Concerned citizens gathered at the Grass Creek Fire Station Wednesday  hoping to get some piece of mind on the future of ambulance services in Fulton County. 

Leading the discussion, co-owner of Ritter Strategic Services Barry Ritter. His public safety consulting firm covers around 30 counties in Indiana for various projects regarding public safety.

Given the task of gathering information on Fulton County for a Request for Proposal (RFP), Ritter Strategic Services will eventually develop a strategic plan for Fulton Counties EMS services. The purpose of Wednesday's community discussion was to hear requests and expectations on EMS and ambulance service to help with this plan.

Ritter also gave time to answer questions related to issues faced by the last contract the county and Lutheran EMS. With the EMS contract expiring in 2025, time is of the essence to plan a new contract that is sustainable and affordable, thanks to information gathered by the consulting company creating the RFB. 

Joining Ritter at the front of the room, Brett Meadows, of Meadows Consulting, who manages areas in public safety, specializing in Emergency Medical Services, Fire Services and Emergency Management, along with Gail Karas, Fulton County 911 Director, to help with questions and concerns regarding the EMS shortage that has not only hit Fulton County, but the entire state. 

For those unable to attend Wednesday's meeting, a second community discussion on the subject will be held July 20 at 6 p.m. in the Akron Community Building, 815 East Rural St.

Ritter also invited anyone with questions and concerns to contact him either by phone at (765) 989-1133 or by email at Barry.ritter@ritterstrategicservices.com. 

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A Rochester woman has died of her injuries in a Saturday single-vehicle crash.

Just before 3:30 p.m., emergency personnel were dispatched to area of CR 50 N and CR 200 W for a single vehicle crash with personal injury. When deputies arrived, they observed the vehicle off the east side of the roadway.
Preliminary investigation by Deputy Ryan Utter with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office revealed a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse driven by Kyla Ellinger, 23, of Rochester was traveling south on CR 200 W. For an unknown reason the vehicle exited the east side of the roadway striking a communication box.  The vehicle then rolled several times and Ellinger was ejected during the crash.

Ellinger was the sole occupant of the vehicle and treated by emergency personnel on scene before being flown by Lutheran Air to a trauma center. She has since died of her injuries.
Ellinger was not wearing her seat belt at the time of crash. The Fulton County Sheriff's Office says speed and alcohol are suspected factors in the crash. 
Assisting the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office at the scene were the Rochester Fire Department, and Lutheran EMS & Air.

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The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has forecasted another Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) for Friday, June 30.

Current air monitor readings across the northern Indiana remain high for particulates and ozone as the Canadian wildfire plume continues to move slowly through the state. Particulates and ozone are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range (Orange) in the following areas:

• North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac and all other cities within the area.
• Northeast Indiana, including the cities of: Angola, Auburn, Decatur, Fort Wayne, Hartford, Huntington City, LaGrange, Marion, Portland, Wabash and all other cities within the area.
• Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso and all other cities within the area.

A state map including regions and affected counties is available at SmogWatch.IN.gov. 

IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce ozone by making changes to daily habits. You can:

• Drive less: carpool, use public transportation, walk, bike, or work from home when possible
• Combine errands into one trip
• Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m.
• Keep your engine tuned, and don’t let your engine idle (e.g., at a bank or restaurant drive-thru)
• Conserve energy by turning off lights and setting the thermostat to 75 degrees or above 

Air Quality Action Days are in effect from midnight to 11:59 p.m. on the specified date. Anyone sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected when particulate and ozone levels are high. Children, the elderly, and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors.

Ground-level ozone is formed when sunlight and hot weather combine with vehicle exhaust, factory emissions, and gasoline vapors. Ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks ultraviolet radiation, but ozone near the ground is a lung irritant that can cause coughing and breathing difficulties for sensitive populations.

PM_2.5 is composed of microscopic dust, soot, and liquid that settles deep into the lungs and cannot be easily exhaled.

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Woodlawn Health announced that they will temporarily suspend operations at the Fulton Clinic on Dunn Street effective July 21.  While operations are suspended, patients should continue their care at Fulton County Medical Clinic’s new location, 1432 E. 9^th St Rochester.

“We are sad that we have to temporarily suspend operations and are working to find the best possible way to serve Fulton and surrounding communities in the near future,” Brad Rogers, COO of Woodlawn Health said.

Woodlawn will continue to be an active member of the community while operations are suspended.

“We still plan to be active in our community outreach to the Fulton area,” Rogers added.

If patients have any questions, please call Fulton County Medical Clinic at 574-223-4337. 

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The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has forecasted another statewide Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) for Thursday, June 29. Current air monitor readings across the state remain very high as the Canadian wildfire plume continues to move slowly through the state. Particulates are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range (Orange).

IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce PM_2.5 by making changes to daily habits. You can:

• Carpool or use public transportation.
• Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip.
• Turn off engines instead of idling for long periods of time.
• Avoid using gas-powered equipment.
• Conserve energy by turning off lights and setting the air conditioner to a higher setting;
• Use propane gas instead of charcoal when grilling outdoors;
• Reminder: Indiana’s open burning laws make it illegal to burn trash and generally prohibit open burning, visit IN.gov/openburning for more information.

PM_2.5 is composed of microscopic dust, soot, and liquid that settles deep into the lungs and cannot be easily exhaled. Those people at risk are particularly vulnerable after several days of high PM_2.5 exposure. Sensitive Groups should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors during these conditions. IDEM examines weather patterns and PM_2.5 readings to make daily air quality forecasts. Air Quality Action Days generally occur when weather conditions such as light winds, snow cover, higher humidity, and lower atmospheric inversions trap pollutants close to the ground.

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After 20 years in the health care industry, Tracey Jones didn't hestitate to participate when daughter-in-law Bailey Jones and Tracey's son proposed a business plan about starting a bakery.

The mother and daughter-in-law duo both had a passion for baking and creating things in the kitchen. But when Bailey and her husband sold their house, the family living together gave the team a little extra income to work with. 

Earlier this month, the Jones family was finally able to get their ducks in a row, opening Bread and Batter Bakery at 317 US 35 in Winamac. Since opening day on June 10, the bakery has kept a steady flow of customers.

From specialty cakes, cookies, coffee, fresh baked bread and more, they provide a little bit of something for everyone. Tracey even specializes in dog treats that include bones, cakes and cupcakes.

Bailey's donuts are also a fan favorite, selling out within two hours after hitting the shelves in the morning.

Open Wednesday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., the family hopes to eventually expand not only hours, but also the menu, once things get settled in. For now, only having family members as employees at the bakery, and Bailey still with a full-time job, the Jones family is taking life as business owners one step at a time. 

A Wabash County man has been charged with possession of child pornography.

On Tuesday, detectives with the Indiana State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICACTF) made the arrest following an investigation that began when a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) was received by the ICAC Task Force. The tip ultimately led to a search warrant being served on a residence at 344 Elm Street, Wabash, by the Indiana State Police; with assistance from the Wabash City Police Department. After a subsequent search, officers located multiple electronic devices.

Peter James Nelson, 46, of Wabash, was arrested and transported to the Wabash County Jail on preliminary charges of three counts of Possession of Child Pornography, Level 5 Felony

The Indiana ICACTF was assisted by the Wabash County Prosecutor’s Office and the Wabash City Police Department.

The Outlet Youth Center is keeping local youth busy this summer, having more than doubled attendance since last year.

From free movies at The Times Theater, free bowling at Jrs Country Lanes, parties and more - to some the Outlet Youth Center is providing more than just a good time, it's providing stability.

Patience Hisey, Director of The Outlet Youth Center, provided an update Tuesday night at Rochester City Hall during the Rochester City Council meeting about just what the center has provided to those kids in need.

Purchasing ten new pairs of tennis shoes for certain kids meant replacing old shoes held together by duct tape, Hisey said. Having already served 115 lunches so far this summer, Hisey's main priority is keeping kids safe.

The Outlet Youth Center has also invested in 10 summer passes to the Rochester City Pool, a place that is fun for most but can be a sanctuary for others needing somewhere to go.  

With over two acres and 10,740 square feet at their newest location on Apache Drive, the new facility has allowed The Outlet to expand on multiple levels in the past year. Recently, Taylor Showley was hired as Director of Operations. Hisey, taking the center another step further, is hoping to host the Rochester High School Alternative School during the upcoming school year. 

Along with The Outlet's growth, however, also comes the costs. Hoping to partner with local businesses, programs and more, The Outlet Youth Center is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization currently in need of donations. 

Whether it be a big or small donation, all is appreciated and helpful. Those interested in giving to The Youth Outlet Center can do so by visiting https://www.theoutletyouthcenter.org/donate. 

It’s that time of the year again where everyone is looking forward to celebrating Independence Day!

Enjoying the summer weather, having a backyard BBQ, spending time with family and friends, and using fireworks are all some of the best ways to celebrate. The Indiana  State Police wants everyone to remain safe this July 4th, and safely handling fireworks is a priority.

Listed below are some safety tips that the Indiana State Police would like to provide when using fireworks to celebrate this July 4th:

Never let children handle, play with, or light any fireworks.

Never aim, point, or throw fireworks at another person.

Use extreme caution when lighting fireworks in the wind.

Keep spectators where the wind is blowing smoke and debris away from them.

Never smoke or consume alcohol when lighting fireworks.

Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Steer clear of others setting off fireworks. They can backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction.

Do not attempt to make or alter any fireworks or firework devices.

Always have a fire extinguisher or water supply, such as a hose or bucket of water, nearby.

Only light one firework at a time and never attempt to re-light or fix a "dud" firework.

After a firework has finished burning, douse it with plenty of water before throwing it away to prevent starting a trash fire.

Be considerate of individuals with PTSD and other types of medical conditions. The noise can cause severe stress and reaction in neighbors.

Think about pets. Animals have sensitive ears and can be very frightened or stressed by fireworks sounds.

Use fireworks outdoors, never indoors.

Become more familiar with the state fireworks laws in Indiana. Throughout the year it is legal to set off fireworks from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., but this may be limited further by local ordinances.

On state holidays it is legal to set off fireworks from 9 a.m. to midnight, but this may be limited further by local ordinances.

The times on the following dates are protected in Indiana for consumer use of fireworks and may not be prohibited by local ordinance:

June 29 to July 3: from 5 p.m. until two hours after sunset;

July 4: from 10 a.m. to midnight;

July 5 to July 9: from 5 p.m. until two hours after sunset;

and December 31: from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Fireworks can only be purchased by persons 18 years of age or older.

Fireworks use is limited to personal property, the property of someone who has approved the use of fireworks, or a location designated specifically for the use of consumer fireworks.

Please be sure to check local ordinances for any fireworks limitations that might exist in your area.

Efforts continue at the state's legislature to improve and secure the election process.

In a release from Representative Jack Jordan (R-Bremen), he discussed safe, secure elections.  He said, “Maintaining Indiana's election security is a top priority. That's why this session, I supported a new law to ensure the absentee vote-by-mail process is as secure as voting in person.”

Currently, Hoosiers who vote in person are required to show photo identification. However, those who apply for an absentee ballot don’t present any ID, and county clerks just verify that the signature on the application matches the voter's signature on file.

Moving forward, Hoosiers who submit an absentee ballot application will need to include a form of ID, like the last four digits of their Social Security number and either a driver's license number, state ID number, or voter registration number. Voters can also submit a photocopy of their driver's license or an ID card for non-drivers.

Representative Jordan said, “We also took action to ensure applications for absentee ballots cannot be distributed in mass by local governments or political parties. However, these groups can still provide applications to individuals who request them. No changes were made to the absentee eligibility requirements.”
To learn more about this legislation, click here.

Visit indianavoters.com, which is the state's one-stop shop for election information, to register to vote, check your voting status, find your voting location, or find out more about voting by mail.

The next election is on November 7.

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The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) in the Unhealthy Air Quality Index range and is forecasting high levels of fine particles (PM2.5) in the air for Wednesday in the following regions: 

• Central/East Central Indiana, including the cities of: Bloomington, Brookville, Columbus, Frankfort, Indianapolis, Greensburg, Kokomo, Lebanon, Martinsville, Muncie, Richmond and all other cities within the area.
• North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, Rochester, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac and all other cities within the area.
• Northeast Indiana, including the cities of: Angola, Auburn, Decatur, Fort Wayne, Hartford, Huntington City, LaGrange, Marion, Portland, Wabash and all other cities within the area.
• Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso and all other cities within the area.
• Southeast Indiana, including the cities of: Brownstown, Corydon, Jeffersonville, Madison, New Albany, Salem, Versailles and all other cities within the area.
• Southwest Indiana, including the cities of: Bedford, Bloomfield, Evansville, Huntingburg, Mount Vernon, Paoli, Princeton, Rockport, Tell City, Vincennes and all other cities within the area.
• Western/West Central Indiana, including the cities of: Crawfordsville, Covington, Delphi, Fowler, Greencastle, Lafayette, Newport, Monticello, Spencer, Sullivan, Terre Haute and all other cities within the area.

Current air monitor readings across the state are rising as the Canadian wildfire plume moves from north to south. Forecast models are all pointing toward very high levels today and Wednesday.  

Some municipalities have additional open burning restrictions on AQADs. For more information, see idem.IN.gov/openburning/laws-and-rules. 

Hoosiers are encouraged to visit smogwatch.IN.gov to view current and forecasted conditions and subscribe to email alerts.

IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce PM2.5 by making changes to daily habits. You can:

• Carpool or use public transportation.
• Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip.
• Turn off engines instead of idling for long periods of time.
• Avoid using gas-powered equipment.
• Conserve energy by turning off lights and setting the air conditioner to a higher setting;
• Use propane gas instead of charcoal when grilling outdoors;
• Reminder: Indiana’s open burning laws make it illegal to burn trash and generally prohibit open burning, visit IN.gov/openburning for more information.

PM2.5 is composed of microscopic dust, soot, and liquid that settles deep into the lungs and cannot be easily exhaled. Those people at risk are particularly vulnerable after several days of high PM2.5 exposure. Everyone should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors during these conditions. IDEM examines weather patterns and PM2.5 readings to make daily air quality forecasts. Air Quality Action Days generally occur when weather conditions such as light winds, snow cover, higher humidity, and lower atmospheric inversions trap pollutants close to the ground.

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Rochester's Jarod Sheetz is ready to begin his patrol for the Indiana State Police.
On December 15, 2022, Eleven Probationary Troopers graduated from the 83rd Indiana State Police Academy. Probationary Trooper Sheetz reported for duty to the Peru District.

Trooper Sheetz is a native of Rochester and a 2013 graduate of Rochester Community High School. Sheetz is a member of the Army National Guard, where he continues to serve today. Sheetz holds a military rank of Sergeant and specializes as a Combat Medic.

Sheetz has successfully completed, a three-month field training period, working alongside veteran troopers. Field training aims to give troopers a practical application to the training they received throughout the formal academy. Their curriculum included criminal law instruction, emergency vehicle operations, psychology, traffic law, crash investigation, self-defense, first responder, and other general law enforcement-related training.

Sheetz will primarily patrol Cass County. The Peru District serves Cass, Fulton, Grant, Howard, Miami, Wabash, and Tipton Counties.

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The Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force has created a new website that will provide the public with information relative to reporting internet crimes against children, resources, statistics, applicable statutes, and much more.

Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children Website

The Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is a multiagency task force that investigates and prosecutes persons who use the internet to exploit or entice children sexually.  The Indiana State Police oversees the Indiana ICAC Task Force, comprised of over fifty (50) local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Since the inception of the Indiana ICAC Task Force in 2005, there has been a significant increase in complaints concerning online sexual exploitation and enticement of children.  In 2022, the Indiana ICAC received over 14,000 CyberTips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

The Indiana ICAC Task Force encourages Hoosiers to report all online exploitation, solicitation, and enticement-type crimes against children to NCMEC.  To report an active crime against your child involving the Internet or other electronic means, please contact your local Indiana law enforcement agency.

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The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) and is forecasting high levels of fine particles (PM_2.5) in the air for Tuesday, June 27, in the following regions: 

• North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, Rochester, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac and all other cities within the area.
• Northeast Indiana, including the cities of: Angola, Auburn, Decatur, Fort Wayne, Hartford, Huntington City, LaGrange, Marion, Portland, Wabash and all other cities within the area.
• Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso and all other cities within the area.

A state map including regions and affected counties is available at SmogWatch.IN.gov. 

Tuesday will be mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 70 and north-northwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. This may continue to move smoke from Canadian wildfires across northern Indiana.

Some municipalities have additional open burning restrictions on AQADs. For more information, see idem.IN.gov/openburning/laws-and-rules. 

Hoosiers are encouraged to visit smogwatch.IN.gov to view current and forecasted conditions and subscribe to email alerts.

IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce PM_2.5 by making changes to daily habits. You can:

• Carpool or use public transportation.
• Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip.
• Turn off engines instead of idling for long periods of time.
• Avoid using gas-powered equipment.
• Conserve energy by turning off lights and setting the air conditioner to a higher setting;
• Use propane gas instead of charcoal when grilling outdoors;
• Reminder: Indiana’s open burning laws make it illegal to burn trash and generally prohibit open burning, visit IN.gov/openburning for more information.

PM_2.5 is composed of microscopic dust, soot, and liquid that settles deep into the lungs and cannot be easily exhaled. Those people at risk are particularly vulnerable after several days of high PM_2.5 exposure. IDEM examines weather patterns and PM_2.5 readings to make daily air quality forecasts.

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A Miami County man will serve a federal prison term on gun possession charges,

Curtis Birner, 37 of Peru, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Robert L. Miller, Jr. after being found guilty of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm following a two-day jury trial in January.

Birner was sentenced to 110 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, in October 2021, Birner entered a Peru gas station with a gun concealed in his sweatshirt.  He displayed the firearm to another person prompting a call to law enforcement.  At the time law enforcement located Birner, he was in a car in the parking lot of a different gas station with a rifle and handgun on his seat along with shotgun in the back seat area. Birner has been convicted of several prior felony offenses, including a federal conviction for felon in possession of a firearm. Any one of his prior felony convictions prohibited Birner from possessing the firearms in this case.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Miami County Sheriff’s Department and the Peru Police Department. 

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eight law enforcement agencies in north-central Indiana teamed up for three days to enforce traffic laws and help stem the flow of illegal narcotics into Hoosier communities.

Officers from the Indiana State Police - Peru Post, Miami County Sheriff's Office, Fulton County Sheriff's Office, Cass County Sheriff's Office, Wabash County Sheriff's, Kokomo Police Department, Logansport Police Department, and Galveston Police Department,utilized marked and unmarked police cars to conduct saturation patrols on U.S. 31 in Miami, Howard, and Fulton Counties. Patrol officers were augmented by K-9 officers utilizing narcotic-detecting police dogs.

Officers dubbed the unannounced three-day patrol “Operation Blue Wave.” The goal was to enforce traffic laws and catch individuals who utilize Indiana roadways to transport and distribute illegal narcotics. U.S. 31 was chosen because a large volume of motorists use this roadway to travel through the heart of northern Indiana. Officers wanted to serve notice that as the summer temperatures increase, so will their vigilance in keeping illegal narcotics from reaching Hoosier communities.

From June 20 through June 22, officers teamed up to make 54 criminal arrests on 174 mostly drug-related charges. Twenty-seven of the charges were felonies. Officers also issued 60 traffic citations and 215 written warnings. There was also one driving while impaired arrest. During the three days, officers located cocaine, LSD, methamphetamine, heroin, marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, edible marijuana food, MDMA, THC oil, ketamine, prescription medications, and drug paraphernalia.

“This is the eleventh year we have organized a summer driving season kickoff patrol,” stated Indiana State Police Sergeant Andrew Smith, who organized and oversaw the patrol.

Citizens are encouraged to call their local law enforcement agencies with information about the possession, distribution, or selling of illegal narcotics. Information can also be reported anonymously by calling the Indiana State Police Drug and Gang Hotline at 1-800-453-4756.

Law enforcement agencies across the state will be on the lookout for impaired drivers around the Independence Day holiday. 

The agencies will take part in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement mobilization to educate motorists about the dangers and consequences of impaired driving. From June 30 until July 8, officers will be increasing patrols with the primary goal of preventing tragedies previously seen around the July 4th holiday. 

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

"Impaired driving is a serious problem that claims the lives of thousands of people each year in our state and nation. While increased enforcement efforts can help to reduce impaired driving, we cannot simply arrest our way out of this problem,” said Devon McDonald, Executive Director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. “We need to work together to raise awareness of the dangers of impaired driving and encourage people to make smart choices when they drink. If you are going to drink, please designate a sober driver or call a taxi. It is not worth risking your life or the lives of others." 

About 37 people die in the U.S. in drunk driving crashes every day. That’s approximately one person every 39 minutes and more than 13,384 annually, according to NHTSA. 

Of the 949 traffic fatalities that occurred last year in Indiana, 110, or 12 percent, were alcohol related. While that is a decline from 115 in 2021, there is still a long way to go. During the weekend around Independence Day alone, there were 11 fatal collisions with two involving a driver over the legal limit.  

In Indiana, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher. In addition, drivers under 21 with a BAC of .02 or higher are subject to fines and a license suspension for up to one year.  

Impaired driving includes more than just alcohol. Drugs and even some over-the-counter medications can also cause impairment and can slow coordination, judgment and reaction times on the road. 

In Indiana, police are seeing an increasing number of people driving drug-impaired, especially under the influence of cannabis. In the first quarter of 2023, half of the tests given for drug-impaired driving came back positive for one or more substances. More than 60% of those positive tests were poly-drug, or more than one drug detected. 

"The number of drivers testing positive for THC and poly-drug use is on the rise. This is a serious problem that can have deadly consequences,” said Jim Bryan, Traffic Safety Director for the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. “We are working to address this issue by training more officers in advanced detection techniques and providing new tools to law enforcement. However, the best way to prevent impaired driving is for people to not drive high or under the influence of any drugs. If you are going to drink or use drugs, make sure you have a plan to get home safely. Call a cab, ride-share service, or a friend or family member to pick you up. Don't risk your life and the lives of others by driving impaired." 

To further prevent drunk driving, ICJI’s Sober Ride Indiana program is running a special holiday campaign in Ft. Wayne and Indianapolis. From June 29 through July 4, the program is offering $15 off Uber and Lyft rides up to 500 redemptions per day.  

Ride credits are only available between the hours of 5 p.m. and 3 a.m. while supplies last. To redeem a discounted ride, visit SoberRideIndiana.com.  

A Rochester woman was injured in a Saturday single-vehicle crash.
Just before 3:30 p.m., emergency personnel were dispatched to area of CR 50 N and CR 200 W for a single vehicle crash with personal injury. When deputies arrived, they observed a single vehicle off the east side of the roadway.
Preliminary investigation by Deputy Ryan Utter with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office revealed a 2011 Chevrolet Traverse driven by Kyla Ellinger, 23, of Rocheste,r was traveling south on CR 200 W. For an unknown reason the vehicle exited the east side of the roadway striking a communication box.  The vehicle then rolled several times and Ellinger was ejected during the crash.
Ellinger was the sole occupant of the vehicle and treated by emergency personnel on scene before being flown by Lutheran Air to a trauma center. Her current condition is unknown.
Ellinger was not wearing her seat belt at the time of crash. The Fulton County Sheriff's Office says speed and alcohol are suspected factors in the crash. 
Assisting the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office at the scene were the Rochester Fire Department, and Lutheran EMS & Air.

The Indiana DNR has began treatment to try and slow the spread of spongy moth this week in Fulton, Marshall, Starke and Kosciusko Counties.

Along with the Indiana DNR, the divisions of Forestry and Entomology and Plant Pathology started the prevention during the week of June 19, conducting the treatments by flying yellow airplanes flying 75 to 125 feet above the treetops. 

The team will soon be spreading a biodegradable, food-grade material with their female pheromone, to attract and confuse the male moths so that mating does not take place. People, animals, plants, and other insects are said to not be affected by treatments. 

The spongy moth, also known as Lymantria dispar, and formerly known as gypsy moth, is known to be one of North America's most devastating invasive forest pests. The spongy moth is known to feed on the foliage of hundreds of species of trees and shrubs in North America but prefers oak trees.

Originally evolving in Europe and Asia, spongy moths have existed there for thousands of years. During the late 1860s, spongy moths were accidentally introduced near Boston, MA by an amateur entomologist. Since the accident, spongy moths have spread throughout the Northeast and now have went as far as the upper Midwest and Great Lakes states, including Indiana.  Spongy moth can be an expensive, messy problem for homeowners and, when out of control, can cause extensive damage to U.S. forests. When spongy moth populations reach high levels, trees may be completely defoliated by feeding caterpillars. Several successive years of defoliation, along with contributions by other stress factors, often results in tree death.

information on the biology of the spongy moth, what homeowners can do to lessen the effects of the insect, and access to brochures on treatments.

For more information on the biology of the spongy moth, what homeowners can do to lessen the effects of the insect, and access to brochures on treatments visit the Purdue Entomology Spongy Moth Site at https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/GM-5.pdf. 

Photo of the spongy moth was provided by the Purdue Entomology Spongy Moth Site

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) and is forecasting high ozone levels for Saturday, June 24, in the following areas:

• Central/East Central Indiana, including the cities of: Bloomington, Brookville, Columbus, Frankfort, Indianapolis, Shelbyville, Greensburg, Kokomo, Lebanon, Martinsville, Muncie, Richmond and all other cities within the area.

• North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, Rochester, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac and all other cities within the area.

• Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso and all other cities within the area.

• Southeast Indiana, including the cities of: Brownstown, Corydon, Jeffersonville, Madison, New Albany, Salem, Versailles and all other cities within the area.

• Southwest Indiana, including the cities of: Bedford, Bloomfield, Evansville, Huntingburg, Mount Vernon, Paoli, Princeton, Rockport, Tell City, Vincennes and all other cities within the area.

• Western/West Central Indiana, including the cities of: Crawfordsville, Covington, Delphi, Fowler, Greencastle, Lafayette, Newport, Monticello, Spencer, Sullivan, Terre Haute and all other cities within the area.

Just like the humble beginnings of a mustard seed, beginning small but having the potential of growing into a large plant, Mallory Hanaway's idea about creating a large artisan market-vendor mall began.

Shifting her career as a nurse to a business owner, with the support and help from her husband Anthony Hanaway, Hanaway found that with a little bit of faith and devotion, anything is possible. The couple eventually found the perfect location at 602 Main Street in Rochester.

The building's 6,500 square feet has allowed Hanaway to collect a wide range of talented and unique handpicked vendors, planting her vision for Mustard Seed Mercantile on the corner of Sixth and Main. 

Now with 80 vendors and still room to grow, Mustard Seed Mercantile is having their official opening day on June 30. From vintage, antique, or handcrafted items, art, freeze-dried candies, and more, the unique atmosphere has a little bit of something for everyone.

Made by vendors, both local and from around the state, Hanaway hopes Mustard Seed Mercantile will be an addition that not only attracts local customers, but shoppers from outside of the Rochester community, as well. 

Excited for the new change of pace in her future, Hanaway hopes to not only build her own business with Mustard Seed Mercantile, but the businesses of her vendors as well. 

Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs announced six Indiana communities will receive $312,640 in Planning Grants through the Community Development Block Grant program.

The communities will use the funds to develop plans for the implementation of community and economic development projects.

“Developing our communities immediately correlates with economic development across Indiana,” said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “I am pleased that we are able to invest in more Hoosier communities through these planning grants.”

The Planning Grant program strives to encourage communities to plan for long-term community development with the aid of subject matter experts and community input. The applications being funded this quarter address utilities, public facilities and comprehensive planning efforts.

“Planning with the help of experts and community input helps ensure success,” said Denny Spinner, executive director of OCRA. “Congratulations to the six towns awarded, they are a great example for Hoosier communities looking toward long-term community development planning.”

Cass County's Galveston was awarded $58, 320 in a Water Infrastructure grant to complete a holistic study of potential issues and opportunities across their drinking, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. By completing this planning, Galveston will be able to make decisions regarding their most urgent water needs while understanding how each system works in context with other utility systems.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) and is forecasting high ozone levels for Thursday, June 22, 2023 in the following areas:

• North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, Rochester, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac and all other cities within the area.

• Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso and all other cities within the area.

A state map including regions and affected counties is available at SmogWatch.IN.gov. 

Continued sunny skies with highs in the mid 80's as continued high ozone is expected around the western Great Lakes.

Note: IDEM's AQAD forecast is based on data from ozone air quality monitors located throughout the state. IDEM encourages residents of counties within or bordering the AQAD region(s) to heed the forecast. Air quality information for all Indiana counties can be found at SmogWatch.IN.gov. 

Some municipalities have additional open burning restrictions on AQADs.  For more information, see idem.IN.gov/openburning/laws-and-rules. 

IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce ozone by making changes to daily habits. You can:

• Drive less: carpool, use public transportation, walk, bike, or work from home when possible
• Combine errands into one trip
• Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m.
• Keep your engine tuned, and don’t let your engine idle (e.g., at a bank or restaurant drive-thru)
• Conserve energy by turning off lights and setting the thermostat to 75 degrees or above 

Air Quality Action Days are in effect from midnight to 11:59 p.m. on the specified date. Anyone sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected when ozone levels are high. Children, the elderly, and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors.

Ground-level ozone is formed when sunlight and hot weather combine with vehicle exhaust, factory emissions, and gasoline vapors. Ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks ultraviolet radiation, but ozone near the ground is a lung irritant that can cause coughing and breathing difficulties for sensitive populations. 

IDEM examines weather patterns and current ozone readings to make daily air quality forecasts. Air Quality Action Days generally occur when weather conditions such as light winds, hot and dry air, stagnant conditions, and lower atmospheric inversions trap pollutants close to the ground.

Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) contractor Rieth Riley Construction will close State Road 114 for two projects between County Road South 450 East and County Road South 1600 West in Jasper and Pulaski Counties on or after Monday, June 26.

The first closure on State Road 114 will be between County Road South 450 East and County Road 600 East to 1700 West for a culvert pipe replacement. When the first project is complete, the closure on State Road 114 will move between County Road 600 East to 1700 West and County Road South 1600 West for a box culvert replacement.

INDOT announced each project is expected to take approximately 30 days, with the closure moving from the first project to the second in late July. SR 114 is expected to reopen in late August.

Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) contractor Rieth Riley Construction will close State Road 39 between State Road 8 and County Road 50 South in Starke County on or after Monday, June 26.

INDOT announced State Road 39 will be closed for approximately two weeks for a small structure replacement at Prettyman Ditch.

Today the Indiana State Fair unveiled an additional round of shows for its 2023 list of scheduled concerts as a part of the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage schedule, July 28 through August 20.

The Hoosier Lottery Free Stage has become a summertime staple for concert goers and music lovers. The line-up each year consists of some of music’s most legendary and diverse acts and this year is no exception. All shows at the Hoosier Lottery Free Stage are free with paid fair admission and seating is first-come, first-served. All shows start at 7:30 p.m., unless noted otherwise. 

*NEW Shows just announcement today for 2023 Hoosier Lottery Free Stage at the Indiana State Fair schedule includes:

• Clint Black - Friday, July 28 (opening day)
• Samantha Fish ft. Jesse Dayton - Saturday, July 29*
• Peppa Pig Live! Peppa Pig’s Adventure - Sunday, July 30 (11am & 2pm)
• Home Free - Sunday, July 30 (7:30pm)
• Keith Sweat - Wednesday, August 2
• Retro Rewind 90’s Night featuring DJ Kurt Streblow- Thursday, August 3
• STYX - Friday, August 4
• Quiet Riot - Saturday, August 5*
• TobyMac - Sunday, August 6
• Three Dog Night - Wednesday, August 9*
• Gin Blossoms - Friday, August 11
• THE TAYLOR PARTY: TAYLOR SWIFT NIGHT - Saturday, August 12
• Skillet - Sunday, August 13*
• Happy Together Tour 2023 featuring The Turtles, Little Anthony, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Vogues, The Classics IV, The Cowsills  - Wednesday, August 16
• Latino Fest en la Feria del Estado de Indiana presented by Radio Latino 107.1FM con Noel Torres - Thursday, August 17*
• Buddy Guy: Damn Right Farewell - Friday, August 18
• Breland - Saturday, August 19*
• Gospel Music Festival featuring CeCe Winans, presented by WTLC AM & FM - Sunday, August 20

High resolution artist images are available by request or by visiting the State Fair media center photo gallery at www.IndianaStateFair.com.

As title sponsor of the Free Stage, the Hoosier Lottery is inviting fairgoers 18 or older to enter the free myLOTTERY All-Inclusive Indiana State Fair Prize Package promotion. Six people will win State Fair tickets, parking, Free Stage premium seating, Hoosier Lottery Prize Pack, autographed Indiana Pacers jersey, and Indiana Fever tickets. Enter by signing up to become a myLOTTERY member or confirming your existing account at HoosierLottery.com/StateFair by July 9, 2023. Promotional odds are dependent upon the number of entries received.

There will be a limited amount of reserved viewing area tickets sold later this summer for these concerts. The 2023 Indiana State Fair is scheduled to open on Friday, July 28 and runs through August 20, when you can enjoy The Greatest 18 Days of Summer at this iconic Hoosier tradition. For more information, please visit www.indianastatefair.com or follow the Indiana State Fair on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The Indiana State Fair will be highlighted by its 2023 theme The State That Grew The Game presented by Pacers Sports & Entertainment.

2023 Artist Bios:

CLINT BLACK:

It has been three decades since the release of Clint Black’s groundbreaking debut album, Killin’ Time. The genre altering record cemented the Country music icon as one of the truest traditionalists in the game and his widespread influence can still be felt in the works of artists today. Now, the seemingly unstoppable legend is set to release his incredible 12th studio album, Out of Sane, dropping on June 19th. Having sold over 20 million records, earning 22 #1 career singles, nearly two dozen gold and platinum awards (U.S. and Canada), a Grammy Award, numerous CMA, ACM and American Music Awards, and being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Clint Black has had one of the most storied careers in modern music.  

SAMANTHA FISH FT. JESSE DAYTON:

“Death Wish Blues” is a body of work born from a shared passion for pushing the limits of blues music. As one of the most dynamic forces in the blues world today, Fish has made her name as a multi-award-winning festival headliner who captivates crowds with her explosive yet elegant guitar work, delivering an unbridled form of blues-rock that defies all genre boundaries. Dayton, meanwhile, boasts an extraordinary background that includes recording with the likes of Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings, touring as a guitarist for seminal punk band X, working with Rob Zombie on the soundtracks for his iconic horror films, and releasing a series of acclaimed solo albums. Produced by the legendary Jon Spencer of Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, “Death Wish Blues” ultimately melds their eclectic sensibilities into a batch of songs both emotionally potent and wildly combustible.

The follow-up to Fish and Dayton’s 2022 EP “Stardust Sessions” — a three-song effort featuring covers of classic tracks like Townes Van Zandt’s “I’ll Be Here In The Morning”— ”Death Wish Blues” took shape at Applehead Recording & Production in Woodstock, a studio situated on a 17-acre farm once home to The Band’s Rick Danko. Over the course of 10 frenetic days, the two musicians joined forces with bassist Kendall Wind, keyboardist Mickey Finn, and drummer Aaron Johnston, cutting most of the album live and unleashing a bold collision of blues, soul, punk, funk, and fantastically greasy rock-and-roll. With Fish and Dayton sharing vocal and guitar duties, the sonic power of each track is exponentially magnified by Spencer’s production work, endlessly tapping into the rule-breaking ingenuity that’s made him a cult hero.  

For both Fish and Dayton, the making of “Death Wish Blues” helped fulfill their longtime mission of opening up the blues genre to entirely new audiences.

PEPPA PIG LIVE! PEPPA PIG’S ADVENTURE:

Come join Peppa on an exciting camping trip in the woods with George and her school friends, including Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe. With lunch boxes packed and Daddy Pig driving the bus, Peppa and friends are excited about their outdoor adventure, full of singing, dancing, games and surprises. Little piggies everywhere will love this 60-minute live musical experience!

HOME FREE:

This country a cappella group comprised of vocalists Austin Brown, Rob Lundquist, Adam Rupp, Tim Foust, and Adam Chance has been captivating audiences with their unique sound with live performances since 2007. As the winners of the fourth season of NBC’s The Sing Off, they released their first major album Crazy Life in 2014 and has been releasing original music since, their most recent album, So Long Dixie, released in November 2022.

KEITH SWEAT: ??

Keith Sweat is a Harlem-born R&B singer/songwriter who released his debut album, 'Make It Last Forever', at the end of 1987. The album sold over three million copies, spawning the hits "I Want Her" (#1 R&B, #5 pop), "Something Just Ain't Right" (#3 R&B), "Make It Last Forever" (#2 R&B), and "Don't Stop Your Love" (#9 R&B). It was followed in June 1990 by 'I'll Give All My Love to You', another million-seller, that featured the hits "Make You Sweat" (#1 R&B, #14 pop), "Merry Go Round" (#2 R&B), "I'll Give All My Love to You" (#1 R&B, #7 pop), and "Your Love - Part 2" (#4 R&B). Sweat's third album was 'Keep It Comin'', an R&B chart-topper at the end of 1991, whose title track was another #1 R&B hit. In 1994 he returned with 'Get Up on It'; a self-titled release followed in 1996, and two years later he issued 'Still in the Game' and 'Didn't See Me Coming' in fall 2000.

RETRO REWIND: 90s Night ft. DJ Kurt Streblow:

DJ Kurt Streblow always brings the party and is one of Indy’s favorite DJs and is also the in-house DJ and Host for the Indiana Pacers and Indiana Fever.

STYX:

This classic rock band from Chicago, Illinois continues to leave fans in awe with their upbeat tracks and power ballads, infused with familiar sounds of hard rock guitar mixed with elements of international music theatre. Known for classic rock staples like “Lady,” “Come Sail Away,” and “Renegade.” Styx has remained active both in the studio and the road, releasing their latest album “Crash of the Crown” in 2021.

QUIET RIOT:

Quiet Riot is a rock & roll quartet that became an overnight sensation after their 1983 smash metal album Mental Health. They are the first metal band to top the pop chart at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200. Quiet Riot’s music and name have been a go-to in pop culture since the 80s, along with a critically acclaimed Quiet Riot documentary, “Well Now You’re Here, There’s No Way Back,” that was recommended by Rolling Stone and spent 2 years in rotation on Showtime.

TOBYMAC:

With more than 16 million units in career sales and a whopping seven GRAMMY® Awards, TobyMac's career continues on the fast track. His RIAA Certified Gold studio album, THIS IS NOT A TEST, garnered a GRAMMY® Award and Billboard Music Award nomination on top of debuting at No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200. Each of his six studio solo projects have achieved Gold certification, a first for any artist in the history of his label, Capitol Christian Music Group. Among those is his project EYE ON IT, which debuted atop the Billboard 200, only the third Christian album ever to do so. THE ELEMENTS, his latest GRAMMY® -nominated, a full collection of music, boasted "Everything," "Scars," "Edge of My Seat," "See The Light" and more alongside the chart-topper, RIAA Gold Certified "I just need U." His most recent singles, “21 Years,” “Help Is On the Way (Maybe Midnight),”  “Promised Land,” "The Goodness (feat. Blessing Offor)," "Everything About You (feat. Marlee)" and "Show Up Choose Love (feat. Jon Reddick),” are available wherever you stream music, along with his seventh studio project, LIFE AFTER DEATH.

THREE DOG NIGHT:

This legendary pop-rock band dominated the charts between 1969 and 1974, with no other group having more top 10 hits. Three Dog Night has maintained and grown their audience, adapting to new music technology and continuing to tour yearly, giving fans new and old the chance to experience their dynamic performances of their classic hits as well as several new songs. Marking nearly 50 years on the road, Three Dog Night continues to captivate audiences with boundary breaking sounds and nostalgic music from their beginning.

GIN BLOSSOMS:

This rock band is a favorite for their jangle-pop sound with hits such as “Allison Road,” “Found Out About You,” and “Til I Hear It From You,” dominating radio and MTV playlists throughout the 90s. They became one of the busiest touring bands in the world in the 2000s, playing close to 150 shows nearly every year. With the fusion of Pop, Melodic Rock, Folk, and Country sounds, Gin Blossoms have sold over 10 million records and remain a high-demand, fan favorite live band.

THE TAYLOR PARTY: TAYLOR SWIFT NIGHT:

Courtesy of https://www.taylorswiftnight.com/:

We promise that you’ll never find another party like THE TAYLOR PARTY: TAYLOR SWIFT NIGHT, a Taylor Swift Inspired Dance Party. ? Best believe our party is Taylor-made for ultimate fans.
Surrounded by Swifties, you'll sing and dance through all her iconic eras.? So grab your ???? and your crew, and come party, for evermore! We know you polish up real… NICE.

SKILLET:

Skillet is a christian rock band that became a sensation with the release of their 2006 album Comatose, and 2008 release of Comatose Comes Alive, a CD/DVD combo featuring live recordings and footage from the band’s concert in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Soon after, their album was certified Gold, and shortly after Platinum. With 11 albums in total, Skillet had a relentless touring schedule, including tours in the U.S and Europe. They continue to captivate audiences with infusions of grunge influences and electronic elements that create a unique live experience.

HAPPY TOGETHER TOUR:

The Happy Together Tour 2023 consists of six acts: The Turtles, Little Anthony, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Classics IV, The Vogues and The Cowsills. These artists had their biggest hits in the 60’s and 70’s and brought timeless sounds and songs like “Happy Together” by the Turtles, one of the most recognizable songs of that time period. These bands combined have multiple No. 1 hits with this tour starting in 1984. Since then the band has consistently knocked out 50 shows a year, making this tour an iconic homage to an era of music that has influenced many of today’s artists. The tour has consisted of several different bands and artists throughout the nearly 40 years it has been running, with the only constant band being The Turtles.

Latino Fest en la Feria del Estado de Indiana presented by Radio Latino 107.1FM ft. Noel Torres:

Noel Torres is a regional Mexican singer-songwriter and accordionist from Sinaloa. Torres has been singing professionally since he was 15 years old, and has made a name for himself with a mix of romantic ballads and powerful corridos. After the release of his third album in 2013, he began touring all over Mexico and Latin America, as well as making stops in the United States. Along with his own music career, Torres appeared as a judge on the talent competition show Gran Oportunidad in 2017.

BUDDY GUY: Damn Right Farewell:

At age 86, Buddy Guy is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a major influence on rock titans like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, a pioneer of Chicago’s fabled West Side sound, and a living link to the city’s halcyon days of electric blues. Buddy Guy has received 8 GRAMMY Awards, a 2015 Lifetime Achievement GRAMMY Award, 38 Blues Music Awards (the most any artist has received), the Billboard Magazine Century Award for distinguished artistic achievement, a Kennedy Center Honor, and the Presidential National Medal of Arts. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him #23 in its "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time."

BRELAND:

Daniel Gerard Breland, known as Breland, is a singer, songwriter, and record producer who rose to prominence with his 2019 debut single, “My Truck.” Fans are captivated by Breland’s fusion of hip hop and country music, and quickly became a part of the niche country-trap genre. His music has continued to prove his ability to seamlessly blend country, hip hop, R&B, and pop sounds. Breland has worked closely with other country superstars such as Thomas Rhett, Keith Urban, and Sam Hunt. In the same year as his debut album, Breland was nominated for two CMT Music Awards, with three different songs.

CECE WINANS Gospel Music Festival:

Gospel superstar CeCe Winans performs as both a solo artist and a duo with her brother BeBe. As one of the most accomplished women in modern music, CeCe Winans is the most-awarded female gospel artist of all time, winning twelve GRAMMY Awards, twenty Dove Awards, and seven Stellar Awards. She’s sold more than 5 million albums in the US and topped Gospel, Pop, R&B, and Adult Contemporary charts.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) and is forecasting high ozone levels for Wednesday, June 21, 2023 in the following areas:

• North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, Rochester, South Bend, Warsaw, Winamac and all other cities within the area.

• Northeast Indiana, including the cities of: Angola, Auburn, Decatur, Fort Wayne, Hartford, Huntington City, LaGrange, Marion, Portland, Wabash and all other cities within the area.

• Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso and all other cities within the area.

A state map including regions and affected counties is available at SmogWatch.IN.gov. 

Continued sunny skies with highs in the upper 80's with east winds will contribute to high ozone. 

Note: IDEM's AQAD forecast is based on data from ozone air quality monitors located throughout the state. IDEM encourages residents of counties within or bordering the AQAD region(s) to heed the forecast. Air quality information for all Indiana counties can be found at SmogWatch.IN.gov. 

Some municipalities have additional open burning restrictions on AQADs.  For more information, see idem.IN.gov/openburning/laws-and-rules. 

IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce ozone by making changes to daily habits. You can:

• Drive less: carpool, use public transportation, walk, bike, or work from home when possible
• Combine errands into one trip
• Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m.
• Keep your engine tuned, and don’t let your engine idle (e.g., at a bank or restaurant drive-thru)
• Conserve energy by turning off lights and setting the thermostat to 75 degrees or above 

Air Quality Action Days are in effect from midnight to 11:59 p.m. on the specified date. Anyone sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected when ozone levels are high. Children, the elderly, and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors.

Ground-level ozone is formed when sunlight and hot weather combine with vehicle exhaust, factory emissions, and gasoline vapors. Ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks ultraviolet radiation, but ozone near the ground is a lung irritant that can cause coughing and breathing difficulties for sensitive populations. 

IDEM examines weather patterns and current ozone readings to make daily air quality forecasts. Air Quality Action Days generally occur when weather conditions such as light winds, hot and dry air, stagnant conditions, and lower atmospheric inversions trap pollutants close to the ground.

A North Liberty man is scheduled to go to trial for his alleged role in the death of a three-month old child.

Darren Corbett was charged in connection with Wrensley Swihart’s death and an arrest warrant was issued after the results of the investigation were presented to the Fulton County Prosecutor’s Office. Corbett charged with murder; aggravated battery resulting in death and neglect of a dependent resulting in death.

In July, emergency personnel were dispatched to the 3000 South block of CR 1075 E, Akron, on a report of an infant not breathing.  Despite lifesaving efforts, Wrensley Swihart was declared dead at the scene.

An autopsy was performed by Dr. Scott Wagoner of the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center.  Findings were released that listed cause of death as blunt force trauma and manner of death as homicide.

Corbett has been held without bond at the Fulton County Detention Center.

The Fulton County Sheriff"s Office investigation was assisted by the Fulton County Coroner's Office and the Indiana Department of Child Services.

The jury panel viewed the jury orientation video on Monday and the jury panel oath was administered.

Jury selection commenced and concluded. Twelve regular jurors and two alternates were selected. The jury oath was administered.

Preliminary instructions were given without objection as to any of the preliminary instructions. The jury was released for the evening with an admonishment to report back to the courtroom of Judge Christopher Lee in Fulton Circuit Court at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Indiana’s unemployment rate in May stands at 3.1%, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

By comparison, the national unemployment rate for May stands at 3.7%.

In addition, Indiana’s labor force participation rate held at 63.6% for May, remaining above the national rate of 62.6%. Indiana’s total labor force, which includes both Hoosiers employed and those seeking employment, stands at 3,426,738 - an increase of 3,399 from the previous month.

The May Fulton County unemployment rate is 3.6 ranking the county 31st of the 92 counties.  In April, their rate was 2.6 ranking them 36th.  

Kosciusko County is at 46th in May with a rate of 3.4.  Pulaski County continues to be the best county in the region with an unemployment rate of 3.2 ranking them 61st.  Pulaski’s rate is up nine-tenths of a point from April. 

Marshall County’s May 2023 unemployment rate is 3.6 ranking the county 32nd of the 92 counties in the state. 

Starke County is fifth on the list of counties with an unemployment rate of 4.2 while April was at 3.3.

Private sector employment in Indiana decreased by 2,300 jobs over the last month but still resulted in a gain of 66,500 jobs from this time last year. Indiana's May private employment stands at 2,837,600. Industries that experienced job increases in May included:

•      Professional and Business Services (+2,100);

•      Private Educational and Health Services (+1,100); and

•      Financial Activities (+300).

As of June 1, 2023, there were 124,313 open job postings throughout the state. In May, 14,478 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 pursuit that reached 130 mph ended with two people arrested after leading an ISP trooper on a pursuit in Miami and Fulton counties.

Around 9:10 p.m., Trooper Blake Sarver was patrolling on US 31 in Miami County when he observed a passenger vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. Sarver clocked the vehicle at 103 mph in a 60 mph zone and turned to stop the car. The vehicle, a 2018 Ford, continued northbound on US 31. The driver fled at high speeds and led Sarver on a pursuit through Miami and Fulton County roadways reaching speeds of approximately 130 mph.

Trooper Dustin Powers and Trooper Kegan Kern placed stop sticks at the intersection of Old US 31 and County Road 650 S., Fulton County. The driver stopped the Ford prior to hitting the stop sticks. The driver, Michael J. Leonard, 22, of Carmel, and the passenger, Ciarra R. Blameuser, 18, also of Carmel, were taken into custody without incident.

A subsequent search of the Ford revealed THC wax, marijuana, synthetic urine, and drug paraphernalia. Both were incarcerated at the Miami County Jail.

As a result of the pursuit and ensuing investigation, both are charged as follows:

Michael J. Leonard:

Resisting Law Enforcement with a vehicle -Level 6 Felony

Possession of Marijuana – B Misdemeanor

Possession of Synthetic Urine – B Misdemeanor

Reckless Driving – C Misdemeanor

Operating W/O Financial Responsibility – C Misdemeanor

Ciarra R. Blameuser:

Possession of a Controlled Substance - A Misdemeanor

Possession of Marijuana – B Misdemeanor

Possession of Paraphernalia – C Misdemeanor

Sarver was assisted by officers with the Indiana State Police- Peru Post, the Miami County Sheriff's Office, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office,and the Rochester Police Department.

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) and is forecasting high ozone levels for Tuesday, June 20, 2023 in the following areas:

• North Central Indiana, including the cities of: Elkhart, Goshen, Knox, Logansport, Plymouth, Peru, Rochester, South Bend, Warsaw, and Winamac.

• Northeast Indiana, including the cities of: Angola, Auburn, Decatur, Fort Wayne, Hartford, Huntington City, LaGrange, Marion, Portland, and Wabash.

• Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, and Valparaiso.

A state map including regions and affected counties is available at SmogWatch.IN.gov. 

Continued sunny skies with highs in the upper 80's with east winds will contribute to high ozone. 

Note: IDEM's AQAD forecast is based on data from ozone air quality monitors located throughout the state. IDEM encourages residents of counties within or bordering the AQAD region(s) to heed the forecast. Air quality information for all Indiana counties can be found at SmogWatch.IN.gov. 

Some municipalities have additional open burning restrictions on AQADs.  For more information, see idem.IN.gov/openburning/laws-and-rules. 

IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce ozone by making changes to daily habits. You can:

• Drive less: carpool, use public transportation, walk, bike, or work from home when possible
• Combine errands into one trip
• Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn equipment until after 7 p.m.
• Keep your engine tuned, and don’t let your engine idle (e.g., at a bank or restaurant drive-thru)
• Conserve energy by turning off lights and setting the thermostat to 75 degrees or above 

Air Quality Action Days are in effect from midnight to 11:59 p.m. on the specified date. Anyone sensitive to changes in air quality may be affected when ozone levels are high. Children, the elderly, and anyone with heart or lung conditions should reduce or avoid exertion and heavy work outdoors.

Ground-level ozone is formed when sunlight and hot weather combine with vehicle exhaust, factory emissions, and gasoline vapors. Ozone in the upper atmosphere blocks ultraviolet radiation, but ozone near the ground is a lung irritant that can cause coughing and breathing difficulties for sensitive populations. 

IDEM examines weather patterns and current ozone readings to make daily air quality forecasts. Air Quality Action Days generally occur when weather conditions such as light winds, hot and dry air, stagnant conditions, and lower atmospheric inversions trap pollutants close to the ground.

Indiana’s unemployment rate in May stands at 3.1%, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. By comparison, the national unemployment rate for May stands at 3.7%.

In addition, Indiana’s labor force participation rate held at 63.6% for May, remaining above the national rate of 62.6%. Indiana’s total labor force, which includes both Hoosiers employed and those seeking employment, stands at 3,426,738 – an increase of 3,399 from the previous month.

Private sector employment in Indiana decreased by 2,300 jobs over the last month, but still resulted in a gain of 66,500 jobs from this time last year. Indiana’s May private employment stands at 2,837,600.

Industries that experienced job increases in May included:

• Professional and Business Services (+2,100)
• Private Educational and Health Services (+1,100)
• Financial Activities (+300)

As of June 1, there were 124,313 open job postings throughout the state. In May, 14,478 unemployment insurance claims were filed in Indiana.

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

As aggressive marketing continues, the Internal Revenue Service today renewed an alert for businesses to watch out for tell-tale signs of misleading claims involving the Employee Retention Credit.

The IRS and tax professionals continue to see a barrage of aggressive broadcast advertising, direct mail solicitations and online promotions involving the Employee Retention Credit. While the credit is real, aggressive promoters are wildly misrepresenting and exaggerating who can qualify for the credits.

The IRS has stepped up audit and criminal investigation work involving these claims. Businesses, tax-exempt organizations and others considering applying for this credit need to carefully review the official requirements for this limited program before applying. Those who improperly claim the credit face follow-up action from the IRS.

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “Aggressive promoters present wildly misleading claims about this credit. They can pocket handsome fees while leaving those claiming the credit at risk of having the claims denied or facing scenarios where they need to repay the credit.”

The Employee Retention Credit (ERC), also sometimes called the Employee Retention Tax Credit or ERTC, is a legitimate tax credit. Many businesses legitimately apply for the pandemic-era credit. The IRS has added staff to handle ERC claims, which are time-consuming to process because they involve amended tax returns.

“This continual barrage of marketing by advertisers means many invalid claims are coming into the IRS, which also means it takes our hard-working employees longer to get to the legitimate Employee Retention Credits,” Werfel said. “The IRS understands the importance of these credits, and we appreciate the patience of businesses and tax professionals as we continue to work hard to get valid claims processed as quickly as possible while also protecting against fraud.”

The IRS has been issuing warnings about aggressive ERC scams since last year, and it made the agency’s list this year of the “Dirty Dozen” tax scams that people should watch out for.

This is an ongoing priority area in many ways, and the IRS continues to increase compliance work involving ERC. The IRS has trained auditors examining ERC claims posing the greatest risk, and the IRS Criminal Investigation division is working to identify fraud and promoters of fraudulent claims.

The IRS reminds anyone who improperly claims the ERC that they must pay it back, possibly with penalties and interest. A business or tax-exempt group could find itself in a much worse cash position if it has to pay back the credit than if the credit was never claimed in the first place. So, it’s important to avoid getting scammed.

When properly claimed, the ERC is a refundable tax credit designed for businesses that continued paying employees while shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic or that had a significant decline in gross receipts during the eligibility periods. The credit is not available to individuals.

Indiana’s two world-class public research universities, Indiana University and Purdue University, are transforming their 53-year-old collaborative IUPUI vision with the creation of separate and independent urban campuses in the capital city: Indiana University Indianapolis and Purdue University in Indianapolis.

The Boards of Trustees from both Indiana University and Purdue University approved a definitive agreement on Wednesday afternoon to formalize the separation of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. The agreement formalizes the creation of Indiana University Indianapolis, the new name for IU’s existing campus in Indianapolis, and Purdue University in Indianapolis, the first comprehensive urban campus of Purdue University. IU, the state’s largest research university, comprises a portfolio that includes seven campuses and two regional education centers statewide. Purdue’s flagship West Lafayette campus will be expanded to Purdue University in Indianapolis. Each university is slated to begin its separate Indianapolis operations in fall 2024.

The creation of independent campuses will enable the two higher education powerhouses to build upon their incredible legacies of excellence and impact to meet the needs of Indiana and its capital city for decades to come. Leveraging the strength of globally respected reputations independently, IU, Purdue, and the state of Indiana will each benefit from recently announced plans by each institution to expand extensive academic and research portfolios, increase talent attraction and retention programs, and invest millions of dollars in both individual and collaborative efforts.

“IU’s goal is nothing short of building one of the nation’s preeminent urban research universities, one defined by students transformed, discoveries made and communities strengthened,” IU President Pamela Whitten said. “Through this agreement we will unlock the remarkable potential of both institutions to meet the needs of our city and state. I am grateful for our many partners at Purdue University, and to the extensive state and community leadership, that have made today’s progress possible.”

“Today’s announcement launches transformative growth for our state’s land-grant university, and Boilermakers are excited to serve the people, businesses and communities of Indianapolis,” Purdue President Mung Chiang said. “Purdue will invest in, partner with, and together grow the tech-driven economy in central Indiana. We thank all of our partners at Indiana University and the many government, civic and business leaders who have been with us throughout this process. New opportunities for Purdue University in Indianapolis are limitless.”

How the realignment resolution will work

With today’s action by the Indiana University and Purdue University Boards of Trustees, all academic programs at IUPUI will transition to become part of IU Indianapolis in July 2024, with the exception of the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology and Computer Science within School of Science, which will become part of Purdue University in Indianapolis.

Thanks to dedicated appropriations from the Indiana General Assembly, IU will significantly expand and renovate research and laboratory facilities to support growing numbers of STEM faculty, including through the School of Science. To meet crucial talent and research needs, IU is also expanding the nation’s first school of informatics – the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering – in Indianapolis. IU Indianapolis will offer new programs, including in applied computer science, while pursuing significantly expanded student enrollment at the Luddy School. These efforts will be central to IU’s recently announced SciTech Corridor, to be located at Michigan and West streets.

IU Indianapolis will also enhance the integration of its science programs with the IU 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.

In addition, IU will have responsibility for providing certain administrative services for both universities and for the intercollegiate athletic program. IU will continue to provide transformative educational experiences for the more than 20,000 students in other IU programs, such as business, law, nursing, social work and a wide range of other academic disciplines.

IU officials also noted the university’s partnership with the Madam Walker Legacy Center as a reflection of its commitment to embracing and engaging with a diverse array of community leaders, particularly in the neighborhood immediately adjacent to the current IUPUI campus. Both IU and Purdue also emphasized the importance of honoring the cultural and historic significance of Indiana Avenue, while ensuring shared progress that fosters thriving, culturally significant communities alongside two nationally regarded institutions of higher education.

The Purdue Board of Trustees voted to establish Purdue University in Indianapolis, Purdue’s first comprehensive urban campus, effective July 1, 2024. Purdue University in Indianapolis will assume responsibility for the existing engineering, computer science and technology programs at IUPUI and confer Purdue West Lafayette degrees. Purdue will also introduce programs from other colleges and departments in West Lafayette to Indianapolis, such as the Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr. School of Business, and create exciting opportunities for current West Lafayette faculty and students in Indianapolis to pursue research, internship or entrepreneurial opportunities with Indianapolis companies.

Purdue University in Indianapolis will create new knowledge and establish a strong pipeline of Boilermaker talent to the capital city, including some of the more than 30,000 STEM students currently enrolled in West Lafayette. Purdue University in Indianapolis will help connect talents and industry, maximize Indy’s unique strength in sports and biomedical technology, and fuel transformative job and economic growth in the region and state. 

Thanks to the state legislature’s support, Purdue anticipates substantially growing today’s Indianapolis enrollment; along with plans for a 28-acre campus footprint beyond the existing IUPUI Engineering & Technology buildings is the exploration of additional facilities throughout the city of Indianapolis. Understanding the historical significance of the area surrounding Indiana Avenue, Purdue will be an active participant in the “reimagining Indiana Avenue discussions” which will inform the development of the surrounding neighborhoods.    

The new Purdue University in Indianapolis will also serve as one bookend for a 65-mile-long Hard Tech Corridor in Indiana, stretching from downtown Indianapolis, through the LEAP Innovation District in Lebanon with new sites from companies such as Eli Lilly, all the way to Discovery Park District in West Lafayette.

Additionally, the agreement between the two universities allows both institutions to expand their academic and research offerings at their respective operations in Fort Wayne.

An Air Quality Alert is in effect Monday

The Air Quality Action Day was declared by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for much of northwest and all of northeast Indiana.

Ozone levels are expected to be in the Orange or unhealthy for sensitive groups range.

People and businesses are urged to avoid activities which lead to ozone and fine particulate formation. These activities include:

refueling vehicles or topping off when refueling

using gasoline powered lawn equipment and using charcoal lighter fluid.

Positive activities include:

car pooling

biking to work

delaying or combining errands

using water based paints.

It is recommended that people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma, limit prolonged outdoor exertion.

After nearly 38 years working as a county educator for Purdue Extension, Mark Kepler's turning the pages to a new chapter in his life - retirement. 

From serving as president of the county plan commission, teaching horticulture classes in local schools, to working with farmers in Ukraine and Vietnam, Kepler's passion with agricultural education has left a legacy within the community. 

A retirement party - luncheon will be held for Kepler on June 22 at the Fulton County 4-H Fairgrounds from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  It is open to the public.

Although welcoming the change retirement brings, Kepler says there will be things he will miss. 

As the decades have passed, being able to watch generations grow has been a highlight of his career. 

Kepler's official last day at the Purdue Extension Office will be June 30. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting nominations for county committee members for elections that will occur later this year. Additionally, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is unveiling a new GIS tool to make it easier for producers to participate in the nomination and election processes for county committee members, who make important decisions on how federal farm programs are administered locally.

 All nomination forms for the 2023 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by Aug. 1, 2023.   

“Producers serving on FSA county committees play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of the agency, and they serve as the eyes and ears for the producers who elected them,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “In order for county committees to be both effective and equitable in their decision-making at the local level, they must reflect the full diversity of American agriculture. I am excited that we have another opportunity through this year’s nominations and elections cycle to make our committees more inclusive, and in turn, better equipped to best serve all our customers. I encourage you to consider serving the farmers and producers in your community on your local FSA county committee, and I thank you in advance for your public service.”

Elections will occur in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA) for members. LAAs are elective areas for FSA committees in a single county or multi-county jurisdiction and they may include LAAs that are focused on an urban or suburban area.

Customers can locate their LAA through a new GIS locator tool available at fsa.usda.gov/elections.

“Based on feedback from stakeholders, including the USDA Equity Commission, we are unveiling this new tool to make it easier for producers to effectively participate in the process,” Ducheneaux added.  

Agricultural producers may be nominated for candidacy for the county committee if they:

• Participate or cooperate in a USDA program; and
• Reside in the LAA that is up for election this year.

A cooperating producer is someone who has provided information about their farming operation to FSA, even if they have not applied or received program benefits. Individuals may nominate themselves or others and qualifying organizations may also nominate candidates. USDA encourages minority producers, women and beginning farmers to nominate, vote and hold office.   

Nationwide, more than 7,700 dedicated members of the agricultural community serve on FSA county committees. The committees are made up of three to 11 members who serve three-year terms. Committee members are vital to how FSA carries out disaster programs, as well as conservation, commodity and price support programs, county office employment and other agricultural issues.    

More Information 

Producers should contact their local FSA office today to register and find out how to get involved in their county’s election, including if their LAA is up for election this year. To be considered, a producer must be registered and sign an FSA-669A?nomination form.

Election ballots will be mailed to eligible voters beginning Nov. 6, 2023.

To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also prepare maps for acreage reporting as well as manage farm loans and view other farm records data and customer information by logging into their farmers.gov account. If you don’t have an account, sign up today.

In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day today, The Indiana Secretary of State’s Office reminds Hoosiers to be on the lookout for signs of elder financial abuse, including potential exploitation and scams.

“Unfortunately, bad actors tend to target our older, more vulnerable Hoosiers. The best protection is information. My office provides resources to help senior citizens and their families avoid these scammers who are out with the sole intention to do harm,” said Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales. 

The Securities Division of the Secretary of State’s Office is providing tips on protecting senior citizens:

• Establish a trusted contact on all accounts. A trusted contact may be a family member, attorney, accountant or another third-party that can confirm an investor’s current contact information, respects their privacy, and knows how to handle the responsibility.
• Shred all paperwork containing any documents containing personal information.
• If someone calls you or threatens you with arrest or harm unless you pay them via wire transfer or gift card, hang up immediately.

“Older adults have reported feeling targeted for fraudulent activity through mailings, robocalls, telephone scams, and identity theft. By training individuals who come in contact with seniors such as pastors, bank tellers, attorneys and others, they can then recognize signs of exploitation and potentially prevent the victim from being defrauded,” said Marie Castetter, Securities Commissioner.

The Secretary of State’s Office is a proud partner of IN-CASE (Indiana Council Against Senior Exploitation) and is committed to providing information and resources to better inform older adults and the professionals who serve them about exploitation and abuse in our state.

For more resources or if you suspect possible senior financial exploitation, please contact The Indiana Secretary of State’s Securities Division at https://securities.sos.in.gov or call 317-232-6681.

Indiana State Police are looking for a convicted felon facing child molest charges in Miami and Howard counties.

Michael Wayne Gordon was convicted of child molesting in Howard County in 1994. As part of his sentence, he registered as a sex or violent offender. 

He was again convicted in 1998 of child molesting and required to register. Following that, he was convicted of failure to register as a sex offender in March 2004 in Howard County.

In February 2021, Gordon failed to appear for a Miami County hearing on another child molesting case in March 2023, leading a judge to issue an arrest warrant.

Gordon is wanted on two counts of child molesting in Miami County and two counts of failure to register as a sex or violent offender—one in Miami County and another in Howard County.

Gordon is described as 5’10” tsll and 247 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. 

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-TIPS (8477).

Beginning July 1, Physicians Health Plan members will have access to many preferred insulin products on the PHP drug formulary with no out-of-pocket costs. 
 As of July 1, PHP members will have access to many preferred insulin products on the PHP drug formulary with no out-of-pocket cost. This pharmacy program enhancement includes the most-used insulins by our PHP members, and will result in significant savings for those members who currently use these products. The preferred insulin products include various dosages and forms of: Humalog, Humulin, Levemir, Lyumjev, Semglee, Soliqua,Toujeo, Tresiba, and Xultophy.
“We don’t want to see patients who require insulin miss their doses because they can’t afford it, but we know that can happen because of the high cost of insulin,” said Nick Sloffer, RPh, PHP’s Director of Pharmacy. “At PHP, three of our top six highest cost drug categories are for the treatment of diabetes. By making insulin more affordable, we know we can help members achieve the best health outcomes and avoid the more severe and advanced health issues that arise from untreated or undertreated diabetes.”
“We know diabetes is a growing epidemic in our country, with about 1 in every 10 people in the United States having diabetes,” said Mark King, DO, PHP’s Medical Director. “Treating diabetes helps prevent blindness, stroke, kidney failure, heart disease, and loss of toes, feet, or legs. Our goal is to help members prevent this disease progression and ultimately hospitalization for better quality of life.”
PHP members already using these drugs do not need to take any action to receive these products at zero cost share. The next time they fill their prescription (after July 1), they will automatically receive this new benefit level as long as they use an in-network pharmacy.
Several other drugs will also move to PHP’s preventive drug list on July 1, which results in those drugs also being available to members with zero cost-share, including epinephrine and inhaled albuterol, for example.

Gov. Eric Holcomb recently at the Statehouse ceremonially signed into law Indiana's next two-year state budget, which State Rep. Jack Jordan (R-Bremen) says delivers big wins for Hoosier taxpayers and families.

According to Jordan, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and chair of the Budget Subcommittee, the state's new fiscal blueprint is structurally balanced, and provides relief for taxpayers, strengthens commitments to families and students, and invests in the future.

"Our next state budget continues to build on Indiana's strong track record of being fiscally responsible and doing what's right by taxpayers," Jordan said. "Hoosiers are estimated to save about $430 million through various tax relief measures. We also made smart, strategic investments that set up Indiana and our students for success."

Jordan said taxpayers are expected to save an estimated $430 million over the next two years via tax relief passed during the legislative session. He said with the acceleration of individual state income tax cuts, hardworking Hoosiers will have one of the lowest rates in the nation by 2027.
Indiana's K-12 spending makes up about half of the state's $44.6 billion budget. Jordan said Indiana's new budget continues significant investments as student funding will increase by 10% over the next two years. Jordan said parents will no longer pay textbook and curricular fees. Funding will also support Career Technical Education and Career Scholarship Accounts to increase work-based learning opportunities for Hoosier students. Jordan said it's critical more students skill up and prepare for whatever path they choose after high school graduation. 

Jordan co-authored House Enrolled Act 1034 providing active-duty military members a complete income tax exemption starting next year. He said this tax cut could attract more out-of-state service members and their families to Indiana, and help fill the workforce pipeline.

Property tax dollars are collected and spent locally, and help pay for schools, police and fire protection, and other local government services. To help counter the rise in local property tax bills, Jordan supported about $100 million in property tax relief for homeowners beginning next year. Hoosiers can expect a temporary increase to the supplemental homestead tax deduction and additional limits on property tax levy growth.
To increase access and availability of quality care, Indiana will launch a new statewide infrastructure for mental health services, including expanding the number of behavioral health clinics. The 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline will expand to ensure Hoosiers in crisis have someone to call, somewhere to go and someone to respond during an emergency.
Jordan said the budget plan continues investments in the state’s successful Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative or READI to create a second round of grants to make Indiana a magnet for talent and economic growth. More than 95% of the initial grant funds, totaling nearly $475 million, have been awarded for 347 projects statewide, including in northern Indiana. According to the Indiana Economic Development Commission, the projects are expected result in more than $8.5 billion in additional outside investment.

A Logansport man was arrested for trying to meet up with a Rochester girl.

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Department says that early this month a parent located inappropriate messages on their child’s phone. The messages were sexual in nature and allegedly sent by an adult male from Logansport.

Investigators with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office continued the conversation with the male who was identified as William Brazzle, 66.

On Tuesday, Brazzle agreed to meet with what he thought was a 13-year-old girl to engage in sexual acts at the Rochester City Park. He was taken into custody without incident at the site. The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office says Brazzle was in possession of marijuana and alcohol which investigators believe was for the child victim.

Brazzle was lodged into the Fulton County Detention Center charged with Level 4 Child Solicitation, Level 5 Dealing Marijuana to a minor and Class C misdemeanor Possession of Paraphernalia.

Fulton County Sheriff Travis Heishman was to remind Fulton County citizens to monitor their children’s media accounts for online predators.

“The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office will continue to aggressively investigate any predator that has intentions to harm our children. Resources will be dedicated to identifying, investigating and bringing them to justice,’ said Sheriff Heishman.

Speeding is believed to be a factor in a Friday one-car accident that injured a Rochester man.

It happened just before 5:30 p.m.north of Mentone, east of SR 19, on West CR 100S. Garret L. Sommers, 31, of Rochester, was driving a 2014 Cadillac ATS. Sommers' car went off the road while he was trying to pass a vehicle.  He struck a culvert and then rolled several times.

Sommers was flown from the scene for medical treatment.

The executive director of the Fulton Economic Development Corporation will stay on after offering his resignation.

A press release issued by FEDCO Board President David Heyde states that In light of the recent rumors about a resignation by the executive director of FEDCO, Michael Ladd, the Executive Committee met Monday to discuss the issues.  On June 2, Ladd offered his resignation to the board, resulting from concerns that FEDCO had not achieved the successes it expected at the time of hiring.

Ladd expressed concern that funding issues with the county and city, and the inability to hire an administrative assistant, had affected the operations of FEDCO, and that he was dissatisfied with progress in those areas. 

FEDCO’s Executive Committee unanimously rejected the tendered offer, due to the several successes in dealing with members of both city and county governmental bodies, making for better relations than had recently existed, the numerous contacts for economic projects from local businesses and outside investors seeking partners.

Board President David Heyde said: ”For the problems he has faced coming into the community, and the obstacles thrown at him in the first few months he has been here, we are pleased with the progress, and want to continue on this path.”

Ladd expressed his regret that the offer added to tensions for the Executive Committee, but wanted to make sure that the progress to date was satisfactory to the board. 

An upturn in new listings in May was welcome news for an Indiana housing market that continues to confront inventory challenges in 2023.

According to the report, Fulton County experienced the largest positive percent change in sales from 2022 to this year, 78%.  Most Indiana counties still register a negative percent change of sales over same the time frame.

9,063 properties were listed for sale last month, up 14% from April while remaining 17% below May 2022. Total supply also rose to 8,773 average daily listings after threatening to dip below 8,000 in early April. This increasing inventory trend was accompanied by an 18% month-over-month increase in sales totaling 7,298 closings in May (down 16% from 2022 but closing a 19% year-over-year gap in April).

The market continues to show signs of pent-up demand from homebuyers held back by a slower rebound in listings. Homes continued to sell rapidly, with the median days from listing to pending contract falling again from eight to six days in May.

The median sale price also increased to $255,000, 4% over last month and May ’22, representing 98.1% of original listing price.

New pending sales continue to outpace closings through May in another sign of a summer warm-up the statewide real estate sector.

Fulton County Commissioners awarded a bid for road projects through the Community Crossings initiative on projects expected to start up soon.

Commissioner Rick Ranstead.

The Fulton County Highway Department is starting up its summer hours for employees using a ten-hour workday.  Hours will be 6 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., with Fridays off.

In a recent news release, State Representative Jack Jordan (R-Bremen) said, “According to the Commission for Higher Education, the number of Hoosiers pursuing college or workforce certificates continues to decrease. We also know Hoosiers need a credential or training beyond a high school diploma to succeed in today's competitive job climate.”

That's why he supported a new law to create more work-based learning opportunities in high schools.

To help remove barriers for students to access career training, apprenticeships, certifications, and internships, Indiana will offer Career Scholarship Accounts. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors can use CSAs to enroll in earn-and-learn opportunities, as well as to pay for items like transportation and uniforms. The Indiana Department of Education and the Commission for Higher Education will approve available courses and tracks, and accounts will be awarded $5,000 under the state's new two-year budget.

Senator Jordan said, “The State Board of Education will re-examine high school diploma requirements to provide more flexibility in students' schedules so they can pursue work-based learning and apprenticeship experiences. High schools around the state will also host annual career fairs to provide more opportunities for students and employers to connect.”

The senator closed his comments saying, “We know employers across the state are struggling to find qualified candidates for job openings, and this effort is a critical step toward connecting our students with the skills they need for in-demand careers.”

An Indiana State Police trooper arrested a 30-year-old Kentucky man for OWI.

The traffic stop was made near US 31 / CR 50 E in Rochester for unsafe lane movement. ISP says the driver displayed signs of impairment and failed field sobriety tests.

Further investigation revealed he was under the influence of marijuana and in possession of suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

He was lodged in the Fulton County Jail.

State health officials are urging Hoosiers to take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites after West Nile virus (WNV) was detected in mosquitoes for the first time this year. 

A mosquito sample collected in Clinton County has tested positive for WNV. No human cases of WNV disease have been detected this year. However, the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) expects WNV activity to continue across the state during mosquito season, which continues through the first hard freeze. 

“With warm temperatures already here, people are spending more time outside. Taking a few precautions to avoid mosquito bites can help ensure Hoosiers enjoy outdoor activities safely,” said State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, M.D., FACEP. 

Even a container as small as a bottle cap can become a mosquito breeding ground, so residents should take the following steps to eliminate potential breeding grounds:

• Discard old tires, tin cans, ceramic pots, or other containers that can hold water;
• Each week, empty and scrub items that hold water such as birdbaths, toys, pools, and flowerpot saucers;
• Repair failed septic systems;
• Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers left outdoors;
• Keep grass cut short and shrubbery trimmed;
• Clean clogged roof gutters, particularly if leaves tend to plug up the drains;
• Frequently replace the water in pet bowls;
• Aerate ornamental pools, or stock them with predatory fish. 

State health officials recommend the following personal protective measures:

• Avoid being outdoors when mosquitoes are active (especially during evening hours, from dusk to dawn, and in the early morning);
• Apply an EPA-registered insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or para-menthane-diol to clothes and exposed skin;
• Cover exposed skin by wearing long sleeves and long pants in places where mosquitoes are especially active, such as wooded and shady areas;
• Install or repair screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out of the home. 

About 80 percent of people infected with WNV virus will not develop any symptoms. About 20 percent of people infected with WNV will develop an illness accompanied by fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Less than 1 percent of people infected with WNV will develop severe illness affecting the nervous system, which can include inflammation in the brain or in the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. About 10 percent of severe WNV disease cases are fatal. People older than 60 years and those receiving immunosuppressive medications or treatments are at greatest risk of severe WNV disease.

People who think they may have West Nile virus should contact their healthcare provider.

IDOH has developed a mosquito surveillance dashboard, which will allow Hoosiers to better understand their risk for mosquito-borne disease based on virus activity occurring throughout the state. To view the dashboard and learn more about mosquito-borne disease, visit our website.

It's been five years since the death of her son, Deven Rex, but to grieving mother Pam McCoy it feels like yesterday.

His suicide on February 6, 2018 made a lot of things permanent for his friends and family, but one thing McCoy knew would never fade was Devon's memories. 

The summer after his death in 2018, friends and family came together to keep that memory alive by starting a float in his honor. Notorious for having a heart of gold, McCoy said Deven loved everyone and would take the shirt off his back for anyone. His kindness would not be forgotten. 

This past Saturday marked their sixth float in memory of Deven. Each year the event seems to grow. Last year, more than 75 people were included in the Tippecanoe River journey.  

On Saturday participants were asked to first drop their floats off at the Menominee Public Access before driving to Tippecanoe River Run Campground at 1417 W 375 N, outside of Rochester, where the float ended. A shuttle running to the Menominee Public Access site was available to participants. 

Wristbands were $20 a person, kids were free. The fee included a meal after the float, as well as live music at Tippecanoe River Run Campground by Bachelor Road.  Jeffro Depyro, a fire thrower, was also among the entertainment at the campground. 

Although she can't bring back her son, who will remain forever 27 in their hearts and memories, McCoy does continue to raise awareness about suicide prevention. For anyone thinking about committing suicide, McCoy hopes they remember, no matter who you are, somebody out there cares about you and will be affected. 

For more information about the Deven Rex Memorial Float call or text Pam McCoy at 574-767-6539

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) forecasting high levels of fine particles (PM2.5) in the air for Friday, June 9, for all Indiana counties.

The stagnant weather pattern continues to move smoke from Canadian wildfires across the state.

Air quality may continue to be impacted over the weekend. Hoosiers are encouraged to visit smogwatch.IN.gov to view current and forecasted conditions and subscribe to email alerts.

IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce PM2.5 by making changes to daily habits. You can:

PM2.5 is composed of microscopic dust, soot, and liquid that settles deep into the lungs and cannot be easily exhaled. Those people at risk are particularly vulnerable after several days of high PM2.5 exposure.

IDEM examines weather patterns and PM2.5 readings to make daily air quality forecasts. Air Quality Action Days generally occur when weather conditions such as light winds, snow cover, higher humidity, and lower atmospheric inversions trap pollutants close to the ground.

Certified massage therapist Shaun Henderson-Vigil  is making big waves in his career after planting his business 'Awakened Massage' at his newest official location next to the Lilly Pad Boutique in Rochester.

Henderson-Vigil's lakeside studio is now open to the community, combining all of the elements in one place for a once in a lifetime massage experience. 

Practicing massage therapy professionally for more than seven years, Henderson-Vigil says, to him, its more than just a job, it's a passion. 

Understanding the body, muscles and what it takes to heal, Henderson-Vigil's massages are already getting positive responses. Opening his doors for the first time this month, the studio has already opened doors for Vigil-Henderson and new clientell, who have already begun recommending him to family, friends and even a chiropractor for healing.

Available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for now as he gets his business going, appointments can be made by contacting Henderson-Vigil at 574-835-5432 or email awakenedmassage@gmail.com. 

Appointments range from 60 minute sessions for $60 or 90 minute massages for $75. 

The Wabash County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in a homicide investigation.

April Greene, 38, of Liberty Mills, was found in the Eel River on May 30, 2022.  Her death has been ruled a homicide.

The Wabash County Sheriff’s Office says that anyone with information regarding Greene’s death is encouraged to call an investigating officer – Det. Sgt. Ryan Short, 260-225-8119 or Det. Karsten Kersey, 260-225-8104.

Calls can also go to Wabash Valley Crime Stoppers, 260-436-7867.

With area schools being out for summer break, NIPSCO encourages parents and family members to have conversations with teens and young children about how to stay safe near and around construction zones this summer.

Construction and work zone safety is especially important as northern Indiana communities are experiencing surges of economic growth resulting in an increase of road expansion projects, new residential and business builds, park recreational facilities, multiplex centers, advancements in medical facilities and a rise in utility work in local neighborhoods.

The National Safety Council states that the construction industry employs more than 7.5 million workers in the United States – playing a significant role in supporting our economy.

As major contributor of regional and state economic expansion, NIPSCO has invested more than $2.7 billion dollars in building, modernizing, and enhancing its infrastructure in the last decade to better serve customers and communities now and into the future. This investment is done through hundreds of individual natural gas and electric construction projects, including an estimated 144 electrical substation rebuilds, 420 miles of electrical distribution wire, 11,475 new utility poles, nine new gas transmission facilities, 44 miles of new gas transmission pipeline, and many safety and enhancement programs that add new technology to the system.

“At NIPSCO, we are driven by the mission to deliver safe and reliable energy to our customers,” says Matthew Ireland, NIPSCO Safety Manager. “Safety is paramount in everything we do, and we want members of the communities we serve to stay safe this summer in and around construction and work zones by increasing their awareness and taking the necessary steps to help keep our employees, contractors and the public out of harm’s way.”

To help encourage awareness and reduce risk, NIPSCO would like to share a few critical safety tips for the summer construction season:

• Do not walk, run, ride, or play around/in construction sites or equipment. Especially
  near dirt piles or open trenches.
• Always walk in the designated walkway or sidewalk to avoid injury. Be alert of signage
  and sidewalks.
• Avoid being distracted by using any handheld devices whether it is talking, texting,
  playing games, listening to music or any other distractions while in a construction zone.
• If possible, avoid construction sites. Injury from debris or heavy machinery is possible.
• Stop, look, and listen for construction vehicles and equipment.
• Often smaller than equipment, adults and children should protect themselves by making
  eye contact with equipment operators to be seen.
• Read construction signs to know what to do in these zones.
• Keep Alert, falling objects are possible.
• Listen/watch for instruction by construction workers or flaggers to ensure safety.
• Stay outside of the orange cones, construction fence, and chain link areas.

According to the National Safety Council, work zone deaths have increased 63 percent since 2010. Fatality data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows an average of 55 work pedestrians are killed per year after being struck by vehicles in work zones.

A Kokomo man was arrested on numerous felony charges after being tracked down in Miami County for a Howard County warrant.

Indiana State Police along with members of the Miami County Sheriff's Office and the Howard County Sheriff's Office began an investigation after receiving information on the possible whereabouts of Geremy Miller, 46, of Kokomo. Miller had an active warrant for 24 felony counts relating to child sex crimes. Law enforcement officers went to a residence in Bunker Hill where Miller was located and taken into custody without incident.

Miller was arrested and transported to the Howard County Jail for the initial warrant of the following charges:

Child Molestation – Class A Felony (14 counts)          

Child Molestation – Class B Felony (6 counts)

Sexual Misconduct with a Minor – Class C Felony (4 counts)

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The Indiana Department of Transportation conducted its second public meeting on the Propel U.S. 30 & U.S. 31 projects at Argos High School. 

About 50 people attended the open house and presentation.  

CMD Smith is the engineering firm hired by INDOT to conduct the PEL Study. The PEL is Planning and Environmental Linkages, a collaborative and integrated approach to transportation decision-making that considers environmental, community, and economic goals early in the planning process.  The PEL process carries the information, analysis, and products developed during planning forward into the environmental review process.   

Brett Lackey, Project Manager from CMD Smith discussed the study details. 

In response to the comments the study has reviewed past plans, collected traffic data, spent time in the corridor to view the issues firsthand, and met with local economic development professionals. The feedback gathered was used to form the transportation issues and design outcomes.  Neither roadway experiences congestion and Lackey noted that on U.S. 30 one-third of the traffic is truck traffic while on U.S. 31 about a quarter of the traffic is truck traffic. 

In response to the safety concerns, the data showed between 2017 and 2021 there were more than 1,200 crashes in the study area with most of the crashes being rear-end or right-angle crashes.  Data collected over the 5 years showed 5 fatal accidents and 118 personal injury accidents.    Driveways and intersections on the highways constitute 39% of all crashes.   152 driveways access U.S. 30 or U.S. 31 creating potential safety concerns.  Ninety-three driveways, or 61% of the total of all driveways need to better reflect INDOT’s access management guidelines improving safety. 

The PEL study has determined that some infrastructure on 30, such as some ramps, some bridges, and some of the medians need spot upgrades.

When asked why the need to make changes on U.S. 30 & U.S. 31 the PEL Study addresses issues of conflict points of safety.  They want to improve safety and reduce the number of and severity of crashes.

Nine goals have been developed based on the input received:

Provide transportation infrastructure that supports the local economy and economic development goals

Improve safety by reducing turning and crossing conflicts

Improve the safety of local access points

Maintain the character of the local communities in the corridor

Provide equitable solutions that consider the needs of traditionally underserved and disadvantaged communities

Accommodate non-vehicular modes of travel within and crossing the U.S. 30 corridor

Support emerging technologies related to infrastructure

Identify fiscally responsible improvements that avoid or minimize impacts on the human and natural environment

Align investments with staples

This summer they will start to identify and evaluate potential solutions and release a draft for public review. In the winter of 2023, a second public meeting will be held, and draft results of the alternatives will be released to the public.  In late spring or early summer 2024, the alternatives will be narrowed down to more realistic results and the public will have a chance to review and comment on them.

Input from the communities is important and comments are being accepted until July 31. 

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The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has issued Air Quality Action Days (AQAD) on Wednesday and Thursday for all Indiana counties due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.

Current high particulate readings exist in South Bend, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Muncie. 

Also, Detroit, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and the Mid-Atlantic states are experiencing high levels of particulate. Due to north to northeast winds, this particulate matter is expected to continue traveling through Indiana.

Air quality may continue to be impacted beyond Thursday. Hoosiers are encouraged to visit smogwatch.IN.gov to view current and forecasted conditions and subscribe to email alerts.

IDEM encourages everyone to help reduce PM_2.5 by making changes to daily habits. You can:

• Avoid burning wood in fireplaces or wood-fired boilers and any other unnecessary fires
• Reminder: Indiana’s open burning laws make it illegal to burn trash and generally prohibit open burning, visit IN.gov/openburning for more information
• Reduce activity time outdoors to reduce unhealthy exposure to PM₅ and avoid exercising near busy roads
• Combine errands into one trip
• Avoid using gas-powered recreational vehicles
• Keep your engine tuned, and don’t let your engine idle (e.g., at a bank or restaurant drive-thru)
• Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the thermostat to 70 degrees or lower

PM_2.5 is composed of microscopic dust, soot, and liquid that settles deep into the lungs and cannot be easily exhaled. Those people at risk are particularly vulnerable after several days of high PM_2.5 exposure.

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Pixie Smash Forge is making June feel like October with their 'Summerween' event on Saturday .

Starting at 3 p.m. on June 10, artist Rita Thurman will be sharing her love for Halloween with an open house showcasing her art, blacksmithing, and free fun, inspired by the Disney show 'Gravity Falls.' 

Pixie Smash Forge is located at 435 N Northwest St in Winamac.

The event will include a costume contest, trick-or-treating, free face painting, melon carving, knife-making a food truck and more. 

Thurman says Halloween is in the blood when it comes to her style, decor, art, and even personality. Rita's grandmother ran Bonnie's Punkins' for more than 30 years on State Road 35, North of Winamac.

Having her own kind of love for all peculiar and curious, Thurman shares her eccentric, Winamac forging shop with her step-dad, artist and former auctioneer, Bob Smith. The forge's Halloween decor stays up year-round, and so does Thurman's passion.

For more information about this weekend's event you can check out the 'Summerween' event Facebook page for more information. 

The Fulton County Sheriff's Office is seeking information from business owners and managers to update business files in case of an emergency.

They are requesting the following:

1) Emergency contact name, email address, and phone number

2) Alternative emergency contact and phone number

4) Name and address verification of your business

5) Any hazards or obstacles at the property

You're asked to email or call with this information:    

ksutton@co.fulton.in.us                     

574-223-2997

Teachers Credit Union (TCU), the largest credit union in Indiana, is changing its name to Everwise Credit Union to better reflect its mission to empower and serve all people and grow beyond its original educator roots.

The Everwise brand, including a new logo, tagline, and visual identity, will launch June 26. The change in brand does not reflect a change in ownership and TCU will remain 100 percent member owned and headquartered in South Bend.

“Though we will always support local educators, it is simply time our name reflected all the members we serve today and the growth ahead,” said Jason M. Osterhage, President and Chief Executive Officer of TCU. “We have always championed financial confidence and well-being for all of our members and all of our communities. This is the next step in our evolution, as a simple yet meaningful way to connect with people aspiring to feel more confident and in control of their money and their future.”

With more than 300,000 members and over 50 branches throughout Indiana and southwest Michigan, TCU has always made its mission to support people as they grow into their financial dreams. The new Everwise name builds on that people-first foundation and sets the credit union up for continued growth and opportunities.

“We are so proud to unveil the Everwise name,” said Angie Dvorak, Chief Marketing + Growth Officer at TCU. “As a financial institution founded to support teachers in our local community, we have education at our core. The Everwise name shows that when people are given the right resources and support, they can achieve their financial dreams.”

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) announced today the Warsaw branch will relocate to 3650 Commerce Drive, Warsaw, IN 46580. The branch will open in its new location on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. The final day at the old location will be Saturday, June 17, 2023. The branch will maintain the same operating schedule, serving customers Tuesday through Saturday. 

The new location will have a BMV Connect kiosk. The kiosk will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and offer customers the opportunity to complete more than a dozen common transactions.  

For a complete list of branch locations and hours, to complete an online transaction, or to find a 24-hour BMV Connect kiosk near you visit IN.gov/BMV.  

Producer sentiment fell to its weakest reading since July 2022 as the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer declined 19 points to a reading of 104 in May.

The Index of Future Expectations was down 22 points to a reading of 98 in May, while the Index of Current Conditions was down 13 points to a reading of 116. This month’s lower sentiment was fueled by drops in both of the barometer’s sub-indices and likely triggered by weakened crop prices. In mid-May, Eastern Corn Belt fall delivery bids for corn fell over $0.50/bushel (10%), and soybean bids declined over $1.00/bushel (8%), while new crop June/July delivery wheat bids declined nearly $0.50/bushel (8%), all compared to bids available in mid-April, when last month’s barometer survey was conducted. The Ag Economy Barometer is calculated each month from 400 U.S. agricultural producers’ responses to a telephone survey. This month’s survey was conducted between May 15-19.

“Producers are feeling the squeeze from weakened crop prices, which has reduced their expectations for strong financial performance in the coming year,” said James Mintert, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture.

The Farm Financial Performance Index was impacted by lower sentiment, dropping 17 points to a reading of 76 in May. Crop price weakness, uncertainty related to U.S. bank failures, and rising interest rates were likely key factors behind the decline. This month, 38% of respondents said they expect weaker financial performance for their farm this year, compared to just 23% who felt that way in April. Higher input cost remains the top concern among producers in the year ahead; however, concern over the risk of lower crop and/or livestock prices is growing. This month 26% of respondents chose lower output prices as their top concern, compared with just 8% of respondents who felt that way in September. Meanwhile, nearly three-fifths (59%) of producers said they expect interest rates to rise during the upcoming year, and 22% of respondents chose rising interest rates as a top concern for their farm in the next 12 months. Additionally, 40% of farmers in this month’s poll said they expect this spring’s U.S. bank failures to lead to some changes in farm loan terms in the upcoming year, possibly putting more financial pressure on their operations.

Unsurprisingly, the Farm Capital Investment Index was also lower, down 6 points to a reading of 37 in May. More than three-fourths (76%) of respondents continue to feel now is a bad time for large investments. Among those who feel now is a bad time, two-thirds (67%) cited rising interest rates and increased prices for machinery and new construction as key reasons.

Producers’ expectations for short-term farmland values fell 13 points to 110 in May and marked the weakest short-term index reading since August 2020. In this month’s survey, just 29% of respondents said they expect farmland values to rise over the next 12 months, compared to 54% who felt that way a year earlier. In contrast, producers remain more optimistic about the longer-term outlook for farmland values, as the Long-Term Farmland Value Expectations Index rose 3 points in May to a reading of 145.

With farm bill discussions ongoing, this month’s survey asked respondents what title in the upcoming legislation will be most important to their farming operation. Nearly half (48%) of producers said the Crop Insurance Title will be the most important aspect of a new farm bill to their farms, followed by the Commodity Title, chosen by 25% of respondents. In a follow-up question, corn and soybean growers were asked what change, if any, they expect to see to the Price Loss Coverage reference prices in a new farm bill. Close to half (45%) of corn and soybean growers said they expect Congress to establish higher reference prices for both crops, with very few (10% and 13%) expecting lower reference prices for soybeans and corn, respectively.

Read the full Ag Economy Barometer report at https://purdue.ag/agbarometer. The site also offers additional resources – such as past reports, charts and survey methodology – and a form to sign up for monthly barometer email updates and webinars.

Each month, the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture provides a short video analysis of the barometer results, available at https://purdue.ag/barometervideo. For more information, check out the Purdue Commercial AgCast podcast available at https://purdue.ag/agcast, which includes a detailed breakdown of each month’s barometer and a discussion of recent agricultural news that affects farmers.

As the 2023 Fulton County 4-H Fair week quickly approaches its July 9 kick-off, it'll be the first of many for Crystal Grossman, the newest Fulton County 4-H Youth Development Educator.

A 10-year 4-Her herself, after growing up in Fulton County outside of Akron, Grossman came back to her roots when she accepted the job this past December. 

Formerly working with workforce development as a JAG specialist, Grossman carries a passion for youth development that gives her high hopes for her future as a 4-H Youth Development Educator. 

Personally learning responsibility, community and the meaning of inclusion during her youth while participating in the club, Grossman now looks forward to sharing her passion with current and future 4-Hers and watching them grow. 

The Indiana State Fair is actively hiring seasonal employees to help put on the 166th Indiana State Fair.

The fair is July 28 - August 20. 

The 14th annual Indiana State Fair Job Fair will be held this Thursday, from 4 – 6 p.m. at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center in the Blue Ribbon Pavilion, 1202 E. 38th Street, Indianapolis. 

This year’s 166th Indiana State Fair is seeking hundreds of seasonal employees for positions related to parking, gates, security, operations, tractor shuttles, information booths, and education exhibits. Positions are ideal for college students, retirees, individuals with full-time jobs who want to earn extra money, and others.

During the event, candidates seeking a seasonal position with the 2023 Indiana State Fair can complete an application and be interviewed onsite. Applicants are asked to bring a positive attitude and a copy of their resume if they have one. Knowledge about the fair is not a prerequisite – only a willingness to help our guests.

If applicants are unable to attend the job fair, they may visit the State Fairgrounds Employment Office, located in Fall Creek Pavilion beginning June 13 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday - Friday.

For more information on the job fair or to download an application for seasonal employment, visit www.indianastatefair.com.

Before March 2023, the Miami County Prosecutors Office released the following statement to the Peru Tribune to warn those individuals who are delinquent in child support payments.

“Non-custodial parents with child support cases through the Miami County Title IV-D / Child Support Enforcement Office, who are delinquent on their child support payments, may avoid jail time and other penalties if they take advantage of an initiative beginning March 1. Child Support Amnesty Month will run the entire month of March, while payments are collected.

1,819 children depend on child support adjudicated in Miami County. Currently, there is over $10,000,000 in delinquent child support owed to these children.

The Miami County Prosecutor’s Office, and newly appointed Title IV-D Deputy Prosecutor Abigail Smith, have organized this one-month amnesty program to benefit those parent’s delinquent on their child support. This allows a grace period for delinquent child support payments to be collected.

Beginning April 1, felony non-support charges will be filed, and arrest warrants requested for non-custodial parents who are substantially delinquent on their child support payments.”

On May 26, 11 felony warrants, all for non-support of a dependent child were issued. Five suspects were taken into custody and remanded to the Miami County Jail, while six suspects remain outstanding.

The arrested include five men, all from Peru: Michael Jenkins, 41; Eric Labare, 58; Justin Lees, 42; Derik Thompson, 30; Jason Whitmer, 39.

This was a joint effort by the Peru City Police Department, Miami County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police, and Miami County Prosecutors Office.

The Rochester Police Department has released the following information regarding golf cart registration in the city.

Please share with your neighbors and friends. We will begin the golf cart registration process on Monday, June 5. Your golf cart must first be inspected by an officer to be sure it has all of the required equipment. You can either bring your golf cart to the police department, or call the police department and we will send an officer to your residence.

Once the inspection is complete, you will be given the permit application and a copy of the ordinance. You will bring the permit application, along with the $100 registration fee, to the police department between 7:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, pay your registration fee and receive your registration sticker. If that time from does not work for you, please call the police department at 574-223-3313 to schedule a time that works best for everyone.

Payment must be made by cash or a check made payable to "City of Rochester".

Required equipment for your golf cart includes the following:

- Rearview AND side view mirrors

- Brake lights and turn signals

- Bright orange flag affixed to the rear of the golf cart that is a minimum of six feet in height from the roadway

- Slow moving vehicle placard that conforms to the provisions of Indiana Code 9-21-9-2, affixed to the rear of the golf cart

- Head lights and tail lights, if operated after dark or before dawn

- A flashing light, affixed to the highest point of the golf cart, on at all times (day or night)

You must also provide proof of insurance at the time of inspection. And only persons holding a valid driver's license may operate a golf cart on city streets.

If you would like a complete copy of the ordinance prior to your inspection, please stop by the police department to pick one up.

Please do not call the police department for your inspection until it has all of the required equipment. If your golf cart does not have all of the required equipment, lighting kits may be found and ordered online.

The Domestic Relations Committee of the Judicial Conference of Indiana is seeking comments on proposed changes to Indiana’s Child Support Rules and Guidelines, which are used to make decisions about child support in dissolutions of marriage, legal separations, paternity cases, Title IV-D proceedings, and all other actions for child support.

The proposed changes address:

A revised weekly schedule for child support based on more recent economic data

Removal of uninsured healthcare payments from the weekly schedule for child support

Amendment of the low-income adjustment to account for income of both parents

Simplification of uninsured and unreimbursed healthcare expenses

New language permitting calculation of the parenting time credit when a parent

spends a different amount of overnights with each child

Updated child support obligation worksheet to reflect guideline revisions

Emphasis on giving the rationale for any deviation from the presumptive child support guideline amount, even when parents agree

Clarification of split custody and child support calculations

Updated language on payment of birth and postpartum expenses in paternity cases

Feedback will be accepted until 12:00 p.m. (Eastern) on Friday, June 30, 2023. Comments may be submitted online or mailed to the Indiana Office of Court Services, c/o Domestic Relations Committee, 251 North Illinois Street, Suite 800, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

The Domestic Relations Committee is composed of judicial officers from across Indiana and receives staff support from the Indiana Office of Court Services.

The Committee will review public comments to assist in recommending amendments of the Child Support Rules Guidelines to the Indiana Supreme Court. The Court has the final authority over the guidelines.

Picking season has sprung over at Sarah and the Two Girls Strawberry Patch, 1983 N 300 W, outside of Rochester. With one acre bearing fruit, the patch is a dream turned reality for owner Sarah Smith, who quit her job of 23 years to turn to the fields and start her own business two years ago.

Smith plans on having everbearing fruit in future years that will allow her business to be open from May until the end of September. For now, however, the month of June is the only chance to grab her naturally cared for, pesticide free strawberries. 

U-pick prices are $2.75 a pound or 10 pounds for $25.

U-pick hours vary, depending on when the fields get picked out, but Smith keeps customers updated via social media by posting availability on their Facebook page. When they are available, pick times start at 9 a.m. until dusk.

Those wanting to check before planning a trip can call or message Smith at 574-239-5319.