(Note:  I had to correct the original headline…to be clear, there have been over 500 positive tests recorded in Hamilton County, 29 deaths, 8 of them in Fishers.  Sorry about the original error.  It is a difficult time for us all)

The Hamilton County Health Department and Hamilton County Reporter Publisher Jeff Jellison have been going back-and-forth on the issue of information about COVID-19 positive tests and deaths in Hamilton County.  It appears the Health Department is beginning to release a little more information, but the general dispute appears to be ongoing.

According to a story published in the April 17 edition of the Reporter, Hamilton County Health Department officials revealed over 500 county residents have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.  One test came back positive for Carmel Police Chief Jim Barlow.

It was also disclosed by county health officials that 8 people with Fishers addresses have died of COVID-19.  A total of 29 Hamilton County residents have reportedly died of COVID-19.

Hamilton Southeastern School officials announced at the April 15th board meeting that an instructional assistant at HSE High School, Marc Fallow, has died from COVID-19.

During a meeting of the Hamilton County Health Board, one member asked who Jeff Jellison is and is he just trying to stir things up?  Jellison published a front page commentary in his newspaper in that April 17 edition as a response to that question.  Here is what Mr. Jellison wrote:

======================

“What do we know about this guy that is just all over the health department … this Jeff Jellison? Or whatever? Do we have any idea where this is coming from? Is this guy just somebody to stir things up or what?”

Those questions were asked by Laurie Pylitt, a member of the Board of Directors for the Hamilton County Health Department on Thursday’s during the board’s quarterly meeting. The questions were in regards to a few columns I’ve published challenging the health department’s interpretation of HIPAA and its transparency in releasing local COVID-19 data.

As the publisher and owner of the only locally-owned newspaper in Hamilton County, my goal has been to publish accurate news, sports, obituaries and the opinions of a great stable of columnists.

Never have I made the newspaper about me.

Today, I’m going to divert from my goal for a moment and introduce myself and my newspaper to Pylitt.

The Reporter is the county’s largest distribution newspaper.

The Reporter produces more county news than any other publication published in Hamilton County.

The Reporter annually donates a portion of its subscription and advertising revenue to several county non-profits.

I am a person that until nearly eight years ago had no experience in the newspaper business; however, I did mentor under a great newspaper man, Don Jellison.

I have lived in Hamilton County my entire life.

I own a beautiful piece of property in another part of the state, but choose to reside in Hamilton County.

I’m a person that was fortunate enough to be impacted by some tremendous coaches through participation in athletics. People like Jim Belden, Dave Nicholson, Steve Dillinger and Don Dunker. Those people taught me the importance of never giving up. They taught me to be competitive. They taught me each touch of the ball, each play and each at-bat was equally important. I’ve carried their teachings into my personal and professional life.

I am the husband to a wonderful wife; an expanded duties dental assistant with 24 years of experience. She works for a dental practice that is closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

I am the father of two children. My son is an amazing young man. My daughter serves residents of this county as a police officer. She was on the frontline of COVID-19 daily. Now she is COVID-19 positive and quarantined.

I am the owner of a business that has been financially burdened by COVID-19. A business that has been tasked as a community watchdog by several thousand Hamilton County residents, my newspaper readers.

I am a person that has been given a constitutional right to question government and the decisions made by government officials. That includes the Hamilton County Health Department and its board of directors.

Ms. Pylitt, now that we have been properly introduced, I’ll say this: My reporting was never meant to “stir things up.” If my writings had agreed with your position, I doubt my name would have been mentioned in Thursday’s meeting.

But, because many of my newspaper’s readers and I disagree with you and your board, I’ll also say, if you don’t like it … get out of the kitchen while I’m standing next to the stove “stirring” the pot of Hamilton County news for my readers.

The death toll in Indiana for COVID-19, as of this writing, is 477.  One of those deaths has hit the staff at HSE High School hard.  An instructional assistant died recently from the coronavirus.  I talk about that, and more, in this edition of Larry’s Log.

As we all do our best to continue staying at home and observe social distancing, there is a concern voiced by many in the mental health field.  They have concerns that mental health issues will be an problem, not just during the lock-down period, but perhaps even more once society begins to open up once again.  Here are a few of my thoughts.

Fishers has started approving 5G small cell towers in Fishers neighborhoods.  There has been a lot of social media chatter about 5G technology.  I do my best to present some important facts everyone should know when discussion 5G rollouts in Fishers.

As we enter a dark phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, allow me a few random thoughts on this Sunday night.

–I know everyone is trying to show support and brighten up the lives of others by posting their high school graduation photos, but mine is from 1969, and if it still exists, there is no way I can find it.  Just to spread a bit of cheer I posted on Facebook our 1991 wedding picture.  Lots of people seem to like it, lots of comments and reactions online.  Since our wedding anniversary is next month, expect to see that pic again soon.

–If you are bored at home and looking for something to do, let me offer two suggestions.  First, go online and fill out your census form.  It only took me a few minutes.  Second, get your absentee ballot and vote in the primary election!  Jane and I just filled out our ballots and will mail them Monday.  Jane says anyone should be able to vote by mail from now on because it is so easy.  As usual, my lovely wife is correct again.

–The latest count of coronavirus deaths in Indiana stands at 343 as of tonight.  I recall my last podcast interview with Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness, when he said the lack of available testing means the number of COVID-19 deaths will sadly be the only accurate account of how Indiana is doing, and that is not an encouraging number at this point.  In the United States, we have surpassed the 20,000 number of coronavirus deaths.  If there is any encouraging news, 32,000 people have contracted the virus and recovered.

–I posted podcasts with two groups locally during the past week, the Youth Assistance Program and Youth Mentoring Initiative.  There are a number of nonprofit and governmental organizations working with individuals and families struggling as many, quite suddenly, are out of work and in need of immediate assistance.  If you are in a position to help, please support local nonprofit groups doing very important work.

–Based in the weather forecast for the coming week, it is spring based on the calendar only.  Temperatures will be cold.  But that too will change soon.  Put a smile on your face and get outside when you can (safely & with the proper distancing).

Continue with good practices and stay safe!

Adam & I have been busy dealing with the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, just as all of you have…..the theaters may be closed but there are ways to take-in films at home.  Adam & I talk about that, and what may happen to the film business once the theaters reopen.

This is a trying time for all nonprofit organizations.  Their funding is uncertain under the current financial conditions and they are struggling to meet the needs of those they serve.

One excellent example is the Youth Mentoring Initiative (YMI).  Although school buildings in the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District have been shuttered by the coronvirus, YMI is working to use technology and keep their adult mentors and student mentees in contact with each other.

Learn more about YMI by accessing their Web site at this link.

Here is my podcast conversation with YMI Executive Director Alison Gatz

I have ended my regular local Fishers news blog, but one of the most popular postings each week was the road construction, so I have decided, at least for now, to continue posting that listing each Friday.

The latest update is posted below:

=====================

ROAD NOTICE UPDATES FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 13
		STATE ROAD 37  126th Street west of SR 37 is currently closed and is anticipated to reopen in July. During this time, cross access and all left turns will be restricted, with only right in and right out until this phase ends. Traffic on Southbound SR 37 will shift to the Northbound lanes and two lanes will remain in each direction. Local access to businesses will remain open via Lantern Road. The official detour route will direct drivers to use 116th Street or 131st Street to Allisonville Road. Detour route markers and advance warning signs will be in place prior to the closure.   For a map of the detours, click here.  Please drive with caution through this area. To learn more about the State Road 37 Improvement Project and sign up to receive text updates, visit 37Thrives.com.
STAY-AT-HOME ORDER DUE TO COVID-19 Governor Holcomb has extended the Stay-At-Home Order for Indiana residents through Monday, April 20 at 11:59 p.m. The Stay-At-Home Order applies to the entire state of Indiana and states that unless you work at an essential business or are doing an essential activity, you must stay at home. An FAQ on the order is available here.Residents are not restricted from walking, jogging, biking, or outdoor activities, including driving to local parks. We encourage you to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air. 96TH STREET 96th Street between Sargent Road and Cumberland Road is currently closed. During this time, the Sargent Road roundabout will be constructed, the bridge over Mud Creek will be replaced with a widened structure and additional travel lanes will be added. Local access will remain open from Lantern Road to the River Life Church. The Sargent Road roundabout is anticipated to reopen in mid-June. 96th Street east of Sargent Road to Cumberland Road will remain closed and is anticipated to reopen in early November. The official detour route will direct drivers to use Lantern Road or Cumberland Road to 106th Street. View the detour map here. 116TH STREET The northernmost westbound lane of 116th Street between Lantern Road and Municipal Drive is currently restricted day and night for approximately 45 days. Access remains open to local businesses along the route. Currently, westbound 116th Street between Municipal Drive and Post Office Road has lane restrictions in place for water main relocation. SPYGLASS FALLS SUBDIVISION Beginning the week of April 13, asphalt milling will begin with surface being placed shortly after. MUNICIPAL DRIVE Currently, there are lane restrictions on Municipal Drive behind the Hamilton East Public Library in order to construct on-street parking and is anticipated to be completed by the end of June. NORTH STREET North Street is currently closed between Maple Street and Municipal Drive and is anticipated to reopen by Friday, April 17. Local access to businesses will remain open. SOUTH STREET Beginning on Monday, April 13, South Street will be closed between the railroad tracks and Moore Street for approximately two weeks. FISHERS POINTE BLVD. Currently, there are daytime lane restrictions on Fishers Pointe Blvd. between 116th Street and Fishers Center Drive. LANTERN ROAD  Lantern Road is currently closed to through traffic, beginning south of 116th Street to Fishers Pointe Boulevard, as part of the Downtown Infrastructure Improvement Project to improve the sanitary sewer underneath Lantern Road. Access to Fishers Elementary is available from 106th Street. Check out the project Fact Sheet to learn more. KEEP FISHERS DPW SAFE Road construction continues around Fishers, so please remember to slow down and drive carefully around road workers. Watch here to see our DPW crew talk about worker safety.
While this list encompasses numerous project updates, it does not list all DPW projects throughout the city. The most recent projects are detailed, however please keep in mind that all construction activities are weather permitting. We appreciate motorists’ patience and caution while driving through construction sites.

I don’t have much to say about today’s Larry’s Log…..it’s just about life and death in today’s world

The nation is facing an economic challenge likely not see in our lifetimes.  Large segments of society are essentially closing down and far too many people are losing their livelihood.  Many view Fishers as a wealthy community, and generally we are.  That doesn’t mean Fishers and the surrounding area lacks families with challenges.

So, where do families suddenly finding themselves in need turn for help?  For any family with students attending the Hamilton Southeastern Schools, which encompasses more than the City of Fishers, the Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program (YAP) is there to help.

I spoke with Trisha Straus, an Early Intervention Advocate for YAP in Fishers, and she talked with me about what her organization and others are doing locally for families that are finding themselves in hard times very suddenly.  Here is my podcast talk with Trisha.