Putnam County Hospital and Family Medicine of Greencastle are excited to announce that Megan Macki, will be joining Dr. Adam Amos, Dr. Warren Macy, and Ben Scott as the newest community provider.

Macki is a Nurse Practitioner trained in Family Medicine.  She has worked in Family Practice since 2020.  Her undergraduate training includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Marketing and Management from Iowa Wesleyan where she played collegiate basketball, followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Marian University.  She then went on to complete her postgraduate training, earning her Master of Science degree in Nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University. 

“As a nurse I did a little bit of everything.  I started with NICU, then moved to cardiology, and then went into resource which I traveled to every St. Vincent hospital and to every floor.” Said Macki

Macki will begin seeing patients at Family Medicine of Greencastle on October 17, 2022. 

“My interest is primary care.  What I love about primary care is caring for patients of all ages and all walks of life.  I truly enjoy getting to know my patients and their families. I pride myself in not only taking care of a patient's needs that day but caring for their overall wellbeing.  I try to treat as holistically as possible and truly have a passion for helping patients succeed without the use of mediation, if possible.  I have a strong passion for diet and exercise.  I am truly looking forward to serving in the Greencastle area,” stated Macki. 

To schedule an appointment please call Family Medicine of Greencastle at 765-301-7200.  Megan Macki will begin seeing new patients on October 17. 

It has been a busy couple of weeks for the Humane Society of Putnam County when it comes to fosters and adoptions of animals. 

Fresh off a successful adoption event for kittens recently, Humane Society continues to offer fosters/adoptions, while also trying to return pets to their rightful owners. 

"Our adoption event went very well. We had a great group of volunteers to help with setting up and breaking down all of the equipment and tend to the kitten's needs throughout the day. Out of 20 kittens, six were adopted and one went into a foster-to-adopt home. The adoption event will be a monthly event held at Rescued Treasures, as the weather allows," Kelly Murphy, Program Coordinator for the Humane Society of Putnam County, told The Putnam County Post.

The shelter has been busy trying to pair animals back with their owners, especially stray dogs. 

Murphy said her opinion on strays that come into the shelter is that many dog owners allow their pet to roam free outside and well intentioned residents pick the dogs up and bring them to the shelter. 

"More often than not, the dog is picked up on the road or along a field not far from the owner's home. Most of the dogs brought into the shelter are not microchipped. I would guess we are able to reunite over half of the animals that are dropped off or reported as strays with their owners," Murphy said. 

In addition to the monthly events, there will also be Kitten Yoga will be taking place Sept. 25 at Your Yoga Nest. Tickets can be purchased online (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kitten-yoga-tickets-407476231377) or in person at Your Yoga Nest, 1248 N. Lincoln Rd., Rockville. If someone wishes to adopt a kitten during the event, the ticket fee, which is $20, will be applied toward the adoption fee. The adoption fee is $75 and includes the spaying/neutering, vaccination and microchipping of the kitten. 

The shelter is open Wednesday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 

If anyone needs to surrender a pet or has a lost/found or stray animal, they can call the Putnam County Animal Care & Control at 653-1943 or email at hspcanimals14@gmail.com. 

What led a driver to take their own life during a traffic stop in Putnam County is the question at the center of an investigation by the Greencastle Police and the Putnam County Coroner. 

According to the Greencastle Police, a traffic stop on Monday resulted in the death of the occupant of the vehicle. 

Police initiated a traffic stop on Washington Street after investigating an alleged domestic dispute, which the occupant of the vehicle was involved in.  As police requested the occupant to come out of the car, they heard a gunshot and upon investigating, found a male deceased inside the vehicle. 

Police have not identified the individual who was the occupant. 

The Indiana Department of Transportation is looking ahead to winter.  It's a time when more INDOT employees are needed to help clear roadways of snow and ice.

On September 28, INDOT will seasonal hiring fairs at its Cloverdale and Terre Haute sites.  The Crawfordsville District office will also hold a hiring fair on the same date.

For more information, look online at INDOTjobs.com or text CAREERS to 46831.

Schools aren't always the first on the list when it comes to thinking of a community's largest employers.  Greencastle Community School Corporation is just that.  The corporation has now scheduled a job fair to fill a number of open positions.

The Greencastle Community School Corporation will hold a job fair on Tuesday, September 7.  Positions available include:  bus drivers, bus mechanic, custodians, cafeteria workers, substitute teachers, instructional assistants and afterschool program staff.

The job fair will be at the GCSC Central Office, 1001 Mill Pond Lane.  On the spot interviews are anticipated.  People are encouraged to bring their driver's license.

For more information, call 765-653-9771.

Nearly five years in prison is the sentence for a man charged with scam involving seniors and an online dating service.

Edwin Agbi, 29, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for mail fraud, use of a fictitious name in furtherance of mail fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Agbi was found guilty on March 2, 2022, following a three-day federal jury trial.

According to documents and evidence introduced in court, in 2018, an international group of scammers working with Agbi created fake profiles on OurTime, an online dating service designed for adults over 50. Over time, the scammers were able to deceive several senior victims, making them believe that they were in genuine relationships with the fake personas. Eventually, the scammers asked the victims for money, explaining that they needed funds for various reasons, including taxes and travel expenses. The victims sometimes sent the requested money.

Agbi’s role in the scheme was to receive money from the victims and pass it along to his partners. The victims mailed packages containing large amounts of cash to Agbi’s home in Indianapolis because they believed he would get the money to their significant other. Agbi received those packages under the alias “Kareem Sunday.” Upon receiving the cash, Agbi would keep a portion for himself and then have the remaining money deposited into his co-conspirators’ foreign bank accounts.

In 2018 and 2019, multiple packages containing cash were delivered to Agbi’s home. In total, the packages contained at least $75,000 in cash. During the investigation, federal agents intercepted one of the packages sent by a victim to Agbi and found that it contained $20,000 in cash.

Zachary A. Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Jeffrey Adams, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Secret Service, and Rodney Hopkins, Inspector-in-Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service, Detroit Field Division, made the announcement.

The United States Secret Service and United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II. As part of the sentence, Judge Sweeney ordered that Agbi be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for three years following his release from federal prison and to pay $95,500 in restitution to the victims.

This case was brought as part of the Department of Justice’s Elder Justice Initiative. The mission of the Elder Justice Initiative is to support and coordinate the Department’s enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation’s older adults.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces restrictions for bridge repair work on State Road 59 and S.R. 157 will start on or after Thursday, September 8.

Crews will be replacing the railing and repairing the S.R. 59 bridge over Prairie Creek in Clay County, and also repairing the S.R. 157 bridge over Eel River in Owen County.

The S.R. 59 bridge will be down to one lane. Traffic will be maintained with a temporary signal and barriers.

There will be shoulder closures on the S.R. 157 bridge. Traffic will be maintained with a flagging operation.

These restrictions are expected to last through the end of October, weather permitting. 

This project was awarded to CLR Inc. 

You can go back to the Civil War era this weekend in Bridgeton, Indiana.

Bridgeton Civil War Days is back on the final August weekend.  Live music, food, activities that mirror life during the Civil War including the Artisan’s Barn at the Mill.  It is the oldest continuously operating mill west of the Allegheny Mountains and overlooks Indiana's most famous covered bridge and waterfall.

The covered bridge was destroyed in of 2005, by a fire set by an arsonist. A historically accurate reconstruction of the bridge was completed in October 2006.

The living history re-enactment is Saturday and Sunday in Parke County.

A Pittsboro woman was killed in a car – tractor accident in Hendricks County Wednesday.

Hendricks County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the fatal crash at the intersection of County Roads 500 E and 800 N about 7:30 pm.  Initial investigation indicates that a 1930’s model Ford passenger car was traveling northbound on 500E when a southbound 1977 John Deere tractor began turning eastbound on 800N in front of the Ford.  The tractor struck the Ford in the front driver’s side of the vehicle. 

The primary cause of the crash was failure to yield the right of way.

The driver and the rear passenger of the Ford were taken to an Indianapolis hospital for treatment.  The driver was last known to be in critical condition and the rear passenger was listed as stable. 

The front seat passenger of the Ford, who has been identified as Amy Knapp, 63, of Pittsboro, died at the scene. 

The driver of the tractor was uninjured.    

Alcohol is not suspected as a factor in the crash.  Hendricks County Sheriff’s crash reconstructionists and the Hendricks County Coroner’s Office are investigating.           

Imagine sending your student off to school, only to get a call saying they need money and it is a voice you may not recognize.

DePauw University Police say this is a scam and are asking everyone to remember the start of school means the start of scams.

Police officials are asking residents to be aware and not send any money to people they don't know. In addition, they want people to know not to cash checks from people they don't know if they ask them to do so and send them money. Police say in many instances they cannot recover the money once it is sent through the scam. 

If anyone is contacted by anyone regarding a scam, they are asked to contact the DePauw Police so they can investigate the situation. 

The Putnam County Mural Festival is quickly approaching.  Work on one of the murals planned for 2022 will commence even before the festival gets underway.

The festival is scheduled for September 11 – 24. Five new murals will be installed across Putnam County—two in Greencastle, two in Roachdale, and one in Fillmore.

Alexandra Chamberlain says the largest of the murals should have an artist on-site by Labor Day weekend.

Back in 2019, the first mural project produced one of Indiana's largest murals on the four south-facing silos of S&W Feed Center in Greencastle. In September 2019, New York-based artist Key Detail completed the mural in just under two weeks.

The other murals will be created during the festival schedule.

Chamberlain says the block party to be held on September 23 will offer views of the murals in walking distance in Greencastle.  They are looking for ways to offer views of Roachdale and Fillmore, also.  The next day’s special event will offer a chance to celebrate the Roachdale mural.

An investigation into a possible safety concern for Greencastle schools Wednesday has determined there was no threat.

Superintendent Jeff Gibboney addressed Wednesday's issue in the following e-mail and a call that went to parents and stakeholders in the district:

This morning (Wednesday, August 24) at approximately 8:40 am, high school students notified the Greencastle High School administration of a possible safety concern at GHS. The GHS administration worked collaboratively with the Greencastle Police Department to secure all threats within minutes of the report.

A thorough investigation was conducted during the morning hours. Classes continued as normal as GHS and GPD was confident that the building remained safe; there was no threat.

Greencastle High School is appreciative and thankful for student reporting and cooperation.

We want to assure you that the Greencastle Community School Corporation and the Greencastle Police Department are doing everything we can to provide a safe learning environment for our students and staff.  Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Jeff Gibboney, Superintendent

A returning crowd-favorite, the results are in for the Indiana State Fair’s annual culinary competition amongst concessionaires for the Taste of the Fair.

The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners are taking home a “Taste of the Fair, 2022 Food of the Fair” title and a cash prize.  Entrants of this year’s Taste of the Fair were voted on throughout the Fair by the public since the fair has opened and all entries can be viewed via www.indianastatefair.com/p/state-fair/food--shopping/taste-of-the-fair.

2022 1st place Taste of the Fair title goes to Pickle Pizza, created by Swain's Concessions LLC, who will take home $2,500 in prize money. This item features homemade dough with a dill ranch sauce topped with mozzarella cheese, dill seasoning and dill pickles.

2nd place was awarded to Pretzel Nacho Bites, created by Wilson Concessions, who will leave the fair with $1,000. This item features Wilson Concessions pretzel bites covered in nacho cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, and bacon bits.

The 3rd place winner is Mexican Street Corn in a Cup, created by Wilson Concessions, who will receive $500. This item features roasted sweet corn, mayonnaise, hot sauce, cheese, and Mexican spices.

INDOT says they are scheduled to run today through Friday on an I-70 project.

The left lane of I-70 in both directions is to be restricted between S. 500 W. and S.R. 243 (Cloverdale) between 9pm - 6am on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. This will allow crews to safely install a new guardrail

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) named former AVMA Executive Board Chair Dr. John Scamahorn as the winner of the 2022 AVMA Meritorious Service Award.

Established in 2001, the award recognizes a veterinarian who has brought honor and distinction to the veterinary profession through personal, professional or community service activities that are conducted outside the scope of organized veterinary medicine or research. The AVMA Board of Directors selects the recipient.

Dr. John R. Scamahorn has been a practicing veterinarian in Greencastle since his graduation from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine.

“Dr. Scamahorn’s influence and contributions to veterinary medicine over his decades of volunteer leadership have been invaluable to the profession,” said Dr. Jose Arce, president of the AVMA. “Throughout his career, he has epitomized everything that the AVMA Meritorious Service Award represents and proven himself more than qualified for this distinguished honor.”

At the state level, Dr. Scamahorn has served a number of roles with the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA), including board of directors district representative (1986-1989), board chairman (1988-989), vice president (1989-1990), president-elect (1990-1991) and president (1991-1992). Following that involvement, he has stayed committed to contributing to organized veterinary medicine in Indiana, including as chair of the IVMA Legislative Committee and a number of IVMA task forces addressing membership redesign, practice act review, and increasing member involvement. He also served on the Indiana Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners on their Controlled Substances Advisory Committee.

Additionally, Dr. Scamahorn is one of the founding members of the Indiana Animal Health Foundation (IAHF) and currently serves as its board president. Over the last 25 years, the IAHF has raised more than $600,000 for programs to support scholarships, service animals, and other areas of veterinary medicine and animal care.

At the national level, Dr. Scamahorn has been an active participant in AVMA leadership during his career. This includes serving in the AVMA House of Delegates (1993-2004) and the AVMA Executive Board (2005-2011), including a term as the executive board chair from 2009-2011. He also served on a number of AVMA councils and committees, including:

• Member Services Committee (2005-2011)
• Council on Veterinary Services (2005-2006)
• Judicial Council (2006-2009)
• Committee on Environmental Issues (2005-2007)
• Audit Committee of the Executive Board Chair (2008-2009)
• State Advocacy Committee Chair (2005-2011)
• Legislative Advocacy Committee Chair (2007-2011)
• Task Force on AVMA Model Practice Act Review Chair (2010-2012)
• Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (2011-2017)
• Council on Education (2011-Present)

Previously, Dr. Scamahorn has been recognized as the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association Veterinarian of the Year (1994) and has received the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine Distinguished Alumnus Award (2001).

Dr. Scamahorn has been a private practitioner in Greencastle, Indiana, since graduating from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1972. He currently owns Animal Medical Clinic, P.C., a mixed animal practice serving clients in West Central Indiana.

Greencastle Music Fest happens this weekend in downtown Greencastle.  A weekend of live music opens Friday.

There is a $10 admission fee each night but children 10 and under are free. 

Kids Area games open each night.

Friday schedule:

5pm, Event Opens / Sponsor Recognition
5:30 – 8 pm, Levi Riggs
8:30 – 11 pm, Josh Paige 

Saturday schedule:

3pm, Event Opens
3pm – 4:30 pm, Corn hole registration
5pm, Corn hole tournament begins
6pm – 8:30 pm, The Woomblies Rock Orchestra
9pm – 11pm, The Crashers

Following a tumultuous time recently, the Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Department has a new leader.

Tony Camp is the department's new chief, and the move comes after its former chief resigned. 

Camp started on the Decatur Township Fire Department when he was a teenager as part of its cadet program and stayed on, moving to a Senior Cadet and at the age of 18, he was voted onto the department.

"I had already taken all of my classes but I couldn't take the test for them until I turned 18. So when I turned 18, I took my test for the fire department and passed. I left Decatur when I was around 25, as family took over. In late 2017, I moved to Greencastle and joined the Bainbridge Volunteer Fire Department in 2018 and have been on there since, and I am still there," Camp told Putnam County Post. 

During that time, his love of being a firefighter has only grown as he admits he truly loves helping people. 

In addition, he enjoys making people aware of the role volunteer firefighters play in communities. 

"A lot of people think that when you are a volunteer firefighter, you are not as qualified as a career firefighter, which is not correct because we do the same classes as they do. There are some issues with volunteer fire departments that they may not look as professional as a career department, but they are as trained as a career department. The only difference is they are responding from home, where they are relaxing in pajama pants and a T-shirt when they make that run versus being on station and in your duty uniform. I guess in being a volunteer fireman, you get out of it whatever you put in it," Camp said. 

Camp told Putnam County Post that as the new chief, he understands all that comes with it. 

"What I can tell you is there is more than just members of the department relying on you as the chief. You have a whole community that is now your responsibility as every action and decision you make affects everyone in the community. With that being said, when I do make a decision, I have to keep in mind what is best for the community, not just the department or myself," Camp admitted. 

For a large chunk of his life, Tony Camp has served his communities through various volunteer fire departments. 

And, now the new Clinton Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief and his department are seeking a few new firefighters. 

"Since it is a volunteer department, we would love to have 30 or more new volunteer firefighters so that way it is not just one group of people getting burned out making the runs, but there would be enough people to make sure that it is always covered. That is a perfect world, or at least how it was back in the 1980s and 1990s when we could get that many people. Realistically, I know we will be lucky to get 10 to 15," Camp told Putnam County Post. 

Camp said there are numerous advantages to a community having a volunteer fire department.

"The volunteer fire service saves taxpayers nearly $50 billion a year compared to what they would pay with a career service. If you add volunteer EMS into that mix, the number would be even more staggering," Camp said. 

Drive sober or get pulled over.

That’s the warning state and local police agencies are issuing to drivers as Indiana gears up for its annual end-of-summer impaired driving enforcement campaign. Starting this weekend through Labor Day, officers across the state will be increasing patrols and sobriety checkpoints to crack down on those driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The extra high-visibility enforcement is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) through grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).

Alcohol-impaired traffic fatalities have increased over the past few years, as have other dangerous driving behaviors, fueling a nationwide surge in roadway deaths. It’s an unfortunate trend that doesn’t appear to be slowing.

Newly released data from NHTSA shows that an estimated 9,560 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the first quarter of 2022. That’s up 7% from the previous year and the highest number of deaths in 20 years for that period.

In Indiana, traffic fatalities increased by more than 20% during that time compared to 2021. If the pace continues, 2022 could be the third straight year with more fatalities, following 897 in 2020 and 931 in 2021.

Drunk driving continues to be a major factor making up roughly 25% of the state’s fatal collisions, but alcohol isn’t the only concern.

Research indicates drug prevalence has been on the rise among drivers during the pandemic. Last year, the number of blood samples submitted to the Indiana Department of Toxicology for drug analysis after a crash increased by 7%.

“Since the start of the pandemic, more drivers are testing positive for THC and poly-drug use, a combination of drugs,” said Robert Duckworth, ICJI Traffic Safety Director. “We’re working to address that by training more officers in advanced detection techniques and providing new tools to law enforcement, but the best and easiest solution is for people to not drive high in the first place.”

Driving under the influence, whether it’s drugs or alcohol, is illegal in Indiana. Those who choose to drive impaired are, not only risking their life and the lives of others, but also could face an arrest, jail time, and substantial fines and attorney fees. The average drunk driving arrest costs up to $10,000.

With officers showing zero tolerance throughout the campaign, ICJI recommends celebrating the end of summer responsibly by having a safety plan in place. Even if it’s only one drink, designate a sober driver or use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely. Never drive impaired or let friends get behind the wheel if they’ve been drinking.

It’s also important to wear a seat belt at all times. It’s the best form of protection against drunk drivers. Motorists are encouraged to report suspected impaired drivers by calling 911 or contacting their local police department.

In recognition of the drastic decline among women in the workforce due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Western Indiana Workforce Development Board announced today it has created an initiative to get women back into the job market. 

Women in the Workforce provides female job seekers with a personalized, one-stop source to the many resources available to them in re-entering the workforce. Women in western Indiana are encouraged to visit one of the area’s six WorkOne Centers to gain new skills, explore education offerings, access training grants, and connect with new employers. These services are offered free of charge to all Indiana residents.

According to the Society for Human Resource Management, there are nearly 2 million fewer women in the workforce since February 2020. Women exited the workforce to care for children, homeschool, or care for elderly family members during the pandemic. Meanwhile, employers have struggled to find qualified workers, leading to disruptions across all sectors of the economy.

“In western Indiana, we have an abundance of open and flexible positions, many of which do not require a four-year degree,” said Lisa Lee, executive director, Western Indiana Workforce Development Board, Inc. “Women and their families have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic, and we want them to understand the WorkOne Centers are here for them. When women succeed, our families and communities succeed.” 

Women in the Workforce is funded through a grant from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. It is unique to western Indiana, and was developed by the team at the Western Indiana Workforce Development Board.

While the most in-demand positions are in the manufacturing, construction and health care sectors, WorkOne officials encourage women to make an appointment to see what jobs are the best fit.

“Our WorkOne specialists partner with our clients to find jobs that lead to fulfilling and rewarding careers,” Lee continued. “We encourage women in our communities to take that first step and meet with a WorkOne specialist to learn more about the many options they have in going back to work. We also  are grateful to the State of Indiana for their support of and belief in our efforts to get more women back into the workforce.”

WorkOne Western Indiana serves Hoosier workers and employers in Clay, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion and Vigo Counties.

To learn more, visit www.workonewest.com.

A Putnam County Sheriff's deputy was injured in a Friday crash.

According to the sheriff's department,  Deputy Randy Patrick was on patrol when his police car was struck by multiple vehicles on N. Jackson St near Frazier St. in Greencastle.

The accident initially involved a semi tractor trailer and pickup truck, resulting in both vehicles crossing the centerline.  Deputy Patrick was southbound when his patrol car was struck by the semi, causing his vehicle to leave the road and be pinned against a tree. 

The Greencastle Fire Department along with Putnam County EMS and fellow law enforcement worked to extricate Deputy Patrick from his badly damaged vehicle, according to the sheriff's department.

The Greencastle Police Department investigated the accident. 

A two-vehicle car accident occurred in Greencastle Friday morning at 950 North Jackson Street.  It i nvolved a semi and a pickup.

Initial reports indicate possible injuries.  Crews are working hard to assess the situation and the persons involved.

The road is blocked as of this report Friday morning, please find an alternate route. 

More details to come. 

Dumpsters will be available September 16-18 at the Community Building and Town Office parking lot in Roachdale. Town employees will be available to assist with items on September 16, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

They will not be able to accept hazardous household chemicals, oil, oil based paint, batteries, computers, televisions, tires, fertilizers, air conditioners, or refrigerators / freezers.

Residents that need items picked up or wish to volunteer should contact the town office at 765-522-1532.

This service is for the residents of the town limits of Roachdale only.

American Senior Communities, L.L.C. (ASC), a provider of skilled nursing and long-term care services throughout Indiana, has agreed to pay $5,591,044.66 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims to the Medicare program.

American Senior Communities includes several locations around the state including Ben Hur and Hickory Creek in Crawfordsville.

In 2017, a former employee of a hospice services company doing business with ASC filed a sealed civil complaint or “whistleblower” lawsuit under the False Claims Act in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. The complaint alleged that ASC had engaged in conduct to defraud the Medicare program. Specifically, the complaint alleged that ASC was charging Medicare directly for various therapy services provided to beneficiaries who had been placed on hospice, when those services should have already been covered by the beneficiaries’ Medicare hospice coverage.

The False Claims Act provides that when a whistleblower files a lawsuit alleging fraud that results in a recovery of funds by the Government they are entitled to between 15 and 25% of the recovery. This whistleblower provision of the law encourages people to come forward when they believe fraud is being committed. Under the False Claims Act, the Government may collect up to three times the loss it incurred, plus a fine of between approximately $5,500 to $22,000 for each false bill submitted.

Based on the investigation, the estimated loss to the Medicare program was $2,795,522.33 and ASC has agreed to pay $5,591,044.66 to the United States.

The resolutions obtained in this matter were the result of a coordinated effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 “Whistleblowers are critical to protecting public funds from fraud, waste, and abuse,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers. “Health care providers who submit false claims or otherwise violate state and federal regulations when billing the United States Government will face consequences.

Today’s settlement demonstrates that federal law enforcement agencies will vigorously investigate reports of false claims and seek to recover funds on behalf of the public.”

 “Health care providers that submit inappropriate claims to Medicare to boost their own profits compromise the integrity of this important federal health care program,” said Special Agent in Charge Mario M. Pinto of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “We will continue to work tirelessly, alongside our law enforcement partners, to ensure the appropriate use of taxpayer dollars and hold those who violate the law accountable.”

U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shelese Woods and Justin Olson who handled the case for the United States.

The claims resolved by this settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. In agreeing to the settlement terms, ASC denied all liability under the False Claims Act. In investigating the case, HHS-OIG did not uncover any evidence of injury or harm to patients because of the alleged conduct.

Recognized for their families’ longstanding commitment to agriculture, 106 Indiana family farms were presented the Hoosier Homestead Award today at the Indiana State Fair from Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Bruce Kettler.

To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years, and consist of 20 acres or more, or produce more than $1,000 in agricultural products per year.

Based on the age of the farm, families are eligible for three different distinctions of the Hoosier Homestead Award. They can receive the Centennial Award for 100 years, Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years or Bicentennial Award for 200 years of ownership.

For this ceremony four Indiana farms received the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of continuous ownership. They include, the Hartman family farm from Parke county, the Speer family farm from Jennings county and the Layton Acres, Inc. family farm and the Logan family farm, both from Rush County.

Also recognized this week (award year):

Clay County: Jones (1870); Killion (1830); Milligan, Brown & Thomas (1863)

Hendricks County: Leak (1863)

Parke County: Mabel Thompson (1877)

Since the program's inception in 1976, over 6,100 families have received the award. Often, a Hoosier Homestead farm is easily recognized because most recipients proudly display their awarded sign on their property.

The Indiana Department of Transportation announces N. Jackson Street will temporarily close between W. Elizabeth St. and Shadowlawn Avenue for railroad work, near Greencastle. Crews will be repaving and replacing ties starting on or after Monday, August 22. The closure will last until the end of August, weather permitting.

This project was previously rescheduled.

The official detour follows U.S. 231 to S.R 240 to S.R. 75 to U.S. 36. and back to U.S. 231.

INDOT reminds motorists to use caution and consider worker safety when driving through a work zone.

A complaint from a man in Georgia led to the arrest of a Fishers man who was using stolen identity on “Brazil Indiana Chatter”.

The Indiana State Police initiated a criminal investigation in February 2022, after receiving information from an individual living in Loganville, Georgia, that their identity was being used on social media by another individual.

The investigation revealed that Andrew M. Longyear, 32, of Fishers, a former Clay County Sheriff's Department deputy / detective, had allegedly engaged in posting numerous derogatory comments to a social media account, “Brazil Indiana Chatter”.  Longyear was using the cover photo and identity of a Loganville, Georgia, man while posting derogatory comments towards an individual.  

After conducting interviews and executing a search warrant, Indiana State Police discussed their findings with Special Prosecutor, Ann Mischler of Sullivan County.  Clay County Superior Court Honorable Judge Robert Pell granted an arrest warrant on Wednesday for Longyear.  He was arrested by Master Trooper Detective Tom Hanks of the Special Investigation Section at the Clay County Justice Center without incident. 

Longyear was released on his own recognisance.  He is charged with Identity Deception, a Level 6 Felony, and Conversion, a Class A Misdemeanor.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers today awarded 47 Indiana companies and organizations with the Governor’s Century or Half-Century Business Award in recognition of each company’s longevity and service to its employees, community and the state. 
 

The Governor’s Century and Half-Century Business Awards honor Hoosier businesses that have remained in operation for a minimum of 100 or 50 consecutive years and have demonstrated a commitment to community service. More than 1,206 Indiana companies have been recognized during the award's 31-year history.
 
 
Among the 2022 Century Award honorees 
 

• Hunt & Son Funeral Home Inc 
  122 years; Montgomery County
   

Among the 2022 Half-Century Award honorees
 

• J R Lazaro Builders Inc. 
  63 years; Hendricks County
   

An Owen County couple found themselves in jail early Tuesday morning after they were found processing a deer they had shot from a vehicle the evening before.

These arrests were made possible from a tip received and the efforts of District 5 officers. When Indiana Conservation Officers Cole Hollingsworth, Matt Vossmer, and Kenton Crews arrived at the suspected residence, they witnessed the couple running from the scene. After a foot pursuit both suspects were placed into custody.

Suspect names were not available in the initial report.

The deer was donated to a local family so it did not go to waste.

The firearm was seized as evidence of the crime. Both individuals are facing multiple criminal charges related to the incident.

The Indiana Department of Transportation is making plans for winter.  Those plans include a hiring event in September.

INDOT will host seasonal hiring fairs at its Cloverdale, Crawfordsville and Terre Haute sites on September 28.  On-site interviews are planned as INDOT adds to its force in preparation for winter weather.

More information can be found at INDOTjobs.com . 

Two deputies who were involved in a Hendricks County pursuit were checked out of hospitals after receiving treatment for injuries.  The man they were chasing is facing an attempted murder charge among others.

Hendricks County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the report of a woman who had been reportedly strangled on Greenbriar Dr. near Avon just after 5:30 am Monday. While deputies responded, they were advised that the male suspect was leaving the residence in his truck. The suspect was later identified as Gary Edward Miller, 51, of Avon.

Deputies located the suspect vehicle as it was leaving the neighborhood, and a short vehicle pursuit ensued. As Miller fled from the neighborhood, other deputies were arriving in the area. Miller rammed one of the arriving deputies vehicles in the driver’s side door with his truck. That deputy was taken to an area hospital and is in stable condition.

Miller then fled onfoot into a wooded area and was tracked by deputies and K9 units from the Danville and Plainfield Police Departments. Minutes later, Miller was apprehended.

A second deputy involved in the tracking of Miller was stung multiple times and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Miller sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital for
treatment. Criminal charges will be forthcoming as this investigation continues.

Miller was booked into the Hendricks County Jail on the following criminal charges:

Attempted Murder – Level 1 Felony

Aggravated Battery – Level 3 Felony

Criminal Confinement – Level 4 Felony

Battery with Injury – Level 5 Felony

Intimidation with the threat of a Forcible Felony – Level 6 Felony

Strangulation – Level 6 Felony

Domestic Battery – L6 Felony

Resisting Law Enforcement (two counts) – Level 6 Felony

Failure to stop after accident with injury – Level 6 Felony

Operating While Intoxicated – A Misdemeanor

Battery by Bodily Waste – B Misdemeanor

Vaseline on your face, bean bag toss, tests of memory, and teamwork between all ages at its best.  All will be on display when the Putnam County Recovery Coalition hosts the 3rd Annual Family & Friends Challenge event, in partnership with Family Support Services of West Central Indiana, on Sunday, September 11th at 2:00 pm.  The event will mix fun and games in a similar fashion to Minute to Win It style games. Families and groups of friends are encouraged to form teams of four, with all ages welcome. Teams will complete games at stations and compete to get the best times and most points. At the end of the evening, winning teams will be awarded prizes. Throughout the evening, there will be music entertainment, raffle prizes and more.

The event has been planned and organized by the Putnam County Recovery Coalition.  The group is a grassroots advocacy coalition working to raise awareness about addition and recovery, provide education to those in need of support, while reducing the stigma of addiction in our Community.  Proceeds from the event will be used to support the facilitation of programs, help connect individuals to recovery options, and provide resources to fulfill the mission.

The event will be held at the Putnam County Fairgrounds Community Building from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Teams are made up of four people and is FREE, however donations will be accepted the night of the event.

Team registration can be done by visiting  http://weblink.donorperfect.com/pcrcfamilychallange or visiting FSSWCI offices at 16 South Jackson Street, Greencastle, IN 46135. 

For more information, or to make a donation of financial support or door prizes, you can call Shelia at 765-719-0359 or email pcrc@pcfss.net or call Scott Monnett at 765-653-4820, ext. 101 or email info@pcfss.net.  

Law enforcement was called to a report of a man strangling a woman early Monday morning in Hendricks County.

Hendricks County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the report of a woman who had been reportedly strangled on Greenbriar Dr. near Avon just after 5:30 am Monday. While deputies responded, they were advised that the male suspect was leaving the residence in his truck. The suspect was later identified as Gary Edward Miller, 51, of Avon.

Deputies located the suspect vehicle as it was leaving the neighborhood, and a short vehicle pursuit ensued. As Miller fled from the neighborhood, other deputies were arriving in the area. Miller rammed one of the arriving deputies vehicles in the driver’s side door with his truck. That deputy was taken to an area hospital and is in stable condition.

Miller then fled onfoot into a wooded area and was tracked by deputies and K9 units from the Danville and Plainfield Police Departments. Minutes later, Miller was apprehended.

A second deputy involved in the tracking of Miller was stung multiple times and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Miller sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital for
treatment. Criminal charges will be forthcoming as this investigation continues.

Starting Monday, August 15, U.S. 231 will be restricted for the inspection and repair of a natural gas line between Montgomery County Road 400 N. and the I-74 interchange.

The restrictions are expected to last through the end of August, weather permitting.

Indiana University and Purdue University took the first steps Friday on a bold new vision for higher education in Indianapolis, designed to increase the number of job-ready graduates in an innovation-led economy, fuel economic growth in the region and the state, and enhance service to the Indianapolis community and beyond.

This new vision, outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding approved Friday by the IU Board of Trustees and the executive committee of Purdue's Board of Trustees, will transform the 52-year-old IUPUI -- a joint venture between the two universities on a campus IU owns and manages -- into separate academic organizations in which IU and Purdue will each govern their own programs. It calls for a more energized role for each university and the production of more graduates ready to participate in the modern economy.

The MOU outlines a platform for collaboration in which each university's strengths will expand research activity in Indianapolis and enhance funding opportunities for joint research initiatives, including the creation of a joint biosciences engineering institute. This new institute will harness the power of the universities' collective academic and research strengths and ongoing collaboration between Purdue's Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering and other Purdue health-related disciplines, and Indiana University's School of Medicine and health-related disciplines to develop new life-enhancing therapies and technologies while simultaneously creating a highly sought-after pool of professionals whose unique research and training will create startups and attract new companies to Indiana.

The presidents of both universities pointed to the joint institute as an example of how this agreement brings them together in ways that will create transformational change in Indianapolis and the state, creating a global center of research and an engine of growth.

The MOU charges campus leaders to work together over the next year toward the optimum model for strengthening the city and state in the modern economy. To create that model, various operational details will be worked out through careful planning and consultation with all impacted groups. Working groups will be formed to address a variety of specific areas, and both universities are committed to executing a smooth transition that puts students first. Completion of the realignment is expected in time for the fall 2024 semester, at which time the new academic organizations will become official.

Presidents Mitch Daniels of Purdue and Pam Whitten of IU hailed the trustees' support and action for the positive effects they foresee.

"This is an historic moment for Indianapolis, for IU, and for our entire state," Whitten said. "We are building on IUPUI's more than 50 years of accomplishment to propel us into becoming one of the preeminent urban research universities in this country. In addition to expanding our science and technology programs, we plan to grow across the board, create more opportunities for students, and become even more deeply integrated with the Indianapolis community through close relationships with local businesses, nonprofits, sports organizations, and more."

Said Purdue's Daniels: "This new vision will enable the number of Purdue's STEM graduates to grow and also provide more opportunities to our students and faculty both in Indianapolis and in West Lafayette. What we are announcing today responds to calls we have heard from Indianapolis and across the state for a bigger and more visible Purdue in Indianapolis. Our state and its largest city require a world-class, high-technology research presence of the quality Purdue represents."

Indiana University owns and operates the IUPUI campus, but certain programs grant Purdue degrees. Under the MOU, various activities will be allocated as follows:

Indiana University will take over operation of what is now the School of Science at IUPUI, except for its Department of Computer Science, which will become part of Purdue. IU will accelerate training for tomorrow's IT workforce by expanding its Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering with new computer science programs in Indianapolis.

IU also expects to enhance integration of its science programs with its School of Medicine and other allied health science schools, expanding the number of students who will be prepared for health science-based careers, improving the pipeline of doctors and nurses and keeping more graduates in the state. IU will also establish innovative collaborations in new research areas, which will benefit the state through increased funding and resulting startups.

In addition, IU will have responsibility for providing certain administrative services for both academic organizations and for maintaining the intercollegiate athletic program. IU will continue to provide innovative educational experiences for the more than 27,000 students in other IU programs such as business, law, nursing, social work and a wide range of other academic disciplines.

Purdue will assume responsibility for engineering, computer science and technology as a fully integrated expansion of Purdue West Lafayette. The new structure will allow Purdue to grow engineering, technology and computer science enrollments in Indianapolis, and create exciting opportunities for current West Lafayette students to "study away" in Indianapolis while pursuing internship or cooperative work opportunities with Indianapolis companies.

In addition to its new urban campus, Purdue intends to open a branch of its Purdue Applied Research Institute on or near the current IUPUI. Overall, Purdue anticipates growing today's Indianapolis enrollment by more than 1,000 students, housing many together in a new residential building near their academic buildings, Daniels said. These may be seniors finishing their education on the new urban campus, students who opt to undertake their entire Purdue experience at Indianapolis or options in between.

In Friday's announcement, both presidents emphasized IUPUI's 52-year record of accomplishment. During that time, it has evolved from a local commuter school to the third largest undergraduate campus and one of the biggest research campuses in Indiana. Its 206,000 living alumni contribute mightily to the state's economic growth.

An FAQ is available online.

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the horrible explosion in Evansville, Indiana on August 10 that killed three people and damaged about 40 homes.

Some will be seeking to make donations to help the victims and their families. We encourage potential donors to be aware of the different circumstances that often emerge in tragedy-related philanthropy and offer the following tips.

Crowdfunding advice

Crowdfunding has become so popular that it is not unusual for fundraising to start within hours after a tragedy has occurred. Please keep in mind that while some crowdfunding sites take precautions in carefully screening, vetting and managing postings after a tragedy, others might not. If unsure, review the posting procedures described on the crowdfunding site and also find out about transaction fees and other specifics. 

Does the appeal respect victims and their families?

Charitable organizations or crowdfunding postings raising funds should get permission from the families to use either the names of the victims and/or any photographs of them. Don’t assume there is an official connection if photos are displayed.

How will donations be used?

Be cautious about vague appeals that don’t identify the intended use of funds. For example, is money being collected for funeral expenses, reconstruction or other family needs? Also, unless told otherwise, donors will assume that collected funds quickly collected after a tragedy will be distributed or spent just as quickly.

Tax Deductibility

Contributions that are donor-restricted to help a specific individual/family are not deductible in the U.S. as charitable donations, even if the recipient organization is a charity. See IRS Publication 526, page 7, for more information on this subject.  

Review recent announcements to avoid duplication of effort.

Be mindful of public announcements that identify assistance being provided to victim families to help avoid donating to duplicative efforts.

Check out charities with Give.org.

As always, we remind donors to check out charities by visiting BBB’s Give.org to verify if the charity meets the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.

The Purdue Farmland Value and Cash Rents Survey suggests Indiana farmland prices grew at a record pace between June 2021 and June 2022, exceeding previous highs set in 2021. Statewide, top-quality farmland averaged $12,808 per acre, up 30.9% from the same time last year. The average per acre price of average-quality farmland similarly increased by 30.1% to $10,598. Poor quality farmland prices exhibited the largest increase of 34.0% to $8,631.

“Multiple factors are influencing the increase in farmland prices, including positive net farm incomes, relatively strong commodity prices, inflation, and high farmer liquidity,” said Todd H. Kuethe, Purdue associate professor and the Schrader Endowed Chair in Farmland Economics and survey author. “However, rising interest rates are associated with increased costs of borrowing, which put downward pressure on purchases financed through mortgages.”

Statewide cash rental rates also increased across all land quality classes in 2022. Average cash rents increased by 11.5% for top-quality land, 10.8% for average-quality land, and 13.2% for poor-quality land. The increases in cash rents were the highest observed since the 2011–2012 period. Across the three quality grades, cash rents also reached a record high in 2022 at $300 per acre for high-quality farmland, $252 for average-quality, and $207 for poor-quality land. At the regional level, the largest cash rental rate increases for top- and average-quality land were in the Northeast (21.3% and 13.2%, respectively), and the largest increase for poor-quality land was in the Southwest region (18.6%). Across all three quality grades, the highest per acre average cash rent was observed in the West Central region.

While rental rates across all three quality grades increased in almost all regions, the cash rental rates grew at a slower rate than market prices. As a result, rent as a share of land value declined relative to 2021.

The price appreciation rates for farmland transitioning out of agricultural production or sold for recreational purposes surpassed the previous record growth rates observed in 2011. Statewide, the average price of transitional land was up 36.5% from June 2021, with an average price per acre of $24,240.

Recreational land prices grew by 21.8% to an average per acre price of $9,121. For the remainder of 2022, respondents expect transitional land to increase modestly by 2.3%, while the value of recreational land is expected to hold relatively stable.

For more in-depth analysis on the survey, the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture will host a free webinar 1-2 p.m. ET Aug. 24. Join Purdue agricultural economists Todd Kuethe, James Mintert and Michael Langemeier as they break down the Purdue Farmland Values Survey and USDA Land Values report, discuss marketing strategies for 2022 corn and soybean crops, and make projections for 2023 corn and soybean returns. Register for the free webinar at https://purdue.ag/landvalues2022.

Purdue’s Department of Agricultural Economics conducts the Purdue Farmland Value and Cash Rent Survey each June and publishes it in the Purdue Agricultural Economics Report. The survey is produced through the cooperation of numerous professionals knowledgeable of Indiana’s farmland market. These professionals provided an estimate of the market value for bare poor, average, and top-quality farmland in December 2021, June 2022, and a forecast value for December 2022.

An attempted traffic stop turned into a pursuit and arrest for law enforcement in Montgomery County.

Indiana State Police troopers were on a traffic stop on I-74 eastbound near the 27 mile marker. A 2008 Toyota Sienna driven by Mayowa Adebiyi, 36, from Danville, IL, failed to move over or decrease its speed for a stationary emergency vehicle.

The troopers caught up to the Toyota and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The Toyota failed to stop, and a pursuit was initiated eastbound on I-74.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Department had tire deflation devices set up across the interstate. The Toyota came to a stop before hitting the tire deflation device. Adebiyi was safely taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Jail.  He faces preliminary charges of resisting law enforcement with avehicle and operating a vehicle without ever obtaining a license.

Putnam County Fall Walking kicks off in less than a month.

Abbi Sampson, Health and Human Sciences Extension Educator.

Sampson says Big Walnut Sports Park offers some alternatives for the walk.

Sampson says no need to register to get involved.

Visit www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or you can contact the local office by calling 765.653.8411 for more information

A Putnam County elementary school is to receive funds to help with a DNR field trip.

Students from 21 Indiana schools will take field trips to Indiana State Park properties this academic year thanks in part to the Discover the Outdoors grant program administered through the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation (INRF), the supporting nonprofit of the DNR.

65 Bainbridge Elementary 2nd graders will benefit with a field trip to McCormick's Creek.

The program awards public, private, parochial, or home-school educators grants that range from $180-$250 to fund transportation costs, program fees, and classroom supplies related to preparation or follow-up for the field trips. An estimated 1,454 students from K-12 will benefit from the $5,080 in grants the program expects to distribute.

Since the program’s inception in 2013, it has awarded a total of 174 grants to provide approximately 17,000 students the chance to visit one of 25 state parks, eight reservoirs, two state forest recreation areas, and two off-road state recreation areas at less cost to them and their schools. More than $46,000 in overall funding has been distributed to engage students in learning about Indiana's fish, forests, wildlife, natural habitats, and conservation.

The fund was established in memory of Tom Huck, a long-time DNR employee who was an ardent supporter of outdoor experiences for children in parks. Periodic financial assistance also comes from the Indiana Master Naturalist Advisory Council.
 

A new school year has brought challenges for middle school and high school students trying to make sense of their math and science homework – especially when it comes to solving problems in such challenging subjects as algebra, calculus, physics, and chemistry.

Thankfully, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology’s free AskRose Homework Help program is available to help.

Rose-Hulman tutors are available Sunday through Thursday from 7-10 p.m. (Eastern Time) for tutoring sessions to help students in grades 6 through 12 by video, telephone call, email, or chat. Tutors can be accessed via the AskRose website, AskRose.org, or by calling 877-ASK-ROSE (877-275-7673).

AskRose Homework Help services may be even more valuable this school year as children return to the classrooms after the summer break.

The AskRose.org website also offers more than 500 resources available through videos and downloadable reference materials.

About 100 Rose-Hulman students serve as tutors during each school year after being specially selected after being recommended by faculty for their technical knowledge and ability to communicate with students of all skill and comprehension levels. Approximately 20 tutors are available each night and they have access to textbooks and many other resources to lend valuable assistance. The AskRose Homework Help program is certified by the National Tutoring Association.

“Sometimes by the end of the call, you have a real connection with the student you are tutoring, and they are genuinely grateful for your help,” said third-year tutor Erin McLain, a mechanical engineering senior from Avon, Indiana. “Some of my calls have lasted almost an hour just working on the same problem, so when you are able to work with someone and help them not just figure out that problem but find a way to help them solve it by themselves, that is always very fulfilling.”

A special “Aha” moment for tutor Brayden Milner came when he helped a caller work through problems on polynomials. The next day, the computer science junior from Brazil, Indiana, learned from a grateful parent that the student had earned an A grade on an exam about polynomials. “It was the first time that I realized just how much of an impact we have at AskRose … It was such a cool moment to realize that we were making that much of a difference,” Milner said.

Rather than give students the answers, AskRose tutors guide students through homework problems to help them better understand math and science concepts, the way they are taught in schools today.  

Student privacy is always protected, and students are never asked for their last name or telephone number.

All AskRose Homework Help services are available at no cost to students and parents through Lilly Endowment Inc. support and financial assistance from Rose-Hulman.

AskRose Homework Help has conducted more than 750,000 tutoring sessions since starting in 1991.

AskRose Basics:

- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology offers free math and science tutoring for students in grades 6-12. Students may call 877-ASK-ROSE (877-275-7673) to speak with a tutor, or go to the AskRose website, AskRose.org, to interact with a tutor online or through email. Questions filed by email and other means are answered during AskRose’s hours of operation.

- Hours of operation: 7-10 p.m. (EDT), Sunday through Thursday, through May. Additional afternoon hours may be available, depending on tutor availability. (The service is closed during Rose-Hulman’s holiday breaks.)

- Online resources: Students and educators may access resources and educational materials at AskRose.org.

- Sponsors: The service is supported by Lilly Endowment Inc. and Rose-Hulman.

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced appointees who will serve on the Indiana USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) state committee.

Members of the FSA state committee are appointed by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and are responsible for the oversight of farm programs and county committee operations, resolving program delivery appeals from the agriculture community, maintaining cooperative relations with industry stakeholders, keeping producers informed about FSA programs and operating in a manner consistent with USDA equal opportunity and civil rights policies.

Each FSA state committee is comprised of three to five members including a designated chairperson. The individuals appointed to serve on this committee for Indiana are:

• Committee Chair Travis Nolcox - Princeton
• Amanda Berenda – Earl Park
• Emily Dougherty - Greenwood
• Joe Pearson – Marion
• Beth Tharp - Coatesville

“The FSA state committee members play an integral role in the continuity of operations, equitable and inclusive program administration and ensure the overall integrity of services to the nation’s agricultural producers,” said Marcus Graham, FSA Deputy Administrator for Field Operations.  “These individuals have proven themselves to be leaders, early adopters and key influencers in the agriculture industry in their respective states – qualities that will serve them well in these key Biden-Harris Administration leadership positions.

The Farm Service Agency serves farmers, foresters, and agricultural partners through the effective, efficient, and equitable delivery of federal agricultural programs. The Agency offers producers a strong safety net through the administration of farm commodity and disaster programs. Additionally, through conservation programs, FSA continues to preserve and protect natural resources and provides credit to agricultural producers who are unable to receive private, commercial credit, including targeted loan funds for beginning, underserved, women and military veterans involved in production agriculture.

Hendricks County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a pedestrian struck in the 3200 block of West US 36 about 9:30 p.m. Sunday. 

The initial investigation indicates that a GMC SUV was traveling eastbound on US 36 when the pedestrian, Roland Lottman, 59, of Indianapolis, walked across the roadway in front of the eastbound vehicle.  The driver of the vehicle was unable to avoid striking Lottman.  The driver stopped immediately at the scene and called out for help. 

The primary cause of the crash was the pedestrian’s presence in the roadway.  Alcohol is not suspected as a factor on the part the driver of the SUV. 

The Hendricks County Sheriff’s crash reconstructionists and the Hendricks County Coroner’s Office are investigating.           

The Top 16 bands performing at the 2022 Indiana State Fair Band Day, presented by Music Travel Consultants and Paige’s Music, have been announced. On Friday 39 total high school bands from around Indiana competed at the Indiana State Fair for the 75^th annual event. Band Day finals started Friday at 8 p.m. where the Sweet 16 competed for the prestigious first place trophy and the honor of being crowned “Indiana’s Best Band.”
 

The 2022 Indiana State Fair Band Day Sweet 16:

Crawfordsville, North Montgomery & Southmont High Schools

Richmond High School

West Lafayette Jr./Sr. High School

Monroe Central Jr/Sr. High School

Northeastern High School

Greensburg Comm., North Decatur Jr./Sr. High Schools

Frankton Jr./Sr. & Lapel High School

Marion High School

Winchester Community High School

Centerville High School

Muncie Central High School 

Anderson High School

Kokomo High School

Yorktown High School

Jay County High School

Lebanon High School

The competition will end at approximately 11 p.m. and the award ceremony will take place immediately following the competition. 

A project on State Road 39 to begin today.

Traffic will be restricted under flagging operations between U.S. 36 (Danville) and N. Co. Rd. 75 W. (near Lizton) from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. on weekdays and Saturday. This will allow crews to perform patching and paving operations safely. 

The project is expected to be completed in mid-October, weather permitting

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has posted information saying that they are getting several reports of scammers calling and pretending to work for the Sheriff's Office. The scammers are demanding that people pay fines or they will go to jail on some bogus charges.

Supposedly a "Sgt. Johnson" with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office has called several individuals and demand that they pay a 500.00 dollar fine or they will go to jail immediately. This wannabe "Sgt." is demanding that the victim meet them somewhere and pay the fine. Likely the scammer will not be there, and will then call the victim back and have them purchase gift cards. He will then have the person send the numbers from the gift cards to him over the phone making the situation, nearly untraceable.

As always, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office  never call you up and threaten you with jail time unless you pay a fine. If you have a warrant, then they come looking for you.

If you get a call from someone demanding you pay a fine or else, just hang up. If you're still concerned about the possibility of being in trouble, call your local law enforcement and ask to speak with an officer.

The Elkhart County Sheriff's office says the initial press release about the Wednesday two-car crash that killed U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski was incorrect.

In a release Thursday morning, the Elkhart County Sheriff's Office says eyewitnesses and video evidence confirm that a Buick LeSabre, driven by Edith Schmucker, 56, of Nappanee, was southbound on SR 19 south of SR 119 about 12:30 p.m.  A Toyota RAV 4, driven by Zachery Potts, 27, of Mishawaka, was northbound and it was the RAV 4 that crossed the centerline for unknown reasons.  The initial release listed Schmucker as the northbound driver and that it was her car that crossed the centerline.

Potts was a staffer for Walorski, 58, who was also in the RAV 4 with another staffer, Emma Thomson, 28, of Washington D.C.

All four people involved in the crash were killed.  All have been confirmed to have been wearing seat belts and airbags did deploy.

If anyone witnessed the crash, they are asked to contact the Elkhart County Sheriff's office.

The Elkhart County Coroner’s Office and the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office are conducting the investigation.

The Elkhart County Sheriff's office has released the following information regarding a Wednesday auto accident that killed District 2 U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski:

The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two vehicle crash on SR 19 south of SR 119 at 12:32 p.m. A northbound passenger car traveled left of center and collided head on with a southbound sports utility vehicle.

All three occupants in the southbound vehicle died as a result of their injuries:

Jackie Walorski, 58, Elkhart 

Zachery Potts, 27, Mishawaka 

Emma Thomson, 28, Washington, DC

The sole occupant of the northbound vehicle, Edith Schmucker, 56, of Nappanee, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The Elkhart County Coroner’s Office and the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office are conducting the investigation.

The following are posts and reactions to Walorski's passing

This message from Walorski's 2nd Congressional District Twitter account earlier this afternoon:  Dean Swihart, Jackie’s husband, was just informed by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s office that Jackie was killed in a car accident this afternoon. She has returned home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi 

“Today, the United States House of Representatives sadly mourns the sudden and tragic passing of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski.

“A lifelong Hoosier, Congresswoman Walorski lived a life of service: whether caring for impoverished children in Romania, representing her community in the Indiana Statehouse or serving nearly a decade in the House.  She passionately brought the voices of her north Indiana constituents to the Congress, and she was admired by colleagues on both sides of the aisle for her personal kindness.

“Our Congressional community also mourns the loss of two devoted members of her staff, Zachery Potts and Emma Thomson.  May it be a comfort to Jackie’s husband and partner in service, Dean, the entire Walorski family, the families of all the victims and the office of Indiana’s Second Congressional District that so many join them in mourning and are praying for them at this sad time.”

Governor Eric J. Holcomb

"Janet and I are devastated by the tragic loss of our friend Congresswoman Jackie Walorski and her two staffers - Emma Thomson and Zach Potts - earlier today. Our broken hearts go out to her husband Dean and the entire family during this time of unimaginable mourning. At every level of public service Jackie was known to be a positive force of nature, a patriot, and a relentless policy maker with an unwavering loyalty to her constituents. Jackie’s record of achievement is impossible to quantify. She will be remembered as a fighter with a huge heart that always went the extra mile and I’ll treasure the times we walked a few of those together. Every waking moment for her was energetically devoted to improving the lives of all Hoosiers better, the epitome of a good and faithful servant. She, and the example she set, will be missed every day forward.”

Senator Mike Braun 

“Jackie Walorski was a tireless advocate for the Hoosiers she represented and a kind friend to everyone she met. She faithfully served her constituents and her Lord and Savior, and I trust she is now wrapped in the arms of Christ. This is a devastating loss, and we grieve for her two staff members – Zach and Emma – who had their whole lives ahead of them. Please join me and Maureen in praying for the families and friends of those lost on this tragic day for Indiana.”

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch

"I was shocked and heartbroken when I received the news today about the tragic death of Congresswoman Jackie Walorski. Jackie and I served together in the Indiana House of Representatives, and she was a fighter for her constituents and conservative Hoosier values. My heart goes out to her husband, Dean, and the rest of her family and friends. She will be deeply missed."

Congressman Jim Banks

“My heart is broken for Dean, the Walorski family, and all who knew and loved my friend Jackie. Jackie was a true public servant –selfless, humble, and compassionate. She was a devout Christian, a passionate advocate for life, and a leader among Hoosier representatives. Everything Jackie did was to serve others. Before Congress, she served in the Indiana Statehouse and she and her husband served as missionaries in Romania where they provided impoverished children food and medical care. From my first day in Congress, Jackie showed me kindness and grace. She had a heart of gold, and I will miss her dearly. Please join Amanda and I in praying for Jackie’s loved ones and the friends and family of her two staff members who also lost their lives in this tragic accident.”

Purdue University President Mitch Daniels 

Before serving in Congress, Walorski served three terms in the Indiana Statehouse (2004-2010), where she became assistant floor leader and worked closely with then-Gov. Daniels.

“There could not be worse news. I’m heartsick at this tragedy. Jackie Walorski was a great public servant, a brave and constant ally for change during all my years in elected office, and a great representative of her district at both the state and national levels. I can’t say how much I’ll miss her.”

Indiana Secretary of State Holli Sullivan

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Jackie Walorski. Jackie loved Hoosiers, her country and served with honor in Congress. My prayers are with her family as well as the families of Zachery Potts and Emma Thomson”

Cloverdale Volunteer Fire Department, as well as Greencastle Fire Department, responded to a fire at Lou’s Diner, located at 3 west Stardust Road in Cloverdale, around 1:15 PM Wednesday.

The fire initially started in the wall in the kitchen. Smoke was cleared from the building while a hole was cut from the outside to access the fire and a fire hydrant prepared. During the process of extinguishing the fire, police were called to assist due to civilians driving over the top of the fire hose.

No one was injured in the fire and the damage appears to be minimal; however, the restaurant closed for the rest of the day due the amount of cleanup required.

The Cloverdale Township Fire Department was assisted by the Greencastle Fire Department, Cloverdale Police Department, and Putnam County EMS.

It’s that time of year again when parents get excited and students are looking forward to going back to school! The Putnamville State Police Post would like to pass along some safety tips to help make sure that this school year is safe for everyone! 

Driving Safety Tips 

• ALWAYS watch for stopped school buses in the morning hours and afternoon hours.
• Watch for children walking to and from school and waiting at bus stops.    
• ALWAYS keep your eyes on the road and be patient driving behind school buses. 

School Zone Driving Safety Tips 

• Be on the lookout for school zone signals and ALWAYS obey the speed limits.
• When entering a school zone, be sure to slow down and obey all traffic laws.
• ALWAYS stop for school buses that are loading or unloading children.
• Watch out for school crossing guards and obey their signals.
• Be aware of and watch out for children near schools, bus stops, sidewalks, in the streets, and in school parking lots.
• NEVER pass other vehicles while driving in a school zone.
• NEVER text while driving in a school zone.
• Avoid using a cell phone, unless it is completely hands-free, while driving in a school zone.   

Walking to School Safety Tips

• Leave home early enough to arrive at least 10 minutes prior to the start of school.
• Use the same route every day and never use shortcuts.
• Go straight home after school. Do not go anywhere else without permission.
• Always use public sidewalks and streets when walking to school. 
• Try and walk to school with other students. There is strength in numbers.
• Teach your children to recognize and obey traffic signals and signs.
• Only cross streets at designated crosswalks.
• Always look both ways before crossing the street.
• Always walk and never run across intersections.
• Don't talk to strangers. Teach your children to create distance between themselves and anyone who tries to approach or make contact with them.
• If a stranger does approach your child, make sure they know to immediately report the incident to you or a teacher.
• Teach your children to never get into a vehicle with anyone, even if they know them, without your permission.

School Bus Safety Tips

• Make it a habit of arriving at the bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled arrival of the bus.
• Make sure your child stays out of the street and avoids excessive horseplay while waiting for the school bus.
• Be sure the bus comes to a complete stop before getting on or off.
• When riding the bus, make sure your child understands they must remain seated and keep their head and arms inside the bus at all times.
• Do not shout or distract the driver.
• Always listen to the instructions of the bus driver.  

Student Driver Safety Tips

• NO cell phones while driving.
• NO extra passengers.
• NO speeding.
• NO driving or riding without a seatbelt.  

These are just a few safety tips for this upcoming school year.  The Indiana State Police will have extra patrols during the school hours and will have a ZERO TOLERANCE for those who disregard a bus stop arm or speeding in school zones.  

The American Red Cross has faced a concerning drop in blood donations this summer. Donors are needed to make an appointment to give in August to help prevent a blood shortage.

The decline in donations has caused the Red Cross blood supply to shrink nearly 20% in recent weeks. The availability of blood products will continue to decline if donations do not increase. People should not wait until they hear there is a blood shortage to give. Type O negative blood donors especially needed now.

Donors can schedule an appointment to donate using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

As blood donations drop, gas prices have reached all-time highs in the U.S. As a thank-you,all who come to give thru August 31 will be automatically entered for a chance to win gas for a year, a $6,000 value. There will be three lucky winners. Everyone who comes to give blood in August will also receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice.*

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.

High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

A Delaware woman was killed early Tuesday morning in a car - pedestrian I-74 accident in Montgomery County.

Just after 1:00 a.m., the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department and Indiana State Police responded to a fatal crash on I-74 westbound near the 38 mile marker. A preliminary investigation revealed that a 2008 Pontiac G6 struck the cable barrier.  A the time, deputies were unable to locate the driver. While deputies were on scene, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department received a 911 call of a pedestrian struck on I-74 near the 38 mile marker. 

Further investigation revealed that a 2020 Volvo semi-truck, driven by Daniel Hatfield, 35, from Bellbrook, OH, was traveling westbound on I-74. At that time, a pedestrian was walking on I-74 in the right lane. Hatfield attempted to avoid the pedestrian but was unable to and struck him. The pedestrian that was struck is believed to be the driver of the Pontiac. 

Despite lifesaving efforts by Crawfordsville EMS, the pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash by the Montgomery County Coroner. The pedestrian was identified as Jean Roodje, 23, of Laurel, Delaware.

Hatfield was uninjured in the crash.

The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) announced Friday that a total of 45 monkeypox cases have been reported across the state between June 18 and July 28, including two pediatric cases. No additional information about the cases will be released at this time due to patient privacy.

To date, Indiana has received 3,232 doses of Jynneos vaccine. Due to limited vaccine supply, vaccines are initially being prioritized for close contacts of positive cases to prevent severe disease. Additional vaccine is expected soon, and eligibility will be expanded to groups at high risk for exposure as supplies increase. 

“Like many other states, Indiana has seen an increase in monkeypox cases over the past month,” said State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., FACOG. “Monkeypox does not easily spread through brief casual contact, but it’s important to remember that anyone can be affected if they are a close contact of a positive case. Hoosiers who believe they may have been exposed or who develop symptoms consistent with monkeypox are urged to contact a healthcare provider.”

Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus, which is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox. Symptoms are similar to smallpox, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal. The illness typically begins with fever, headache, chills, muscle aches and exhaustion about five to 21 days after exposure. Within one to three days (sometimes longer) after the appearance of fever, the patient develops a rash. The rash may start in the mouth or any part of the body before spreading. Some people may only develop the rash. The illness typically lasts for two to four weeks. People are considered infectious until all scabs from the rash have fallen off and a fresh layer of skin has formed.

Person-to-person transmission is possible either through skin-to-skin contact with body fluids, monkeypox sores or contaminated items, such as bedding or clothing, or through exposure to respiratory droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact.

To learn more about monkeypox, visit www.monkeypox.health.in.gov or the CDC’s monkeypox website. The CDC updates case counts Monday through Friday here.

CSX had originally planned to close North Jackson Street in Greencastle at the railroad crossing. However, they are delaying the work and do not know when they will reschedule the railroad repair and maintenance project.

Mayor Bill Dory and the City of Greencastle have asked to be included on future communications involving the project, hoping to prevent issues with upcoming events like MusicFest, Family Weekend at DePauw University, and the Monon Bell game.

As students head back to the classroom, state and local law enforcement agencies are reminding motorists to stop for school buses or face the consequences. Over the next couple of months, officers will be increasing patrols to prevent stop-arm violations, speeding and other forms of reckless driving around school buses and in school zones.

More than 200 agencies plan to participate in the back-to-school Stop Arm Violation Enforcement campaign – better known as SAVE. The overtime patrols are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through grants administered by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI).

“Drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus or speed in a school zone need to be held accountable,” said Gov. Eric J. Holcomb. “We owe it to our kids to make sure they get home safely. Every driver needs to do their part by paying attention, slowing down and protecting school children and buses.”

Despite thousands of motorists being cited under the SAVE program, unsafe driving around school buses continues to be a concern, according to state officials.

In April, thousands of bus drivers who participated in a one-day observational survey counted 2,041 stop-arm violations in Indiana. That one-day total, when multiplied by the number of school days, adds up to a potential 367,380 violations throughout the school year.

“The fact that we still have people willing to put students and bus drivers at risk is the reason this campaign is necessary,” said Devon McDonald, ICJI Executive Director. “Still, law enforcement can’t be everywhere, so drivers need to do the right thing and exercise caution around buses. Students’ lives depend on it.”

The newly released data comes from the National School Bus Illegal Passing Driver Survey, which is managed by the Indiana Department of Education in the state. The survey has been conducted annually since 2011 but was put on hold for the past two years due to the pandemic.

This year, collection took place on April 26, with 6,665 bus drivers participating from 195 school districts.

“In order for Indiana’s students to learn, they must be able to travel safely to and from school,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “That task is faithfully led by school transportation professionals across the state, but they can’t lead this important work alone. Anytime you see a school bus, please slow down, pause for all stop arms and be mindful that there may be young children near the road. They are our state’s most precious cargo.”

To prevent unsafe driving, officers will use a range of enforcement strategies from high-visibility patrols to police spotters on buses. For each jurisdiction, officers will coordinate with local bus drivers and school transportation officials, with efforts concentrating in the morning and afternoon hours. Agencies will also be working to raise awareness about the importance of school bus safety and following the law.

Drivers should slow down and prepare to stop when the overhead lights on a school bus are flashing yellow. Once the lights turn red and the stop arm extends, drivers are required to stop on 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.

Motorists should also be mindful of posted speed limits, avoid distractions and watch for children in or near school and residential areas. Planning ahead and allowing for extra time during each commute will help keep all road users safe.

Disregarding a school bus stop arm is a Class A Infraction. 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.

For additional school bus safety information, click here or visit www.nhtsa.gov.