COVID-19-related closings, changes

UPDATES AS THEY HAPPEN:

3-16-20

• 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.

SALEM

• Salem Community Schools will be closed through April 6. 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.

• Canton United Methodist church WILL BE OPEN on Sunday for services.

• 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 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."