COVID-19-related closings, changes

UPDATES AS THEY HAPPEN:

4-1-20

• Clothed in Christ, located at Southern Hills Church is currently closed. At this time, they are not in need of any further donations. Thank you for your understanding and they hope to be able to serve the community soon.

• The Salem Public Library has WiFi service available in our parking lot area everyday. The WiFi is available from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday. On Friday and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

• Salem Park and Rec Department announced that they have cancelled the Baseball/Softball/T-ball for the 2020 year. 

3-27-20

• East Washington School Board Meeting cancelled for 3-31.

• Silver Fox Cafe in Pekin has closed carry out BUT is still operating the drive through.

• Students can be read a story nightly at 6 p.m. on Facebook...Stories with Bradie Shrum Staff will be live each night with a BSE staff member reading their favorite book.

• FSA Service Centers are open to phone calls only, 812-883-3006.

• Town of Campbellsburg town board meeting scheduled for April 6 has been cancelled.

3-25-20

• Outside the Walls annual yard sale is postponed.

• Moore’s Animal Care Clinic - hours are by appointment only! Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m,, Friday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.  We are honoring all previously scheduled surgeries at this time. Call, email, or facebook message them for curbside service, if needed.

• Highlander Center, self-serve coin laundry is OPEN 7 days/week, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., 200 S. Water St., Salem.

• Billy Martin's Store closed to public. For essential needs and services, we will still be available by phone 812-967-3997.

• Main Street Meats in Pekin is reducing hours to noon to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday. 812-967-6328.

• West Washington School Board will not meet on March 30.

3-24-20

•  Campbellsburg school children can pick up sack lunches at the community building on Wednesday, March 25 from 11:30 to 12:30.

• Lemmy, the Sassy Bassett is wanting to help pets in need, reach out to him on his Facebook page.

• SHS Prom tentatively rescheduled for June 5.

• Piecemaker Quilt Guild is postponing their quilt show originally scheduled for June.

3-23-20

• Leader Publishing Company has come to the difficult decision to close the office to visitors. If you need assistance, please call 812-883-3281. There is also a drop off box located outside the front door for your convenience. The news doesn't stop and the staff continues to work diligently to meet the needs of our customers and community.

• The Washington County Food Bank is in need of donations. Call 812-883-2655, Monday, Wednesday or Friday.

• Ascension St. Vincent has updated temporary visitor restrictions at all hospitals across the state to limit the spread of viral respiratory infections. Given the rapidly evolving situation related to COVID-19, the following visitor restrictions are effective Saturday, March 21, and apply to all Emergency Departments in all Ascension St. Vincent hospitals. No visitors will be allowed in any Ascension St. Vincent Emergency Department. One parent or guardian may accompany any pediatric patient, and other compassionate exceptions may be made. 

• Eastern-Pekin Alumni Banquet has been cancelled for this year. This year's honor classes will be honored next year.

• Leader Publishing Company Spring Home, Garden and Business expo has been postponed until the Fall. Updates will be given as they are decided.

• Hoosier Uplands mental health clinic in Bedford, Serenity Now Psychiatric and Counseling Service, is open and are seeing patients via telemedicine at this time.  New patients are being accepted. For information or an appointment call 812-275-4053.

• CHOICES will be open for distribution of diapers, wipes and formula on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call ahead 812-883-2675.

• April 4 Breakfast cancelled at Hardinsburg Senior Citizens’ building, 183 Joseph St., Hardinsburg.

• The Washington County YMCA is cancelling Healthy Kids Day which was planned for April 18, 2020. We are hoping that we will be able to have it later this year.

3-20-20

• Washington County Theatre (WCT) is postponing the March 29-30 auditions for the comedy “’Til Beth Do Us Part” due to COVID-19 concerns. WCT will feature the show in its next season. Those wishing to audition are encouraged to watch the newspaper for updates.

• Washington County Food Bank - If sick, call 812-883-2655 so staff can prepare order for pickup by designated person. If coming to the office, they are limiting those entering the building to one at a time. Step into the office, give name and number in household, pick from available produce and wait outside while the staff packs your food and brings it to your vehicle.

• First Harrison Bank will close the lobby starting March 20. The drive through hours will be extended to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and until 4 p.m. on Saturday.

• Work One is closing their offices. Contact them at 812-948-6102 or at www.workoneregion10.com.,

3-19-20

•  Dr. Nassim from All-In Pediatrics has started a campaign to sew face masks for our children with a cough. The goal is to have enough masks in our offices by Friday to give one to every child with a cough! If you'd like to help with our supply or make them for yourself and your family, here is the link to the You Tube video with instructions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDt02kUpP9Q.

• Hair Elite is open and allowing no more that 10 people in the shop at a time.

• Centra Credit Union  will be temporarily operating on an appointment-only basis in their branch lobbies. The drive-thrus will remain open and operate as they always have so you can continue making deposits, cashing checks, and managing your accounts.  Stay up to date with changes, event cancellations and more at https://www.centra.org/coronavirus/.

• United Way COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund is now available. It can help with bills, rent and food. Call 1-866-211-966, provide your zip code and you will be given a list of local agencies that can provide assistance.

3-18-20

• Groups Recover Together has cancelled in office appointments and groups for 14 days, starting 3/17/20. Call 1-888-519-6279, for questions.

• Humane Society of Washington County is closed to the public. If you need assistance within the city limits, call 812-883-1524 or outside the city limits, call 812-883-5999. Shelter questions can be addressed by calling 812-883-4204 and leaving a message.

• Silver Fox Cafe in Pekin continues to have their drive-through open and will do carryout orders.

• Growing Kids Pediatric is urging self-quarantine for children who exhibit cold-like symptoms and for caregivers to treat for syptoms.

• Salem Public Library is closed.

• West Washington guidance office is availble for calls or video chats.

• Washington County YMCA is closed through March 29. Administrative employees continue to work Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Their number is 812-883-9622.

• Washington County Bureau of Motor Vehicles continues to operate under normal hours.

• All Hoosier Uplands services including Home Health & Hospice, and Serenity Now Psychiatric and Counseling Service in Bedford are open and available .  Head Start Centers are closed. Clients are encouraged to call in for service when possible and outside visitors are discouraged during this time, unless a necessity on a case by case basis.

“We are cleaning offices at least twice per day and have made arrangements for any staff who have to be off work due to this COVID 19 crisis will continue to be paid,”  said David Miller,  Hoosier Uplands Chief Executive Officer.  “We are doing a lot of telephone checking on all clients to check on any needs they may have, and we have made arrangements to see that all Head Start families and elderly on home delivered meals have food during this time” he added.

• American Legion Post 41 will be closed until April 1. At that time, the closing situation will be revisited. Bingo will be closed, as well. They offer a link that may possibly help bartenders and servers in financial need, https://www.usbgfoundation.org/.

• Ascension St. Vincent Salem hospital has limited hospital entry points. They are asking that there be just one visitor, over the age of 18, per patient at a time and exceptions to visitor restrictions may be made on a case-by-case basis. All visitors will be screened for the following symptoms: 

• Fever greater than 100.0 F
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing

If the visitor screen is negative, the visitation may proceed provided the visitor’s movement within the hospital is limited to the patient’s room.

• Schneck Medical Center has launched a dedicated 24/7 hotline, 812-524-4266, that offers free Coronavirus (COVID-19) phone screenings. The hotline provides guidance to those who believe they have been exposed to the virus or have concerning symptoms.

• Leslie Batt and family pig sale will go on March 20 but the location has changed to 6416 W. Vincennes Trail.

• Leader Publishing Company is open for business.

3-17-20

• Midwest Natural Gas has closed its lobby until the end of the month. You can still pay your bill over the phone (1-844-200-2038), through Midwest.UtilityDistrict.com, at the dropbox located in front of the office, or through the mail. Employees will still be on duty during this time, so you can still call with questions or to request service at (812) 752-2230, for Clark, Jackson, Jennings, Scott, Washington, and Eastern Orange counties.

• Washington County Sheriff Department has announced changes at the jail. Visitation booths will remain closed. The sheriff department lobby is closed to the public. 

• The wildflower hike previously planned for Becks Mill on Saturday, April 11 has been cancelled due to concerns about the coronavirus. Organizers hope to reschedule the event next spring.

• Saturday’s (3/21) Lenten breakfast at New Hope Methodist has been cancelled. 

• Salem Crossing and Meadow View Healthcare has initiated the following rules to protect their residents. No communal dining and face masks for all essential visitors and vendors. To keep the social distancing, residents will be served meals in their rooms and have more individual activity. All people who come in the door will be screened, getting temperature taken. Those with a temp of 100 or more will not be allowed inside.

• The John Hay Center and all it’s offerings are closed to members and public alike, until at least April 1, pending further evaluation.  

• Effective Wednesday, March 18 all Washington County government buildings will be closed to the public. Staff will still be on hand to conduct business. If you have a need, call the respective office that you need assistance from.

• City of Salem buildings will also be closed to the public starting Wednesday, March 18. Business will carry on, as staff will continue to report to work.

• Dare to Care food distribution is cancelled.

• The Canton Mission Team benefit auction and meal scheduled for Saturday, March 21 has been postponed.

• Canton United Methodist Church services are suspended for at least the next four weeks.

• Heil's Auction scheduled for March 21 has been cancelled.

• SHS Splash into Science trip has been postponed.

• Salem Veterinary is offering car-side service and drop off appointments. If you must come into the office, they request one family member per pet.

• Dr. Carty will refill prescriptions by phone. She urges patients to call and reschedule appointments.

 • Salem Fire Department first responders will only be responding to advanced life support incidents. They will no longer accompany EMS for basic life supports incidents without being asked by EMS. This is for Salem and Washington Township.

• EHS has postponed prom, scheduled for April 11. The new date will hopefully be 5/23/20.

3-16-20

• Express China has temporarily closed.

• Effective 3/17/20, ACE Hardware of Salem will assist customers through a drive-up service. The store will be closed to the public for the next two weeks. Orders will be taken in the parking lot, over the phone and online at acehardware.com.  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 through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Rumpke is committed to protecting the communities in which they serve and have suggetions on how you can help them.

What You Can Do:

• Bag all of your trash. This reduces employee exposure to items like used tissues and other personal hygiene products.
• Ensure you only place the correct items in your recycling container. Remember items tissues, napkins and paper cups aren’t accepted.
• We are experiencing higher call volumes at this time. If you have a question, please consider contacting Rumpke Customer Service via email at Rumpke.com or through Facebook private message.

• Washington County Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon meeting scheduled for March 19 has been cancelled.

• Taste of Lamb scheduled for Friday, March 20 has been cancelled.

• Salem Community Schools Lion Legacy program scheduled for Friday, April 3 has been postponed.

• The Lincoln Day Dinner has been changed to a date later this summer/early fall.

• The nonprofit board training sponsored by the Washington County Community Foundation scheduled for March 17 has been cancelled. The training will be offered later in the year.

• Hollis Auction Center 's consignment auction scheduled for March 28 has been postponed until a later date. Watch for details.

• Hall's Auction Service has postponed the coin and jewelry auction scheduled for Sunday, March 22.

• Lion Unified game scheduled for April 4 & the Unified prom on April 18 will need to be postponed and hopefully rescheduled.

* Dr. Moore's vet clinic seeing animals by appointment only, no walk ins.

* Drs. Kearschner's dental office is closed for 2 weeks.

SALEM

• Salem Community Schools will be closed through April 10. On Monday, March 16, all employees were called to report to school to finalize preparations for this change, and on Tuesday, March 17, daily lessons were set to begin using remote learning.

Assignments will not be returned on a daily basis, but completed over the course of the closure.

“We are in unprecedented times,” said Salem Superintendent Jon Acton in the press release. “This significant adjustment to all Salem Schools significantly impacts our entire community … Not only is it our responsibility to protect our students and staff, but also the lives of those currently most vulnerable … We are Salem! Together we will overcome this situation! Roar Lions!”

In a separate release, Acton told teachers, “Give encouraging words to students today as they leave. Even the ‘cool’ kids will be filled with apprehension and anxiety.”

• Express China owner Mindy Zheng said she decided to close down the buffet Thursday, but the restaurant is still in operation, selling food through the restaurant’s otherwise little-used drive-thru. Diners can also call in their orders for carryout.

She said business had been slow for the past week, as people spent more time at home and less at public places, like restaurants.

“We did this to help keep everybody safe,” she said. “Right now, many Chinese restaurants are seeing less business.”  

• Chain restaurants like Subway have released press releases, talking about the steps they’re taking to keep diners safe, including increasing the frequency of cleaning. Subway said they have removed dine-in sandwich baskets and serving trays and is offering customers a new cup with each refill. Their release said they are also reinforcing existing health and food safety protocols with employees.

• Southern Hills Church cancelled services this coming Sunday and the youth Sock Wars event.

• The March meeting of the Washington County Piecemakers Quilt Guild has been canceled. 

• The Awareness Washington County Chili Cook-Off has been cancelled.

• The Salem Senior Center will be closing through March 27, following a meeting with Mayor Justin Green. They will reevaluate at that time to determine whether to re-open or to extend their closure.

• IU Center for Rural Engagement events are also cancelled.

• Ascension St. Vincent Hospital released information on visitor restrictions during the outbreak, saying points of entrance into buildings will be limited and all visitors will be screened when entering the building. Should a visitor screen positive, they will not be allowed to visit. Visitors under the age of 18 are not allowed unless they are an emancipated minor, the parent of a patient or another case-by-case exception, and visitors will not be allowed for patients with COVID-19 except for end-of-life situations.

• In the interest of public health and especially our kids involved with extracurricular activities, Salem Park and Recreation will follow suit of the Salem Community Schools. As of now, our Little League Baseball and all Park & Rec. activities this season will be delayed until further notice.

PEKIN

• Sherry Clem, Pekin Clerk-Treasurer, said, starting Monday, March 16, Pekin Town Hall, along with the park shelterhouse and the highway garage, will be closed to walk-in customers — employees only — and they hope to resume normal operation on April 6. They will operate under normal business hours — Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. — and be available by phone at 812-733-4033. Utility bills can be dropped in the night deposit box on the door. Any amount over normal payment will be credited, but no change will be given. You can send bills through the mail, pay over the phone with a debit or credit card, and also pay online at TownofNewPekin.com.
“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but again, we must take every precaution to stop the virus,” said Clem.

• East Washington School Corporation will also close, though they plan to be closed until April 10.

“While no confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) have been reported in Washington County, the district is being proactive in its response to close schools in order to prevent the potential spread of the virus,” wrote Superintendent Dennis Stockdale in a release.

East Washington Schools will be closed and use e-learning between March 16 and 20, then nothing over spring break (March 23 to 27), then use e-learning again from March 30 to April 10.

“The health and safety of our students continues to be our first priority in the wake of the evolving situation around the novel coronavirus,” said Stockdale. “We encourage everyone in our school community to listen to facts and not respond to fear … Take care of yourselves and follow the health guidance and recommendations … Together we will successfully navigate this unprecedented event. We will reevaluate the situation by April 10 and provide further updates as necessary.”

CAMPBELLSBURG

• West Washington School Corporation originally decided not to cancel school, but reversed that decision a few hours later. They will be closed the week before spring break, March 16 to 20, and then reevaluate at the end of spring break, which ends on March 27.

"A decision about future closures will be communicated immediately following the decision being made," Superintendent Keith Nance's Facebook post said. "Information about remote learning will be shared on Monday morning. Students can check their Google Classrooms for updates, assignments and activities."

Anyone requesting alternate/non-digital assignments can contact the school office that your child attends. Elementary 812-755-4934. Jr/Sr High School 812-755-4996.

WWSC will provide food service to those who call and request it. Nance said they are not sure exactly what this will look like yet. You may call the Superintendent's Office on Monday to be added on a list. More details will follow about food service. Superintendent's Office 812-755-4872. Food service will NOT be provided over the scheduled spring break.

"There was NO communication or guidance from the federal, state or local levels to cancel school," the post continued. "No information from the Governor's memo or CDC had changed since 3/12/20. The leadership team and school board made the decision after collecting all relevant data and waiting for the officials that are charged with public health and safety to make a determination. That determination never came. Therefore, we made a decision to err on the side of caution."

• Campbellsburg Little League is postponed.