be processing payments via mail, phone, and dropbox.

Water bills can be paid via the drive-up window, by regular mail, phone 812-849-4168 or by using the drop box located at the east entrance side door.

“We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this time of uncertainty and we look forward to better days ahead,” said Mayor JD England.

Effective today at 2:30 p.m., Lawrence County Health Officer Alan Smith MD issued a mandate that all restaurants and bars in Lawrence County be closed for inside dining.

Carry out and delivery at these establishments will be allowed until further notice.

There are to be no more than 50 people allowed at any gatherings. Officials say that elective and non-urgent surgeries should be postponed.

The statewide mandate issued by Gov. Holcomb will be in effect until the end of March 2020.

These and other mandates may be subject to change.

These changes have been implemented as a response to COVID-19.

Please be informed according to the decision of the Washington County Commissioners, the Washington County Courts will be continuing all non-essential hearings at this time for a period of 30 days beginning WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020 due to the Coronavirus.

The Justice Center may be locked down to the public in the near future as other government offices are being locked down.

The court staff at this time will be available during normal business hours.

Essential hearings include Criminal Initials, Protective Orders, Chins matters, Juvenile Detentions, Sentencings, Emergency Hearings and matters that the Courts find essential.

Court officials are asking that if you have any of these types of hearings during this time, they are asking that only the attorneys and the parties appear.

No family members or other interested parties will be allowed in these hearings.

If you have witnesses for these hearings, they must be approved by the Court staff to appear on said date and time. Witnesses may be allowed to testify telephonically.

The Court staff will be contacting offices to reschedule said hearings after April 18, 2020, on Court’s Own Motion.

Please be advised this will take some time and be patient with the staff as they work through this matter.

We apologize for any inconvenience but we are following the directives of the Washington County Commissioners, the CDC, and our State and National leaders.

Museum plans to reopen and reschedule programs at a later date

To reduce possible spread of COVID-19, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western art will temporarily close to visitors, starting Tuesday, March 17.

Based on the recommendations of public health authorities and after conferring with other cultural institutions, Eiteljorg management decided to close the building to the general public until further notice.

“Although not under a government mandate to close, we conclude that for the health of our guests, employees, visitors and our community, temporarily closing the building to visitors is the right thing to do,” Eiteljorg President and CEO John Vanausdall said. “We are monitoring the situation and listening to the advice of public health authorities, and will reopen the Eiteljorg to guests when the museum board of directors concludes it is safe to do so.”

In addition to temporarily closing the Eiteljorg’s art galleries and the Museum Cafe, the following museum public programs will be postponed or canceled:

• Saturday, March 21: The kickoff events for the new exhibition Quilts: Uncovering Women’s Stories, including the lecture by Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi, gallery tour and Quilts opening party.
• Saturday, March 25: The meeting of the Western Book Club.
• Friday, April 3: The curator’s choice talk by Dorene Red Cloud, assistant curator of Native American art, about the quilt by Susan Hudson, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women since 1492.
• Saturday April 4:  Smithsonian Museum Day and International Slow Art Day.
• Saturday April 11:  The quilting-related workshop by InFiber.
• Saturday April 18: Undercover Tour of Quilts, with curator of Western art, history and culture Johanna M. Blume.
• Thursday, April 23: Volunteer Recognition Dinner
• Saturday, April 25:  Spring Market
• Friday, May 1: The curator’s choice talk by quilt artists Karen Colglazier and Diane Bremen.
• Saturday, May 9: Quilts workshop with Crimson Tate.

The Eiteljorg is making every effort to reschedule programming events to later dates, if and when possible.

Since early March, the Eiteljorg facilities staff has pursued aggressive cleaning and disinfecting measures for the safety of guests. That had allowed the museum to remain open to visitors through March 16 when the latest developments in the city and state prompted the temporary closure. The public can check the museum’s website, www.eiteljorg.org, or social media for the latest announcements on when the museum and its galleries of Native American and Western art will reopen to visitors, and when programming events will resume.

Beginning Tuesday, March 17, Ace Hardware of Salem will be assisting customers through a drive-up-only service, said Ace Store Manager Todd Hazelip.

The store will be closed to the public for the next two weeks.

This precaution is to help keep employees and customers safe and to help prevent the spread of illness.

“In the best interest of the health and safety of not just our employees but the general public we decided on moving to a temporary drive-up only service. Orders can also be called in ahead of time or placed online. We remain committed to providing amazing customer service during this time of national stress. We want to make it possible for you to get the products you need when you need them,” said Hazelip.

The store continues to receive deliveries from vendors. To make the drive-up service as convenient as possible, orders will be taken in the parking lot, over the phone, online at acehardware.com or the Ace Hardware app available for iOS and Android devices.

Services such as mower and small engine maintenance and repair, window and screen repair and propane refills will remain available.

Store hours will continue to be Monday – Friday from 7:30 am – 6:00 pm, Saturday from 7:30 am – 5:00 pm, and Sunday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.

The Ace Team is available and ready to take orders or answer questions.

Call (812) 883-3607 or visit acehardware.com.

Check facebook.com/acehardwareofsalem for updates.

Local delivery options are available for orders placed online.

Show dates March 26 through May 2, 2020, to be rescheduled to 2021.

After serious consideration, it is with deep regret that Elton John will postpone a portion of upcoming North American dates on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour from March 26 through May 2, 2020.  

The May 22 through July 8 performances remain as scheduled. This tough decision has been made with the safety and well-being of his fans put to the fore, at a time when health services are under increased pressure and with the concern that these gatherings risk accelerating the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Ticketholders of the postponed performances will receive new event information shortly and all original tickets will be honored at the rescheduled performances.

Elton looks forward to continuing to perform for his dedicated fans around the world and thanks you for your support.

The Farewell Yellow Brick Road dates being rescheduled are as follows:

Based on the updated guidance of Governor Holcomb, the Indiana State Department of Health and the Washington County Department of Health, Salem Community Schools will extend our closure until April 10, according to Superintendent Jon Acton.

“Schools will open no sooner than April 13,” he said. “This situation continues to rapidly change and the return date could possibly extend via updated federal and state guidance.”

Beginning Tuesday, March 17, Salem schools will begin remote learning for all students.

Staff will post assignments and or communication to students/parents by 9 am via email, google classroom or other previously discussed sources.

“These assignments will not be returned on a daily basis but rather completed over the course of the closure,” Acton said. “From March 17 until April 13 all school building activities including school day instruction, pre-school, athletics, extra or co-curricular activities are canceled.” 

The following table shows our four-week plans as of today for Remote Learning and Food Service Options.

Please contact the Superintendent’s Office for further information and to help determine the number of meals to prepare. The phone number is 812.883.4437.

“We understand the tremendous hardship and stress placed on parents and students not just in Salem but all across the country. We are doing our part to help protect Salem families and those most vulnerable to the coronavirus (CoVID-19),” Acton said. “Please follow the social distancing and health recommendations from federal, state and local health agencies.”

For up to date community information please see the WSLM Facebook page on Kentuckiana Covid 19 information.