The Louisville Zoo will be temporarily closing to the public starting Tuesday, March 17 following recommendations of Mayor Greg Fischer and the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness.

While there have been no known cases of exposure to COVID-19 at the Zoo, the decision to close was made to further support efforts to reduce the rapid spread of the virus and to protect the health and well-being of Zoo staff and the community.

“The Zoo is a place to escape the hectic pace of everyday life for families in our community,” said Louisville Zoo Director John Walczak. “While we wanted to remain open and offer a place for families to spend time outdoors, we have a responsibility to do all we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We are all in this together.”

The dedicated animal care team and other essential personnel will remain active at the Zoo; however, staff who are able to work from home will be encouraged to do so.

“We plan ahead for all the animals in our care and currently have a surplus of essential food and supplies for them,” Walczak added. “We will update our social media daily to keep everyone informed on how their favorite animals are doing.”

Zoo leadership will continue to monitor the latest developments of the COVID-19 outbreak and follow guidance from federal, state, and local authorities to determine when the park will reopen.

If you have a confirmed program, spring break camp, tour or event scheduled, including tickets to Wild Lights: Asian Lantern Festival, you will be contacted by Zoo staff for the next steps.

As the situation evolves, the Zoo will continue to provide updates at Louisvillezoo.org/health. 

The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR), while currently open for business, is preparing for a variety of possible COVID-19 related scenarios.

They are also closely following the guidance and directions from Governor Holcomb and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH).

All DOR departments are reviewing their Continuity of Operations Plans and updating them to be prepared to quickly execute system, service and operations modifications as they develop.

DOR is closely monitoring the IRS on possible changes to filing and payment due dates and will be prepared to follow suit. Those decisions will be shared as soon as they are made.

DOR advises all customers to follow the ISDH and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. Their websites contain extremely valuable information and guidance.

While visiting a DOR office in person is still an option at this time, there are several options Hoosiers have to receive service without having to leave their home:

• Call DOR at 317-232-2240, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., EST.
• Email DOR by using the online form at in.gov/3392.htm.
• Visit the DOR Online Services webpage at in.gov/4331.htm.

Any changes to this guidance, modifications to normal operations or changes to tax filing and payment deadlines will be posted on DOR’s website, as well as DOR’s social media accounts.

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: