FC health board reorganizes, still without a health officer; COVID cases up by 143 since August 9

By John Estridge There remains no health officer in Franklin County. Franklin County Health Board held an emergency meeting Tuesday, August 24, in a reorganization attempt. Three new board members joined the board, with two of the three there for the meeting. Another three current board members were there and one more needs to be …

School board members calmly but emotionally decide against mask mandate at FCCSC schools

By John Estridge No mask mandate. Franklin County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees had a special meeting Monday night, August 23. The meeting was supposed to be a nice event, a tour of the new music addition and the new upgrades at other parts of Franklin County High School. That was postponed. The topic …

Mandatory masks may be in FCCSC students’ near future

By John Estridge Franklin County Community School Corporation Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting Monday afternoon, August 23. First on the school board’s 5:30 p.m. agenda is “discussion on COVID-19 procedures.” That could be a discussion about making masks mandatory at the schools within the system. Or some other safety procedures could be …

FC commissioners said people should make own decisions on masks

By John Estridge Franklin County Commissioner Tom Wilson read a statement concerning the county’s policy on masks into the official record near the end of their meeting Tuesday, August 10. It essentially said conditions concerning COVID in Franklin County do not match other places in the country, and commissioners believe individuals should make health choices …

FEMA wants to help families of COVID-19 victims with funeral expenses

From a FEMA press release The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) plans to help families with the funeral expenses incurred by COVID-19 victims. According to a FEMA press release, the money for the program is coming from Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Families …

First jury trial since the March 2020 Shutdown held in Franklin Co.; Laurel man found guilty of possession of methamphetamine

By John Estridge from a press release authored by Franklin County Prosecutor Chris Huerkamp The first jury trial conducted in Franklin County since the imposition of public health restrictions in March 2020, resulted in a guilty verdict for Philip Richardson, 61, Laurel. After briefly deliberating, jurors found Richardson guilty of Possession of Methamphetamine, as a …

FC commissioners’ stance on mask mandate

FC commissioners press release On March 23, Governor Eric Holcomb announced that Indiana’s mandatory mask mandate will expire April 6, 2021. Face coverings will, however, remain mandatory throughout Indiana in all state buildings, at vaccine clinics and COVID testing sites, and in k-12 schools.  Masks will not be mandatory in the Franklin County Government Center, per …

UC is seeking a $250,000 OCRA grant to give up to $10,000 to small businesses in the county

By John Estridge Union County is going to apply for a $250,000 Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) Cobra Phase 3 grant to help small businesses, which have been economically hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic. A public hearing on the grant was held at the Union County Commissioners’ meeting Friday morning, February 19. Greg …

Hoosiers 65 and older now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

Indiana State Department of Health The Indiana Department of Health today announced that Hoosiers age 65 and older are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is available at no cost, and appointments can be made by visiting https://ourshot.in.gov. Hoosiers who do not have access to a computer or cell phone or who need …