Several sick inmates at the LaPorte County Jail have tested negative for COVID-19. The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office says 19 inmates and three contract employees were tested Monday, after several inmates were showing potential symptoms of the coronavirus and more had been exposed.
Continue readingKnox City Council to Consider Loans between City Funds to Prepare for COVID-19 Impact
The Knox City Council will take steps tonight to prepare for COVID-19’s impact on the city’s finances. Council members will consider temporary loans of $150,000 from the Economic Development Income Tax Fund to the General Fund and $35,000 from the Rainy Day Fund to the Motor Vehicle Highway Fund. Mayor Dennis Estok told the board of works Friday that MVH is expected to take a big hit.
Continue readingIndiana Expanding SNAP Benefits during COVID-19 Pandemic
Indiana is expanding the availability of food assistance starting in May. Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Dr. Jennifer Sullivan Monday announced the launch of two new Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program initiatives.
Continue readingIndiana Launches Mental Health Resources Website
A website to help Hoosiers take care of their mental health was launched Monday. BeWellIndiana.org offers free, expert mental health resources put together by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Division of Mental Health and Addiction, according to FSSA Secretary Dr. Jennifer Sullivan.
Continue readingTargeted Testing Continues at Westville Correctional Facility
More cases of COVID-19 can be expected at the Westville Correctional Facility, according to the Indiana Department of Correction’s chief medical officer.
Continue readingCass County COVID Cases Continue to Spike amid Testing at Meatpacking Plant
Cass County’s COVID-19 outbreak continues. The spike pushed Indiana to its largest single-day increase in positive cases yet Monday, according to Family and Social Services Administration Chief Medical Officer Dr. Dan Rusyniak.
Continue readingN.J.-S.P. to Consolidate Lunch Pickup at High School Starting Next Week
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation will be adjusting its lunch pickup program next week. Starting Monday, May 4, all lunches will be served from the junior/senior high school’s front parking lot.
Continue readingStarke County Election Board Working to Notify Public of Updated Voting Sites
The Starke County Election Board is trying to figure out the best ways to make sure residents know their updated voting location for the June 2 primary.
Continue readingOregon-Davis Gets $2,000 to Feed Students, Donates Supplies to Health Department
The Oregon-Davis School Corporation has gotten $2,000 to help make sure students get the nutrition they need. Last week, the school board accepted a donation from the Santa’s Workshop program of the First Presbyterian Church of Walkerton and United Methodist Church of Walkerton. That money will be used for feeding children or to help with lunch debt.
Continue readingPulaski County Jail Stepping Up Cleaning Efforts to Combat COVID-19
Pulaski County Sheriff Jeff Richwine is keeping an eye on the impact of COVID-19 at other area jails. He told the county commissioners last week that he’s been in contact with the Porter County sheriff, where several inmates have now tested positive.
Continue readingLt. Governor Discusses Suspension of Stellar Communities Program
While Constellation of Starke’s hopes for a Stellar designation will have to wait a year, Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch is optimistic that regional collaboration will continue. The designation would make Starke County and its communities eligible for millions of dollars in funding. The region was a finalist last year and was working on plans to reapply, when the program was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Continue readingLt. Gov. Hopeful That Many Communities Will Get COVID-19 Response Grants
As local communities look to tap into COVID-19 Response grants made available by the state, Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch is hopeful that a large proportion will be able to get funding.
Continue readingRandom COVID-19 Testing to Start Saturday, As Part of Statewide Study
Random testing for COVID-19 will begin on Saturday throughout the state. The Indiana State Department of Health has partnered with the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health on a scientific study to get a clearer picture of COVID-19’s spread.
Continue readingCOVID-19 Outbreak at Logansport Meatpacking Plant Creating Challenges for Farmers
The closure of a Logansport meatpacking plant due to COVID-19 is creating challenges for farmers across the state. Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, who serves as secretary of agriculture and rural development, tells WKVI News that the closure is a huge concern.
Continue readingIndependent Contractors Can Start Applying for Unemployment Tomorrow
Independent contractors and those who are self-employed can start applying for unemployment benefits tomorrow (Friday). But Indiana Department of Workforce Development Commissioner Fred Payne says payments aren’t expected to start going out until May 8.
Continue readingPulaski County Reports Another Three Cases of COVID-19
Pulaski County is now up to four COVID-19 cases. The Pulaski County Health Department reported another three cases Thursday morning.
Continue readingLt. Governor Highlights COVID-19 Resources for Farmers, Homeowners
As farmers ramp up their planting, Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch is highlighting some of the resources available to help them through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Continue readingIndiana Department of Correction Plans to Overhaul COVID-19 Website
The Indiana Department of Correction is promising to be transparent when it comes to COVID-19 cases in its facilities. Its website lists how many offenders have tested positive at each facility but not the total number of tests taken, while other states like Ohio have more detailed breakdowns.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Says More Supplies Needed to Expand COVID-19 Testing
Efforts to expand COVID-19 testing continue to be limited by the availability of supplies. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box has set a goal of being able to take 6,300 tests per day, but so far, testing levels have been well below that.
Continue readingGovernor Encourages Businesses to Start Thinking about Reopening Plans
It’ll probably be at least a few weeks before Indiana reopens for business, but Governor Holcomb suggests putting a plan in place now. During Tuesday’s COVID-19 press conference, the governor said a reopening date will become apparent based on the numbers, but businesses will have to know how to do it when the time comes.
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