FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts today (Wednesday, October 4).
Continue readingStarke, Marshall Counties Report More COVID-19 Cases
Starke County has reported another five COVID-19 cases, while Marshall County had another four. That’s according to Sunday’s update from the Indiana Department of Health.
Continue readingNewly-Eligible Hoosiers Signing Up for Vaccine, State Lifting Residency Requirements
Twenty-one thousand Hoosiers signed up for a COVID-19 vaccine in the first 30 minutes after the state expanded eligibility Wednesday. During Wednesday’s press conference, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said that number was up to 96,000 by noon.
Continue readingFEMA to Provide Assistance for COVID-19-Related Funeral Expenses
FEMA will begin providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020 involving COVID-19-related deaths.
Continue readingMass Vaccination Clinic in Gary to open April 7
A mass vaccination clinic will open for eight weeks April 7 in Gary that is anticipated to assist over 100,000 Hoosiers in getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Continue readingState Health Commissioner Says Indiana Is Getting Fewer Vaccine Doses than Other States
About 13 percent of Indiana’s population is now fully vaccinated against COVID-19. But health officials say the state is getting fewer doses per resident than many others.
Continue readingPulaski County Council to Consider Re-Appropriating Unspent Money for COVID-19 Response
The Pulaski County Council is looking to carry over spending permission for the county’s COVID-19 response into 2021, but not without some questions about that money’s oversight.
Continue readingState Officials Making Plans for Remaining CARES Act Money
Indiana may end up using much of its remaining COVID-19 relief funding from the federal government to help pay off what it already owes the federal government. This week, state officials committed to using at least $400 million of the remaining $650 million in CARES Act money to replenish the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund.
Continue readingSix Local Fire Departments to Get $800,000 Worth of New Air Packs, Thanks to FEMA Grant
Six local fire departments will get a collective $800,000 worth of new equipment, thanks to a federal grant. They were awarded a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant for the purchase of 125 new air packs, plus a spare bottle for each, according to Walkerton Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Hamilton.
Continue readingUnemployment Recipients Should Start Getting $300 Increase Sept. 21
Hoosiers receiving unemployment could start getting their extra $300 in the next couple of weeks. Those getting at least $100 a week in unemployment insurance will get another $300 a week in federal funding, as part of the Lost Wage Assistance program.
Continue readingIndiana Submits New Lost Wage Assistance Program Application
The State of Indiana has submitted an application to FEMA for the New Lost Wage Assistance Program.
Continue readingState Officials Discuss School Reopening Guidance
Determining whether it’s safe to reopen schools for in-person classes continues to be a local decision for now. While other places are only letting schools open if the rate of positive COVID-19 tests is below a certain level, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box says Indiana isn’t doing that yet.
Continue readingSNAP Recipients Can Now Use Benefits for Online Food Purchases
Hoosiers may now use SNAP benefits to order groceries online. Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Secretary Dr. Jennifer Sullivan announced Wednesday that the program is officially up and running.
Continue readingEastern Pulaski Schools Offers Appreciation Pay to Support Staff Working during COVID-19 Closure
Eastern Pulaski school employees who’ve worked extra hours during the COVID-19 closure will be getting “appreciation pay.”
Continue readingHospitals, Health Departments to Get PPE Shipments this Week
Medical professionals who’ve had a hard time getting personal protective equipment are getting some help from the Indiana State Department of Health. State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box says 128 hospitals and 90 health departments will get a shipment of supplies this week.
Continue readingIndiana State Police Hand Out Face Masks to Truck Drivers
Truck drivers continuing to make their deliveries during the COVID-19 pandemic were able to get some protective equipment, with some help from Indiana State Police. Master Trooper Jim Strong and Sgt. Dale Turner passed out 1,000 face masks Friday at the I-94 rest park in LaPorte County, with help from Darin Jones with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
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 readingState Health Commissioner Updates COVID-19 Testing Guidelines
Indiana’s high obesity rate could increase the likelihood of serious complications from COVID-19. During state officials’ briefing Monday, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said she’s recommending that those with a high body mass index should be tested if they’re believed to have the disease.
Continue readingStarke, Marshall Counties Receive FEMA Reimbursements
FEMA reimbursement funds were recently distributed to Marshall County and Starke County from the 2018 flooding event.
Continue readingStarke County Gets a Portion of FEMA Reimbursement
Starke County recently received a portion of reimbursement funds from last year’s flooding event.
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