Salem Park and Recreation Director Brande Abbott announced this afternoon that the Little League Baseball season and all Park and Rec activities would be delayed until further notice.

“In the interest of public health, our kids involved with extracurricular activities,” said Abbott. “Salem Park and Recreation will follow suit of the Salem Communities Schools.”

Salem Schools announced this afternoon the school would be closed beginning this Monday, March 16 until after Spring Break. 

East Washington Schools announced its closure through April 10. 

West Washington School hasn’t made a determination about when or if it will close at this time. 

Many Indiana schools (as well as those around the US) have been closing to help stop the spread of the Coronavirus, which has turned up around the Hoosier State this week. 

Many sporting events have been cancelled or delayed until the situation can be evaluated further. 

Based on the guidance of Governor Holcomb, the Indiana State Department of Health and the Washington County Department of Health, Salem Community Schools will be closed beginning Monday, March 16th.

Schools will open no sooner than the return from Spring Break, which will be Monday, March 30th.

“Please understand that this situation continues to rapidly change and the return date could possibly extend,” said Salem Superintendent Jon Acton. 

Monday, March 16th, all employees will report to school to finalize plans in preparation for this significant change.

Students will NOT report to campus, he said. 

Beginning Tuesday, March 17th daily lessons will begin with students using remote learning.

These assignments will not be returned on a daily basis but rather completed over the course of the closure.

From March 16th until March 30th all school building activities including school day instruction, pre-school, athletics, extra or co-curricular activities are canceled.

“We will continue to monitor the guidance from state and local agencies in regards to when we may lift our closures,” said Acton. “We will provide additional updates on Monday as information is rapidly evolving.”

“We are in unprecedented times. This significant adjustment to all Salem Schools significantly impacts our entire
community,” said Acton. “This decision is made in an effort to protect against the community spread of coronavirus (CoVID-19). Not only is it our responsibility to protect our students and staff, but also the lives of those currently most vulnerable. We encourage everyone to follow the social distancing and health recommendations from the state and local health
agencies.”

For questions please contact the Salem Superintendents Office at 812.883.4437.

Expect traffic delays on S.R. 39 and S.R. 37

 Starting next week, drivers should expect traffic delays on State Road 37 and State Road 39 in and near Martinsville.

S.R. 37 northbound reduced to one lane

Beginning on or after Monday, March 16, the right lane of S.R. 37 northbound will be closed between the Liberty Church Road and S.R. 39 exits. Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) contractors are preparing to rebuild the S.R. 37 southbound lanes from S.R. 39 to the south end of the I-69 Finish Line project, including the southbound S.R. 37 bridge over Indian Creek. This work will reduce S.R. 37 to two lanes – one in each direction – during much of 2020. The first lane closure will affect S.R. 37 northbound traffic only. Contractors will reinforce and widen the right shoulder of S.R. 37 northbound, which is expected to take 3-4 weeks to complete. Dynamic signage is being installed to help traffic on I-69 and State Road 37 anticipate slowing or stopped traffic. Lane closures at Egbert, Grand Valley In addition, drivers should expect 1-2 days of temporary S.R. 37 lane closures at two locations. A crew will be placing temporary concrete barriers and begin building a bridge over S.R. 37 to connect Egbert Road with nearby Old S.R. 37 in northern Morgan County. A separate bridge crew will be delivering material and working over S.R. 37 lanes at the Grand Valley Boulevard overpass near Walmart in Martinsville.

S.R. 39 improvements in Martinsville S.R. 39 is being improved this year to move more traffic during the full closure of S.R. 37 in Martinsville next year. Drivers should expect traffic shifts, flaggers and short delays where crews are working. Beginning on or after Monday, March 16, contractors will be removing raised medians at the S.R. 39 intersections with Morton Avenue and Morgan Street. Once median work is complete, paving crews will be performing patching work on S.R. 39 between S.R. 37 and the White River. Stay Informed For the latest information, follow the project on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit the project website, www.I69FinishLine.com.

Yesterday (3/12) about 9 a.m. the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which includes members of the Indiana State Police and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, served a search warrant on a residence at 1201 So. Hoyt Ave. in Muncie as part of an ongoing investigation.

Indiana State Police SWAT also assisted in the warrant service.

As a result of the search warrant and ongoing investigation, Scott M. Dodd, age 29, was arrested and charged with 5 counts of Level 5 Felony Possession of Child Pornography; five counts of Level 6 Felony Possession of Child Pornography and one count of Level 6 Felony Possession of Methamphetamine.

The Level 5 Felony child pornography charges stem from images and videos found in the home of alleged children under the age of 12.  Dodd was lodged in the Delaware County Jail.

Anyone with information about a missing or exploited child may leave a tip on the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children web site at http://www.missingkids.com/gethelpnow/cybertipline  or by calling 1-800-THE-LOST, or 9-1-1.

Tips can be made and kept anonymous.

“While everyone is worried about family, friends, and cases in the community, we ignore a very high risk and vulnerable group,” says Jagdish Khubchandani, a Ball State University health science professor. “Studies have consistently shown that healthcare workers frequently work long hours, don’t practice self-care, lack on hygienic practices, and work while being sick. 

“Today, with coronavirus, there are additional challenges such as changing protocol, the greater number of emergencies, shortage of medical supplies, and lack of preventive testing and protective equipment. Healthcare workers are at the frontline and often neglected during such times.”

 Some key tips for healthcare workers:

1. Practice self-care with a good diet, daily exercise, enough sleep, and adding more protein and vitamins to the diet.
2. Buy your own protective equipment and sanitation supplies if not provided by workplace- masks, and sanitizers.
3. Practice frequent hand washing. Preferably, after each encounter with a client or patient.
4. Hand washing is better than hand sanitizers. Or, practice both. Relying on hand sanitizers where optimum quantity is not used, or quality of sanitizers can be questioned, is not a good practice. Soap and water are highly recommended compared to the casual use of sanitizers.
5. Try to avoid overworking, watch your shifts, and working hours- exhaustion can make you weak and vulnerable to regular flu as well (in addition to the risk of coronavirus).
6. Avoid personal contact with clients or patients as much as possible. Healthcare workers frequently shake hands, exchange greetings and hugs with clients who may do it out of affection or gratitude- a distant thank you is ok at this time.
7. Check your own symptoms and signs for any illness (especially, flu-like illness). Cough, runny nose, fever, headaches and body pains should not be ignored during this season.
8. Ensure that coworkers don’t have these signs and symptoms- stay vigilant and help coworkers get care and rest if they have such symptoms. Be firm with colleagues who don’t practice good hygiene such as regular handwashing.
9. Follow guidelines for clinical practice and personal protection from authentic sources such as CDC.
10. Ensure that your facility is following best practices for infection control. It is appropriate now to educate colleagues and your managers, even if they are superiors or higher in the chain of command (studies also show that most educated in healthcare professions could be least likely to practice personal hygiene).
11. Disinfect your office and personal space- even if it is not being done by facilities and janitors.
12. Call on facilities managers and ensure they are following protocols and daily cleaning and sanitation activities are ramping up.
13. Ensure that clients are not surrounded by too many friends or family members and educate clients on avoiding too many frequent visitors.
14. Pull up your training manuals and best practice guideline notebooks for infection control and review if needed.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced additional steps the state will take to reduce the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Indiana. As of noon today, the state has 12 Hoosiers who have tested presumptively positive for COVID-19.

“This is a time when we must do all we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19, protect our most vulnerable populations and reduce their potential to acquire or spread this virus,” said Gov. Holcomb. “While some actions are drastic, now, not later, is the time to act.”

Here are the actions Gov. Holcomb is initiating today.

• Non-essential gatherings must be limited to no more than 250 people. This includes any event or gathering of people who are in one room or a single space at the same time, such as cafeterias, churches, stadiums, meeting and conference rooms, auditoriums and the like. This guidance applies to professional, social, community and similar other gatherings. Detailed guidance will be posted on the Indiana State Department of Health website by the end of the day.
• Effective immediately, school corporations will be provided with a 20-day waiver of the required 180 instructional days for use as needed for the remainder of the academic year. The waived days do not need to be used consecutively and can be leveraged as needed.
  • If a school corporation has evidence of community spread or a confirmed positive test for coronavirus, officials should consult with the Indiana Department of Education and the Indiana State Department of Health for additional steps. Schools should plan now for broader closures, including eLearning and remote classroom options.
  • The Department of Education will release additional guidance detailing the process for submitting waiver requests as early as Friday.
  • Schools should follow the guidelines for non-essential gatherings as they make decisions about non-essential extra-curricular or co-curricular activities.
• Child care and adult day care facilities should institute social distancing and minimize large gatherings. Temporary suspension of operations should be done in consultation with the Family and Social Services and ISDH in the instance of documented community spread.
• Nursing facilities and hospitals should restrict and screen visitors. Any individual who is allowed to visit is restricted to the patient’s room. Visitors are not allowed if they present with any of this criteria:
  • Display signs or symptoms of illness, especially respiratory illness
  • Have traveled internationally or been in contact with someone with a respiratory illness in the past 14 days
  • Reside in a community with a known COVID-19 case
  • Those who are less than 18 years of age
• The Indiana Department of Correction has suspended visitation at all facilities as a precaution for the health and safety of IDOC staff and offenders.
• Individuals over 60 years of age or those with a known underlying health issue such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease should limit their public exposure. Whenever possible, friends and family should arrange to provide food and other essential items.
• Those who run senior centers and congregate meal services should consider suspending congregate meals services and arrange for home delivery
• Encourage businesses to utilize telework policies, if available

Governor Holcomb is also issuing guidance for state employee operations. The state will suspend all non-essential out-of-state and international travel beginning today and for the next 45 days. The state is also providing employees with guidance about the use of leave and remote work options for limited durations while ensuring the delivery of essential state services. The guidance is attached.

“I fully expect there will be additional actions warranted in the coming days,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Just as we have since the beginning of the year, we are working with partners at all levels to secure all necessary resources for any escalation of this virus.”

If you are sick with COVID-19 or suspect you are infected with the virus:

• Stay home unless you need to seek medical care.
• Avoid public areas and public transportation
• Stay away from others as much as possible, especially people who are the most at risk such as older adults with multiple medical problems and those with a weakened immune system
• Don’t shake hands
• Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening such as difficulty breathing and call your doctor or healthcare facility before you seek care.

More information may be found at the ISDH website at https://on.in.gov/COVID19 and the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

In light of the recent coronavirus outbreak and the spread across Indiana, the Mitchell Opera House will be postponing a few of our upcoming shows. We appreciate all of our fans and all of your support!

Below is a list of shows that are currently being postponed. As soon as new dates are set, they will be posted as well, so please keep an eye out!

March 21 st – Lick Creek Band
March 27 th – JoAnna Kai Cobb
March 28 th – Kirby Stailey
April 3 rd – Dave Dugan
April 11 th – Big Steel Train

They are still planning for the Avalon’s show this weekend, March 14 th to go on as planned as well as the Trolls event on March 20 th.

Visit www.mitchelloperahouse.com for our most up to date list of events.

At this time, NASCAR will hold its race events at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Homestead-Miami Speedway without fans in attendance.

These events will be restricted to competitors, crews, officials and other necessary personnel to conduct the race.

“We will work with public health officials as we determine future scheduling beyond these events,” according to NASCAR

The races will be broadcast on WSLM 97.9 FM this weekend. 

Cheerleaders, mascots, pep bands, fans, friends and extended families will not be able to attend the Boy’s High School Basketball Regional live games this Saturday due to a new policy from the Indiana High School Athletic Association. 

Commissioner Bobby Cox announced at a press conference at noon that the remaining games in the IHSAA boys basketball state tournament will continue as scheduled but with limited spectators in attendance as Indiana seeks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).

Each school’s team will be limited to 75 passes to enter the game for staff and immediate families.

Those passes will be free. 

The IHSAA continues to monitor the impact of COV-19 around our state.

“Our primary focus has been and will continue to be the health and safety of our students and supporters attending our events,” Cox said. “Given the recent and ongoing spread of the coronavirus and available information surrounding the pandemic, the IHSAA will conclude all winter tournament series events as scheduled with limited to no spectators in attendance.”

Individuals who are at higher risk for the disease as defined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) are strongly encouraged to refrain from attendance.

This includes older adults and people who have serious chronic
medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.

The Association acknowledges these are unprecedented measures and is sympathetic to the loyal fans of education-based athletics in Indiana.

“Your understanding and support during these challenging times is appreciated,” said Cox. “Using the Center for Disease Control’s guidance regarding large gatherings, the IHSAA will limit games/events to approximately 250 individuals.”

Boys Basketball Regionals

The boys basketball regional games are scheduled for Saturday (March 14) at 16 sites around the state.

Semistates are Saturday, March 21 and the state finals are Saturday, March 28.

For the remaining games, each participating school will be allotted only 75 complimentary tickets aside from the 12 dressed players and to include only essential personnel, coaches, administrative staff and immediate family of players.

“We regret that non-varsity boys basketball participants, cheerleaders, dance teams, school mascots and pep bands may not attend the games. This measure is to protect the health and safety of the student athletes, their families and the public at large.”

Anyone holding a regional ticket will be issued a full refund at the point of purchase. Individuals must present the ticket(s) in order to receive a refund.

A very limited number of news media will be approved for covering the Saturday’s regional games.

All print and broadcast news media must request credentials via email through the IHSAA staff from a recognized business
account, not the host school.

A final list of approved news media will be shared with each host school to allow admittance on Saturday.

Regional games will continue to be streamed at IHSAAtv.org and its affiliates as well as previously approved broadcast stations.

Guidelines for the boys semi-states and state championship games have yet to be determined and will be
announced at a later date.

Gymnastics State Finals

The girls gymnastics state finals will be contested this Saturday (March 14) beginning at 1 pm ET at Worthen
Arena.

Due to the number of participants and essential workers, coaches, spotters, and medical personnel at the gymnastics state finals, there will be no spectators allowed at the event and thus no tickets on sale at Worthen Arena.

Anyone holding a state finals ticket will be issued a full refund at the point of purchase.

Individuals must present the ticket(s) in order to receive a refund.

An informational teleconference with host schools and 64 participating teams has been scheduled for today at
2 pm ET / 1 pm CT.

Saturday’s events will continue to be streamed live at IHSAAtv.org and previously-received news media
credential requests will still be honored.

This morning at approximately 12:18, Trooper Fulton was patrolling SR 66 near Big Cynthiana Road when he stopped the driver of a 2016 Dodge Ram pickup truck for driving 104 mph in a 60 mph zone.

Arrested and Charged was Andrew J. Goebel, 49, New Harmony, IN

1. Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated, Class C Misdemeanor
2. Reckless Driving, Class C Misdemeanor

Goebel displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests. Further investigation revealed he had a blood alcohol content of .12%.

He was arrested and taken to the Vanderburgh County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.

Arresting Officer: Trooper Zack Fulton, Indiana State Police