The original filing due date for the 2022-2023 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) was set for April 15, 2022. However, that is a national holiday and the offices will be closed. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education has extended the filing deadline to April 18, 2022.

Despite the extended deadline, students are encouraged to file at FAFSA.gov as soon as possible to ensure maximum financial aid consideration. As financial aid funding will only be available on a first-come, first-served basis following the April 18 extension.

State financial aid programs such as the 21st Century Scholarship and the Workforce Ready Grant require students to have a current FAFSA on file in order to maintain their scholarship and grant funding and the FAFSA is required for most financial aid programs.

The number of Hoosiers filing a FAFSA has steadily declined over the past several years. The overall FAFSA filing rate as of March 18 is down 15.2 percent from the same date in 2021. For the state’s high school class of 2022, the number of FAFSA filings is down nearly 3 percent. Each year, Hoosiers who don’t file the FAFSA miss out on millions in federal financial aid, including $65 million for the class of 2021.

“Filing the FAFSA remains the number one way for students to take advantage of the available federal, state and even some merit-based scholarships,” said Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers. “The Commission and our college and community partners will be available in the weeks leading up to the April 18 deadline, helping students and families file the FAFSA and access financial aid.”

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education and INvestEd have partnered up to host two Facebook Live events to inform Hoosier families learn about the FAFSA and have a chance to ask questions. Families can log on to Learn More Indiana Facebook (facebook.com/LearnMoreIN)  on Saturday April 2, 2022 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM and Wednesday, April 13, 2022 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 pm

The Commission  will be hosting additional FAFSA events around the state. A calendar of events is available at www.learnmoreindiana.org.

An attempted traffic stop in Indianapolis began a pursuit that ended on I-74 near SR 267 Wednesday afternoon.

At 12:11 p.m. an Indiana State trooper attempted to pull over a vehicle for a traffic violation on Lynhurst Drive near Sumner Avenue. The vehicle failed to pull over and led police on a chase that made its way to I-74 westbound toward Brownsburg.

As the suspect vehicle approached the area of SR 267 the driver slowed down and pulled to the right shoulder, troopers were then able to box the vehicle in and get the driver to stop without collision. When the vehicle came to a stop troopers reported hearing gunfire coming from the vehicle. No officers fired their duty weapons. They were able to take cover behind their vehicles and Indiana State Police SWAT was dispatched to assist. With the assistance of the Brownsburg Police Department SWAT Team and ISP SWAT Team, the officers near the cars were moved to safety. 

Once the officers were moved to safety, members of the SWAT team approached the vehicle and found an adult male unconscious and unresponsive. A tactical paramedic, who responded with ISP SWAT, immediately rendered first aid however the adult male was pronounced deceased on the scene. Preliminary investigation revealed the driver had an injury consistent with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and a firearm was located in the vehicle. 

Investigators are still on scene along with crime scene technicians. The Hendricks County Coroner will conduct an investigation to determine the cause of death.

Hoosiers age 12 and older who have weakened immune systems and individuals age 50 and older who received a booster dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least four months ago are eligible for a second booster following authorization Tuesday from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) is advising vaccine providers that they can begin administering second boosters of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines to individuals who qualify to increase their protection against severe disease from COVID-19. In addition, the CDC says that adults who received a primary vaccine and booster dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least four months ago may now receive a second booster dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

Booster doses have been shown to increase protection from hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 and the Omicron variant of the virus.

The Hendricks County Sheriff’s Office needs assistance from the public regarding an ongoing murder investigation that took place in 2019.

Indianapolis orthopedic surgeon Dr. Dean Maar, age 61, was found shot to death, in a home near Brownsburg, on November 27, 2019. Dr. Maar was with OrthoIndy and worked on the Indianapolis north side and Fishers. Maar graduated from DePauw University and the IU School of Medicine.

During the initial investigation, family members reported that certain firearms were unaccounted for, including the following: a Limcat Razorcat 9mm, a Limcat Wildcat 9mm, and a Wilson Combat Professional .45 cal. If you have any information about these specific firearms or the homicide investigation, please contact the Hendricks County Sheriff’s Investigations Division at 317.745.4270 and refer to case number 19-9241.  This is an ongoing investigation and there are no additional details to release at this time. 

During the Greencastle Community School Corporation’s monthly school board meeting on March 28,  the board was presented with updates to the various projects for schools’ improvements.

The Greencastle Middle  /High School football field and track is nearly complete. Only minor details are now needed and the contractors are discussing when they will be completed. However, the track is ready to go the first home track meet on April 5.

The High School and McAnally construction and remodeling is underway. The general contractor is set to move on-site the beginning of April. However, this is a longer project and the board members were reminded that it will not be completed until December 31, 2023.

GCSC is currently taking bids (through April 12, 2022) for the Tzouanakis Elementary air infiltration. This project is designed to seal up the envelope of the building and prevent the high humidity that has been an ongoing issue for the school. Some of the plans include using similar material to that used in restaurant grade walk-in freezers as that material is designed to contain moisture.

They’re also working towards securing the entrances to TZ, Ridpath, and Deer Meadow. Only minor construction would be needed to update the entrances. Superintendent Jeff Gibboney stated the school corporation was aware of the need to update physical activity areas, but felt the safety of the students was more important and should be completed first.

Also updated Monday night, the Middle School renovations for the Media Center and Science Room area are taking bids until June 2022.

The suspect accused of shooting a tow truck driver multiple times Friday on I-70 was identified as  Joseph Jackson, 22, of Raytow,n Missouri. He was taken into custody shortly after the incident and incarcerated at the Hendricks County Jail. The Hendricks County Prosecutor's Office has filed the formal charges of attempted murder, aggravated battery, neglect of a dependent, carrying a handgun without a license, and conversion for theft of the tow truck.

The victim was Mathew Roberts, 38.  He was operating a tow truck for Curtis Wrecker Service out of Stilesville. Roberts is in stable condition at a local hospital. 

Prior to the shooting, investigators determined the vehicle Jackson was driving became disabled with a flat tire. He called the Indiana State Police Indianapolis Post to request assistance finding a tow truck. Indiana State Police contacted Curtis Wrecker Service who responded to help. Once on scene and after the disabled vehicle was loaded onto the tow truck, Jackson allegedly shot Roberts multiple times before fleeing the scene in the tow truck with his four-year old child.

Cloverdale schools are mourning the loss of a student killed in a weekend crash.

It happened about 2:00 pm Saturday on the offramp of Interstate 70 at the intersection of State Road 267 at Plainfield. 

Plainfield Police say that a 2003 Ford F250 was southbound on 267.  It and a 2006 Volkswagen entered the intersection simultaneously and collided.

Sydney Willis, 18, was a passenger in the front seat of the Volkswagen.  Willis was taken to Eskenazi Hospital.  She died on Monday.

Willis was a senior at Cloverdale High School.

Two other female juveniles, including the driver, were transported to Riley Hospital.  There’s no further word on their condition.  Their injuries were not considered to be life threatening.

The driver of the pickup sustained minor injuries.

Tickets showing a winning combination will be paid in full.

The Hoosier Lottery announced Friday that it will honor claims filed for winning tickets of the $20 Golden Jackpot Fast Play game after completing its investigation of the issue arising during the March 20, 2022, game launch. 

Starting Monday, March 28, players will be able to complete one of two processes regarding $20 Golden Jackpot Fast Play tickets sold on Sunday March 20th. The processes are as follows:

If player Has a physical ticket: 

• Fill out a claim form at HoosierLottery.com
• Provide copy of valid Government Issued Photo ID
• Present ticket at Lottery Prize Payment Centers or mail to: Hoosier Lottery Prize Payment, 1302 N. Meridian Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN  46202.

There will be a process to review tickets and players will not leave with a check. If the ticket and claim form are valid, player will be mailed a check in the coming days.  

If player no longer has ticket:

• Fill out an affidavit form at HoosierLottery.com
• Provide a copy of valid Government Issued Photo ID 
• Mail affidavit to: Hoosier Lottery Prize Payment, 1302 N. Meridian Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN  46202.

Affidavit will be processed 180 days after the March 20 date the ticket was issued -- September 16, 2022. If a player's claim is determined to be valid, a check will be mailed shortly after affidavit processing.

"Throughout this investigation, it has been our main goal to identify the specific issue and provide a reasonable remedy for our loyal players," Hoosier Lottery Executive Director Sarah M. Taylor said. "We believe strongly in providing fun and entertaining games for our players. In this circumstance, the execution of the game did not rise to the high expectations we set for the Hoosier Lottery."

Players of the Fast Play game experienced difficulty confirming their winning tickets soon after the game's launch. Lottery officials immediately began an investigation and communicated with players to retain their tickets.

The Hoosier Lottery is also working with the gaming system vendor to prevent this issue from arising in the future.

One person taken to the hospital with a gunshot wound.  Another has been arrested in an incident along I-70 in Hendricks County Friday morning.

At 10:12 am, the Indiana State Police and Hendricks County Sheriff's Office responded to the report of a person shot on I-70 eastbound near the rest park. Upon arrival, emergency responders located an adult male with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds. That male was transported by ambulance to an area hospital in critical condition.

Preliminary investigation by Indiana State Police Detectives determined an adult male driver possibly had a mechanical issue and pulled to the shoulder of the interstate near the rest park. A tow truck arrived to assist, at which time the stranded motorist allegedly fired multiple shots at the tow truck driver, then got in the tow truck and drove away.

The suspect was located by police a short time later in the tow truck and apprehended. Investigators learned the suspect's four year old child was also in the vehicle. The child was moved from the disabled vehicle into the tow truck by the suspect before he drove away.

The current status of the victim is unknown at this time. Detectives are working with the Hendricks County Prosecutor's Office to determine charges against the suspect.

Indiana State Police troopers, along with deputies from Hendricks County  responded to the area of the eastbound rest park on I-70 to investigate a person shot.

Indiana State Police Sgt. John Perrine reported via Twitter that one adult has been transported by ambulance to a local hospital. A suspect is in custody

DePauw University has underground construction planned, resulting in road closures. Starting next week Monday, March 28, 2022), the intersection portion of Locust Street and Olive Street will be closed; also starting next week, Indiana Street between Hill Street and Larabee Street. Citizens are asked to take alternate routes.

The Indiana DNR Division of Law Enforcement is looking for highly motivated, outdoor-centered individuals to fill Indiana Conservation Officer (ICO) positions across the state.

Conservation officers comprise Indiana’s oldest state law enforcement agency. They’re fully recognized as Indiana police officers who enforce and uphold all DNR rules and regulations as well as all other Indiana state laws. ICOs spend most of their time on the job enforcing fishing and hunting regulations, conducting marine boat patrol on Indiana’s waterways, and patrolling DNR properties to keep them safe and family friendly.

In addition to traditional law enforcement work, ICOs also engage in specialty areas; including scuba, K-9, search and rescue, swift water rescue, and many more.

Anyone interested should first read “Become a Conservation Officer” at on.IN.gov/dnrlaw and complete the pre-screening test under the “Apply” link. Successful completion of the pre-screening test by midnight June 3 is required to receive an application for the hiring process.  

To be qualified to pass the pre-screening test, you must be a United States citizen and be 21 years old by Oct. 28. You also must be able to pass minimum Indiana Law Enforcement Academy physical fitness requirements as listed at  IN.gov/ilea/physical-fitness-standards.

Following the announcement of DePauw University’s new strategic plan earlier this week, DePauw President Lori S. White announced today that donors have given $40 million to support DePauw’s new School of Business and Leadership.

Sharon W. Ubben and her late husband Timothy H. Ubben, both 1958 graduates of DePauw, committed $20 million in support of establishing the new school.

“Tim and Sharon’s love for DePauw is seemingly endless,” White said. “This gift reflects not only their generosity, but their collective vision for a DePauw that continues to cultivate skills and competencies that equip our students for leadership in a changing world.”

Timothy Ubben passed away in December. He and Sharon had been loyal supporters of DePauw since their first $26 gift in the 1958 Annual Fund drive. They have endowed many scholarships to improve access for students with demonstrated financial need, including many Posse scholars, in addition to establishing the Timothy and Sharon Ubben Endowed Lectureship in 1986, which has brought 116 globally prominent leaders to DePauw.

“Tim’s gratitude for the role DePauw played in preparing him for his business and philanthropic success filled him until his final days and inspired him once again to help instill leadership skills in students for generations to come,” Sharon Ubben said. “Tim and I have always believed in the power of DePauw to harness the potential of some of our nation’s most talented students. We found it so rewarding to see the impact of our gift, and I wish that Tim were here to see how life-changing this gift will be.”

Throughout his career, Tim believed good leaders were everywhere: “Whether they’re a firefighter or whether they’re a board member at Goldman Sachs, it doesn’t matter,” he said in a November interview at DePauw.

White also announced that the university will apply a $20 million gift from 1968 graduates Steve and Karen Sanger, announced in 2018, to establish the Sanger Leadership Initiative as a cornerstone of the new school, providing curricular and co-curricular opportunities being developed for all DePauw students. The gift also will endow the inaugural Sanger Professor of Leadership, the endowed directorship established for the Initiative and the institution’s first Sanger scholarships for students. 

“DePauw is an institution that prepares leaders the world needs, and we have the vision and kindness of alumni like Steve and Karen Sanger to thank for ensuring that we will continue to do so for decades to come,” White said.

“Thanks to the investments made possible through the Sangers’ generous gift, DePauw will double down on its liberal arts and sciences mission and extend it to the study of business and leadership, and we’ll formalize our track record of producing leaders in business, media, music and the arts.”

“Our vision and goal were always to build upon DePauw’s history and ability to produce thoughtful, engaged leaders,” Steve Sanger said. “With the launch of the School of Business and Leadership, it seemed only natural that our gift would help ensure the new school’s success while creating opportunities for students in any program. Together, we can affirm DePauw’s standing as one of the nation’s leading colleges for preparing students for lives of leadership and service.”

The DePauw School of Business and Leadership will position DePauw as the only top 50 national liberal arts university in the Midwest with a business school, and one of only four in the nation.

Several area fire departments responded to a pole barn fire Tuesday morning.

Just after 9:00 am Tuesday, Reelsville / Washington Township Fire Department was assisted by Greencastle, Madison Township, Cloverdale Township, State Farm, Poland, and PCEMS.  The Putnamville Correctional facility also provided equipment and manpower.

8000 gallons of water was used to extinguish the fire at the 24x32 pole barn owened by  Thomas and Kelly Dirickson at 6135 S. CR 700 West.

No injuries were reported.  The cause remains under investigation.

Beginning April 6, the Deer Creek Shooting Range at Deer Creek Fish & Wildlife Area (FWA) will be run by Pro-Tac Resources LLC.

The shooting range’s hours of operation will remain the same, Wednesday through Sunday, 9 am – 5 pm. Like other shooting ranges operated by concessionaires at DNR properties, user fees will be $7/hour per lane for the first person and $5/hour for each additional person, up to four total people. Additional information can be found at on.IN.gov/dnrshootingranges.

For questions, call Deer Creek FWA at 765-653-0453, or email Pro-Tac Resources at dustin@pro-tacresources.com.  

To the dismay of many parents, the North Putnam School board voted in a new policy regarding sleeping arrangements for overnight, school-related trips during the March 17 school board meeting.

The board approved Policy 7.26 Overnight trips, which allows administrators, at their discretion, to make room assignments as they see fit; including keeping boys and girls separate. The board also made it clear that there are never less than three students per room, with the goal being four students per room, and that parents have the right to pay additional room fees if they would prefer their child to room alone.

However, many parents felt this policy was too vague; worried it would open doors to allow co-ed sleeping arrangements. Several parents voiced concerns of the policy, including concerns over transgendered students being placed in a room with the same gender they identify as instead of the gender they were assigned at birth.  However, the parents were speaking during the public comment portion of the meeting; which happens at the beginning, before the topic is fully explained, and parents are given precisely three minutes to speak and no more. While many parents asked for clarification so they could speak during the public comment portion, they were ignored. The board said nothing to them besides stating the policy would be discussed later or that their time to speak was over.

When the policy was finally discussed, the board went back and forth with questions with some board members attempting to ask the same questions the parents were asking. Rachel Mandeville went as far as to suggest an additional line or permission slip allowing parents to voice who their child can and cannot room with. However, Superintendent Dr. Nicole Allee was concerned about the student “no one wanted to room with.”  She did not want students to be any further stigmatized than what they might already be, even if that stigma is imagined by the student. Her goal is to make the students feel safe at school functions and allow them all the same rights the federal government allows them.

While the board felt the ambiguity was enough to allow staff to use discretion for sleeping arrangements, one parent was not so pleased. A father was escorted out of the meeting by Officer Ronnie Campbell at the request of School Board President Travis Lambermont shortly after the father started shouting and calling  Lambermont a liar.

After finalizing the details and making it clear there will always be at least three students per room and that administrators, who knew the children best, would make their best judgment call, Policy 7.26 was voted in to the North Putnam policy for the 2022-2023 school year and beyond.

Across Indiana, state and local law enforcement agencies will be out in full force to ensure that students remain safe when traveling to and from school. Over the next couple of months, officers will be positioned along bus routes and in school zones where they will be on high alert for stop-arm violations, speeding and other forms of reckless driving.

The overtime patrols are part of the state’s Stop Arm Violation Enforcement (SAVE) program and funded with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).

“School bus safety is a shared responsibility,” said Gov. Eric J. Holcomb. “By following the law and taking some simple, yet necessary, precautions like slowing down and driving distraction-free, we can help ensure that every student reaches their destination safely.”

More than 200 police agencies will be participating in the spring enforcement campaign, as part of an ongoing effort to prevent reckless driving in school zones and around buses. Last year alone, more than 2,700 drivers were cited for stop-arm violations by Indiana law enforcement, according to ICJI.

To address this, officers across the state will be utilizing a range of enforcement strategies, from high-visibility patrols to having police spotters on buses. In most jurisdictions, tactics and routes will be decided in coordination with local bus drivers and school transportation officials, with efforts concentrating in the morning and afternoon hours.

“School buses have several highly visible indicators to let drivers know when to stop,” said Devon McDonald, ICJI Executive Director. “The only way you’re going to miss those—the activated stop arm and flashing lights—is if you’re on your phone or not paying attention to the road. That choice can be deadly.”

As part of the campaign, state and local officials will be calling on motorists to slow down, pay attention to the road and to never pass a bus that has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended. This applies to all roads with one exception. On highways divided by a physical barrier, such as a concrete wall or grassy median, only vehicles traveling in the same direction as the school bus are required to stop.

It’s also important when approaching a school bus to be prepared to stop. Plan ahead and factor in extra time during each commute for school bus stops.

“You’ll never regret playing it safe, but you will regret driving past a stopped bus and injuring someone’s child,” said Robert Duckworth, ICJI Traffic Safety Director. “These are people who have their whole lives ahead of them. No hurry is worth the possibility of robbing someone of their future or a family of their child.”

Disregarding a school bus stop arm is a Class A Infraction and a serious offense. Violators could pay a fine of up to $10,000, have their license suspended for up to 90 days (for the first offense) or up to 1 year (for the second).

Click here to learn more about the SAVE program or here for a list of school bus safety tips.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) for today, March 17, in four central Indiana counties. 

IDEM has confirmed and is forecasting elevated levels of fine particles (PM_2.5) in the air due in part to smoke from a fire at the Walmart Distribution Center in Plainfield, Ind. Weather conditions will continue to spread the smoke to the northeast. Conditions should improve overnight and Friday. The AQAD is for the following counties:

• Boone, Hamilton, Hendricks, and Marion

IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce fine particles in the air by making changes to daily habits. You can:

• Avoid burning wood in fireplaces or wood-fired boilers and any other unnecessary fires.
• Reminder: Indiana’s open burning laws make it illegal to burn trash and generally prohibit open burning. Visit IN.gov/openburning for more information.
• Reduce activity time outdoors to reduce unhealthy exposure to fine particulate matter.
• Combine errands into one trip.
• Avoid using gasoline-powered equipment or gas-powered recreational vehicles.
• Keep your engine tuned, and don’t let your engine idle (e.g., at a bank or restaurant drive-thru).
• Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the thermostat to 70 degrees or lower.

PM_2.5 is composed of microscopic dust, soot, and liquid that settles deep into the lungs and cannot be easily exhaled. Those people at risk are particularly vulnerable after several days of high PM_2.5 exposure. Additional information about how smoke from fires can affect your health is available on U.S. EPA’s website: www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/how-smoke-fires-can-affect-your-health.

IDEM examines weather patterns and PM_2.5 readings to make daily air quality forecasts. Air Quality Action Days generally occur when weather conditions such as light winds, higher humidity, and lower atmospheric inversions trap pollutants close to the ground.

To learn more about PM_2.5 or sign up for air quality alerts, visit SmogWatch.IN.gov.

After months of searching, reviewing resumes, and conducting interviews, a new Greencastle Parks and Recreation director, Greg Ruark, was chosen with a unanimous vote from the parks board.

Ruark is taking the place left by Rod Weinschenk who resigned after 20 years of service.

Greencastle Mayor Bill Dory introduced Greg Ruark, stating Ruark “brings a wide range of skills to the table.”

Ruark graduated and earned his master’s degree from DePauw University and has a background in soccer. He was often found working with DePauw’s long time coaches, Page Cotton and Brad Hauter. Ruark has background as the superintendent for the Terre Haute Parks department, stating it was the best four years of his life.

“This is a really, really exciting time for me,” Ruark said. “I love parks and recreation. I think I really knew that before I became a parks director in 2004. Those are four of the best professional years of my life.”

Currently, Ruark lives in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with his wife, Jody, and their children. He briefly coached girls’ soccer at Ripon College, before becoming a part-time soccer coach and substitute teacher, his current position in Oshkosh.

Ruark is not a common name around the world, but in Putnam County it is quite familiar. The Ruark families are lifelong residents, including his grandmother who ran the Ruark Nursing Home in Fillmore.

Ruark said he wants to hit the ground running. He plans on evaluating the Parks and Recreation department plans, routines, events, and employees, getting to know what works and what doesn’t. He wants to “enhance what is already provided.” He also stated his goal was to get more people to enjoy the parks so that even more people would want to visit the parks.

Ruark will be staying with family in Fillmore during his move to Greencastle.

A fire broke out at the Walmart Distribution Center located 9590 AllPoints Road in the Avon-Plainfield area on Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at approximately 1:00 PM. An estimated 1,000 employees were inside the building. However, according to both Deputy Chief Joe Aldridge of the Plainfield Police Department and Walmart, all employees were safely evacuated.  Employees were bussed to the new Amazon facility for reunification.

The billowing smoke from the blaze could be seen for miles, including from Bainbridge, IN. As the fire raged, small explosions could be heard as the fire shot from the truck parked just outside of the facility.

The distribution center at 9590 AllPoints Road is reported to be 1.2 million square feet. According to Walmart Corporation, the center averages the unloading and shipping of over 200 trailers per day.

Residents in the area were advised by emergency personnel to stay indoors, keeping their doors and windows shut. Vehicles driving close to the area were advised to keep their windows up. As the fire continued, however, many vehicles were turned away to make way for additional fire trucks, tanker trucks, and other emergency services.

According to Plainfield Fire Chief Brent Anderson, about 180 to 200 firefighters were at the scene Wednesday afternoon.

"We will have to decrease our operations here soon due to water," Anderson said. 'We are looking at additional options. There is locally a pond we can use some water out of. We are exploring every option right now but we are going to have slow down our operations here soon due to water consumption."

Anderson also stated it could take weeks to investigate the cause of the fire, but he believes contents inside the building played a role in how it spread.

The building did have a "state of the art" advanced warning system for fires that was functioning when crews arrived, Anderson said. The system may have been overwhelmed by the amount of materials inside, but that is yet to be determined, he said. 

As of 5pm Wednesday, March 16, 2022, crews were still arriving (including DNR) to help combat the fire.

Governor Eric Holcomb announced Wednesday the next steps in a new program to collect and dispose of hazardous firefighting foam that contains PFAS, a known contaminant.

“Indiana has chosen to be a leader in this PFAS foam program, because, frankly, firefighting is hard enough without having to worry about these hazardous chemicals,” Gov. Holcomb said. “We hope more departments will sign up so we can do all we can to protect Indiana firefighters.”

About 200 fire departments have already signed on to participate and have identified about 50,000 gallons of the foam that will be safely disposed of at no cost to the department.

Fire departments across the state can register for this free program by visiting the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) website at DHS.IN.GOV. The program is a partnership between IDHS and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).

The Indiana Class-B Foam Collection Initiative makes Indiana one of only a handful of states in the country to create a PFAS foam disposal program. This program allows the state to offer a free pickup and environmentally friendly disposal service, which saves fire departments thousands of dollars in disposal costs while protecting Hoosiers and the Indiana environment.

The initiative was launched by Gov. Holcomb, State Fire Marshal Joel Thacker and IDEM Commissioner Brian Rockensuess on Wednesday during a kickoff event with fire departments statewide hosted at the Greensburg Fire Department in Decatur County.

PFAS are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time. Because of their widespread use and their persistence in the environment, many PFAS are found in the blood of people and animals all over the world and are present at low levels in a variety of food products and in the environment. Extended exposure to PFAS chemicals has been linked to four of the top eight types of cancer most common to firefighters: testicular, prostate, mesothelioma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

In 2020, Indiana law prohibited the use of PFAS foam for any training purposes.

“This collection program is an opportunity for the State to honor those men and women who sacrifice so much for us every day,” Thacker said. “PFAS exposure represents a hidden danger to firefighters, and Indiana is determined to protect them as much as possible through this program.”

“IDEM is proud to work with our state partners to protect the hardworking men and women who risk their lives for us,” Rockensuess said. “PFAS foam has the potential to also negatively affect our groundwater and removing it from our communities will make the environment safer for all Hoosiers.”

A state vendor will begin collections in May by contacting departments that have completed the Foam Collection Initiative Survey to arrange a pickup. IDEM will monitor the disposal program.

The Greencastle/Putnam County Yard Waste Site will open for the season on Saturday, April 2.

The site is located off Jackson Street on CR 250W (just past County Highway Department).

Residents may bring grass clippings, twigs, branches, leaves and other organic yard waste.  No stumps, sod, soil, or treated lumber.  A fee sheet is available on the West Central Solid Waste District website or by clicking here.

Operating hours are Mondays & Wednesdays 12-6:00 pm, Saturdays 9:00 am-3:00 pm (April – October).  You can contact the Yard Waste Site at 765-653-6699 during normal operating hours.

This is for residential use only.  Businesses and contractors are prohibited due to limited space.

There is a Tox-Away day coming up on May 14 at the Area 30 Career Center (1 N. Calbert Way, Greencastle) from  8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Details for Tox-Away day will available at a later date.

The following information was released byTroy Elless, UMAC, Big Walnut Water, regarding a water main break and boil water advisory:

Due to a water main break Big Walnut Water Customers are being placed on a Boil Water Advisory. 

Crews will be working to correct this problem and it may take some time to for the water to be restored.  Once the water is restored customers are being asked to follow the following instructions.             

It is recommended that all cooking and drinking water be brought to a complete boil for five (5) minutes before using.  Please continue to boil all cooking and drinking water until we notify you that it is no longer necessary.   

Until we resolve this drinking water problem, we are also asking that you conserve water and only use what is necessary for household and personal needs. 

We appreciate your cooperation during this time and will update you as necessary until the drinking water problem has been solved.  If you have any questions concerning the drinking water problem, please contact Big Walnut Water department. 

Several Indiana counties will receive funds to improve their waterways thanks to $1,506,640 in grants awarded by DNR Director Daniel W. Bortner through the Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) program.

DNR grants totaling $908,700 will be used in sediment or logjam removal projects and will support 13 projects in 15 counties. The other $597,940 will be used to fight aquatic invasive plants, including 37 projects involving 57 bodies of water in 11 counties.

Funded projects include grants for both planning and removal of sediment. Removal projects help improve recreation and remove excessive nutrients near inlets. Projects to dredge lake inlets or boating access channels receive the highest priority for LARE funding.

Logjam projects include the removal of massive amounts of debris that block the stream channel. Because some woody debris in streams provides valuable habitat, removal projects focus only on large jams that block the entire stream and may cause bank erosion and cutting of new channels.

The sediment and logjam removal projects include Putnam County's Van Bibber Lake which received a $7500 grant.

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) today announced the state’s mortgage assistance program, the Indiana Homeowner Assistance Fund (IHAF). The portal is accepting applications for mortgage assistance for Hoosiers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the American Rescue Plan Act, the U.S. Department of Treasury awarded Indiana with $167,921,663 to be used for assistance with the mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowners insurance and homeowner/condominium fees of eligible Hoosiers.

“The Indiana Homeowner Assistance Fund (IHAF) is designed to promote housing stability and prevent foreclosures across the Hoosier state,” Crouch said. “We are pleased to work with our network of program partners and participating lenders to provide this assistance.” 

Applications are being accepting through 877gethope.org. Accommodations can be made for homeowners who would prefer non-electronic applications or who would prefer assistance in completing their online application by calling 877-GET-HOPE.

To qualify for IHAF, as determined by the U.S. Treasury, at the time of application you must:

• Be a homeowner who is defined as the owner-occupant of a single-family home, condominium, 2-, 3-, or 4-family dwelling or manufactured homes permanently affixed to real property. The home must be located in Indiana and be the homeowner’s primary residence
• Have an income equal to or less than 150% of Area Median Income, adjusted for household size or 100% of the National Median Income, whichever is greater
• Have experienced a financial hardship after January 21, 2020, associated with the COVID-19 pandemic

The maximum per household IHAF assistance amount is capped at $35,000 and is limited to one time per household. This assistance is paid directly to the mortgage lender and is not considered taxable income.

“IHCDA remains committed to allocating funds from the federal government to Hoosiers in need,” said Jacob Sipe, Executive Director of IHCDA. “Housing stability continues to be one of our top priorities as we recover from the pandemic. We look forward to administering this mortgage assistance Hoosiers across the state.”

The following documents may be required in the application:

• Income documents:
• Acceptable income documents may include paystubs or other wage statements, depository institution (or bank) statements demonstrating regular income, or a statement of income from an employer
• IRS Form 1099s and tax filings (for self-employed applicants only)
• Social security, child support, unemployment, and other income statements as applicable
• Mortgage statements or other mortgage documents
• Property tax statements from your city, town or county
• Homeowner's Insurance statements
• Homeowner or Condo Association fee statements

In addition to the IHAF program, IHCDA has additional resources for Hoosiers in need of assistance:

• Rental Assistance – The Indiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program provides up to 18 months of rental and utility assistance to those who self-attest to having been impacted by COVID-19.
• Utility Assistance – The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Low-Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) helps Hoosier homeowners and renters pay their heat, electric and water bills: eap.ihcda.in.gov.  

In March 2020, the U.S. government allowed the state of Indiana to issue “emergency allotments” to help Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program households during the COVID-19 pandemic. This allowed SNAP families to receive the maximum benefit allowed based on the number of people in the household. For many Hoosiers, this meant they received more SNAP benefits than they would have under non-emergency conditions.

Due to the end of the state public health emergency on March 3, 2022, and a recent change in Indiana law, the last month that Hoosiers will receive emergency enhanced SNAP benefits is May 2022.

Beginning in June 2022, the SNAP benefit amount a household receives will again, as it was before the pandemic, be based on eligibility factors – household size, income and allowable deductions.

Click here for more information on how the benefit amount changes during and after the pandemic.

For more information on the SNAP program, eligibility requirements, and how to apply, visit https://www.in.gov/fssa

Secretary of State Holli Sullivan will be joined by U.S. Rep. Jim Baird announcing state and federal efforts to curb catalytic converter thefts.

Secretary Sullivan’s legislation, which was signed into law last week, limits cash payouts for detached catalytic converters at $25 per transaction per day, reducing the incentive for thieves. The law also states only salvage recyclers licensed with the Secretary of State’s Office can buy or sell catalytic converters.

In Congress, U.S. Rep. Baird has introduced legislation to help law enforcement track and investigate stolen catalytic converters.

The announcement is at 3:30 pm today at the West Lafayette Police Department.

On Saturday, March 12, 2022 the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce held their annual Chamber Dinner at the Tiger Point Golf and Event Center. Not only is this dinner the Chamber's largest fundraiser, it is also when they continue the tradition of announcing the Citizen of the Year award. This year, that honor fell to Karl Turk, teacher and coach at Cloverdale Community School Corporation. 

The night started simply enough with community members meeting and greeting each other and finding their seats. Karl Turk and his students also met with many community members, explaining they were there volunteering for the dinner.

As Karl explained, he was there with his JAG (Jobs for America’s Graduates) students; a program designed to help students achieve a successful career with resume writing techniques, help with college applications, or even just going through the interview projects. He was proud of his students and their willingness to perform a community service by volunteering to assist with dinner functions.

For two hours, Karl praised his students as they walked around the tables, clearing plates and meeting the community. He spoke with everyone, or at least tried to. One woman kept her head down and Karl decided to respect her body language and leave her alone. He never noticed it was own mother, hiding in plain sight, ready to celebrate an honor Karl did not yet know.

Superintendent Greg Linton introducing Karl Turk

As Karl took to the podium, in gracious surprise of the award, he stumbled through the beginning of his speech. Sitting front and center was the woman who kept her head down, his mother, whom he had not been able to see for six months. Karl counted the many blessings he’s received since joining the Cloverdale Community six years ago.

Karl Turk acceptance speech

He was born and raised in Indianapolis, but his career took him to Terre Haute, then to Texas where he taught at a high school and was a basketball coach. While he loved his position in Texas, he was missing home so when his good friend, Coach Pat Rady of Cloverdale, called about the opportunity at the Cloverdale Community School Corporation, Karl headed home to Indiana. 

Karl Turk has been the Cloverdale Spanish teacher since 2017, basketball coach, middle school ad, and JAG educator. He has aided in the positive atmosphere at the school, involves himself with the school activities, and actively works with his student, sometimes staying up late to help students with their college entrance letters. It is because of his hard work, enthusiasm, and desire to help his students and his community that he was chosen for the Citizen of the Year Award.

Sunday, March 13, marks an hour of lost sleep, but starts the long-awaited days of more sunlight ahead. Take the time this weekend to adjust your clocks and consider taking three key safety steps to protect against possible risks you and your family might face.

“Spring is a time of renewal and a good reminder to reassess our disaster readiness,” said Kevin M. Sligh, acting regional administrator, FEMA Region 5. “As we recommit to doing our part to stop the spread of COVID-19, let’s also ensure our families know what to do in an emergency and verify our homes are as resilient as possible to all hazards.”

1. Verify your carbon monoxide and smoke detector work. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for testing the equipment to ensure it is functioning appropriately. Invest in new detectors if they’re near or past the manufacturer’s recommended replacement age.   
2. Help stop the pandemic by getting vaccinated. Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping you from getting COVID-19. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine will also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get the virus. Be sure to continue taking precautions in public places as well, including wearing a mask, staying six feet apart from others, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, and washing your hands often. To learn more, visit www.cdc.gov.  
3. Confirm your insurance coverage & home inventory list are up-to-date. Review your insurance policies and meet with your agent to ensure you’re fully covered for the hazards that most threaten your area. Keep an up-to-date record of your household items and valuable belongings. Take photos and videos of appliances, fixtures, and the interior and exterior structure of your property. Have jewelry and artwork appraised. These documents are important when filing insurance claims.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce board of directors named Cody Eckert as the organization’s new executive director.

Members of the hiring committee worked closely with incoming President Andrew O’Hair to find a replacement for Brian Cox, who announced his intent to step away at the beginning of the year. The hiring committee included last year’s Chamber president Kathy Morgan, Amy Trusty, and Beau Battin.

After receiving the hiring committee’s recommendation to hire Eckert, the board approved the new hire. O’Hair expressed his excitement for Eckert to begin his new role.

“This is going to be an exciting year for the Putnam County Chamber and our members,” O’Hair stated. “I could not be happier to have Cody on board to lead us through this very exciting time. Cody’s enthusiasm and passion for this community and this position is great to see. Change is coming and I am looking forward to what Cody will be able to accomplish for our members.”

Eckert will be introduced to the community in his new role on March 12 during the annual Chamber Dinner, which will be held at Tiger Pointe Country Club.

A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and IU - Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Eckert moved to Greencastle in 2018. Eckert has represented Greencastle’s south side residents on City Council since 2020 as councilor for the Fourth Ward.

For seven legislative sessions, Eckert worked for the Indiana House of Representatives, assisting a caseload of representatives that included former Putnam County resident Jerry Torr, of Carmel.

At the Statehouse, Eckert served in many different capacities by providing administrative assistance to his caseload, analyzing legislation through committee coverage, and communicating with a vast network of constituents, stakeholders, and legislators in the Indiana General Assembly.

Eckert believes the skills he gained at the Statehouse will benefit the Chamber as he assumes his new role.

“I’m personally very excited to engage the business community here in Putnam County,” Eckert said. “The Chamber has lots of avenues by which to promote our membership and our board of directors has decades of business experience in the county. I intend to help the board of directors realize a vision for the Chamber that truly makes an impact, and I plan to stoke that fire every way I know how.”

In 2022, the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce board of directors consists of President Andrew O’Hair, Vice President Laurie Hardwick, Beau Battin, Kristin Clary, LT Taylor, Clint Cooper, Brooke Trissel, Joel Bottom, Megan Wager, Travis Wegren, Neysa Meyer, Amy Trusty, and Kathy Morgan.

To learn more about the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, Eckert can be reached at cody@goputco.com.

Board members of the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce welcome new executive director Cody Eckert (center). Members include Secretary Beau Battin (far left), past President Kathy Morgan (second from left), current President Andrew O’Hair (second from right), and Vice President Laurie Hardwick (far right).

Three months into 2022 and Indiana has already seen the effects of extreme weather. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) is encouraging you and your family to set up a plan now as the state recognizes Severe Weather Preparedness Week.

IDHS has the tools you need to get your emergency plan together or to update your current plan. Follow agency social media pages beginning Sunday as well as visit GetPrepared.in.gov. These tips and tricks will help keep you safe during any storm.

“Currently, we have areas of Indiana experiencing flooding. It’s a common problem for much of our state this time of year. But just because it’s common, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare for potential flood waters,” said Mary Moran, IDHS director of emergency management and preparedness. “Homeowners need to know their resources, plans and have emergency kits on hand.”

Drivers likely have heard the phrase, Turn Around Don’t Drown. It is an important phrase to keep in mind this time of year. A car can float in two feet of water and just two inches can move a car off the road. If you see standing water, take a route to avoid it. Don’t test your luck.

As part of Severe Weather Preparedness Week, a statewide tornado drill is planned for 10:15 a.m. EDT/9:15 a.m. CDT on Tuesday, March 15. This is an opportunity for families, schools and businesses to practice severe weather emergency plans. Make sure your family, including children, know what to do and where to go.

Emergency sirens will sound, but residents should not be startled by this test siren. This drill will be postponed to March 16 if weather conditions are not ideal on March 15. 

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is offering free virtual presentations to elementary schools across the state in honor of Earth Day 2022.

The presentations are interactive, varying in length from 30 to 50 minutes, and offer activities like reduce, reuse, recycle your trash; or a demonstration of how water flows through a watershed. This is part of a yearly program in which IDEM staff meet with students to talk about their careers and share science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) based lessons about air, land, water, and recycling.

Teachers who participated in last year’s Virtual Earth Day Celebration commented on how well the students learned with the “hands-on way of learning.”

If you would like your students to participate, you must register and registration is open now. You can visit www.idem.in.gov/iee/index.htm to see dates, topics, and to register for free. Presentations are also available throughout the year.
 

If you are an educator with questions, you can contact IDEM’s Environmental Education Outreach Coordinator at education@idem.IN.gov or 800-988-7901.

Attorney General Todd Rokita is alerting Hoosiers of important consumer protection concerns for products recalled in February.

Attorney General Rokita encourages consumers to take advantage of opportunities available for those who purchased the recalled items.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the following consumer products were recalled in February:

Chest of Drawers from BFG North Carolina

SureClose READYFIT 180° Hinge-Closer Sets from D&D Technologies

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) from Maxtrade

Koyo Bounca The Squig Plush Toys from Games Workshop

Children’s Robes from BAOPTEIL

Tennis Tables from Escalade Sports

Geek Heat Personal Heaters from Home Easy

Children’s Nightgowns from AllMeInGeld

Lanyards with Carabiners from Petzl Recalls

Kids Crew Socks from Stance

Seats from Harbor Freight Tools

Children’s Stackable Toys from Stack Em’ Up Books

WORX Electric Pressure Washers from Positec USA

Electric Space Heaters from Shop LC

Mattresses from Serta

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Snowmobiles from BRP

Children’s Sleepwear from Esme

Utility Vehicles from American Landmaster

Freestanding Gas Ranges from Viking Range

Snap Duo Trend Strollers from Valco

Scarves from In-Things

Double-Wick Autumn Candles from Anecdote Candles

Golf Cars and PTV’s from Yamaha

Robotic Lawnmowers from Husqvarna

Children’s Sleepwear from H&M

Snowmobiles from Polaris Industries

Infant Walkers from Zeno

BrushX Hot Air Brushes from Ecom Brands

Inspector Play Kits from Lovevery

Menorahs from TJX

Teethers from Bebe au Lait

Children’s Handbags from Kelly Wynne

If you believe you recently purchased a recalled product, stop using it immediately and check its recall notice. Then follow the notice’s instructions, including where to return the product or what steps must be taken to receive a replacement product.

To view recalls issued prior to February, visit the Consumer Protection Safety Commission website.

The Clay County Department of Child Services informed the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post of concerning allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor.  

The ISP investigation revealed that Jonathan R. Randall, 37, and Darla K. Randall, 56, both of Brazil, had allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct with a minor under the age of 16. 

After executing a search warrant, conducting interviews with the suspects, and discussing the finding with the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office, an arrest warrant was issued for both of Jonathan and Darla Randall on Friday, March 4. Both suspects have been taking into custody and continue to be detained in the Clay County Justice Center.  

Jonathan R. Randall, 37, Brazil, is charged with sexual misconduct with a minor, a Level 4 Felony, and Neglect of a dependent, a Level 6 Felony.

Darla K. Randall, 56, Brazil, is charged with sexual misconduct with a minor, a Level 4 Felony, and Neglect of a dependent, Level 6 Felony.

The investigating officer was Indiana State Police Trooper Detective Michael Featherling and he was assisted by Master Trooper Detective Ryan Winters, Sergeant Samuel Stearley, and First Sergeant Jason Fajt.  

The Indiana State Police Putnamville post was also assisted by Clay County Department of Child Service and Susie’s Place.  

DePauw University released a statement late last week to faculty, staff, and students with an update to their Covid-19 on-campus policy.

After monitoring Covid-19 Positive cases in Indiana, Putnam County, and on campus, DePauw decided to drop from an Orange status to a Yellow status, effective immediately, due to the drop in cases.

Moving down to the Yellow status level welcomes back more of events, performances, celebrations, and in-person meetings; many of which had been encouraged to go virtual for much of the pandemic.

Additional changes noted are Welch Fitness Center and fitness classes no longer have participant limits; masking is optional in residences, university building common spaces, and meetings; meetings may be in person or virtual as best fits student and employee needs; employees can continue to require masks in their personal workspaces; and there are no size limits on social gatherings.  However, masking will remain in effect in Hoover, classroom spaces, and at large University sponsored indoor events of 50 attendees or more.

Scheduled asymptomatic testing for students, faculty, and staff is available Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. for the remainder of the spring term.

Appointments can be made by calling the DePauw Health Wellness Center at 765-658-4555.

“Let Freedom Roll,” the phrase seen on many a sign, truck, and tractor-trailer at the Ted Everett Farm Equipment lot, at 11998 IN-39, Monrovia, IN, where the Trucker Convoy had come to rest along their route through Indiana.

Visitors to this mini festival could be heard protesting with the truckers. Many stating they have the right to make their own choices. One woman, wishing to remain anonymous, compared it to the ‘my body, my choice’ abortion rights movement. She said if a person believes a woman has the right to choose what is okay for her body when it comes to pregnancy and abortion options, then women and men both should have the right to choose if genetic manipulator is injected into their bodies. Those in the crowd around her agreed with her statements, adding in their own similar thoughts.

During an announcement to a crowd of supporters, a man called out from a makeshift stage. “We stand with all freedom fighters. Whether they are Americans, our brothers and sisters in Canada, the Ukrainians, if they are fighting for freedom, we are standing with them.” Cheering erupted from the crowd.

There were vendors at the makeshift festival selling their wares; however, many were actually giving out food and American flags for free. Kerri Cruz [Pictured left; Debby Dyer on the right], in response to the question of why she wasn’t charging for her meatball subs, stated, “That is not what this is about. This is about freedom.” Her comment caught the attention of a retired military-turned-truck driver, who asked if he could hug the ladies.

The convoy left Monrovia Thursday morning. The convoy is heading to 64279 Wintergreen Rd, Lore City, Ohio. If you are interested in tracking the convoy, they will be taking I-70 E to 465 N to I-70 E to 270 S to I70 E to Exit #186.

You can also track their movement or donate to their cause by visiting thepeoplesconvoy.org.

Debby Dyer

Michael Ewaldt

The Indiana Department of Transportation set to begin a patching project on I-70 in both directions on or after Friday, March 4.

The contractor will have 2.5 mile construction zones set up. The one lane restrictions will be in place around the clock with the exception of Fridays between 6 am until 9 p.m. The construction is scheduled to last through the end of May.

The contract was awarded to Rieth-Riley Construction for $17 million. This project will deep patch the interstate in both directions from the 40 mile marker, one mile west of U.S. 231 (Exit 41) to the 58 mile marker, nearly one mile west of S.R. 39 (Exit 59).

The Clay County portion of the I-70 patching will occur from approximately the 22.5 mile marker, one half of one mile west of S.R. 59 (Exit 23) to the 29 mile marker.

The completion date is May 26, 2022.

Storm spotter training by the National Weather Service is coming to the surrounding area in March.

The National Weather Service will hold in-person courses in Owen County at the Spencer Christian Church on Saturday, March 18.  This course will be 9:00 - 11:00 am.

A course in Putnam County will be Wednesday, March 23, at Putnam County EOC.  It will be in the evening from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.

Storm spotter training is free and open to the public.  The courses usually last about two hours.

To be considered an official spotter for the National Weather Service (NWS) you must be at least 18 years of age.

Virtual spotter courses will also be offered on March 21 and March 30, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.  Another will be from 9:00 - 11:00 am on April 9.

You can click on courses on the NWS website to register.