The Rush County Commissioners closed out the first quarter of the year by signing a contract authorizing Phase II of the Carthage Pike project.

The contract with Butler, Fairman and Seufert calls for the county to pay 20 percent and the state to cover 80 percent of the $262,000 Phase II involves.

Rush County Highway Superintendent Jerry Sitton informed the county commissioners Monday that Rush County recently received notification that two of the five projects submitted locally for government stimulus money have been approved.

“The state has approved two projects so far and our stimulus money is being used on roads that do not need or require purchasing additional right-of-way,” Sitton said.

When asked about the remaining three projects the highway superintendent said that he expects state approval in the near future.

The two areas already approved are CR 800 East between CR 1100 North and CR 1200 North and CR 800 East from CR 600 North to CR 900 North.

Areas not yet approved by the state include CR 800 East between Glenwood and CR 250 North, CR 800 East from the Orange Pike to south of Maple Street in the community of Glenwood, and CR 715 West from SR 44 to Base Road.

In a final matter regarding Rush County roads, Sitton informed the commissioners of another road improvement project on SR 44 east of Rushville. The project slated to begin in May is to replace a box culvert and will require an unofficial detour from CR 225 East to the Orange Pike and back to SR 44.

In other business, county EMA coordinator Mike Ooley indicated that county health officials and his office are aware of the dangers of the reported Swine flu virus.

Ooley informed the county leaders that a Monday meeting addressed the issue with local health department and officials from Rush Memorial Hospital and that an afternoon conference call with state officials was being held to address the issue.

“There have been confirmed cases reported in nearby Ohio and suspected cases reported in Indiana, although the Indiana cases have not yet been confirmed. We are staying ahead of this,” Ooley sad.

In a final matter, sheriff Jeff Sherwood said that work is continuing on replacing the steps on the south entrance of the courthouse.

“Once that project at the courthouse is complete it’s my understanding that work will begin across the street at the jail,” Sherwood said.

Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.