An upswing in the number of active tuberculosis and HIV cases in Indiana, especially in the southwestern area of the state, led the Daviess County Commissioners to approve an isolation protocol for patients with active tuberculosis and HIV. County Health Nurse Cathy Sullendar and Dr. Merle Holsopple told the commissioners that Daviess County has seen five HIV cases this year. Sullendar said that in a normal year, the county usually sees only two cases. Holsopple said the state requires patients with active cases of these diseases to be isolated from the general community.
In a report on old mines, County Highway Superintendent Chris Winkler told the commissioners that the state is looking at combining reclamation work at the old Billings mine with scheduled work on a mine in Dubois County. In other mine-related information, Commissioner Nathan Gabhart reported that REO plans to expand the former Antioch mine and will be closing CR 200 N for approximately 30 months beginning in June or July. Gabhart confirmed REO’s commitment to restore the road after the closure period.
In other business, the Commissioners approved a request from Daviess Community Hospital to apply for an OCRA block grant for up to $500,000 to help build a new EMS station on property already owned by the hospital.
The commissioners also heard a request from Gary Rausch to purchase unused county property at 5 NE 15th Street. The commissioners instructed the county attorney to begin the process for a potential sale.
The next commissioners’ meeting will be May 23.