Area News

Governor Eric J. Holcomb Friday announced Indiana has been granted a federal Major Disaster Declaration, which provides funds to help commu­nities recover from COVID-19. The funding can be used to cover costs of emergency needs including crisis counseling, food programs, temporary shel­ters, protective equipment, safety resources and personnel. The Governor also signed an executive order…

With the first reported COVID-19 case in Parke County, some changes in working hours for county courthouse employees have been made. The County Recorder’s office is closed until further notice. Other first-floor offices will be operating on a shortened work schedule, and are available by appointment only. Those having business with the Assessor, Treasurer or…

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education is encouraging all students to file the 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before the approaching April 15, 2020 deadline. As part of the state’s annual Cash for College campaign, the Commission is joining with INvestED Indiana to host a virtual FAFSA Frenzy event Saturday, April 4.…

The April 7 meeting of the Marshall Town Council has been cancelled.

In response to recommendations from Governor Eric Holcomb, Secretary of State Connie Lawson, and the leadership of Indiana’s major political parties, the Indiana Election Commission has issued an order making it easier for Hoosiers to vote in the June 2 Primary Election. Governor Holcomb previously moved the primary from May 5 to June 2. The…

An amendment in the waning hours of the 2020 legislative session led to a change that will leave Hoosiers less informed about the status of their public schools. A conference committee report on House Bill 1003 contained not one but two changes to public notice requirements for Indiana school districts.   For full article, see…

Governor Holcomb took additional actions last week to protect and support Hoosiers during the COVID-19 outbreak with Executive Order 20-05. This order directs multiple state agencies on the expectations of providing support and protection to Hoosiers across the State. The Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) has therefore been issued the following action item:…

Rockville Town Council met for a special meeting Friday, March 20 to discuss the governor’s directive regarding utility disconnections. Council president Liddy Dowd-Wright stated that they will, of course, follow the order and cease utility shut-offs, and will not apply late-fees, until the order is lifted. For full article, see this week’s edition of the…

Attorney General Curtis Hill urged Hoosiers who believe they have been subjected to excessive prices for consumer goods during the coronavirus pandemic to file a complaint online with the Office of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division. While specific price-gouging authority in Indiana law refers to fuel prices during a state of emergency, the Office…