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

• Will waive certain payment fees
• $1.3 million donated to help COVID-19 relief
• Some employees will receive cash payments to help offset virus-related expenses

Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas today announced a comprehensive set of steps to help customers, communities and employees manage the economic hardship caused by COVID-19.

“This is an unprecedented crisis that requires an unprecedented response,” said Lynn Good, Duke Energy’s chairman, president and CEO. “We hope the customers and communities we are privileged to serve – and the outstanding Duke Energy employees who serve them – will take some comfort from these actions.”

More Help for Customers

The company will waive late payment fees and fees for returned payments for its millions of electric and natural gas customers across its service territories beginning Saturday March 21 until the national state of emergency is lifted. For residential customers, the company will also waive fees for credit and debit card payments.

Last week, Duke Energy said it would discontinue service disconnections for unpaid bills. That covers 7.8 million electric customers; plus, 1.8 million natural gas customers, many of whom are served by Piedmont Natural Gas.

“Our goal is to continue providing reliable service while helping our most vulnerable customers during this extraordinary time,” Good said.

Community Assistance

The company also announced $1.3 million in donations by The Duke Energy Foundation to support hunger relief and help local health and human services nonprofits across its service territories, including those providing meals to children and families impacted by school closures. Given the unprecedented nature of the situation, Duke Energy is giving nonprofits the flexibility to use the funds where most needed.

Relief for Employees

To aid in providing continued service to our customers through this event, Duke Energy will also expand assistance to employees, in order to maintain the highest level of service to customers. This is part of the company’s larger donation.

The company is providing five additional personal days off to employees who experience a disruption in dependent care due to school, daycare or other child-related care – as most all schools are not in session. Duke Energy will also provide a $1,500 stipend to assist with unplanned expenses resulting from costs related to COVID-19 issue.

As part of the company’s larger donation, for Duke Energy employees, the company is donating $100,000 to the Relief4Employees program, which is a fund that employees can draw on for short term financial help during times of personal need.

Continued service to customers

The company will continue to read meters in most areas and send bills. Customers should pay what they can to avoid building up large balances that will be more difficult to pay off later. 

Duke Energy power plants, electricity and natural gas delivery facilities and call centers, are staffed, ensuring dependable service to customers. The company will continue to respond to power outages and other emergencies.

Customers should download the company’s mobile app or visit duke-energy.com or piedmontng.com for information and most service transactions. Customers who are unable to self-serve can still contact the company:

• Duke Energy Carolinas: 1-800-777-9898
• Duke Energy Progress: 1-800-419-6356
• Duke Energy Florida: 1-800-700-8744
• Duke Energy Indiana: 1-800-521-2232
• Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky: 1-800-543-5599
• Piedmont Natural Gas: 1-800-752-7504

The Floyd County Health Department is announcing a pilot project to test for COVID-19 beginning Friday, March 20.

“We will be using a drive-thru format. Initially, the testing will be done in the parking lot of the Floyd County Health Department,” said Health Officer Dr. Thomas Harris. 

“This testing will only be done on prescreened patients. If you are currently
testing, please continue this practice. Our tests will be run by a non-governmental lab,” he said.

“The intent is to identify and test patients that do not require immediate hospitalization,” said Harris. 

The patients will be prescreened by their primary care provider or the Floyd County Health Department.

The patient will then be given an arrival time.

“We are not doing on-demand testing,” he said. “The prescreening process is essential to avoid delays and wasted, unnecessary tests.”

On arrival, the patient will have a copy of their government ID and insurance card (if available) made using an electronic device.

“We will ask them for contact numbers. A swab will be done of the nasopharynx,” said Harris. “We will notify the patient of the test results. We anticipate the testing process itself will take less than five minutes. The results may take several days to return.”

Harris would like to emphasize that this process will not test people who show up without prescreening.

“We will not initially be testing walk-ins. Our initial service hours start on the 20th will be 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. This testing plan is a project in evolution. We will update you on changes in hours, format, and testing procedures.”

If you have any questions, please contact the Floyd County Health Department at (812) 948-4726, ext. 656

Earlier today, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb announces that Indiana’s schools would remain closed until May 1  

“Under the directive of Governor Holcomb with consultation from the Indiana State Department of Health and the Indiana Department of Education, ALL Indiana schools are closed for in-person instruction until May 1st,” Salem Community School Superintendent Jon Acton said in a news release.

“All state-mandated testing has been canceled for the year.  Salem Community Schools will extend our closure of all in-person instruction and utilize Remote Learning and Waiver/Non-Instructional days until May 1st.”

Acton said all athletics, extra-curricular activities, field or class trips are canceled during the closure.  

The Prom scheduled for May 2nd has been postponed until June 5th.  

The table below outlines our updated plans extending to May 1.

Action calls this the “We are Salem” Plan — 

“We will continue academic programming and begin food distribution on Monday, March 30th after Spring Break,” Acton said. “We can provide food service to any Salem Schools family with students and all siblings ages 18 and under who request meals. (We can provide food services to any student/family ages 18 and under, but we can only deliver
to those that reside in the Salem school district.)”

Acton said to request meals please fill out this form: https://bit.ly/scsmeals2. or call the Superintendent’s Office at (812) 883-4437.

Salem principals, teachers, and aides are working hard to continue education for all Salem School families, Acton said. 

Salem technology staff is working non-stop to ensure Remote Learning functions effectively and assist with technical questions.

Salem food services and transportation staff are working hard to provide food to as many
Salem families as possible.

‘Our custodial and maintenance staff are deep cleaning all facilities. We will continue our best efforts to serve our students, parents and community while also supporting the social distancing and health care guidelines set by our federal and state governments,” he said. 

Acton quoted the CMA singers David Lee Murphy and Kenny Chesney – “Everything’s gonna be alright!”

“Roar Lions! We’re all in this together,” said Acton. 

Following today’s directive by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb that all Indiana schools will be closed until May 1, the Indiana High School Athletic Association announces that this year’s IHSAA boys basketball state tournament is officially cancelled.

“It is with great sadness and disappointment that we inform Hoosiers of the cancellation of the remaining games of the 2020 IHSAA boys basketball tournament series,” said IHSAA Commissioner Bobby Cox.

“While the Association maintained every hope of continuance, it is now evident those hopes are now unreachable. Albeit there will not be regional, semi-state and state champions crowned across our four classifications, the heath and safety of our public remains paramount and our primary focus.”

Last Friday (March 13), the IHSAA announced the remaining games of the state tournament would be postponed beginning with the regional games due to the growing number of school closures.

Any updates on the status of IHSAA-sponsored spring sports will be announced at a later time.

As always, the health and safety of IHSAA student-athletes are of utmost importance and 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.

Until further notice, if you are wanting to bond an inmate out of jail it will be done through the Scott County Sheriff’s Office. 

To make this process easier we have moved the machines to where they are accessible to the public. 

The machines are located inside the front door of the Sheriff’s Office. 

There is also a phone located by the machines for making contact with the jail staff to make arrangements for the bond. 

We would also like to remind you that you can still give inmates commissary by going to www.inmatesales.com or by mailing in money orders to the Scott county Sheriff’s Office. 

These efforts are made in an attempt to help keep family members in touch with inmates and assist with commissary and bonds due to the Court House being closed from the Coronavirus.

The Orange County Health Department continues to monitor COVID-19 and work toward the health and safety of each person living in Orange County.

A lot of the information going out may seem to be repeated.

Take what information you need and can apply, and use it.

We continue to encourage people to use social distancing, and don’t go to unnecessary public places.

The Orange County Department of Health now has a Facebook page and we encourage you to look it up and like us.

The local health department gets updates from the state continually and would like to be sure you know we are working for you.

The county government building is closed to the public, but feel free to call – staff is still working.

Now that children are home all of the time, they may have many questions. Here are some suggestions for you on how to have a talk with them about what is going on.

You play an important role in helping children make sense of what they hear in a way that is honest, accurate, and minimizes anxiety or fear.

Remain calm and reassuring because children will react to both what you say and how you say it.

Make time to talk. Be sure children know they can come to you when they have questions.

Avoid language that might blame others. Viruses can make anyone sick.

Consider reducing the amount of screen time focused on COVID-19. Too much information on one topic can lead to anxiety.

Give children information that is truthful and appropriate for the age and developmental level of the child.

Teach children everyday actions to reduce the spread of germs including staying away from people who are sick, coughing or sneezing into a tissue or their elbow, then throwing the tissue into the trash, and handwashing for at least 30 seconds. Be sure to rinse well so the soap you used can carry the germs down the drain.

Remind them that health and school officials are working hard to keep everyone safe and healthy.

As always, for questions, concerns or updates, please call the Orange County Health Department at 812-723-7112 or the Indiana State Department of Health at 317-233-7125 or visit the Centers for

Disease Control (CDC) at http://www.cdc.gov

Youth hunters (under age 18 on the day of the hunt) may register for reserved turkey hunts from now until March 27.

Reserved youth turkey hunts will occur April 18-19. A limit will be placed on the number of youth hunters allowed to hunt a respective property on each hunting day, in an attempt to provide quality hunts for participants. Interested hunters or an adult representing them must register by phone during the normal office hours for the property they wish to hunt. Hunters are allowed to register for only one property.

Participating fish & wildlife areas include Atterbury, Chinook, Crosley, Deer Creek, Fairbanks Landing, Glendale, Goose Pond, Hillenbrand, Hovey Lake, Jasper-Pulaski, Kingsbury, LaSalle, Pigeon River, J.E. Roush Lake, Sugar Ridge, Tri-County, Wabashiki, Willow Slough and Winamac. Two reservoir properties, Mississinewa Lake and Salamonie Lake, will also take part in the hunts.

Those wanting to sign up for the Chinook or Wabashiki hunts may register by calling Deer Creek FWA. Those wanting to sign up for the Fairbanks Landing or Hillenbrand hunts should call Goose Pond FWA.

A drawing will be held on Wednesday, April 1 at properties where the number of registered hunters exceeds the spots available. A youth hunter may be drawn for either one or both hunt days, depending on the number of applicants. All applicants will be notified of drawing results by mail.

Applicants must possess a 2020 Youth Consolidated Hunting & Trapping License, a 2020 Non-Resident Youth Spring Turkey License with a gamebird habitat stamp privilege, or a Lifetime Comprehensive Hunting License. Apprentice hunting licenses of the types named above also may be used.

Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon at properties in the Central Time Zone, and one-half hour before sunrise until 1 p.m. on properties in the Eastern Time Zone.

Youth hunters who are selected for the hunt will receive their hunt information by email or by mail if they did not provide an email address. Properties will not have a daily “no-show” drawing. Hunters interested in possible unfilled quotas at a property should call that property for more information before showing up.

Youth hunters can take a bearded or male wild turkey. The youth must be accompanied by someone 18 or older.  

The youth hunter may use any legal shotgun, bow, and arrow, or crossbow. The adult accompanying the youth hunter must not possess a firearm, bow, and arrow, or crossbow while in the field. The accompanying adult must be licensed if they are assisting by calling or if the youth is using an apprentice license.

For property contact information, visit wildlife.IN.gov/3077.htm. To purchase a license, visit on.IN.gov/inhuntfish. For wild turkey hunting regulations, visit hunting.IN.gov. For turkey hunting, safety tips go to wildlife.IN.gov/2710.htm.

To view all DNR news releases, please see dnr.IN.gov.