Bane-Welker Equipment’s 2022 toy drive was a major success.

The entire Bane-Welker complex with nine stores in Indiana and six stores in Ohio collected 5,556 toys for children in their communities. This is a significant increase from the 1,800 collected last year.

It was a shared labor of love. Everyone from friends to employees and customers got into the spirit.

“This was such a rewarding project for everyone,” stated Jason Bane, president of Bane-Welker Equipment. “We had so much community support this year. And for the second year in a row, we even had customers and employees use their Red Zone Rewards points to buy more toys for the children.”

This type of project aligns well with the Bane-Welker mission of making a positive impact on the communities they serve.

The Toys for Tots project was initiated by Bane-Welker employee Justin Butler, a former Marine, who benefitted from the program himself as a child.

“My passion for helping grew from when I was a child and once received toys from this same program,” stated Butler. “It meant a lot to me then, and I wanted to help make a difference in children’s lives now. I feel proud to be a part of a company who makes time for such important community efforts and am thrilled with the amount of donations we received. I can just imagine the look on the kid’s faces when they opened those toys.”

Bane-Welker was committed to collecting as many toys as possible this year and allocated a portion of their advertising dollars.

“We designated funds for radio and print and pushed this out on social media to get the word out to a more extensive audience,” stated Marketing Director Karl Locascio. “We wanted to make a big impact this year and we couldn’t be prouder of our customers, friends, employees and families for how they supported this effort.”

The toys are distributed throughout the local communities and local FFA chapters helped with the effort. The Georgetown, Ohio Bane-Welker location collected the most toys with 1581 total donations! Pendleton, Indiana was second with 1114 donations.

For more information about the Toys for Tots program, visit https://www.toysfortots.org/about_toys_for_tots/how_toys_for_tots_works/Default.aspx.

Bane-Welker Equipment, founded in 1967 by the late Kenneth and Patricia Bane, is an agriculture equipment company representing Case IH and other complimentary brands.  Bane-Welker offers new and used equipment, parts, sales, service, precision farming, online parts sales and customer support.  The company operates nine stores in Indiana including Crawfordsville, La Crosse, Lebanon, Remington, Terre Haute, Pendleton, Plymouth, Winamac, and Wingate, and six stores in Ohio, including Circleville, Eaton, Georgetown, Plain City, Utica, and Wilmington.  In 2018, the company became 100% employee owned. 

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) and partner agencies across the state are seeking volunteers to conduct a one-night count of the homeless population. Volunteers are needed in every county on January 25 to help conduct the count.

Those interested in volunteering can register here.

Upon registering, IHCDA's Homeless Management Information Systems team will connect those individuals, groups, or organizations interested in participating with their local PIT Coordinator(s).

There will be a volunteer webinar on January 11, 2023, at 1 p.m. EST. Registration links will be provided by your local PIT Coordinator(s). Those interested in volunteering, but unable to attend the PIT volunteer webinar, will have the information made available through their regional PIT Coordinators, prior to participating in the count. Volunteers must register no later than January 20, 2023. 

"Collaboration at the state, regional, and local levels are important in the fight to end homelessness here in Indiana," said Jacob Sipe, executive director of IHCDA. "We are proud to collaborate with many great partners who share IHCDA’s mission of providing housing opportunities, promoting self-sufficiency, and strengthening communities."

The PIT Count is a census of all unsheltered and sheltered persons experiencing homelessness in the Indiana Balance of State (BOS) Continuum of Care (CoC), consisting of 91 of the state’s 92 counties - every county except Marion (Indianapolis) which coordinates their own count. The sheltered count is conducted at emergency shelters, transitional housing, and safe haven projects across the 91 counties and 16 regions that comprise the Indiana BOS. The count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development(HUD) and must be conducted at least once every two years, during the last two weeks of January by CoCs receiving HUD funding. 

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The Culver Community Schools Corporation Board Of School Trustees regular school board meeting originally scheduled for Monday, January 2, 2023, has been canceled.

The next scheduled meeting is Monday, January 16, 2023, at the Administrative Building, 700 School Street, at 7:00 p.m.

The Rochester branch of the Fulton County Public Library is going to be closed the rest of the week due to flooding from a burst pipe.

They will reopen Tuesday, January 3.

The Aubbee and Fulton branches are open their normal hours.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources on New Year’s Day is hosting its First Day Hike. On Jan. 1, 2023, Indiana state parks and state forests are hosting guided hikes, runs and one trail ride.

Find a hike for you at bit.ly/2023-first-day-hikes.

• Brookville Lake (Mounds SRA), Hike, 4p ET

• Brown County State Park, Ride Along, 11a ET; Hike, 11a ET

• Chain O'Lakes State Park, Hike, 11a ET

• Charlestown State Park, Hike, 10a ET

• Clark State Forest, Hike, 1p ET

• Clifty Falls State Park, Hike, 1p ET

• Falls of the Ohio State Park, Hike, 1p ET

• Fort Harrison State Park, Hike, 1p ET

• Ferdinand State Forest, Hike, 9a ET

• Greene-Sullivan State Forest, Hike, 8a ET

• Harmonie State Park, Hike, 1p CT,

• Indiana Dunes State Park, Hike, 10a CT

• Jackson-Washington State Forest, Hike, 9a ET

• Lincoln State Park, Hike, Noon CT

• Martin State Forest, Hike, 10a ET

• McCormick's Creek State Park, Hike, 1p ET

• Monroe Lake (Fairfax SRA), Run and Walk, 3:30p ET

• Morgan-Monroe State Forest, Hike, 8a ET

• Walk with an Ox, O'Bannon Woods State Park, 10a ET

• Ouabache State Park, Night Hike, 5:30p ET

• Owen-Putnam State Forest, Hike, 8a ET

• Patoka Lake, Hike, Noon ET

• Pokagon State Park, Hike, 2p ET

• Potato Creek State Park, Hike, 2p ET

• Prophetstown State Park, Hike, 1p ET

• Raccoon SRA (Cecil M Harden Lake), Hike, 1p ET

• Salamonie River State Forest, Hike, 3p ET

• Shakamak State Park, Hikes, 10a and 1p ET

• Spring Mill State Park, Long Hike, 9a ET, Short Hike; 9:30a ET

• Summit Lake State Park, Hike, 9a ET

• Versailles State Park, Hike, Noon ET

• Whitewater Memorial State Park, Hike, 2p ET

• Yellowwood State Forest, Hike, 4p ET

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Target Corporation are announcing the recall of about 204,000 Pillowfort Weighted Blankets, where a young child can become entrapped by unzipping and entering the blanket, posing a risk of death by asphyxiation.

A 4-year-old girl and a 6-year-old girl reportedly became entrapped in the cover of the weighted blanket and died due to asphyxia at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in April 2022.

Target has received four reports of children becoming entrapped in these weighted blankets, including the two fatalities.

CPSC and Target are urging consumers to stop using the recalled weighted blankets immediately and contact Target for a refund.

This recall involves Pillowfort Weighted Blankets.  The blankets weigh 6 pounds, measure 60 inches long and 40 inches wide and have a removable, waterproof, washable cover. The blankets come in eight prints or colors including unicorn white, space navy, pink, blue, gray, buffalo plaid red, blue constellation, and unicorn pink.

Item numbers 097-02-0140 (Unicorn - White), 097-02-0148 (Space Navy), 097-02-0361(Pink), 097-02-0363 (Blue), 097-02-0364 (Gray), 097-02-1603 (Buffalo Plaid – Red), 097-02-3904 (Blue Constellation) and 097-02-3905 (Unicorn – Pink) are printed on the fabric tag attached to the removable covers of the blankets.

The weighted blankets were manufactured in China.

Target exclusively sold the recalled weighted blankets at Target stores nationwide and online at www.target.com. The blankets were sold from December 2018 through September 2022 for $40.

Contact Target at 800-440-0680 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CT daily to receive a prepaid return label to return the blankets by mail or return to any Target store. Go online at https://help.target.com/help/RedirectArticleToDetail?articleId=kA95d000000sY5c&clickSearchVar=Search+Results&searchQuery=Recalled%3A%20Target%20Childrens%20Pillowfort%20Weighted%20Blankets&articleTitle=Target+Childrens+Pillowfort+Weighted+Blankets or www.target.com and click on “Recall Information”, then on “Home Goods” for more information.

Target is also contacting all known purchasers directly to arrange returns. The consumer will receive a refund of $40 in the form of a credit for use at Target stores or online at www.target.com, or the amount on the purchase receipt if higher. Consumers can also click the “Products Recalls” tab on Target’s Facebook page for more information.

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Delays and Cancellations Christmas Weekend 2022

Schools

Businesses

Pulaski County Offices Closed Friday, December 23, 2022

Winamac Coil Spring Plants will be closed on 12/23/22 due to the weather.  Please do not report to work and Merry Christmas.

All branches of the Fulton County Public Library will close at 3 on Thursday, December 22, 2022, and will be closed Friday, December 23, 2022.

Rochester Home Meal Program (Meals on Wheels) is canceled for Friday, December 23, 2022, due to the forecast of the inclement weather

Jarrety's Closed December 23, 2022

Mike's Trash Service No trash pick up til Monday 

Due to the weather, Rochester Iron & Metal will be closed at all 3 locations Friday, December 23, 2022. Rochester Iron & Metal will reopen Tuesday with regular business hours

Woodlawn Hospital Akron Clinic, Cardiac Rehab, and Medical Records closed Friday, December 23, 2022.

Woodlawn Hospital blood drive canceled for Friday, December 23, 2022

Teacher's Credit Union is open 10-3 Friday

Community State Bank All Branches will be closing at 3 pm Friday

Webb's Family Pharmacy in Rochester, Akron, and North Manchester will close at 3 pm on Friday, December 23, 2022.  Webb's will reopen Saturday, December 24, 2022, from 9-3

Viking Food of Akron is closing at 11 am on Friday, December 23, 2022

Pizza Quik of Rochester will be closed Friday, December 23, 2022

Sports

Churches

Bethlehem Baptist Church No Christmas Eve or Christmas Day services

Trinity United Methodist Church in Rochester No Christmas Eve services

Metea Baptist Church Christmas Eve Service Cancelled 

The Indiana Department of Transportation is preparing for a major winter storm  to impact the state starting Thursday.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm warnings for much of Indiana starting Thursday afternoon through at least Friday, depending upon location. Blizzard warnings have been issued for counties bordering Lake Michigan. NWS is calling for snow with high winds and dangerously cold temperatures, causing snow-covered roadways and low visibility for holiday travel.

INDOT will be at a full call in most locations with nearly 1,000 trucks treating and plowing highways across the state by Thursday afternoon through the weekend. Trucks will remain out in full force for the duration of the storm and afterward to continue cleanup efforts.

Road conditions will be difficult as the storm moves through. INDOT's goal is to keep highways passable during the storm. Travel should be carefully considered Thursday afternoon through at least Friday morning. Motorists that must travel should expect to encounter snow and ice-covered roads, blowing and drifting snow, and whiteout conditions due to high winds.

Light rain and some wintry mix is expected during the day Thursday, and will make a rapid transition to snow once the cold front passes through. Due to rain, pre-treatment will be challenging, but will occur in some locations as conditions allow. Drivers should note that without pre-treatment, highways are more likely to develop slick spots and snow will more easily stick to pavement and bridges. Low temperatures will also impact the effectiveness of salt. INDOT is prepared to utilize additives as necessary to help the salt melt snow and ice from roadways.

INDOT urges motorists to closely monitor forecasts and adjust holiday travel to avoid higher-impact timeframes during the storm, which are anticipated Thursday evening through Friday morning in most areas. Travel impacts may linger through Saturday in the northern part of the state. Avoiding travel will keep drivers safe at home and give plow trucks room to work safely and complete their routes as quickly as possible.

If travel is absolutely necessary, slow down, increase following distance, don't crowd plow trucks, allow extra time to reach your destination, and pack an emergency kit with supplies such as blankets, extra clothing, snacks, water and a phone charger.

Monitor real-time travel conditions and view traffic and snow plow cameras online at 511in.org or via INDOT's TrafficWise app. Regular updates will also be shared on INDOT's social media channels. Check for travel advisories in your area at in.gov/dhs/traveladvisory.

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Lake City Bank was named the Best Small Bank in Indiana in America’s Best Banks 2023 ranking from Newsweek and Lending Tree.

The annual ranking identifies best in class options across 26 categories, produced by evaluating nearly 5,000 of FDIC insured banks and credit unions across more than 30 factors. Evaluation covered the overall health of the bank, customer service performance and features, digital and branch presence, account and loan options, interest rate offerings and fees.

“Our inclusion as the Best Small Bank in Indiana in America’s Best Banks is a particularly proud accomplishment as the ranking is determined by an incredibly broad set of measures,” said David M. Findlay, President and Chief Executive Officer. “It reflects strong results for shareholders, exceptional client service and a consistent focus on our employees, clients and the communities we serve.”

Lake City Bank, a $6.3 billion bank headquartered in Warsaw, Indiana, is the eighth largest bank headquartered in the state, and the largest bank 100% invested in Indiana. Lake City Bank operates 52 branch offices in northern and central Indiana, delivering technology-driven solutions in a client-centric way to individuals and businesses. The bank is the single bank subsidiary of Lakeland Financial Corporation (Nasdaq Global Select/LKFN). 

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The Indiana State Fair announced today the 2023 theme of BASKETBALL, and title partnership with Pacers Sports & Entertainment.

The 2023 theme was announced Monday morning on the basketball court at Governor Holcomb’s residence along with representatives for the Indiana State Fair, Pacers Sports & Entertainment and more.  

The theme will be activated through multiple interactive experiences, including All-Star Court (a Basketball Amusement Park), the Pacers Sports & Entertainment Court, exhibits paying homage to Indiana’s rich basketball legacy, and daily storytelling moments – 18 of Indiana’s greatest  basketball stories told through the 18 days of the Fair, team player meet & greets, and so much more.

The 2023 Indiana State Fair returns July 28 through August 20. 

“The Indiana State Fair is an annual celebration of agriculture, entertainment, and what it means to be a Hoosier,” Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “Perhaps the only other Hoosier tradition that brings together as many fans, as much nostalgia, and that sense of hometown pride is the love of basketball that’s swept  our state for more than a century, which makes it the perfect theme for this year’s fair.” 

“The Indiana State Fair is an annual backdrop for celebrating our State’s rich history and being the state that grew the game, BASKETBALL is the perfect theme!” said Anna Whelchel, chief marketing & sales officer, Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center. “We unveil this theme today as we tip-off an incredible year of celebration for the 166th Indiana State Fair returning next summer with our great partners at Pacers Sports & Entertainment.” 

“The Indiana Pacers and the Indiana State Fair are both quintessentially Hoosier brands, and the Coliseum and Fairgrounds are, in the minds of so many fans, so closely linked to the Pacers’ ABA championship teams and players,” said Rick Fuson, Chief Executive Officer of Pacers Sports & Entertainment. “We are thrilled that this partnership will celebrate the game of basketball, the birthright of every Hoosier and such an important part of our state heritage.”

The Indiana State Fair is rooted in telling the agriculture story - and the history of why the game of basketball grew here in Indiana is tied directly to agriculture. The game was affordable, and the playing season was based around the farmers’ planting and harvest season. After each harvest, farm kids could play basketball, and then when the season ended in March, they could go back to the fields for planting. Thus, the tradition of “Friday Night High School  Basketball” became rooted in Indiana. 

Basketball also has a rich history at the Fairgrounds where our iconic Indiana Farmers Coliseum has played host to high school championships, the ABA Pacers, All-Star Games and more. The Indiana State Fairgrounds first opened in 1892 – the same year basketball was introduced in  Indiana – two great Hoosier traditions that have stood the test of time. Stay tuned for more exciting announcements for the 2023 Indiana State Fair. 

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Effective December 30, 2022, The City of Rochester Street Department will cease bulk leaf pickup for the season, unless weather prevents further pickup sooner than anticipated. 

The bulk leaf program will resume again for a limited time in April.

If you have any questions, please contact the City at 574-223-4740.

The Fulton County Community Foundation (FCCF) endowment scholarship application is now available. Theapplication is all online, where students can track the status of their application and find instructions. Visit the Fulton County pageatwww.nicf.org to apply. Applications must be submitted by February 1, 2023.

The FCCF has over 65 scholarship funds and awarded more than $169,000 in 2022.

For more information about FCCF scholarships, contact Shannon Berger, Scholarship Coordinator for the Northern Indiana Community Foundation at 574-223-2202 or email scholarships@nicf.org. High school students can also contact their guidance department for more information.

The Internal Revenue Service reminded employers and self-employed individuals that chose to defer paying part of their 2020 Social Security tax liability that their second annual installment of the deferred amount is due on Dec. 31, 2022.

As part of the COVID relief provided during 2020, employers could choose to put off paying the employer’s share of their Social Security tax liability, which is 6.2% of wages. Self-employed individuals could also choose to defer a similar amount of their self-employment tax. Generally, half of that deferral was due on Dec. 31, 2021. The other half is due on Dec. 31, 2022.

Earlier this fall, the IRS sent reminder notices to affected employers and self-employed individuals. The agency noted, however, that those affected are still required to make the payment on time, even if they did not receive a notice.

How to repay the deferred taxes

Employers and individuals have several options for making this payment. Deferral payments can made through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS), Direct Pay, by debit card, credit card or digital wallet, or with a check or money order. No matter which payment option is chosen, it must be made separately from other tax payments and deposits. This will ensure that it is credited properly and will help avoid follow-up bills or notices.

When the holiday season rolls around, many shoppers turn to online seller platforms to find unique, handmade gifts for their friends and family. Scammers have taken note, and according to recent BBB Scam Tracker reports, they're targeting shoppers with a not-so-unique scam.

These recent reports say that the scam is taking place on well-known and reputable websites, such as Etsy (a BBB Accredited Business). Scammers might use this same scam tactic on other platforms as well.

How the scam works

You're browsing online when you find a special gift or holiday decoration that you'd like to purchase. The photos seem professional, and everything looks normal… except for one thing. In the item description, you find a message from the seller advising you not to make the purchase through the online sales platform where you have discovered it. Instead, the seller encourages you to purchase the item directly from their independent website, promising you'll get a hefty discount if you do.

If you follow the link to a website outside the original sales platform and make a purchase, you'll likely be disappointed when your card is charged, but the product never arrives. Unfortunately, that's because the product probably never existed in the first place. Worse yet, if you have fallen for this type of scam, your payment information will now be in the hands of unscrupulous characters.

One consumer reported this experience: "When I checked out the listing, there was a message that looks like this: 'DO NOT purchase from this store, visit our website to get 50% off.' I fell for it and purchased a pair of shoes. I received a confirmation email for my purchase with a tracking number. When nothing arrived, I sent multiple messages inquiring about my order and when I could expect shipment. I received no response. I went back to the website to input my tracking order, and the website was no longer available."

How to avoid online shopping scams

• Do business with reputable websites. In general, avoid going off-platform to buy from sellers that you discover online; it's much safer to purchase through reputable websites that help specialty sellers connect with buyers. Legitimate websites like Etsy have specific policies in place to protect sellers and buyers. For example, at Etsy, if an order isn't delivered, you can open a case with Etsy, and you may get your money back. If a seller asks you directly to shop outside of a website where they listed products, think twice. Etsy states: "To avoid scams and fraud, all transactions must take place on the Etsy platform, through the Etsy checkout system."
   
• Research the seller. Read customer reviews keeping an eye out for any reports of scams or dishonest behavior. If the seller doesn't have any reviews yet, do a general online search of the seller's name, the item, and the word "scam," just to be safe.
   
• Protect your personal information. When making purchases online, be careful with sensitive personal details, such as your name, address, and payment information. Read a website's privacy and security policies to find out how they use and protect your information (e.g., are they sharing it with third parties or using encryption?). Also, check the website's terms and conditions of sale, including specifics about issues such as delivery, refunds and restocking fees (which may be substantial). Decide whether you feel comfortable with these policies. If the website does not post easily accessible privacy and security policies and acceptable terms and conditions, consider it a red flag.
   
• Shop with a credit card. Whenever possible, use your credit card to make online purchases. It is easier to dispute fraudulent charges, and you have a better chance of getting your money back if something goes wrong. Demands to wire funds or use gift cards for payment are a major sign that you should just walk away.

NIPSCO is encouraging income-eligible customers struggling to pay their gas utility
bill to apply for additional energy assistance programs available beginning December 1 through May 31.

Programs such as NIPSCO Hardship, SERV (Supply Energy Resources to Veterans) and SILVER (Seniors in Indiana Low-Income and Vulnerable Energy Resource) offer a one-time benefit of up to $400 per year to those who qualify.

SERV is an income-eligible assistance program available for active military and eligible veteran NIPSCO customers who need financial assistance with gas residential utility charges. To participate, customers
must be an active member of the United States Armed Forces or a former member honorably discharged, with an active NIPSCO residential gas utility account that is past due.

SILVER is an income-eligible assistance program available for NIPSCO’s senior citizen customers 60 years of age or older who need financial assistance with gas residential utility charges. Eligible senior citizens must have an active NIPSCO residential gas utility account that is past due.

The SERV and SILVER programs are earmarked for those who qualify for LIHEAP or Hardship assistance.

To see the full list of requirements for SERV and SILVER, customers should visit
NIPSCO.com/IncomeEligible. There, customers can also apply for the appropriate program by completing and submitting an online self-attestation form and uploading documentation, if required.

Applicants should allow 30 business days for the form to be received and processed. If program requirements are met, a one-time credit will be applied to the applicant’s NIPSCO gas residential utility account.

The NIPSCO Hardship Program is for customers just outside the federal poverty guidelines for LIHEAP. It offers up to $400 in gas bill assistance to households between 151 and 250 percent of the federal poverty level. Hardship funds are available through many of the same local Community Action Agencies
where LIHEAP funds are distributed.

To learn more about NIPSCO Hardship, visit NIPSCO.com/IncomeEligible.
NIPSCO Hardship, SILVER and SERV programs will run from December 1 through May 31, or until funds are exhausted.

“Our mission is to deliver safe, reliable energy that drives value for our customers,” said Mike Hooper, NIPSCO President. “We understand that some customers are struggling to balance expenses, and we are committed to providing financial assistance to benefit those most vulnerable this winter heating
season.”

Additional Assistance
LIHEAP offers support to households falling at or below 60 percent of the state median income and is fully funded by a federal block grant offered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Customers can learn if they qualify for LIHEAP by visiting eap.ihcda.in.gov, calling 2-1-1 or by
using the NIPSCO eligibility calculator and NIPSCO.com/IncomeEligible.

Customers can also pick-up and drop-up LIHEAP forms at the NIPSCO Business Office in Gary at 3229 Broadway between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday.

NIPSCO has expanded its 12-month flexible payment plan to allow all eligible customers that need financial support to spread their past due balance over 12-months. The three- and six-month options are also still available to customers experiencing difficulty paying their bill. Customers can learn more at
NIPSCO.com/PaymentPlans.

NIPSCO provides a number of energy-efficiency programs, rebates and tips to help lower energy usage and bills. Visit NIPSCO.com/Save for more information on available programs and other ways to save.

Governor Eric J. Holcomb is directing flags to be flown at half-staff in recognition of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day to honor the lives lost when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

Flags should be flown at half-staff at the Indiana Statehouse from sunrise until sunset on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2021.

Gov. Holcomb also asks businesses and residents to lower their flags to half-staff.

4C Health, a comprehensive non-profit behavioral health care provider that has served the communities of rural north central Indiana for more than 45 years, has established a scholarship fund to support students in the Human Services program at Ivy Tech Community College’s Kokomo Service Area.

“Many 4C Health employees, including me, got our start in human services with a community college,” said Carrie Cadwell, PsyD, 4C Health president and CEO. “The value of supporting students who are getting their educational start through a community college, like Ivy Tech, is immeasurable.

“We have a state and national behavioral health workforce shortage. In rural areas, even more so,” she continued. “Finding ways to develop students early on in their educational human services pathway is critical. Supporting local Ivy Tech human services students is an investment with the hope they stay local when their education is completed. We start this scholarship with the vision to grow it as we go forward.”

The scholarship opportunity will be available to students studying at a Kokomo Service Area campus or instructional site who reside in Cass, Fulton, Howard, Miami, Pulaski or Tipton counties. Programs covered include the Human Services technical certificate and associate degrees, along with credential in Addictive Studies and Social Work. Students must maintain a grade-point average of at least 3.0 and may use the scholarship for tuition and fees.

The 4C Health Human Services Scholarship program will provide $1,000 in funding for the school years of 2023-24 and 2024-25. Application is made through the Ivy Tech scholarship application process and preference will be given to students who complete a student experience/practicum with 4C Health.

Kelly Karickhoff, executive director of resource development for Ivy Tech Kokomo, said scholarship funding donated by Ivy Tech’s community partners provides critical support for students, noting the scholarship funding by 4C Health fits right into Ivy Tech’s commitment to prepare students to help meet the needs of our communities.

“Ivy Tech works hard to keep tuition and related costs as low as possible for our students,” Karickhoff said. “A scholarship of several hundred dollars can be all that’s needed to allow a student with family and financial challenges to achieve success.”

For more information on scholarship funding opportunities at Ivy Tech, contact Karickhoff at kkarickhoff@ivytech.edu or 765-252-5501.

The Fulton County Public Library will host a Christmas Open House with a snow village theme.

The Tom and Sue Bair snow village collection will highlight the open house to be held at the Rochester branch, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. on Monday, December 12.

Tim Roe explains.

And what would a Christmas event be without Santa?

Roe also says they are doing a special collection to help people in the community.

The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) wants to remind nonprofit organizations about changes to how they file their annual report with the agency and how they will access sales tax exemption certificates beginning next year. 

Earlier this year, Indiana General Assembly passed new legislation revising the filing frequency for Nonprofit Organization’s Annual Reports from annually to every five years.  

After 2022, the due date for the new Form NP-20R, Nonprofit Organization’s Report, is based on the last two digits of the organization’s federal employer identification number (FEIN). Form NP-20R will be due on: 

• May 15, 2024, if the organization does not have a FEIN or if the organization’s FEIN ends in 00 through 24. 
• May 15, 2025, if the organization’s FEIN ends in 25 through 49. 
• May 15, 2026, if the organization’s FEIN ends in 50 through 74. 
• May 15, 2027, if the organization’s FEIN ends in 75 through 99. 

After the date shown above, nonprofit organizations must file Form NP-20R by May 15 every fifth year.  

Organizations will need to file a Nonprofit Organization’s Annual Report for tax year 2021 in 2022 to qualify for the new filing frequency. This also applies to fiscal year filers whose tax years end before Aug. 1, 2022. 

Note: Organizations will not need to file Form NP-20 in 2023 for the 2022 calendar year. In addition, fiscal year filers who file Form NP-20 for a fiscal year ending after July 31, 2022, will not need to file an NP-20 during the 2023 calendar year.

Nonprofits will still need to file Form IT-20NP, Indiana’s Nonprofit Organization Unrelated Business Income Tax Return, for each year in which the organization has unrelated business income (as defined under Internal Revenue Code Section 513) of $1,000 or more. 

Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, nonprofit organizations should no longer use Indiana General Sales Tax Exemption Certificate (Form ST-105). Nonprofits will be required to utilize Form NP-1, Nonprofit Sales Tax Exemption Certificates. These forms will be available only through DOR’s e-services portal, INTIME.

Nonprofit organizations not currently registered for the portal will need to register on INTIME to create and access their exemption certificates as of Jan. 1. Instructions on creating an INTIME logon are available in the INTIME User Guide, available at intime.dor.in.gov. 

DOR also reminds nonprofit organizations about the repeal of the “30-day rule” for fundraisers. Until July 1, 2022, qualifying fundraisers lasting less than 30 days were exempt from sales tax. Effective July 1, 2022, this rule was repealed and replaced with a different threshold. Once sales by a nonprofit organization reaches $20,000, the organization is now required to collect state gross retail tax on sales for the remainder of the calendar year. The new rule applies to all units operating under the organization’s nonprofit registration with DOR. 

 For more information, see the Nonprofit Tax Forms page or Sales Tax Information Bulletin #10 on DOR’s website, dor.in.gov.  

The spring 2023 Purdue Extension Master Gardener (EMG) basic training program will begin Feb. 7 as a weekly series of live virtual webinars.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/4mjy5w3z and contact a hosting Purdue Extension educator to obtain an application. The application deadline is Jan. 16, and the training wraps up May 9. An individual registration is $180 and includes a print version of the Purdue EMG manual. The fee for two people sharing a print version of the manual is $280.

Purdue Extension specialists and educators from across Indiana teach the course. Topics include soils, fertility, pest control, invasive species, pesticide safety and alternatives, trees, vegetables, flowers, lawns, and fruit. 

“The Purdue Extension Master Gardener program’s main purpose is to train volunteers to assist Purdue Extension with consumer horticulture education in Indiana communities,” said John Orick, Purdue EMG state coordinator.

Purdue Extension Master Gardener volunteers are required to give a minimum of 40 hours back to the community after completing initial training and passing an exam. Volunteers contributed more than 125,000 hours in 2022, Orick said.

To strengthen connections to county Purdue EMG programs, each hosting Extension educator will hold a required one-hour weekly meeting with participants to dig deeper into how the topic of the week applies to local gardeners.

“Indiana is a long, north-south state,” said Jeff Burbrink, Purdue Extension educator in Elkhart County and Purdue EMG spring program team member. “Our climate and soils vary greatly from Lake Michigan to the Ohio River. We want to be sure that our Extension Master Gardeners can see how these concepts work in their backyard.”