Poli (Sigh): Brace Yourself For More Coronavirus Coverage
If you think consuming news about coronavirus is fatiguing, try writing about it.
Or, more accurately, keeping up with all the developments.
The last few days of changing circumstances as the impact of the pandemic seeps into the local landscape has been something to behold.
Without too much navel-gazing and introspection, I can tell you the slew of updates, cancelations and warnings are something I’ve never seen before. The amount of information coming forth via the InkFreeNews inbox has been staggering (and yet appreciated!). I spent much of Friday afternoon refreshing my email just to keep up with the latest developments.
I realize nobody wants to see an endless stream of coronavirus stories, but we’re trying to keep readers updated on local aspects. In recent days, that’s translated into probably two dozen stories. As best we can, we’re trying to organize and prioritize all the developments without looking like alarmists.
Story choices can be difficult, too. Do we report on the shortage of toilet paper at grocery stores? I’m sure some trolls will find our story today to be a bit ridiculous. Are we feeding the frenzy by reporting a shortage? Probably. Will we be criticized if we don’t? You bet.
This issue isn’t going away anytime soon. It could be weeks. It could be months. In the meantime, we will continue to keep you updated on small and big aspects of what is becoming a memorable moment in our lives.
As always, feel free to contact InkFreeNews with story ideas and concerns. My email (bottom of the column) is always a good starting point to reach me.
* * *
ROUNDABOUT RULING – Do you have to use a turn signal in a roundabout? The Indiana Court of Appeals recently said no, with the backing of a local attorney.
The case originated in Warsaw when a motorist was stopped by an officer for failing to signal when he was exiting a roundabout near Time Out Inn in 2018.
He was pulled over and police discovered drugs in the car. The defendant’s lawyer, Karin McGrath, one of four candidates running for Superior Court 3, argued that the existing turn signal law does not apply to roundabouts and that it was not a valid reason to stop a vehicle.
The trial court ruled in their favor and the Court of appeals agreed.
Detailed law about turn signals is apparently lacking in Indiana.
“All of this convinces us that [Indiana law on using turn signals] is a square peg that cannot fit into the roundabout hole,” wrote Judge Terry A. Crone, who sits on the appeals court.
* * *
A few quick sidenotes:
- Looks like the coronavirus could affect the campaign trail. Bill Dixon, running for the District 22 State House seat, said he’s curtailing his door-to-door campaigning in light of the virus. He’s knocked on about 1,300 doors, but will now rely more on phone calls and mailings.
- I certainly hope organizers reschedule the legislative update, which was postponed Friday in Warsaw. If anything, it will serve as a nice sendoff for retiring State Rep. Dave Wolkins.
- An election bill in the Indiana General Assembly that would have forced the resignation of Attorney General Curtis Hill under certain circumstances died, surprisingly, this week. An amendment in the bill authored by Rep. Tim Wesco had strong support in the House, but the legislation died in the final hours of the session. Hill is accused of groping women at a party and is facing a judicial review by the Indiana Supreme Court. If the law had passed and Hill was suspended for 30 days or more, he would have had to forfeit the office and would also be disqualified from running for reelection.
* * *
Dan Spalding is the editor at InkFreeNews.com.
He covers city government and politics and always welcomes your input.
He can be reached at [email protected] or at (574) 855-7612.