West Washington School Corporation has announced this afternoon that the school will be closed the week of March 16 and will reopen the week after spring break on Monday, March 30. 

A decision about future closures will be communicated immediately following the decision being made.

Due to the number of schools closing after today for an extended period of time, it has become apparent the IHSAA boys basketball tournament series cannot be completed as scheduled.

Subsequently, the boys’ basketball tournament is postponed immediately.

Saturday’s girls’ gymnastics state finals at Worthen Arena in Muncie will continue as scheduled with no spectators in attendance.

The competition will begin at 1 pm ET / 12 pm CT.

Lawrence County Sheriff Mike Branham announced today that only essential visits will be allowed at the Lawrence County Jail.

Effective immediately, all nonessential visits to the Lawrence County Jail will be suspended until further notice.

If you are wanting to visit an inmate you can log onto inmatecanteen.com. You may also add money to an account on this site or as always mail a money order to the jail.

Any questions, contact Lawrence County Jail at 812-275-3316.

Beginning March 16, the New Pekin Town Hall will be closed to walk-in customers. 

According to Sherry Clem, Pekin Clerk, the projected date for resuming normal operation will be April 6.

After receiving information from Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb regarding Covid-19 and out of respect and care for our employees and the community, the town hall will be closed to walk-in customers. 

“We are still operating under normal business hours Monday – Friday, 8a-4p, no through traffic will be allowed”, said Clem. 

The office will be closed for three weeks as well as the park shelter house and the highway garage.

Utility bills can be dropped in the night deposit box on the door (any amount over normal payment will be credited) no change will be given.

Clem said bills can be paid by sending them by US Postage mail, paid over the phone with debit or credit card and online at townofnewpekin.com (click on the PAYGOV button).

“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. But again, we must take every precaution to stop this virus,” said Clem. 

All three Washington County School Superintendents met this morning with the Washington County Health Nurse and both Salem and East Washington Schools have decided to close beginning Monday, March 16, 2020.

East Washington School Corporation will be closed through April 10. 

“While our classrooms are empty, our work on behalf of children will continue,” said Dennis Stockdale, Superintendent of East Washington Schools.

Stockdale said EWSC will be utilizing eLearning days during this scheduled closure. 

All Eastern school building activities including school day instruction, child care, preschool, athletics/sports, health services, enrichment, etc. are canceled. 

West Washington School Superintendent Keith Nance sent out a video message through the school’s Facebook page. 

“Myself and the school board have been in constant communication and we have had meetings – I have had meetings with the county superintendents and with local health department officials. We are still in a situation where the virus has been confirmed in Indiana. With the level of concern, we are updating our level of response as a Level 3. We are waiting for further direction from the Governor’s office, the Indiana Department of Education or the local department of health to make the determination of any potential school closures.”

Nance said that could happen anytime – in hours or days. 

“I want you guys to know we will have several different levels of closure. First of those would be closed to students. We would have the staff here. All this information would be communicated with our All Call System, email and social media. At this point, we will be open on Monday. Decisions could change over the weekend.”

“This is a decision we will not make lightly. That’s why we’re waiting on further guidance,” said Nance. 

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.