Author

Brett W. Todd - page 78

Brett W. Todd has 924 articles published.

Brett W. Todd is the managing editor of Clinton County Today. Clinton County Today is a community-focused website to provide individuals of Clinton County Indiana and surrounding areas with information impacting their lives. Clinton County Today is a service of Progressive Partners of Indiana, LLC where Brett W. Todd is its managing member.

Update (5/5/20): 1 Additional Clinton County Resident Has Tested Positive For COVID-19, Brings Total To 65

Published on

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) announced today, Tuesday, May 5, 2020, Clinton County has now had 65 residents test positive for COVID-19. The one (1) new case reported was a female in the (40-49) age group. There is 1 death related to COVID-19 in Clinton County. At least 567 residents of Clinton County have been tested as reported by the ISDH.

Additionally, the ISDH announced that 541 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 21,033 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total.

A total of 1,213 Hoosiers have died to date. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.

To date, 115,834 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 113,297 on Monday.

Frankfort Utility Service Board Provides IDEM Guidance for Flushing Water Systems

Published on

During the Monday, May 4, 2020, USB Meeting, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management guidance to re-opening buildings that may have been temporarily shut down or used less frequently over the last several weeks due to COVID-19 pandemic was shared.

Here is the link to download the complete document in pdf format:
https://www.in.gov/idem/cleanwater/files/dw_guidance_flushing_systems.pdf

Below is the text of the document:

This document is designed to help public water systems prepare their systems for safe use once they reopen buildings that may have been temporarily closed or used less frequently due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is imperative that operators adhere to the flushing instructions below to ensure their indoor plumbing is receiving fresh water and not stagnant water. The flushing instructions apply to:

• Community water systems such as municipal water supplies, subdivisions, or mobile home parks
• Non-transient non-community water systems such as schools, daycares or factories
• Transient water systems such as churches, restaurants/bars or campgrounds

Issues Caused by Stagnant Water

When water is not used over an extended period, it will become stagnant. Stagnant or standing water can cause conditions that increase the risk for growth and spread of Legionella and other harmful biofilmassociated bacteria. When water is stagnant, hot water temperatures can decrease to the Legionella growth range (77–108°F, 25–42°C). Stagnant water can also lead to low or undetectable levels of disinfectants such as chlorine and could also cause corrosion issues. It is critical to ensure water systems are safe to use after a prolonged shutdown to minimize the risk of Legionnaires’ and other diseases associated with stagnant water.

How to Remove Stagnant Water

Since stagnant water is a potential health risk and can impact water quality, it is necessary to systematically flush the plumbing. In general, flushing involves opening taps and other fixtures and letting water run to remove any stagnant water within plumbing and fixtures. To protect the health and safety of consumers, IDEM recommends that you carefully read and adhere to the following instructions, which provide a systematic approach for conducting a complete flush.

NOTE: Some buildings have water treatment systems and those treatment devices need to be cleaned, flushed, and maintained as part of the start-up process. After flushing, water filters need to be replaced. If there is a point-of-entry water treatment system such as a water softener or filter, please refer to the instruction manual for information on how to replace the filter.

Flushing Instructions

Please complete these steps in the order set out below. Finish each step completely before moving on to the next step. During the initial flushing, it is a good idea to wear protective respiratory equipment. Discoloration and a lingering odor may occur during flushing; these issues are expected and are not a health issue.

1. Flush ALL cold water taps for at least 5 minutes.

Begin the cold water flushing procedure. Open ALL cold-water fixtures and run them for at least 5 minutes. Shut the water off after 5 minutes. Flush each toilet at least one time. This step includes the water in your refrigerator water dispenser.

Flushing should begin at the water service entrance and proceed through the building to the end points of the plumbing system in the building(s). Depending on flow and pressure, you may need to increase the flushing time to ensure all stagnant water has been flushed.

2. Flush ALL hot water taps for 15 minutes.

Once the cold water lines have been flushed, begin the hot water flushing procedure. Open ALL hot water taps in your bathroom(s) including lavatory (sink) fixtures, hot water bath fixtures, and any other hot water fixtures such as kitchens, wet bars, etc. Run these hot water fixtures for at least 15 minutes. Shut the water off after 15 minutes. Depending on the size of the hot water tank, you may need to flush longer to ensure the water in the tank has drained and fresh water has refilled the tank. These steps should be effective at removing contaminants from the water heater. However, for information on draining and cleaning the water heater, please consult the manufacturer.

3. Flush ALL remaining appliances and faucets for 5 minutes.

Open any remaining fixtures such as hose bibs, external faucets, or fixtures not used for drinking for at least 5 minutes to finish the plumbing system flushing. Take additional steps to remove water from other appliances including:

• Ice Makers
• Dishwashers
• Washing Machines
• Humidifiers
• CPAP Machines
• Oral, Medical, or Health Care Devices
• Baby Formula
• Water Filters
• Water Softeners
• Filters (point of use and whole house)

Remove ice from the ice maker bin and discard 2 additional batches of ice. Run empty dishwasher and washing machine once on rinse cycle.

4. Perform periodic ongoing flushes.

Periodic flushing is important to maintain water quality. Full-building, periodic flushes proceed the same as the initial flush except water tanks do not need to be drained and hot water flushing times are the same as cold water flushing times.

If you have chlorinated water, it is a good idea to measure chlorine residual during periodic flushes.

For additional COVID-19 response information that is more detailed, please visit:
https://engineering.purdue.edu/PlumbingSafety/project

Other Resources
• Guidance for Building Water Systems (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/building-water-system.html

• Return to Service Guidance (American Water Works Association)

https://www.awwa.org/Resources-Tools/Resource-Topics/Coronavirus#10681543-shutoffs-and-return-to-service-guidance

Frankfort Mayor Announces City Services Will Resume Gradually

Published on

Following the announcement of Governor Holcomb’s roadmap to reopen Indiana, and the Clinton County Commissioners decision to lift the Clinton County Travel Advisory, Mayor Judy Sheets announced that several city departments will begin plans to loosen COVID-19-related restrictions but says, “this does not mean people should act as though the danger of contracting COVID-19 has passed. Residents should continue practicing social distancing, wear masks, and frequently wash their hands in order to prevent an increase in cases.”

Mayor Sheets said having 17 new COVID-19 cases reported in Clinton County between May 2 and May 4 “is very concerning to us. We want to make sure that any action taken by the city to reduce restrictions is balanced with caution and awareness that increasing personal interactions between employees and the public could result in an increase in cases of Covid-19.”

Starting today, Frankfort Street Department will resume bulk item drop-off and collection. Recycling items, excluding glass, can also be dropped off at the Street Department.

Frankfort Fire Department will resume fire inspections this week by appointment only.

City playgrounds, Skate Park, and basketball courts are scheduled to reopen May 24.

The Police Department lobby will reopen on June 1.

Frankfort City Council and Board of Works have been holding their twice-monthly meetings virtually and live-streaming on YouTube. The May 11 meetings will still be held virtually.

While all city offices remain open for business, residents are asked to continue calling each department to schedule an appointment before visiting the offices in person. Phone numbers for each department can be found on the city website at https://www.frankfort-in.gov.

8 Additional Clinton County Residents Test Positive For COVID-19, Brings Total To 64

Published on

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) announced today, Monday, May 4, 2020, Clinton County has now had 64 residents test positive for COVID-19. The eight (8) new cases reported consists of five (5) males and three (3) females. Of the five (5) males, two (2) are in the (30-39) age group, two (2) are in the (40-49) age group, and one (1) in the (20-29). Of the three (3) females, two (2) are in the (50-59) age group and one (1) in the (20-29) age group. There is 1 death related to COVID-19 in Clinton County. At least 557 residents of Clinton County have been tested as reported by the ISDH.

Additionally, the ISDH announced that 583 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 20,507 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total.

A total of 1,151 Hoosiers have died to date. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.

To date, 113,297 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 108,859 on Sunday.

9 Additional Clinton County Residents Test Positive For COVID-19, Brings Total To 56

Published on
The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) announced today, Sunday, May 3, 2020, Clinton County has now had 56 residents test positive for COVID-19. The nine (9) new cases reported consist of eight (8) males and one (1) female. Of the eight (8) males, two (2) are in the (20-29) age group, two (2) in the (30-39) age group, two (2) in the (40-49) age group, and one (1) each in the (50-59) and (60-69) age groups. The one (1) female is in the (50-59) age group. There is 1 death related to COVID-19 in Clinton County. At least 492 residents of Clinton County have been tested as reported by the ISDH.

Additionally, the ISDH announced that 645 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 19,933 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total.

A total of 1,132 Hoosiers have died to date. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.

To date, 108,859 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 104,141 on Saturday.

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb’s Back On Track Indiana Plan

Published on

The following graphic comes from Carson TerBush of the Indiana Daily Student. This version includes information on salons, barbershops, tattoo shops, nursing homes, and high-risk individuals, plus corrects the date for restaurants opening on May 11.

The infographic assists in understanding the five-stages of opening Indiana back up as presented by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb on Friday, May 1, 2020.

To check for updated versions, please click here:
https://twitter.com/_carsonology/status/1256614771232772097?s=20

Frankfort Street Department Will Resume Bulk Item Drop-off and Collection Effective Monday, May 4

Published on

Frankfort residents will also be able to drop off recyclable materials, excluding glass, at the 905 Burlington Avenue location during regular business hours.

Superintendent Jason Forsythe says, “I have directed street department employees to wear masks when they are working close to each other or the public. We will continue to practice safe social distancing and follow the guidelines recommended by the CDC. We do this for the safety of our employees and our residents.”

A date has not been set for Spring Clean-up. This event is typically scheduled for the week following Midwest Disposal’s free drop-off day at the landfill. Once a date for free drop-off at the landfill is announced, Frankfort Street Department will update the community with the dates for Spring Clean-up.

Frankfort Street Department is open between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and on the first and third Saturdays of each month from 8 a.m. to noon.

2 Additional Clinton County Residents Test Positive For COVID-19, Brings Total To 47

Published on

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) announced today, Saturday, May 2, 2020, Clinton County has now had 47 residents test positive for COVID-19. The two (2) new cases reported include a previously unreported case from April 26, 2020. Of the 2 new cases, 1 is a female and 1 is a male. The 1 female is in the (40-49) age group. The male (case from April 26) is in the (40-49) age group. There is 1 death related to COVID-19 in Clinton County. At least 412 residents of Clinton County have been tested as reported by the ISDH.

Additionally, the ISDH announced that 676 additional Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 through testing at ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. That brings to 19,295 the total number of Indiana residents known to have the novel coronavirus following corrections to the previous day’s total.

A total of 1,115 Hoosiers have died to date. Deaths are reported based on when data are received by ISDH and occurred over multiple days.

To date, 104,141 tests have been reported to ISDH, up from 99,639 on Friday.

Clinton County May Begin Stage 2 Of Reopening On May 4

Published on

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb outlined the reopening of Indiana by July 4th during his afternoon press conference on Friday, May 1, 2020.

The Governor outlined the social gathering limitations as they apply to each Stage:

Stage 2 (May 4) will allow social gatherings of up to 25 following CDC guidelines
Stage 3 (May 24) will allow gatherings of up to 100 following CDC guidelines
Stage 4 (June 14) will allow gatherings of up to 250 following CDC guidelines
Stage 5 (July 4) will allow gatherings of over 250 following CDC guidelines

Stage 2 is delayed for 3 counties in the state. Marion and Lake Counties will begin May 11 and Cass County will begin May 18.

Key Takeaways For Stage 2:

Beginning May 4:

• Social gatherings of 25 people may take place following the CDC social distancing guidelines

• Essential travel restrictions are lifted; local non-essential travel allowed

• Continue remote work whenever possible

• Religious services may convene inside places of worship (May 8th) – with specific social distancing guidelines

• Manufacturers, industrial operations, and other infrastructure that has not been in operation may open

• Public libraries may open

Beginning May 11:

• Personal services, such as hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, spas, and tattoo parlors. By appointment only with operational limitations. Employees must wear face coverings, work stations must be spaced to meet social distancing guidelines, and other requirements must be met. Customers should wear face coverings to the extent possible

• Restaurants and bars that serve food may open at 50% capacity with operational limitations. Bar seating will be closed with no live entertainment. Servers and kitchen staff must wear face coverings

Below is the full list provided by the State of Indiana in regards to Stage 2:

GUIDELINES FOR ALL HOOSIERS

• Hoosiers 65 and over and those with high-risk health conditions should remain at home whenever possible. This is the population that is most vulnerable to the coronavirus

• Recommend that residents wear face coverings in public settings. Residents also should continue to practice social distancing and good hygiene

• Social gatherings of 25 people may take place following the CDC social distancing guidelines. The coronavirus is often spread among groups of people who are in close contact in a confined space for an extended period of time. This limit applies to such events as wedding receptions, birthday parties, Mother’s Day gatherings, and others where people are in close physical contact for extended periods of time

• Essential travel restrictions are lifted; local non-essential travel allowed

• Continue remote work whenever possible

RELIGIOUS SERVICES – MAY 8

• Religious services may convene inside places of worship.

There are specific practices that should be considered for in-person services that are driven by social distancing guidelines and protections for those 65 and older and individuals with known high-risk medical conditions.

Examples of services include weddings, funerals, and baptisms.

WHAT OPENS

• Manufacturers, industrial operations, and other infrastructure that has not been in operation may open following OSHA and CDC guidelines.

• About half of the state’s Bureau of Motor Vehicle branches will open with services by appointment only; the remainder of branches will continue to open over the next two weeks

• Public libraries may open according to their own policies and CDC guidelines

• County and local governments will make decisions based on their policies and CDC guidelines

• Retail and commercial businesses, including those that have been open for the necessities of life during previous executive orders, may operate at 50% of capacity.

Examples include apparel, furniture, jewelry, and liquor stores that have been operating as curbside or delivery only

• Shopping malls may open at 50% capacity with indoor common areas at 25% capacity

• Those who work in office settings are encouraged to continue to work remotely whenever possible but may return to offices in small waves

WHAT OPENS (These business sectors may open a week after the start of Stage 2 ~ May 11th)

• Personal services, such as hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, spas, and tattoo parlors. By appointment only with operational limitations. Employees must wear face coverings, work stations must be spaced to meet social distancing guidelines, and other requirements must be met. Customers should wear face coverings to the extent possible

• Restaurants and bars that serve food may open at 50% capacity with operational limitations. Bar seating will be closed with no live entertainment. Servers and kitchen staff must wear face coverings

• State government executive branch offices will begin limited public services, and employees will begin to return to offices in small waves

• Boating is permitted, but boaters must follow social distancing guidelines

• Visitors to beaches and shorelines must adhere to the social gathering policy and social distancing guidelines

WHAT REMAINS CLOSED

• Individuals are not allowed to visit patients in assisted living/nursing home facilities

• Bars and nightclubs

• Gyms, fitness centers, community centers, and like facilities

• Cultural, entertainment, sports venues, and tourism
o This includes museums, zoos, festivals, parades, concerts, fairs, sports arenas, movie theaters, bowling alleys, aquariums, theme parks, recreational sports leagues and tournaments, and like facilities

• Playgrounds, tennis courts, basketball courts, amusement parks whether indoors or outside, tourist sites, water parks, and social clubs

• Congregate settings for seniors, adult daycares remain closed through at least May 31

• Casino operations

• Community swimming pools, public and private

• Residential and day camps

• Campgrounds, except for those living permanently in RVs or cabins

K-12 Educational Institutions

• All buildings, facilities, and grounds for K-12 educational institutions, public or private, will remain closed through June 30, 2020, except for the purposes previously allowed in Executive Orders pertaining to this public health emergency.

• Educational institutions (including public and private pre-K-12 schools, colleges, and universities) may be open for purposes
of facilitating distance learning, performing critical research, or performing essential functions, provided that social distancing of 6 feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible.

• Educational institutions that were previously closed and are reopening for these purposes must perform enhanced environmental cleaning of commonly touched surfaces, such as workstations, countertops, railings, door handles, and doorknobs. Use the cleaning agents that are usually used in these areas and follow the directions on the label. Provide disposable wipes so commonly used surfaces can be wiped down by employees before each use.

• The Indiana Department of Education, in consultation with the Indiana Department of Health, shall develop guidance for graduation ceremonies, including virtual graduation, drive-in ceremonies, and in-person ceremonies with the number of participants limited to the number allowed in the governor’s executive order and provided social distancing requirements are met.

Stages 3 through 5 information can be found here:
https://cl.ly/b77a6ae4a259

1 … 76 77 78 79 80 … 93
Go to Top