This weekend, it is time to change clocks and “spring ahead” one hour.

Daylight Saving Time will begin at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8th in most areas of the U.S.

This is the most dreaded of the time changes because it feels as though we’re losing an hour of sleep. So, if you normally wake up at 6 a.m., you’ll be rising at 5 a.m. even though the clock face says 6 a.m.

More than 30 states are considering legislation related to the century-old practice of changing clocks twice a year and seven states have already approved legislation to observe permanent daylight saving time.

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Uniform Time Act in 1966, which established daylight saving time from the second Sunday of March through the first Sunday of October.

The law also allows states to remain in standard time all year and does not require states to adhere to daylight saving time. However, it does require that states get approval from Congress before making daylight saving time permanent.

In fact, those against changing clocks during the year include President Donald Trump, who tweeted in March that making DST “permanent is O.K. with me.”

Other advocates argue that shifting time twice a year can cause an increased risk of stroke and heart attack, as well as affecting adults 65 or older more drastically.

Those in favor of shifting time include the National Parent Teacher Association, which says that children would have to commute to school in the dark with year-round daylight saving time, and the U.S. Department of Transportation, which says that the time changes save energy and cut crime.

The first Sunday in November is when Daylight Saving Time ends in most areas of the U.S., so in 2020 we’ll “fall back” one hour and return to Standard Time on Sunday, November 1, 2020, at 2 a.m. Be sure to set your clocks back one hour before bed Saturday night.

Late last night, a second suspect was arrested on Robbery charges related to the shooting that occurred in Ohio County on March 3, 2020.

Shortly after 6:00 am, on March 3^rd, Indiana State Police Detectives began the investigation into the shooting that occurred outside of a residence on State Road 262 near Rising Sun, Indiana. 

The investigation determined that three men approached a 22-year-old Rising Sun man, who lives at the residence and attempted to rob him. 

The 22-year-old man displayed a gun and fired at the suspects.  The three suspects fled the scene.  A 20-year-old man from Ohio was soon found walking in the area, suffering from a gunshot wound to his abdomen. 

The 20-year-old suspect was transported to a Cincinnati area hospital for treatment of serious injuries. 

Later in the day, Marcus Donald, age 34, was found walking in the area. 

He was soon arrested on charges of Conspiracy to Commit Robbery and incarcerated in the Dearborn County Jail. 

A third suspect, Jesse J. Michel, age 24, Cincinnati, Ohio was soon identified but not located that day.

Yesterday, Indiana State Police Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Michel out of Ohio County, Indiana on a charge of Conspiracy to Commit Robbery. 

Late last night, Michel was located in Cincinnati, Ohio by Hamilton County Law Enforcement.  He was incarcerated in Hamilton County, Ohio pending extradition back to Indiana.

The investigation is ongoing.  Additional charges and arrests are possible.

Early this morning, Indiana State Police Detectives began investigating a shooting that occurred at a residence in Brownstown, Indiana.

The investigation began shortly after midnight when a 40-year-old Brownstown man and his 5-year-old son showed up at Schneck Medical Center, Seymour, Indiana. 

Both the man and the boy were suffering from gunshot wounds to their legs. 

The man was treated and released at Schneck Medical Center.  The boy was transferred to Riley Hospital, Indianapolis, IN for further treatment. 

The boy was also expected to be treated and released.

The initial investigation led officers from the Brownstown Police Department to an address at 1027 W. Oak Street, Brownstown where the shooting allegedly occurred. 

Indiana State Police Detectives and Crime Scene Technicians were then requested to lead the investigation.

The investigation by Det. Nate Adams, Indiana State Police-Versailles, has determined that the man was handling a handgun in the living room of the home when the handgun discharged. 

A bullet from the gun went through the man’s leg and then entered the leg of the boy who was also in the room.

The investigation is ongoing at this time. 

At the conclusion of the investigation, the case will be turned over to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Brownstown Police Department, Seymour Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana Department of Child Services, and the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.

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.