Hometown Media Group (https://hmgccity.com/)
Wayne County has surpassed 6,000 lab-confirmed positive cases of COVID. Data provided Wednesday, Jan. 20, by Indiana State Department of Health shows 6,037 cases of COVID in Wayne County since the pandemic began. A one-day increase of 54 new cases pushed the county past the 6,000 mark.
Local vaccine shipment delayed, with fewer doses
Here are some local COVID updates:
• Indiana Department of Health and Wayne County Health Department are partnering to hold a free drive-thru testing clinic for COVID-19. The clinic opened Tuesday, Jan. 5, and will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Saturday, Jan.
Richmond Mayor Dave Snow announced Tuesday night that despite his best efforts to stay healthy, he has received a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Snow said on his Facebook that he began experiencing mild symptoms late Monday night and went in for testing early Tuesday morning. Snow had attended a Richmond Common Council meeting on Monday evening.
Wayne County residents have been urged to keep their New Year’s celebrations small, only gathering with those in their household, to prevent further spread of COVID-19. Christine Stinson, executive director of Wayne County Health Department, noted that under orange-level guidelines, no gatherings are to have more than 50 people. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention echoes concern about 2021 celebrations, saying physical distancing and masks are needed, indoors and outdoors when around those not in your household.
David D. Crowe, 66, Greens Fork, passed away on Thursday January 14 at Reid Health with his daughters by his side. He was born in Randolph County, Indiana on February 2, 1954, the son of Daniel A & Betty J. Maiden Crowe, both of whom preceded him in death. David was a 1972 graduate of Northeastern High School. He was a member of Millwright Local 1003. He served as a Millwright Representative, Financial Secretary of the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters.
Area residents now have a few options for locations in Wayne, Fayette and Randolph counties where they can get their COVID-19 vaccine by appointment. Reid Health’s COVID-19 vaccine clinics in Lynn and Connersville will remain open next week as the Richmond location moves to the Wayne County Fairgrounds. Recipients can schedule an appointment outside of their home counties if desired. Initially, plans called for the sites in Randolph and Fayette counties to close this week, but after further discussion with county health officials in those areas, arrangements were made to continue staffing those locations. Indiana State Department of Health late last week expanded the rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations to Hoosiers age 80 and older.
As of Friday, Jan. 8, Wayne County Health Department will start making appointments for 1,000 residents who are 80-plus, first responders or healthcare workers to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in January. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Friday at https://ourshot.in.gov. Anyone who qualifies for the vaccine and is having difficulties going online to schedule can call 211 for assistance. The local health department will have 200 doses available in the first week, with 400 more doses during the week of Jan. 18, and 400 more starting Jan.
One woman has died and another was transported to an Indianapolis hospital after a Tuesday afternoon shooting in Richmond. Shortly after 2 p.m. Dec. 22, first-shift patrol officers for Richmond Police Department responded to 107 Kinsey St. on a report of two people being shot on the city’s northwest side. Upon arriving at the home near the Main Street Bridge, officers located two adult females inside who were suffering from gunshot wounds.
Two juveniles are facing preliminary charges of murder after a Centerville man was shot to death. The arrests were announced Saturday, Dec. 19, after Indiana State Police led an investigation into the Tuesday, Dec. 15, death of 51-year-old James J. Burkhart. One arrest was made in Ohio after a suspect led members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol in a pursuit resulting in the suspect crashing before being apprehended, according to Sgt.
Four local medical professionals received their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccinations Thursday evening while on camera, and they are eager for more of the community to get vaccinated as well. Dr. Thomas Huth, vice president of medical affairs at Reid Health received the first shot, along with Drs. Annuradha Bhandari, Jennifer Bales and David Jetmore. Bhandari led the effort to create a dedicated respiratory clinic within the Reid Health system during the pandemic’s early days. Bales is chief of staff and an emergency room physician, and Jetmore, an ear, nose and throat specialist, is currently serving as Wayne County’s health officer.
Indiana State Police is taking the lead in investigating a fatal shooting that occurred late Tuesday evening (Dec. 15) in Centerville. The shooting incident resulted in the death of one male and the suspect has been apprehended, according to a news release from Sgt. Coley McCutcheon, the Pendleton post’s new public information officer. At approximately 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, officers from Centerville Police Department and Wayne County Sheriff’s Department responded to the 100 block of South First Street in Centerville, where they found one deceased male.
Here are a couple of updates on crashes taking place Tuesday, Dec. 1, from Indiana State Police:
6 p.m. update:
After about six hours, an investigation and subsequent cleanup of a crash on Interstate 70 near the Indiana/Ohio state line has concluded. Both eastbound lanes are now back open. Motorists intending to travel through the area can resume normal travel. The crash took place at the Ohio 6 mile-marker before noon and required all eastbound lanes to be shut down.
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s weekly news conference, November 18, was led by Dr. Kristina Box, Indiana’s State Health Commissioner, as the Governor and his wife quarantine at home per COVID-19 guidelines. Several members of his security detail tested positive for COVID the day before. While neither the Governor nor his wife have symptoms, they have participated in contact tracing and will get tested later in the week. Dr. Box recommends getting tested 48 hours from the first sign of positive symptoms in a close contact. Cases are rising dramatically in Indiana and across the Midwest.
Jeff Windle
Centerville
1. Yes
2. No doubt, that’s politics. Democrats, Republicans are dividing us up here. 3.