At the Indiana Statehouse, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Director Don Lamb presented 56 farming families with a Hoosier Homestead Award in recognition of their commitment to Indiana agriculture.

“It is a true honor to be in the historic Statehouse today celebrating your incredible family farming history,” said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “Your commitment to Indiana and our agriculture history and future is renowned. It was awe-inspiring to celebrate this family achievement with you all today.”

To be named a Hoosier Homestead, farms must be owned by the same family for more than 100 consecutive years, and consist of more than 20 acres. If less than 20 acres, the farm must produce more than $1,000 of agricultural products per year. Indiana farms may qualify for three honors: Centennial Award for 100 years of ownership, Sesquicentennial Award for 150 years of ownership and the Bicentennial Award for 200 years of ownership.

Since the program's inception in 1976, over 6,000 families have received the Hoosier Homestead Award. Many past awardees can be identified by the sign proudly displayed in front of the family farm or field.

Among area farms recognized: 

Internal Revenue Service urged everyone to be on alert for scammers using fake charities to dupe taxpayers, especially following major disasters.

Whether an earthquake or wildfires, good-natured taxpayers rally to help victims after an emergency or disaster by donating money. Unfortunately, scammers often try to prey on well-intentioned donors by posing as fake charities, hoping to steal money, but also personal and financial data that can be used in tax-related identity theft.

“Following disasters, there are heart-wrenching situations where people want to help,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “But scammers move quickly and use these events to try taking advantage of the public’s generosity, stealing not just money, but personal information that can lead to identity theft. Scams requesting donations are especially common over the phone, as well as by email and texts. Taxpayers should never feel pressured to give immediately, and they should look to recognized, established charities to help victims.”

As a member of the Security Summit, the IRS, with state tax agencies and the nation’s tax industry, have taken numerous steps over the last eight years to warn people to watch out for common scams and schemes each tax season that can contribute to identity theft. Along with the Security Summit initiative, the Dirty Dozen aims to protect taxpayers, businesses and the tax system from identity thieves and various hoaxes designed to steal money and information.

The Dirty Dozen is an annual IRS list of 12 scams and schemes that put taxpayers and the tax professional community at risk of losing money, personal data and more. Some items on the list are new, and some make a return visit. While the list is not a legal document or a formal listing of agency enforcement priorities, it is intended to alert taxpayers, businesses and tax preparers about scams at large.

Fake charities: Real scams

Bogus charities are a perennial problem that gets bigger whenever a crisis or natural disaster strikes. Scammers set up these fake organizations to take advantage of the public's generosity. They seek money and personal information, which can be used to further exploit victims through identity theft.

Taxpayers who give money or goods to a charity might be able to claim a deduction on their federal tax return if they itemize deductions, but charitable donations only count if they go to a qualified tax-exempt organization recognized by the IRS.

Fake charity promoters may use emails to solicit donations or alter or “spoof” their caller ID to make it look like a real charity is calling on the phone. They often target seniors and groups with limited English proficiency.

Here are some tips to protect against fake charity scams:

Don’t give in to pressure. Scammers often use a tactic focused on an urgent need to pressure people into making an immediate payment. Legitimate charities are happy to get a donation at any time; so, people should feel no rush. Donors are encouraged to take time to do their own research.

Verify first. Scammers frequently use names that sound like well-known charities to confuse people. Potential donors should ask the fundraiser for the charity's exact name, website and mailing address so they can independently confirm it.

Be wary about how a donation is requested. Taxpayers should never work with charities that ask for donations by giving numbers from a gift card or by wiring money. That's a scam. It's safest to pay by credit card or check — and only after verifying the charity is real.

Don’t give more than needed. Scammers are on the hunt for both money and personal information. Taxpayers should treat personal information like cash and not hand it out to just anyone. They should never give out Social Security numbers, credit card numbers or PIN numbers, and they should give bank or credit card numbers only after they’ve confirmed the charity is real.

Help stop fraud and scams

As part of the Dirty Dozen awareness effort, the IRS encourages people to report individuals who promote improper and abusive tax schemes as well as tax return preparers who deliberately prepare improper returns.

To report an abusive tax scheme or a tax return preparer, people should mail or fax a completed Form 14242, Report Suspected Abusive Tax Promotions or Preparers and any supporting material to the IRS Lead Development Center in the Office of Promoter Investigations.

Mail:

Internal Revenue Service Lead Development Center
Stop MS5040
24000 Avila Road
Laguna Niguel, California 92677-3405
Fax: 877-477-9135

Alternatively, taxpayers and tax practitioners may send the information to the IRS Whistleblower Office for possible monetary reward

The recent ceremony that marked the move of Fulton County's 911 services to the new justice center site also serves as the beginning for other moves soon.

Fulton County Commissioner Brian Lewis.

Lewis notes that it also soon signals the end for the old Fulton County Jail.

In another county note, Lewis says commissioners have continued with a new contract located at the Fulton County Fairgrounds.

The Indiana House of Representatives recently passed State Rep. Ben Smaltz's (R-Auburn) legislation that would provide more government transparency to Hoosiers by requiring public meetings be livestreamed and archived.

Smaltz's bill would require executive and fiscal bodies of state and local agencies, and school boards, to livestream their meetings on publicly accessible platforms, and archive the recordings with links to agendas and minutes. Smaller government entities would have until July 2024 to comply.

"Hoosiers deserve to know what their government is doing with their tax dollars," Smaltz said. "Not everyone has the ability to attend public meetings in person, so having the ability to watch online anytime provides a higher level of transparency and that also boosts accountability."

To maintain records of meetings, Smaltz's legislation would require each public agency to make recordings available to the public for at least 90 days after the meeting date. Governing bodies could also utilize free livestreaming on social media platforms or host it on their existing websites. Additionally, any technological failures during a livestream, like a loss of internet service, would not invalidate actions taken at any public meeting.

"Our ability to record public meetings and provide access to information is easier than ever," Smaltz said. "All levels of government should want to demonstrate and be accountable to what they're doing for their communities."

House Bill 1167 now heads to the Indiana Senate for consideration.

NIPSCO released a report detailing a successful year of corporate giving in 2022, with more than $2.3 million donated to more than 250 non- profit organizations throughout northern Indiana.

The report, available at NIPSCO.com/givesback, provides at-a-glance information on NIPSCO’s community contributions, including donations and support given in partnership with the NiSource Charitable Foundation.

NIPSCO’s parent company, NiSource, established the NiSource Charitable Foundation with a mission to help create strong and sustainable communities where employees and customers live and work. The foundation provides funding and encourages volunteer support for non-profit organizations throughout the country.

Along with funds from the NiSource Charitable Foundation, employee donations and corporate funds from NIPSCO, the company provided focused grants and targeted donations to local charitable organizations.

NIPSCO’s 2022 donations were centered on areas of identified need, including Basic Needs and Hardship Assistance, Economic and Workforce Development, Environmental Stewardship, Public Safety and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and Energy Education.

Charitable donations are funded by NIPSCO and its shareholders, the NiSource Charitable Foundation, and direct employee contributions. Donations are not recovered through the rates customers pay for their energy service.

Detectives with the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) arrested a Miami County man on alleged charges of possession of child pornography.

This investigation by the Indiana State Police ICAC Task Force began when a tip was received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The tip ultimately led to a search warrant being served on a residence located at 316 W. SR 218 in Bunker Hill, by the Indiana State Police.

Cody Shanks, 28, was arrested and transported to the Miami County Jail for one count of Possession of Child Pornography, Level 5 Felony, and two counts of Possession of Child Pornography, Level 6 Felony.

The Indiana State Police was assisted by the Miami County Prosecutor’s Office, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Howard County Sheriff's Department.

Anyone having any information related to internet crimes against children are encouraged to contact their local law enforcement agency or make a report to NCMEC at https://report.cybertip.org/.

The Knox City Council made a unanimous decision this week to approve the request of having the ashes of four-year-old murder victim, Judah Morgan, buried beneath a memorial tree in Knox’s Wythogan Park this summer.

Morgan was killed at the home of his biological parents on October 11, 2021, duringwhat was supposed to be a six month home trial with Indiana DCS. 

Jenna Hullett, the kinship placement foster mother who raised the boy for the first three and a half years of his life, spoke during the Knox City Council meeting on Monday evening. After telling council members about Judah’s tragic story, Hullett put in a request for the cremation tree that would release the boys ashes for a living memorial.

Knox Mayor Dennis Estok had checked with the local funeral director to confirm legalities on the burial prior to the meeting. The exact location for the memorial tree within the park has yet to be determined. Silverleaf Boutique will be donating a plaque for the ceremony, which will be displayed in front of the tree in memory of Judah.

Hullett said the park had been one of the boy's favorite places to visit while growing up in the Knox area.  

The memorial tree planting and release of Judah's ashes will be a public event at Wythogan Park, 101 Washington St in Knox, June 10, 2023, on what would have been Judah's sixth birthday.

The ceremony will start at 11a.m. central time, 12 p.m. eastern time, and will include a free potluck after. 

(Photo provided by Jenna Hullett shows Judah playing at Wythogan Park, one of his favorite places to go, Hullett said.) 

A traffic stop by Fulton County Deputy AJ Styers led to the arrest of a man for Possession of Stolen Property.

About 2:30 p.m. Monday Deputy Styers was on routine patrol when he received information on a 2018 Kia Forte traveling south on US 31 that was stolen from Chicago.  Deputy Styers located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop around the area of US 31 & Wabash Road.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, John Brown, 47, of Chicago was taken into custody without incident. Brown was lodged in the Fulton County Detention Center on Possession of Stolen Property, a Level 6 felony.

The name of the driver involved in a fatal Marshall County crash has been identified as Caleb Ingram, 35, of Rochester.

About 4:30 p.m. Monday, ISP troopers responded to calls of a serious vehicle crash on US 31 near 4A Road.  Preliminary investigation indicates that a 2013 Dodge was travelling northbound on US 31 when it ran off the road to the right for an unknown reason, striking a concrete bridge abutment.  Troopers attempted life-saving measures at the scene but the driver, Ingram, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Neither alcohol nor drugs are suspected to be factors in this crash. 

An autopsy is scheduled for later this week at the Marshall County Forensic Center.

An Indiana State Trooper discovered pills containing fentanyl during a traffic stop on US 31 in Miami County on St. Patrick’s Day.

Just after 8 p.m., Trooper Blake Sarver made a traffic stop on a 2021 Dodge Charger for not having taillights activated as it travelled northbound on US 31 near SR 16. While speaking to the driver, Devin Jones, 22 of Indianapolis, Sarver smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.  A subsequent search of the Dodge resulted in troopers finding 103 grams of pills suspected of containing fentanyl and a marijuana vape pen. 

Jones was arrested for Dealing in a Narcotic Drug, Possession of a Narcotic Drug, and Possession of Marijuana. 

Two passengers in the Dodge were also arrested.  Jadore Overton, 21 of Indianapolis, was arrested for Dealing in a Narcotic Drug and Possession of a Narcotic Drug and also found to have an active arrest warrant out of Kentucky. 

Darius Watson, 24 of Indianapolis, was arrested for Dealing in a Narcotic Drug and Possession of a Narcotic Drug. 

All three were transported to the Miami County Jail.

Kathy Bottorff and her husband Jim are excited to announce that WTCA will be under new ownership beginning April 1.   The owners of WTCA have reached a deal with 3 Towers Broadcasting, LLC.

WTCA was founded by Kenneth E. Kunze in 1963 when he was granted a license from the FCC to operate WTCA-AM 1050. In the beginning, all productions were broadcast from its transmitter site on Muckshaw Road in Plymouth with a business office on Water Street.

In 1965, the broadcasting operation was moved to the Water Street location in order to accommodate an ever-growing listening audience.

In 1966, the radio station moved into the old Plymouth Dairy at 112 West Washington St. The building was renovated into a broadcasting studio and remains the base of operations today for WTCA.

The station has since expanded to include FM radio broadcasting in addition to their AM radio operations. WTCA is still operating daily radio programs from the AM transmitter site on Muckshaw Road and FM transmitter site at its Washington St. office in downtown Plymouth.

In its early days, Jeanne Kunze hosted a live public interest program each day called, “This and That.”  The Kunze’s daughter, Kathy Bottorff, continues that tradition with the station’s daily talk show, “What’s Your Opinion?”

WTCA has proudly provided services to the local communities for more than 55 years with unique programming, local news, hit music, and other features geared toward the communities of Marshall County.

WTCA is 3 Towers Broadcasting’s fifth Indiana-based radio station, joining WSVX (AM 1520 and 96.5 FM) in Shelbyville, WSVX (106.3 FM) in Greenfield, WROI (92.1 FM) in Rochester, and WREB (94.3 FM) in Greencastle.  3 Towers Broadcasting is based in Shelbyville.

Johnny McCrory, co-owner of 3 Towers Broadcasting said,  “Little did we know when we started with AM 1520 in Shelbyville that our local brand of GIANT fm radio and online services would expand into other Indiana communities with such success.”   

Co-owner Scott Huber said, “Our entire organization is excited to now partner with WTCA as we add to and help grow its longstanding record of service in Plymouth.”

“We look forward to becoming part of the Plymouth and Marshall County community and being a vital source of news, sports, and entertainment for listeners and readers in the area,” said McCrory.

In addition to the radio stations operated by 3 Towers Broadcasting, there also are digital newspapers operating under the banners Shelby County Post, Fulton County Post, and Putnam County Post.  3 Towers Broadcasting will commence operations of Marshall County Post in the near future, according to co-owner Scott Huber.

Kathy Bottorff, who operates the station today with her husband Jim said, “We are excited to see 3 Towers take the radio station to the next level.  We want to see the station my parents put their lives into continue and flourish in the community.” 

She also said she was pleased when 3 Towers wanted to keep Rusty Nixon for their morning show and sports.  Bottorff will also continue working for 3 Towers as a news reporter and talk show host. 

The Indiana State Police is investigating a single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a Rochester man Monday afternoon.

About 4:30 p.m., troopers responded to calls of a serious vehicle crash on US 31 near 4A Road.  Preliminary investigation indicates that a 2013 Dodge was travelling northbound on US 31 when it ran off the road to the right for an unknown reason, striking a concrete bridge abutment.  Troopers attempted life-saving measures at the scene but the driver, a 35-year-old man from Rochester, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Neither alcohol nor drugs are suspected to be factors in this crash. 

An autopsy is scheduled for later this week at the Marshall County Forensic Center.

It was a busy morning at the Fulton County Sheriff's Office Monday, where community members packed the house for a tour of the new 911 Dispatch Center and the official ribbon cutting ceremony.

The move has been a long time coming since the start of the project in 2018 that originally studied a 300 foot tower. After multiple road blocks and broken promises, when the tower and engineering group couldn't follow through with the promise they made to Fulton County Commissioners about saving tax payers money by bidding the tower project out, Gail Karas, Fulton County 911 Communications Director, took over the project. Karas and the commissioners would soon learn that getting the larger companies to communicate with each other for the wireline connection was also no easy task. 

With the help of Indiana State Treasurer Dan Elliott, things finally began to come together. Elliott was among those who gathered for Monday's ribbon  cutting. 

Now able to have some breathing room for her staff, Karas led tours of the new space that will be available to the 12 dispatchers currently employed there starting March 28. Taking a progressive step forward, the team will now be connected to the state's core for interoperability. Had they not gotten this accomplished, a change of equipment would have been needed, but Karas said that was something that "just wasn't going to happen." 

Karas explained the system during her tour introduction of the center. 

Senator Mike Braun has introduced legislation to clarify the definition of tipped employee and relieve reporting burdens that are harming the restaurant community.

Representative Steve Womack (R-Ark.) introduced the companion legislation in the House.

“The Biden administration’s confusing compliance rule creates an unnecessary reporting burden for restaurants and servers that are already going through a difficult time due to inflation and rising food costs. This legislation will help streamline regulations for tipped employees so that restaurants and their workers can thrive.”— Sen. Mike Braun

 “More financial uncertainty is the last thing restaurant workers want. With crushing inflation and a faltering economy, the Biden administration’s heavy-handed compliance rules only add to the burden being put on hardworking Americans. Servers don’t need the federal government skimming their pay more. Our bill brings much-needed certainty to tipped employees by protecting their income and job opportunities.” - Rep. Steve Womack

“Many servers choose restaurant careers because their skills and knowledge mean high earning potential in a job that’s flexible to their needs. For others, they’re looking for something – extra income, customer interaction, business skills – that make the opportunity ideal. The current system of tipping means that the industry can fit all their needs. We appreciate Sen. Braun and Rep. Womack’s championing of tipped income workers and their ongoing support of restaurant owners and operators.” - Sean Kennedy, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs of the National Restaurant Association

“Senator Braun has traveled the state of Indiana hearing firsthand the stories from those in the restaurant industry and how vital this income is to Hoosiers. We greatly appreciate Senator Braun for listening to our industry and taking action. The support from Representative Womack and Senator Braun will allow our industry to continue to provide opportunities to the communities we serve.” - Patrick Tamm, President & CEO of the Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association

“We appreciate Representative Womack’s dedication to the tipped workers of Arkansas. His efforts with Senator Braun to introduce this bill shows the hardworking people with careers in the restaurant industry that their dedication is important. Their skills and knowledge are vital to the success of the Arkansas restaurant industry, and they play an integral part in the communities they support. We hope that Congress will consider these essential workers and pass this legislation.” - Katie Beck, Chief Executive Officer, Arkansas Hospitality Association

The Tipped Employee Protection Act of 2023 would:

• Amend the FLSA definition of tipped employee to create a more explicit definition of the term by removing interpretive language (customarily and regularly), providing additional clarity and simplicity in categorizing individuals as tipped employees.
• Restrict the ability of judges or the administration to set arbitrary limits or requirements in classifying the hours or duties that a tipped employee performs. 
• Preserve the tipped wage and the protection in the FLSA that tipped employees that receive at least the minimum wage between the addition of an employer-paid cash wage of $2.13 and tips—and in many cases much more. If an individual’s tips do not reach the applicable minimum wage under that formula, the employer would still be required to pay any difference. 
• Retain the ability of states under the FLSA to set wages higher than the federal statutory minimum, meaning that any state could continue to independently set the wage.

Combining boutique, consignment, health and beauty items with a cafe and sandwich shop, Mina's Market has brought a little bit of everything under one roof to their store at 116 N Logan Street in Winamac.

Started seven years ago at the home of owner, Alisha Becker, Mina's Market has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Having a bakery and pastry degree, Becker was no stranger to culinary art prior to opening her store. Originally selling things online like cakes, cookies, brownies and other treats, Becker began adding to her business by not only selling drinks and other health products, but also consignment.

As space became limited in the small shed Becker used as her home store, she would eventually move to her first downtown location on Winamac's Pearl Street. As business continued to grow, so did Becker's ideas. The idea of not only having consignment, but also having a full blown boutique, would eventually lead Becker to her current location on N. Logan Street. Only recently moving to their newest building a few months ago, Becker feels she may have reached her peak limit of adding to her business, as things are finally settling in. 

Open Tuesday to Sunday, Becker’s passion for food and fashion is shared with her two loyal staffers, who help run Mina's Market, along with Becker's husband, who provides support from the sidelines and prefers to be out of the public eye. From bubble tea, protein shakes, coffees, bakery items, breakfast and lunch and more Becker's unique menu keeps her customers coming back for more.  

Wanting to give back to the community she loves, Becker said Mina's Market is heavily involved locally by sponsoring teams, scholarships, and monthly fundraisers for those in need.  

Grissom Air Reserve Base will be a little quieter this summer.

Aircraft, aircrew, maintainers and support staff are on the move as Grissom’s 12,501 foot runway gets a makeover.

The $60 million project begins later this month, and is expected to be completed by late summer, or early fall depending upon weather.

Grissom’s KC-135s will operate primarily out of the Fort Wayne International Airport during the early stages of the runway repair, and will transition to Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio once their own runway repair project is complete.

“Runway repairs are typically done about every 10 years,” said Col. Thom Pemberton, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander. “This time is a little different, they are removing concrete down to the dirt in many areas – which is something that has not been done since it was built in 1942.”

Grissom planners have worked with both the airport staff, and the 122nd Fighter Wing based there to ensure a smooth transition of operations.

Some of the KC-135R Stratotankers began moving to Fort Wayne March 15, 2023.

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker wing in the Air Force Reserve Command. The unit has 16 aircraft assigned, but not all will be making the move to Fort Wayne and Wright Patterson.

Aircraft have been loaned to other units, and some are undergoing depot-level maintenance that will reduce the footprint of the forward locations.

One aircraft, 58-0093 will stay behind at Grissom. The aircraft is new to the Grissom fleet and will be brought up to Grissom standards. It also offers maintainers a chance to train and work on the aircraft without having to travel.

Once all the aircraft that are leaving are gone, base members can expect to see increased traffic from heavy equipment and trucks as they haul materials to and from the construction site.

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Following recent news of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) bailout of two failed banks, U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) introduced the Protecting Consumers from Bailouts Act to protect consumers from new fees and to force the big banks to face up to their mistakes.

The Biden administration announced that they will impose “special assessment” fees on banks across the country to pay for the Silicon Valley Bank bailout.

“Consumers and community banks should not have to shoulder the cost of fiscal irresponsibility by big financial institutions,” said Senator Hawley. “The Biden administration wants to take money from the American taxpayer and local banks through new fees so they can use it to bail out California billionaires. We must protect hardworking Americans and force the big banks to pay for their own mistakes.”

“Community banks and their customers in Indiana should not be on the hook for bailing out Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank for their risky financial decisions. We need to make sure responsible community banks and regular Americans are not footing the bill for President Biden’s bank bailout," said Senator Braun.

The Protecting Consumers from Bailouts Act would:

Bar banks from passing to their customers the cost of any "special assessment" by the FDIC to bail out Silicon Valley Bank or Signature Bank

Prevent the FDIC from levying "special assessments" on community banks to pay for bailing out the uninsured depositors of failing banks

Allow the FDIC to claw back bonuses paid to executives of failed banks

A section of SR 39 in Pulaski County is to close next week for road work.

State Road 39 will be closed between State Road 14 and C.R. 100 S on/after Monday, March 20 through mid-April for a culvert replacement.

Motorists should seek alternate routes.

The official detour will follow State Road 14, U.S. 421 and State Road 16.

A road closure is planned for Starke County starting next week.

U.S. 421 will be closed between C.R. W 400 S and C.R. W 500 S on / after Monday, March 20 through mid-April for a culvert replacement.

Motorists should seek alternate routes. 

From corned beef and cabbage, green beer, drink specials and more, the luck of the Irish will be in Rochester Friday evening for the St.Paddy's Day pub crawl.

(Green Shamrock drink special at Ruthless.)

Starting at 4 p.m., Ruthless Bar and Patio, The Arlington Room, Evergreen Eatery, Putt's Bar and Grill and The Dam Landing will be providing festive green touches of fun tonight for the Leprechaun Lap.

Monica Smith, owner of Putt's Bar and Grill, hopes the event is the start of a new St.Patrick's Day tradition for Rochester that will continue to grow. 

Those participating in the event should do so responsibly. Plan ahead for transportation home before going out. The Indiana Department of Transportation stated on their website that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had reported that in just 2016 alone, 60 people were killed from drunk-driving crashes during the St. Patrick's Day holiday period that started from 6 p.m. March 16 and ended 6 a.m. on March 18.

For that reason, law enforcement will be out in full force to make sure everyone behind the wheel is sober. This year, if you’ll be drinking alcohol, remember: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

(Corned Beef and Cabbage Shepard's Pie that will be a feature at the Arlington Public House tonight. Slow Roasted corned beef, carrots, onions, potatoes, in a slow simmered Broth topped with creamy white cheddar mashed potatoes.)

The satisfaction of completing the new justice center in Fulton County has been tempered with the inability to move the 911 center into the same building.

That frustration may finally be coming to a close.

Fulton County Commissioner David Sommers says they have turned to some governmental leaders to push the project along.

Summers is hoping to introduce the center next week.

Sommers says a lot of moves hinge on getting operational for a facility that’s been ready since October except for the lack of fiber hookup.

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Indiana’s unemployment rate in January stands at 3.1% according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. By comparison, the national unemployment rate for January stands at 3.4%.

In addition, Indiana’s labor force participation rate held at 63.4% for January, remaining above the national rate of 62.4%. Indiana’s total labor force, which includes both Hoosiers employed and those seeking employment, stands at 3,409,096 – a decrease of 973 from the previous month.

Private sector employment in Indiana increased by 12,600 jobs over the last month, translating to a gain of 85,300 jobs from this time last year. Indiana’s January private employment stands at 2,825,700.

Industries that experienced job increases in January included:

• Construction (+6,700)
• Leisure and Hospitality (+4,700)
• Private Educational and Health Services (+2,500)
• Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+1,500)
• Professional and Business Services (+300)

As of March 1, 2023, there were 130,839 open job postings throughout the state. In January, 19,460 unemployment insurance claims were filed in Indiana.

Individuals looking for work, training or career information are encouraged to visit in.gov/dwd/job-seekers.

A grant to the Eastern Pulaski school system will upgrade educational technology.

Superintendent Dara Chezem.

Chezem says the board will see more with a presentation at next month’s meeting.

The superintendent also notes a grant from Pulaski Memorial Hospital that will be used to support the school district’s pre-healthcare pathway.  The donation included two medical beds, two bedside tables and linens to help get the program up and running next school year.

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The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office was called Tuesday to the West Central School Corporation in reference to a threat being made and reported to school administrators.

The incident was investigated by the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office, Francesville Police Department, and West Central School administrators. After several interviews with individuals involved, it was determined the comment made was not of a criminal nature but was a violation of school rules and policies.

No further word was given on the type of threat involved.

School administrators are handling the disciplinary action.

Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office ensures there is no threat to the school or the community.

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Fulton County Commissioners are among those gathering information in public meetings to prepare for making future decisions involving the county's EMS.

Commissioner David Summers says Ritter Strategic Services is anchoring the information gathering process. He notes the efforts to analyze the county’s finances as they could be connected to the future of EMS are also ongoing.

Summers says they want to hear from everyone who has a stake as all options are on the table.