The Indianapolis 500 is being pushed back from its traditional Memorial Day weekend spot until August 23rd, according to our news-gathering partners at Network Indiana.

This is the first time since 1946 that the race won’t run on Memorial Day weekend.

IndyCar has already announced the postponement or cancellations of the first four races of this season. IndyCar was supposed to resume racing May 9th on the road course at Indianapolis. That race will now be run on July 4th. NASCAR races at The Brickyard on July 5th.

State adds 150+ COVID-19 cases statewide

The Indiana State Department of Health is reporting 645 positive COVID-19 test results this morning and 17 deaths from the disease across the state. So far there have been 4,651 tests complete for the disease by the health department.

Bartholomew County has six reported cases, Decatur County has 13. Four are reported in Jennings County, two in Shelby County, two in Jackson County and one in Brown County. Johnson County has 36 confirmed cases.

Marion County leads the state with 293 confirmed cases.

Sheriff urges you to maintain social distancing

From Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers

It has only been 3 days since Governor Holcomb’s directive to “Stay Home “ if possible. I believe most in Bartholomew County are sheltered in place; however, the sun is shining today, the weather is warm and some people will be tempted to resume normal activities.

Please don’t do it. Leave only when it is absolutely necessary for essential jobs or essential supplies. The only way we are going to defeat this virus and stop its spread is to stay at home and to practice social distancing. It is working in other areas and it will work here if we all do our part.

I want to thank our medical professionals, our first responders and all who are taking this threat seriously and staying home.

I don’t know how long this will last but the sooner we stop the spread, the sooner we can return to a somewhat normal life.

Enjoy the sunshine — just do it from home.

State insurance department warns of scam attempts

The Indiana Department of Insurance is alerting Hoosiers to be aware of scammers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A warning was issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General regarding scams by fraudsters who are offering COVID-19 tests to Medicare beneficiaries in exchange for personal details, including Medicare information.

These services are unapproved and illegitimate.

Fraudsters are targeting beneficiaries in a number of ways, including telemarketing calls, social media platforms, and door-to-door visits. They are using the coronavirus pandemic to benefit themselves, and beneficiaries face potential harm. The personal information collected can be used to fraudulently bill Federal health care programs and commit medical identity theft. If Medicare or Medicaid denies the claim for an unapproved test, the beneficiary could be responsible for the cost.

Protect Yourself

• Beneficiaries should be cautious of unsolicited requests for their Medicare or Medicaid numbers.
• Be suspicious of any unexpected calls or visitors offering COVID-19 tests or supplies. If your personal information is compromised, it may be used in other fraud schemes.
• Ignore offers or advertisements for COVID-19 testing or treatments on social media sites.
• A physician or other trusted healthcare provider should assess your condition and approve any requests for COVID-19 testing.
• If you suspect COVID-19 fraud, contact National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline (866) 720-5721 or [email protected]

Contact SHIP with Your Medicare Questions

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a free and impartial counseling program for people with Medicare. SHIP is provided by the Indiana Department of Insurance. All of SHIP’s services are free and are not affiliated with any insurance company or agency. SHIP counselors have completed intensive training to offer you objective assistance in complete confidence. To contact a counselor, call 1-800-452-4800. For the TDD line for the hearing impaired, call 866-846-0139.

State suggests schools open buildings for limited childcare

In a continuing effort to slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Governor Eric J. Holcomb has announced additional efforts, including new guidance for child care.

Here are other actions the State of Indiana has taken:

• The Indiana State Department of Education (DOE) and Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) have teamed to encourage school corporations in Indiana to open schools on a limited basis to provide child care services for emergency workers and others who are working to keep communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • On Friday, FSSA provided new guidance for child care operators who are licensed by the state. Here is the link: https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/5761.htm
  • Today, DOE provided similar guidance to school corporations to care for the school age children of essential workers. The guidance provides specific steps for schools to take to open school facilities as well as how to maintain a safe environment. https://www.doe.in.gov/sites/default/files/news/child-care-recommendation-essential-personnel.pdf
  • Among precautions for school district officials, the steps include collecting child health records, allowing extra time for deep cleaning, prohibiting staff who are in high-risk categories from providing the care, and keeping groups of students in separate areas of the building.
• The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) has spoken to more than 1,000 businesses and economic development agencies in the last five days about ways to continue supporting the state’s economy as well as its front-line COVID-19 pandemic response workers.
  • More than 135 companies have been fully vetted as being able to help, including RV and auto manufacturers that are switching lines to help make shields, masks and other Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
  • Multiple companies – including Subaru, Heritage Group and Summit MMI – have come together to donate thousands of PPE. Restaurants and companies have donated thousands of gloves.
• Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced Community Development Block Grant funds may be redirected to assist with COVID-19 needs based on guidance from the United States Housing and Urban Development. This program could help fund projects such as mobile testing areas or economic assistance packages for small businesses.
• More information may be found at the ISDH website at in.gov/coronavirus/ and the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Columbus parks announce more closings

The City of Columbus, following guidance from the Indiana Governor’s office and the Indiana Department of Health, and in support of the community strategy to mitigate and slow the spread of the virus, will close the following facilities to the public:

• The Commons
• Donner Center
• Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena
• Columbus Gymnastics Center
• Park Operations Service Center
• Lincoln Park – Softball Diamonds
• Clifty Park – Softball and Baseball Diamonds
• Blackwell Park – Soccer Fields
• Rocky Ford Par 3 Golf Course
• Donner Park Tennis Courts
• Harrison Ridge Park Tennis Courts
• Lincoln Park Tennis Courts
• Richards Pickleball Courts
• Donner Park Pickleball Courts
• All Playgrounds

These facilities will reopen Friday, May 1. All other Parks and Recreation services and offices, including Greenbelt Golf Course, will remain open to the public and continue to serve the community.

If you or your child is signed up for a Parks and Recreation program that occurs during this time, you will receive a separate communication from a Parks staff member.
We encourage the public to call or email Park staff to conduct business.

For more information or to register for future activities, visit columbusparksandrec.com.

BCCF announces rapid response fund to COVID-19

For over 25 years, the Brown County Community Foundation has provided grant dollars to support vital efforts in our local community. From our earliest days, we have worked together with partners across the community to improve healthcare, to support education, and to advance quality of life efforts. We care deeply for the people of this county, just as those pioneers before us.

It is with this tradition in mind and a sense of responsibility to those who work on the ground every day providing vital – even life-saving – services that the BCCF has created the Brown County Rapid Response Fund. The BCCF pledges an initial $10,000 to the fund and challenges our community to match this amount through individual giving for a total goal of $20,000.

The goal of the Rapid Response Fund is to expand local capacity by supporting the nonprofits helping individuals and families experiencing hardship because of the outbreak, related closures, and disruptions. The fund will assist local social service agencies, healthcare organizations, food service organizations, and emergency responders to address needs such as personal protective gear, equipment, or supplies; support for communications or public awareness campaigns; and funding for other operational and emergency needs.

This fund will provide grants on a rolling basis and adapt to changing circumstances from acute immediate needs to longer term recovery. Information about the fund can be found at www.browncountygives.org. Donors who wish to contribute can give via the website or by texting TOGETHERBC to 44-321.

The BCCF is also fully prepared to continue to serve, support, and advise our donors and provide grant support to our community, even as it becomes necessary to limit staff presence within our physical office space. Our staff will work to continue to support your philanthropic needs.

Never in our lifetime have we seen this kind of threat, but never in our lifetime have we had an opportunity like this to truly help each other and serve. Give help if you can and ask for help if you are in need. We are all in this together.

For more information contact the Brown County Community Foundation at 812-988-4882 or email Maddison Miller at [email protected].

The United Way of Bartholomew County is seeing a good response from residents donating to the COVID-19 Relief Fund, but more help is still needed.

The fund was established last week to help the most vulnerable in the community and so far, the response has been better than expected, said Magen Pillar, spokeswoman for the local  United Way.

She explains that donations will go to the United Way agencies working directly with those in need.

Money so far has gone to Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Family Center, Sans Souci and Su Casa. She said that if you need help, you should first contact those agencies.

You can get more information or make a donation at UWBarthCo.org

Authorities are walking a fine line enforcing the governor’s stay-at-home order. On the one hand, they want the public to know that they are not aggressively enforcing the order against those trying to carry on their necessary business. But they also don’t want that to be a free pass for non-essential companies to reopen or for residents to move about unnecessarily.

Lt. Matt Harris with the Columbus Police Department talks about their approach, saying that police have said they will not be out specifically ticketing or arresting those in violation.

But at least one local business took that to mean the order was not being enforced and decided to reopen, Harris said. Violations of the order can be treated as a Class B misdemeanor he said.

Violations of an emergency order can be treated as a Class B misdemeanor he said. But ideally, everyone would comply voluntarily.

He encouraged anyone with questions to contact authorities directly, rather than relying on social media or rumors for information.

Sgt. Stephen Wheeles, spokesman for the Versailles State Police Post, posted a list of guidelines that State Troopers are following in this crisis.

• Stay-at-Home Executive Order issued by Gov. Holcomb went into effect at 11:59 pm on 3-24-20 and will last until 11:59 pm on 4-6-20, unless extended
• Anyone conducting essential travel will not be in violation of the order (Find what qualifies as essential travel at coronavirus.in.gov where the order and FAQ page associated with it can be viewed)
• If you work as an employee of an essential business (lists of essential businesses can be found in the executive order or FAQ page) you are allowed to travel to and from work
• Indiana residents are NOT required to have a work permit or other documentation to show they are traveling to or from work and are in compliance with the order. Simply tell the officer your reason for travel if you are asked.
• Donating blood in an essential function. There is a shortage of blood being donated due to the virus. So, please donate if you are healthy, bored, and want to get out of your house to help make a difference. Contact the American Red Cross to find a donation site near you.
• It is a Class B Misdemeanor to violate this order
• Police will NOT be randomly stopping people or conducting roadblocks in an attempt to find those violating the order

Wheeles said that the Indiana State Police is focused on serving the citizens of Indiana during the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes helping to mitigate the spread of the virus.

“The Department’s response will focus on educating our citizens of the orders that are in place, directing them back to their home, the steps they can take to practice social distancing to keep their families healthy, and providing appropriate avenues to seek additional information. If an extraordinary situation requires enforcement in order to protect public safety, the issuance of a citation or physical arrest may be the necessary course of action to be taken.”

The American Red Cross is still seeing a critical need for blood, as the ongoing emergency has led to the cancellation of many blood drive events.

If you want to donate, you can go to the Brown County YMCA in Nashville from 11 to 4 Thursday. The Church of Latter Day Saints in Columbus will be having a blood drive from 2 to 7 Friday. And there will be a blood drive at the Holiday Inn in Columbus from noon to 5 on Sunday.

There will also be donation opportunities locally at First Christian Church in Columbus 11 to 4 on April 2nd, at  Tea Creek Baptist Church in North Vernon from 2 to 7 on April 2nd, and on April 15th and April 22nd at Tipton Lakes Athletic Club from 11 to 4.

Giving blood is considered an essential service under the governor’s stay-at-home order.

You can make an appointment to donate online at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

State numbers show 477 cases

The Indiana State Department of Health is reporting 477 positive COVID-19 test results this morning and 14 deaths from the disease across the state. So far there have been 3,356 tests complete for the disease by the health department.

Bartholomew County has five reported cases, Decatur County has seven. Three are reported in Jennings County, two in Shelby County and one each in Brown and Jackson counties.

The Bartholomew County Health Department is reporting 304 total tests locally, with 69 negative results and 224 pending tests.

Johnson County has 24 confirmed cases and two of the new deaths happened there. The Johnson County Joint Incident Management Team reports that makes three deaths from COVID-19 in the county. The two most recent victims were each 75 years of age and died in the hospital. All three deaths have been from the Greenwood area.

Marion County leads the state with 226 confirmed cases.

Emergency management warns of dangers of rumors

Bartholomew County Emergency Management says that rumors can easily circulate within communities during a crisis. Do your part to the stop the spread of disinformation by doing 3 easy things; don’t believe the rumors, don’t pass them along and go to trusted sources of information to get the facts about the federal (COVID-19) response.

Always go to trusted sources of information like coronavirus.gov or your state and local government’s official websites or social media accounts for instructions and information specific to your community.

Indiana State Police are also urging residents not to create, believe or pass on fake social media posts or rumors.

State Police Superintendent Doug Carter spoke at the governor’s press conference at the statehouse yesterday,

Thrive Alliance offers friendly calls for seniors

To help seniors who are having difficulties coping with loneliness and isolation, made especially difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic, Thrive Alliance is offering a Senior Friend Line to put individuals in touch with a Thrive Alliance staff member who will listen to their concerns confidentially and without judgement.

Senior Friend Line staff are not therapists, and will not provide counseling advice, but they have been highly trained in active listening. Calls generally last about 10 minutes, but individuals are invited to call back should they want additional listening support.

When necessary, the staff may provide referrals to services for those callers who have on-going challenges.

Anyone over the age of 60, or anyone who has a disability, may call Thrive Alliance at 1-866-644-6407 during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, to be connected to the Senior Friend Line. Between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, staff will be available to chat via Thrive Alliance’s online chat service which can be accessed by simply going to www.Thrive-Alliance.org.