LIVE BLOG: Several universities closed; state police tally 51 crashes in Indy area

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Winter weather is impacting Indiana. We’ll track the latest developments here throughout the day on Thursday.

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Update date 10:49 p.m.

 Lawrence city government offices will be closed again Friday. Emergency, public safety and Public Works personnel will report for work as scheduled.

Update date 9:39 p.m.

In Carmel, Republic Services is running on a one-day delay for residential trash and recycle service beginning Friday. Residents whose normal trash and recycle day is on a Thursday should anticipate pickup on Friday. Those customers who have a normal Friday service date can expect service on Saturday.

Update date 9:27 p.m.

Indianapolis City Market is tentatively scheduled to open at 9:30 a.m. Friday, later than usual. Merchants and services will be limited.

Update date 8:40 p.m.

Indiana State Police says it’s responded to 51 crashes including two with injuries and 57 slide-offs in the past 24 hours in Indianapolis and the surrounding counties of Boone, Hamilton, Hancock Hendricks Johnson and Shelby. The troopers also assisted 151 motorists with disabled and stuck vehicles in the past 24 hours in the same areas.

Update date 8:17 p.m.

Ivy Tech Indianapolis buildings will remain closed Friday, with virtual classes and services.

Update date 8:14 p.m.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum will remain closed Friday, but reopen from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

Update date 8:06 p.m.

The Indiana State University campus will be closed to all but essential personnel Friday due to the Vigo County Emergency Declaration. Classes “will meet via distance if that is possible,” said a message from the Terre Haute university.

Update date 7:57 p.m.

Indiana Department of Transportation reports U.S. 6 is closed in both directions due to a crash and downed power lines about 4 miles west of Kendallville.

Update 7:10 p.m.

Storm Track 8 Chief Meteorologist Ashley Brown presents a Facebook Live as the winter storm winds down. Get snowfall totals from the report.

Update 6:46 p.m.

Indianapolis Art Center building will remain closed on Friday. In-person classes are canceled. Online classes will run as planned.

Update 6:43 p.m.

The JCC will open at 10 a.m. Friday. Although the facility will be open, all programming has been canceled.

Update 6:35 p.m.

The IUPUI campus will operate remotely for Friday. Instructors should inform students about changes in the delivery of courses.

Update 6:06 p.m.

Purdue University says in-person class meetings on the West Lafayette campus should continue to be held online if possible or canceled on Friday, and all nonessential personnel should remain working remotely if possible. Nonessential employees should not report to campus.

Update 5:35 p.m.

Drivers on State Road 37 in Johnson County should expect lane closures and intermittent stoppages from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday in the I-69 construction zone between Fairview Road and State Road 144. The Indiana Department of Transportation and law enforcement plan to control traffic as a contractor removes snow from the shoulder and the barrier walls, and places it off the road.

Update 5:07 p.m.

Marian University’s Ancilla College students, faculty, and staff will report remotely on Friday. The building will be closed, excluding essential personnel.

Update 5:05 p.m.

Update 5:04 p.m.

The Indiana University Kokomo campus, Indiana University East in Richmond, the IUPU Columbus campus, and the IU Southeast campus in New Albany and the IU Northwest campus in Gary will be closed Friday. All classes and work for nonessential staff will take place remotely.

Update 4:58 p.m.

The Marion County Public Health Department announces it will remain closed on Friday. The closure includes Vital Records, Bell Flower Clinic, ACTION Health Center, all District Health Office locations, and all COVID-19 vaccine and testing locations. Anyone who has an appointment scheduled for COVID-19 vaccine or testing, or other clinic services, on Friday at a site operated by the Health Department will be contacted to reschedule their visits.

Update 4:41 p.m.

State Road 26 is closed from the Illinois state line to U.S. 41 through 5 p.m. EST Friday due to heavy snow.

Update 4:40 p.m.

Ball State University says it will remain closed through 7 a.m. Saturday. “All courses during the closure will be held online; all nonessential employees should work remotely, to the extent possible; all essential employees must report for work in person.” More is online.

Update 4:30 p.m.

Sullivan County has restricted travel to emergency services and essential workers only through noon Friday.

Update 4:10 p.m.

In-person Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Offices will be closed for a second day Friday due to winter weather. Emergency personnel will still respond to 911 emergency calls. Residents will still be able to access city services at indy.gov, the RequestIndy app, or the Mayor’s Action Center at 317-327-4622. Indy Parks family centers listed online will remain open as warming centers during normal hours.

Update 4:04 p.m.

Kokomo government says trash and recycling collection has been canceled for Friday. Normal collection will resume next week, the city says.

Update 3:45 p.m.

Update 3:43 p.m.

Update 3:38 p.m.

Boone County Commissioners have declared a State of Emergency for Boone County and upgraded the travel advisory to “red” — travel is restricted to emergency personnel only — beginning at 5 p.m.

Update 3:38 p.m.

Zionsville Town Hall will be closed on Friday. For services, contact the Municipal Action Center: 317-874-5410 or askthemac@zionsville-in.gov.

Update 3:37 p.m.

State Road 352 is closed between State Road 26 and U.S. 41 — from the Illinois state line to the community of Boswell — until 5 p.m. EST Friday due to heavy snow.

Update 3:13 p.m.

Updates 3 p.m.

The Indianapolis Department of Public Works says in a news release that it plans to contract snowplow vendors to plow residential streets, likely beginning Friday morning. Contractors will address approximately 4,400 miles of smaller, residential roadways beyond the 4,000 miles of thoroughfares maintained by Indy Public Works’ Snow Force crews. “Private neighborhood streets and those roadways not under City of Indianapolis maintenance jurisdiction will not be plowed,” the release says. “If driving is necessary, motorists are urged to drive with care during wintry conditions, especially on bridge overpasses or locations known to get slippery. Remember to leave plenty of time to safely reach your destination, allow plenty of clearance near other vehicles, and keep at least three car lengths between your vehicle and Snow Force trucks. It is recommended that drivers carry blankets, a small shovel, and a charged cell phone in case of incidents while traveling. Residents who park cars along DPW’s regular plow routes are advised to park off-street if possible. Any lane or space where a car is parked is an area that is unable to be plowed. Moving snow out of the middle of the street can sometimes necessitate moving it into a parking lane.”

Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt tweets from northern part of the county that “Winds and cold temperatures are creating some freezing slick spots. There is heavy drifting of snow on east to west roads especially north of SR 32.”

Update 2:45 p.m.

Update 2:44 p.m.

Update 2:42 p.m.

Hancock County Emergency Management Agency updates travel status to “orange,” meaning conditions are threatening to the public and only essential travel such as to and from work or emergency situations is recommended.

Update 2:35 p.m.

Update 2:35 p.m.

“Due to inclement weather, Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) will continue with remote learning for all students and staff on Friday, February 4.

“Students will NOT participate in in-person learning on Friday; schools will share more details with families on whether students will engage in synchronous or asynchronous learning. Meal distribution will not be available on Friday.

“Student athletes should check with their coaches on the status of contests (games).

“Note: IPS Innovation schools might follow a different schedule, so please check with your school for more details.

“IPS employees, please follow the Report-to-Work guidance for School Closure on the Human Resources page at www.myips.org. If you have any questions, please contact your supervisor.”

Mark Ransford, media relations coordinator, Indianapolis Public Schools

Update 1:45 p.m.

Tippecanoe County government offices will be closed on Friday.

Update 1:43 p.m.

Update 1:26 p.m.

Pike Township schools will do a remote/virtual learning day on Friday.

Update 1:20 p.m.

Indiana State Police troopers with the Putnamville post say westbound I-70 is shut down near mile marker 47 due to a crash with multiple semis. That’s east of Cloverdale and approaching the Putnam/Morgan county line.

All lanes will be blocked for around two hours.

Update 1:13 p.m.

Meteorologist Tara Hastings is taking your questions on Facebook Live.

Update 12:28 p.m.

All 92 counties in Indiana are now under some form of travel advisory from the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. See the map here.

Update 12:25 p.m.

The Indiana Department of Health says all state-run COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinics will be closed on Friday.

Update 12:17 p.m.

Marion County dispatchers are thanking the public for staying home.

Update 11:15 a.m.

The northbound I-65 exit ramp at the 133 mile marker is closed due to a semi stuck on the ramp.

Update 10:57 a.m.

A second jackknifed semi on I-74 in Shelby County has closed the interstate in both directions.

Update 9:56 a.m.

Eastbound I-74 at the 111 mile marker is currently closed, according to Indiana State Police. That’s near the Fairland Road exit in Shelby County.

Update 9:51 a.m.

News 8’s Lakyn McGee was live on the south side showing conditions.

Update 9:46 a.m.

AES Indiana is on the scene of a stop light outage in downtown Indianapolis.

Update 8:35 a.m.

Indiana State Police troopers at the Indianapolis post have released information on crash responses.

Update 8:21 a.m.

Anderson Municipal Light & Power reports that more than 4,300 customers are without power in Anderson.

Update 7:53 a.m.

Storm Track 8’s Marcus Bailey has issued an updated snowfall prediction.

Update 7:39 a.m.

Indiana State Police Troopers at the Evansville post are noting icy conditions on I-69.

Update 7:31 a.m.

Indiana State Police in Lowell have provided information regarding trooper response on Wednesday.

Update 7:28 p.m.

News 8’s Hanna Mordoh is seeing varied road conditions on I-465 and I-69.

Update 7:24 a.m.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Office says an INDOT plow truck has rolled over in the 9100 block of E. State Road 32. That’s near Western Boone Junior-Senior High School. All lanes are shut down. BCSO is asking to avoid the area for the next hour. INDOT says the driver is okay.