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Marion County

Mosquitoes Carrying West Nile Virus Found in Marion County

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The Marion County Public Health Department reports the first mosquitoes of the season found carrying West Nile virus. The Mosquito Control program checks surveillance traps around Marion County each day to monitor the local mosquito population and test for West Nile virus.

When mosquitoes from a trap test positive for West Nile virus, Mosquito Control increases its prevention efforts during daytime and evening hours in the area where the trap is located.

No human cases of the virus have been reported so far this year in Marion County.

Most people who become infected with West Nile virus do not develop any symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People with certain medical conditions, such as cancer, diabetes and kidney disease are at greater risk experiencing symptoms which include headache, body aches, joint pains or rash. Less than one percent of people who are infected with West Nile virus will develop a serious neurological illness such as encephalitis or meningitis.

The Marion County Public Health Department reminds everyone to stay protected from mosquito bites by following the Four D’s of Mosquito Control:

  • DUSK – Stay indoors from dusk until dawn. If you do spend time outdoors….
  • DRESS – Wear long sleeves and long pants when outside during these times.
  • DEET – Use insect repellent containing DEET.
  • DRAINAGE – Remove all standing water outside the home.

“Even a small amount of standing water outside is a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes,” said Matt Sinsko, coordinator of Mosquito Control at the Marion County Public Health Department. ”We encourage residents to empty water from containers of any size and flush out bird baths every week. Check for old tires, clogged gutters, small recreational pools, and poorly operating septic systems.”

For questions about mosquito prevention, please call the Marion County Public Health Department’s Mosquito Control program at 317-221-7440.

Dwan Maxwell, 30, of Indianapolis, Arrested on Drug & Driving Charges

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Indiana State Police sent this bulletin at 06/07/2017 09:41 AM EDT

Indianapolis, IN – A traffic stop for speeding on the northwest side of Indianapolis led troopers to a suspended driver, drugs, drug paraphernalia and cash.

Dwan Maxwell

Just after 6;00 yesterday evening Trooper Phil Cooley pulled over a black 2011 Mazda SUV on I-465 for allegedly driving 75 mph in a posted 55 mph zone. When Cooley stopped the vehicle he learned the driver, 30-year-old Dwan Maxwell of Indianapolis was driving with a suspended license. Further investigation into the stop revealed Maxwell was allegedly in possession of a large amount of marijuana as well as several thousand dollars in cash. Maxwell was arrested on suspicion of dealing marijuana and driving while suspended.

The facts of this case will be presented to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office for review to determine possible criminal charges.

All suspects are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Importance of Flu Shot Emphasized

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The Marion County Public Health Department reminds everyone that it’s not too late to get a flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older.

“Getting a flu shot every year is critically important for people to protect themselves, their family and others,” said Virginia A. Caine, M.D., director of the Marion County Public Health Department. “I urge everyone to get a flu shot now because influenza is a life-threatening illness that can cost the life of anyone – child or adult.”

In Marion County, the flu season typically peaks in February and can last through late April.

The Marion County Public Health Department hosted an influenza summit for health care professionals on Dec. 5 in Indianapolis. Keynote speaker Dr. Raymond Strikas from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasized how the flu shot can help prevent influenza illness, hospitalization and death.

Dr. Strikas said that pregnant woman should get vaccinated since they are four times more likely to be hospitalized from the flu than women who are not pregnant. He also said people over the age of 65 and those with certain chronic medical conditions face health complications from the flu virus and should receive the vaccine annually. Children under the age of four are also vulnerable to complications from the flu.

Children 6 months through 8 years of age who are getting vaccinated for the first time need two doses of flu vaccine to be fully protected. If a child has not received a first dose, they should be vaccinated now. For children 6 months through 8 years of age and who have already received one dose of vaccine, parents should check with the child’s doctor to see if a second dose is needed.

Low-cost flu shots are available through the Marion County Public Health Department’s Nurse of the Day services at its district health offices. Flu vaccines are $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 2-18 and free for children under the age of 2. Pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccines are $40 and tetanus (Td or Tdap) are $20. Medicare and Medicaid are accepted.

To find out locations and hours, visit MCHD.com or call the Flu Hotline at 317-221-2121.

Indianapolis Burn Ban and Fireworks

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We’re in the midst of a major drought in Indiana, The Fourth of July is only a few days away and burn bans are in place for the vast majority of the state. Some areas have even enacted fireworks bans, but with current state laws is this even enforceable?

First, let’s take a look at what the current Marion County Burn Ban entails:

Indianapolis Fire Department Chief Brian Sanford has issued a burn ban for Marion County effective immediately. This order prohibiting open burning is in effect for all Cities, Towns and Townships in the fire special service district of Marion County, as defined by Section 111-3 of the Revised Code of the Consolidated City and County, and such other territory where the Indianapolis Fire Department provides fire protection services as provided by law. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, any open burning, comfort fires, camp fires, agricultural burning or similar legal fires. This prohibition does not apply to outdoor grilling or fireworks, although extreme caution should be used in such situations.

The recently issued Burn Ban by IFD Chief Brian Sanford is intended for the IFD Fire Service Protection District. It does not include those areas outside the IFD Fire Service Protection District of Decatur Township, Pike Township, Wayne Township, Beech Grove, Speedway and City of Lawrence.

In addition, the town of Speedway, pursuant to Indiana Fire Code 307.1.1, issues a prohibition on all open burning at any time by any person in any place in the Town of Speedway where the Speedway Fire Department provides fire protection services as provided by law is hereby in effect.

This order prohibiting open burning is in effect for the Town of Speedway. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, any open burning, comfort fires, camp fires, agricultural burning or similar legal fires. This prohibition does not apply to outdoor grilling or fireworks, although extreme caution should be used in such situations.

Via the statewide burn ban map: http://www.in.gov/dhs/files/burn-ban/ updated on 6/28/2012 14:16. Emphasis mine.

Based on this update, you’re free to set your fireworks off under the normal state fireworks laws, unless of course some other county wide update is made.

AND, to throw a wrench into things, Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard announced an Indianapolis fireworks ban this morning:


And then he announced how to report people for using fireworks.


So can you or can’t you use fireworks in Indianapolis?

Restricting The Use of Fireworks

Via the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, here is the explanation of fireworks restrictions:

The use of fireworks is NOT covered under the “open burning” provisions of Section 307.1.1 of the Fire Code. In other words, issuing a burn ban does NOT prohibit or restrict fireworks use in your jurisdiction.

Indiana Code 22-11-14-10.5* prevents local ordinances from prohibiting the use of fireworks

(A) between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and two (2) hours after sunset on June 29, June 30, July 1, July 2, July 3, July 5, July 6, July 7, July 8, and July 9;

(B) between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight on July 4.

However, local fire departments and legislative bodies can certainly appeal to their constituents to voluntarily refrain from using fireworks during these times.

Local ordinances can prohibit the use of fireworks on the other days of the year.

Bottom line, the use of fireworks from June 29th-July 9th is legal under current state laws.

My Take On The Burn Ban & Fireworks Safety

As much as I hate the burn ban, I totally understand why it is in place. I would hate my house to burn to the ground because my neighbor can’t seem to contain an open flame or throws their cigarette butts in the yard. (Is that covered under the burn ban too?)

As far as fireworks go, it really doesn’t matter what I think. I’m not a lawyer, but the law seems pretty clear to me unless slapping “EMERGENCY” on it trumps everything.  I think the best they could do is charge you with negligence, which, let’s be honest, should probably be dished out to some people every Fourth of July.

But I’ll tell you what I think anyway.

I hate the idea of the government trying to tell me that I can’t light sparklers and fountains (and some more elaborate pieces) with my kids on the Fourth of July. But as with the burn ban, I do understand why they want to.

On a normal, wet, sticky and humid Fourth of July someone always manages to burn down a house and set things on fire that should not be on fire. The dry grass and brush can only amplify those situations.

But do I think they should be attempting to ban the use of fireworks? Based on the current laws, absolutely not. If they want the authority to enact fireworks bans, the laws need to be re-written.

When it comes to the personal use of fireworks this year, that’s your call, but I’m not going to tell you to do it or not do it.  If you do go for it, as always, BE SAFE!

As for me and my house, we have FIVE police officers who live on our block, so if we’re home we’ll just have to play it by ear. But as the Scouts do, I’m prepared.

*Indiana Code 22-11-14-10.5

“Use” defined; adoption of ordinance by county or municipality concerning use of consumer fireworks
 Sec. 10.5. (a) As used in this section, the term “use” means the ability of a county or municipality to regulate the days and hours when consumer fireworks may be used, ignited, or discharged.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter:
(1) a county may adopt an ordinance concerning the use of consumer fireworks in the unincorporated areas of the county; and
(2) a municipality may adopt an ordinance concerning the use of consumer fireworks within the corporate limits of the municipality.
(c) An ordinance adopted under this section:
(1) may limit the use of consumer fireworks in the county or municipality;
(2) may not be more lenient than a rule adopted by a state agency concerning the use of fireworks; and
(3) may not limit the use of consumer fireworks:
(A) between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and two (2) hours after sunset on June 29, June 30, July 1, July 2, July 3, July 5, July 6, July 7, July 8, and July 9;
(B) between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 midnight on July 4; and
(C) between the hours of 10:00 a.m. on December 31 and 1:00 a.m. on January 1.